Agenda and minutes

The Chair will introduce those present and make any necessary announcements.

The Chair and any other Councillors who are present will make any declarations of interest as required by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Cllr Dawood – Chair, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

Darren Evans, the City Warden, sent his apologies

There were no declarations of interest.

The Action Log for the last meeting, held on Monday 6 November 2019, is attached for information and discussion.

The action log for the meeting held on Wednesday, 6 November 2019 was noted.

Officers from the Local Policing Unit will be at the meeting to provide an update on police issues in the Ward

Officers were not present at the meeting to provide an update. It was noted that an update would be requested for the next meeting.

An Officer from the Highways Team will provide an update on highways related matters in the ward.

Stuart Maxwell, City Transport Director, gave an update on local Highways issues. It was reported that:

·         Gas works remained ongoing on Nedham Street, keeping the road closed heading towards Humberstone Road. Cadent had yet to provide an update on when the works would be finished. Action: Stuart Maxwell to pursue update from Cadent.

·         New bollards and road signs would be put up on Melbourne Road.

·         New Traffic Regulation Orders would be coming into place in the ward, they would be listed in the Leicester Mercury.

·         An advisory disabled bay scheme was in the final phase of approval and would be in operation during March.

·         A 3-year St Matthews resident program would be moving forward.

·         A one-way scheme for Maynard Road, Keythorpe Street, and Wilson Street would be going to a stage of public consultation. The aim was for the scheme to be implemented in the summer. A map of the scheme is attached as an appended.

Residents asked if disabled bays on Frederick Road could be restructured to maximise space. Action: Stuart Maxwell to explore options.

Residents asked if the disabled bay permits could be reviewed as it was alleged people were using the permits of deceased people. Action: Stuart Maxwell to investigate and respond at next meeting.

Residents reported trader vehicles blocking garages at the top of Frederick Road and St Saviours Road when they were parked. Action: Stuart Maxwell to investigate.

Residents asked about the possibility of opening Berners Street near the Melbourne Road junction. Action: Stuart Maxwell to look at options.  

Housing Officers will be at the meeting to discuss housing issues in the Ward.

Paresh Chandarana, Neighbourhood Housing Team Leader, provided an update including the following:

·         A scheme to take out shrubs on Ottawa Road had been carried out to reduce the amount of litter and pests in the area. Residents gave positive feedback about the scheme.

·         St Matthews residents were invited to a public meeting on 3 June for consulting on further changes that could be made to the St Matthews area. 

Residents reported that the pavement near Highfields Library was broken and posing a risk. Action: Officer to take resident’s details and investigate.

Residents asked how many Council Houses were currently vacant. It was reported that very few were vacant and that there was a waiting time for Council Homes to become available.

Residents enquired as to whether the new parking spaces being made available would take up green space. It was reported that no green space would be taken up by the new spaces.

The City Warden will give an update on environmental issues in the Ward

Darren Evans, the City Warden for the ward, was not present to provide an update.

Councillors are reminded that under the Council’s Code of Conduct they should declare any interest they may have in budget applications.

An update on the Ward Community Budget will be provided at the meeting

It was noted that since the last meeting there had been 13 applications, of which 9 had been successful. The successful applications were as follows:

·         £500 for the Great Highfields bake-off

·         £250 for Community Children’s Christmas Party at St Matthews Neighbourhood Centre

·         £150 for Community Children’s Christmas Party at African Caribbean Centre

·         £500 for an Elders Fitness Club in Wesley Hall

·         £300 for International Mother Language Day

·         £750 for arts and craft equipment at Highfields Adventure Playground

·         £500 for the Vulcan Road Residents Association

·         £300 for the Highfields Centre, Let’s Create project.

·         £150 for a spring excursion for the Golden Fellowship

It was noted that several evaluations for successful applications had not yet been sent in.

Representatives from Highfields Adventure Playground, Leicester Nirvana, and Vulcan Road Residents Association were present and briefly explained what they would be doing with their funding.

Javed Shah, Transport Development Officer, briefly explained the Personalised Public Transport Plan, aimed at encouraging more sustainable transport means. Slides explaining the scheme are attached as an Appendix.

There being no other business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 7:25pm.