To re-visit the previously agreed Ward Action Plan and identify achievements made during the year 2010/2011.
Minutes:
It was reported that at the inception of Ward Community Meetings in the Autumn of 2008 the residents identified the following issues in Stoneygate: -
i) Cleanliness of the Ward and general environmental issues.
What was the problem?
There had been many complaints and comments about the cleanliness of the ward, e.g. litter particularly from takeaways on Evington Road, more bins, general street cleaning etc; this impacted on safety as well as hygiene and general tidiness.
What has been done about it?
The City Council had introduced a CityWardens Service with dedicated wardens for each ward in the City, including Stoneygate. Aim of the service was to improve the quality of the local environment and to engage with local residents to provide a visible and approachable ‘on the street’ point of contact.
ACTIONS TAKEN had included:
· Fines issued for dropping litter, cigarette ends, chewing gum etc.
· Stoneygate CM approved funding to support flower bulb planting in the Upper Tichborne Street area
· Removal of overflowing skips
· Removal of trade waste bins from the pavement
· Action to ensure trade waste was going to licensed waste carriers
· Ongoing programme of visits to traders on Evington Road
· Letters to residents in Cromer Street regarding bins left on the street
· Increased waste collections in the Evington Road area to deal with seasonal increases in street activity in the area.
The City Warden gave a further update on work undertaken in the area and stated that the main problems centred around littering on Evington Road, due to the nature of the road and its fast food economy. Joint patrols had been undertaken with thePolice to raise awareness and take enforcement action against those who committed littering. During early April 2011 a targeted enforcement day was carried out on Evington Road, St. Stephens Road and Upper Tichborne Street.
ii) Traffic
What was the problem?
Traffic congestion, speeding and inappropriate parking.
Issues relating to 20mph zones, vehicle activated signs, bollards scheme around Evington Road shops, Stavely Road traffic calming (one way only) scheme.
Residents parking scheme around Churchill Road. Traffic issues on Wakerley Road and St. Phillips Church area.
Many of the road surfaces badly worn, particularly after the winter weather in 2010.
What has been done about it?
August 2010 – Director of Regeneration and Transport attended the Community Meeting to provide a detailed presentation on road repairs planned for the Stoneygate Ward.
The City Council was taking all necessary measures to reduce speed and accidents in the City. The only way to control vehicle speeds in the area would be the introduction of traffic calming. Unfortunately the number of requests for traffic calming far outstripped the amount of funding available to introduce such measures. In 1993 the City Council set priorities for traffic calming using accident recorded per kilometre. This has enabled limited resources to be targeted to those areas where it will have most benefit.
ACTIONS TAKEN had included:
· January 2011 – 43 ‘H’ markings (white line outside driveways) had been put in place in Stoneygate Ward, no date set for enforcement.
· Traffic Regulation Orders in the Evington Drive area were reviewed and revised in 2008.
· October 2010 – a schedule of planned highways maintenance works for Stoneygate area.
· August 2010 - Traffic officers carried out residents parking scheme consultations in the areas south and north of Biddulph Street.
· February 2010 – Current projects included works to Mere Road and the resurfacing of Woodland Road.
· July 2009 – A 24hr speed survey was carried out at Evington Road at 2 locations:
opposite to St. Stephens Road – the 85% speed reading was 28 mph
opposite No.140 – the 85% speed reading was 26 mph.
In both cases the speeds were within the speed limits and did not warrant any action.
iii) Condition of Roads
Road Repair Update, March 2011
“At the Community Meeting in August 2010, Jeff Miller, Director for Regeneration, Highways and Transportation, and Martin Fletcher from Highways Maintenance, outlined proposals for a programme of road repairs in Stoneygate Ward. This was in response to the deterioration in road conditions in the area that had led to an increase in the number of potholes and increasing concern amongst residents. At the meeting the views of local residents and Members were also taken on board about the need to apportion a sum of money to carry out some minor repairs in the other side streets not detailed in the main programme.
The programme of work was part of the £1.065 million Capital Potholes Programme, approved by Cabinet at the end of Summer 2010. Within the programme £285,000 had been allocated to Stoneygate Ward and, since October 2010 patching and repair works had been completed in the following streets:
· Bartholomew Street
· Glossop Street *
· Hazelwood Road
· Highway Road *
· Kedlestone Road
· Linton Street *
· Osmaston Road
· Rowsley Street *
· Sawley Street *
· St. Stephens Road
· Stoughton Drive North *
· Kingston Road
· Dashwood Road
· Draper Street
· Lyme Road
· Halsbury Street
· Cromer Street
· Chepstow Road
· Conway Road
· Devana Road
· Wakerley Road
Further re-surfacing works were programmed for some of the above streets during March and April (these are annotated with an *). St. Stephens Road was resurfaced over the half-term holidays during the week commencing 21st February 2011.
Significant repair works were also programmed for Evington Drive during March, between Evington Road and Baden Road.
When the above resurfacing works were started, the co-operation of residents was sought by avoiding parking in affected streets when work was being carried out, particularly during the daytime. In those roads that were being resurfaced Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders had been obtained to prevent parking and these would be enforced if required to enable the work to be undertaken. Every effort would be taken to liaise with residents to minimise disruption, however it was hoped that residents would appreciate that a few days disruption would be worth it.
Two other significant schemes in the area had also been completed over the past 12 months:
· Mere Road Footways Maintenance (circa £50k)
· Evington Road/Hamilton Street Pelican/Pedestrian Crossing facilities (circa £30k plus).
In addition to the above, the Draft Integrated Transport Capital Maintenance programme for the next two years included proposals for the City Council to undertake flag footway works on Evington Valley Road in 2012/2013.”
iv) Crime and Anti-social behaviour
What was the problem?
Anti social behaviour particularly on Evington Road and including drugs, violence, drinking, loitering and sex workers.
What has been done about it?
· Police presence increased on Victoria Park to combat recent incidents of indecent behaviour
· December 2010 – Extra Police patrols implemented and attack alarms distributed, plus press release issued to help combat street robberies in the Evington footpath area.
· August/September 2010 – ‘Operation Overload’ addressed problems around anti-social behaviour and car parking in the area.
· 2010 – targets for local policing included Medway Street, drugs issues and Evington Road, car parking and anti-social behaviour issues. Door to door surveys carried out to assist this process.
· Myrtle Road and Upper Tichborne Street identified issues of anti-social behaviour, drug use and misuse of motor vehicle.
· 2010 – Crime in area had shown an overall decrease of 71% compared to 2009.
Sgt. Danny Graham reported that, during week commencing 14th February, a Stoneygate Week of Action had taken place. A cluster of streets in the South Highfields area that were hotspots for crime in area. Funding had been obtained and officers maintained a high visibility presence in the area during the week. Regular street briefings had been given to officers and regular patrols were carried out, as a result no crimes had been recorded during the week. During the week a couple of street searches had been carried out and a quantity of drugs had been removed. An uninsured vehicle had been seized and several drunken people had also been dealt with promptly. It was stated that such levels of policing could not be sustained day in and day out but the local police were able to respond to requests from residents.
Regarding the spate of street robberies in Evington Footpath a person had been arrested and appeared in the Crown Court earlier in the day.
In concluding Sgt. Danny Graham stated that he believed in local policing and sought the continued support of local people.
v) Insufficient Community Facilities
What was the problem?
A lack of community facilities e.g. sports.
What has been done about it?
1) Spinney Hills Park
Bob Mullins, Parks and Open Spaces circulated copies of a recent presentation on the current position relating to the Spinney Hills Park restoration Project. Bob stated that all work was expected to be completed by August 2011.
Bob stated that the final piece of work at the Park would be the Pavilion, where the Park Officer was to be based, as well as the location for a small refreshment kiosk. The kiosk might be offered as a franchise or instead could be manned by the Friends of Spinney Hills Park.
Options were also being considered around the provision of an outside gymnasium at the Park.
The Heritage Lottery Fund had imposed strict guidelines as to how the works at the Park could be undertaken and only about 12 companies nationwide were able to deliver on Heritage Lottery tenders. It was acknowledged that local workers had not been employed on the Project for the reasons outlined and that these concerns would be fed back.
2) Mayfield Children’s Centre
“This Children’s Centre is one of a network throughout the City offering a range of services and support to all families, including play sessions, music and movement, early learning sessions, advice on parenting, pregnancy testing and Welfare Rights advice to name but a few. The Centre also provides early access to arrange of more specialised support services including speech and language support. Families could go to their nearest centre where a session fitted in with their timetable. As part of Leicester Library service, the Centre offered a wide range of books aimed at 5 – 8 year olds. The well stocked toy library offered families the chance to try out new toys at home; parents and carers can be sure that the toys are safe, fun and supported their child’s development.
A whole team of people were involved in running services for the area, led by Geraldine Connor who is the Integrated Services Neighbourhood Manager. There is support work in local schools provided for by the Extended Services Co-ordinator, (0-19 year olds) Bronwen Barradell. The Integrated Service team, which includes Varsha Patel and Nathan Bradbury, support young people through the CAF process (Common Assessment Framework).
Publicity Leaflets are displayed throughout the City and information about events available is on the website, families@leicester.gov.uk/childrenscentres .”
Geraldine stated that, at a recent launch event at the Mayfield Centre, some 130 parents had attended. The Centre was open 6 days per week and it was stressed that local Ward Councillors had been instrumental in getting the Centre opened. Local people were welcome to visit.
Geraldine stated that after April 2011 the Centre would be working closely with Spinney Hills Park with a view to utilising the play areas at the Park. It was further stated that the Centre was looking to work with the local neighbourhood to develop an area of land at the rear of the Centre as a garden.
Geraldine was thanked for her update.