Agenda item

Councillors are reminded that they will need to declare any interest they may have in budget applications, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

 

a)      The Members Support Officer submits an update on the 2010/11 Community Meeting budget. 

 

b)      The following applications for grants are submitted for consideration:-

 

Application 1

 

Applicant:       Gulam Mohammed Lockhat

 

Proposal:       Outing for Young People who are part of As Salaam

 

Amount:          £300 for the hire of a single deck coach

(based on quote received from Confidence Coaches)

 

Summary:

 

This request is for funding to cover the cost of hiring a coach to a theme park or the seaside in the summer.

 

In the last few years there has been an increase in the number of Asian families, particularly Muslim families, moving into the area.  Approximately 90 such families have been identified in and around the area. 

 

As Salaam provides supplementary education for approximately 62 children, using facilities at Thurnby Lodge Community Centre.  The classes operate 5 days per week.  The cost of tutors and accommodation is met from donations and fees.

 

It is proposed to take some of these children, many of whom are from families on low incomes and benefits, to a theme park or on a trip to the seaside.  The cost of entrance to the theme park or seaside attraction will be met through a small charge and from donations from the community.  Charges will be kept to a minimum, in order not to discourage attendance.

 

 

Application 2

 

Applicant:       Gulam Mohammed Lockhat

 

Proposal:       As Salaam Women’s Events

 

Amount:

 

Item	Cost (£)	Actual or Estimate?	Request to Ward Meeting (£)
Cost of 2 hour hire of church hall	£20 per hour	£40 x 12 = £480 per annum	50% of the cost – ie, £240 per annum
Cost of hiring Thurnby Lodge Community Centre for Eid Celebrations		approx £160	£160
TOTAL			£400

 

Summary:

 

a)     Funding towards the cost of hiring the hall at Christ Church, Nursery Road to hold a monthly meeting and provide refreshments for Asian women living in Thurncourt Ward

 

In the last few years there has been an increase in the number of Asian families, particularly Muslim families, moving into the area.  Approximately 90 such families have been identified in and around the area.  Whilst men can meet up and network, there are limited opportunities for Asian women to do this.  As most have only just moved to the area and are dispersed, there is a degree of isolation.  With increasing unemployment, there is an even greater risk of isolation as incomes for families are reduced and the cost of maintaining contacts becomes more difficult.

 

To address this, As Salaam has begun a programme of meetings aimed at Asian women in the area.  These take place on the first Sunday of each month and refreshments are provided.  They enable mutual support networks, such as sharing child minding or school runs, to be established.

 

To date, a number of individuals have borne the cost of room hire and have provided refreshments.  Once fully established, it is intended to make a nominal charge for this activity.  The charge will need to be nominal to ensure that those with a limited income are not discouraged from attending.

 

Approximately 30 – 40 women attended the first couple of events.

 

b)     Funding towards the cost of hiring Thurnby Lodge Community Centre for an Eid party for women and children in the area

 

This will be an annual event, after Ramadaan and is a way of getting all the Muslim women and children in the area together for a celebration.  The cost of the food, etc will be met entirely from donations, so this request is only for funding for the hire of the Community Centre.

 

These proposals will help build a community spirit and confidence, especially amongst Asian women, as a precursor to them and As Salaam playing a part in improving an understanding of cultures and helping to promote good citizenship and cohesion.

 

As Salaam relies on donations but will pay for refreshments and, if possible, pay the balance of the accommodation charge.  This will keep the cost to individuals to an absolute minimum.  At previous events, participants have been asked to make a donation if they could.  This practice will continue if possible so as not to discourage attendance.

 

 

Application 3

 

Applicant:       Silver Threads Monday Club

 

Proposal:       To take club members on a day trip to a place of interest

 

Amount:         

 

Item	Cost (£)	Actual or Estimate?	Request to Ward Meeting (£)
Bus Contribution towards entrance fees	£370 £130	E E	£370 £130

 

Summary:

 

The proposed day trip would be available to all Club members and other senior citizens from Thurnby Lodge.

 

No funding has been sought from other sources.

 

 

Application 4

 

Applicant:       Highways Maintenance in conjunction with Thurncourt Ward                               Councillors

 

Proposal:       Installation of six grit bins

 

Amount:          £1,200

 

Summary:      

 

This proposal is to install grit bins at the following locations:

 

- Wintersdale Road (2) - one located at each end of the road.

- Tuskar Road

- Drumcliffe Road

- Dudley Close

- Lodge Farm Road

 

Following the recent harsh winter, these locations have been identified as priority areas in need of grit bins.  Funding from the Ward Community Meeting would guarantee that these are in place to help to respond to adverse weather conditions in the future.  The funding would pay for the installation of the bins, which would then be adopted and maintained by the City Council.

 

 

Application 5

 

Applicant:       Thurncourt Neighbourhood Police Team

 

Proposal:       Police push bike for use by the Thurncourt Neighbourhood Beat Team

 

Amount:          £500

 

Summary:

 

Currently, Thurncourt Neighbourhood Beat Team has 4 officers, who share a single push bike.  By doubling the number of push bikes it is hoped to achieve even greater success in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour in the Thurncourt Ward.

 

No funding has been sought from other sources.

Francis Connolly, (Members Support Officer with Leicester City Council), drew attention to the budget statement that had been circulated, advising that a grant of £500 had been approved to the Chit Chat Club, not £550 as shown.  This meant that the total remaining balance was £1,949.

 

The following applications for grants were then considered:-

 

a)       Gulam Mohammed Lockhat – Outing for Young People who are part of As Salaam

 

The Chair explained that insufficient funds remained in the budget to be able to support this application at this time.  

 

AGREED:

that consideration of this application be deferred to the next meeting.

 

Action	Officer Identified	Deadline
Application to be resubmitted to the Community Meeting	Francis Connolly / Elaine Baker	Next meeting

 

 

b)      Gulam Mohammed Lockhat – As Salaam Women’s Events

 

The Chair explained that insufficient funds remained in the budget to be able to support it this application in full.

 

RECOMMENDED:

1)         that funding of £249 be supported to the As Salaam organisation towards the planned women’s events; and

 

2)         that consideration be given at the next meeting to whether the balance of the funds requested can be granted.

 

Action	Officer Identified	Deadline
Application to be resubmitted to the Community Meeting	Francis Connolly / Elaine Baker	Next meeting

 

 

c)       Silver Threads Monday Club – Day Trip to a Place of Interest

 

The Chair explained that insufficient funds remained in the budget to be able to support this application at this time. 

 

AGREED:

that consideration of this application be deferred to the next meeting.

 

Action	Officer Identified	Deadline
Application to be resubmitted to the Community Meeting	Francis Connolly / Elaine Baker	Next meeting

 

 

d)      Highways Maintenance in conjunction with Thurncourt Ward Councillors – Installation of Six Grit Bins

 

It was noted that this application had been made in accordance with the Community Meeting’s Action Plan priority to address the condition of highways.

 

Ward Councillors had worked with officers to identify six key locations at which grit bins could be installed.  The bins would cost £200 each and it was a condition of installing these bins that the City Council would adopt them for the purposes of maintaining and refilling them.

 

In reply to questions, it was noted that local residents would be responsible for spreading the grit.  The grit contained sand, to discourage inappropriate use, as it would stain surfaces.  The Council checked the bins and refilled them when needed.

 

RECOMMENDED:

1)         that funding of £1,200 be supported for the installation of six grit bins in the following locations:-

-          Wintersdale Road (two bins)

-          Tuskar Road

-          Drumcliffe Road

-          Dudley Close

-          Lodge Farm Road; and

 

2)         that signs be fixed to the bins showing that they had been provided through Community Meeting funding.

 

e)       Thurncourt Neighbourhood Police Team – Push Bike for Thurncourt Neighbourhood Beat Team

 

The meeting asked if it would be helpful for four bicycles to be purchased, but it was noted that only two bikes would be used at any one time.  The Police were not able to accept commercial sponsorship, so were unable to ask for financial support from local businesses.

 

RECOMMENDED:

that funding of £500 be supported to the Thurncourt Neighbourhood Police Team for the purchase of a push bike for use by the Thurncourt Neighbourhood Beat Team.

 

f)        Other Applications

 

i)        Road Traffic Remedial Scheme – Junction of Havencrest Drive and The Parkway

 

Members of the community reminded the meeting that £4,200 previously had been supported for a proposed road traffic accident remedial scheme at the junction of Havencrest Drive and The Parkway, if this scheme did not receive funding from Leicester’s third Local Transport Plan (LTP3).  It was asked if LTP3 funding had been allocated yet. 

 

As the funding had not yet been allocated, it was

 

AGREED:

that the position regarding funding for this scheme be reviewed at the next meeting.

 

Action	Officer Identified	Deadline
An update on this application to be given to the Community Meeting	Francis Connolly / Elaine Baker	Next meeting

 

 

ii)       Thurnby Lodge Tenants and Residents Association – Driver Assessments

 

Francis Connolly reported that, since the agenda had been circulated, an application for funding had been received from the Thurnby Lodge Tenants and Residents Association (TARA).  This was for £114, to enable two people to undertake the assessment needed to enable them to drive the City Council’s community transport.

 

It was planned that an advert would be placed on TARA notice boards and included in the next edition of the TARA newsletter, asking for volunteers to undertake this assessment.  If, after one month, no-one had come forward, Voluntary Action Leicester (VAL) would be asked if they could find someone to help.  Asking TARA staff would be the last option and they only would be asked if VAL had been unable to find volunteers after one month.

 

It was intended that, once the volunteers had passed their assessment, all groups in the community would be given the chance to use the minibus.  However, as TARA was organising this, it was proposed that TARA would decide where the first four visits should be made.  This would have the added advantage of enabling TARA to become familiar with the hiring system.

 

AGREED:

that, if volunteers come forward before the next meeting, this application be approved through the Ward Members’ delegated authority, but if no volunteers can be found in that time, the application be resubmitted to the next meeting.

 

Action	Officer Identified	Deadline
Application to be resubmitted to the Community Meeting if needed	Francis Connolly / Elaine Baker	Next meeting

 

iii)     Community Wheelchairs

 

Representatives of the Thurnby Lodge Youth and Community Centre advised the meeting that the Centre had bought two wheelchairs with a grant from the Community Meeting.

 

One would be kept at Thurnby Lodge Youth and Community Centre and one would be kept at Ocean Road Community Centre, although it could be brought back to the Thurnby Lodge Centre if necessary.

 

Conditions of use had been drawn up and those borrowing the chairs would be required to leave a £10 deposit.

 

The Centre had been advised that Health and Safety issues could arise if untrained people used the wheelchairs.  A doctor from the Hilltop Surgery therefore had been asked to come to Thurnby Lodge Youth and Community Centre to provide some instruction in their use.