Ward Councillors will give an update on their work within the community.
Minutes:
Councillor Cleaver informed the meeting about victim support drop-in sessions which took place on the second Thursday of each month at the community centre. Described as being warm and friendly, the sessions were an opportunity for residents, officers and the police to get together to discuss issues in the area. Also available during the sessions were complimentary therapy treatments for people suffering from stress as a result of being a victim of crime, and positive affirmation sessions to help build people’s confidence. The sessions were an opportunity to support people, but if people had been victim to more serious crime, they were dealt with in confidence and referred to the necessary supporting agencies.
Councillor Cleaver informed the meeting that a friendship group had been set up at Rupert House, which was sheltered accommodation for the elderly. Councillor Cleaver stated the friendship group had successfully applied for community meeting funding to host a Christmas party. Councillor Cleaver received a phone call from the Treasurer for the group, who stated there was a ‘buzz’ around Rupert House, and that residents were pleased the community had taken the time to be involved.
The meeting were informed that some members of the Forum for Older People (FOP) and Councillor Cleaver had visited the sensory garden at Leicester General Hospital. It was stated people were unhappy over news the garden was to be moved, but fears were dispelled after a meeting with the NHS, and there were also plans to create a garden at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Councillor Cleaver stated that Catch 22 were successful in a bid for funding for a project for which the Community Association will oversee. The project will support young people aged 8-19 years, and will work with the police to tackle anti-social behaviour. Top youth workers would be addressing hot spots in the area by giving the young people positive things to do, and provide training to help the young people stay out of trouble.
Councillor Cleaver also thanked the Events Committee who worked throughout the year fund raising and putting on events. She reported the craft fair was a huge success, and hoped that the coffee morning event which hosted the Emmanuel Gospel Choir would become an annual event.
Councillor Cleaver informed the meeting that many people in Eyres Monsell required carers, and that there were many courses starting soon. Details of the courses could be found on leaflets in the community centre, and there would be ‘taster’ sessions for people to try out the courses.
Councillor reported that car parking in the area continued to be a problem, and that residents might want to consider allocating some of the community meeting budget to tackle the problem.
The meeting was informed that surgeries continued to be busy, and community work continued to be carried out by councillors. Councillor Cleaver asked that if any residents knew of or were worried about the forthcoming benefit changes, then they should contact Welfare Services at Leicester City Council for advice.
Councillor Palmer reported that the Invincible / Exchange project had stalled, with ownership of the site changing hands again. Councillor Palmer had met with the developer, who appeared to be more serious about the development than previous site owners. A notice had been placed in the Leicester Mercury to close access to the road at the back of the Exchange. Development would then take place after legal processes were complete and an official notice was placed in the community centre. The planning documents should have been accessible to the public on 29th December 2012, with a 28 day consultation period. Unfortunately due to the closure of the office during the New Year holiday period, the documents were not accessible until 3rd January 2012. The new development would include shops and parking, and Councillor Palmer was looking at plans for highways. Development of the site was a Council commitment and money had been set aside in the budget. Councillor Palmer indicated that pressure would be kept on the new developers, and if residents had any concerns regarding the development then these would be passed on. A resident stated that when the Caversham Road flats were built, developers omitted to build two shops which were on the original plans, and that this would be repeated with the Invincible development. Councillor Palmer stated that appropriate action would be taken against developers as there would be an audit trail, but also stated he was confident that pattern would not be repeated.
Councillor Palmer reported that people were worried about the future of young people and schools. He suggested that concerns for young people’s futures should be tackled as young as five, six and seven, to ensure they had the best possible education, as the economic recession was predicted to last a number of years. He suggested the community worked with schools and young people to engage then in the work of the community. Councillor Palmer reported that Eyres Monsell Primary School was showing strong, positive signs of improvement, and that teachers were doing a brilliant job in difficult times. A resident informed the meeting that the breakfast club at the school was very successful and that there had been an increase in education standards. The resident went on to stated that young people were a victim of another system, whereby universities welcomed overseas students, who were then educated and returned home with their qualifications. Councillor Palmer stated that people needed to ensure the current and the next generations of children succeed, but it was a fact that overseas students paid their bills, and that universities had no choice but to increase tuition fees as the government had removed universities’ funding.
A resident asked why the Council wasted money on young offenders in the form of taxis, horse riding, theme park visits and mentors? Councillor Palmer stated it was not sensible to write someone off at 10 years of age, and that intervention and encouragement was used to direct children and help them focus on their future. He went on to say this would save money, and from a taxpayers point of view cost less than locking people up.
A resident on Monmouth Drive informed Councillors that one house had covered a grass verge with stone. Councillors stated they would speak with Councillor Russell and the city warden for the area.