Councillors will provide an update on Ward related matters.
Minutes:
· All three Ward Councillors have continued to hold surgeries at the library every two weeks, Councillor Joshi thanked Councillor Sandhu for filling in and holding most surgeries during Councillor Joshi’s role as Lord Mayor and in Councillor Dempster’s absence.
· Appreciations, were extended to residents for well attended surgeries to air personal concerns in the ward. Most concerns were related to housing, traffic, litter and Anti - Social Behaviour (ASB).
· Councillor Joshi thanked the police for their work on the ward tackling drugs.
· Ward Councillors and other officers were working together to bring the drugs and ASB issues under control in the Netherhall area.
· New measures were being put in place with the aim to address speeding issues, tackling speeding on Maidenwell Avenue was a priority and work was well on the way with the introduction of speed cushions around the area.
· Councillor Joshi was pleased to say Hamilton Residents Association (HRA) was doing very well to make the area look neat and tidy, Councillors welcomed everyone to get involved.
· Volunteers that work on keeping the gardens at Hamilton Library presentable, requested Councillors and public to encourage more people especially young people to volunteer and enquired whether some form of recognition for their work i.e certificates would be possible.
Action: Councillors / Ward Community Engagement Officer to enquire whether the volunteers work would receive some form of recognition.
· It was noted that Krishna Avanti School had been invited to the meeting regarding the development of the new school on the ward, however no response was received as yet.
· A request was put forward for road signs to be placed in more visible places where there is road works underway.
Action: Traffic and Highways Officers
· Progress has been made with ASB, images that had been received by Councillor Sandhu had now been passed onto the Police.
· Concerns were raised that people with drug issues were being housed in an area that was predominantly elderly people and within close proximity to primary schools. A resident expressed concern of not being able to contact Housing Officers and believed the breakdown in communication between departments is part of the problem.
· Concerns were noted over ASB and disturbances at Moat Court behind the McDonalds, with residents finding it unbearable to live there. Disturbances during the early hours of the morning, continuous drug related issues, litter visible all over the estate and even an incident of knife crime.
· Concerns with the condition of Netherhall Road were raised in relation to potholes and cracks, creating dangerous and un-safe conditions for cyclists. The Chair informed residents a recent meeting which took place with Humberstone & Hamilton Ward Councillors, the City Mayor and Highways Officers whereby it was noted that amongst other things a programme of actions / works were confirmed for Netherhall Road.
· Residents requested for the bus shelter and seating arrangements for the bus stop on the corner of Carty Road.
· It was felt that the cancellation of the bus route from Hamilton to Catherine Street and the Belgrave Road area had left the community cut off, a petition had been passed to officers and reported Keith Vaz MP has been informed.
· The Chair noted that a few meetings ago the Arriva bus company stated a bus route was being reviewed and residents state they should trial the route.
Action: Ward Community Engagement Officer to write to Arriva bus company for an update on the current bus route situation.