Loughborough East Area Forum
Tuesday 27th September 2011 at 6 pm
at Shelthorpe Primary School,
Woodthorpe Road, Loughborough. LE11 2NF
Chair for this Forum: Andy Nevill
INFORMATION AND NETWORKING – 6 pm - 6.30 pm
•
•
Police – Local Issues – an opportunity to talk to your local Beat Officer.
Local Councillors – an opportunity to raise issues of concern with your local
Ward Councillors.
AGENDA
1.
Welcome, Introductions and Apologies
2.
Disclosures of Interest
3.
Minutes of the Meeting Held on 29th June 2011 (Attached at page 3)
4.
Police Update from Sergeant 1362 Martin Owen (5 mins)
5.
Feedback from Previous Forum Meetings (15 mins)
6.
Personal Travel Planning Survey URS Scott Wilson, Consultant (10 mins)
7.
Priority Neighbourhood Report (10 mins)
Tom Kiernan/Hiron Miah, Charnwood Borough Council.
8.
Public Question Time (10 mins)
An opportunity to ask questions and raise issues of concern. If answers
cannot be given on the evening we undertake to provide them within three
weeks of the Forum.
9.
Issues for Future Forum Meetings
A chance to request items for discussion at future meetings.
PTO
1
10.
Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting
Thursday 3rd November 2011, 6.30 pm, at Shelthorpe Primary School.
Please note that that this will not be a standard Area Forum meeting. The
focus of this meeting will be to let you know how you can propose, comment
and vote on local projects that could be allocated a share of the Area
Forum Budget of £12,500. Expressions of interest need to be in by 17th
October 2011.
11.
DISCUSSION ITEM – Adult Learning: It’s NOT just about yoga and
water colour painting!
Val Watts will lead a discussion on the key skills that everyone needs to
access opportunities. What are those key skills? What holds people back
from getting them? And how can the local Area Forum membership help to
promote Adult Learning’s varied programme, and other wider opportunities,
which empower people with the skills and confidence that can help them to
combat inequality, poverty and exploitation?
Forum Membership:
Borough Councillors:
Hastings Ward: Cllrs Choudhury and Williams
Lemyngton Ward: Cllrs Harris and Miah
Shelthorpe Ward: Cllrs Sharp and Stork
County Councillors:
Loughborough East: Cllr Miah
Loughborough South: Cllr Slater
Co-optees:
Andy Nevill – Haddon Way Residents Association
Bob Bailey – Hastings Community Association
Sheralyn Bland
Carol Kirk – Sidings Park
Denis Wain – Woodthorpe Residents Association
Ann Benford – Woodthorpe Residents Association
2
ITEM 3
Minutes of the Loughborough East Area Forum held at
The Moira Centre, Moira Street, Loughborough on
Wednesday, 29th June 2011
PRESENT
Members:
Andy Nevill (Chair)
Haddon Way Residents Association
Bob Bailey
Ann Benford
Councillor Harris
Carol Kirk (Vice Chair)
Councillor Sharp
Councillor Stork
Denis Wain
Councillor Williams
Hastings Community Association
Woodthorpe Residents Association
Charnwood Borough Council
Sidings Park Residents Association
Charnwood Borough Council
Leicestershire County Council
Woodthorpe Residents Association
Charnwood Borough Council
Officers:
PC Wayne Chapman
Paul Goodman
Sergeant Ade Gray
Sally Harbey
Mike Hooper
Simon McIntosh
Hiron Miah
Bindu Parmar
Greg Payne
Leicestershire Police
Community Engagement Officer, Leicestershire
County Council
Leicestershire Police
Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing
Democratic Services Officer, Charnwood
Borough Council
Group Manager for Communities and Places,
Leicestershire County Council
Neighbourhood Development Officer,
Charnwood Borough Council
Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing
Traffic and Safety Manager, Leicestershire
County Council
In addition to the neighbourhood representatives attending as Forum Members, 7
local residents attended the meeting and took part in discussions and three further
groups, The Carpenter’s Arms rehabilitation centre for men, Human Rights and
Equalities Charnwood and the Shree Ram Krishna Centre and the press were
represented.
1.
Welcome, Introductions and Apologies
Andy Nevill welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Apologies were received from Ann Benford, Woodthorpe Residents Association
Borough and County Councillor Jewel Miah, and County Councillor David Slater.
Loughborough East Area Forum
29th June 2011
3
2.
Disclosures of Interest
Councillor Neville Stork made two disclosures of personal interest in agenda item
10, What Can Be Done To Tackle The Exploitation of Debt And Low Income In East
Loughborough, as a director of Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing and as an
account holder with Clockwise Credit Union.
3.
Minutes of the Meeting Held on 21st March 2011
Considered the minutes of the meeting held on 21st March 2011.
It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting on 21st March 2011 be
confirmed as a correct record.
4.
Police Update
Sergeant Ade Gray opened by informing the Forum that following recent budget cuts
the following new Force Vision Statement had been agreed:
‘Our vision
To provide a service embedded within our communities through Neighbourhood
Management where resources are effectively deployed to meet threat and risk,
targeting those who cause most harm, ensuring the people of Leicester, Leicestershire
and Rutland are protected from crime and anti-social behaviour.
We will make the best use of the budget available to build a resilient and efficient
police service that is able to meet demand at a local, national and international level.
Our standard
Protecting our communities by reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
We will do this by focusing on:
•
Dealing with those who cause most harm
•
Protecting the vulnerable
•
Effectively deploying our resources to mitigate threat, harm and risk
•
Working with partners to solve the problems identified by communities
•
Trusting our people to provide a quality service
•
Ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources at all times
Regardless of the challenges we face in the future, by keeping our standard at the
heart of everything we do, we will deliver the level of service demanded by the diverse
communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.’
Loughborough East Area Forum
29th June 2011
4
Sgt Gray said that anti-social behaviour and Serious Acquisitive Crime were major
issues and stressed the importance of members of the public letting Police know of
any problems in their areas.
New targeted data was being collected and updated on a weekly basis. Data showed
that 87% of victims of crime in Loughborough were happy with the services provided
by the Police, burglary of dwellings was down 8.6% and from vehicles down 6% on
the previous comparable period.
The local Beat Team had changed considerably in recent months and now consisted
of Sgt Gray, five Police Constables and five Police Community Support Officers.
Sgt Gray suggested that a good source of up to date information and data on your
local area was the www.upmystreet.com website which was updated daily.
Councillor Christine Harris said that not all members of the public in her Ward had
access to the internet. The Chair, Andy Nevill, suggested that she meet with Sgt
Gray outside of the meeting to discuss how best to signpost those without access to
such information.
Joe Tormey suggested that the organisation that collated data on behalf of the Police
be informed that it was essential that crime figures for the Loughborough East area
be separate from those for the town centre.
It was AGREED
5.
1.
that the information be noted;
2.
that the organisation that collates data on behalf of the Police be
informed that it is essential that crime figures for the
Loughborough East area be separate from those for the town
centre; and
3.
that Sgt Gray be thanked for updating the Forum.
Actions Arising from the Minutes of the Last Meeting
At the meeting held on 21st March 2011, Forum members and the public were
invited as part of a Leicestershire County Council consultation exercise to express
their views on local green spaces that they valued. Simon McIntosh thanked people
for their input and said that a very good response had been received from all Forums
throughout the County. The Loughborough East Area Forum had identified 90 areas
of green space and a further 244 in the Forum area had been identified online.
Although the Government had yet to progress the Green Spaces agenda, feedback
from the exercise was currently being analysed and would be reported at the
Autumn meeting. The Chair stressed the importance of analysing the value of the
data received to ensure that it was not dominated by the affluent. Simon said that
the Area Forum consultations were designed to encourage submissions from a wide
Loughborough East Area Forum
29th June 2011
5
range of society and that postcodes had been collected from data received via the
Council’s website or in hard copy.
Simon’s presentation could be viewed on the Leicestershire Forums website at
http://www.leicestershireforums.org/lboroea/meetings.html.
It was AGREED
6.
1.
that the information be noted; and
2.
that Simon McIntosh be thanked for updating the Forum.
Road Safety on the A6/Epinal Way
Concerns had been raised at many previous meetings of the Forum regarding the
Woodthorpe Roundabout. Greg Payne, Traffic and Safety Manager, Leicestershire
County Council, updated the Forum on the current situation.
Greg said that an assessment of both signage and speeds would be carried out,
hopefully in time for him to attend and report back to the next meeting. Similar
assessments were to be carried out at the Great Central Railway Bridge and the
A6006, which was outside of the Forum area.
Councillor Neville Stork said that it was unfortunate that no actions were taken to
deal with dangerous roads until fatal accidents occurred. He cited the kerb of the
A6 Leicester Road near the cemetery being unchanged despite the Loughborough
Echo highlighting its dangers over a decade ago. Regarding the Woodthorpe
roundabout, there were no signs to warn that the road moved from double to single
track and a comprehensive assessment of all issues surrounding the area was
required. He added that from an accident investigation point of view, Leicestershire
County Council was legally required to direct monies accordingly to enable them to
address the issues there.
Councillor Christine Harris said that she had been a member of the Borough
Council’s Plans Committee when the Epinal Way development had been considered
and assured the Forum that all safety aspect had been considered. However, she
said that there had since been several fatal accidents between Forest Road and
Ashby Road and that it could be worth re-evaluating safety issues.
The Chair, Andy Nevill, asked if a certain number of accidents were required before
the County Council would take action. Greg said that ‘cluster signs’ were used as
indicators but added that all other accident sites were monitored. Following on, the
Chair suggested that the community would like to see the problems affecting the
Epinal Way/A6 stretch addressed and asked attendees to write down specific issues
on the question cards available with a view to receiving feedback at the next
meeting.
The Vice Chair, Carol Kirk, suggested that a proper footbridge was required at
Meadow Lane. She also reported that a number of unreported accidents occurred
Loughborough East Area Forum
29th June 2011
6
at the train station end of Burder Street and suggested that problems would increase
once Station Boulevard was opened. Greg undertook to look into these matters.
It was AGREED
1.
that the information be noted;
2.
that Greg Payne investigate the following matters and report
findings back to a future meeting of the Forum:
•
•
•
•
•
3.
7.
Signage and speeding at the Woodthorpe Roundabout;
The A6/Leicester Road kerb near the cemetery;
Safety issues between Forest Road and Ashby Road;
The lack of a footbridge on Meadow Lane;
Safety issues and unreported accidents at the train station end
of Burder Street; and
that Greg Payne be thanked for updating the Forum.
Priority Neighbourhood Report
Hiron Miah, Charnwood Borough Council, provided an update on the work being
carried out in Priority Neighbourhoods:
•
•
•
A flat on Russell Street was being used as a community liaison office.
A further meeting had been held with residents to report feedback and discuss
how issues raised at the Tuckers Road Neighbourhood Walk had been
addressed.
It had become clear that the main problems affecting the Bell Foundry and Peel
Drive area had been addressed. Issues being raised by residents now tended to
be of a less serious nature.
A member of the public asked if Neighbourhood Walks were held only in deprived
areas. Hiron replied that there was a commitment to hold two walks in each
Priority Neighbourhood as they were the areas that had the greatest needs. Tens of
issues would be raised at these walks. If residents in non-priority areas wanted to
arrange walks Charnwood Borough Council officers would endeavour to attend
them.
Mr Bakshi reported that the dog fouling problem was becoming intolerable in front
of the Trinity Street flats and that appropriate signage was needed. Hiron said that
the Council would soon be running a campaign aimed at reducing dog fouling
problems. (Following the meeting, Charnwood Borough Council Environmental Health
Officers visited the area on the 3rd and 5th July. Although no dog fouling was witnessed,
three fouling signs were installed on lampposts).
Mr Bakshi also submitted a petition to Councillor Anne Williams, Ward Member for
Loughborough Hastings. The petition was entitled ‘Heavy Traffic Flow Through
Hastings Ward Causing Noise and Air Pollution’ and contained eighty signatures.
Loughborough East Area Forum
29th June 2011
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(Following the meeting, on 6th July 2011, Alan Twells, Head of Regulatory Services,
Charnwood Borough Council, sent a comprehensive letter to Mr Bakshi in response to the
issues raised in the petition).
It was AGREED
8.
1.
that the information be noted;
2.
that Hiron inform people on the Loughborough East Area Forum
distribution lists of when Neighbourhood Walks were due to take
place;
3.
that the problem of dog fouling and lack of appropriate signage at
Trinity Street flats be relayed to Charnwood Borough Council
Environmental Health;
4.
that Councillor Anne Williams receive Mr Bakshi’s petition entitled
‘Heavy Traffic Flow Through Hastings Ward Causing Noise and Air
Pollution’ and deal with it as per Charnwood Borough Council’s
Petitions Scheme guidelines; and
5.
that Hiron be thanked for updating the Forum.
Public Question Time
The Chair asked that questions be submitted via the question cards provided.
It was AGREED that questioners be provided with responses to issues
raised within 20 days of the Forum meeting and that updates be provided
at the next meeting of the Forum.
9.
Issues for Future Forum Meetings
It was AGREED that the following matters be considered at future Forum
meetings:
•
•
10.
Youth Provision
Climate Change and Sustainability: What Can Be Done At A Local
Level
Proposed Date and Time of Next Meeting
Paul Goodman, Community Engagement Officer, Leicestershire County Council
proposed dates and times for the next two meetings of the Forum.
Simon McIntosh, Group Manager for Communities and Places, Leicestershire County
Council, explained the Participatory Budgeting process to the Forum and added that
County Council officers aimed to publicise the event earlier and better than they had
Loughborough East Area Forum
29th June 2011
8
in the last budget round with a view to proposals being better developed and monies
be distributed quicker.
Councillor Christine Harris insisted on knowing Simon McIntosh’s role in the
process and why he had the power to allocate funding. Simon stated his job title and
explained that the allocation of funds would be made democratically by Forum
Members. The Chair, following encouragement from a number of those present,
asked that Councillor Harris speak to Simon outside of the meeting to clarify the
matters raised.
It was AGREED that the next meeting of the Forum be held on Tuesday,
27th September 2011, venue to be confirmed. If a suitable venue could
be found, a walkabout in the Bell Foundry and Peel Drive area would be
held at 6pm followed by the commencement of the meeting at 6.30pm.
A further meeting with a focus upon Participatory Budgeting monies
would be held on Thursday 3rd November at 6.30pm, venue to be
confirmed.
11.
Discussion Item – What can be done to tackle the exploitation of debt and low
income in East Loughborough?
Paul Goodman, Community Engagement Officer, Leicestershire County Council
introduced a discussion item on the exploitation of debt and low income in the
Forum area.
PowerPoint
presentations,
which
would
be
made
available
http://www.leicestershireforums.org/lboroea/, were provided as follows:
•
•
•
at
Loughborough East Income and Deprivation Data – Paul Goodman,
Leicestershire County Council
Clockwise Credit Union – Jackie White, Community Development Officer
Trading Standards Illegal Money Lending Team – Steve Ward, LIAISE Officer
Steve Ward also played to the Forum a short clip from the Panorama television
programme which highlighted the issues surrounding loan sharking.
Verbal talks detailing the role of their organisations were also received from:
•
•
•
Ian Dennis – Loughborough Citizens Advise Bureau
Ellen Lockwood – PACE
Bindu Parmar – Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing
Arising from discussions, a representative of a food parcel service operating in
Hastings said that if the presenters provide her, and the other four such services in
Loughborough, with leaflets detailing their organisations aims, they could be included
in food parcels, therefore reaching the most vulnerable. The Chair suggested that a
list of agencies could be included within Council Tax Bills.
Loughborough East Area Forum
29th June 2011
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(Contact details for all of the contributors to this item can be found at the end of
these minutes, as can details of food parcel services, which were provided by Judith
Spence following the meeting).
It was AGREED
12.
1.
that it be suggested that Charnwood Borough Council include a list
of agencies that could assist those with debt problems with Council
Tax bills;
2.
that the information be noted; and
3.
that all of the presenters be thanked.
Summary of Actions from the Meeting
Minute No
4.2
6.2
7.2
7.3
7.4
10
11.
Matter
Loughborough town centre crime
data.
Various traffic related matters.
Inform people of Neighbourhood
Walks.
Dog fouling and signage at Trinity
Street.
Petition.
Arrange format and venues of future
meetings.
Information to accompany Council
Tax bills.
For Action By
Sgt Ade Gray, Police
Greg Payne, LCC
Hiron Miah, CBC
Mike Hooper, CBC
Cllr Anne Williams, CBC
Hiron Miah, CBC / Paul
Goodman, LCC
Mike Hooper, CBC
Notes:
(i)
The meeting started at 6.32 pm and concluded at 8.26 pm.
(ii)
Should you wish to submit issues and questions to a future Forum meeting or
if you require copies of any of the presentations and reports detailed within
the minutes please contact Paul Goodman, Community Engagement Officer,
Leicestershire County Council at paul.goodman@leics.gov.uk or (0116) 305
8015.
Loughborough East Area Forum
29th June 2011
10
Contact details for contributors to minute no 11:
•
Clockwise Credit Union:
Email: enquiries@clockwise-cu.co.uk
Web: www.clockwise-cu.co.uk
Leicester address: 1 St. Nicholas Place, Leicester. LE1 5LB
Tel: 0116 2423900
Melton Mowbray address: 32 Leicester Street, Melton Mowbray. LE13 0PP
Tel: 01664 501762
•
Trading Standards Illegal Money Lending Team:
Tel: 0300 555 2222
Email: reportaloansharlk@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Text: loan(space)shark(space) + your message to 60003
Web: www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks
•
Loughborough Citizens Advise Bureau (CAB)
Tel: 01509221221 (General Advice Line)
Email: moneyadvice@charnwoodcab.co.uk
Web: www.charnwoodcab.org.uk
Address: Charnwood CAB, Woodgate Chambers, Woodgate, Loughborough, Leics. LE11
2TZ
•
Proactive Community Endeavour (PACE)
Tel: 01509 211194
Web: www.paceuk.org.uk
Address: EnQuire, 2a Granby Street, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 5YH
•
Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing (CNH)
Tel: 01509 634666
Fax: 01509 634518
Email: info@cnh.org.uk
Web: www.cnh.org.uk
Address: Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing, Council Offices, Southfield Road,
Loughborough, Leics. LE11 2TN
Details of food parcel services within Loughborough:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Project 5000 at Emmanuel Church, Forest Rd – Mondays, 7pm-9pm
Joseph’s Storehouse at The Carpenter’s Arms, Wharncliffe Road – Tuesdays and Thursdays,
2.30pm-3.30pm.
Loughborough Soup Run outside the library on Granby St (run by The Crowded House) –
Wednesdays at 9pm.
Drop-in, meal & parcel at Beacon Christian (run by Swanny & Rachel from Swanny’s Tattoo
Parlour) – 7pm-9pm.
Elim church provide lunchtime meals and food parcels (run by Jean Nowell) – Mondays and
Fridays.
The Bridge, Leicester Road provide food parcels from the reception area on Fridays.
Loughborough East Area Forum
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