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 7 (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 9 (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 29th June 2011 11