Agenda and draft minutes

All minutes of the previous meeting were recorded accurately, aside from one minor mistake on page 2. The figure written was £64 where in fact it should be £64,000.

PC Gareth Morgan from the Wigston Policing Beat Team attended the Forum.

He advised that general issues in the Wigston area have reduced. This included burglaries since key arrests were made during the Christmas and New Year period.

He offered crime prevention advice, which included ensuring windows and doors are locked and closed and keys aren’t left in locks. One resident raised with PC Morgan that she was advised to leave her key in her window by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) in case of a fire. PC Morgan discussed the different agendas between Police and LRFS, but ultimately both organisations want resident to be safe. PC Morgan suggested putting keys somewhere hidden, but in a location that is easily found and accessible in case of emergencies.

PC Morgan noted that Police were are of homeless people around The Arcade in Wigston, but when patrolling, had not seen them recently. He is engaging with the Council’s Housing Options Team to see what support can be offered should they return.

There are some anti-social behaviour (ASB) concerns in Wigston and the likelihood is that this will increase during the summer months. PC Morgan is aware of some of the ASB perpetrators. One in particular that has been identified will be litter picking to ensure that they are paying back to the community.

Some of the ASB is occurring around the schools, with students travelling from Wigston to South Wigston and vice versa as well as Blaby Road Park.

Cllr Bentley raised speeding vehicles is still a concern in the Little Hill estate and if more can be done to prevent this. Cllr Bentley referred to an unfortunate traffic incident that occurred recently. PC Morgan advised Police Volunteers support with mobile speed cameras and advised he will look into liaising with schools to discuss and educate students on traffic safety.

Cllr Bentley also raised that obstructive parking is a current issue with vehicles parking and full blocking footpaths. This included near the bottom of Horsewell Lane. A resident also raised that a vehicle parked on Homestead Avenue is causing an obstruction and that this will raised in the last Forum. PC Morgan noted that he was aware of this but due to other policing matters, has been unable to investigate further. PC Morgan will however look into this.

PC Morgan advised residents that Police have specific powers with obstructive parking, and key bits of legislation have to be ticked in order for Police to exercise their powers. PC Morgan offered to residents the opportunity to contact him to report concerns where he will review these.

Ed Morgan and Lisa Chevallereau from the Council’s Planning Policy Team to discuss the Local Plan. Ed advised that the Local Plan is put in place the a period of 21 years. The Government sets the legislation in which Council’s are legally obliged to follow

A first consultation was completed in 2021 with the community and stakeholders for the first draft of the Plan with roughly 20 sites located for potential development. A second consultation was completed 2022 with landowners to locate further sites. In recent weeks, the latest consultation has taken place which ran for 6 weeks. The consultation did provisionally end last Wednesday (15 May) but has now been extended until the first week in June.

Following this, a second draft of the Local Plan is to be released, with a third draft in 2025. This will highlight the preferred options for development. Plans will be evidenced based using the Housing and Economic Needs Assessment, which provides what Oadby and Wigston’s housing need is. The formula also takes into consideration local need.

It has been identified that Oadby and Wigston will require 188 houses per year as a starting figure. In addition to this, the Council has a duty to cooperate with its neighbouring Councils. After the Planning Inspectorate examined Leicester City Council’s Local Plan, there was a declared unmet housing and employment need. As a result, this will be distributed to other Council’s. Oadby and Wigston have agreed to take a further 52 houses per year, making the total figure 240.

The Planning Policy Team will first be looking at urban areas and the Council has a policy to state that there should be no net loss on its car parks. The Council do have site options but these will be based on evidence with no decision having been made yet. A Transport Assessment will be completed Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland wide taking into consideration extra congestion with a further local assessment being completed with neighbouring Council’s.

Infrastructure will be reviewed, including GP surgery’s, schools, libraries etc with the Council working towards an Infrastructure and Delivery Plan. Meeting with partners will take place to discuss this such as Highways at Leicestershire County Council and the Integrated Care Board of the NHS. This will support decision making when allocating new sites as to what is needed from developers, included Section 106 money.

Ed also noted that the Council will try and protect green wedges, which separate town from town but is under pressure. They will also work with developers for better design quality and infrastructure.

Ed discussed flood risks which has been raised as part of the recent consultation and will be working with partners to discuss what the impact of this in sites may be. There were also objections to the Local Plan from the consultation, but Ed advised this legally has to be completed.

Ed advised that Oadby and Wigston is one of the smallest Borough’s in England with a dense population. 37 policies are included  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Cllr Boulter advised that if not already, residents will be receiving a letter to details the Council’s intention of moving to an alternate weekly bin collection. Oadby and Wigston are one of this last Councils to move in this direction. The Council are working with consultants to look to optimise the best ways to collect waste and reduce its carbon footprint. 

Cllr Boulter highlighted that the Government are soon to bring in legislation that will then require companies to reduce their packaging. This should reduce the quantity of recycling items placed in bins by residents. There is also soon to be weekly food waste collections per rules set by the Government.

The Council are offering residents to the opportunity to purchase large refuse bins at a one off payment of £38. Cllr Boulter encouraged residents to try to use their current bins in the first instance.

The Government are soon to introduce standard items for recycling that will be shared with residents. It has also taken roughly 18 months for the Council to order and then receive refuse vehicles which use 4 miles to the gallon. Other areas have tried electric vehicles but these have failed. Cllr Boulter confirmed that the Council have enough vehicles to collect waste, but the total number has reduced.

The projected total saving to moving the alternate waste collection is £240,000.

If the Council had not made this decision, it may have resulted in bankruptcy and being served a 114 Notice. This in essence allows the government to move its own staff in to manage the Council and make future decisions. The Council will also be burdened with paying for the service.

The proposal will be introduced in the first week of September.

A suggestion was made by a resident to collect both recycling and refuse bins on the same day, but area by area. That way, some residents will have all their bins collected one week or others the following week. Cllr Boulter is to raise this to the consultants.

A resident asked if there was an option to purchase larger recycling bins. I believe this referred to purchasing recycling bins with the capacity of 240L as some still have 140L bins. Cllr Charlesworth stated there are currently no plans to offer bigger recycling bins. Cllr Boulter noted that as above, with new legislation soon to be introduced restricting the packaging from companies, this should reduce the number of items residents should have to recycle.

A question was asked by a resident, who would replace damaged or stolen bins. Cllr Boulter referred to residents when being provided a bin, enter into a contract in which they own the bin. That said, if bins are damaged by the Council, they may be replaced free of charge.

Cllr Boulter in response to a resident advised that any excess cardboard left net to the recycling bin will be collected, but black bags next to a refuse bin will not.

Cllr Charlesworth enquired about bin lids that are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63a.

Cllr Boulter advised residents that a commemoration is to be held at Brocks Hill in Oadby, starting at 8:30pm. A beacon will be lit at 9:15pm. A small service is also taking place at Peace Memorial Park at 12:00pm.

A resident enquired as to whether a tree can be placed near The Arcade for D-Day. Cllr Boulter will follow this up.

Grass Cutting

Several residents at the Forum raised concerns with the lack of grass cutting in Wigston and specifically in the Meadows Estate. This is causing a risk to safety and children can now no longer place in certain areas.

Cllr Boulter advised that the Council have been cutting grass on land which is in fact not owned by them. If there were any accidents as a result of this, the Council would not be covered by insurance. The Council continue to survey land in which grass is cut to establish owners. The Council have contacted land owners and advised that they will now need to arrange plans to cut the grass or to pay the Council to do this on their behalf.

Cllr Boulter advised that Members were not made aware that the Council were to execute this plan but have since met with the Council’s Chief Executive.

Cllr Boulter have been advised that Leicestershire County Council will not be cutting grass on their land in May.

A resident asked why have the Council been cutting grass in certain areas for years but have since stopped. Cllr Bentley advised a decision has been made to reduce the grass cutting due to Council finances.

A resident raised that Staindale has not seen grass cutting for a considerable amount of time. Cllr Boulter is to follow up on this. 

Newton Lane bridge

A resident raised that the bridge on Newton Lane is still not yet open. This falls outside the Borough.

Spion Cop/Bridge from South Wigston to Wigston

Cllr Boulter advised residents that the bridge will be closed in June 2025 for between 4 and 6 months. There will be pedestrian access but not for vehicles. The recommended diversion route from Leicestershire County Council is 7.5km/5miles long. Cllr Charlesworth stated that only the central section of the bridge is to be replaced.

Cllr Charlesworth advised that during this period, buses will not follow their normal route and terminate on either side of the bridge.

British Legion, The Elms

A resident raised a query as to what will is happening with The Elms. Cllr Boulter advised that the roof has been repaired and painting completed inside. A sign has been erected to state it will be a bar and restaurant. The premise will have to apply for a new license.

A resident asked if when applying for a new licence, if the frontage of the building can be considered. Cllr Boulter advised that it cannot, however there can potentially be enforcement action if it warranted it. It was asked if the blue plaque can be maintained by the developers.

Nautical William

Cllr Boulter advised that the building is to be sold to develop for potential new homes.

Brocks Hill Council Offices

When parking at Brocks Hill, there is very little signage to direct residents to where the Council reception is. Historic England are interested in the property.  

Potholes neat Little Hill shops

A resident wanted her thanks to Cllr Charlesworth in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

No Items Raised.

Wednesday, 17 July 2024 – Thythorn Hill Community Centre – 18:30