Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr N Alam welcomed attendees to this meeting. Ways of promoting this meeting included visiting local businesses, holding community pop ups to talk with local people, email newsletters and contacting key stakeholders.

Apologies were received from:

Cllr P Joshi, Cllr L Darr, Cllr S Haq, Cllr J Kauffman, Cllr L Kauffman

The Platinum Jubilee event at Ellis Park on Sunday 5^th June was celebrated as a great success by  Cllr Alam. The event was very well attended, despite the rain, and Cllr Alam expressed his thanks to all those who made the event a success- from community groups to Council Officers and Councillors. One resident also wanted to express their gratitude to the organisers.

With regards to planting a tree to commemorate the Jubilee, a further update will be provided at the next meeting after the conclusion of a feasibility study.

Cllr Alam reminded residents that Helping Hands Community Trust employ an Energy Champion, a role which has taken on greater significance in light of the ongoing energy crisis.

One resident asked for an update on the possibility of a path linking Brocks Hill Country Park and Tendring Drive. R Levy provided this update on behalf of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, with it being state that the cost of and maintenance of this path would not make it a viable option at this time.

The Platinum Jubilee event at Ellis Park on Sunday 5^th June was celebrated as a great success by  Cllr Alam. The event was very well attended, despite the rain, and Cllr Alam expressed his thanks to all those who made the event a success- from community groups to Council Officers and Councillors. One resident also wanted to express their gratitude to the organisers.

With regards to planting a tree to commemorate the Jubilee, a further update will be provided at the next meeting after the conclusion of a feasibility study.

Cllr Alam reminded residents that Helping Hands Community Trust employ an Energy Champion, a role which has taken on greater significance in light of the ongoing energy crisis.

One resident asked for an update on the possibility of a path linking Brocks Hill Country Park and Tendring Drive. R Levy provided this update on behalf of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, with it being state that the cost of and maintenance of this path would not make it a viable option at this time.

Despite attendance being confirmed, the Police were not in attendance.

Later in the meeting, the usage of e-scooters was commented on; with residents addressing how dangerous they are. In response to this, it was said that the Head of Law & Democracy at OWBC has written to the UK Government seeking clarity on enforcement of e-scooters. Parking on pavements was also addressed as an issue to which it was responded that the Police have limited resources to be able to deal with this. If it was a civil enforcement, rather that criminal offence matter, this would provide the local authority with the opportunity to deal with it.

Firstly, there was a presentation from Phillipa Fisher, Strategic Director of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council. P Fisher detailed that the Pandemic has brought great challenges and opportunities for local government, and how the Local Government Association visited OWBC to do a Peer Review. This featured interviews and focus groups with Councillors, Officers and community members. The result of this has been the Vision, which P Fisher presented and introduced is currently in a consultation phase.

A visual and feedback on the Council’s vision can be given via the following webpage up until 31^st August: https://www.oadby-wigston.gov.uk/pages/our_vision This is before it will be discussed at a Full Council meeting on 27^th September.

Questions were then put to P Fisher. Firstly, one resident asked about town centres and how the vision would seek to support them, given the loss of banks in particular on the high street. P Fisher said that the Council now has a proactive Economic Regeneration Manager whose role is to maintain the vibrancy of town centres across the Borough.

A further question was asked about how the Vision, and consultation around the Vision, was being promoted. P Fisher said that newsletters and social media had been used, and would be used again to promote it. N Alam said that paper copies of this consultation could be requested through your local ward Councillor. It was acknowledged that social media is not the only way to promote key updates. Should you not be able to contact your local ward Councillor, it was advised that residents ring Oadby and Wigston Borough Council’s Customer Services, and they will be able to put you in touch with the right person.

With regards to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund bid, P Fisher stated that this had been submitted and full details of this will be announced in due course.

Cllr Ridley reminded residents that it is beneficial to sign up the Council’s new and improved mailing list, which allows you to subscribe to what you are most interested in.

A short presentation was then delivered by Ben Clark-Monks with regards to a new Energy Efficiency Funding Scheme. This is a scheme which is targeted to households which have a collective income of under £30,000 per annum. Free energy efficiency measures are available to those who apply to the scheme, for instance solar panels and cavity wall insulation. More information can be found here: https://www.oadby-wigston.gov.uk/pages/energy_efficiency_funding_scheme#:~:text=Oadby%20%26%20Wigston%20Borough%20Council%20is,and%20their%20property%20is%20suitable.

Questions to B Clark-Monks about the scheme included about the possibility of thermal imaging surveys, to which it was responded that all properties have a retrofit assessment and Energy Performance Certificate conducted. It was also asked that B Clark-Monks had talked about heating properties, but what about cooling them- significant considering the recent heatwave. Ventilation is a key part of the scheme, it was informed.

This section of the meeting was concluded by saying the scheme was running until March 2023, yet more funding is available to be bid for- if required.

The next section of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

Healthwatch are health and social care champions. They are a statutory and independent body that seek feedback on patients’ experience of GP surgeries, hospitals, pharmacies etc. They are always on the look out for volunteers and to inform more people of their work. For more information: https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/what-we-do

Following this, Sean Payne from Canal and River Trust briefly introduced the Waterways Wellbeing programme which is for those struggling with their wellbeing or experiencing social isolation. Sessions take place at Kilby Bridge, and more information can be found at: https://www.activeoadbywigston.org.uk/waterways-wellbeing

Jean South from Pride of the Borough then spoke about volunteering opportunities with the organisation which look after planters and other green projects across the Borough. Pride of the Borough do monthly work mornings and litter picks ands are always on the look out for more people to support their work. More information can be found: https://potb.org.uk/

Firstly, one resident addressed how communication is a key issue to ensure that residents are informed about what is going on in the Borough. It was suggested that the Council does more to listen to the views and suggestions of residents, for example a Suggestions Box, or opening unused shop fronts.

Action: OWBC to explore further ways to reach those not on social media and to get the views of residents.

The second question pertained to the 31/31A bus routes and how they are unreliable services, with residents missing appointments as a result.

Action: Cllr Alam and R Levy to explore key contacts to hold service operator to account.

One resident addressed the opening of a reflection sculpture located in Oadby and thanked the Forum and the work of Margaret Kind at Oadby and Wigston Borough Council to secure this. A formal opening of the reflection park sculpture will take place on 30^th September, led by Oadby Stakeholders.

A further question was raised about resurfacing works on Fludes Lane. It was said that the current handrail and path is dangerous, especially for pushchairs or those with limited mobility. Cllr Ghattoraya said that work had been delayed due to Pandemic, yet it was an outstanding task.

Action: R Levy to explore timescales for the works to be completed here.

A question was raised about the potential for further bins in Oadby, especially outside schools. R Levy said that the situation could be monitored and key litter spots can be reported to Oadby and Wigston Borough Council.

The final questions from residents pertained to drone usage at Leicester Racecourse which is a nuisance to residents. It was noted that this is being dealt with by the ASB Officer at the Council. A mobile phone mast on top of Seagrave Drive was also mentioned, and Cllr Carter addressed this privately with the resident. Planning permission for another fast food outlet at Brabazon Road was also mentioned, and concerns regarding traffic flow and litter being a product of this outlet. Planning permission hasn’t been confirmed.