Agenda and draft minutes

Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 20 March 2023 were declared true and accurate.

Burglary Dwellings – There has been a considerable reduction from the start of the year where there were 38 reports between January and March, and recently there have been 2 reports in April, 2 in May, and 1 in June. Additional Officers were deployed to patrol Oadby and also 4 persons were arrested, which contributed to the reduction in burglaries.

Burglary Other Than Dwelling – There were 9 reports (April – 0, May – 4, June – 5) where 7 of these reports were businesses broken into along The Parade, London Rd, and Stoughton Rd. A person has been arrested and investigations currently ongoing. Currently there have been no further reports since the arrest of the suspect.

Theft of Motor Vehicle – 5 reports (April – 1, May – 3, June – 1) where 4 reports have been ‘keyless’ vehicles thefts where device used to obtain signal and take the vehicles. Investigations ongoing and arrest of a suspect linked to similar offences across Leicestershire.

Anti Social Behaviour –

17 reports in April, where the main locations were :-

The Parade – 6 reports of youths climbing on roofs of businesses and causing nuisance > Youths identified from CCTV by Schools and details obtained. Youths visited and parents informed.

Brocks Hill country Park – 4 reports of persons riding motorbikes at the location > Officers conducted patrols, unfortunately unable to locate / identify perpetrators.

Kenilworth Dr – 3 reports of Persons using / dealing drugs > Ongoing patrols at location to identify youths and working with the Council.

16 reports in May, where the main location were :-

Beaumont St – 5 reports of males gathering in vehicles using/dealing drugs > Officers attended and identified males involved, discussed reported incidents and Vehicle removed; No further reports.

Brocks Hill country Park – 3 reports of persons riding motorbikes at the location > Officers conducted patrols, unfortunately unable to locate / identify perpetrators.

Kenilworth Dr – 3 reports of Persons using / dealing drugs > Ongoing patrols at location to identify youths and working with the Council.

6 reports in June, main locations was Kenilworth Dr – 3 reports of Persons using / dealing drugs > Ongoing patrols at location to identify youths and working with the Council.

Theft from Stores – 15 reports (April – 4, May – 6, June – 5) > Suspects were identified for 3 of the 15 reports.

Drugs – 10 reports where officers have proactively patrolled identified problem locations, stopped and searched persons and/or vehicles and found drugs.

Incident of Note – 2 reports in Oadby (additional reports in other areas) of elderly victims of courier fraud. Victims would get a cold call where person stating they are a Police Officer and identify a Police Force. Person would state they are investigating bank related incidents and either ask for bank details or ask victim to collect money (£5000 average) from bank and someone will attend their home to discuss and collect monies. All reports are currently under investigation.

eScooters – Widely used, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Defibrillator at St Peter’s Church Hall: The Premises Officer at St Peter’s Church has requested funding from the Forum to replace the battery on the existing Defibrillator and to purchase new pads for it as the current ones are reaching the end of their operable life. The combined cost would be approx. £310 and would ensure that the defibrillator will remain in working order.

Vote held with an overwhelming majority in favour. Requests from the Forum usually go through Committee, with a request made of the Leader to enable this to be bypassed in order to expedite funds being made available.

Request made for total budget figure available to the Forum.

Redevelopment of Oadby Mosque and Community Centre, Sandhurst Street: Matter raised by local resident. The Oadby & Wigston Muslim Association website has a prominent image on its frontpage raising funds toward the redevelopment of the existing building. Concerns were raised that the redevelopment is not public knowledge, as not everyone users the internet, and that the proposed development being much larger than the existing building will impact on congestion, noise nuisance, parking, and access to neighbouring footpaths. The development has not had any formalised plans submitted to the Council for planning permission, and appears to be in early exploratory stages only. A request for information regarding this development will be made to the Oadby & Wigston Muslim Association, and brought back to this Forum’s next meeting.

Brocks Hill / Members Enquiry: The response to Members Enquiry CQ/23/051 was shared with residents, noting that the total budget approved for the refurbishment of Brocks Hill into the new Council Offices was £3.61 million. The second part of this enquiry confirmed that, as of March 2023, the Council’s total debt was £55,075,227 and that the interest on the debt is £744,991. An additional query was raised around the cost to the Council for taking back control of Brocks Hill, where it was confirmed that there was no cost to the Council for this.

A request was made for a breakdown in costs associated with the refurbishment of Brocks Hill, highlighting where the money was allocation.

A further request was made regarding the increase in debt from a previous report, noting a significant increase from the report to the quoted figure of £55,075,227. Long term borrowing is for the HRA account and leisure centres. There is approx. £18m long term borrowing, and £16m short term borrowing. The £55m figure is from a Members Enquiry made in March 2023, the additional figures are from June 2023. A clarification will be sought and fed back to the Forum.

Bushloe House remains under offer, with contracts to be signed.

Fludes Lane Required Works: Stuart Marbrook, the Council’s Corporate Assets Manager, has confirmed that a proposal was put forward to resurface, and make safe, Fludes Lane. There were a number of factors that required agreement before the Council could commit to carry out the works, and there is not currently a plan in place to proceed with works due  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

None raised.

Thursday, 19 October 2023 – 6:30pm – Brocks Hill Council Offices, Brocks Hill, Oadby