Agenda and draft minutes

Questions were raised about the following subjects and the Chair gave appropriate updates.

The benches on Bell Street having no backs (Council looking into getting backs put on and some of the old benches have been put back) the picture of All Saints Church on the Wigston mural being inaccurate,(no resolution) lack of grass cutting on the Meadows estate,(Action will be taken by the Council if new landowners do not maintain the land)  the issues with the farm at the rear of the Little Hill estate,(The Council are taking recovery action but an update to be sought and shared) the missing step on the railway footbridge (Network Rail have been told they need to replace it) and expected figure for future levelling up monies (to be found and shared) Action – Cllr Bentley to give update on the farm query next meeting and to find out how much levelling up money is coming and what it will be spent on.

PC Simon  & PCSO Adam attended.

Concerns were raised again about e scooters and e bikes, and speeding of other vehicles. Discussion was had around lack of resources to tackle the e scooters, & the possibility of civilian volunteers being trained for speed guns for other vehicles. Simon asked for suggestions for speed trap locations which were given (Long Street, West Avenue & Newton Lane) Simon confirmed Wigston police station is open for front desk enquiries, but that response teams now operate out of Market Harborough.

No representative was present at this meeting.

Homelessness – 94 families are currently homeless, 14 are in B&B and there are 220 homeless persons in the system. Unavoidable cost to the Council £245,000 in first quarter of the year.

Spion Kop – Uncertainty about when the bridge will be closed & what works will be done and when. Chair to find out the correct information.

Planters in Bell Street – Some plants have been stolen and a small amount have died in extreme heat. There are water reservoirs inside the planters but extra water is being given twice per week during the summer.

Block paving near RSPCA shop on Bell Street – The tarmac has finally been removed and block paving put back.

Oadby tip – To be closed from end of July for 3 months. Use Whetstone or Kibworth instead.

VJ Day – 15/8/25 – Flag raising planned at the Council Offices & church bells to be rung in the evening.

Meadows grass cutting – Council is working to take action against the new owners who are not cutting the grass or maintaining the trees.

Bushloe House – Has now been sold and contracts will soon be exchanged. The Chair confirmed all listed building feature have been protected.

Wigston Cemetery – Vandalism is low and solar powered security cameras will be installed very soon.

Devolution – “Have your say Brochures” were handed out and the Chair gave an overview of the different proposals. He encouraged attendees to take part in the consultation. He also advised that the new Councillor, Cllr McCarthy was invited to attend this meeting, and all future meetings.

Concerns were raised about the following subjects and the Chair gave appropriate updates.

Pigeon droppings in the borough (Council can’t control pigeons), slurry lorries on Meadow Way, spreading of slurry on farm land (Council can’t control but Environment Agency might if rules are not being followed) enforcement action on the windows installed at The Elms,(enforcement in progress but could be a long job) and why its walls have been painted bright orange (Chair to find out) plans for untidy waste ground opposite the old Post Office (query not resolved) unsightly bus shelters on discontinued routes,(Bus shelters are Council responsibility but bus stops are not, shelters not removed in case route is reinstated) damaged equipment  and graffiti on Kelmarsh Road play area. (Council check all play areas monthly but Chair to inspect this one)  Action - Chair to inspect this play area and to find out about the painting of The Elms.

Questions were raised about the following property matters and the Chair gave appropriate updates.

Nautical William (still nothing agreed) Bushloe Surgery (Under Offer), Kingswood Court (Going back to being a care home) and Coach House (sold)

Request was made for electronic bus timetable at the bus stop by Little Hill shops. Action – Chair to contact the bus companies re possibility of electronic timetable.

Information was requested over exact plans for Spion Kop and the electrification. Action – Chair and Cllr Charlesworth to seek clarification.

Request made for update on the amount available in the Residents’ Forum budget. Action – Chair to find out.

Chair to give information on new food waste collections

Leicestershire Fire & Rescue to give briefing missed at this meeting.

Thursday, 22 October 2025 - 19:00 - Thythorn Hill Community Centre, Wigston

It was stated at this meeting that the next Forum will be held on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, however this has subsequently changed and the Forum will now be held on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at Thythorn Hill Community Centre from 7pm.