Minutes:
Local Area Coordinator
Mary Flynn introduced herself as the Local Area Coordinator for South Wigston. She explained her role. It sits under Public Health Services. Her role is to support and help people, especially those who are “invisible”, for example potentially vulnerable elderly neighbours. Mary works one to one and with groups. She is currently working to set up a local mental health group in South Wigston.
The role supports the connecting up of statutory services, making referrals and encouraging community connection between residents and services. To contact her email: mary.flynn@leics.gov.uk . Mary added that a Local Area Coordinator has been appointed to Wigston. This person is named Sue Renton. To contact her, email sue.renton@leics.gov.uk .
The Right Place Estate and Traffic Backing up from Station Street
A resident stated that since the Right Place estate had been built traffic was backing up from Station Street to Kirkdale Road. This had created a blind spot which had led to traffic incidents occurring. The resident asked the Chair if anything could be done to remove the blind spot. One suggestion was to have humps placed on Station Street to slow traffic.
It was expressed that parking was an issue on Glengate Road due to work vans. It was requested that car-parking permits be installed. There is a permit car-parking scheme in South Wigston and it is very unlikely the County Council would agree to more.
Only one car-parking permit per household or one car-parking permit for one vehicle is permitted. Seventy-five percent of residents would have to agree to a parking permit scheme.
Teachers and students at South Leicestershire College park in the side roads. South Leicestershire College charge £1 daily for parking. The Jacobs factory employs 800 employees. It also operates two work shifts. It no longer provides a bus service for ferrying staff. One car park has been sold off and this has led to the use of the Countesthorpe car park. These issues put pressure on car parking.
The County Council previously discussed Town centre car parking on the highway and installing parking meters on side roads. Those people with a disability who use parking spaces were surveyed. This was to check if they still needed the car parking space. That scheme has now been dropped .Car parking in the South Wigston area has increased.
The Chair informed residents that the County Council has no priority to put down double yellow lines in the area, unless serious action was required and that the Police have powers to remove traffic obstructions.
The issue of car parking in Station Street and Kirkdale Road has previously been brought to the attention of the County Council.
Action:
Councillor Boulter will again raise the issue of parking on Station Street and Kirkdale Road again.
A resident informed the meeting that railings had been removed from the Mucky Bridge. The bridge is the one by the train station. The bridge is owned by the County Council.
Action:
Councillor Boulter is to investigate this reported removal.
Blaby Road Park Hedges and Planting Work
The cutting of hedges and planting work begins in August. There is more land than the Council`s workforce can maintain.
It was acknowledged that anti-social behaviour is taking place. To stop this Councillor Boulter is pulling volunteers together to help remove the weeds.
Crow Mills and Arson Incident
A seat and shelter were set on fire. These items will be replaced as part of the Council`s Capital Programme for 2018.
Reports have been made that people on the Barges removed parts of fencing and burnt fires. Other incidents of ant social behaviour have been reported. To address this height barrier will be reinstated.
There have been signs of fly tipping around Kirkdale Road. Cookers have also been dumped.
Residents were advised to ring Customer Services to report fly tipping. Customer Services will inform Enviromental Health. Enviromental Health will go out and inspect the area. Residents were reminded that the County Council will charge Oadby and Wigston Council for getting rid of dumped items such as mattresses.
Vehicles Speeding on Dorset Avenue
A resident`s concern about the excessive speeding and noise of lorries on Dorset Avenue, was brought to the Resident Forum `s attention.
The Chair acknowledged that control over Lorries on Dorset Avenue was not possible as it was a main road and used for deliveries.
Action:
Chair agreed to request that County Council lay a Measuring Cable across the road to, assess the speed of the Lorries.
Lidl, Wickes and Future Traffic Monitoring
A resident enquired what the Council planned to do to monitor the traffic flowing into the new Lidl and Wickes shopping areas monitored.
The Chair replied that the County Council had been consulted and could have objected to the plans for traffic flow. Expert witnesses had also been consulted.
The Spine Cop Bridge was to close for three weeks. This has now been changed to closure over the midnight period. There will be a slip road created for access and egress to Wickes and Lidl.
The bus stop will not be moved. An Air Monitoring Station has been placed there to monitor air quality. It costs £25,000 to monitor the air quality. The road strength has previously been reinforced.
Planning Permission for a Massage Parlour
The Council is yet to decide whether to award planning permission for a massage parlour on Blaby Road. Building Control works with Fire Services in assessing the application. The Fire Services provides the Exit Certificate for such businesses.
Building Permission to Build Another House Next to One Currently Under Construction
On the question raised by a resident as to whether the proposed planning consent to build a house on Marston Road, it was permitted to allow another property to be built at the side. Chair confirmed the decision on this matter rests with the Development Control committee.
Action:
Residents wishing to query planning applications were informed they need to contact the Council`s Development Control Committee.
Training on how to use Defibrillators
Three free training sessions are to be organised for residents. The sessions will provide residents with an opportunity to be competent and confident in using a defibrillator in an emergency.
If some residents living in South Wigston cannot attend the session in their area, they are welcome to attend a session in Wigston or Oadby. This will also apply to those living in Wigston or Oadby and unable to attend a session in their respective areas.
Action:
Residents interested in attending a workshop are requested to contact the Community Engagement Officer by email on veronika.quintyne@oadby-wigston.gov.uk or telephone: 0116 2572648.