Minutes:
One resident asked about the lack of street trees in the Borough. Silver Birch’s have recently been removed from Bell Street, with their bases now being used as ashtrays. The resident said that street trees are beneficial for environmental and aesthetic reasons. The resident has made a request for more planting of street trees, but there has been no answer from the Council- and the resident’s request was made over 2 years.
Cllr Boulter said that the number of services underneath the ground make planting street trees difficult. Cllr Boulter said that trees are being replanted on Bell Street in the Autumn and there is a programme for planting trees across the Borough. Loss of parking spaces was also cited as an objection to street trees.
In addition to the above, it was mentioned that some residents are attempting to encompass trees as part of their property boundaries and it was acknowledged that Oadby and Wigston Borough Council will keep a watch on this.
A representative from Wigston Civic Society introduced the Forum to a talk is taking place at this location on Thursday 27th September (at 19.15pm) on Buildings and Architecture in Leicester from Roman Times to the Present; tickets are £5.00 and more information, residents can visit: http://www.wigstoncivicsociety.org.uk/ or email bookings@wigstoncivilsociety.org.uk This is taking place at Memphys Hub, which is also where the Greater Wigston Historical Society now have their meetings.
A short presentation was offered to promote the work of Pride of the Borough who, amongst a range of green space maintenance activities across the Borough, look after selected planters in the Borough. Volunteers are always needed to help with this, in addition to work mornings which take place on the third Saturday of every month. More information can be found: https://potb.org.uk/
A question was asked about how many Oadby and Wigston Borough Council staff are presently working from home, in light of concerns with how to get hold of the Council.
To this, Cllr Boulter informed the Forum that many Council’s have reviewed their agile working policy, and the Council is committed to delivering high quality customer service- regardless of whether staff are working at home or in the offices.
A resident raised concerns over the amount of dog mess in the Borough and asked whether a dog warden was taking charge over solving this as an issue.
To this, Cllr Boulter said that he was asking for the dog warden to do more.
A resident also enquired about the format of pedestrian traffic light signals, saying that they are not user friendly. It would be better, residents agreed, to see something opposite to say that you can cross- rather than have to peer round at a box.
Action: Cllr Boulter to explore making pedestrian crossing more user friendly through conversation with Leicestershire County Council.
In response to a question from a resident on a possible parking warden on Manor Street, Cllr Boulter said that he has used his budget from Leicestershire County Council on installing bollards on Queens Drive. Cllr L Broadley identified that she had used her budget to put double yellow lines on the corner of Willow Drive and to put bollards by Miami Sun to prevent parking.
A resident informed the Forum about the work of Leicester Fieldwork Group who are doing “Test Digs” to see what is underneath the ground. Residents can, if they think they may have interesting materials under the ground, contact the Fieldwork Group to be a “test pit”.
A member of All Saints Church in Wigston discussed the Roll of Honour Board that the Church has and its need for repair. The resident had prepared a funding request of £1,000 to repair to the Roll of Honour- remembering those who lost their lives in World War One. The resident has recently found an article from 1992 that says both Oadby and Wigston Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council commit to always repairing the Roll of Honour boards across the Borough of which there are four. The resident will investigate whether this agreement will be upheld before investigating whether Forum money is required.
Cllr L Broadley informed residents that the Records Office in Wigston is due to close, and all records will move to County Hall in Glenfield. This has been delayed, but it is thought could happen fairly soon. Cllr L Broadley asked residents what they would want to see the eventually vacant building be. One suggestion was a community centre.
The final question from a resident pertained to speeding of bikes and e-scooters on Bell Street, and correct signage across Wigston either permitting or prohibiting the use of bikes.
Action: Signage to be checked across Wigston to ensure it is appropriately located to either prohibit or permit cycling.