Minutes:
Windlass Drive Car Park
Residents from Windlass Drive raised concerns with the condition of the car park just off of the road which is under the control of Hallams. This was the main building compound for Barretts whilst the estate was being built. Residents on the estate pay fees to maintain the balancing pond. After 12 months following the last house being built the lease of the land should have been handed over to the Council; this has not yet happened 9 years after completion. The car park remains Hallam’s property due to this and is now experiencing fly-tipping on a weekly basis including NO2 cannisters both large and small, examples of which were shown; users are usually arriving and leaving in vehicles so involved in drug driving. Other litter includes small drugs bags and significant litter from McDonalds. Wombles are trying to keep the area clean but as the land is still owned by Hallams, and is classed as private land, there are limitations on what actions can be taken to resolve or address the issues reported.
The Chair noted that the Council will not take ownership of the land until it is in a reasonable standard; this is something that the landowner refuses to do resulting in a stalemate. The land is largely overgrown and is not maintained by the landowner. The Chair proposed seeking means to gate off the car park, with the Chair offering to approach the landowner to see this happen.
It was noted that residents have paid for van permits to take the fly-tipping experienced, including an armchair, to the tip. The Chair notes that the Council does have the power to serve a notice on the landowner re. the fly-tipping but this can take some time to complete.
Wombles are litter-picking every other night and collecting at least a bag’s worth of rubbish from the car park.
Residents are pushing for the Police to regularly attend the site and undertake roadside drug tests for vehicles visiting the site. There were suggestions that the McDonald’s receipts may be utilised by the Police to identify the owners of vehicles that regularly visit the site and litter.
A query was raised as to how long it will take for the promised bin to be installed on Windlass Drive; the Chair noted that this is still coming but the bin audit in the Borough is still taking place. It was noted that one of the Wombles was verbally abused by a driver who stated, incorrectly, that it is the Wombles’ fault through the work they do that the Council is reducing the number of bins in the Borough, and the number of street cleansing staff employed by the Council being reduced.
Long Street School
A resident queried what the future of the Record’s Office currently occupying the building is to be as it is believed to be at capacity. The Chair noted that the County Council are looking at converting space at County Hall to become the new Record’s Office, with a timescale of 2 years given to secure an appropriate space for the records to be stored appropriately. The Record’s Office building itself is locally listed.
Food Pantry
M Flynn introduced herself as the Local Area Coordinator for South Wigston and spoke about the need for food banks. A food panty has been developed in South Wigston for £5 a month membership providing up to £25 worth of food and other products, such as hygiene products, per week. Additional services are linked in with the food pantry to ensure that people are aware of, and receiving, the support they’re eligible for. The Food Pantry runs at Elliot Hall on a Thursday, 10am-1pm, and also works as a social space. The pantry will also hold a stock of ‘formal clothes’ that can be borrowed to aid with job interviews etc., and plans are being made to host a barber or hairdresser on site too. Food insecurity is a large issue so residents were encouraged to signpost anyone they’re aware of who may be struggling to the food pantry. The Food Pantry is now in its 13th week, with 46 members, and is open to anyone who lives in the Borough. Eligibility to access the Food Pantry is checked. Nappies, sanitary wear, etc. is also available through this service.
Albion Street Mural
Residents expressed praise for the mural that has been completed on Albion Street, highlighting it as a wonderful piece of art. The Chair noted that there will also be some street furniture changes along Blaby Road as part of the same project, paid for by Central Government. Residents raised the concrete benches that have been installed on Bell Street are not fit for purpose; Members noted that the new benches are not finished with wooden slats and backs to be installed – South Wigston’s benches will not be in this style