It’s nice to get back to some semblance of ‘normal’. I am starting to attend more meetings in Council offices and social events. The Covid-19 restrictions were lifted on 19th July. I know that for many people it will be a huge relief. I would however ask that you continue to take care. The virus has not disappeared, and the infections rates are increasing very quickly. We have not seen a huge rise in hospital admissions yet, but that could change over the coming weeks. Please take up the offer of the vaccine, if you have not done so already, and ensure that you attend your second jab. I will continue to observe social distancing, limit the number of people I have contact with, and continue to wear my face covering when inside crowded places and on public transport. You can still catch and pass on the virus, even if you have received both of your vaccinations, and we are still seeing a huge number of people suffering with long Covid.
It’s been a busy month for sporting events. Following the disappointment of losing in the final of the Euros to Italy, I was further disappointed with the racial abuse that followed, directed to some of the England team. Abuse of any kind is not acceptable, and I think our team did us proud. I have also been glued to the Wimbledon highlights and really enjoyed this year’s championships with spectators back at capacity for the finals.
I was delighted to be invited to the Anstey WI’s annual garden party. It was a beautiful afternoon and it was a great to have a catch up with all the lovely ladies after so long. It was a great event, I won the raffle, ate cake and even had a game of lawn croquet.
I was very happy to be voted in as Chair of the Police and Crime Panel for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The panel’s role is to hold the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to account. We have a new PCC in place, Rupert Matthews, and I look forward to working with Rupert and the panel over the next year.
I deputised for the Leader of the County Council, at a campaign launch for ‘Uncover the Story’, held at the King Richard III Visitor Centre on Wednesday 21st July. The joint campaign, with Leicester City, is to promote Leicester and Leicestershire’s tourism offer to national and international visitors. It will explore the unusual and fascinating stories that lie behind some of our local attractions and unique places, using eye-catching artwork and ‘teasers’ to encourage the visitor to uncover the full story. It is hoped that the campaign will support the city and county tourism businesses such as visitor attractions, accommodation providers, museums, food and drink producers, restaurants, bars and cafes, market towns, cultural attractions, and festivals and events. Further details can be found here: https://www.visitleicester.info/uncoverthestory
We are now heading into the summer recess, with a reduction in meetings. I am hoping to take some time away from the day job. I have worked continually since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, as have a lot of people, and I need to switch the laptops off for a week or two and take some time out, ready for the September return.
Womblers
The womblers had a fantastic litter pick on Sunday 27th June 2021. Thank you to everyone who turned up on the day. Many of the group also continue to have ‘solo wombles’ around the area, daily. All the litter collected is logged, so we have some idea of the volumes being collected. There is an organised litter pick once a month, so if you are interested please get in touch. Please search for Anstey and Cropston Litter Wombles on Facebook. The group now has over 70 members. This is a fantastic achievement with the sole aim of keeping our local streets and paths tidy. Please help us by not dropping litter and taking it home with you.
Recycling Centres
From Monday 19th July, no appointments will be necessary to visit a county council recycling and household waste site in Leicestershire.
However, vans, pick-ups and cars with trailers must have a waste permit to visit a waste site. Permits are also required for any vehicle bringing in asbestos, chemicals or liquid paint.
I know some residents liked the booking system, but the majority didn’t. The amount of complaints that have come into the contact centre have been huge. All complaints are responded to and this takes up a lot of time and resources. Therefore, the decision was taken to remove the booking system as soon as it was safe to do so.
Cycling and Walking
Plans to boost cycling and walking by creating more networks, revamping routes and teaming up with schools and workplaces have been unveiled.
The County Council’s ambition to improve the cycling and walking network across Leicestershire is outlined in a recent cabinet report. This followed a consultation which attracted more than 2,400 responses with the feedback being discussed by Cabinet members at their meeting on 20th July. They gave the green light to the cycling and walking strategy (CaWS) and an accompanying action plan.
The CaWS sets out a vision to upgrade and provide cycle routes, cycle parking, and pedestrian facilities to create healthy streets and spaces. It will also include the provision of traffic education measures and cycle training for schools and workplaces to increase the number of cyclists and walkers. The initial target over 10 years is to increase cycle and walking trips to schools and employment by 10% and a rise in walking and cycling trips in the county by 15%.
It is hoped that the CaWS will provide the evidence base behind future plans to improve pavements and cycleways, as well as supporting funding bids to Government. Following Cabinet approval, action will be taken now to develop a number of local, county-wide plans to improve cycling and walking infrastructure.
Following a study to identify priority areas, the next areas will be Loughborough and the south-east quadrant of the Leicester Principal Urban Area, which includes Oadby, Wigston and Blaby.
More details will be provided as the action plan is developed.
Highway Fund
Leicestershire Matters magazine has been delivered across the county over the past few weeks. You will have seen the front page, sharing details about a £5m boost of money for roads. This includes a fund of £25k for each county councillor to spend across their areas on low level highways and environmental improvements.
I have been in contact with all my Parish Clerks, asking asked them to speak to residents and their councillors so that they can come up with proposals for consideration as to where the funding could best be used.
I am keen to hear from residents but would like to do this in a structured way. Therefore, I am requesting that if any residents have any ideas/plans/projects that could improve the lives of residents and our local area, please do contact your local parish council in the first instance. They will then forward me the ‘wish list’ for the area which I can then take forward, working with highway officers. I will look at all ideas, get some prices, ensure they are safe (in highway terms) and then begin to take some forward. Matched funding can also be used to fund larger projects.
