Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

The Leader presented the report to Members. He reminded Members that back in 2009 the Prince’s Foundation’s Coalville Regeneration Strategy highlighted the importance of making improvements to the shop fronts in the town centre and following an allocation of £225k towards shop front improvements he was pleased to announce that 15 shops out of the 40 eligible addresses were in the pipeline and it was expected that the full amount of allocated funds would be used. He advised Members that it was now proposed to extend the scheme to incorporate Belvoir Road and Marlborough Square. Therefore he was seeking approval of £300k to support the additional addresses, which would include a sum set aside for specific properties that were iconic buildings. He informed Members that improvements to Marlborough Square had been outlined in the Prince’s Foundation’s Regeneration Strategy and that officers had begun engagement with the business owners to seek their views on future plans.

Councillor T J Pendleton stated that a good looking Coalville would be a vibrant, happy Coalville.

Councillor T Gillard expressed his disappointment that the Council had not been successful in its bid to host the weeping windows as all concerned had worked very hard to submit the bid.

Councillor R Blunt stated that the Council was knocking on every door and that if bids such as the weeping windows were not submitted residents and business owners would say that we were not trying to improve the town.

Councillor A V Smith stated that it was a shame that the bid was not successful however the Council was planning to do something of its own.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T J Pendleton and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The extension of the Coalville Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme to a wider geographical area and other types of premises be approved.

2. The allocation of £300k reserves towards an extension to the Coalville Shop Front and Frontages Improvement Grant Scheme be approved.

3. The allocation of £523k reserves towards the cost of potential improvements to Marlborough Square be approved.

4. Authority be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader to commit expenditure of the Marlborough Square reserve.

5. The progress made by officers regarding the Council’s land off Cropston Drive be noted.

6.    The future direction of work for the Coalville Project be endorsed.

Reason for decision:

·         Policy approval needed for an extension to the Coalville shop front improvement grant scheme to include a wider geographical area and other types of premises

·         Approval needed for allocation of £300k reserves to be allocated to an extension of the Coalville shop front and frontages improvement grant scheme

·         Approval needed for allocation of £523k reserves towards the cost of potential improvements to Marlborough Square

·         To ensure any decision made by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader with regards to expenditure of the Marlborough Square reserve is made in accordance with delegations approved by Cabinet.