Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Board Room, Council Offices, Coalville

Contact: Democratic Services  01530 454512

Items
No. Item

10.

Apologies For Absence

Minutes:

There were no apologies received.

11.

Declarations of Interest

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

Minutes:

Councillors J Geary and R Johnson declared a disclosable non pecuniary interest in Item 4 – Capital Projects Update as regular supporters of Coalville Town FC.

 

Councillor J Legrys declared a disclosable non pecuniary interest in Item 5 – 2014/15 Events Update due to his involvement with Hermitage FM.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt declared a disclosable non pecuniary interest in any reference to Coalville, as a business owner in the Town Centre.

12.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 151 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2014.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2014.

 

Councillor J Geary reiterated his disappointment that a visit to Broomleys Allotments had still not been arranged as had been agreed at April’s meeting. He stressed that the visit should happen before next May’s elections.

 

Councillor M Specht suggested that Members from Wards outside of the Coalville Special Expenses Area should also be invited. He stated that doing so could encourage Members to pursue similar projects elsewhere in the District.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt informed the meeting that he would arrange the visit and would update Members in due course with further details.

 

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor N Clarke and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2014 be approved.

13.

Capital Projects Update pdf icon PDF 160 KB

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

Minutes:

The Leisure Services Team Manager presented the report to Members.

 

He provided the Working Party with an update on each of the ongoing projects.

 

Coalville Park Improvements

 

It was confirmed that installation of the two-way communication flowers had been completed.

 

The Leisure Services Team Manager informed Members that a suitable location for the Peace Garden had been identified and that initial designs had been developed. He encouraged Members to provide feedback on the proposals and stated that, if Members were in agreement, a visit to the site would be arranged. It was stated that some minor improvements to the initial plans had already been suggested, including a walkway and making the area more enclosed.

 

Councillor J Legrys placed on record his thanks to Officers for having created the plans. He stated that the Peace Garden should also commemorate the deaths of soldiers killed in conflicts other than the two World Wars. He made reference to Private Adam Morris, who was killed whilst on duty in Iraq, and stated that it was important that every resident of the District who had given their life was commemorated.

 

Councillor J Legrys asked whether a sensory element could be included in the Peace Garden, for the benefit of individuals that are visually impaired. He also stated that it was essential that access was provided for those that used wheelchairs.

 

Councillor R Adams stated that he was staggered at the progress that had been made on the project and praised the hard work of Officers.

 

Councillor J Geary reiterated that it was imperative that all residents of the District that had died serving their country were remembered. He stated that this should include those who sacrificed their life in under recognised roles, such as the Bevin Boys who had been conscripted to work in the coal mines.

 

Councillor P Clayfield expressed her desire that any women that had lost their lives whilst serving with the Armed Forces should also be remembered.

 

The Leisure Services Team Manager stated that he was happy to take into consideration all of the comments that had been made. He stated that Coalville Park already had a sensory area but that he would make enquiries to see whether it would be feasible to link them together or to relocate some elements of the existing area to the Peace Garden.

 

Owen Street Recreation Ground

 

The Leisure Services Team Manager stated that proposals and costs for the electricity upgrade work had still not been received, despite the fact that the firm involved had visited the site in August. It was confirmed that if no response was received imminently then another contractor would be sought.

 

It was stated that the proposed long term lease between the Council and the football club had now been finalised. The football club were now in the process of setting themselves up as a limited company and it was confirmed that once this process was complete the lease would be signed. This would allow the football club to apply  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

2014/15 Events Update pdf icon PDF 148 KB

Report of the Cultural Services Team Manager

Minutes:

The Head of Community Services presented the report to Members.

 

He provided Members with an update on each event.

 

Coalville by the Sea

 

The event received a strong turnout which was helped by the good weather. It was confirmed that the event was delivered within its £1,500 budget.

 

Christmas Lights Switch On

 

It was stated that it had been agreed to combine the lights switch on with the Coalville Town Team’s Food and Drink Festival on 22November. The event would comprise of the Food and Drink Festival during the day and the lights switch on from late afternoon.

 

The lights switch on would include a snow cannon and a fireworks display. It was confirmed that a laser light show had been investigated, however the costs had proved to be prohibitive. It was stated that a prominent individual was currently being sought to help the Chairman of the District in switching on the lights. The event would also be the first of five consecutive Saturdays on which town centre parking would be free over the festive period.

 

Councillor J Geary suggested that the Council should approach long distance runner, and local resident, Gemma Steel with regard to helping switch on the Christmas Lights. The Head of Community Services responded that he would enquire about her availability.

 

Draft 2015/16 Events Programme

 

The Head of Community Services outlined to Members the draft events programme for 2015/16. It was stated that Councillor M B Wyatt had proposed holding a Proms in the Park event on the Saturday evening prior to the Picnic in the Park. The event would utilise the infrastructure that would already be in place for the following day and would therefore be a cost effective way of delivering an additional community event. It was stated that an indicative budget of £2,000 would be requested if Members supported the proposal.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt stated that he had been approached by several local residents who had expressed disappointment that the community events that are currently organised mainly catered for younger individuals. He stated that organising a Proms in the Park would help to resolve this issue.

 

The consensus of Members was unanimously in favour of organising a Proms in the Park event in 2015.

 

RECOMMENDED THAT:

 

a Proms in the Park event be organised on the Saturday evening prior to the 2015 Picnic in the Park.

15.

Period 5 Actual and 14/15 Forecast Out Turn pdf icon PDF 201 KB

Report of the Head of Community Services

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Community Services presented the report to Members.

 

It was stated that the period five position projected an under spending, with a contribution to balances of approximately £6,609, leading to an end of year projection of balances of £87,681. The main contributions to the under spending included an increase in burial and monument income and a backdated rates refund for Thringstone Bowls Club.

 

Members were informed that the 2015/16 revenue budgets were being drafted and several items were being considered and costed including the ongoing maintenance of County Council verges, an increased warden presence at several locations, a contribution to the urban grass cutting programme and an annual Saturday evening community event prior to Picnic in the Park.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt stated that several litter bins in the Working Party’s area were too small and that consideration should be given to funding the installation of larger bins in these areas. He cited the litter bin on Long Lane as a prominent example of a bin that was constantly full.

 

The Head of Community Services stated that there had been several examples of litter bins being used for commercial and household waste and that this had contributed significantly to the issue.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt stated that he opposed the commitment to spend some of the balances on Coalville Market. The Head of Community Services confirmed that this commitment had been agreed at July’s meeting of the Working Party and had been agreed by Cabinet.

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

the Working Party notes the report.

16.

Dates of Future Meetings

Tuesday, 16 December 2014

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Minutes:

Members noted the dates of the future meetings.

 

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 16 December 2014 at 6.30pm in the Board Room.