Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

Councillor M B Wyatt declared a non pecuniary interest in any reference to Coalville town centre as a business owner.

Councillor J Geary declared a non pecuniary interest in item 4 – Capital Projects update as a regular supporter of Coalville Town FC and a founder member of Mantle Lane Arts.

Councillor J Legrys declared a non pecuniary interest in any reference to Hermitage FM due to his involvement with the organisation.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2016

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2016.

Councillor J Geary clarified that in respect of Capital Projects Update, he had requested the details of the model of the timer due to the costly quotation.  The Head of Community Services advised that three quotations had been obtained and a significantly reduced price had been secured after following this up.

Councillor J Geary advised that in respect of the mobile activated signage, the meeting with representatives in December had been cancelled and the rescheduled meeting date was Friday, 13 January.

It was moved by Councillor M Specht, seconded by Councillor J Legrys and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

The Leisure Services Team Manager presented the report to Members and provided an update on each of the ongoing projects.

Owen Street Recreation Ground – Changing Room Development

Members had been taken on a tour of the facility on 27 October and the official opening was planned at the end of the current season in May or June 2017.

Thringstone Miners Social Centre

Full planning approval had now been obtained to move forward on the training pitch. The football club were currently seeking to appoint to a number of vacant positions on their committee and Board of Trustees. It was anticipated that these positions would be recruited to early in the new year, and following this the project would be progressed and officers would support the Trustees with a funding application to the BIFFA Main Grants scheme.

Cropston Drive Recreation Ground

All work had now been completed. The hard surfaced area now had lines painted for a basketball court and hawthorn bushes had been planted around the chestnut fencing.  The entrance was far more inviting and the area was now far more aesthetically pleasing than it had been for some time.

Councillor M B Wyatt sought clarification on the additional equipment that was to be installed.  The Leisure Services Team Manager advised that the hard court area had been lined to provide a basketball court and the post had also been repainted.

Urban Forest Park, Coalville

The fencing adjacent to the car park has now been replaced. Members may wish to allocate an element of the outstanding balance towards the centrepiece of the Memorial Tree project if the total of that project exceeded the current £2,000 budget allocated to it.

Renaming of Urban Forest Park

A consultation had taken place on the renaming of the park with a number of groups. As a result of the consultation it was therefore proposed to recommend to Cabinet a change in name from Urban Forest Park to Coalville Forest Adventure Park.

This proposal was moved by Councillor J Legrys and seconded by Councillor J Geary.

Councillor M Specht highlighted the significance of the next year and felt that this should be marked in some way with the naming of the park.  He asked if the wording Coalville Heroes could be included in the renaming of the park.

Councillor J Geary reminded members that this suggestion had not been consulted upon.

Councillor M Specht suggested that the consultation should be restarted to include this.

Councillor R Adams felt that considering the size of the consultation already undertaken with the school, the process should not be restarted.

Councillor J Geary expressed concerns in respect of the consultation process and relayed problems he had experienced with logging on to cast his vote.

Councillor M B Wyatt advised that he had been able to vote online.  He also highlighted that there would be a similar opportunity in the following year and there was no reason this suggestion could not be incorporated at that time.

Improved Parks  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Report of the Cultural Services Team Manager

The Cultural Services Team Manager presented the report to members, providing an update on each event.

December – Christmas Lights Switch on Event

The ‘Christmas in Coalville’ event had taken place on 3 December and was well attended, with no incidents or problems reported.  The use of the whole of the upper car park had worked really well and created a nice feel.  The headline act ‘Little Chix’  had been very well received and thanks were expressed to John Sketchley at Hermitage FM.  So far 212 votes had been cast for the best dressed window competition and 10 businesses had taken part in the toy trail, which was the maximum possible number.  Free parking would continue on Saturdays in December.

Councillor M B Wyatt commented that quite a few of the local businesses on High Street felt that they were neglected and the clock tower was underused.  He added that a lot of the High Street businesses reported that on the day of the event their income was down because the footfall had been moved away from High Street to other areas and a lot of vendors at the event were not local.  As a result, local businesses did not benefit.  He stated that the reason a lot of businesses on High Street did not have a tree was due to the £50 cost.  He added that the Coalville Town Team did not represent traders and did not consult them at all.  He felt that the event was damaging to High Street.  He commented that the tree was excellent, however the area around the clock tower was underused.

Councillor J Geary thanked Councillor M B Wyatt for his comments which he felt should be taken into consideration.

The Head of Community Services advised that the comments would be considered by the Events sub group to take into consideration for next year’s event.  In respect of utilising the clock tower, he advised that smaller attractions could be considered for this area, however there were limitations due to the potential volume of people and safety concerns. 

Councillor M Specht thanked the event organisers.

Councillor D Everitt agreed with the comments made by Councillor M B Wyatt in respect of the High Street shops.  He added that there were so many people attending the event that more could be done to spread the attractions out. 

Councillor P Purver complimented the leaflet which she felt worked well and looked fantastic.  She also commended the signposting at the event.

Councillor J Legrys relayed comments in respect of problems with the electricity supply and the food fair traders not being local and too expensive.  He added however that the event was put together by Coalville Town Team rather than the Council. 

Coalville Christmas Decorations

The Christmas lights were installed on schedule and did not impinge upon the Remembrance Day commemoration.  The lights on the Council offices had to undergo some level of repair as well as the lights on the clock tower. Eight of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Report of the Head of Community Services

The Head of Community Services presented the report to members, highlighting the forecast overspend which was not a cause for concern at this point. 

In response to a question from Councillor J Geary, the Head of Community Services advised that the reduced income from Broomleys Cemetery was not due to an increase in cremations.                  

The Head of Community Services advised that the draft budget for the 2017/18 financial year was balanced and highlighted the note in respect of the assumed Council Tax base increase which would provide additional funding to the Special Expenses budget.  He added that the exact figure was not yet known and an update would be provided at the next meeting.  He highlighted the key areas he considered appropriate for allocation of this additional resource, which were Christmas lights, events and grounds maintenance.

It was moved by Councillor J Geary, seconded by Councillor M Specht and

RESOLVED THAT:

a) The 2016/17 P7 position/forecast outturn be noted

b) The draft budget for 2017/18 be noted

Councillors R Adams and J Legrys left the meeting at 7.16pm during the discussion on item 5, 2016/17 Events Update

Councillor N Clarke left the meeting at 7.23pm during the discussion on item 5, 2016/17 Events Update

Councillor M B Wyatt left at 7.26pm during the discussion on item 5, 2016/17 Events Update