Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors D Everitt and P Purver.

Councillor J Geary declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 5 – Capital Projects Update as a regular supporter of Coalville Town Football Club and a founder member of Mantle Lane Arts, and in any reference to the Springboard Centre as a director.

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

Councillor M B Wyatt declared a non-pecuniary interest in any reference to Coalville Town Centre as an owner of 2 businesses in the town.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2018.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2018.

The Leisure Services Team Manager advised that following a meeting with the Coalville Education Partnership over the management of the Community Garden in Coalville Park, the partnership had decided not to progress. He informed the Working Party that he had been approached by John Merrison who was interested in setting up an “incredible edible scheme” and that discussions were being held on how the scheme would work and an update would be brought to the next meeting.

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor R Adams and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2018 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Cultural Services Team Manager

The Cultural Services Team Manager presented the report to Members and confirmed that all events for 2018/19 had been delivered.

Christmas in Coalville – 24 November 2018

The event had been delivered as planned with no health and safety issues. She advised that it had been well attended and supported. Looking forward to the following year’s event it was recommended that the date for the event be agreed as Saturday, 23 November 2019 to avoid a clash with Ashby’s. It was also noted that the ballet at the Century Theatre was sold out.

2019/20 Events Programme

The dates for the first four events had been approved and supported by Cabinet. The date for the Christmas event was outstanding. The first events sub group was scheduled for the 13 February 2019. The list of events for the forthcoming year was included but could expand as the year went on.

Christmas Lights

The Christmas lights were installed on schedule.

Coalville Commemorates

The artwork had been installed as scheduled. The Memorial Square works were progressing well and due to be completed 21 December 2019. The fencing would remain in place so the cement could set. Officers were working to agree a permanent display for the wreaths

Councillor M B Wyatt expressed concerns over the Remembrance service as letters had gone out with errors on and the minute silence was late. In relation to the Christmas event he stated that having talked to many traders and residents it was felt that it was the worst event ever and that the footfall went to only one area on the day. He asked that a full review of the event be carried out asking traders and residents on how they were effected and what they would like to see. He advised that some of the lights were not working and he had received complaints about the fireworks. He urged the committee to take responsibility for the event and ensure that the whole town was utilised not just one area.

The Cultural Services Team Manager advised that she was unable to comment on the Remembrance Service as the Council only supported the event.

Regarding Christmas in Coalville event, she drew Members attention to the feedback that was detailed in the report which reported a high level of satisfaction for the event from members of the public that had attended and detailed the very positive comments received.  The brief of the event was to deliver a Christmas in Coalville celebration for members of the public who wish to attend, the Cultural Services Team Manager believed that this brief had been met. She informed Members that if the Christmas event was spread too thin over the town centre then there would be a higher risk of not being able to deliver a safe event and the event having less impact as a whole.

Councillor M B Wyatt stated that the working party needed to consider what could be added to the event to make it better and look  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

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

Thringstone Miners Social Centre Training Pitch

The AGM had not been quorate, however the Chair wished the development to commence and was looking to arrange a revised AGM in January/February to obtain full support from all of the trustees.

Coalville Forest Adventure Park

Work was ongoing and a number of actions had been completed.

Melrose Road Play Hub

Communication was ongoing between the council’s legal team and the legal representatives of the Squire De Lisle to finalise the footpath agreement.

Coalville Park Green Flag Award

The improvement works were ongoing and the community based group meeting would be held in the New Year to get the group up and running. The Management Plan for the park was being developed and the deadline for the Green Flag accreditation was the 31 January 2019. The application would be submitted within the next 4 weeks. Councillor J Legrys stated that he was really pleased with the Fields in Trust Award and that the work with the friends of the park was moving forward.

Lillehammer Drive

The Multi Use Games Area had been removed and the area fenced off and outline plans had been designed over the open space. A meeting was to be arranged with residents who had raised concerns over potential ASB issues to discuss the scheme and reach a resolution.

London Road Closed Cemetery

Work was still ongoing and it was hoped it would be completed in the New Year.

In response to a question from Councillor M B Wyatt, the Leisure Services Team Manager advised that a meeting had been held on site to consider the plans for the installation of the seating and all improvements were agreed to the plan, and that the work had been carried out.

Councillor N Clarke asked for an update on the discussion that he had had with the Leisure Services Team Manager in relation to potential improvements to Cropston Drive Football Pitch.

The Leisure Services Team Manager advised Members that he had spoken to the club and that they were keen to either make Cropston Drive more suitable to allow the senior team to make the move up to the next league or to move to the Bardon site. Bardon were not keen to have a senior team but wanted to improve the facilities at their site. He stated that officers would be happy to look at possible funding streams for Bardon but the Football Foundation would be facilitating a meeting to help allow access to the senior team. In relation to the current Cropston Drive site three areas of improvement had been identified which were to be improved: barrier around the pitch, hedge works and the marking of the technical area. The Leisure Services Team Manager advised that a temporary rope barrier would meet the requirements. If the team were to move up the league structure they would be entitled to funding and there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Report of the Head of Community Services

The Head of Community Services presented the report and additional papers to Members.

He advised that the current budget had contributed to the balances of £15,426 with additional approved spending from the balances of £16,280. He informed Members that there was a forecasted reduction of cemetery income of £12,000, which meant that a forecasted contribution of £11,802 from the balances was required, and in turn, it meant that the overall balances were forecasted to be £80,311. He highlighted that £45,000 was required to be kept in the balances so Members could allocate a further £35,000 out of balances towards other schemes.

Councillor M B Wyatt raised concerns that verges, flower bushes & hedges along Bardon Road needed improvement as it was the gateway to Coalville and that there was no money in the budget to maintain it. He felt that the council could look at potential income streams such as advertising on bus shelters.

Councillor J Geary agreed that the Bardon area could do with being enhanced and requested that proposals be brought to a future meeting.

The Head of Community Services advised that the Council was developing a Commercial Strategy and would highlight the advertising opportunity to the officers working on it.

The Leisure Services Manager advised that he was happy to look at an improvement scheme for Bardon Road, however he reminded Members that it was owned by LCC and that they would have the final decision on ay improvements.

The Head of Community Services highlighted the main changes to the 19/20 draft budget that included a reduction in the burial fee income of £4,000, that a budget of £3,000 for the moving of the MVAS has been included and that the new site at Lillehammer Drive had been taken on £5,200 had been budgeted for maintenance costs. He informed Members that there was an increase to the events budget of £2,000 and a reduction of £10,000 in the Park and Recreation Grounds Operational budget. He advised Members that it was recommended that £46,000 be kept in the balances, that would allow £42,000 to be allocated to other schemes, however paragraph 1.3 highlighted that there would be maintenance work required to assets within the special expense area and Members should see the schedule before agreeing to allocate any further funds.

In response to a question from Councillor M B Wyatt, the Head of Community Services advised that there were funds available so if Members wished they could allocate more to the Christmas events.

Councillor M B Wyatt suggested that when planning applications were submitted for the Coalville area Members could request that a one-off contribution be made towards events in the town.

Councillor M Specht agreed with the comments about Bardon Road and that most developers as a good will gustier would come on board.

Members requested that proposals for hanging baskets around the Town Centre be brought to a future meeting.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The 18/19  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.