Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the 2021/22 municipal year.

Paul Sanders, Head of Community Services, opened the meeting and sought nominations for the position of Chairman for the 2021/2022 civic year.

Councillor M Wyatt expressed his gratitude to officers and members of all sides for their help and support during his two years as Chairman.

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor A Black and

RESOLVED THAT

Councillor D Everitt be appointed as Chairman for the 2021/22 civic year.

To elect a Deputy Chairman for the 2021/22 municipal year.

The Chairman sought nominations for the position of Deputy Chairman for the 2021/22 civic year.

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

RESOLVED THAT

Councillor M French be appointed as Deputy Chairman for the 2021/22 civic year.

There were no apologies for absence.

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.

Councillor M Wyatt declared non-pecuniary interests in all items as the owner of two businesses in Coalville Town Centre should any reference arise to the town centre.

Councillor J Geary declared non-pecuniary interests in all items as a director of the Springboard centre, founder of Mantle Community Arts and a regular supporter of Coalvilel Town Football Club should any reference to them arise at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2021.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2021.

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor A Bridgen and

RESOLVED THAT

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 April be confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings.

Report of the Cultural Services Team Manager

Wendy May, Cultural Services Team Manager, presented the report which updated Members with regards to 2021/22 events and projects funded within the Coalville Special Expenses Area. It was brought to members’ attention that in addition to the events in the report, there was work ongoing to bring street entertainers to Coalville during the summer holidays and for further events through the Welcome Back fund given to the Council to mitigate against the economic impact of COVID-19. 

Members welcomed the proposals for the revision of the Christmas lights at Coalville memorial clock tower as the main focal point of the town. Thanks were also expressed for the Cultural Services Team’s work on the Coalville Outdoor art gallery. It was clarified that the potential community art project at Needham’s Walk was awaiting confirmation from the owners of the shopping centre before a decision on whether to progress was made.

Clarification was sought and given regarding the funding sources of several future events. It was expressed by Members that although the current list of events was understandable given the impact of COVID-19, there should be more events taking place and it was suggested councillors should be identifying more potential events. In response, it was explained that although the delivery of the regular events programmer remained impacted by COVID-19, events were still being delivered and those scheduled for delivery in 2021 represented an increase in event hours compared to the 2019 event programme.

In response to a question regarding the opening of Newmarket, the Head of Community Services explained that the exact nature of the opening was under review due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions but the structure of the building was cohesive to the holding of a celebratory opening event. The Cultural Services Team Manager then explained that ongoing works meant there would be limited Christmas lighting options at Newmarket in 2021 but this would be possible in future years. 

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

RESOLVED THAT

The Working Party Notes:
1) The progress update on 2021/22 events.

2) The update for Christmas lights installation procurement

3) The update for Needhams Walk artwork

4) The update for 2021/22 Coalville Special Expenses Community Grant Scheme

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

Jason Knight, Leisure Services Team Manager, presented the report which updated Members with regards to capital projects within the Coalville Special Expenses Area. It was confirmed that Members of the Working Party would have advance sight of the revised proposals due to go out for consultation for the extension of Coalville Park after the meeting.

Thanks were also expressed for the work of officers at Scotlands Bowls Pavilion and on the  tree planting in Coalville where it was highlighted that over 100 trees had been planted in the Coalville Special Expenses Area in the last two years.

It was clarified that on Lillehammer Drive the complexity of the various public and private sector organisations involved were contributing factors to the delay in finalising the project.

An update was also given on the meeting that took place at London Road cemetery  prior to the meeting. Members had been in agreement that the current maintenance regime should continue and that officers would report back at a future meeting on options for the churchyard wall and whether or not an internment area could be created for ashes.

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

RESOLVED THAT

The Working Party notes the progress update on the 2021/22 capital projects.

Report of the Finance Team Manager

Anna Wright, Finance Team Manager, presented the report and draft Special Expenses Policy to Members and invited comments on the policy for feedback into the decision-making process later in the year.

In response to questions from Members, it was explained that the policy had been put together to formalise the Council’s existing position on Special Expenses. This was due to several requests  from the Working Party in recent years to fund work such as air quality that could not be classed or funded through Special Expenses and alternative funding sources had needed to be found.

The Leisure Services Team Manager also observed that a recent request by Members for officers to look into the Mobile Vehicle Activated Signage and report to a future meeting was an area relevant to this Policy as it could not be funded through Special Expenses.

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

RESOLVED THAT

The Working Party provides it’s comments on the draft Special Expenses Policy

To agree the following meeting dates for the 2021/22 municipal year:

Tuesday, 12 October 2021

Tuesday, 14 December 2021

Wednesday, 27 April 2022

Tuesday, 14 June 2022

Consideration was given to the list of proposed meeting dates for the 2021/22 civic year. 

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor M French and

RESOLVED THAT

The following meeting dates for 2021/22 be agreed:

Tuesday, 12 October 2021
Tuesday, 14 December 2021
Wednesday 27 April 2022
Tuesday 14 June 2022