Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair for the 2022/23 municipal year.

The Head of Community Services opened the meeting and sought nominations for the position of Chair for the 2022/2023 civic year.

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

RESOLVED THAT

Councillor D Everitt be appointed as Chairman for the 2022/23 civic year.

To elect a Deputy Chair for the 2022/23 municipal year.

The Chair sought nominations for the position of Deputy Chair for the 2022/23 civic year.

It was moved by Councillor A Black, seconded by Councillor J Geary and

RESOLVED THAT

Councillor M B Wyatt be appointed as Deputy Chair for the 2022/23 civic year.

There were no apologies for absence.

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

Councillor J Geary declared registerable interests in all items as a director of the Springboard Centre, founder member of Mantle Community Arts, and supporter of Coalville Town Football Club should any reference to them arise at the meeting.

Councillor J Legrys declared registerable interests in all items as a volunteer at Hermitage FM, should reference be made to Coalville town.  

Councillor M Wyatt declared registerable interests in all items should reference be made to Coalville town, as the owner of two town centre businesses.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2022

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2022.

It was moved by Councillor J Geary, seconded by Councillor A Black and

RESOLVED THAT

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2022 be confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings.

The report of the Cultural Services Team Manager.

The Cultural Services Team Manager presented the report updating members on the work that had been carried out so far to progress the events planned for the year, which included the recent Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Members’ attention was drawn to the additional paper that had been circulated which provided an update on the event and it was noted that due to the weather, there had been an impact on the expected income, as some attractions were unable to attend due to safety concerns and an unexpected additional charge had been requested by the insurers, which was an un-anticipated impact on the budget.

In relation to Christmas lights, it was noted that the council had submitted a successful insurance claim against the vandalism to the lights the previous year.

In addition to the recommendations in the report, members were asked to consider the following:-

1.    Due to the overspend and under achievement of income for the Queen’s Jubilee event, and the continuing rise of cost due to inflation

a)    Suspending the delivery of Coalville by the Sea this year, and

b)    To redirect that budget to offset the Queen’s Jubilee expenditure and investment in the Christmas in Coalville event, which was anticipated to be challenging to deliver against the allocated budget.

2.    Due to the disposal and recycling of old Christmas lights stock this year that members consider allocating up to £7000 from balances to support the purchase of replacement lights to complement the current scheme.

A member requested that the figures in relation to the projected income for the Cinema in the Park be revisited as it was felt that the event would be bringing in more than predicted and that any additional income could be used towards other events.

Members expressed their delight to the events and parks teams for the work that had been put into the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations and that, as always, the weather could not be predicted, but the event was well attended despite the rain and feedback on the event received was very good. Special thanks were given to the volunteers of the Friends of Coalville Park for the work that they had put in to tidy the park and decorate with extra flags prior to the event.

Members agreed with the proposed additional recommendations as outlined by the Cultural Services Manager. It was noted that the money for the Christmas Lights would be to replace and complement the current stock.

In response to a question, members were advised that the additional £2.5k requested by the insurance company was totally unexpected and the explanation given was that any event that expected a capacity over 500 people in attendance at any one time required the extra cover.

The Finance Team Manager advised members that the Council was due to go out to tender on insurance prior to the Christmas Events and she would ensure that the additional charge re the number of people would be included in the tender. However, at the time it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The report of the Leisure Services Team Manager.

The Leisure Services Team Manager presented the report to members updating on the progress of the current projects.

A member felt that, in relation to Scotlands Bowls Pavilion, due to the rise in inflation, the figures for the installation of solar panels be revisited and the bid for funding from the Bardon Community Grant be increased accordingly, and that in relation to tree planting, the council should submit a request to the Bardon Community Grant for £5k for additional trees that could be planted around the Coalville area.

The Leisure Services Team Manager advised that in relation to the bowls pavilion, he would pass the request on to the property team, who were overseeing the works to see if was feasible, and that if members were all agreeable and were able to advise on potential locations for them, he would facilitate the work around submitting a bid for funding towards additional trees for planting.

In response to a question about Sharpley Avenue Play Area, the Leisure Services Team Manager advised the work would be progressed once the new Parks and Open Spaces Development Officer was in place, but work to understand the Anti-social behaviour at the site would take place and ensure it was incorporated as part of the consultation process.

The Leisure Services Team Manager provided an update on the bench installation in Thringstone and he hoped that it would be installed by the next meeting.

In relation to London Road Cemetery, a member noted that no planning application had been submitted for the work on the wall and wanted an update on the start date of the work and the proposed design.

The Head of Economic Regeneration advised that due to added complications around tree roots undermining the wall, just building a new wall would not erase the issue. He noted that some trees would need to be removed to avoid any future issues and that when the team was in a position to move forward, the planning application would be submitted and an update would be provided to the working group.

A discussion then took place around the removal of the trees if they were still healthy and rather than taking down a healthy tree, considering an alternative fencing option to a brick wall. It was noted that as the new complications had come to light, it was felt that the options for the cemetery wall needed to be revisited. It was therefore agreed that more research needed to be carried out on the trees and what, if any, other damage, such as the to the highway, the trees could cause and a report be brought back to a future meeting with the outcome of the surveys.

A member thanked officers for circulating the survey to residents in relation to the Claremont Drive play area.

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor J Geary and

RESOLVED THAT:-

1)    The progress update on the 2022/23 Capital Projects be noted

2)    A report be brought back  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To note the future work programme.

Consideration was given to the work plan and it was noted that the reports in relation to review of the fees and charges for stall holders at events and the tree survey for London Road Cemetery would be added to plan, to be considered at future meetings.