Agenda item

1)  To consider the following motion received from Councillor M B Wyatt:

“Over a number of years more and more local residents, businesses and the local community have indicated they support the formation of a Town council for the Coalville special area which is unparished. Local democracy and local accountability should be fully supported and implemented when such a request is made.

We,

1. instruct officers to commence preparation/initial work on a Community Governance Review (CGR)

2. ask that a report, including the terms of reference of a proposed review, be submitted to Council in February to enable an informed decision to be made, and if agreed, to establish a CGR Cross Party Working Group to oversee the CGR;

3. request that, following the CGR, a report comes toCouncil to decide whether or not to establish a Town Council which will consist of the unparished area of the Broom Leys ward, Bardon ward, the unparished area of the Castle Rock ward, Coalville East ward, Coalville West ward, Greenhill ward, the unparished area of the Snibston North ward and Snibston South ward.

4. The electoral ward of Thringstone to become a separate parished area with its own Parish Council.”

2)  To consider the following motion received from Councillor S Sheahan:

“This Council -

Recognises the continuing impact of the cost of living crisis on the residents of our district.

Through data gathering, case studies and liaison with partner agencies, undertakes to highlight the difficulties many of the least well-off are facing due to increased in food and fuel prices, benefit cuts and planned tax rises. (Inflation is forecast to average 4% next year, fuel prices are expected to increase by a further 30% in April on the back of a substantial rise in October, National Insurance will go up by 1.5 percentage points in April and the 50% Universal Credit claimants who are unemployed or cannot work will not benefit from the reduction in the taper.)

Pledges to carry out a review of its own services eg fees and charges, support debt and benefits advice to mitigate the impact wherever possible.

Commits to lobby Government to do more to help those in the greatest need.”

3)  To consider the following motion received from Councillor J Legrys:

“Privately Operated Car Parks in Coalville Town Centre 

The Coalville Town Centre Car Parks, located off Bridge Road/High Street and the North Service yard off High Street, are now privately owned. The owner has employed a third-party operator, Parking Eye, to enforce parking charges. The operator’s payment options are collected via camera-operated technology. Residents and shoppers are being inappropriately fined and their complaints are not being given a satisfactory response. 

There are concerns that there is confusion about the public rights of vehicular access through this now private land, that signage and instructions for payment options are unclear and that the operator is not conforming to the British Parking Association Code of Practice.  This is leading to a downturn in footfall as many shoppers and visitors now find it more convenient to shop in towns where the signage and parking charges are more straightforward and understood. It is important for those with a stake in the town centre to work together to promote Coalville Town Centre, as a place for shopping, leisure, local heritage and the National Forest.

This Council, through the Portfolio Holder, will undertake to work with the car park owners and operator to address the concerns and keep Coalville ward members informed of progress.”

Council considered and debated a number of motions.

The first motion was received from Councillor M Wyatt and read:

“Over a number of years more and more local residents, businesses and the local community have indicated they support the formation of a Town council for the Coalville special area which is unparished. Local democracy and local accountability should be fully supported and implemented when such a request is made.

We,

1.    Instruct officers to commence preparation/initial work on a Community Governance Review (CGR)

2.    Ask that a report, including the terms of reference of a proposed review, be submitted to Council in February to enable an informed decision to be made, and if agreed, to establish a CGR Cross Party Working Group to oversee the CGR;

3.    Request that, following the CGR, a report comes to Council to decide whether or not to establish a Town Council which will consist of the unparished area of the Broom Leys ward, Bardon ward, the unparished area of the Castle Rock ward, Coalville East ward, Coalville West ward, Greenhill ward, the unparished area of the Snibston North ward and Snibston South ward.

4.    The electoral ward of Thringstone to become a separate parished area with its own Parish Council.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor J Geary.

A discussion ensued on the advantages and disadvantages of having another tier of Government. There were comments both in support of and against the motion. It was reported that a petition had been commenced with a view to ensuring that the Council undertook a Community Governance Review and this was welcomed; as it was considered by some that if the proposal was supported by the electorate then they were more minded to support it.

A recorded vote was requested, the outcome of which is set out below.

There being 14 For, 21 Against and 1 Abstention, the motion was LOST.

The second motion was received from Councillor S Sheahan and read:

 “This Council

-       Recognises the continuing impact of the cost of living crisis on the residents of our district.

-       Through data gathering, case studies and liaison with partner agencies, undertakes to highlight the difficulties many of the least well-off are facing due to increases in food and fuel prices, benefit cuts and planned tax rises. (Inflation is forecast to average 4% next year, fuel prices are expected to increase by a further 30% in April on the back of a substantial rise in October, National Insurance will go up by 1.5 percentage points in April and the 50% of Universal Credit claimants who are unemployed or cannot work will not benefit from the reduction in the taper.)

-       Pledges to carry out a review of its own services eg fees and charges, support for debt and benefits advice, to mitigate the impact wherever possible.

-       Commits to lobby Government to do more to help those in the greatest need.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor M Hay.

A lively debate ensued with some Members providing statistical data to support the motion together with some quotes from the press, however others felt quite strongly that the Council was already delivering the steps set out in the motion and gave examples of where this was happening.

The motion was put to the vote and was subsequently LOST.

The third and final motion was received from Councillor J Legrys and read:

“Privately Operated Car Parks in Coalville Town Centre –

The Coalville Town Centre Car Parks, located off Bridge Road/High Street and the North Service yard off High Street, are now privately owned. The owner has employed a third-party operator, Parking Eye, to enforce parking charges. The operator’s payment options are collected via camera-operated technology. Residents and shoppers are being inappropriately fined and their complaints are not being given a satisfactory response.

There are concerns that there is confusion about the public rights of vehicular access through this now private land, that signage and instructions for payment options are unclear and that the operator is not conforming to the British Parking Association Code of Practice. This is leading to a downturn in footfall as many shoppers and visitors now find it more convenient to shop in towns where the signage and parking charges are more straightforward and understood. It is important for those with a stake in the town centre to work together to promote Coalville Town Centre, as a place for shopping, leisure, local heritage and the National Forest.

This Council, through the Portfolio Holder, will undertake to work with the car park owners and operator to address the concerns and keep Coalville ward members informed of progress.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor R Blunt.

The motion received support from across the Chamber and concerns were expressed about the conduct of the car park operator and the confusion of the current signage.

The motion was put to the vote, and it was unanimously AGREED.