Agenda item

Report of the Director of Services

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members, drawing their attention to the allotments at Greenhill which had now been officially opened and named the Jubilee Allotments, and the green gym which had been very well used.

Councillor R Blunt invited Councillor N Clarke to speak as Chairman of the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party.

Councillor N Clarke drew Members' attention to part 1 of recommendation b.  He explained that there had been a long debate with regards to the Remembrance Day service and the Working Party had unanimously agreed that it was not right to demote the responsibility for this to the Coalville Special Expenses area.  He added that it was a central event attended by the Chairman, Chief Executive and the MP.  He stated that the event should be funded through the General Fund budget, particularly as next year was the 100th anniversary of World War I, and there would be additional attention on the event.  He felt that it may give the perception that the Council thought the event was less important if it was funded through the Coalville Special Expenses area.  He added that prioritising the event and funding it through the General Fund could have a positive impact.  He felt that a contribution from the Coalville Special Expense area could be explored.  He urged Members to support the recommendation.

Councillor A V Smith acknowledged the importance of the Remembrance Day Service to every Member.  She reminded Members that the event was held across the whole of the District and every Parish funded its own event.  She added that dignitaries attended more than one event in the District.  She considered that the Working Party would be proud and pleased to take on the responsibility for the event.  She stated that a decision on this matter should be deferred to enable further investigation in respect of where savings could be made.  She stated that she would then like to meet with a group of Members from the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party to discuss how the event should be funded.  She added that she felt it would be unfair to ask people in Appleby and Castle Donington to contribute to the event in Coalville.

Councillor N J Rushton asked what progress had been made on forming a Town Council for Coalville.  The Chief Executive advised that an approach would need to be made to the Council to undertake this particular piece of work.

It was moved by Councillor A V Smith, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

a) The minutes of the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party attached at Appendix 1 be approved.

b) The Events Task and Finish Group consider the 2014/15 events programme and other budget changes in light of the proposed reallocation of funds from the General Fund to the Coalville Special Expenses budget.

c) The Community Services Portfolio Holder to meet with Members of the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party to discuss further the funding of the Remembrance Day service.

Reason for decision: To progress Coalville Special Expenses projects and programmes.