Agenda item

Members are reminded that under paragraph 11.1 of part 4 of the Constitution, questions can be asked of the Leader and Cabinet Members without notice about any matter contained in any address.  Questions shall be limited to five minutes in total for each announcement.

Councillor R Blunt referred to the events which had taken place to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the end of World War 1.  He stated that he had been proud to join the Chairman and many members at the service in Coalville with a record number of people in attendance.  He added that the clock tower looked particularly good following its renovation and he was pleased to see the installation of the artwork. 

Councillor R Blunt referred to the recent tragic incident at the King Power stadium.  Thoughts and prayers were extended to the families and everyone connected with the club.  The council had opened up a book of condolence and had lit up the civic centre blue as a mark of solidarity and respect. 

Councillor R Blunt referred to the forthcoming voter ID pilot which would mean that voters in North West Leicestershire would need to bring their polling card to the polling station in order to vote.  He added that this was a great opportunity to feed into the wider changes that were likely to be made in the next few years. 

Councillor R Blunt announced that the Kegworth bypass would open this weekend.  He commented on the difference this would make to the village and added that the council was working closely with the parish council to make further improvements to the village centre. 

Councillor R Blunt announced that the Christmas in Coalville event would be taking place on 24 November. 

Councillor A V Smith announced the outcome of the recent Quest assessment at Hood Park Leisure Centre.  Quest is an independent biannual audit of leisure centres assessing their performance over a 2 day site assessment and a robust mystery visit.  She announced that Hood Park had improved its previous ‘good’ rating to ‘very good’.  She congratulated all the staff on their excellent work. 

Councillor S Sheahan commented that he had taken part in the Remembrance day service and it was a very appropriately moving occasion.  He added that those who went to war and did not return ought to be remembered every year.  In respect of the voter ID pilot he acknowledged that alternative methods of voting needed to be considered however he did not believe there to be a problem with voter fraud in North West Leicestershire.  He emphasised the need to make provision for those who lost or did not receive their polling cards. 

Councillor R D Bayliss updated members on the new council house building programme and was delighted to announce the completion of the first phase which had seen new housing stock being built for the first time in nearly 3 decades.  He provided an update on progress at the schemes at Linford Crescent, Coalville, at the Willesley Estate, Ashby de la Zouch, the former police station in Coalville and the site of the former Cocked Hat in Greenhill.  He referred to the gifted units from developers in Measham and Ashby which had also increased the supply of affordable rented housing.  He added that by summer 2019, the council will have added 95 new homes to its housing stock.