Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Cope, Hollick and Sheppard-Bools.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September be confirmed and signed by the Mayor.

No interests were declared.

The Mayor spoke about recent events she had attended, the forthcoming Remembrance Parade and her civic carol service at Hope Community Church.

Councillor M Mullaney will present a petition to restore x-ray services in Hinckley.

Councillor M Mullaney presented a petition with 2,300 signatures calling to restore x-ray services in Hinckley.

Tonight’s agenda includes reports on off street parking orders enabling the introduction of over 260 additional free car parking spaces for shoppers in our key town centre car parks and over 130 free spaces in the mornings to support residents where there is limited parking availability. This delivers on our pledge to help boost our town centres.

A report on the polling place review has worked out timely given the recent announcement of the 12 December general election. Also to note is the report on council tax that reviews local discounts and premiums which reflect the outcome of consultation and feedback from a recent Scrutiny Commission. Finally there is a report setting out the priority commitments of my administration on initiatives aligned to the delivery of the current corporate plan.

Electric Charging Points

In line with the Council climate change declaration, I am pleased to confirm that progress is being made towards the delivery of a scheme that could see new electric charging points delivered in our town centre car parks in 2020. Quotes are due by next week. We are also participating in a joint bid to the LLEP which could see further resources being secured for additional charging points in the borough.

Proms in the Park

I am pleased to be able to confirm that the much loved Proms in the Park will be back at Hollycroft Park on 22 August 2020. This is a joint venture between the Council and Hinckley Round Table. This will be an even bigger event than in previous years with family events taking place during the day and the concert in the evening. My thanks to my Executive lead and the Cultural Services team for bringing this plan together.

Climate Change

At a recent briefing of my Executive we were updated on the progress officers have made in the preparation of a draft climate change action plan. I would like to express my thanks to those officers engaged in developing the plan and propose that a cross party member working group be established to review the draft plan. This will be chaired by Cllr Cartwright with Cllr Gibbens as Vice Chair of the working group.

Local Authority Lottery

We were also presented with a report on alternatives to launching a Local Authority Lottery. We agreed to progress an option of working with an established community foundation to generate income to support good causes in the borough and to help sustain our VCS. We will then review the decision to progress with the lottery in 12 months’ time.

LCC Unitary Proposal

As Members will be aware, the County Council has recently published a business case in relation to its proposal for a single new unitary council based on the county council’s boundaries.

As previously reported any changes to the structure of local government can only be made by Parliament, by the introduction of statute, with a bill to abolish previous structures, and to create a new authority. Such a procedure would require significant  ...  view the full agenda text for item 209.

In his statement, the Leader referred to electric car charging points, Proms in the Park, climate change and the local authority lottery. It was suggested that a briefing note on progress in relation to the local authority lottery be produced. The Leader outlined concerns over the county council’s unitary proposals, referring to a survey of local residents wishing to see services retained locally and a recent letter signed by all MPs in Leicestershire expressing their strong opposition to the proposals. He called on the Leader of the county council to stop any further work and waste of resources.

The Leader also informed members of the government’s request for authorities to adopt the following non legally binding working definition of antisemitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and stated he would respond to MHCLG to confirm and asked that it be circulated to HBBC staff:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed towards Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, towards Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

To receive for information only the minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 3 October.

The chairman of the Scrutiny Commission presented the minutes of the last meeting for information.

To seek approval to vary the off street parking places order for the purpose of varying the charging times on four pay & display car parks in Hinckley and to incorporate housing land.

The Scrutiny Commission considered this matter at its meeting on 3 October and the Hinckley Area Committee considered the variation of charging times on the pay & display car parks on 7 October. An extract from the minutes of both of these meetings is attached.

Members received a report which sought to vary the off-street parking places order to provide 133 free spaces prior to 8.30am to support residents where there is limited on-street parking and 264 free parking spaces after 3pm to support Hinckley town centre and also to control parking on designated HBBC housing land.

The continuing installation of cashless machines was highlighted and it was noted that the majority had been installed already and there were 13 more being installed over the following weeks, leaving only three to install.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Mullaney and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The proposed variation to the Off Street Parking Places Order to change the charging times on the following four pay and display car parks be approved:

a.    Trinity East car park

b.    Castle car park (former Co-op site)

c.    Lower Bond Street car park

d.    Thorneycroft road car park

(ii)           The proposed variation to the Off Street Parking Places (Hinckley & Bosworth) Order 2014 to incorporate the following housing land be approved:

a.    Westfield Court residents’ car park, Westfield Road, Hinckley, LE10 0QR

b.    Castle Court residents’ car park, Brookside, Burbage, LE10 2TL

c.    Royal Court, Station Road, Hinckley, LE10 1BH

(iii)          Authority be delegated to the Head of Street Scene Services and the Anti Social Behaviour and Tenancy Manager to publish a notice of proposals in relation to the Off Street Parking Places (Hinckley & Bosworth) Order 2014 as detailed in the report;

(iv)         Authority be delegated to the Head of Street Scene Services and the Anti Social Behaviour and Tenancy Manager to make the order and publish the notice of making, subject to there being no objections received within the relevant statutory period;

(v)          Where objections are received, a written report be produced by the Head of Street Scene Services and Anti Social Behaviour and Tenancy Manager detailing the objections and authority be delegated to the Director (Environment & Planning), the Director (Community Services) and the Executive members with responsibility for car parks and housing, in conjunction with the Legal Services Manager, to consider such objections and consider whether the variation to the order should be confirmed.

To seek approval of the 2019 polling district and polling place review for publication.

The 2019 Polling District and Polling Place review was presented to Council. Aside from the information contained within the report, it was noted that a small number of polling stations would be in different venues for the forthcoming general election due to availability at such a busy time of year. In response to a question, members were assured that no reduction in the number of polling stations was proposed and any changes in the review were to improve flexibility.

Officers were asked to look again at the use of Barlestone Community Hall as it was not easily accessible either from the car park due to deep gravel or the other entrance due to a steep incline. Concern was expressed about the distance to the George Ward Centre in Barwell from the some of the residents who would need to vote there. It was also requested that the gate from Mount Road to the leisure centre car park be opened on polling date to assist those having to arrive by car due to the distance of the polling station from many residents’ homes.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

RESOLVED – the Polling District and Polling Place review be approved.

To seek approval for changes to the council tax discounts and premiums in operation at the council.

The Scrutiny Commission considered this matter at its meeting on 3 October. An extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Consideration was given to a report which proposed changes to the council tax discounts and premiums. Members welcomed the report and gave examples of empty properties that presented issues in their wards. It was suggested that a briefing note be produced on measures to support bringing empty properties back into use. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The increased premium charge for long-term empty properties to 100% for 2020/21 be approved;

(ii)           The maximum charge allowed under legislation where possible up to 300% for properties empty more than ten years be approved;

(iii)          A briefing note be prepared on measures to bring empty properties back into use.

To report on the outcomes of a recent exercise to identify the key priorities within the corporate plan.

The Scrutiny Commission considered this report at its meeting on 3 October. An extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

The outcomes of a recent exercise to identify key priorities for action within the Corporate Plan were reported to members. The importance of engaging with young people was emphasised and the reference to promoting sustainable economic development was acknowledged. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED – the Corporate Plan Annual Statement of Commitment be approved.