Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Lynch and Taylor.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2015.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To be advised of any additional items of business which the Chairman decides by reason of special circumstances shall be taken as matters of urgency at this meeting (to be considered at the relevant point at the end of this agenda).

Two items of urgent business had been requested – the college field adjacent to Clarendon Park, and the cancellation of Proms in the Park. It was agreed that these would be taken after the Green Space Delivery Plan item.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

The committee was presented with the 2014/15 revenue and capital outturn. It was explained that there would be a shortfall if the new homes bonus was withdrawn.

In response to a member’s question, it was explained that Section 106 monies in relation to one of the large developments had not come forward as the trigger point had not been reached. Members were reassured that the delay would not create a risk of the money being clawed back as the period for draw down wouldn’t commence until receipt of the money.

A member thanked officers for their work on the Rock Gardens.

Discussion ensued regarding the Hinckley Community Initiative Fund and it was agreed that the matter, including possible roll-over of the funds, would be considered at the next meeting when discussing the fund for the following year.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The draft outturn for 2014/15 for the Hinckley area be noted;

(ii)           The capital carry forwards of £81,978 as outlined in appendix 2 to the report, be supported.

The Head of Street Scene Services reminded members of the process undertaken the previous year when requests had been taken from Hinckley ward councillors for siting of new grit bins. The committee agreed that one additional bin should be provided for each ward and should be agreed by the ward councillors and fed back to the Head of Service by 30 August. It was requested that the bin for Castle Ward should be located at the junction of Queens Road and Priesthills.

Members were updated on progress against the Green Space Delivery Plan. During presentation and discussion, the following points were raised:

·         The high public satisfaction with planting in Hinckley

·         The receipt of S106 monies to enable work in Argents Mead to commence, including landscaping, improvements around the moat and a new play area (to be completed at a similar time to the new Leisure Centre)

·         The widening of the footpath in Queens Park and possibility of installation of heritage lighting

·         The possibility of play and open space provision within the development on the site currently occupied by Holliers Walk School, should the move of the school to the Mount Grace site proceed

·         The request to move the helicopter from the Preston Road park to Brodick Park.

In response to a member’s question, officers agreed to check whether any trees would be lost in Argents Mead as a result of the McCarthy & Stone development.

The Chairman accepted this matter as an item of urgent business due to its emergence since the despatch of the agenda.

A member felt that the college field adjacent to Clarendon Park, off Coventry Road, may be sold off by the County Council and he wished the authority to use its powers to obtain a valuation of the land. It was moved by Councillor Bill, seconded by Councillor Nichols and

RESOLVED – up to £1,000 of the special expenses area budget be used for an independent valuation of the land identified.

The Chairman had agreed to accept this as an item of urgent business due to the recent cancellation of the event.

Members enquired as to whether the Proms in the Park event, which had been cancelled due to the weather, would be rescheduled. It was reported that due to the high cost this would not be possible. Members felt that it was a key event for the Borough and it would reflect badly on the council if it could not be rescheduled. It was moved by Councillor Bill, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED – up to £5,000 be committed from the special expenses area budget towards rearranging the Proms in the Park event, if feasible.