Agenda and minutes

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillor Taylor.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2013.

It was

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2013 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To receive verbally from Members any disclosures which they are required to make in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct or in pursuance of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is in addition to the need for such disclosure to be also given when the relevant matter is reached on the agenda.

Councillor Cope declared a personal interest in item 6, being a member of the Wykin Club who had received part funding from HBBC for a disabled toilet.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

The Committee received the proposed revenue budget and council tax for 2014/15 for the Special Expenses Area of Hinckley. It was reported that in order to benefit from funding for freezing the council tax for the borough, the precept for the special expenses area also had to be frozen.

Councillor Bannister entered the meeting at 6.35pm.

A Member referred to the provision of additional grit bins last winter and asked if the same could be provided again. In response it was agreed that these would be provided subject to availability within the allocated budget.

In response to questions about funding community projects, such as the disabled toilet at the Wykin Club, members requested that a similar scheme to the Parish & Community Initiative Fund (PCIF) be established for use in the special expenses area. It was requested that Officers develop proposals for this scheme for further consideration by the committee.

Discussion ensued on the current social media campaign ‘Save the Regent’ which had not only called on Councillors but also requested community support to ‘save’ the building which formerly housed Flutters Bingo. Members expressed sympathy with the campaign and suggested that, should the community decide to raise funds to purchase the building, the Committee would consider support through this proposed scheme.

RESOLVED –

(i)         the revenue budgets and council tax for 2014/15 for the Special Expenses Area of Hinckley be endorsed and RECOMMENDED to Council;

(ii)        the creation of a Hinckley Community Initiative Fund budget for the Special Expenses Area be explored.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) attached.

The Committee reviewed the Green Space Delivery Plan and the implications for Hinckley and for the Special Expenses Area budget. It was noted that the plan was partly aspirational and work would only be carried out if there was budget available.

Councillor Bray declared a personal interest in the report as Netherley Court was mentioned.

During discussion, the following points were raised:

• The problem of dog mess around the play equipment at Burbage Common and the difficulty in preventing due to being unable to erect a fence on common land;
• The need to tidy the land off Preston Drive at the rear of the flats;
• The possibility of fencing off the play area on Queens Park,
• The rating of Granville recreation ground play area as ‘average’ safety, and the reasons for this.

A member passed on concerns of the community that there was little for the public to do at Hollycroft Park. In response it was stated that this not a ‘special expenses’ area matter as Hollycroft Park was supported from the general fund, but members were informed that a report would be taken to the Executive and changes such as increasing community use of the pavilion would be recommended. Concern was also expressed regarding the poor state of the bandstand and the offer of Friends of Hollycroft to paint it, which had been turned down by officers. It was requested that the issues be resolved so the bandstand could be restored.

RESOLVED –

(i)         the Green Space Delivery Plan 2014-18 be endorsed;

(ii)        the financial implications for the Hinckley Area budgets be endorsed.

Verbal report of the Head of Street Scene Services.

It was reported that a group had volunteered to clean and tidy the memorials in Ashby Road Cemetery in preparation for WWI remembrance events. Members were supportive of this and also suggested that a cross or poppy be put on them to identify those that related to WWI.