Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bray, Lynch and Witherford.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2016.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2016 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Report showing the position in relation to S106 contributions for play & open space for the Hinckley area as requested by members at the previous meeting.

The committee received a schedule of S106 contributions relating to developments in the Hinckley area. Some detailed questions on the contributions were asked.

Concern was expressed about the allocation of S106 monies by other organisations, particularly the PCT/NHS. Members gave the example of The Greens development, whereby the S106 contributions towards health had been allocated to the Burbage GP surgery when GP services in Hinckley were under pressure. Some councillors said they had tried to speak to representatives of the health service about their criteria for allocating monies but had not been successful in doing so.

Discussion ensued on the most appropriate way of addressing the above issue, and it was suggested that the Scrutiny Commission be asked to investigate as that body had some powers to carry out external scrutiny.

RESOLVED – the Scrutiny Commission be asked to carry out a review into S106 contributions to health services.

To present the proposed draft budget for the special expenses area.

Members gave consideration to the draft budget for the special expenses area. It was noted that, since the report had been dispatched, further work had been undertaken and the projected reserves at the end of 2017/18 would be around £150,000.

In relation to the £25,000 contribution to car parks, members were reminded that this payment was agreed as a subsidy when the parking charges in the town centre were reduced. It had been requested that this subsidy would be matched by the BID but, despite officers raising it with the BID frequently, it had never been forthcoming.

The Leader of the Council, in attendance at this meeting, suggested that the committee may wish to reconsider which activities they funded and suggested that items linked to economic growth, such as car parks and events to increase footfall in the town, may be better funded by the general fund or BID and that the special expenses budget would be better used to fund events in the community, for example in local parks.

It was subsequently moved by Councillor Bill and seconded by Councillor Nichols that the £25,000 subsidy from the special expenses area budget to car parking be withdrawn. This motion was CARRIED.

Members expressed concern in relation to the lack of opportunity for funding of projects in the Hinckley area in comparison to the parished areas which could apply to the Parish & Community Initiative Fund (PCIF) and the new Developing Communities Fund for grants. Whilst it was acknowledged that any applications to the PCIF from the Hinckley area would be brought to this committee for consideration, members felt that the Hinckley Community Initiative Fund should be reinstated. It was moved by Councillor Kirby and seconded by Councillor Bill that the Hinckley Community Initiative Fund be reinstated at a value of £10,000, on the basis that projects should be based in Hinckley, should be match funded and applications should be submitted by 30 April and money allocated should be spent by 31 March the following year. The motion was CARRIED.

A member reminded the committee of the request made at the previous meeting for Council to be requested to reconsider that the income from the garden waste scheme paid by Hinckley residents be allocated for use by the Hinckley Area Committee to enable a scheme similar to the Developing Communities Fund which used income from the garden waste scheme from across the borough but could only be granted to parished areas. It was agreed that this would be best submitted as a motion to Council and the Democratic Services Officer agreed to draft this.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The £25,000 subsidy from the special expenses budget towards car parking in Hinckley Town Centre be withdrawn;

(ii)           The Hinckley Community Initiative Fund be reinstated for 2017/18 with a budget of £10,000;

(iii)          A motion be put to Council in relation to the receipt of income to the special expenses area budget from the garden waste scheme by residents in Hinckley.

Report requesting funding, deferred from the previous meeting.

The committee received a report which had been deferred at the previous meeting. Members felt that the request for funding should not be supported, but that an alternative report be brought to the next meeting to list community events in Hinckley that they may wish to support.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The request for funding to enhance the number of events in Hinckley Town Centre to increase footfall and economic viability be not supported;

(ii)           A report be brought to the next meeting on community events in Hinckley that the special expenses budget may be able to support.

To update members following discussions on the role of the committee.

Following on from the discussion at the previous meeting and in order to inform a full report to the following meeting, discussion ensued on the possible future responsibilities of the Hinckley Area Committee. During discussion, the following points and suggestions were made for the role of the committee:

·         Monitoring of S106 contributions

·         Updates on events in the town

·         Support for community events

·         Hinckley Community Initiative Fund

·         Consideration of and consultation on planning applications.

A member asked why funding for neighbourhood watch was only the Hinckley West group, and in response it was noted that it was originally for the west of Hinckley but now covered the whole area. It was requested that the co-ordinator be invited to a meeting of this committee to talk about the work of the group and funding.

As an aside and a matter outside of the committee, it was suggested that ward councillors should be involved in the planning process at the pre-application stage to enable them to address any issues at an early stage.

RESOLVED –

(i)            A report be brought to the next meeting to expand upon the items suggested;

(ii)           The Hinckley Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator be invited to a future meeting of the committee;

(iii)          A request be made that ward councillors be involved in the planning process at the pre-application stage.

Members are asked to consider the suggested date of 23 January.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on 23 January 2016 at 6.30pm.