Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Cope and Hodgkins.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.

No interests were declared at this stage.

The local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator will be in attendance to provide an update.

The Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator attended to provide an update on activities since her last report to the committee. The following points were discussed:

·         The new Neighbourhood Link initiative

·         Speeding and installation of vehicle activated speed signs

·         The intention to restart the neighbourhood watch newsletter which had been paused during the pandemic, or to seek space in a local free magazine.

Discussion ensued on funding for additional and replacement vehicle activated signs and for maintenance. Members emphasised the importance of retaining signs in certain locations. It was agreed that further discussion would take place outside of the meeting. It was also agreed that storage for four boxes could be provided at the leisure centre.

The Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator was thanked for her hard work in the area.

To seek support for funding to host the Proms in the Park event on 4 September.

Members received a report which sought funding for the Proms in the Park event which was to be held on 4 September. Following some discussion, it was agreed that the release of fireworks at the end of the evening be reconsidered. Officers were thanked for their work on this.

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

RESOLVED – provision of funding of £11,000 from the special expenses budget to support the delivery of the Proms in the Park event 2021 be endorsed.

On the request of a member – to consider financial support for events.

A member had requested a discussion regarding funding for events in Hollycroft Park as Friends of Hollycroft Park had raised concerns in relation to difficulty in finding bands to play with the funding provided. It was explained that there was a legal agreement between the council and Friends of Hollycroft Park which required the council to pay a set amount per year to the group, who would put on nine events, using the money as appropriate for each event.

Members were reminded that Hollycroft Park was normally funded by the general fund and not the special expenses budget and therefore the discussion was not appropriate at this committee. Members were also minded to suggest that in the current climate of budget reductions, it would be difficult to increase the funding to the group.