Welcome to my position statement for tonight’s Council. You will note there is a single report item on the financial outturn for 2020/21 which my colleague, Keith Lynch, Executive Member for Finance, will take you through. I have included below some key updates.
Motion on fibre optic broadband
At the last Council meeting, a motion was proposed by Councillor Allen and seconded by Councillor Findlay, seeking a commitment from BT and Openreach to bring forward investment of full fibre broadband in Sketchley Brook and Bosworth Manor. It was also resolved that a request be made to the government to include a requirement to install the highest standard of telecommunications infrastructure in all new residential developments as part of the government review of the planning system.
I am pleased to inform you that, following a letter from the council’s Chief Executive, a positive response has been received from the CEO and a director of Openreach, confirming commitment to install fibre optic broadband to the areas in question. I hope this will now provide a good basis of securing such infrastructure in all residential developments in the borough.
Team GB success
I would like to extend my congratulations to the whole of the GB team for their magnificent success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics which, as you will know, were delayed by over a year due to the Covid pandemic.
Music in the Mead
I am pleased to confirm our popular Music in the Mead outdoor live music performances have wowed the socially distanced crowds during July and further performances are planned over the next three weekends in August and into September.
Argents Mead was also host to the return of our very popular Snapdragon programme that welcomed families over three days last week for a host of activities.
Honouring our Armed Forces
A special outdoor service and parade was held on Saturday, 26 June to enable people in the area to show their support for the Armed Forces. The open air service in Argents Mead was led by Reverend Gary Weston. I would like to pass on my thanks to officers and the council’s Armed Forces member champions for the work they do to ensure our Armed Forces are acknowledged and that our fallen soldiers are remembered.
HGV driver shortage
Members will be aware of the national issue of HGV driver shortages which is estimated to be a shortage of 100,000 qualified drivers that is impacting on businesses and local government nationally. This has been compounded by impacts of covid sickness and drivers being “pinged” by the NHS app and having to self-isolate.
I would like to extend my thanks to our staff in Street Scene and Customer Services who are doing their very best to help manage the situation and deal with customer queries. I would also like to thank the residents of Hinckley & Bosworth for their understanding due to the recent disruption to green waste (brown bin) collections. We were able to return to normal services from last Friday. Whilst we cannot rule out further disruption, the team will be doing their level best to continue with the excellent collection services we provide.
On a positive note, the Chief Executive and senior officers have recently met with senior officials of DPD, who recently opened the largest logistics centre in Europe at Hinckley Park (with the creation of over 1,000 new jobs), to discuss the potential for mutual support. DPD have agreed to work with the council on a long-term arrangement to help provide drivers when we are short. The company also plans to assist with training new drivers when it opens its new HGV training centre in the next few months.
Feast Hinckley
It was great to welcome visitors from far and wide over this last weekend with the return of Feast Hinckley. We saw 8,000 attendees enjoying the culinary delights on offer in a great and safe way. A big thank you to the officers involved in putting this event on.
Proms in the Park
I am pleased to announce that our popular annual Proms in the Park event will return to Hollycroft Park on 4 September. There will be an impressive line-up for the evening which takes place from 5.30pm to 9.00pm at the Hollycroft Park bandstand.
Making a Difference awards
Our annual awards ceremony took place virtually on 3 June to thank our local volunteers for their fantastic achievements and support to our communities, in what has been a particularly challenging year. A big thank you to the officers and lead members who were involved.
Stuart Bray
Leader of the Council
10 August 2021
Minutes:
In his position statement, the Leader referred to:
· The successful outcome of the motion to the last meeting of Council in relation to fibre optic broadband
· The success of Team GB at the Olympics
· Music in the Mead
· Armed Forces Day
· Feast Hinckley
· Proms in the Park
· The Making a Difference Awards
· The HGV driver shortage, in which he thanked officers in Street Scene and Customer Services and also the public for their patience and understanding whilst the garden waste bin service was paused.
The Leader thanked officers in Cultural Services for running successful events, such as the Snapdragon festival and Feast Hinckley, for the benefit of residents. Other members echoed this sentiment and asked that thanks be passed onto officers.