Welcome to this October meeting of Council.
Tonight we will be considering reports on three very positive matters. Firstly, our Young People’s Strategy 2023 – 2026 and the reviewing of key achievements arising from the work on delivering the former strategy for 2019 to 2022. Secondly, the report on our success in securing Centre for Warmth funding linked to our great partnership work with Cadent Gas. Thirdly, we will consider the Developing Communities Fund project which targets key improvements in the centre of Market Bosworth.
I have set out the following key updates below:
Compliments for HBBC services
I have received an incredibly complimentary letter from a resident of the borough who was formerly a longstanding councillor and elected Mayor during the 1990s in Northamptonshire. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the whole council for the way it delivers its services. He drew particular attention to the quality of maintenance of our parks, citing Hollycroft and Clarendon. He was very complimentary about our refuse collectors, highlighting that “they always seem cheerful, whatever the weather and often go the extra mile to keep their rounds tidy”. Finally, he said our “town centre is a delight” and particularly highlighted the range of free events that we put on for residents, the cleanliness of the town and the way we use Argents Mead.
I am sure we all share many of these sentiments which are a credit to our staff and the work members do to support them.
Macmillan coffee morning
I would like to thank members and officer colleagues for supporting the Macmillan coffee morning fund raising last week. This was a great event and we had some fantastic cakes baked, and I might say worthy of the Great British Bake Off. Donations have run into hundreds of pounds.
Honorary Alderman appointment
I wanted to thank those members who attended our Extraordinary meeting of Council on 12 September to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on David Bill MBE in recognition of his incredible services to the borough over his fifty years’ service as a local councillor serving the people of the borough. We heard some great and well deserved tributes from across the floor.
This is the first honorary title to be bestowed on a former councillor by the borough council and we will be providing a dedicated seat in the chamber for our Honorary Alderman to attend in an observing capacity.
Burbage Common
I am pleased to report that thousands of visitors enjoyed a fun packed Burbage Common open day event on Saturday, 16 September. This open day is always a great day out for the whole family, with something for everyone. The area around the visitor centre at the Leicester Road entrance was transformed with a marquee accommodating craft and charity stalls and local and national environmental charities.
I and my colleagues thoroughly enjoyed our time at the event. The free event makes the most of the natural environment and it was great to see the workshops, demonstrations, animals, have-a-go archer, bat box making, countryside crafts, dog shows and lots more.
I would like to thank officers and everyone involved in making this event so successful and look forward to seeing you at next year’s event.
Ukrainian community celebration event
Earlier in September the council supported an event at the Meeting Centre in Hinckley’s Marchant Road to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day. Around 170 people attended including local community leaders, Ukrainian refugees, hosts and their families.
I was delighted to attend with the Mayor and my Executive lead for Housing and Community Safety. I can advise that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, more than 100 generous host families have opened their homes to Ukrainian guests, and we have welcomed more than 200 Ukrainians into the borough and the council has provided more than 35 Ukrainian households with secure accommodation.
Thanks to my member colleagues and officers for supporting this event.
Launch of our annual Making a Difference awards for 2023
To remind all members that the hunt is on to find Hinckley and Bosworth residents who make a difference to the lives of others through volunteering. I urge you and our residents to nominate a person or group that deserves recognition for the help they give to others.
Nominations must be received by Friday, 20 October and details can be found on our website.
Business support services
I’m pleased to report that the council, in partnership with all districts in Leicestershire, has funded a new business support programme – the Leicestershire Business Advice Service.
Businesses of all sizes in our borough will now be able to benefit from the help and expertise this service will offer, including start-up workshops, accelerator programmes and one to one advice to help businesses at all stages of their journey.
This locally based business support service will give people the information skills and connections to start up, protect and grow their business. I would urge companies to get in touch and make the most of this free and impartial advice. Details can be found on our website.
Events programme
Following our successful events programme over the summer that saw thousands of people attend family events in our parks and town centre, our autumn programme commences with our Spooktacular Saturday. The event is returning to Hinckley on 28 October from 10am to 3pm, to take place in Hinckley’s Britannia shopping centre and promises to be fun for the entire family. Our annual Christmas lights switch on in Hinckley will be on Friday, 17 November and we will publish our parish switch on dates once these are all confirmed.
Heritage signs
I am pleased to confirm that the council has arranged the installation of a series of heritage signs to signpost Hinckley’s historic town jitties. These are being funded via the High Street Heritage Action Zone and the Environmental Improvement Programme. The signs will make the historic jitties and yards dotted throughout Hinckley town centre and around Castle Street visible to both residents and shoppoers.
We hope that the signs will enable people to explore more of Hinckley’s historic yards and jitties, as well as the many independent businesses and shops situation close to them.
Church walk public realm
I can confirm that a contractor has now been appointed to undertake improvements to Church Walk and Lilley’s Yard off Castle Street in Hinckley as part of the Hinckley Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) programme. The programme for the start of works is being finalised, with all works scheduled for completion by March 2024.
Works are also well underway on our HAZ building improvement scheme for the town centre targeting properties for grants for works to repair and restore significant historical features including shop fronts.
Christmas car parking
I can announce that we will again provide free car parking in the town centres during the Christmas shopping period. Details will be published shortly.
Drop-in session for new diagnostic centre for Hinckley and district
Our NHS partners are convening a drop-in session on 11 October at 2pm to 7pm at the Green Rooms on St Mary’s Road, Hinckley. This follows the award of £24.6m to support the development of the community diagnostic centre on the site of Hinckley Community Hospital on Mount Road.
I would encourage as many residents as possible and members to attend and feedback on the plans.
Free tree scheme
In line with our net zero and environmental ambitions, I am delighted to confirm we are poised to launch our free tree scheme for 2023. This year the scheme will provide 3,000 individual trees and five kilometres (three miles) of hedging.
Residents can start to order their trees from Monday, 9 October and the collection day will be at the end of November to coincide with National Tree Week. If all trees grow to maturity they will absorb over 10,000 tonnes of carbon over the next 40 years as well as providing important habitats for wildlife and importantly provide shading and cooling to help adapt to higher summer temperatures.
I would like to express my thanks to Hinckley & Rugby Building Society and the National Forest Company for their sponsorship.
National rail freight scheme
As members will be aware, an application has been submitted by Tritax Symmetry for development consent for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange just off the M69 junction 2, close to Burbage Common. This is now being considered via a public inquiry which has been opened by government.
The council has prepared its representations and signalled to the inspector that we will present our evidence on behalf of residents of the borough, spelling out our significant concerns over the potential impacts arising from this major scheme. Our member working group will be considering our proposed submissions to the inquiry this week.
Hinckley BID vote
Voting will commence later this month for a new five-year terms for the Hinckley BID. As many of you will know, the BID has been in operation for 15 years, supporting businesses and working in partnership with the council in putting on events for shoppers and visitors. The BID will require over 50% of all 400+ businesses in the Hinckley BID area to vote to support it to enable it to progress to a fourth term.
Minutes:
In presenting his position statement, the leader referred to:
· Compliments for HBBC services from a resident was had previously been a councillor in another area
· The MacMillan coffee morning which raised over £632
· The appointment of David Bill MBE as Honorary Alderman at the previous Council meeting
· The success of Burbage Common open day
· The Ukrainian community celebration event
· The Making a Difference Awards which were now open for nominations
· The creation of Leicestershire Business Advice Service
· The successful summer events programme
· Installation of heritage signs for Hinckley’s historic jitties
· Public realm works at Church Walk, Hinckley
· Christmas car parking
· A drop-in session to view the plans for the new NHS diagnostic centre
· The free tree scheme which would be launching soon
· Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange
· Voting for Hinckley BID which would commence later in October.