Mr Mayor, Members, as this is our last full Council meeting prior to Christmas I would like to extend my warm Christmas wishes to you all for a safe and Merry Christmas. You will note my statement has, on the whole, a Christmas theme to it.
Christmas lights
On Friday, 17 November we launched the festive season with our annual Christmas light switch on and firework display, sponsored by the Showman’s Guild. We drew bumper crowds who enjoyed the live music and Fosse 107 radio.
I would like to extend my thanks to all officers involved in putting on the event and those volunteers who helped support the evening.
Free parking for Christmas period
I am pleased to announce that shoppers can park for free in Lower Bond Street, Trinity West and Castle car parks after 9am in the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas on the 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd December. I would also remind everyone that parking is free on Sundays throughout the year and shoppers can also park for free in North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) car park on these Saturdays before Christmas.
Whilst recognising the financial challenges that everyone is facing this Christmas, I hope the free parking offer will encourage residents to support their local high street, market and hospitality venues.
BID success
I am pleased to confirm that Hinckley BID secured its fourth five-year term, following a successful ballot of over 400 businesses in the town centre. 74% of eligible businesses voted in favour of a further five-year term. The BID works closely with the council in promoting our annual joint events programme and in showcasing what the town has to offer along with providing support to local businesses.
Hollycroft Park – People’s Choice Awards
Sticking with the Christmas cheer, I am delighted that Hollycroft Park, Hinckley, has been listed nationally by the public as one of their most impressive green spaces as part of the 2023 People’s Choice Awards – a top 10 park in the country. This builds on recent success in securing a Green Flag award.
This is fantastic news and thank you to everyone who voted for the park. To be recognised as one of the top 10 favourite parks in the country rightly acknowledges the amazing contributions of our staff, the Friends of Hollycroft Park and all our volunteers and visitors that make this such a great place to visit at the heart of our community.
Our new big bin service launched
I am delighted to announce that our new big bin service has been launched and take up is going well. This service is aimed at those who are throwing out numerous items which are too big to fit in a standard waste bin, but do not have enough to fill up a skip. Details of the service can be found on the council’s website and have been published to the media and in the Borough Bulletin.
I would like to extend my thanks to my colleague Lynda Hodgkins, Executive member for this service, and our staff who have enabled this to happen.
Planning team’s performance
I am delighted that our Planning team under the stewardship of Sharon Stacey and Chris Brown is now continuing to outperform government targets. This, as you will be aware, was acknowledged by the outgoing Housing and Planning Minister, Rachel Maclean MP.
Given the way the government collate and report on performance – taking a rolling two-year assessment, will no doubt trigger a further letter from government officials / ministers. I would hope and expect them to rightly acknowledge the great work our new planning team has done.
Hinckley national rail freight interchange
I recently took the stand at the examination in November into Tritax Symetry’s proposal for a new 662 acre rail freight terminal near junction two of the M69, just on our border near Burbage Common.
I was able to set out my concerns on behalf of our community over the lack of meaningful community engagement; impact on Burbage Common; environmental impact of the huge units planned; the impact of the A47 proposed link road on green wedge between Hinckley, Burbage, Barwell and Earl Shilton; and complete lack of confidence in the sustainable transport strategy proposal.
I concluded by saying I see very little benefit in this scheme. There is no shortage of haulage and warehousing jobs in this part of Leicestershire and the impact of the noise, light and traffic on the surrounding towns and villages will be huge.
I have urged the government-appointed inspector to reject the scheme. May I take this opportunity to thank all our officers who have provided advice and technical support on this matter.
Free tree scheme
I am delighted to report that our free tree initiative has been a roaring success with great take up by residents across the borough. We are giving away 29,000 tree saplings and hedging to residents, schools and community groups, town and parish councils, as well as to charities and businesses, to help make the borough a greener and cleaner place. If all these trees survive to maturity, they will absorb over 11,600 tonnes of carbon over the next 40 years.
A big thank you again to our sponsors including the Hinckley & Rugby Building Society and the National Forest.
Considerate parking campaign
I have asked officers to draw up plans with partner agencies to roll out a considerate parking campaign locally. This is becoming an increasing hazard and nuisance for residents, particularly those who are blind or partially sighted, wheelchair users and those with pushchairs.
Remembrance Sunday
I, along with many residents and dignitaries, paid our respects at the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the memorial adjacent to Castle Mound, Argents Mead. The service was led by Reverend Ian Hill of St Mary’s Church, with local clergy and church members of different denominations, as well as the Royal British Legion and veterans groups, and representatives of the guiding, scouting and cadet organisations.
I would like to thank all those communities and organisations who conducted similar Remembrance events across the borough to pay their respects and to offer thanks for those who are currently serving and to those who make huge sacrifices before us.
Ukrainian families pre-Christmas visit to Birmingham Conservatoire
I’m pleased to report on a very heart-warming initiative that saw the council facilitate a trip for 35 of our Ukrainian guests on a pre-Christmas visit to the Birmingham Conservatoire where they enjoyed an evening of classical music to a captivating performance titled ‘Opera Scenes’. As Ukrainian guests continue their resettlement journey, this initiative serves as a beacon of warmth and support.
We look forward to the return of the magnificent Birmingham Conservatoire student orchestra next summer at our Proms in the Park event, which will be open to our community and Ukrainian guests to attend.
Christmas events
I am pleased to conclude by encouraging you all to come and enjoy the range of Christmas family activities and events that will be taking place in Hinckley and across the borough over the coming weeks, including:
· Market Bosworth lights switch on this Sunday in Market Bosworth 2pm to 8pm (switch on at 5pm)
· Festive fun run on Sunday, 3 December in Hinckley
· Christmas lights car trail on 6 December in Castle Street, Hinckley
· Carols around the tree in Marketplace, Hinckley on 8 December
· Festive Feast, Marketplace, Hinckley on 10 December
· Santa’s grotto will open from 16 to 18 December in Hinckley town centre.
Minutes:
In his position statement, the leader referred to:
· The Christmas lights switch on
· Free parking in Hinckley for the Christmas period
· Hinckley BID securing its fourth five-year term
· Hollycroft Park being voted in the top ten parks in the country
· Launch of the new big bin service
· The high performance of the planning team
· The examination for the Hinckley national rail freight interchange
· The free tree scheme
· Rollout of a considerate parking campaign
· Remembrance Sunday events
· Ukrainian families’ visit to Birmingham Conservatoire
· Christmas events.
During discussion on the position statement, the Leader committed to exploring alternatives to noisy fireworks for future council events. Officers were thanked for their hard work in providing events for residents.