I hope members and officer colleagues have had an opportunity for a break over the summer period or have something planned this month before autumn arrives.
Tonight’s agenda has a key report on the housing revenue account, effectively the council’s budget for its housing stock and investment plans over the next 30 years. I know a substantial amount of work has gone into the plan, against the background of economic uncertainty and changing national financial landscape. This has direct impacts on the level of activity and investment that can be achieved within current forecasts.
There are also two motions on the agenda, one from Councillor Pendlebury on the Royal Mail and the second from Councillor Mullaney on winter fuel payments. I look forward to the debates on these in the chamber tonight.
In other news, I will briefly update on the following matters.
Peer review
I can confirm that we have invited the LGA to undertake a corporate peer challenge later this year. The confirmed dates are 3 to 5 December. This is considered timely given that the last review took place in 2016/17 and before the completion and opening of some major regeneration schemes. The peer challenge involves a team comprising a lead Chief Executive and politicians supported by an LGA Peer Manager and other key peer officers from councils across the country. This is a great opportunity to showcase the work that the council does with the support and commitment of members and our team of officers.
The corporate peer challenge (CPC) is a tried and trusted method of improvement; it provides councils with a robust and effective improvement tool which is owned and determined by the local government sector. CPC also contributes to local authorities’ assurance of their own performances and is part of the wider work the LGA is undertaking to develop an improvement and assurance framework for local government.
There are five core areas that will be combined as part of the CPC:
· Local priorities and outcomes
· Organisational and place leadership
· Governance and culture
· Finance planning to management
· Capacity for improvement.
Within this, we have asked the LGA to include economic development and regeneration, recognising the recent and significant developments that the council has helped to secure.
Member and officer briefings will be programmed alongside regular corporate communications. The peer team will be expected to convene a range of stakeholder sessions, including externally with partners and internally with members and officers.
Our communications around this will be branded, politics aside, as an opportunity to demonstrate the great work districts do and, in particular, how HBBC delivers for its residents and businesses.
Summer events
As we move towards the end of the summer holiday period, I wanted to report back on some fantastic events that have taken place for families and residents from across the borough.
The annual Feast Hinckley event drew thousands of visitors over the two days in early August, attracting 50 vendors of which the majority were from within a 20-mile radius of Hinckley. This was promptly followed by our annual Snap Dragon family festival which ran over three days and featured a well-known children’s TV character. Over 12,000 people attended the event with approximately 25,000 coming into Hinckley for the two events.
The annual Burbage Common open day takes place next Sunday, 8 September and I look forward to seeing you there. We have lots more key events to come:
· Music in the Mead – final event on Saturday, 14 September
· BID’s annual motor show – Sunday, 15 September
· Spooktacular – Saturday, 26 October
· Remembrance Day – Sunday, 10 November
· Christmas lights switch-on – Friday, 22 November
· Christmas lights car trail – Wednesday, 4 December
· Carols around the tree – Friday, 13 December
· Festive Feast and craft market – Sunday, 15 December.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff engaged in putting on these events and clearing up afterwards.
Government plans for housing growth
As many of you will be aware, the new government has stated it wants to deliver over 1.5 million new homes over the current five-year parliamentary period. We have received, alongside all local planning authorities in the country, revised additional housing figures based on the national ‘standard method’ of assessing housing requirements. This has identified the need to provide over 5,400 additional new homes on top of the requirements we were already planning for. This has coincided with the council publishing its draft regulation 18 local plan for consultation.
I have asked for the implications of this to be considered by our cross-party Planning Policy Member Working Group, along with the new guidance set out in the consultation draft of the National Planning Policy Framework.
In the meantime, we will continue progressing with consultation on our draft local plan, but it is likely that we may need further time to prepare the regulation 19 plan, prior to submission for examination.
Cineworld
We were all disappointed to hear the recent announcement by Cineworld that Hinckley cinema was one of the six in the UK, including one in Loughborough, to be on the list of planned closures.
Officers are in discussion with senior official of Cineworld with a view to a managed handover to other operators in the event the UK courts either agree to the company restructuring plans due to be heard this week, or indeed if Cineworld falls into administration.
I am pleased to report that there has been a healthy interest by other independent operators, and this has extended to meetings taking place and viewings of the Crescent facility.
If Cineworld restructures or goes into administration, there is likely to be an impact on the council’s finances as a result of the current long-term lease being ended. I remain hopeful that Hinckley will continue to have a cinema, and we are working hard to ensure that there is a smooth as possible handover to avoid the current facility being completely stripped out, which is a possibility. This was recently highlighted in the national press and raised with us by other operators.
I have asked officers to keep me informed of developments from discussions that are taking place with Cineworld, the independent operators, and with external specialist legal advisors on this matter. I will keep the Council informed.
Sink holes and highway flooding in Hinckley
Members will be aware of the recent sink hole in Hinckley town centre which resulted in the closure of Lancaster Road and inconvenience to shoppers and businesses in the town centre. There have been a number of other localised highway flooding incidents in and around Hinckley in recent months which have impacted the lives of residents and visitors. I thank my colleagues Councillors Cathie and Scott Gibbens for raising these with me.
Quite often the public think that the borough council is responsible for roads, drainage and flooding issues that occur across the borough. I need to point out these are all matters that Leicestershire County Council, as Highways and Flooding Authority, are responsible for. I have asked officers to ensure this is made clear in our communications on our website and social media channels so members of the public are directed in the right way. I will be seeking assurance from the Leader of the County Council that appropriate investigations are carried out on our roads and full account will be taken to accommodate the planning growth of the borough as identified in our consultation draft local plan.
Making a difference awards
I’m delighted to confirm we will be doing a call out for nominations to identify residents who make a difference to the lives of others through volunteering. I therefore urge any resident and members here tonight to nominate a person or group that deserves recognition for the help they give to others. We have the following categories this year including:
· Creating a sense of community pride
· Young volunteer
· Protecting our community’s environment
· Contributing to our local heritage
· 50 years volunteering – to help celebrate the 50th year of HBBC.
I would like to thank my colleague Cllr Mullaney who oversees these awards, supported by our officers. Nominations must be received by Friday, 4 October. The awards ceremony will take place at Hinckley Rugby Club on Thursday, 14 November. Details will be published on the council’s website and social media channels.
Recruitment and employment event
I am pleased to confirm there is a further recruitment event taking place at Hinckley Job Centre at the Hinckley Hub tomorrow between 9.30am and 1pm.
The event is open to everyone, whether you are unemployed or otherwise. It is a great opportunity for people to meet with employers and organisations if they are looking to find work or seek new opportunities.
Heritage open days
I’m pleased to announce from this Friday, 6 September to Sunday, 22 September, we are running our popular heritage open days across the borough and local history enthusiasts and families are all welcome. For further details please refer to the council’s website and social media channels.
Considerate parking campaign
Last week we launched the ‘considerate parking’ initiative on social media to raise awareness of how unsafe and inconsiderate parking can impact on other people. This will be an ongoing campaign over the autumn. In addition to social media and via the Borough Bulletin, I have asked officers to make available some hard copies of the posters for members’ use. These will be available in due course.
Freedom of the Borough
We have received a request to award Freedom of the Borough to Professor Dame Carol Black, born in Barwell and became a physician specialising in rheumatology, President of the Royal College of Physicians, advisor to various governments, Principal of Newnham College (Cambridge University) and is currently chair of the trustees of the British Library. We will be arranging a special meeting of Council for this purpose and will share more information in due course.
Minutes:
In his position statement, the Leader referred to the forthcoming peer review, summer events, government plans for housing growth, Cineworld and interest from other operators, sink holes and highway flooding, Making a Difference awards, a recruitment and employment event, heritage open days, the considerate parking campaign and the intention to grant Freedom of the Borough to a local physician.