Mr Mayor, fellow Councillors, Officers, members of the public and media
Whilst tonight’s agenda is relatively short, there are two significant items – Housing Allocations and Waste Recycling – which will require much debate, although on the latter that may be more appropriate for the Scrutiny Commission; the Commission has considered already the implications of the former. Suffice to say at this juncture that we are being asked to consider charging for green waste as a direct consequence of decisions taken by the County Council to withdraw funding from Districts. So, this Council and our residents may have to pay the price! But at least we will give residents a choice – more than the County Council has done- to opt in or out.
On a very much more positive note, progress with the two major developments: the Crescent and the Leisure Centre is moving forward as programmed. The steel frameworks soon to be put in place at the bus station site will be clear evidence of that progress and be testament to the efforts and decisions made by this Administration for the benefit of the town and the wider area; looking to the future, not the past.
Although final decisions on the Council’s budget for 2015/16 are a few months’ away, the hard work of our officers continues to identify new/increased funding streams, as well as further efficiencies, and I am confident that, coupled with some hard decisions being taken by the Council, led by this Administration, we will continue to set a sound foundation not just for next year, but for the three years thereafter. So confident am I that I can state now that I will be recommending for 2015 an extension to the council tax freeze which our residents have enjoyed throughout the term of this Administration.
On the wider growth front, we continue to lead the work with our colleagues in Coventry and Warwickshire towards the adoption of an Economic Prosperity Board for the area, which will increase our ability to coordinate decision-making on regeneration over the wider area and give central government more confidence in agreeing to allocate funding to us for such work. That confidence is beginning to show, evidenced by the recent Pre-Adjournment debate in the House of Commons, which sought a commitment from the Transport Minister to support continued funding for work to significantly enhance the A5 trunk road between the M69 and M42; this was sponsored by Marcus Jones, MP for Nuneaton on 28 October, with a supporting Brief from Bill Cullen.
Whilst I am on the topic of the A5, I would like to offer my thanks to the communities of Fenny Drayton and other surrounding villages in the west of the Borough for their patience and understanding arising from the inconvenience they will be experiencing from current works. This is a result of the major improvements currently underway as part of the RGF scheme that this Council successfully secured to part dual the A5 and improve the Redgate Junction. This will support Mira Enterprise Zone and the 5,000 jobs that will be created as well as other road users along this corridor. I would make the point that decisions on road closures and diversions are the responsibility of the Highway Authorities as this Council have no jurisdiction on such matters.
Members will be aware of the late item on the agenda in respect of the need to appoint a new Monitoring Officer for Louisa Horton, who is leaving the Council to explore other opportunities, which will enable her to achieve a better work life balance following the birth of her daughter. I am sure we will all thank Louisa for her work with Hinckley and Bosworth and wish her and her new family well for the future.
With that, Mr Mayor, I commend this statement to the Council
Cllr Stuart Bray
Leader of Council
Minutes:
In his position statement, the Leader highlighted the additional recommendation with regard to the Green Waste Consultation report, the progress made on the Bus Station and Leisure Centre and the likelihood of a sound budget for 2015/16 which would hopefully allow for a freeze in Council Tax. He also sent his thanks and best wishes to Louisa Horton who was leaving the authority. Members wished to congratulate everyone involved in Earl Shilton’s shortlisting for the Great British High Street Awards.