The following questions have been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule number 11.1, with answers provided as follows:
(a) Question received from Councillor MT Mullaney
“Does the Deputy Leader of the Council agree with me that a town the size of Hinckley should have proper A&E and Maternity Services? Will he make representations through the various external partnerships to try and secure these much needed facilities?”
Response from Councillor DC Bill
“Thank you for your question. I fully agree that Hinckley residents deserve to have proper and well-resourced A&E and Maternity services. Members may be aware that a major review of community health care services is currently underway for the Borough, led by West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. This work started in September 2014 and options for future service configuration (which is being informed by a broad range of carers, patients, professionals and stakeholders) are due to be published later this year, and will then be subject to a comprehensive public consultation exercise. Whilst the focus of this review is about the effective future provision of community health services in Hinckley, it will also take account of any proposed service changes on other hospital services both acute and community, for example the proposed 40% transfer of outpatient and day case surgery from UHL to community settings. Therefore, in my role as Executive Lead for Health and a member of the Hinckley & Bosworth Health & Wellbeing Partnership, I will make strong representations on this matter and seek a commitment for these services to be considered.
I am pleased to confirm the Council has launched with its health partners, a local Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the Borough. This captures how we intend to improve health and wellbeing for all our residents. Particular priorities include reducing obesity in children and adults, promoting good mental health, reducing the misuse of alcohol and supporting our aging population.”
(b) Question received from Councillor DS Cope
“Could the lead member for housing update the Council on what measures he and officers have been taking to tackle issues around anti-social behaviour in the St Peter’s Drive area of Thornton?”
Response from Councillor MT Mullaney
As members will be aware we have established a temporary Neighbourhood Action Hub in St. Peter’s Drive, Thornton, to provide targeted support to focus on a range of community issues, including ASB. The overall aim of this initiative is to help improve community cohesion, reduce isolation and increase satisfaction with the local area. Our investment is also to support the development of community capacity and confidence, to enable community- led work to continue beyond the initial 12 months of this project.
The hard work and commitment of two of our most experienced community development workers has enabled the establishment of a growing programme of community activities and initiatives, informed by the community. The approach to building community trust and confidence has been achieved through a measured but visible presence within the community, by having a regular presence at the community hub and by regular door to door consultation.
Work is also underway to address some of the physical improvements for the neighbourhood. In addition, a consultation exercise with the broader community is taking place, which will culminate in a ‘Planning for Real’ exercise, and subsequently a community owned action plan, to begin the process of community ownership for longer term priorities.
I am pleased to report the following positive information for the Thornton area, to which I am confident the above work has made an important contribution, along with the ongoing response and action of the Community Safety Team and the Police:
Police recorded all crime incidents:
April 2013- end Jan 2014 = 44
April 2014- end Jan 2015 = 37
This is a reduction of approx. 15% year on year
Police recorded ASB incidents:
April 2013- end Jan 2014 = 16
April 2014- end Jan 2015 = 9
This is a reduction of approx. 45% year on year
(c) Question received from Councillor MS Hulbert
“Could the Leader of the Council inform me how much external investment is being put into Barwell from the Sustainable Urban Extension and could he give me a breakdown of where this will be spend?”
Response from Councillor SL Bray
“Thank you for your question Councillor Hulbert. As Members will be aware Planning permission has now been granted for the SUE at Barwell which will trigger the major regeneration of the Village. This includes creating jobs, providing new and affordable housing and securing major new community facilities such as a new Doctors surgery, Community Centre, new and improved schools and a major facelift for the centre of Barwell.
The level of private investment levered for the SUE is £450 million. This includes £70 million for on and off-site infrastructure and community facilities for Barwell SUE. An approximate breakdown of some of the key off-site investment is as follows:-
· Public Open Space £4million for maintenance
· Transport Investment £2.3million
· Off-site Highway Works £3.5million
· Primary Education £1.3million
· Secondary Education £6million
· Health Facilities £1.7million
· Public Realm £1million
· Sport and Leisure £500,000
· Police £810,000
· Community Facilities £258,000
· Libraries £83,000
· Affordable housing 250 units on site plus up to £10million off-site contribution
·
Employment and Skills
£300,000
I trust Members would agree this amounts to a significant investment for Barwell, which will help transform the facilities available for the local community.”
Minutes:
The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule number 11.1, with answers provided as follows:
(a) Question received from Councillor MT Mullaney
“Does the Deputy Leader of the Council agree with me that a town the size of Hinckley should have proper A&E and Maternity Services? Will he make representations through the various external partnerships to try and secure these much needed facilities?”
Response from Councillor DC Bill
“Thank you for your question. I fully agree that Hinckley residents deserve to have proper and well-resourced A&E and Maternity services. Members may be aware that a major review of community health care services is currently underway for the Borough, led by West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. This work started in September 2014 and options for future service configuration (which is being informed by a broad range of carers, patients, professionals and stakeholders) are due to be published later this year, and will then be subject to a comprehensive public consultation exercise. Whilst the focus of this review is about the effective future provision of community health services in Hinckley, it will also take account of any proposed service changes on other hospital services both acute and community, for example the proposed 40% transfer of outpatient and day case surgery from UHL to community settings. Therefore, in my role as Executive Lead for Health and a member of the Hinckley & Bosworth Health & Wellbeing Partnership, I will make strong representations on this matter and seek a commitment for these services to be considered.
I am pleased to confirm the Council has launched with its health partners, a local Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the Borough. This captures how we intend to improve health and wellbeing for all our residents. Particular priorities include reducing obesity in children and adults, promoting good mental health, reducing the misuse of alcohol and supporting our aging population.”
(b) Question received from Councillor DS Cope
“Could the lead member for housing update the Council on what measures he and officers have been taking to tackle issues around anti-social behaviour in the St Peter’s Drive area of Thornton?”
Response from Councillor MT Mullaney
As members will be aware we have established a temporary Neighbourhood Action Hub in St. Peter’s Drive, Thornton, to provide targeted support to focus on a range of community issues, including ASB. The overall aim of this initiative is to help improve community cohesion, reduce isolation and increase satisfaction with the local area. Our investment is also to support the development of community capacity and confidence, to enable community- led work to continue beyond the initial 12 months of this project.
The hard work and commitment of two of our most experienced community development workers has enabled the establishment of a growing programme of community activities and initiatives, informed by the community. The approach to building community trust and confidence has been achieved through a measured but visible presence within the community, by having a regular presence at the community hub and by regular door to door consultation.
Work is also underway to address some of the physical improvements for the neighbourhood. In addition, a consultation exercise with the broader community is taking place, which will culminate in a ‘Planning for Real’ exercise, and subsequently a community owned action plan, to begin the process of community ownership for longer term priorities.
I am pleased to report the following positive information for the Thornton area, to which I am confident the above work has made an important contribution, along with the ongoing response and action of the Community Safety Team and the Police:
Police recorded all crime incidents:
April 2013- end Jan 2014 = 44
April 2014- end Jan 2015 = 37
This is a reduction of approx. 15% year on year
Police recorded ASB incidents:
April 2013- end Jan 2014 = 16
April 2014- end Jan 2015 = 9
This is a reduction of approx. 45% year on year
(c) Question received from Councillor MS Hulbert
“Could the Leader of the Council inform me how much external investment is being put into Barwell from the Sustainable Urban Extension and could he give me a breakdown of where this will be spend?”
Response from Councillor SL Bray
“Thank you for your question Councillor Hulbert. As Members will be aware Planning permission has now been granted for the SUE at Barwell which will trigger the major regeneration of the Village. This includes creating jobs, providing new and affordable housing and securing major new community facilities such as a new Doctors surgery, Community Centre, new and improved schools and a major facelift for the centre of Barwell.
The level of private investment levered for the SUE is £450 million. This includes £70 million for on and off-site infrastructure and community facilities for Barwell SUE. An approximate breakdown of some of the key off-site investment is as follows:-
· Public Open Space £4million for maintenance
· Transport Investment £2.3million
· Off-site Highway Works £3.5million
· Primary Education £1.3million
· Secondary Education £6million
· Health Facilities £1.7million
· Public Realm £1million
· Sport and Leisure £500,000
· Police £810,000
· Community Facilities £258,000
· Libraries £83,000
· Affordable housing 250 units on site plus up to £10million off-site contribution
·
Employment and Skills
£300,000
I trust Members would agree this amounts to a significant investment for Barwell, which will help transform the facilities available for the local community.”