A great deal has been achieved since Christmas in our quest to get A5 improvements. I submitted a response to the DfT Strategic Road Network Initial Report Consultation. David Tredinnick secured a Westminster Hall debate on 7 February to discuss the required improvements to the A5 and was supported by neighbouring MPs in his calls for further investment, and Midlands Connect is already looking to procure a desk-based study for improvement along the A5 from junction 18 of the M1 to junction 12 of the M6.
Our case for investment along the route, between the M42 and M1 in particular, is gaining traction and I have been actively seeking, and getting, the support of many MPs along with very positive endorsements from Sir John Peace, Chairman of Midlands Engine and Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority.
Our next step within parliament is to try to secure the support of the Transport Secretary in order to agree the approximately £10m funding to be allocated directly in RIS 2 towards the A5 for expressway scheme development, to allow delivery to come forward as soon as possible.
Council continues to work with residents to reduce the frequency and severity of Anti Social Behaviour whilst also using anti social behaviour legislation where necessary. In the first nine months of this accounting year we have seen 620 reports dealt with by our Endeavour team. Many have been resolved simply by working with the individuals concerned. Our worst cases however do need stronger action and we have also secured:-
3 Closure Orders
58 Community Protection Notices
2 injunctions
5 Anti Social Behaviour Contracts
3 Notice Seeking Possessions
2 evictions.
These actions are only possible through the combined efforts of councillors, the Endeavour team and the local community. Without the help of local people to provide the necessary evidence we would not be as successful.
I am also pleased to report that council officers, with the support of the Multi Agency Traveller Unit and police, have successfully carried out planning enforcement on the Good Friday site in Bagworth. This follows a very lengthy court case and the occupiers have now vacated the site and all caravans and structures have been removed. Plans are now being reviewed for the restoration of the site.
Our Local Plan review is underway and I have personally attended many of the events which are being hosted by council officers, including a briefing given to our Older Voices Forum. These events are receiving mixed attendances, which is probably an indication of the sensitivity in some areas. We are also taking the opportunity of hearing views on the draft Strategic Growth Plan for Leicestershire, which many find is looking so far ahead that it is difficult for them to grasp what is being asked.
I recently met with a number of our Unsung Heroes, including our most recent SPOTY winner, Denise Larrad. I want to work with these heroes to bring forward and support a new generation of people who are committed to supporting our community to live healthier and fitter lives. The commitment of these individuals is not easy to replicate, but I do know that there are more people like them across our borough and we aim to get them involved.
Following the Government’s Industrial Strategy, both CWLEP and LLEP have started work on their local versions of the Industrial Strategy. LEPs are also responding to the Ney review and are updating their Local Assurance Framework procedures to improve transparency and to strengthen overall governance, bringing them far more in line with local government.
I was pleased to be at the opening of Cut Price Suites in Hinckley, and I know they will be a valuable addition to the mix of shops in the town.
Tomorrow we have a Heritage Lottery Fund team visiting Hinckley to consider the council’s Townscape Heritage Scheme application. This will be an important visit and success would see us securing a significant contribution to further improvements to protect our heritage.
I have long held a view that we should hold some of our meetings in other parts of our borough, and I am pleased to inform members that Executive meetings for most of 2018 will be held in venues away from the Hub. These meetings will be followed by a public Q&A session, and I hope that we shall be able to encourage people to attend.
One of my most rewarding times as Leader of this Council is when I am able to visit the many projects that we support through our VCS commissioning process. I recently had an opportunity to attend a Burns Lunch birthday party at the Mayflower Club in Markfield. It gives me reassurance in my 60th year that there are still fun things to do when I am 80.
Along with the Chief Executive, I recently attended the District Councils Network Annual Conference. As well as future funding from business rates, the main topics of housing and health are all issues that we are dealing with every day and in some cases I believe we are setting the standard for others to follow. These are things that officers and members alike are all interested in making better across our borough, and we will continue to do our best to achieve more for all of our residents.
Last week I chaired the annual review meeting of our Local Strategic Partnership, where we were updated on the extensive initiatives being delivered through key partnerships including our Think Family Partnership, Town Centre Partnership, Community Safety Partnership, our Health and Wellbeing Board and Employment and Skills Taskforce. We identified key challenges that will need to be picked up going forward linked to employment and skills, an older population and maintaining the vitality and safety of our town and village centres.
As part of the general fund budget, we also include the budget for the special expenses area. Following the decision by the Hinckley Area Committee not to consider changes to the special expenses area this budget, the proportion of the council tax charge for the area has been calculated through historical methods. I disagree with the HAC on its wish to maintain its role and the special expenses area in its current format. This administration will therefore be bringing forward its own proposals to give that committee more say in the running of those council operations which affect only Hinckley.
Our business tonight is dominated by the budget, which once again I am pleased to be able to bring forward with no tough decisions for Council to make. We also have a number of motions to consider and several other papers to present to members, which I hope will receive wide support.
Minutes:
In his position statement, the Leader of the Council referred to many items he had been involved in recently including securing support from local MPs for a debate in Parliament on the need for A5 improvements, anti social behaviour, planning enforcement, the local plan review, unsung heroes, the special expenses area arrangements and a recent event at the Mayflower Club in Markfield.