In this position statement I am taking the opportunity to outline Council’s priorities set by the Executive for the year to May 2019. These priorities support the Corporate Plan objectives whilst also seeking to tackle the most difficult issues faced by residents.
1) Firstly we will agree a plan for growth to 2050, in the form of a Strategic Growth Plan, in partnership with other authorities across Leicestershire.
Ambition is one thing that we should all share in this Borough, and economic growth is important for us to achieve those ambitions. Three years ago we started to shape a long term growth plan which has become the Strategic Growth Plan. This will set out how we and our colleagues across Leicestershire will ensure that infrastructure is in place to deliver growth and prosperity. This plan has to be right for Hinckley and Bosworth and will be put to members only when it is right, but this is expected before the end of the year.
2) Secondly Council will agree a Housing Strategy which brings together our role to provide housing solutions for those in need, with our responsibilities to ensure that future housing capacity is delivered.
Housing is an area that is of national importance, and has many issues which cut across our service areas, issues such as availability, affordability, homelessness, quality of supply are addressed through both planning and housing functions. We will bring these together in an overall housing strategy that sets out how Council will intervene to improve the local housing market for those most in need, and to support peoples ambition for home ownership.
3) Thirdly Council will agree the next phase of our Local Plan Update, to outline how we will deliver housing and industrial growth to 2036. We will decide how sites will be allocated and agree a draft list of potential development sites.
A key element of supporting housing and employment delivery will be our updated Local Plan. This is progressing and will continue to be treated as a high priority so that we are in a position to plan for future homes in places where they are most needed, and in a way which protects our existing settlements from overdevelopment.
4) Fourthly Council will agree an Asset Management Strategy, to ensure that we are making best use of our current assets and the value that they hold, whilst improving our ability to invest in new facilities.
It is high time that Council conducted a thorough review of its assets, to make sure that it is improving those which are of value to the community, re-developing some, and disposing of others. Council also needs to be able to respond to market opportunities in some areas, and an agreed strategy will underpin future decision making. This will enable acquisitions to be made more easily, especially where they are needed to deliver economic growth or housing solutions.
5) Our final priority will see Council agree a strategy to support young people because they need to know that they are valued members of our community, and that we are doing all that we can to make their lives better.
We are often told that young people have nothing to do, which can lead to boredom and anti-social behaviour. It should be this Council’s job to improve our engagement with young people, to improve the availability of opportunities for them to become involved in competitive and recreational sport; social, community and leisure activities; work opportunities and volunteering.
I was pleased to join the Mayor at the Making a Difference awards. It was a real pleasure to meet all of the nominees, and to announce the winners. We should always remember the work of our volunteers, and the awards are a great way of saying thank you to those who stand out.
I took the opportunity at the awards to ask for voluntary groups to do even more to support young people in our Borough, and also to find more ways to enable budding young volunteers to support others.
I know there are many young people who want to become involved in volunteering and to help others, but there are limited ways that they can do this. HBBC wants to support existing groups who can involve more young people in their work, or those who wish to set up their own volunteering organisations.
I also announced that HBBC will be introducing a local lottery scheme, an item from our Agenda this evening. This will allow community groups to raise money for their own good causes, and will allow the Council to add to the £70,000 a year that it already gives to commission services from our voluntary sector.
The lottery could generate thousands of pounds for good causes across the borough and will increase the financial support that is offered by HBBC, I hope it will have members’ support.
Among the other items on our agenda members will see the financial outturn for 2017/18. This shows a slight improvement on the forecast position, mostly due to a one-off grant from Government to support the loss of some business rates from many small businesses who are now exempt.
This leaves the Council’s finances in a strong position for the period ahead, although there remain uncertainties about future business rate funding.
We also have an update from officers on the Local Plan Review process and the directions for growth consultation. Officers have also arranged further member meetings to discuss the likely next steps, so that we can have a meaningful update during the autumn.
Cllr Nickerson is bringing forward a motion which will mean changes within the Council if approved, as well setting out how we will encourage other businesses to reduce plastic use. This is a topic of interest to many people, and one that we should be taking action on.
Following consideration of the A5 strategy at Executive last week I have asked for this to be added as a late item. This is a key part of infrastructure which will allow this Borough to deliver economic growth, and although not required to come before members I think it is worth spending time to discuss this evening before sign off by the A5 partnership.
Minutes:
In presenting his Leader’s position statement, Cllr Hall referred to the Executive’s aspirations for the year, the Making a Difference awards and the items on the agenda for the meeting.
During discussion on the position statement, the following points were raised:
· Officers were congratulated on the new housing development on Southfield Road, Hinckley
· The outcome of the Members Advisory Group meeting, in which changes to the Strategic Growth Plan were discussed, was requested. In response it was noted that an update meeting for members was being arranged
· The level of response from the public compared to developers and landowners in relation to the local plan review consultation was highlighted.