Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor Ward be appointed as Vice-chair of the Committee for the remainder of the 2021/22 Council year.

No apologies were received.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16th June 2021 were confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The following disclosures were made:

      i.        Councillor Miah disclosed a personal interest in respect of item 6 on the agenda (Loughborough Special Expense Draft Budget 2022/23) as a representative of Fearon Hall but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

    ii.        Councillor Ward disclosed a personal interest in respect of item 6 on the agenda (Loughborough Special Expense Draft Budget 2022/23) as a Trustee  of Gorse Covert Community Centre but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

   iii.        Councillor C Harris disclosed a personal interest in respect of item 6 on the agenda (Loughborough Special Expense Draft Budget 2022/23) as a representative of Fearon Hall but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

No questions were submitted

No questions were submitted.

A report of the Head of Financial Services to advise the Loughborough Area Committee of the draft Loughborough Special Expenses budget for 2022/23.

Councillor Morgan joined the meeting at 6:29pm

Councillor Smidowicz left the meeting at 7:33pm

A report of the Head of Finance to advise the Loughborough Area Committee on the draft Loughborough Special Expense Budget for 2022/23, was submitted (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Heads of Financial Services, Leisure and Culture, Strategic Support and Planning and Regeneration and the Neighbourhoods and Partnerships Manager attended the meeting to provide assistance in consideration of this item. The following responses were provided to questions raised:

      i.        There was an adjustment of £82k for the Council Tax base rate which meant additional funds of £64k could be used to support reserves. This was a rolling balance account over a two-year period.

    ii.        The Council had previously been working with the Thorpe Acre Residents Association to identify a suitable venue for a community hub facility. There had initially been S106 funds and financial support from Loughborough University allocated towards this project. Partners had since determined that there was not capacity to run the project. Funding received from Loughborough University had been used by partners to support other schemes. 

   iii.        As part of the Council’s overall savings proposals, a 5% deduction in Strategic Partner Grants had meant that Gorse Covert and Fearon Hall Community Centres would receive a reduced level of funding from the Council. Members expressed some concern over the implication of this reduction in funding and agreed to propose that the reductions in funding for Fearon Hall and Gorse Covert Community Centre were not approved by Cabinet.

   iv.        There was a due process followed with regards to the appropriate placement of CCTV cameras, including consideration of evidence and rules and regulations on privacy.

    v.        There were separate budgets allocated for permanent and casual salaries managing CCTV in Loughborough. The 10% reduction in funding for casual salaries did not indicate a reduction in 24 hours monitoring of CCTV. It was highlighted that the casual staff budget had not been required for some time.

   vi.        Information on the location of additional allotments in the Loughborough area was not available at the meeting. It was highlighted that the Open Spaces Strategy outlined existing allotment sites and indicated demand for new allotment sites. It was agreed that the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces would provide this information following the meeting.

  vii.        The Festive Lights budget included maintenance, testing and installation and other associated costs. The festive lights contract was due for procurement in 2022 and the expenditure of this aspect will depend on the successful contract.

 viii.        A more comprehensive break down of costs associated with the metered water budget was requested, including information on how much of the metered water budget was used by the Loughborough in Bloom Scheme. It was agreed that this information would be circulated following the meeting.

   ix.        A comprehensive breakdown of the finances associated with the Loughborough in Bloom scheme was requested. It was agreed that this information be circulated following the meeting.

    x.        A review on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

A verbal update from the Head of Planning and Regeneration on the progression of the Bedford Square Gateway Project.

Councillor Ward left the meeting at 7:37pm

Councillor Julie Bradshaw left the meeting at 7:43pm

The Head of Planning and Regeneration provided a verbal update on the Bedford Square Gateway Project. The following summarises the discussion:

      i.        The project was intended to deliver improvements to the public realm and represented an invest of £3.8m. The project was driven by meeting the concerns of local businesses and was part of the Town Centre Masterplan.

    ii.        The improvements would deliver a pleasant and distinct character to the area and aimed to boost trade within the area.

   iii.        The construction had been delayed due to external requirements and this had been reported to the Loughborough Area Committee previously. There had been further issues as a result of utilities infrastructure and therefore the project had been redesigned slightly and to reduce further delays.

   iv.        A voucher scheme and wavering of parking fees had been introduced by the Council and the Loughborough BID in order to mitigate the impact of the scheme on local businesses.

    v.        The project was following a phased approach and the future phases were to be funded though the Loughborough Town Deal, which was awarded to the Loughborough Town Deal Board in October 2021.

   vi.        The project was scheduled for completion in May 2022, including carriageways, pedestrian crossings and surfacing.

  vii.        Concerns were raised regarding drainage issues in the area. It was stated that these concerns could be communicated to contractors.

 viii.        Concerns were raised regarding parking in inappropriate places around the development area. It was stated that it was possible to explored signage options in the area to reduce issues with parking.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Committee notes the progression of the Bedford Square Gateway Project.

2.    That the Head of Planning and Regeneration communicate the drainage issues highlighted to contractors.

3.    That the Head of Planning and Regeneration explore options for signage around the development area to reduce parking issues.

Reasons

1.    To ensure the Committee is kept up to date on the progression of the Bedford Square Gateway Project.

2.    To ensure contractors are made aware of drainage issues before the completion of the project.

3.    To identify options for reducing parking issues around the development area.