Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor Hamilton be appointed as Chair of the Committee for the 2022/23 Council year.

RESOLVED that Councillor Ward be appointed as Vice-chair of the Committee for the 2022/23 Council year.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bailey, J Bradshaw, Forrest and Mercer.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16th December 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Disclosable pecuniary interests and registrable interests relate to entries that are included, or should be included,  on a councillor’s register of interests. Non-registrable interests relate to any other matters.  

The following disclosure was made:

      i.        Councillor Miah disclosed a registrable interest in item 8 on the agenda (Loughborough Annual Update Report 2022) as a representative of Fearon Hall but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

No declarations were made.

No questions were submitted

No questions were submitted.

A report of the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces providing information and updates on significant matters relating to the town of Loughborough.

A report of the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces to provide information and updates on significant matters relating to the town of Loughborough was submitted (item 8 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

A briefing note was also supplied by the Head of Financial Services at the meeting, outlining the outturn of the Loughborough Special Expenses Budget (attached at the end of minutes).

The Head of Planning and Regeneration provided a verbal update on the progression of the Bedford Square Gateway Project.

The Head of Financial Services, Cleansing and Open Spaces and Planning Regeneration attended the meeting to provide assistance in consideration of this item. The following summarises the discussion:

      i.        Members highlighted that the report included information from one service within the Council and felt that more information from other services could have been included.

    ii.        Members had recently been given a tour of Nanpantan Cemetery and expressed their thanks to officers. They felt that the visit was beneficial and that the site had been developed very well. It was anticipated that the site would open in late summer.

   iii.        It was anticipated that residents would want to purchase memorial benches and over time this would mean that there was a sufficient supply of benches. The Council had looked at various different types of benches, but felt that the wooden benches that had been previously installed at other locations were the most appropriate style and were most suited to the environment.

   iv.        Members highlighted some issues regarding the traffic in and around the Cemetery, particularly the unofficial zebra crossing within the site and the blind spot area when leaving the site. It was stated that it would be possible to install signage in the area to encourage pedestrian and road user safety.

    v.        It was intended that Nanpantan Cemetery and the existing Loughborough Cemetery would operate simultaneously, until Loughborough Cemetery had reached full capacity.

   vi.        There was a financial structure in place that meant that residents of the Borough outside Loughborough would be required to pay a higher fee for a plot at Nanpantan and Loughborough Cemeteries. Residents within Loughborough were required to pay a Loughborough Special Rate which supported the upkeep of services in Loughborough. Residents outside of Loughborough did not contribute towards this rate.

  vii.        Measures had been put in place to prevent anti-social behaviour incidents at Nanpantan Cemetery. It was not possible for cars to access the site at night, although it was difficult to prevent pedestrians from accessing the site. The site would be monitored closely and further measures could be employed in order to deter anti-social behaviour if required.

 viii.        There would be an increase in maintenance costs whilst the Council operated two cemeteries in the Loughborough area, although the majority of these costs would be offset by an increase in payments for burial plots.

   ix.        The maintenance of grass verges was not the responsibility of Charnwood Borough Council. Members were encouraged to report any issues with the maintenance of grass verges  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.