Agenda item

A report of the Heads of Finance and Property Services, Leisure and Culture, Neighbourhood Services, and Cleansing and Open Spaces providing information and updates on significant matters relating to the town of Loughborough, is attached.

A report of the Heads of Finance & Property, Leisure & Culture, Neighbourhoods, and Cleansing & Open Spaces, providing information and updates on significant matters relating to the town of Loughborough, was submitted (item 9 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The relevant Head of Service assisted with consideration of the item and the following summarises comments and observations made by Members of the Committee present and responses to questions raised:

• the Loughborough Special Expense Outturn was showing a favourable variance of £1k, and that further underspends identified as a result of lower re-charges are dependent on works undertaken in a financial year.

• the Loughborough Special Expense rate had been kept the same for the forthcoming financial year and an additional £17k had been added to the budget.

·         Car parks in Loughborough are paid for from the Councils General Fund and not from Loughborough Special Expenses.

·         The Town Hall had exceeded its income and profit level projections and whilst a subsidy was still in place, the overall aim was to reduce it.

• In respect of cemetery provision, noted that re-charges are made to the Special rate because of the change of location to Nanpantan, and as such is classed as a Loughborough facility.

·         The market scheme improvements aim to improve the layout, attractiveness of entrances, and encourage a wider diversity of traders.  One of the key challenges to the improvements related to improving the electrical supply and various possibilities were being explored.

·         The development of street food areas was proving to be a great success with a waiting list of traders.  It was noted that food hygiene and safety requirements must always be adhered to. 

·         The replacement of the town’s festive lights and associated infrastructure to support an annual town centre dressing programme had been a great success with an increase in footfall.

·         In respect of concerns about the increase of empty shops in the town centre, it was noted that the outcome of a bid submitted for high street funding was still awaited.

·         A number of initiatives are in ongoing to work in partnership with the University and the BID.

·         In respect of the Carillon Tower restoration project, noted it had been delivered on time and within budget.  Committee members asked that details of the pre-arranged open days be sent to them in order for them to show their support.

·         The Bell Foundry Estate in the east of Loughborough has been designated a People Zone based on a number of data sets and indices relating to crime and deprivation etc.

·         Crime levels in Loughborough over the last two years had increased and the new Inspector of Police is very alive to this and has pledged to work proactively with the Council to address the issues.

·         In respect of cemetery provision, noted that the two groundsmen do an excellent job and the current cemetery awarded Green Flag status. 

• Reminder in respect of burials that a new three tier pricing system has been implemented.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Reason

To ensure that members of the Committee are kept up to date on significant matters relating to the town of Loughborough.