Minutes:
Electrification of the Midland Mainline
Spion Kop Bridge (Blaby Road) will be ‘removed’ as part of the works for a large period of time, resulting in a 7.5km diversion for traffic around the Borough. This is in the early stages of planning with no timescale given for the works to commence. A consultation paper will be sent out shortly but this will only facilitate comments relating to people with disabilities. The works will be happening with public complaints to not be addressed. A shared path for pedestrians and cyclists will be installed during the works. PC Morgan has requested that Leicestershire Police are kept informed of this as it will impact on how the Borough is policed.
Billy Cox’s Shop
Has been granted Grade 2 listed status. The listing does not apply to the land to the rear of the property; the Civic Society has made two attempts to secure the land a similar listed status to no avail and is hopeful that no building will take place on it.
Oadby & Wigston Borough Council
The Council is struggling for cash (revenue) at present, and the County Council has to find £100m by 2027. It is unclear if this situation will change in the next 14 months. Staff employed by OWBC has been reduced. It is believed that yesterday in parliament an announcement was made regarding a common approach to recycling, requiring all Council’s to collect waste in the same manner. This may cause difficulties locally as all the recycled waste is currently taken to CasePak who are equipped to only deal with recycling in a specific manner. The parliamentary announcement made note that collections of recycling should take place every 2 weeks which would change the current weekly arrangement in the Borough. A separate food waste collection is also being discussed by parliament which would require another vehicle to collect, but would be collected on a weekly basis. Residents raised concerns that an increase in the number of bins for properties in the Borough could cause issues with bin storage. A query was raised regarding the ‘Our Borough’ newsletter costs which total £19k for two publications a year; this is being looked at as a cost saving option. The previous newsletter ‘Letterbox’ was stopped 3 years ago and was requested back by residents; this used to be delivered 4 times a year. It was noted that paper newsletters prevent some elements of the community being ‘left behind’ due to having no access to the internet. The sale of Bushloe House will not aid the Council’s current financial situation. The bulk of Council Tax paid in the Borough goes to the County Council; the building has been sold subject to contract with a planning application expected imminently. The funds from the sale of Bushloe House will offset the redevelopment of the new Council Offices at Brocks Hill. Homelessness and Housing Benefits are one of the largest expenditures for the Council at present.
Nautical William
There has been no progress with planning applications for the site at present.
Car Parking Costs
The car parking has now broken even and is now generating revenue for the Council. Some of the parking machines have been vandalised with the Police are aware of.