Minutes:
Devolution: The Council has made its submission of a ‘North, South, City’ plan to the Government at the end of November. The City’s bid sees its boundaries extended into the surrounding areas, including Oadby & Wigston. The County’s bid sees one Council for all of Leicestershire, excluding the City. A decision from Central Government is expected in February / March. Parish or Town Councils may be set up following the devolution process. Oadby & Wigston Borough Council will cease to exist after 2027/28.
Spion Kop: Planning application made to extend the parapet of the bridge. The bridge is known to be in a poor state with rusting ironworks underneath, but these works are not included in the planning application. In the recent wet weather a large amount of water collected on the railway line following the track lowering works. A query was raised to whether the nationalisation of the railway will affect these works; this is not thought to have an impact. The ‘blue bridge’ on Aylestone Lane was planned to be replaced but this has not yet occurred.
South Wigston Christmas Capers: The event went very well, and the lights in South Wigston are thought to be very good. An increased budget is available for next year to replace some of the related electrical sockets. The Council has no plans to stop putting Christmas lights up.
Council Budget: The Council is facing increased costs as are all councils, businesses and households. The Council cannot raise its Council Tax by more than 2.99%. The Police precept is expected to increase by £14 annually. The County Council’s precept is the largest component of Council Tax.
William Gunning Park: Some improvements are going ahead, with equipment being repaired and replaced. A budget has been allocated for this. Residents have raised concerns around flooding and standing water on William Gunning Park which is an annual occurrence. The Council has had the standing water tested last year and the results showed no toxic elements. Residents believe that there used to be a drain at the location the puddle forms, and that a blockage may be causing the flooding – residents proposed a dye test to identify where drains and manhole covers may be linked. Residents also noted that this flooding is close to the site of the old pavilion so there must be some drainage there linked to the showers that used to be in the building.
Blaby Road Park: Council Officers are able to make some budget decisions below a certain value. A proposal was made to the Council for an organisation to take over the Pavilion at Blaby Road Park, and manage some elements of the park. The Council is going through a process of generating revenue through the use and hire of its buildings, including pavilions. The cost of running the bowling green at Blaby Road Park far exceeds the income the pavilion generates. The proposal received covers renting elements of the park from the Council for a number of years, including the pavilion, football pitches, and bowling green. A meeting is taking place between Council Officers and the company that made the proposal to finalise this arrangement, including addressing problem parking on grass areas of the park at weekends. The company is known to have rented parking from NWSL College to resolve this issue already. Members became involved in the process after the bid was taken by the Council. Residents noted that the wooden fencing along the eastern edge of Blaby Road Park is in a poor state; this was confirmed to be fencing belonging to the houses that back on to the park, some of which have gateways onto the park that should not be in place.
Homelessness: 96 people are in temporary accommodation at present. The Section 21 legislation received royal assent and will come into force next year. It is thought that some landlords will evict their tenants ahead of this legislation coming into force. The expected homelessness costs to the Council are believed to be £1m for 2025/26. Private landlords are not an option for temporary accommodation as the funding used by the Council, in line with the law, does not cover the cost of private renting, leaving many in bed and breakfasts.