Minutes:
Local Government Reorganisation: Consultation from Central Government is out, and the Chair has encouraged residents to respond to the survey to have their say on the three proposed plans for the future of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. A response from the Government is expected in late Spring or early Summer. The consultation can be completed via https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/leicestershire-and-leicester-and-rutland/
The Old Crown, Moat Street: No application has been submitted for a change of use of the building at present. Scaffolding is up at the building but it is unclear what works are underway. A resident queried what the Council would class as ‘inappropriate plans’ for the building. The Chair noted that anything that preserves the building, and does not cause a disturbance to neighbours with noise and vehicles may be deemed as acceptable. The ownership of the building is not a Planning consideration. Ongoing works cannot be inspected by the Council until a planning application is submitted. Once the building opens the Council can enforce any breach of existing planning conditions. The existing ‘plans’ for the building put forward by the current owners are publicly available, and have been passed to the Council. The building’s location in a Conservation Area will affect what can be done with the building. The Council’s Planning Officers and Enforcement Officers are aware of the Old Crown, and Cllr. Bentley will enquire with them regarding the current works. Residents noted there are new windows to the rear of the building that may breach conservation orders.
The Elms: Enforcement has been taken regarding the windows but no results to date. Residents raised concerns regarding parking at and around the Elms during events that they are hosting. There are no planning restrictions regarding this as events fall within the permitted use of the building. Parking is the responsibility of LCC.
Council Budgets: OWBC has proposed a 2.5% increase in Council Tax, which is less than the recommend 2.9%. There will be no increase in charges for car parks or garden waste. The meeting to confirm this is taking place tomorrow night. LFRS is increasing their total charge to £91, OWBC is £258, and Police £315. County Council precept increase will be 2.99% approved today. A resident noted that they are pleased that the garden waste charge is not increasing, and highlighted that the existing charge is higher than Blaby District’s charge of around £45. The charge for a second garden waste bin has increased however.
Homelessness: Around 100 people remain in bed and breakfast which is costing the Council approx. £1m annually. Most of these individuals are homeless through no fault of their own, with an increase in landlords evicting tenants before new legislation comes into force. Government Inspectors are interviewing the Council this coming Monday in respect of its response to homelessness.
Admiral Sportswear: The Council is doing a feature on Admiral Sportswear to celebrate their work in the World Cup. Neville Chadwick passed all of the photographs taken for this to the Getty Institute who charge £360 per image. Europa Sport, Belvoir Sports etc. all operated in the Borough.
Register of Social Landlords: The Government is inspecting the Council as a social landlord, a score of 1 is perfect and a score of 4 is “not very good”. The Council is hoping their current standards will result in a rating of 2. This is a very involved process for the Council, similar to an Ofsted inspection.
Willow Park Play Area: This has been redesigned to support better access for disabled children, and has officially opened today. Willow Park was chosen for this due to the location of the existing car park.