Minutes:
District Cllr Iain Hewson’s Report
Cllr Iain Hewson reported on the following:
Animal Services held an event on 23 August in Narborough Memorial Park to promote dog laws, family education around dogs and a scheme to assist residents who are struggling due to age or ill health to keep their pets at home.
The Dogs Trust attended to provide information and education to families on how to remain safe around dogs and how to interact with them. Leicester Animal Aid attended to promote their Community Pet Support Scheme which is aimed at supporting anyone with ill health or mobility problems who owns a pet with visits from volunteers to help care for, and exercise their pets. Animal Services had information relating to dog ownership and laws, including a microchip checking service and provided collar and tags to residents to residents to help them comply. Donations were made to the Chairman’s Charity Pink Pants and the day raised £54 for the Charity.
The Pavilion Update
The summer months are usually a challenging period within the Leisure Industry and this summer has been no exception.
The recent heatwave, FIFA World Cup and the summer holiday season has certainly tested the Pavilion’s resilience. That being said The Pavilion currently sits £7,500 above income business plan to date on income and £21,000 savings on expenditure which is a great achievement.
The Pavilion’s sales membership targets of striving to achieve 10 months in a row proved to be one step to far as August we fell just short of achieving our sales target. September has started strongly.
We now move our focus onto Autumn and Winter where the Pavilion will be aiming to keep well ahead of income plan and deliver on our business plan. We hope to hold more events in the future as part of an education and recruitment drive for the Youth Council.
Blaby District Local Sports Alliance Sports Awards 2018
On 14 November 2018 Blaby District Local Sports Alliance will be hosting their ninth annual Sports Awards at Countesthorpe Community College. The evening will celebrate both groups and individuals that have made a positive contribution towards promoting sport and physical activity across their community. Hosted by BBC Radio Leicester’s Ian Stringer, the evening will include live performances and guest speakers alongside 10 Award Categories;
· Active 4 Life
· Sports Person of the Year (over 16)
· Young Sports Person of the Year (under 16)
· Sports Person(with a disability)of the Year (over 16)
· Young Sports Person (with a disability) of the Year (under 16)
· Team of the Year
· Young Team of the Year
· Coach of the Year
· Volunteer of the Year
BMX Event
After the postponement of the BMX event, the event went ahead on the 28 – 30 September 2018 and was a huge success, members of the public and relatives of those who were competing were so complimentary and hoped future events could be held at Huncote on a regular basis as the course is “excellent”.
A Place to Grow wins International Award
For the third year running A Place to Grow has won the international award. The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Councillor Iain Hewson, Portfolio Holder for Health Improvement, Leisure and Regulatory Services raised the flag at the Annual Family Open Day on 11 August 2018. Over 260 people attended the event, celebrating plant and produce grown over the year, family arts activities, health and wellbeing stands and for the second year running an outdoor theatre performance.
Rutland Cycling joins Tourism Partnership
We are excited to announce that Rutland Cycling has recently joined our Tourism Partnership. They will be running a cycle centre, which is scheduled for opening in early Summer 2019 at the new Everards Meadows Leisure site.
Rutland Cycling will be working with us to develop a Cycling Action Plan for the District. This will aim to attract more visitors to the area and also increase the activity levels of our residents. They are currently checking existing cycle routes and engaging with local businesses to provide a variety of safe and interesting routes within the District.
Event Hire
Across the summer, Health and Leisure Services provided an event hire service which allowed organisations across the Midlands the opportunity to access a variety of inflatable and sporting equipment including Bubble Football, Inflatable Obstacle Course and Arrows Archery. We attended 27 events attracting around 15,000 customers whilst generating £5,000 income.
Alongside these events we also delivered three inflatable fun events across Stoney Stanton, Kirby Muxloe and Blaby. These events showcased our inflatable equipment and promoted local open spaces to young people and families. The events attracted 436 people and generated £632 income.
County Councillor Maggie Wright’s Report
Leicestershire County Council
Body Cameras are being trialled by Environmental and Transport Staff who are being subject to increasing instances of abuse, threats and near misses.
As part of the Council’s new Highway Asset Management Plan it is increasing the number of roadside drains treated annually (From 64,000 to 92,000 without costs rising).
Three new gritters have been added to the fleet and 6 have been refurbished. All are now equipped with the latest technology.
Consultation planned on residential and Nursing care fees. The consultation will be in 2 stages.
The first will start in November and will focus on simplifying the approach and fees structure to a band for older adults.
The second to start early 2019 and would include the proposed fee rates which would take effect from 1st April 2019.
A new family zone offering arts, crafts, play and story telling has opened at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre (aimed at children 0 to 8).
A 12 month trial to tackle inconsiderate parking outside 32 schools in Leicestershire has been launched. A camera car will patrol and issue £70 fines for illegal parking
An extra £2m is being invested in supporting vulnerable people and will help to keep 6 more children’s centres open than originally planned.
Plans for a new Heritage Hub located at County Hall in Glenfield are underway. This will house records from the current Record Office and five other sites around the area.
Leicestershire County Council have produced an engagement document to consider how a Unitary structure could work in Leicestershire. More detailed information is available on the LCC website and in Leicestershire Matters.