Minutes:
The Leader said
“We have a very busy agenda tonight, which is testament
to the amount of work the Council is currently doing. I will though, therefore
keep my comments relatively brief this evening.
I must start with the increasing risk and concern
regarding the Omicron variant. Since our last meeting, we have moved from what
was a relatively stable position to one where our public health experts are
urging far greater caution, and where yesterday the UK recorded the highest
number of daily infections since the pandemic began. As we know, by
triggering Plan B, the Government has introduced a number of additional
measures regarding face masks and so called covid passports. Whatever our views
may be on the approach taken, it is right that as a council we do our best to
set the right tone and lead by example in both protecting our colleagues and
communities, whilst also safeguarding the future of our economy. I’m grateful
for the continuing support of members for the steps we are taking to manage the
ongoing situation.
I couldn’t go much further with my remarks without
commenting on the fantastic news that the HIF grant has now been secured by the
County Council. When you think back to June, we were 7 days from the grant
being handed back and the southern section of the road, and potentially our
Local Plan, being in significant jeopardy. Following a huge effort by both the
community and council, working closely with our MP, we were able to persuade
the County Council to rethink. And following a significant amount of work over
the last few months, MBC demonstrated it could deliver once again, achieving
everything asked of us. Having now secured the HIF I look forward to spades
going in the ground next year and the road we have talked about for
generations, starting in earnest.
Another significant piece of work we have worked closely
with all districts and the County Council on is the development of a new joint
Waste Strategy. Waste collection is a key universal service, which
touches every household in our Borough and it is important we provide a service
fit for the environmental challenges of the future. The strategy includes bold
ambitious to achieve a recycling rate of 65%, and whilst it quite properly assess
all potential options, the focus for Leicestershire will be delivering in line
with government policy, particularly around things like weekly food waste
collections. Crucially, to be affordable, the government will also have to
follow through on its commitment to fully fund any changes required. It is also
important for me to confirm that, despite what has been implied in some media
outlets, the strategy does not include any commitment to introduce 3 weekly
collections, rather this was simply one of the options assessed. We are now
ready to commence the public consultation in January and I look forward to
residents positively engaging in the 12 week process.
It was disappointing to hear that the Council had been
unsuccessful in its Levelling Up Fund bid, but I was very heartened to hear
that we had received such positive feedback on our submission. It was an
incredibly competitive process with only 105 of the 305 bids submitted being
successful. Our bid, which sought funding for 3 town centre projects linked to
the cattle market, theatre and King Street development, scored very well and
particularly so on deliverability. We are now working with Rutland and our MP
to take on board the feedback, strengthen our bid and will be ready to submit
again in the second round which we understand is due to be announced in the
Spring next year.
Finally, as our housing improvement journey continues at
pace, and we welcome our new Assistant Director for Housing Management, Alison
Bennett, who joined us recently, I wanted to pay tribute to John Skerrit who
has confirmed his intention to retire from TFEC in January. John has dedicated
58 years of his life to public service, initially as a borough and county
councillor and then more recently representing the interests of tenants as the
Chair of TFEC. His legacy and contribution are in no doubt and John has been a
key member of the Housing Improvement Board as we’ve taken significant steps
forward over the last few years. I have been very grateful for his advocacy of
tenant issues, support and challenge John has given me throughout my time as
Leader and I wish him and his wife all the very best for the future.”
The Leader congratulated Tim Webster on his election and wished everyone a Happy Christmas.