The Stn Editor’s report on the Full Town Council Meeting held on Tuesday 19th December 2017

There were 14 Councillors (Cllrs) and two members of the public present, including a police officer.
The Reflection was read by the Chairman Cllr P. Henry.
Apologies were received from Cllrs H. and K. Asmal, H. Screaton, J. Midgley, County Cllrs J. Poland and D. Slater.
No Declarations of Interest were given in relations to the agenda.
There were no matters arising from the public.
There were no Chairman’s announcements or communications.
The Police Report was tabled as PCSO Matthew Harburt introduced himself and said he had only just joined the team. He took questions and said that PCSO Jo Freeman would respond directly to the council. He also reminded the council that police crime figures are available online via the Leicestershire police website.
County and Borough Cllrs reports
Cllr E. Vardy reported that Charnwood Borough Council (CBC) had approved the draft strategic growth plan so it will go out for public consultation, the plan goes up to 2050 and includes where housing should be built in the future. He briefly mentioned a proposed a new ring road from the A46 via Barkby, Wigston and then the M1. The route has not been agreed yet and will be reliant on land availability – This is a change to the previous plan. Information will be sent out to councils and leaflets will be distributed, with you being able to have your say in the next year, mid-January.
Cllr T. Barkley reported on planning and that CBC has made provision to meet the challenges ahead and to be able to maintain necessary services. He spoke about the CBC Sports awards that were held on the 4th December and what a good night it had been. The Capital plan is due out in January 2018. He then spoke about the tragic episode in Birstall and expressed condolences to all those affected. CBC had won a Business award.He finished by saying that the Cllrs surgeries are very popular each month, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Cllr K. Pacey reported that he is now only involved with licensing and praised the team at CBC saying they are very good in dealing with licensing appeals. He to wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
All Minutes were agreed with no amendments.
The council agreed with the final draft precept for 2018/19, which will increase council tax by 4%. This equates to an increase to £102 per household for the year. The Chairman Cllr P. Henry signed the documents.
NHT public representative survey was circulated to Cllrs, with Mrs C. Voyce (Town Manager) asking them to tick the appropriate boxes on the form and return at the end of the meeting, or as soon as possible, as it had to be returned by 19th January 2018.
It was agreed by council to replace the current lighting in the community centre with LED lighting, at a total cost of £5,044. It was hoped that some of this would be covered by a community grant the Town Manager had applied for and the rest from the council’s own capital fund. Once replaced it would give a 50% reduction in electric bills and help reduce the need to replace them as frequently.
A Food Festival has been approved to take place on the Central Park during 2018. Date yet to be confirmed.
The Town Managers report had been sent out to all Cllrs, updating them on The MUGA Consultation, and stated that it had been very busy – all comments have been passed onto Wicksteed Parks who were going to collate and report back in the new year.
There were no members questions for the Chairman and the Town Manager. Actions from the previous meetings were tabled.
The Chairman closed the meeting by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year, and invited everyone present to stay and enjoy a glass of wine or juice and a mince pie.
Fiona Henry, Editor.
For the official minutes of this and other Town Council Meetings please visit their website: www.systontc.org. You can attend any council meeting held on Tuesday evenings 7.30pm. Details are posted across all town council notice boards.