Venue: Microsoft Teams
Contact: Mo Seedat - Tel: 0116 305 2583 Email: mo.seedat@leics.gov.uk
Note: This meeting will not be open to the public in line with Government advice on public gatherings. The meeting will be webcast live via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWFpwBLs6MnUzG0WjejrQtQ
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Chairman's Announcements. Minutes: Mrs Evelyn Ensor It was with great
sadness that the Chairman reported the passing of former Councillors Mrs Evelyn
Ensor. Mrs Ensor passed away on Monday,
11th January 2021 aged 98. Mrs Ensor served on
the County Council from November 1976 to April 1985 and represented the
Market Bosworth No 4 Electoral Division. During her term of
office, she was appointed Chairman of the Personal Services Subcommittee and as
Vice Chairman of the Social Services Committee.
She also served as a member of the Environment Committee and Police
Committee. The Chairman called
on members to stand in silent tribute to the memory of Mrs Evelyn Ensor. Covid-19 The Chairman
reminded members that it was coming up to a year since the impact of the
coronavirus began to be felt in Leicestershire. Plans are in hand
with partners to mark the anniversary of the first case in Leicestershire on 6th
March and the first lockdown which followed on 23rd March. The County Council will be playing a key role
in remembering those who had tragically lost their lives to Covid. The Chairman
mentioned the opportunities to thank key workers - those many officers in the
Council - as well as the contribution of others. As well as the efforts of volunteers and
unpaid carers who had stepped forward through this year. The Chairman also
thanked all residents, reminding members they had played their part in reducing
the spread of the virus - following the guidance to protect family and
neighbours. There will also be
acknowledgment of those who had struggled through this year - facing hardship,
isolation, mental health issues - or the long-term effects of Covid. The Chairman was
pleased to inform members that funding for the Watermead
Memorial Walk had been secured earlier in the month and that there were also
plans to dedicate a tree at County Hall in remembrance of those staff who had
lost their lives. The Chairman asked
Members to look out for further details about the memorial activities and to
reflect and find some comfort through them in what had been a difficult year. |
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 2 December 2020. PDF 285 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: It was moved by the
Chairman, seconded by Mr Kaufman and carried: “That the minutes
of the meeting of the Council held on 2 December 2020, copies of which have
been circulated to members, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.” |
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To receive declarations by members of interests in respect of items on this agenda. Minutes: The Chairman
invited members who wished to do so to make declarations of interest in respect
of items on the agenda for this meeting. It was assumed that
all members who are members of District Councils would wish to declare a
personal interest in relation to the Medium Term
Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2024/25. The following
members declared a personal interest in the MTFS:-
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To answer questions asked under Standing Order 7(1)(2) and (5). Minutes: (A) Mr
Bray asked the following question of the Leader or his nominee: “Could the Leader update me on progress
regarding a school crossing patrol for St Peter’s School, Hinckley?” Mr Pendleton replied as follows: “The school crossing patrol (SCP) for St
Peter’s School in Hinckley has been vacant since 14th July
2017. We have ever since sought to
recruit a patrol to this site on London Road and have done our best to attract
candidates. Because of the relatively
short times of operation (45 minutes in the morning and 35 minutes in the
afternoon) it is likely to appeal to someone with connections to the school
and/or living in close proximity to the school. Our service is reliant on members of the
community coming forward to fill these paid school crossing patrol roles. Unfortunately, to date no applications for
this location have been received. As with all our vacant SCP sites we will be
reviewing this location once children return following the latest
lockdown. This will be to check the
volume of traffic and number of pedestrians crossing – known as a PV2
assessment. We will then revisit our
recruitment programme dependent on the outcome of this review.” (B) Mr Bray asked the
following question of the Leader or his nominee: “Could the Leader update me on the highspeed
broadband rollout in parts of Burbage which currently have poor
speeds/coverage?” Mr Pain replied as follows: “Superfast Leicestershire is a £33.5m
partnership led by the County Council, together with Openreach, LLEP,
Government and district councils. Since
2014, Leicestershire County Council has invested more than £20m to improve
digital infrastructure through the Superfast Leicestershire Programme,
resulting in more than 75,000 residential and business premises having gained
access to superfast broadband across Phase 1 & 2 of the Programme, taking
the broadband coverage across Leicester to 97%. The Superfast Leicestershire Programme is
committed to delivering further phases of high-speed broadband rollout, and the
launch of Phase 3 of the Programme in August 2019 will see a further 2500
premises benefit from future proofed Gigabit capable full fibre connections
across west Leicestershire, working with our delivery partner Openreach. Specifically, as a result of the Programme’s
intervention to date, superfast broadband coverage within Burbage, and across
the Hinckley & Bosworth district as a whole has reached 95%. We do not want to see any area left behind and
are committed to working towards 100% superfast coverage across Leicestershire,
and to seek all possible solutions to support the residents of Burbage and
across the Hinckley & Bosworth area. The remaining premises in Burbage which have
poor broadband speeds are currently in the delivery plan within the Phase 3
Contract, of which the Superfast Leicestershire Team are focussing their
efforts on ensuring all the unserved premises are planned-in to receive
full-fibre broadband infrastructure. The good news is, so far 20 premises within
the Burbage area have recently been upgraded to full-fibre, and can now order
gigabit capable broadband services, via their internet service provider. We are prioritising and focussing our efforts
on finding solutions for all unserved properties, and I have asked officers to
work closely with BDUK and Outside-in Programme to ensure Leicestershire is at
the front of the queue to be considered for BDUK funding to rollout full-fibre
broadband to the remaining unserved areas and premises across Leicestershire. For information, Appendix A provides
the current status of premises by post-code in the Burbage area planned in the
Phase 3 delivery, including those that have recently been upgraded.” Appendix A
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