Embedded Files
The 1999 Borough Elections resulted with the Party Leaders forming a joint administration to advise the Chief Executive. A new shopping centre on the former bus station. It was called The Rushes and incuded additional housing. A contract was awarded to repair theTown Hall
Unexpectedly, the Conservatives did not get a majority four years later, though they were the largest party. The Liberal Democrats were therefore persuaded to join us in a coalition with myself as Council Leader.
This made the Conservatives very unhappy. There was soon a petition calling for an Executive Mayor for the Borough who would have overall authority. This failed completely. Our stated task, agreed with our coalition partners, was to modernise, increase efficiency and control Council Tax. The Council badly needed new management.
We recruited a highly qualified new Chief Executive and didn't waste time. Progress was rapid and after 18 months I asked officers to report on our achievements and it was copious.
Addressing the essentials
There were some basic needs to address.
We declared the Borough "debt free". and froze Council Tax for one year at a time of huge pressures.
We extended the Decent Homes standards to the Borough’s council housing stock.
Increased recycling and composting with a better collection system.
The Soar Valley Leisure Centre opened, in budget ahead of time.
There were some new initiatives at little or no cost:
There were some new initiatives at little or no cost:
Celebrated National Play Day, staging childrens' events at one community park each year.
Building on our Arts policy we established an annual purchase prize of student fine art.
Created a new corporate brand: Leading in Leicestershire (since removed by our successors)
Declared Charnwood a Fair Trade Borough, backed by a fantastic group of young people.
A better, more dynamic brand was what we wanted. It needed to identify us geographically (ie in Leicestershire) using a suitable alliteration. It needed green hills and blue waters And a fox obviously.
Gone was the dozy brown version!
Ambition was definitely in the air and you may like to scroll though the list of achievements by the Labour/LDem team the first 18 months (2003-2004) and prepared by council officers all under Brian Hayes our Chief Executive:
The Soar Valley Leisure Centre has opened, in budget ahead of time.
Work has started on the Loughborough Leisure Centre refurbishment
The Town Hall restructure is shortly to be finished – and is still fantastic!
Greatly extended recycling services.
Recycling rates are climbing and the programme is rolling out on time.
Subscriptions to Leisure Pass are exceeding all projections (Appointed first Sports Dev Officer)
Summer Leisure Pass scheme started in 1998 with the aim of encouraging young people between the age of 5 – 18 years, and people with disabilities regardless of age, to participate in sport and leisure activities. Over 6,000 take-up.
Commissioned a Shelthorpe Conservation Area Appraisal
We have signed up to a Zero Waste Strategy
Our plans for decent homes are at last on the move. More qualifying Council homes for insulation identified.
We are debt free and running £93,000 within revenue budget. Zero Tax increase in 2004/5
Efficiency reviews and health checks moving funds to front line services
Greater emphasis on consultation
Introduced modern Project Management and Risk management methods
Oriented web site, Contact Centre and Southfields to customer service
Won new money for advancing e-Gov programme.
Embedded Performance management in all departments.
Review of Street, Footpath Naming
New Economic Development Strategy, winning Enterprising Britain LUSEP nomination for Loughborough.
Launched bidding process for Eastern Gateway (Station) project.
New Town Centre Public conveniences meeting disabled needs
New partnership working on tourism with Leicester-Shire Promotions
New catering services agreed in Town Hall
More efficient Electoral Registration.
Maintaining car park income in more competitive environment
We have a fully funded capital programme – we used to say “ambitious”, now we say “extensive”.
We are improving the customer access by web, by phone/contact centre and shortly in a new customer service centre at Southfields.
A Town Team created and Town Centre Strategy to be completed by March.
Meeting Disability (DDA) requirements in our public buildings.
“To Let” boards to be restricted in student areas.
The Local Development Framework (now called Local Plan) is on time and on schedule.
New draft Corporate Plan will be published in November 2004.
There were other things in the pipeline and acheived later in our term:
Continuing Housing plans, avoiding B&B and bringing tenants into the “options” discussion.
Implementing Green Spaces strategy and reaching out to non-users of sports and leisure.
Ensuring the recycling scheme goes smoothly.
Managing a good Town Centre Strategy including the “studentification” and “retailing capacity” questions.
Communicating with residents continuously and improving contact.
Introduction of Street Wardens.
Capital Projects:
These are longer term investments which are seldom completed within the term of a four year council administration. The wonderful transformation of the Town Hall by our Architect Jerry Tseng and contractors Tomlinson which was started under the Joint administration. It was then brought to fruition by Paul Hogan our Leisure Services chief and the coalition adminstration. Later, Cllr Peter Lewis introduced an art gallery in the downstairs area.
Several important capital projects were completed, including the Soar Valley Leisure Centre in Mountsorrel and the Barkby Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme. Two locations for Conservation Area assessments were competed: Shelthorpe for its association with the Garden City and Shepshed, working closely with the Shepshed Partnership to improve the Hall Croft area in particular.
Loughborough University and AstraZenca were the two dynamos that drove our local economy at the time. Working with County, we helped secure funding for the University's Science and Enterprise "SportPark" project and invested in a new Innovation Centre on the campus. We enabled new Halls of Residence and purpose built student accommodation in the town, reducing the demand for Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In 2006 Charnwood joined with Rushcliffe to procure a major shared services contract which unfortnately did not succeed in the following administration.
Shepshed
Consrvation
Soar Valley Leisure Centre
Shelthorpe Conservation
Barkby Brook Flood Alleviation
Supporting Loughborough University
Lobbying for a new Magistrates Court
When the Magistrates Court closed in Loughborough Charnwood lobbied hard with the Ministry for a new Court which we eventually opened in 2008. The SportPark offices were officialy launched in 2010 and since then the University Science and Enterprise Park has gone from strength to strength.
The Coalition team behind the Labour Leader, Max Hunt 2003-2007
Betty Newton Deputy Leader & Housing Delivering an excellent Housing Advice Centre and the Decent Homes programme.
Ian Sharpe Finance: making it all happen without a penny to spare.
Jill Vincent Arts & Housing inspiring great design, supporting housing and change.
Ken Anthony Shared Services making efficiencies and working with neighbours.
Sandie Forrest Community Safety joint working with the cops and the council.
Cameron MacLeod Planning and delivering a difficult Local Development Framework.
Bob Feeney Leisure Services including improvements to two leisure centres.
Sandie Gough (d.2016) Environment, an inspiration to the recycling and cleansing team.
Community
Watermead Park
Town Centre
Charnwood Arts
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