Review of Housing & Community Services Meeting - 7th February

The meeting held on Thursday Night contained the following:

• Presentation of Sports Passes to young athletes from the area
• Report on Igniting the Legacy sports strategy
• Report on Heritage Lottery Funding for Eureka Park
• Report on Housing Revenue Account Budget
• Review of Corporate Plan and Work Program

Igniting the Legacy Report / Eureka Park

Following the presentation to some fantastic young athletes, the report was discussed and approved.  Within this report were the following:

• Details of several projects of investment due to external funding, including Greenbank and Etwall Leisure Centres, Rosliston Forestry Centre and Eureka Park.  the funding for Eurake park of over £500k was particularly noteworthy.
• Gresley Old Hall was also mentioned with specific regard to the bowls pavilion being moved from the park and the extensive works done already.
• A pilot scheme to install an outdoor gym at Maurice Lea Park has been approved as part of this.  It was pointed out later that not only can these schemes have beneficial health impact but also this may help reduce Anti-social behaviour by attracting more adults to the park.  
• The skate park off Common Road is being upgraded as the equipment is old and the lighting needs to be repaired.
• The School Sport Partnership is being extended until 2015.
• Large mass participation events are planned and will include South Derbyshire Day at Derby County, Festival of Leisure and National Play days.

Cllr Stuart spoke on this report to congratulate the team for a great report for also for the enthusiasm the team bring.  Whilst being a relatively small area, South Derbyshire produces some great young sporting talent and it would be great to see some of them represent Team GB in 2016.  A question was asked whether there were any plans to link in with the new Velodrome in Derby when built, and though this is not yet formalised, it will be looked into.

Concern was also raised by Cllr Stuart on the access to the Skate Park.  It was acknowledged that a lot of good work had been put in by many parties, but access across Common Road left a lot to be desired.  A quote was read from the last forum report from County Council stating that there was no justification for a crossing due to perceived lack of use. 

Report on Housing Revenue Account Budget

This report reviewed the need to increase rents in council properties to continue to bring them in line with Formula rents.  The increase proposed is 5.6% which equates to £3.93 per week.  Cllr Rhind spoke on the proposal and explained why he could not support them for the following reasons:

• Although a rise is inevitable, the rise is above the level of inflation and when pockets are being hit hardest (especially those on benefits) this rise is too high.
• A 1.95% rise in Council Tax is likely to be turned down, though this figure would only be at a cost of 3 pence per week, hence those renting council properties were being pushed too far too soon.
• There is flexibility in the Housing Revenue account (which is separate from General Fund) to be able to put a lesser rise in.

The subject was then debated.  Some sensible discussion was made from both sides before one councillor decided to use the broken record phrase of "what we inherited from the last Labour government" which was inaccurate, unnecessary and farcical.  See the rather interesting link to explain why:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ramesh-patel/growth-cameron-austerity_b_2007552.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

The Conservatives voted the proposal through whilst the Labour Group voted against and asked for this to be recorded.