Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Bulletin, spring 2024 (edition 94)

We’re smashing planning targets!

The council’s planning team continues to out-perform government targets with over 80% of applications being determined within eight weeks or within agreed timeframes.

The council now performs consistently above the government’s performance thresholds for both minor and major applications and has done so since October 2022.  

As well as this, over 80 per cent of all minor applications have been turned around within target times since January 2023 which is well above the government’s target of 70 per cent.  

Executive Member for Planning Councillor Bill Crooks said: “The council’s planning team is now in the top five councils nationally for planning performance improvements.

“However, the government measures average performance for minor applications over a two-year rolling period, this stands at 62%. 

“Although a vast improvement from this time last year (46%), this is just short of the 70% target. 

“As a result, the government planning department has written to the council asking for performance information for minor applications. 

“Thanks to the work our planning department is doing, we are confident we will exceed the 70% target from April this year. 

“My fellow members and I would like to thank the planning team for all their hard work improving the situation for residents.”

Council Chief Executive Bill Cullen said: “We’ve been open about the severe staffing issues which hit our planning team in late 2020 until September 2022, which came when planning applications were at an all-time high.

“Since we took on new staff members our performance keeps getting better and better.”

Church Walk works set for march completion

Works to make Hinckley town centre’s Church Walk more welcoming to shoppers and visitors are progressing well, with the scheme planned to be completed by the end of March.

The development is a key feature of the ongoing Hinckley High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) scheme.

The works are part of a £1.8 million programme of improvements to Hinckley town centre, with the majority of funding provided by Historic England and matched by Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and the Borough Council. This followed a period of consultation with residents, local businesses, and visitors.

The whole development aims to make the most of the town’s character features and will improve walking and movement around the town, particularly between Castle Street and Argents Mead.

The HSHAZ has also provided the opportunity for replacement shop fronts and various repairs and enhancements, to nine buildings in the town centre since the scheme began. 

Many of the town’s historic jitties have also been renovated, with improvements including new paving and signage and landscaping features.  
Planning Manager (Major Projects) for the Borough Council Stephen Meynell, said: “Works are progressing well on enhancing this key area of the town centre that once complete, will improve movement and accessibility around the town for everyone. 

“My thanks to residents, businesses, and visitors for their patience as these works move towards completion.”

Residents pull together after villagers are left without gas

Ratby and Kirby Muxloe residents have been commended for the way they pulled together after the village was left without gas following a burst water main at the end of January.

Those affected were suddenly left with no gas supply during a cold snap, with many also left with limited or no water and no electricity for a short period of time. 

The ordeal was triggered by a burst Severn Trent water main, with the water leaking into gas pipes overnight. 

To support villagers, Borough Council staff worked round-the-clock along with many other agencies, including Leicestershire County Council, Blaby District Council, Leicestershire Search and Rescue, Leicestershire & Rutland 4x4 Response, the Red Cross, Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue and the Salvation Army.

Many local councillors and village volunteers also worked incredibly hard as gas supplier Cadent provided a heroic effort to restore gas supply whilst at the same time providing heaters, hot plates, heated blankets and more for all residents.

Throughout the ordeal, the teams knocked on the doors or called every home in Ratby including those of more than 500 vulnerable people to check everyone had what they needed to stay warm and safe in their homes.

Help centres were also set up to offer support, as well as a number of ‘warm spaces’ which opened to welcome people. The local library, church, shops, pubs and volunteer groups also stepped-up providing drinks, refreshments and a helping hand where required.

Three leisure centres also offered their shower facilities for use, while hundreds of residents looked out for people who needed extra help. 

Council Leader, Councillor Stuart Bray said: “We have been hugely impressed by the community spirit shown in Ratby throughout this ordeal. 

“Despite the cold snap, everyone including villagers, local eateries, shops and many agencies across Leicestershire worked through all hours to support those in need. We are pleased that the situation has now been resolved and compensation is being sorted for all those affected by the situation. A massive thank you to everyone involved.”

Chief Executive Bill Cullen said: “My thanks to everyone involved, those council staff who basically dropped everything to go and assist on the ground, those who helped behind the scenes co-ordinating and liaising with the many different agencies and the officers who continued to ensure council services were delivered whilst others supported the emergency situation.

Council celebrates 50th anniversary

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council is celebrating its milestone 50-year anniversary this year by holding a series of special events and all residents are cordially invited to join in.

A one-off dedicated ‘birthday party’ will commemorate the anniversary, taking place on Saturday 25 May at Hollycroft Park, 12 noon until 8pm, free entry, open to all.

The event will feature music, food and fun for the whole family. Current music bookings include Treacle Town, Velvet Thunder, Steven Faulkner, plus music from Dorothy Goodman, Grays Academy, North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College and lots more.

Residents are encouraged to check the council website and social media channels for further updates. 

The half century will also be celebrated with an exhibition at Atkins Gallery, as well as a young person’s conference and tree planting across the borough. Other events are being finalised and will be announced shortly.

The Local Government Act of 1972 came into force in April 1974, which saw creation of the authority that is now celebrating its half-century.  

Council Leader, Councillor Stuart Bray said: “We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with you all, and we have already added some exciting events to our annual events calendar for you to enjoy. 

“Themed events will include a free outdoor music festival in Hollycroft Park, as well as an exhibition of nostalgic photos and memories from 1974 to today, a young person's conference, civic services and tree planting plus lots more.

“If you’ve also got a special 50th anniversary this year, then we would love for you to be part of our celebrations.“

Whether your business launched in 1974, you were born in the borough or got married in May 1974 please get in touch with us: Communications contact form

Big Pit ordered to clear away mud

The contractors of Hinckley’s Big Pit have been served a community protection warning letter to require that all mud is cleared from the road surrounding the Ashby Road building site.

After an appeal, the Secretary of State gave permission for 60 homes to be built on the site in January 2019. The council had previously refused planning permission over concerns about access to the site and fears the area would be prone to flooding.  

With work now underway, there has been a significant amount of mud on the road outside the site. 

As a result, the council’s planning enforcement team has issued a community protection warning letter to the contractor requiring them to ensure that the wheel-washing facilities they have in place are operated effectively in order to keep the area clear of mud. 

The warning also requires the contractor to ensure road sweepers are used regularly and particularly when earth is being moved around the site and it instructs the developer to create a hard surfaced area for contractors’ vehicles and site visitors to further limit transfer of mud to the road.

Executive Member for Community Safety and local ward councillor, Michael Mullaney said: “Ashby Road is in an unacceptable state around the site with mud over the road making it dangerous for drivers and pedestrians. This cannot continue.  

“While the contractors have wheel washing in place, it has not been effective at preventing this mess and it’s clear that further work needs to be done to minimise the significant harm being experienced by residents who are entitled to the reasonable enjoyment of their home, despite them being close to a construction site. 

“The council calls on the contractor to co-operate with the council to manage the impact of its construction site on the local community and mobilise its resources to keep the local roads clear of mud and debris that is coming from the site.”

Should the situation not improve then the council can serve a community protection notice (CPN) and non-compliance with a CPN carries criminal sanctions and can lead to a criminal record. 

Any company that fails to comply with a CPN can face seizure and forfeiture of items, default works and recovery of costs and/or a fine of up to £2,500 in relation to an individual or up to £20,000 in the case of a body.

Leicestershire County Council, as the Highway Authority, have also been made aware of concerns.

Park path offers safe route for all

A new footpath has been laid to join up with existing paths at the top and bottom of Sketchley Hill Farm recreation ground in Burbage, making the whole of the Parish Council-managed open space fully accessible from a safe and clean route.  

The work was part-funded with a £12,000 grant from the Borough Council’s Parish and Community Initiative Fund. 

Executive Member for Rural Affairs, Councillor Martin Cartwright met Parish Council Chairman Councillor David Bill on site to see the new path and said: “The standard of the work is exceptional and beneficial in that all the footpaths are now joined up and suitable for all users. 

“This makes the use of the area more attractive and more inclusive.”

Law change affecting XL bullies

Owners of XL bully type dogs are being advised of changes to the law surrounding the ownership of the animals. 

Since 31 December 2023, it is against the law to:

• Sell an XL Bully type dog
• Abandon an XL bully type dog
• Give away an XL bully type dog
• Breed from an XL bully type dog
• Have an XL bully type dog in public without a lead and muzzle

Since 1 February 2024, it is a criminal offence to own an XL bully type dog without a certificate of exemption for the dog.

If you own an XL bully type dog, you must ensure it is microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public and kept in a secure place so it cannot escape.

Owners also need to neuter their dog. If the dog was less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If the dog was older than one year on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024.

We recommend that owners arrange for their dog to be neutered as soon as possible to ensure that they meet these deadlines. Owners must also be over 16 years old, take-out insurance against the dog injuring other people. 

This is provided through Dogs Trust Membership at a cost of £25 per year and you must be able to show the certificate of exemption when asked by a police officer or a council dog warden. 

For more detailed information and guidance, including what to do if you own an XL bully and are a council tenant visit X L bully type dogs

Council tax rates among lowest in the country

The Borough Council is to increase its council tax charge for 2024/25 by £5 following a decision of the full council at its budget-setting meeting on 22 February 2024.

This means the average Band D council tax (including the Special Expense Area) for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council will increase to a charge of £154.87 for the 2024/25 financial year, the lowest in Leicestershire and anticipated to be the 14th lowest in England, and certainly within the lowest quartile.

This figure will be supplemented by the charges levied by Leicestershire County Council (£1,601.58), the Police and Crime Commissioner (£286.23) and the Fire Authority (£81.65).

Overall, this increase in council tax and the other measures set out in the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy enable the council to plan with more certainty and to operate a balanced budget.

Residents are reminded they can pay their bill annually, half-yearly or monthly. In a full year the monthly instalments will normally be paid from April to January, however residents can also opt to pay their council tax over 12 instalments if they prefer.

Councillor Keith Lynch, Executive Member for Finance, said “At this time when the country is suffering from a cost-of-living crisis and many individuals and families are suffering financial hardship, the last thing that this council wants to do is another increase in the council tax. 

“However further reductions in government support grants have put yet more pressure on the council’s finances forcing us to raise the borough council tax by £5 a year (9.6p a week) to try to maintain our present level of public services. 

“I am pleased to be able to say that, even after the increase, the Hinckley & Bosworth council tax will still be the lowest in Leicestershire and among the lowest in the country.

To check your council tax, visit council tax bands and charges

Green initiatives

Residents digging in!

Thousands of free trees and hedging will be planted across the borough after residents, businesses, community groups, schools and colleges collected their free trees.

The Borough Council teamed up with Hinckley & Rugby Building Society and the National Forest Company to offer the free tree scheme once more to make the borough a greener place to be and to help fight climate change.

More than 29,000 tree saplings and hedging were offered as part of the scheme including silver birch, rowan, field maple and hazel trees, as well as five-metre hedging packs. 

If all survive to maturity, they will absorb over 11,600 tonnes of carbon over the next 40 years.

Councillor Martin Cartwright, Executive Member for Climate Change, said: “We were delighted to be able to once again team up with Hinckley and Rugby Building Society and the National Forest Company to offer this free tree and hedging scheme. 

The benefits of this scheme will last for years to come helping to provide a more pleasurable greener, cleaner environment. We look forward to seeing the trees and hedging across the borough as they start to grow and thrive.”

Councillor Lynda Hodgkins, Executive Member for Street Scene Services added: “We are extremely grateful to our sponsors. These trees will help to make the borough a greener and more beautiful place to be. All ages and abilities can get involved with their maintenance, and we hope everyone enjoys caring for their trees and watching them grow.”

The trees are small cell grown plants, sourced from the UK.

May deadline to renew garden waste services

Green fingered residents are reminded that they will need to renew their subscription to the garden waste collection service by 31 May. The new subscription charge will be £42.50 per year per bin, with the service beginning on 1 June 2024.

Residents who pay for the garden waste collection by direct debit do not need to do anything. 

Instead, the council will collect payment of £42.50 for each garden waste bin from bank accounts on 1 April and send a new sticker by mid-May. New stickers should be placed on bins as soon as they are received.

Anyone who does not pay by direct debit can renew their subscription from 1 April onwards. Customers are advised to renew no later than 17 May to avoid disruptions to the service. 

This will also allow plenty of time for the new stickers to arrive.

Renew your subscription by visiting garden bins, or if you don’t have online access, simply call the council on 01455 23814. Payments can be made by credit or debit card. 

For those who choose not to subscribe to the service, there are other options for disposing of garden waste including:

• Composting at home: garden waste and other material can be recycled by purchasing a compost bin (getcomposting.com)
• Taking garden waste to a Leicestershire County Council household waste & recycling site

We will remember

At a meeting of Council, the current climate change strategy was reviewed and updated. The new climate change and biodiversity strategy 2024-2028 now recognises the importance of protecting and restoring the borough’s biodiversity.

The strategy now has six key priority areas:

• Biodiversity
• Buildings and land use
• Community
• Economy
• Travel
• Waste and pollution 

This strategy reflects the progress made since the emergency declaration and highlights where further action is required. 

The updated strategy included a key achievements document highlighting the progress the council has made on achieving its targets for 2030 and 2050.

Executive Member for Climate Change, Councillor Martin Cartwright said: “It is vital that as part of our overall climate change strategy we recognised the need to include biodiversity and we look forward to progressing our plans.”  

To read the updated strategy, visit Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy 2024 - 2028

Last updated: 28/02/2024 15:57