The Coalville Special Expenses Working Party was scheduled to discuss updates on capital projects and the events programme for the 2026/27 period. The meeting's report pack outlined planned works for various Coalville assets and detailed the proposed events, including Music and Picnic in the Park and Christmas in Coalville.

Capital Projects Update 2026/27

The report from Jason Knight, Leisure and Communities Team Manager, provided an update on capital projects within the Coalville Special Expenses Area for 2026/27. The working party was scheduled to note the progress of these projects, which are covered within existing budgets or through external funding.

Planned works for Coalville Special Expenses Assets include:

• Coalville Park Public Toilets: £3,000 allocated for external painting, to be completed by Property Services before the end of March 2027.
• Greenhill Recreation Ground Pavilion: £1,816 for graffiti removal from the exterior, scheduled for autumn 2026.
• London Road Cemetery Tree Works: £1,080 for tree works to be carried out during winter 2026/27.
• Broom Leys Cemetery Tree Works: £1,990 for tree works, also scheduled for winter 2026/27.
• Broom Leys Cemetery Path Sealing: £17,705 allocated for path sealing, subject to contractor procurement, with work intended to be delivered before the end of March 2027.
• Play Area Painting: £5,400 for painting works, to be completed before the end of March 2027.
• Play Area Works: £73,710 allocated for various play area improvements, scheduled for completion before the end of March 2027.

In addition, the report detailed tree planting initiatives, with 770 whips planted at Greenhill Recreation Ground, 18 trees at Stadium Close open space, and 390 whips and 11 trees at Western Avenue Recreation Ground, funded externally for planting and three years of maintenance.

The Coalville in Bloom 2026 initiative was also mentioned, with flower towers and hanging baskets ordered for early June delivery. Shop owners were to be contacted regarding financial contributions for hanging baskets outside their premises.

A significant point of discussion was scheduled to be the planned work by Severn Trent at Scotlands Recreation Ground to install an underground shaft tank for surface water removal. While the area is to be reinstated, details regarding the cordon, commencement, duration, and impact on entrances, car parks, and access roads to the bowls pavilion were unknown, despite urgent requests from officers. The council cannot legally prevent these works, with Severn Trent only requiring seven days' notice.

Events Update 2026/27

The report from Paul Wheatley, Head of Property and Regeneration, outlined the 2026/27 events programme, which is within the allocated Coalville Special Expenses budget.

The scheduled events for 2026/27 included:

• St George's Day (23 April 2026): Installation and removal of the St George flag at the Memorial Clock Tower. This event was listed as delivered.
• Music and Picnic in the Park (4 and 5 July 2026): A weekend of family-focused entertainment in Coalville Park. Saturday's programme, Music in the Park, was to run from 4pm to 9:30pm, featuring various musical acts, food and drink vendors, and attractions like a vintage carousel and street performers. The Saturday event was extended by two hours based on feedback. Sunday's Picnic in the Park was scheduled from 12pm to 5:30pm, with a main stage featuring different performers, a climbing wall, craft workshops, street performers, stalls, and fair rides. Event infrastructure, security, and first aid providers were booked. Notably, sponsorship from Everyone Active, a regular supporter since 2021, was not secured for this year but they remain committed to future events.
• Coalville Sport (Saturday 4 July 2026): A new event organised by the Council's Health and Wellbeing Team in partnership with local sports clubs. Inspired by the Ashby Sport event, it aims to provide families with opportunities to learn about and try new sports.
• Christmas in Coalville (28 November 2026): A day of Christmas festivities in the town centre, with a revised time of 11am to 7pm to encourage evening economy engagement. Event planning was underway, with significant budget commitments for infrastructure. The use of the Belvoir Shopping Centre and Needham's Walk car park was subject to formal permission. Proposed locations included Marlborough Square for the main stage, food and drink traders, Santa's Grotto, and street performers, with road closures in place. The Belvoir Shopping Centre was to host a Christmas market, and Needham's Walk car park was planned for a funfair and potentially a synthetic ice rink. The Market Hall car park would be used for parking. Christmas Window Competitions (Best Dressed Window and Best Illuminated Business ) and a Find the Elf Christmas Trail were also planned to run throughout December.
• Coalville Christmas Decorations (28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027): Town centre decorations were to include a Nordmann Christmas tree in Memorial Square, decorations on the Memorial Clock Tower, pea lights in trees, and pole-mounted decorations. Artificial trees from Marlborough Square were proposed for relocation to Hotel Street and High Street due to works at the Marlborough Centre.

The report also highlighted that the maintenance, installation, and removal of some Christmas decorations are funded by the Council's general fund as part of the Coalville Regeneration Framework initiatives. Further updates on events were scheduled for the next working party meeting on 18 August 2026.