The Coalville Special Expenses Working Party is scheduled to meet to discuss the progress of the 2025/26 events and Christmas lights programme, and the 2026/27 draft events programme. They will also be discussing the progress of capital projects within the Coalville Special Expenses Area.

Capital Projects Update

The Working Party is scheduled to receive an update on capital projects within the Coalville Special Expenses Area. According to the Capital Projects Update 2025/26 report, all works budgeted for in 2025/26 will be delivered during the financial year.

The report includes updates on the following projects:

• Greenhill Recreation Ground Changing Pavilion: Work to treat the walls, remove graffiti, decorate internally and externally, and install a new extract fan is scheduled to be delivered over winter.
• London Road Cemetery Tree Works: These works are scheduled to be delivered during winter 2025/26.
• London Road Cemetery Footpath Repairs and Levelling: Subject to corporate approval being given, works will be completed prior to 31 March 2026.
• Broomleys Cemetery Tree Works: These works have commenced and will be completed during winter 2025/26.
• Broomleys Cemetery Path Sealing: Subject to being able to procure a contractor, these works will be delivered prior to the end of March 2026.
• Broomleys Cemetery Driveway and Path Repairs: Subject to corporate approval being given, works will be completed prior to 31 March 2026.
• Play Area Painting: Cropston Drive Play Area has been completed, and all outstanding works are scheduled to be delivered prior to the end of March 2026.
• Stadium Close Play Area Equipment Replacement: This work is scheduled to be completed prior to the end of March 2026.

The report also notes external funding has been obtained to plant trees at Cropston Drive Recreation Ground, Stadium Close Play Area, and Western Avenue Recreation Ground. The funding covers the planting of the trees and the first three years of maintenance.

The Working Party will also receive an update on the Junior Parkrun planned for Coalville Park, with preparations ongoing to launch the event in spring 2026. There are currently 22 volunteers willing to support the weekly event.

The report also notes discussions are ongoing with Scotlands Bowls Club to give them a long-term lease for the site. It is hoped the lease will be in place by April 2026, and it is anticipated this will save the Coalville Special Expense budget £12,000 per annum.

Following approval from Cabinet¹, Melrose Road Recreation Ground has been accepted onto the Football Foundation (FF) Home Advantage Programme. The council is working in partnership with Ingles Football Club and the FF to develop a long-term lease of the area for Ingles FC. It is hoped the lease will be in place by summer 2026 and it is anticipated this will save the Coalville Special Expense budget £3,000 per annum.

Once agreed, the lease through the scheme will allow the football club to access up to £250,000 of external funding to improve on-site facilities including the pitch, the changing provision, and security. The funding also allows the Council to access up to £25,000 of external funding to cover costs incurred during the process.

Capital Projects Update 2025/26

£46,849 of section 106 funding² for improvements at Coalville Park has been secured. Proposals for the improvements including the planting of trees, sensory play, planting schemes, and updated signage will be developed in agreement with the ward member and Chair of the Working Party prior to being implemented.

Events Update

The Coalville Special Expenses Working Party will be considering an update on the 2025/26 Events and Christmas Lights Programme and the 2026/27 Draft Events Programme.

The Events Update 2025/26 report notes that Music and Picnic in the Park has been delivered on time and within budget. Planning is underway for the Christmas in Coalville event and Christmas Lights Programme for 2025/26. Planning for the 2026/27 events programme is also underway, assuming no increase or decrease in budget or officer capacity.

The 2025/26 events programme includes:

• Music and Picnic in the Park, which took place on 5 and 6 July 2025 in Coalville Park.
• Christmas in Coalville, scheduled for 29 November 2025.
• Coalville Christmas Decorations, from 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.

The town centre decorations will also include the 22 artificial trees in Marlborough Square and nine boa wraps on Belvoir Road, which were introduced to the decoration schedule in 2024, and a Nordmann Christmas tree for Marlborough Square, made possible by funding from the UKSPF grant³.

The maintenance, installation and take down of these decorations is funded by the Council's general fund (Economic Regeneration budget) as they relate to the Council's Coalville Regeneration Framework initiatives.

Events Update 2025/26

It is proposed that the following locations will be used for Christmas in Coalville:

• Marlborough Square: main stage, street performers and entertainment.
• Belvoir Shopping Centre: satellite stage (recorded music and small performances), street performances and food, drink and craft stalls.
• Needham's Walk car park: small funfair rides and side stalls.
• Market Hall car park: to be used as a car park.

A new Christmas Trail will also be launched, in liaison with local businesses, which will run throughout December to encourage footfall and visitors to shop locally throughout the town centre over the festive period.

The draft events programme for 2026/2027 includes:

• Music and Picnic in the Park, scheduled for 4 and 5 July 2026 in Coalville Park.
• Christmas in Coalville, scheduled for 28 November 2026.
• Coalville Christmas Decorations, from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.