Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Coalville

Contact: Democratic Services  01530 454512

Items
No. Item

18.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N Smith.

19.

Declaration of Interests

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

Minutes:

In accordance with the code of conduct, Members declared the following interests:

 

Councillor T Eynon declared a non pecuniary interest in item 5 – Section 106 Contributions for Health as a General Practitioner in the Hinckley and Bosworth area.

 

Councillor J Coxon declared a non pecuniary interest in item 8 – Draft Revenue Budget Proposals and Capital Programmes 2016/17 as a Member of Ashby Town Council.

20.

Public Question and Answer Session pdf icon PDF 122 KB

To receive questions from members of the public under rule no.10 of the Council Procedure Rules. The procedure rule provides that members of the public may ask any question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the District, provided that three clear days’ notice in writing has been given to the Head of Legal and Support Services.

Minutes:

The following question was asked by Dr B Kneale on behalf of the Ashby Civic Society:

 

Members will be aware that the Ashby Civic Society has campaigned for the last eighteen months, in line with the overwhelming views of the residents of Ashby, for the retention of Ashby Hospital. You will also know that the NHS bodies have now decided to proceed with disposal of the site which has left Ashby with no local inpatient beds, a lacking palliative care service, a fragmented community service not the “one stop, state of the art facility” as promised.

A major part of the NHS argument for this closure was the disputed condition of the building and the lack of funds for the NHS estimate for required maintenance costs. At this meeting tonight you are due to discuss the appalling situation of the imminent failure to use £246,901.28 of Section106 monies designated for health service projects which have been available for use for several years!

 

 In all our communications with the NWLDC and the NHS about Ashby Hospital no one has ever mentioned the availability of these funds!

 

We see from NHS England Health and Wellbeing Board papers of July 2014 that £221,457.59 was allocated for “a new GP surgery in Ashby or to support the CCG in the reconfiguration of services following the community hospital review”. We also see that almost that amount is listed in your papers as being available from developments in Ashby alone.

 

We also understand that the West Leicestershire CCG asked for and, earlier in 2015, received delegated authority to manage their share of S.106 health monies; yet more than £200k is in danger of being returned, with interest, to developers, and presumably the total of more than £1.3 held by the Council could also potentially be at risk of the same fate unless better management of these funds is implemented straightaway.

 

As a matter of urgency will the Council please therefore explain:

 

Why it has taken so long to establish the failure to spend these much needed monies,  what are  the communication difficulties  with the NHS  bodies referred   to in the papers now before you and how the council will address these difficulties  in order to facilitate a process which will ensure the retention and proper utilisation of the monies now highlighted to be at risk ( and remaining s106 monies)  thus reassuring the public , in these times of austerity, that any repayments to developers, with interest, will not come from increases in Council taxes or further reduction in services funded directly or indirectly by the Council?

 

The Director of Services gave the following response:

 

In relation to the closure of Ashby Hospital, it will be a matter for the NHS to set out their financial position and the decision making they have followed in relation to the hospital.  However it is understood that the financial shortfall that existed in relation to the running costs of Ashby Hospital were ongoing revenue shortfalls.  The money  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 147 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2015

Minutes:

 

Councillor J Geary asked for the following to be inserted into minute number 12:

 

‘Councillor J Geary felt that the public had little confidence in the Planning Service and suggested that a survey be circulated with the Council Tax letters to ask people’s opinions so people consider Council Tax value for money.  He believed that the responses would be surprising.’

 

Councillor J Coxon raised concerns that minutes were being amended by Members regularly at various Committees and he felt it was unnecessary.  The Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that minutes of the meeting were not a verbatim record and therefore did not include full discussion but Members could make amendments if the majority were in agreement.

 

It was moved by Councillor M Specht, seconded by Councillor D Harrison and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

Subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2015 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

22.

Section 106 Contributions for Health pdf icon PDF 130 KB

Report of the Director of Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Services presented the report to Members. 

 

He explained that since the report had been written the responsibility for spending the Section 106 money had been formally handed over from the Primary Care Trust (PCT) to the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG). At a meeting that afternoon with the CCG representative for the area, discussions had been had regarding the intention to spend the money and a request had been submitted on 30 December to release £250,000 for Long Lane.  The Director of Services assured Members that he would continue monthly communications with the CCG representative to encourage the funds to be spent.  He concluded that a strategic asset plan was being drafted by the CCG which would be submitted to National Government.

 

Councillor T Eynon commented that it was really important for people to understand that the Council had no powers over spending the funds and congratulated the officers for their efforts in getting to this point.  She also thanked Dr B Kneale for the question she submitted earlier in the meeting on the same subject.

 

In response to a number of questions from Councillor T Eynon, the Director of Services stated the following:

 

-   It was confirmed that no money had been paid back to the developers to date and it was the intent to extend the expired agreements subject to the agreement of developers.

 

-   The representative for the CCG was Ruth Waddington and her email address would be circulated to members outside of the meeting.

 

-   As the meeting with the CCG representative was only that afternoon it was difficult to say how the arrangement would work in the future.  He believed it would be more appropriate to report back to a future meeting on the process and progress; this would also keep Members involved in the monitoring of the spending as requested.

 

-   The Director of Services agreed to provide information on the amount of funds spent prior to the dates within the report.  He explained that the NHS incurred the expenditure and then needed to provide evidence of this first before funds were released.

 

-   The Director of Services could not say exactly how the CCG were planning on operating but he was aware that it would be strategic and the plan they were currently drafting would assist with this.  He added that he was sure the Health and Wellbeing Board would fit in well but it was the decision of the CCG as to whether they were involved.  He was sure this would be identified within the plan.

 

Councillor N Clarke reinforced the importance in keeping Members involved with the monitoring of this and asked which officers were involved in the meeting held that afternoon with the CCG.  He also enquired whether minutes would be available.  The Director of Services stated that he would let Members know which officers were involved and when the minutes would be available.

 

Councillor J Coxon commented that as an Ashby Member he felt that Section 106  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Proposed Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority pdf icon PDF 66 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chief Executive presented the report to Members and highlighted the next steps as detailed on page 41 of the report.  Further to the report, the Chief Executive informed Members that the consultation document within the report that was agreed at Full Council had now been agreed by all authorities involved.

 

Councillor N Clarke regarding the cost of running the authority, commented that it was a higher cost for North West Leicestershire because we were co-ordinating the project and that meant the cost of the Chief Executive’s time.  The Chief Executive responded that she believed the costs as set out were fair and that all officers involved across the various authorities were putting a large amount of time to the project.  She added that there were benefits from co-ordinating as she was fully aware of all that was happening and it was advantageous to have a voice.  Councillor N Clarke understood the advantages but continued to raise concerns regarding the time spent by the Chief Executive.  Councillor R Blunt commented that he had agreed that the Chief Executive should be involved in her current capacity and believed that the benefits from the arrangement were worth her time spent. 

 

In response to a question from Councillor N Clarke regarding the membership of the proposed Scrutiny Committee of the combined authority and how it would operate, the Chief Executive explained that a template from another combined authority was being used as a starting point and discussions were currently being had regarding the changes that were required, so unfortunately she could not answer specific questions on the operation of the Scrutiny Committee at this point.

 

Councillor J Coxon congratulated the Chief Executive on the progression made and he believed that working together as a combined authority was the way forward.  His only concern was how it would impact on Parish Council’s in the future with regards to the dissolving of services.

 

Councillor V Richichi raised concerns regarding a possible reduction in staffing levels at North West Leicestershire District Council because of the arrangement.  Councillor R Blunt stated that each Council would still have its own work to carry out and nothing had been decided on individual jobs.  He added that there were still a lot of discussions to be had.  The Chief Executive explained that as local authorities were receiving less money each year from National Government it was crucial to work together and rely on other income streams.  Some authorities were also sharing services due to an inability to recruit to vacant posts.

 

In response to a request from Councillor J Geary, the Chief Executive assured Members that the planning service would stay within the District Council and Section 106 money would be ring fenced for the area.  In response to a further question from Councillor J Geary, the Chief Executive explained that the Planning Sub Committee referred to within the report was already in existence as the Members Advisory Group.  It would ultimately work towards the growth plan and is made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Proposals for 2016/17 (With Update) pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Report of the Director of Housing

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Housing presented the report to Members.

 

In response to concerns from Councillors D Harrison and J Geary regarding the number of void properties in the District resulting in a loss of income, the Director of Housing admitted that the void properties were not turned around as quickly as they should be and there was definitely room for improvement.   He added that in comparison to other authorities, North West Leicestershire did have a higher turnover of properties.

 

In response to a question from Councillor J Geary, the Director of Housing explained that there were currently six business rental properties and as there had been no increase in rent for the last 12 to 15 years, an agreement had been made with the business owners for an incremental increase as detailed within the report.

 

Councillor T Eynon expressed her concerns regarding the reduction in budget for aids and adaptations, and asked if this would result in delays for people in getting the adaptations they need.  The Director of Housing responded that substantial investment had been made in that area already and there were no requests outstanding currently.  Even though funds had been reduced, The Director of Services was confident that matching people to properties more efficiently would save money.

 

In response to a question from Councillor J Coxon, the Director of Housing believed that the tenant’s contents insurance did include appropriate coverage for flooding but he would check the policy and report back to Members.

 

In response to questions from Councillor N Clarke, the Director of Housing stated the following:

 

-   It was proposed to target empty three bedroom houses across the district to sell as there was a disproportionately high number compared to one and two bedroom houses.  The plan was to sell five to six properties per year.

 

-   Although the report stated that a number of properties may fail to meet the Decent Homes Standards for a short period of time it would be due to factors such as older boilers which were still in good working order but had not yet been replaced.  The Council held the 100 per cent of homes at a Decent Homes Standard dearly and it would only be for a short period of time.

 

-   The Director of Housing believed the reduction in debt provision was acceptable and was a prudent figure.

 

It was moved by Councillor J Coxon, seconded by Councillor J Cotterill and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The comments provided by the Committee be considered by Cabinet when it meets on 9 February 2016 to recommend its proposals to Council on 23 February 2016.

 

 

 

25.

Draft Revenue Budget Proposals and Capital Programmes 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Report of the Head of Finance

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Finance presented the report to Members.

 

Councillor J Coxon asked if the Local Council Tax Support grant for town and parish council’s would continue to be paid in the 2017/18 financial year.  The Head of Finance reported that the decision to pay the grant was made on a year by year basis and would ultimately be a decision for cabinet.

 

Councillor T Eynon was struck by the extent that the New Homes Bonus grant was relied on and was concerned about the effect it would have on the authority if it was withdrawn.  She also drew Members attention to the planned slippage of the disabled facilities grants as mentioned on page 136 of the report and asked officers for clarification.  The Head of Finance explained that there was generally a delay between funds being granted and being spent over each financial year, this was the slippage.  He assured Members that the funds carried over would still be spent on disabled facilities.

 

Councillor N Clarke expressed surprise that the level of revenue from recycling was forecasted to be 25 per cent lower in the 2016/17 financial year as he thought that area was booming.  The Head of Finance explained that the market had changed as there was currently less demand and therefore the price had fallen.

 

Councillor N Clarke noted the significant cost for the Local Plan and asked officers if the figure was likely to increase.  The Director of Services explained that the figure within the budget was for the cost of the examination of the Local Plan which all authorities legally had to undertake.  He could not guarantee the exact cost but he was confident that the amount budgeted would be enough to cover it.

 

Councillor N Rushton, Corporate Portfolio Holder, addressed the Committee.  He reported that the Council was in a good financial position and this was why once again proposals were for a zero per cent rise in Council Tax.  He recognised that there was a reliance on the New Homes Bonus grant and that there would be a significant impact if it was withdrawn, this was the reason for prudent spending and setting funds aside as a contingency.  Regarding the Local Council Tax Support grant for town and parish council’s; Councillor N Rushton stated that the authority would like to continue to provide these grants but unfortunately under the current economic climate, it may not be possible in the future.

 

It was moved by Councillor J Coxon, seconded by Councillor D Harrison and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The comments provided by the Committee be considered by Cabinet when it meets on 9 February 2016 to recommend its proposals to Council on 23 February 2016.

 

26.

Items for Inclusion in the Future Work Programme pdf icon PDF 180 KB

To consider any items to be included in the work programme. The plan of forthcoming Cabinet decisions and the current work programme are attached for information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the future work programme for the Policy Development Group.

 

The Deputy Monitoring Officer advised the Committee that an update of the Council’s Constitution would be on the agenda for the next meeting of the Committee.

 

As discussed earlier in the meeting, the Director of Services would invite the CCG representative to the next convenient meeting of the Committee and provide an update report on the Section 106 money contributions for health.  As requested by Councillor A C Saffell, the Director of Services agreed to invite the neighbouring area CCG representative that covered Castle Donington.

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The following items be put on the future work programme:

 

1)     Update to the Council’s Constitution

2)     Update on the Section 106 Contributions for Health