Agenda and minutes

Before the start of the meeting Members observed a minutes silence in memory of Councillor David Stevenson who had passed away the previous week.

There were no apologies for absence.

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.

There were no interests declared.

There were no questions received.

Minutes of the meetings held on 24 September 2019 and 29 October 2019

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meetings held on 24 September 2019 and 29 October 2019.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor R Ashman and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meetings held on 24 September 2019 and 29 October 2019 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Reason for decision: To comply with the Constitution

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Housing and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised Members that the Strategy would provide a service and financial planning framework for the next five years and that it was a key part in the process to the take the Property Service function to a higher level of performance following the decision to keep it in house. He highlighted the key priorities for the service and that it was hoped that the service would have a key role to play in delivering an income by looking at the Council’s assets, which included acquiring new ones and disposing of poorly performing ones, and, once developed, selling the facilities Management Service to others. He advised that a summary of the land and property assets was included in appendix 1. He congratulated officers on a very good piece of work.

Councillor A Woodman stated that he was pleased to see reference to energy efficiency within the report and that there were opportunities for charging points in car parks.

It was moved by Councillor R D Bayliss, seconded by Councillor R Blunt  and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Corporate Asset Management Strategy 2019 – 2024, attached as appendix 1 to the report be approved.

Reason for decision: To adopt the Strategy as a framework within which we will manage our corporate property assets and associated services for the next 5 years.

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He reminded Members that Cabinet had agreed the process for the use of the VAT reclaim at the February Cabinet meeting. He advised that applications had been received from all three sites and that Measham and Ibstock’s proposals were at a stage where officers proposed that the funds be released to develop the projects. He informed Members that Castle Donington would be treated differently as the project required further development and, as such, would be managed by Council officers and a future report would be brought back to Cabinet.

In response to questions from Members, the Chief Executive advised that the three sites were not managed by Everyone’s Active and that an update on the recruitment of the Community Leisure Development Officer would be provided outside the meeting.

Members were pleased to see that leisure facilities were being provided in other areas of the district rather than just the two main towns which provided a win win situation for the District.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor R D Bayliss and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The proposed investment into Measham Leisure Centre and Ibstock Community College Leisure Complex be supported.

2.    The proposal for the development at Castle Donington College be supported and that a further report will be received to approve investment once project proposals have been developed by noted.

Reason for decision: To allow investment into community leisure projects to progress.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Housing and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised that there was now another opportunity to purchase more new homes for the Council’s portfolio. He advised that the funds were available therefore not requiring borrowing and proposed giving  authority to the Head of Housing and Property to authorise bids for residential property and land at auction without the requirement to keep reporting back to Cabinet

In response to a question from Councillor R Blunt, Councillor R D Bayliss advised that he was not aware of any long time planning to continue purchasing properties, however in principal it was an ideal way to obtain more Council homes in small villages.

Councillor T Gillard was pleased to support the report and felt that the Corporate Portfolio Holder should be included when agreeing the amounts for any bids at auction.

Councillor R Blunt stated that it was a very good report and that it helped to put money back into the local housing building trade and provided the Council with more social housing for a good price.

It was moved by Councillor R D Bayliss, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The purchase of four new homes from Chevin Homes at Newbold Coleorton as detailed in the confidential appendix to the report be approved.

2.    The purchase of three new homes from Monument Seven Limited at Osgathorpe as detailed in the confidential appendix to the report be approved.

3.    Authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Property in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Section 151 Officer to authorise bids for residential property and land at auction in accordance with the parameters set out in the report and the approved acquisition policy.

Reason for decision: To acquire additional properties to increase the housing options for home seekers on the housing register.

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised Members that the provision of a new market was key to sustaining the community and that the design for Newmarket was to be finalised and contractors employed to carry out the work. He reminded Members that the current market operated three days a week and that it was proposed that Newmarket and Marlborough Square Outdoor Market would operate seven days a week. He informed Members that this would be agreed through a “Newmarket rights” agreement and that it would ensure that the Council would have control over any other market that wished to operate and would ensure that that they would not be in direct competition with Newmarket.

Councillor R Blunt stated the report showed that the Council was serious about providing the new market and that it was a big challenge that was going well. He felt it was important to support the existing traders.

Councillor T Gillard advised that the Business Focus Team was doing all it could to support the current market traders to relocate or find new premises. He supported the proposal to open seven days a week.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

Coalville Newmarket under section 50 of the Food Act 1984 as more particularly described in the report be established.

Reason for decision: Cabinet to note that the Council has established its rights for a market in Coalville in accordance with the Food Act 1984 between the hours of 8am and 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised that the church was a visible monument in the District and the Parish Council, District Council and local residents believe that it must be protected as far as possible. He stated that report proposed that the road leading to the church be pedestrianised but it would keep its highway status and that a controlled lockable gate be installed, allowing access during the day and then locked at night. He highlighted that the option put forward was the best possible outcome but the Department of Transport would require a traffic survey before supporting the application, and that it would be a permanent solution.

Councillor R Blunt felt that the solution before them was the best way forward to protect the church with a balance to suit all.

Councillor N Rushton requested that following the election the Council wrote to the newly elected MP to seek their support in highlighting the need to the Department of Transport.

Councillor R Ashman thanked all the Portfolio Holder and officers for the work on the issues so far and in trying to find the best solution.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The proposal to improve the amenity of the Breedon Hill area including the removal of vehicle rights of way as described in the report be approved.

2.    An application to the department for transport to make a pedestrianisation order to implement the proposal to improve the amenity of the Breedon Hill area be approved.

3.    The installation of a lockable gate and related signage to enforce the pedestrianisation zone once the order is granted in close partnership with local stakeholders be approved.

Reason for decision: To secure consent to the required statutory application.

The Meeting closed at 5.27pm