Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor N Rushton.

There were no questions received.

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

There were no interests declared.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 28 February 2023 were considered.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and

RESOLVED THAT

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2023 be confirmed as an accurate record of proceedings.

Reason for decision: To comply with the constitution.

The Report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisation Development.

Presented by the Leader.

The Leader presented the report, and drew attention to the time lag between the period covered and the publication of the report and noted that the process for the production of this report would be reviewed.

The delays in the housing repairs programme were noted as was the need to focus on new issues like mould and damp. It was highlighted that a new Head of Housing, with background in housing repairs,  had recently been appointed and that issues with staffing in the department be addressed.  However in the interim, contractors had been appointed to help deal with the backlog of repairs outstanding and a normal repairs programme would resume in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder stated that that the Council had been ahead of target on the provision of new dwellings and the production of social homes. It was also noted that all deferred improvement works would be completed by the end of March 2023 and that customer services had been exceeding targets in most cases.

The Leader also addressed the visitor economy, although figures related to the previous year. From 2010-19 there had been a steady growth, however, the impact of the Covid pandemic on 2020 had been heavy. It was demonstrated that 2021 had been a year of solid recovery and that signs of improvement remained evident.

The Community Services Portfolio Holder noted that footfall for the Newmarket had been encouraging, that whilst memberships to the new leisure centre had somewhat levelled off they remained ahead of target and that actions had been taken to tackle fly tipping and procedures had improved. Litter pickers had been provided with more equipment and rates of recycling had improved.

Members wished to thank the planning service, who had exceeded local and national performance targets.

A discussion was had around the ongoing work to support local employers, with DSV creating more jobs in the area and it was mentioned that public transport options had been piloted.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT

The progress against the Council Delivery Plan Actions and Performance Indicators for Quarter 3 of the financial year be noted by Cabinet.

Reason for decision: That Cabinet notes the progress against the corporate objectives and performance indicators for Quarter 3

The Report of the Head of Economic Regeneration.

Presented by the Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder.

The Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder presented the report and highlighted what positive news the award of a £2.4 million Department of Levelling Up grant to the Council had been. He noted that the 15 projects earmarked for the grant would be carried out over the next two years and members thanked officers for their hard work in achieving this funding for the heart of the National Forest.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and

RESOLVED THAT

1. The £2,414, 817 grant and £20,000 of development grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund be accepted.
2. Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Place) in consultation with the Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder to review and amend the North West Leicestershire Investment Plan Project Proposals set out in the report where required to respond and adapt to the changing economic environment and/or local needs.
3. Authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder to submit the required formal reporting to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Reason for decision: For Cabinet to review and approve the recommended delegations to oversee the delivery of the NWL UKSPF Investment Plan.

The Report of the Strategic Director.

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder.

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report. It was noted that the Council’s sites would be included in the tender exercise, along with Leicestershire County Council’s and that these sites included properties such as sheltered housing or flats.

It was moved by Councillor R Bayliss, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and

RESOLVED THAT

1. The procurement route through Leicestershire County Council for the communal cleaning of housing sites be approved.
2. The delegation of authority to the Strategic Director to award a contract to Leicestershire County Council in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Portfolio Holder when the procurement process has been completed be approved.

Reason for decision: The level of expenditure on the proposed contract exceeds the authority level in the Scheme of delegation.

The Report of the Head of Economic Regeneration.

Presented by the Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder.

The Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder presented the report. It was noted at the last meeting of Cabinet that the development of a budget for the Coalville Special Expenses Area had proven challenging for the Special Expenses Working Party. A balanced budget has now been set and innovative thinking is being applied to ensure the best possible services can be delivered to the residents of Coalville within the funding available.

As part of its responsibility there will be a programme of events in the town this year paid for by Special Expenses beginning with marking the Kings Coronation and concluding with the traditional Christmas in Coalville and festive lights.

The Portfolio Holder wished to amend Recommendation 2 which is reflected below.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor R Ashman and

RESOLVED THAT

1. The minutes of the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party be noted.
2. The Coalville Events programme for 2023/24 be approved.
3. The recommendations made by the working party at its meeting on the 14 February 2023 in respect of Claremont Drive Play Area and the Bardon Road Verge Project be noted but further information was required in order to make a decision.

Reason for decision: So that the decisions of the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party can be considered.

The officers consider that the press and public should be excluded during consideration of the following items in accordance with Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 as publicity would be likely to result in disclosure of exempt or confidential information.  Members are reminded that they must have regard to the public interest test and must consider, for each item, whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption from disclosure outweighs the public interest in making the item available.

RESOLVED THAT:

In pursuance of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Reason for decision: To enable the consideration of exempt information.

The Report of the Strategic Director.

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder.

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report.

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

RESOLVED THAT

The recommendations as set out on page 79 of the agenda be agreed.

Reason for decision: The level of expenditure on the proposed contract exceeds the authority level in the Scheme of Delegation.

The Report of the Strategic Director.

Presented by the Infrastructure Portfolio Holder.

The Deputy Leader and Council and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder presented the report.

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

RESOLVED THAT

The recommendations as set out on page 88 of the agenda be agreed.

Reason for decision: Consideration by Cabinet required to respond to the Funding Notice as set out in the report.

The Report of the Strategic Director.

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder.

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report.

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

RESOLVED THAT

The recommendations as set out on page 118 of the agenda be agreed.

Reason for decision: To allow Coalville Town Football Club to gain the funding it requires to progress the project. Detail within the report.