Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor N Rushton and Councillor A Woodman.

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.

There were no questions received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2023

The minutes of the meeting held on the 27 June 2023 were considered.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2023 be confirmed as an accurate record of proceedings.

Reason for decision: to comply with the Constitution.

Report of the Head of Community Services

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report.

A Member emphasised the duty the organisation had to future generations to prioritise environmental sustainability.

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The progress that has been made with year three of the Zero Carbon Roadmap be noted.
2. The proposed actions and spend for year four of the Zero Carbon Roadmap be approved.

Reason for decision: to progress with the Zero Carbon Roadmap.

The report of the Strategic Director

Presented by the Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder

The Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder presented the report. The Portfolio Holder also commended officers for the work that had gone into report and the success that had come from it.

A Member emphasised that the organisation should endeavour to make sure that businesses in rural areas of the district utilised this funding.

The Portfolio Holder noted that any unspent funds would be returned to central Government, and consequently it was to the organisation’s benefit to make sure that it was all distributed within the district instead.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor T Saffell and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The views of Community Scrutiny Committee on 13 July 2023 included in the background papers be noted.
2. The £469,090 grant from the Rural England Prosperity Fund be accepted.
3. That £117,262 be allocated to the General Fund Revenue Budget in 2023/24 and £351,818 be allocated into the General Fund budget planning process for 2024/25.
4. That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder, to review and amend the delivery of the North West Leicestershire Rural Business Grant Fund where required, and to adapt to the changing economic environment and/or local needs.
5. That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder to submit the formal reporting as required by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Reason for decision: to accept the REPF funding award from Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and approve the spend of the award in line with the award.

Report of the Strategic Director

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report.

A Member said that this was very good news for the district and supported by many local people – all without costing the organisation any money.

It was agreed amongst Cabinet members that they would visit the site at the end of first phase of the project, and at other phases, and enjoy the success of the project.

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The comments made by Community Scrutiny on 13 July 2023 be noted.
2. That a phased delivery of the Ecopark project at Hermitage Recreation Ground be approved.
3. That the planned £32,260 funding from the National Forest to be incorporated into the Council’s Capital Programme for 2023/24 be recommended to full Council on 5 September 2023.
4. That the addition of £20,600 funding from the National Forest to the revenue budget as an earmarked reserve, to be drawn down by £1000 annually, be approved.
5. That a virement of £130,000 to the Ecopark project from the UK Shared Prosperity Funding, held in the Council’s 2023/24 Capital Programme and earmarked for the Ecopark Development, be approved.
6. That a further report will be presented to Cabinet for consideration on the delivery of additional enhanced biodiversity improvements within the Ecopark, once funding has been secured to deliver this element, be noted.

Reason for decision: to allow a phased delivery of the Ecopark project at the Hermitage Recreation Ground.