Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor N Rushton.

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.

Councillor A Woodman declared a registerable interest as a Member of the Gamblers Consumer Forum. The company had no involvement with community lotteries, so, having taken advice from the Monitoring Officer, he would stay in the room for the duration of the item.

There were no questions received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2024

The minutes of the meeting held on the 31 January 2024 were considered.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor A Woodman and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2024 be confirmed as an accurate record of proceedings.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community and Climate Change Portfolio Holder presented the report.

The Chair praised the work of the Portfolio Holder and Officers in producing the policy.

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor R Blunt, and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The comments from Community Scrutiny Committee as set out in paragraph 8.1 be noted.
2. The introduction of a North West Leicestershire Community Lottery in 2024/25 be agreed.
3. Gatherwell be appointed as the Community Lottery Scheme operator and authority be delegated to the Head of Community Services and Strategic Director of Resources to negotiate and finalise any associated agreements.
4. The Strategic Director of Resources and the Head of Finance be nominated as personal licence holders for the purposes of Gambling Commission requirements.
5. The income generated through the Community Lottery Scheme is reinvested back into the Council’s Community Grants Programme.

Reason for Decision: to offer financial security to voluntary and community groups across NWL and to support further community work via the grants scheme with the income generated from the Community Lottery.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community and Climate Change Portfolio Holder presented the report.

The Chair suggested that better access to Central Government funding was important, and that developing a coherent and interconnected cycling network for the district was possible, desirable and important for further regenerating the district.

A Member suggested that this report would leave the organisation well prepared for when the ex-HS2 funding pot became available following the recent announcement from Central Government

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor R Blunt, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The North West Leicestershire Cycling and Walking Strategy 2022-2032 and the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan be adopted.

Reason for decision: to help secure funding, whether as part of new developments or via other means, in order to enable delivery of the improvements as highlighted in the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan. It will also from part of the evidence base for the Council’s new Local Plan.

The report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Infrastructure Portfolio Holder

The Infrastructure Portfolio Holder presented the report.

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder noted that there was work to be done in fixing well-known issues in the Housing Service, but the process was now underway.

The Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder said that Officers in his portfolio were working hard to stimulate new businesses in the district.

The Planning Portfolio Holder said that there was work to be done regarding Planning Enforcement, but a new Team Leader had recently been appointed and he was confident that the issues would be resolved.

It was moved by Councillor K Merrie, seconded by Councillor A Woodman, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Monitoring Report be considered.

Reason for Decision: to make members aware of the early progress of the plan.

The report of the Strategic Director of Place

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 A Woodman, seconded by Councillor T Gillard, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The leases detailed in table 2.4 be granted.

Reason for Decision: to enable the letting of Council-owned commercial properties to proceed and rental income to be generated.