Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor R Blunt and 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.

There were no interests declared.

There were no questions received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2025

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2025 were considered.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2025 be confirmed as an accurate record of proceedings.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder

The Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder presented the report.

The Chair invited Councillor S Sheahan to address the Cabinet.

Councillor Sheahan asked the following question, as set out in the additional papers:

‘‘Given the UK Government investigation into the sustainability of HVO fuels, questions around the robustness of the certification process and the tariff situation between the US and China, does the Council have contingency plans, in the event of HVO supply shortages; for example, at what point would the Council revert to diesel and what difference would this make to the Council's position on electric and hydrogen powered vehicles?

Note - Council position on the use of palm oil, as recorded in the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee, 01/09/21’

The Chair, in his capacity as Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder, provided the following response, as set out in the additional papers:

'The Council is confident about the HVO fuel supplier it uses, and they provide a robust declaration that the fuel sourced is used cooking oil from China, processed in the USA and there is no palm oil. They provide certification to which is recognised by Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme.

Officers are not aware of any potential HVO stock availability issues and have confidence in our suppliers that we would be advised in plenty of time if this was on the horizon. If this were to arise, HVO is a drop in fuel so, whilst not ideal from an emissions perspective, the fleet can revert to diesel with no modification to any vehicles if there are any unexpected shortages.

The Council’s supplier has confirmed that at present there are no solid plans for tariffs to be placed on HVO from the US. They do have alternative suppliers from non-US sources that will be available if things change in the future. This however does come at a higher rate than the US based product.

In 2022 the UK lifted some EU anti-dumping and countervailing measures on the import of HVO from the US. This lift meant that importing HVO from the US was more feasible in the UK than imports from mainland Europe.

At present time, all trade lines are being monitored by suppliers very carefully to ensure they are proactively reacting to any measures being implemented. All contracts with suppliers are in place to support the volume requirements for 2025, so therefore they do not expect any interruptions to supply at this time.

The position on HVO would not impact on the existing electric fleet. The Council is operating a fleet of fifteen electric vehicles, including a housing trial. There is electric vehicle charging available at Linden Way Depot, Whitwick Business Centre and Parks Depot.

Under the Council’s 2021 Fleet Management Strategy, there is a clear ambition to explore alternative options to combustion engine vehicles wherever possible. Electric options are considered at the point of procurement but vehicles are proving significantly more expensive and may not provide the range required for a rural district or towing capability.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 138.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

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

A Member commended the work of the Housing Improvement Board and encouraged them to keep up the valuable work.

The Chair was glad to see the progress on clearing the backlog but noted that further work was required.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The progress made to deliver the housing recovery plan focused on housing repairs be noted.
2. The housing improvement board to continue its work be endorsed.

Reason for decision: Cabinet is responsible for ensuring that proper arrangements exist for the effective and efficient management of the Council’s executive affairs and the delivery of policy and strategy including oversight of the Council’s Landlord function regarding Social Homes.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

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 K Merrie, and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. Council be recommended to amend the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme Carbon Zero element, as set out in section 2.0 below, at its meeting on 13 May 2025; and
2. Subject to Council amending the Capital Programme under recommendation one, the grant of up to £8,069,584.00 from the Warmer Homes Fund from Government be accepted, and the Strategic Director with responsibility for Housing, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and S151 Officer, be authorised to enter into all necessary agreements to receive the grant as set out in the report.

Reason for decision: To gain Cabinet approval to the Grant acceptance in line with the Constitution and Contract Procedure Rules.

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.

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

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 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 recommendation contained within the report be approved.

Reason for decision: Energy supply contracts have a short and fixed period of time in which they can be accepted or will lapse. It is not practical to obtain a supply quote and gain Cabinet approval to enter into the contract within the period during which the supply quote is valid. Delegated Authority is required from Cabinet.