Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K Merrie 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 declarations of interests.

There were no questions received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2025

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2025.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded Councillor A Saffell and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2025 be confirmed as an accurate record of proceedings.

Reason for decision:The Cabinet (Executive) Procedure Rules required that the minutes of the previous meeting are considered and confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate and Finance Portfolio Holder

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

The report was noted.

Report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

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

The report was noted.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Infrastructure Portfolio Holder

The Leader of the Council presented the report.

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder provided an update on the continuing improvement in key performance indicators in relation to the housing service and tenant satisfaction.  In relation to Customer Services, the response times were continuing to improve, and customer care training was being rolled out to all staff.  He then provided an update on behalf of the Finance and Corporate Portfolio Holder.  It was noted that the completion of the 2023/24 accounts was on track for the end of August and then work to begin on the 2024/25 accounts immediately.  Work was also ongoing with the finance system and the transformation project.

The Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder advised that the services had continued to deliver against the targets.

The Planning Portfolio Holder advised that all the targets for the Planning Service were within target for the fifth quarter in a row.

The Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder advised on the positive impact of the ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ project on the community, the success of the solar panel installation at the Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre, and the continuing tree planting across the District.

Members were thanked for their comments, which would be presented to Corporate Scrutiny Committee on 4 September 2025.                                                                           

Report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Community and Climate Change Portfolio Holder

The Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder presented the report.

The recommendations made by Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 26 June 2025 and the officer’s responses in the report were noted.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

1)       The Draft Financial Assistance Policy be approved.

2)       The proposed use of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) capital underspend           for the implementation of the Financial Assistance Policy along with any    ongoing DFG capital be approved.

3)       Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing and Communities in      consultation with the Section 15 Officer to agree terms with and thereafter     enter into an agreement or agreements with foundations to support the      implementation of the new Financial Assistance Policy.

4)       Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing and Communities to      make minor amendments to the policy including legislative changes.

Reason for decision: To approve the Financial Assistance Policy which includes the new Adapted Property Home Improvement grant to be delivered by NWLDC.

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 T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

1)       It be agreed to enter in to contract with a construction company for the         design and build of six properties following a procurement exercise as        detailed in the report up to a value of £1,600,000. 

2)      £1,600,000 be transferred from the development pool to the active   pool in the Housing Revenue Account 2025/26 Capital Programme.

3)       Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director responsible for                     housing to finalise and agree all necessary agreements and take     appropriate procedural and process steps to deliver the above.

Reason for decision: To provide high quality housing to the district

Report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate and Finance Portfolio Holder

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

The supplementary estimates detailed in appendix 2 of the repot were noted.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The virement detailed in paragraph 3.3 of the report which is between £100,000 and £250,00 be approved.

Reason for decision: The Council’s Financial Procedure Rules, Section 2, paragraphs A24 to A28 stipulate the procedures for virements and supplementary estimates, whilst the Council’s Capital Strategy sets out the Governance of the Capital Programme.

Report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Finance and Corporate 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 write off of a sundry debtor to the value of £20,444.30 be approved.

Reason for decision: To comply with proper accounting practices.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Infrastructure Portfolio Holder

The Planning Portfolio Holder presented the report.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

1)    The scrutiny/cabinet protocol be trialled for six months. 

2)    Subject to a successful trial, the protocol be taken forward to Council for        approval to form part of the constitution.

Reason for decision: To respond to Statutory Guidance on Overview and Scrutiny in Local and Combined Authorities and promote a good working relationship between Scrutiny and the Executive.  The protocol requires a commitment from Cabinet to perform its responsibilities under the protocol and therefore Cabinet is being asked to provide that commitment.

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.

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 R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations as set out in the report be approved.

Reason for decision:  To comply with the constitution of the Council as this report requires Cabinet approval as it is in excess of £100,000.