Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor T Gillard.

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

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Members declared the following interests:

Councillor N J Rushton declared a pecuniary interest in item 8 - Parking Strategy and Item 9 – Ashby Cultural and Leisure Quarter Project as a car park operator in Ashby town centre, and he would leave the meeting for the consideration of the items.

No questions were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2016

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2016.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T J Pendleton   and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Reason for decision: To comply with the Constitution.

Report of the Interim Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Corporate Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members, highlighting the fact that it would be the eighth consecutive year without an increase in council tax and this was something that no other authority in Leicestershire had been able to achieve.  He referred to the reserves figure which was prudent in the current climate, especially due to the uncertainty with the new homes bonus scheme.  He concluded that Cabinet were approving the proposals for statutory consultation and they would also be considered by the Policy Development Group in January. 

It was moved by Councillor N J Rushton, seconded by Councillor R D Bayliss and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)       The 2017/18 budget proposals be agreed for statutory consultation.

b)       The Localisation of Council Tax Support Grant at the current level of 85 percent continue to be supported.

Reason for decision: Required to complete the 2017/18 budget process.

Report of the Interim Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Corporate Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members, drawing attention to essential vehicle fleet purchases, over a million pounds in Disabled Facilities Grants, the support of the development of the Ashby Cultural and Leisure Quarter Project and support of the outcomes of the car parking strategy.

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the Housing Revenue Account section of the report and referred to appendix B.  He stated that despite the pressure on housing income from the 1% rent reduction, the authority was still going to maintain the decency standard across 100% of the housing stock, in addition to the investment in building new council homes for the first time in many years. He believed that it was a housing service to be proud of.

It was moved by Councillor N J Rushton, seconded by Councillor R D Bayliss and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)       The estimated General Fund, Coalville Special Expenses and HRA Capital Outturn for 2016/17 and planned financing be noted.

b)       The consultation for the draft Capital Programmes in 2017/18 be approved as detailed at:

(i)      Appendix A – General Fund and Special Expenses Capital Schemes

(ii)     Appendix B – HRA Capital Schemes

        And in 2018/19 the following scheme only:

(iii)      Paragraphs 3.2 to 3.2.3 - £935,000 for the vehicle replacement programme.

c)       The indicative Capital Programme Schemes for 2018.19 to 2021/22 be noted.

d)       The proposed procurement routes be noted and authority to award the contracts and any associated agreements in furtherance of the projects as detailed in section 7 of the report, be delegated to the Director of Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, subject to final approval of the Capital Programmes in February 2017.

Reason for decision: To enable projects to be included in the programmes for consultation.           

Report of the Director of Housing

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder/Housing Portfolio Holder

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.  He felt that it was a good budget that built on the current year’s performance which had managed to generate a potential surplus of £2.5 million largely as a result of improved performance in letting empty properties.  He commented that the 1% rent reduction in accordance with the Work and Welfare Reform Act 2016 had been incorporated which was great for tenants.  Overall he was very pleased with the proposals to deliver a balanced budget and the performance of the service.

Councillor R Blunt commented on the improvement of the performance of the housing service over recent years under a challenging Government agenda, especially since the appointment of the Director of Housing.  He believed it was a HRA budget to be proud of and he appreciated the work of the Portfolio Holder.

It was moved by Councillor R D Bayliss, seconded by Councillor N J Rushton and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)       The Assurance Statement by the Deputy Section 151 Officer be noted.

b)       The Draft HRA Budget Proposal as detailed within the report and associated appendices be approved for consultation.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to set a balanced Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2017/18.

Having declared an interest in items 8 and 9, Councillor N J Rushton left the meeting during consideration and voting thereon.  He did not return to the meeting.

Report of the Director of Services

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report drawing Members’ attention to the analysis and results of the consultation.  It was noted that there would not be a single approach for the whole district as each town had its own requirements and the strategy reflected that.  A range of pricing measures had been recommended including ‘free after 3pm’ in Coalville.  This was likely to be introduced at the end of January due to the required 21 day consultation period.  She added that a surplus had not been made from parking charges in the past and she did not foresee any change to that in the future.  The proposal was to not increase the charges until at least September 2020 and then it would only be subject to a review which would commence in 2019.    

Councillor R Blunt agreed that the recommendations within the strategy were the best way forward and he felt it was important to address the parking situation across the district.  He believed that the new ticket machines proposed that allowed customers to pay by card were a good idea and he fully supported the recommendations.  He also thanked Councillors S McKendrick and J Legrys for the suggestion of the free parking after 3pm in Coalville and believed the scheme would be very successful in encouraging people into the town.

Councillor T J Pendleton fully supported the recommendations and he was pleased that it took into account the needs of the different towns.

It was moved by Councillor A V Smith, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)       The Parking Strategy be endorsed.

b)       The following short term actions be agreed:

-        No parking price rises until 2020

-        New short stay car park for Ashby

-        Introduction of free parking after 3pm in Coalville, following the 21 day consultation period

-        Purchase of new ticket machines

-        Consider releasing parking space in Coalville for regeneration (if required)

-        Improve website and signage

-        Introduction of new weekly and monthly tickets for Coalville

-        Amend Brook Street car park in Ashby to a maximum of 1 hour stay

-        Discontinue the Coalville refund voucher scheme

-        Develop parish parking action plans

c)    The funding of the revenue implications in 2016/17 be approved.

d)    The funding of the £140,000 capital request for ticket machines and signage from 2016/17 under spends be approved.

e)    The authority to place the order for new ticketing machines be delegated to the Director of Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Reason for decision:  To provide an evidence base and framework for parking related decisions. 

Report of the Director of Services

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members, updating the progress of the project since the purchase of the health centre and the proposed improvements to enhance Ashby.  She reported that a company had been engaged to undertake the work which would begin in the New Year with a projected completion date of August 2017.

Councillor R Blunt commented that the area did not look good and believed that the proposed improvements would make a great impact.  He was pleased that investment was being made in Ashby and the additional parking spaces would encourage more people into the area.

Councillor R D Bayliss commented that as an Ashby Ward Member he fully supported the proposals and he believed they included very good initiatives.

Councillor R Blunt also gave credit to Councillor J G Coxon who as an Ashby Ward Member had supported the project from the start.

It was moved by Councillor A V Smith, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)    The vision for Ashby’s Cultural and Leisure Quarter be endorsed.

b)    £330,000 be allocated to the project (£230,00 from Reserves and £100,000 from the Ashby Initiatives Fund)

c)    The authority to agree a further five percent of the total project cost for any unforeseen circumstances or additional works to be funded by Reserves be delegated to the Director of Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Reason for decision:  To allocate resources to undertake works.

Report of the Interim Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

In Councillor N J Rushton’s absence, Councillor R D Bayliss presented the report to Members.

It was moved by Councillor R D Bayliss, seconded by Councillor T J Pendleton and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)    The write offs over £10,000 as detailed within the report be approved.

b)    The amount written off under delegated powers be noted.

Reason for decision:  To comply with proper accounting practices

Councillor N J Rushton left the meeting at 5.12pm.