Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor N J Rushton.

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:

Councillors R Blunt, T Gillard and T J Pendleton declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 11 – Sale of Recyclables as Leicestershire County Council Members.

There were no questions received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017 be approved and signed 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 Interim Director of Resources presented the report to Members.

He advised Members that the deadline for submission of the bid was 27 October and therefore the Chairman of the Council had approved an exemption to the Scrutiny Procedure Rules in relation to call-in.  He went on to explain that if successful, the Council would partake in a one year pilot with the remainder of Leicestershire.  Financial modelling indicated that an additional sum of approximately £18.9 million could be retained and shared across Leicestershire towards infrastructure and housing growth, town centre enhancements and financial sustainability.  He believed that Leicestershire was likely to have a strong case for becoming a pilot since there was already an existing pool in place with proven governance arrangements.

Councillor R Blunt commented that the principle of working together regionally had been discussed for some time and  he felt it was important to put this into practice.  He was in full support of the proposal.

Councillor A V Smith also supported the proposals and believed that working together would generate good outcomes.

Councillor T J Pendleton felt that the Council would benefit in the long run and supported the proposals.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

a)      The application to become a business rate pilot for 2018-19 as part of a Leicestershire wide business rates pilot bid to pioneer new pooling and tier split models be supported.

b)      The authority to agree the detail of the business rate pilot bid, in conjunction with other Leicestershire local authorities, with respect to the financial aspects and overall governance of the pilot bid be delegated to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Corporate Portfolio Holder.

c)      The authority to submit a joint bid, in conjunction with other Leicestershire local authorities, and enter into a pilot agreement with DCLG if that bid outcome is successful be delegated to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Corporate Portfolio Holder.

Reason for decision:  Requirement of Financial Procedure Rules   

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

The Leader presented the report to Members.

The Leader updated Members on the current position of the project and in particular, the work that had been moving forward regarding Marlborough Square.  He explained that proposals had been put forward from the Urban Designer at recent meetings to pedestrianise Marlborough Square therefore creating a public open space.  This had been met with unanimous support.  He added that the taxi and bus companies were also involved and were prepared to make changes to help improve the square.  He also advised that progress was still on hold with the bus station but options were continuing to be investigated.

Councillor R D Bayliss advised that improvement works to Marlborough Flats were proceeding on site and when  they were concluded in November, the block would be renamed Jackson Court. A vacant unit that is benefitting from the works programme will also be relet at this point.  Councillor R Blunt championed the housing role in the project as it was  crucial in regenerating sites and totally in line with what was trying to be achieved.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted and the progress made by the Coalville Project be supported.

Reason for decision:  Cabinet are updated on the progress of the Coalville Project

Report of the Interim Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

She advised Members that the detailed specification for the new North Street car park was finalised in June, following which detailed costings had been provided by the appointed contractor.  Soft demolition had begun at the prior health centre site in September and although works had been paused due to issues with the gas supply, the actual demolition was scheduled for 3 November.  She reminded Members of the vision to create a sculpture with an estimated cost of no more than £50,000 and confirmed that designs were currently being looked at for a wooden sculpture.  It was anticipated that the cost may be lower  and the Ashby Project would be invited to seek match or grant funding from appropriate sources.

The Community Services Portfolio Holder informed Members that Ashby Town Council were launching their new branding at an event on 16 November, at which the town would also be receiving its Purple Flag Award for its night-time economy. She requested a vote of thanks for officers involved in obtaining the accreditation for all the hard work undertaken.

Councillor R D Bayliss referred to the proposed wooden sculpture for the town and asked the Portfolio Holder to consider looking at other alternatives due to previous experiences.  He explained that other wooden objects such as the skate park and trees in Hood Park had been vandalized and due to this risk he was concerned.

Councillor R Blunt seconded the concerns.  He commented that from his own experience he could see that stone sculptures lasted the test of time and agreed that other materials should be considered.  He also felt that planting a row of lime trees in the open space along the border would be appropriate to mirror the other entrance into Ashby.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

a)   The progress to date in the development of Ashby’s Culture and Leisure Quarter, and specifically the Council’s new North Street car park be noted.

b)   A maximum of £100,000 be allocated to ensure that the original vision for Ashby Culture and Leisure Quarter can be delivered.

c)   The Authority for commitment of the allocated funds be delegated to the (Interim) Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

d)   Alternative materials to wood be investigated for the proposed statue in the Culture and Leisure Quarter.

Reason for decision:  To allocate resources to undertake the works

Report of the Interim Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Interim Director of Resources presented the report to Members.

He explained that the Local Code of Corporate Governance described the arrangements in place to ensure that the Council conducted its business in accordance with the law and proper standards.  The Code had been reviewed and updated in line with revised guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives.  He informed Members that the Code was approved by Members of the Audit and Governance Committee on 27 September. 

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The Local Code of Corporate Governance be approved.

Reason for decision:  To seek approval of the Local Code of Corporate Governance

Report of the Director of Housing

Presented by the Housing Portfolio Holder

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He pointed out that the contract had been discussed by tenant representatives and it was largely their recommendations that were before Members for agreement.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The authority to award the contract for Housing Paint Pack Decoration be delegated to the Director of Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Reason for decision:  The level of expenditure on this contract exceeds the authority threshold in the Scheme of Delegation.

Report of the Interim Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Regeneration and Planning Portfolio Holder

The Regeneration and Planning Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He informed Members that the Council was fully compliant with regards to the public consultation and as a result a number of properties had been added into the conservation area along with some open land.  He referred Members to the appraisal at appendix 1, the boundary review at appendix 2 and the public consultation responses at appendix 3.

Councillor R Blunt commented that it was clear when looking at photographs how unique and interesting the area of Ibstock was.  The high street was very long and full of vibrant independent shops, he felt it was something to be proud of.

RESOLVED THAT:

The Character Appraisal and Boundary Review for Ibstock Conservation Area be adopted.

Reason for decision:  Adoption of the character appraisal and boundary review would: (a) Support the aims of the Council Delivery Plan relating to

sustainable development and growth and people feeling

proud of their homes and communities; (b) Support the Council in fulfilling its duties under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 relating to the designation and review of conservation areas.

Report of the Interim Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

She advised that the report followed the successful bid to the Leicestershire County Council for the dry recyclables contract.  It was proposed that the Council enter into three-monthly contracts from 1 December to sell materials,  as short term contracts offer the best value for money in this market.  All recycling details would be confirmed on the website and to households when the annual collection calendar was delivered.

Councillor R Blunt commented that the bid was a very interesting process and the way the Council runs the service in house allowed greater control and represented  much better value.  He was proud that North West Leicestershire District Council was the only authority in Leicestershire to have a successful bid to procure their own contract and things could only get better. 

Councillor T J Pendleton was pleased that the service was to remain in house as it was easier to react to issues and make changes as we see fit.

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

RESOVLED THAT:

a)      The Council’s success in Leicestershire County Council’s waste treatment and Disposal procurement be noted.

b)      It be noted that North West Leicestershire District Council would undertake a competitive process for the sale of dry recyclables following award of the Leicestershire County Council procurement.

c)      The authority to enter into and award contracts for the best value offers received for the dry recyclables be delegated to the (Interim) Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Reason for decision:  To update Members on progress following the outcome of the LCC procurement for the treatment of dry recyclables and to seek Members approval to delegate the subsequent award of contract(s) for the sale of recyclables to the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.