Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received.

Ms C E Fisher declared an interest in item 11 – Reviews of Pensions Discretions and advised that she would leave the meeting during the consideration of this item.

There were no public questions received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2014.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2014.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2014 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Reason for decision: To comply with the Constitution.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

She highlighted that it had been a very successful year again for the team, that an enhanced level of support had been provided to 30 food establishments failing to comply with the law and that the number of establishments achieving a rating of 3 stars or higher on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme had increased from 770 to 881. She informed Members that the draft 2014/15 service plan would again focus on the high risk establishments.

Councillor A V Smith congratulated the Environmental Health Team on their continued hard work in improving the standards of the district’s food establishments.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

1.     The Environmental Health Food Safety Service Delivery Plan 2014/15 appended to this report be approved;

2.     The performance and achievements in 2013/14 be noted.

Reason for decision: To approve the content of the Food Safety Service Delivery Plan 2014/15 as required by the Food Standards Agency.

Report of the Director of Services

Presented by the Regeneration and Planning Portfolio Holder

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

He outlined the areas of the plan, highlighting that there would be no need for a second runway to be built and that any new development would take place within the boundaries of the airport. He advised Members that with the increase of tonnage and passengers, the Council would be asking the airport to give further consideration to committing to the provision of additional bus services.  

The Chief Executive advised Members that through the consultation response, it would be timely to push forward, along with other service/employment providers, the consideration of a bus service to link the north and south of the District, suggesting that this be recommended through the work of the LLEP.

It was moved by Councillor T J Pendleton, seconded by Councillor A V Smith and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Council advises East Midlands Airport that:

1.     The commitment to review the Master Plan every 5 years is welcomed;

2.     The vision should be amended to reflect the need to balance economic considerations against other impacts, particularly environmental.

3.     It  supports the targets for both single occupancy car usage and passenger access by public transport;

4.     Progress towards these targets should be monitored as part of the airport’s annual monitoring report;

5.     It considers that the list of priority new bus services should be reconsidered;

6.     Requests that further consideration be given by the airport to providing a firmer commitment to the provision of additional bus services to serve the airport;

7.     The future land use plan needs to be made clearer;

8.     Additional evidence is required to support the forecasts of 10 million passengers and 700,000 tonnes of cargo by 2040 otherwise the department of transport forecast should be used to provide the basis for the Master Plan;

9.     In the event that the department of transport forecasts are used then the need for additional facilities be reassessed accordingly;

10.  It would be helpful if interim forecasts for the period up to 2040 were included in the Master Plan;

11.  Future annual monitoring reports should assess progress against both the department of transport forecasts and the airports forecasts;

12.  The option to extend the runway permission is not available and so the consent should either be implemented or allowed to lapse with submission of a new application to extend the runway when required;

13.  It welcomes the clarity in the Master Plan that a second runway is not likely to be needed by 2040;

14.  It notes the proposals in respect of the Pegasus Business Park, the provision of a new cargo area at the eastern end of the runway and additional car parking south of Argosy Road and will give consideration to these as part of preparing the Council’s new Local Plan;

15.  It notes the suggestion for possible additional employment land south of the A453 and will give consideration to this as part of preparing the Council’s new Local Plan;

16.  The design of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Report of the Director of Services

Presented by the Regeneration and Planning Portfolio Holder

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

He advised Members that the project was classified as a nationally significant infrastructure project and therefore too large to be considered by the authority. He highlighted the proposed programme for consideration and that a local impact assessment would be jointly produced with Leicestershire County Council.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

Cabinet notes:

1. The commencement of the consultation by Roxhill on the East Midlands Gateway Strategic Rail Freight Interchange proposal.

2. The anticipated impacts of the proposed development that the Council needs to assess in making representations to the Planning Inspectorate.

3.     The proposed programme for the determination of the proposal by the Planning Inspectorate.

Reason for decision: For update and information; no decision required.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

The Leader presented the report to Members.

He advised Members that the Leicestershire authorities would be collaborating on their Local Plans and it had been recommended by the Housing Planning and Infrastructure Group (HPIG), of which the Chief Executive was chair, that a Joint Strategic Planning Manager function be created to coordinate the authorities. He highlighted that the cost to the authority would be £140,000 for two years, however HPIG had agreed to share the cost in ten equal parts, therefore the actual cost to the authority would be £14,000. He informed Cabinet, that with this in mind, they were being asked to waive the Contract Procedure Rules to allow a less complex route to be followed in the engagement of an individual or organisation to provide the function.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor R D Bayliss and

RESOLVED THAT:

Cabinet:

1.     Notes the work of the Chief Executive to date in relation to joint working between Leicester City Council and the Leicestershire Authorities;

2.     Delegates to the Chief Executive authority to contract for the services of the Leicester and Leicestershire Joint Strategic Planning Manager function; and

3.     Waives Contract Procedure Rule 5.16 so that the Chief Executive may seek quotes for the provision of services in relation to the Leicester and Leicestershire Joint Strategic Planning Manager Function.

Reason for decision: As the value of the contract exceeds the delegated threshold, Cabinet are asked to award the services contract for the Leicester and Leicestershire Joint Strategic Planning Manager.

Report of the Director of Services

Presented by the Regeneration and Planning Portfolio Holder

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

He explained the difference between conservation and preservation, and that with the designation of Coalville as a conservation area, it would allow for the Council to prepare a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for Townscape Heritage Funding. He informed Members that following agreement from Cabinet a 21 day public consultation would be carried out. 

Councillor R Blunt congratulated the Conservation officer for all the work that had been put into preparing the appraisal and management plan and expressed his support for the designation, which could assist with the regeneration of the town centre.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

Cabinet:

1.     Approves in principle the designation of a Conservation Area in Coalville Town Centre with powers under Section 69 of Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990;

2.     Agrees the Management Plan and Boundary in Appendix 1 as the basis for a 21 day consultation;

3.     Delegates the final designation, in consideration of the consultation to the Director of Services in consultation with the Regeneration and Planning Portfolio Holder.

4.     Agree to the preparation of a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for “Townscape Heritage Funding”.

Reason for decision: To discharge the duty placed upon the Council by S69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and to recognise that Coalville has a special architectural or historic interest (as described within the Character Appraisal) which is worthy of protection under the planning system and to create a mechanism to provide that protection.

Report of the Head of Finance

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Corporate Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

1.     Cabinet approves the write offs over £10,000 detailed in this report.

2.     Cabinet notes the amounts written off under delegated powers.

Reason for decision: To comply with proper accounting practices.

Having declared an interest in the next item, Ms C E Fisher left the room whilst it was being considered.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Corporate Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised Members that following changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme from 1 April 2014, in which benefits for service after 31 March 2014 will accrue on a career average revalued earnings (CARE) basis, rather than on a final salary basis, the Council, as an employing body was required to formulate, publish and keep under review a Statement of Policy on certain discretions which it has the power exercise in relation to members of the CARE scheme.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

1.     Cabinet accepts the recommendations of the reviewed pension policies as set out in appendix 1 of this report.

2.     Cabinet endorses the decision delegationarrangements as detailed in paragraph 2.2 of this report.

Reason for decision: There is a legal requirement to review the policies that the Council has in place in relation to the exercise of discretionary functions under the Local Government Pension Scheme Administration Regulations by the end of June 2014.

Ms C E Fisher returned to the meeting.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

The Leader asked the Chief Executive to present the report to Members.

She highlighted to Members that the sickness rate to the end of quarter 4 was 7.36 days, which was under the target of 7.5 days for the year and was a 17% reduction compared to 2012/13. She advised Members that the accounts were still being finalised and that this information would be reported to Members at the next meeting. She stated that the new website was live and ready to be launched, enabling residents to access some services 24/7 without having to telephone and that the new waste management software had been installed which would lead to an improved and efficient customer service.

Councillor R Blunt congratulated the Chief Executive and Officers on the good news that had been highlighted.

Councillor T Gillard informed Members that he had attended both the Business Place Events and they had been very well received.

Councillor R D Bayliss referred to the delivery of the decent homes improvements and advised that the number of improvements that had been completed was 1634 against a target of 1560.

Councillor T J Pendleton advised Members that development control was still slightly below target which was due to the high volume of applications that had been received and the team not being fully staffed. He went on to add that all vacancies had now been filled. He also highlighted to Members the acknowledgement the authority had received at a Building for Life 12 event for developing and testing the new scheme, and that two schemes in the District had received design awards under the new scheme.

Councillor A V Smith informed Members that the number of GP referrals had fallen over the quarter, however the target had still been achieved and the scheme continued to be recognised as best practice within the county. She also highlighted that the recycling target had been met and that 78 new trade waste contracts had been secured during the year.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The Quarter 4 Performance Report (January – March 2014) be received and noted.

Reason for decision: The report is provided for members to effectively monitor the organisation’s performance.

Report of the Director of Services

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

She began by thanking the working party for their continued work and informed Members that a representative from Coalville Town FC had attended the last meeting of the working party to update Members on the progress of the club following the significant financial support that was currently being provided by the Council.

Councillor A V Smith then went on to highlight the recommendations that had been put forward by the working party. She advised Members that it was proposed to start the free Saturday town centre car parking from Saturday, 22 November 2014 until Saturday, 20 December 2014 to include both Christmas events and support the town centre businesses. She confirmed that due to the timing of the meeting and the event, she had agreed to return to the name of Picnic in the Park. She stated that in relation to the balances, she supported the recommendations in the report, but wanted to request that the working party considered allocating a sum of approximately £10,000 to further improve the Christmas Lights in Coalville. She also advised Members that the working party had rejected a request to rename Coalville Park, which she supported along with a commemorative peace garden or an area of reflection within Coalville Park, but felt that a further memorial stone in Coalville may not be the best solution as there were now a number of memorials in the town. She requested that a letter be sent back to Michael Kendrick thanking him for the relaying the suggestion and informing him of their views going forward.

It was moved by Councillor A V Smith, seconded by Councillor T J Pendleton and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    Town centre car parking will be free on Saturdays between and including 22 November 2014 until 20 December 2014;

2.    The name Picnic in the Park be returned;

3.    That the reallocated funds from the Remembrance Day Service be held in a contingency fund to be added to the events budget if needed;

4.    That the Working Party considers allocating a sum of approximately £10,000 from the current balances for further investment in Christmas Lights and in particular outside the market;

5.    The remaining current balances be held in reserve until appropriate projects arrive and

6.    Coalville Park retain its name, but an area of reflection/peace garden be considered by the Working Party with the involvement of our veterans.

Reason for decision: To progress Coalville Special Expenses projects and programmes.

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.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor N J Rushton 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.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Corporate Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

It was moved by Councillor N J Rushton, seconded by Councillor T J Pendleton and

RESOLVED THAT:

Cabinet notes the granting of the following exemptions to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (as set out in the report) to allow the procurement of:

1.    Hand held computers for Civil Enforcement Officers;

2.    Hosted web based car parking machine monitoring;

3.    Election staffing payment process;

4.    Ages and Stages Contract (Children’s Centre Services);

5.    ICT software for website improvements;

6.    ICT equipment for disaster recovery solution.

Reason for decision: The CPR requires that the exercise of the Statutory Officers’ discretion to grant exemptions is reported to Cabinet.