Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

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.

No interests were declared.

There were no questions received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

The Leader presented the report to members, providing an update on the 8 work streams within the project.  He made reference to the Four Streets and Squares Investment Plan which set out the basis of the physical design of Coalville.  He explained that work was in progress on the potential future of Stenson House and discussions were ongoing with the DWP.  He added that the Council was keen to work with partners as much as possible and every option needed to be considered.    He referred to the land off Cropston Drive and advised that work was ongoing to consider the consideration and utilisation of the land and how any losses could be mitigated.  He stated that he would be visiting the site with the Interim Corporate Director, as it was acknowledged that this was a sensitive site and local issues needed to be taken into consideration.  In respect of the Market Hall, he stated that a significant amount of money had been invested so far to bring it up to standard, and consideration was now being given to what else could be done to better utilise the space.  He reiterated his commitment to maintaining a market in the Market Hall.  He highlighted the work in progress on car parking and transport modelling.  He referred to the opening of Royal Oak Court and commented that bringing people to live in the centre of Coalville town centre would undoubtedly add to its viability.  He emphasised the importance of building relationships with prospective developers.  He drew members’ attention to the progress made in respect of the business grant scheme and the shop front improvement scheme, and highlighted the importance of bringing the timeline and heritage of Coalville to the forefront.

The Chief Executive informed members that she had granted an exemption to the Contract Procedure Rules relating to community engagement projects, which was necessary due to the tight timescales and the specific skills and knowledge that was required.  She highlighted the expertise of the individuals to whom the contract had been awarded, particularly in respect of engaging young people and securing external funding. 

Members welcomed the report and the progress made over the past year.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

a)        The progress made by the Coalville Project be noted.

b)         The future direction of work for the Coalville Project be approved.

c)         The grant of exemption to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rule 6.7 to       allow the direct award of a contract for the provision of specialist community   engagement services be noted.

d)         Authority be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the           Leader to commit expenditure for the remaining £450,000 of the Coalville        Project reserve.

Reason for decision: To provide Cabinet with an update on the progress of the

Coalville Project.  The Contract Procedure Rules require that the exercise of the

Statutory Officer’s discretion to grant exemptions is reported to Cabinet.

Report of the Director of Housing

Presented by the Housing Portfolio Holder

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the report to members.  He highlighted that the report was written by the members of the Tenant Scrutiny Panel themselves and they had conducted their own research, undertaking in depth interviews with operatives and staff to reach the recommendations.  He emphasised that most of the recommendations were mirrored by conclusions reached by officers through different means, which validated both pieces of work and demonstrated that service users and providers were coming to the same conclusions. 

Councillor T J Pendleton commended the work of the Panel and welcomed the approach of taking on board the recommendations made.

Councillor R Blunt added that consultation with tenants was crucial.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations of the Tenant Scrutiny Panel detailed in Appendix B of this report be approved and incorporated into the existing service improvement plan for implementation and monitoring purposes.

Reason for decision: To improve the Housing Repairs service by learning from the outcome of the Tenant Scrutiny Panel inspection.

Report of the Director of Resources

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 Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

That authority be delegated to the Interim Director of Resources in consultation with the Corporate Portfolio Holder to award the contract for the provision of a HR/payroll software solution for the period 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2021 with the option to extend until 31July 2023.

Reason for decision: To ensure the continuity of provision of HR and Payroll Services to the Council.  The level of expenditure on this contract exceeds the authority threshold in the Scheme of Delegation.

Report of the Director of Resources

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 A V Smith and

RESOLVED THAT:

Authority be delegated to the Interim Director of Resources in consultation with the Corporate Portfolio Holder  to award the contract for the provision of electricity for the period 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2020.

Reason for decision: To ensure the continuity of provision of energy to the Council.  The level of expenditure on this contract exceeds the authority threshold in the Scheme of Delegation.

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, outlining the current situation in respect of the emerging local plan.  He made reference to the housing requirement identified in the draft Local Plan, which was higher than the objectively assessed need identified in the Strategic Housing Market Assessment to take account of the Roxhill development.  He advised that following consultation across the Housing Market Area, it had been suggested that the Local Plan be delayed to await the outcome of the Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment, however this would mean that the Council would be at risk of not meeting the government deadline of implementing the Local Plan by early 2017.  He added that this could leave our green land open to all sorts of attacks.  He stated that officers had sought external advice and the view was that work on the Local Plan should proceed.  He sought Cabinet’s permission to do so.

Councillor T Gillard agreed that work should continue, as the longer it took, the more at risk the green wedge became.

Councillor R Blunt made reference to discussions he had had with the Housing minister and expressed support for the approach and recommendations.

It was moved by Councillor T J Pendleton, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)        The contents of this report and the risks associated with progressing with the Local Plan be noted; and

b)        Cabinet agrees to proceed with the Local Plan project the next step of which will be a report to full Council on 28 June 2016.

Reason for decision: To agree how the Council should proceed forward with its Local Plan.

Report of the Director of Housing

Presented by the Housing Portfolio Holder

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the report to members, outlining the scheme to host Syrian refugees and the proposal to accept two families per year for the duration of the scheme.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

a)        The proposal to host 2 families per year for 4 years under the Syrian refugee resettlement programme be approved as part of a wider response from Leicestershire districts

b)        The proposed position of all districts (bar one) not to offer to become an asylum dispersal area be supported.

Reason for decision: To contribute to the national response to the Government’s decision to provide rehousing for 20,000 Syrian refugees over the 5 years of the current parliament.

Report of the Director of Housing

Presented by the Housing Portfolio Holder

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the report to members, drawing their attention to the sites outlined at paragraph 1.1.  He highlighted the estimated costs and revenue streams from the financial modelling in 2.1 and 2.3 of a Council new build scheme for affordable housing. This showed a significant negative cashflow, and that substantial subsidy would be required over the period.   He explained that a further report would be brought to Cabinet on 14 June looking at alternative methods of making the most economically advantageous use of these sites.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.

Reason for decision: To update Cabinet regarding the proposed disposal and redevelopment of decommissioned sheltered schemes and communal garage sites.

Councillor N J Rushton entered the meeting at 5.25pm during the discussion on the item entitled ‘Building confidence in Coalville - project update including exemption to the Contract Procedure Rules’.