Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor A C Saffell.

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.

Councillor J Geary declared a no-pecuniary interest in item 5 – End of Year Performance Report as a founder member of Mantle Lane Arts.

To receive questions from members of the public under rule no.10 of the Council Procedure Rules. The procedure rule provides that members of the public may ask any question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the District, provided that three clear days’ notice in writing has been given to the Head of Legal and Support Services.

None

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2018.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2018.

It was moved by Councillor V Richichi, seconded by Councillor D Harrison and

RESOLVED:

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2018 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Executive.

The Head of Legal and Commercial Services presented the report.  She advised that previous feedback from PDG had been taken into account and drew attention to the progress achieved against the Council Delivery Plan 2017/18 including three commitments made by the Council which were behind plan. It was also explained that the figures in a different colour indicated they were yet to be finalised.

Councillor T Eynon thanked officers for making the report an attractive and interesting document.  She made the following comments:

·       For the total plan of commitments made by the council, the figures were incorrect.  The Head of Legal and Commercial Services acknowledged the error and would provide an update.

·       Some of the percentages included throughout the report needed further information to support them as it was difficult to get an understanding when there was no denominator.

Councillor J Geary made the following comments:

·      Part of the overview of North West Leicestershire highlighted Triumph motorcycles which was not based within the District, he believed it should refer to Norton Motorcycles.  The Head of Legal and Commercial Services explained that the businesses listed were the top ten businesses with regard to turnover and she would check with officers if Norton Motorcycles should be included.  The Chairman commented that Triumph Motorcycles was a subsidiary of Bloor Investments which was based in the District.

·      He questioned the commitment to improve Coalville Market to attract new traders and customers as he was aware of a trader who was refused permission to use a particular stall as it was deemed too expensive to remove the refrigeration units already installed. He did not believe that encouraged new traders.  The Chairman responded that it was difficult to make a judgement as the circumstances were not known, it may depend on what other stalls were available and the cost of installing the refrigeration may not justify its removal as it could be used again in the future.  He asked officers to investigate.  

·      Regarding the identification of gypsy and traveller sites, he felt that it was only necessary to provide a transit site because in accordance with the definition of a gypsy, once they are settled in an area they are no longer a gypsy and are a permanent member of the community.  He reported that other local authorities had permitted sites which after a certain amount of time were left empty due to the gypsies and travellers moving on, therefore the question needed to be asked if such sites were necessary.  The Chairman commented that the identification of these sites was included within the Local Plan and the local authority had a duty of care to meet the requirements that had been set nationally.

·      Regarding the replacement of solid fuel heating systems with air source heat pumps in council homes, he expressed concerns because according to his own research they required a lot of maintenance. He also felt the council should not be spending as much as they were on responsive repairs in light of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To consider any items to be included in the work programme. The plan of forthcoming Cabinet decisions and the current work programme are attached for information.

In relation to the ‘Gas Supply in Rural Areas’ item which had once again been deferred to the next meeting, the Chairman asked if Councillor J Geary could undertake a canvass of the area so that it was clearer who would be interested in a gas supply.  Councillor J Geary responded that this had already been undertaken and 97 percent of residents would like a gas supply.  He also expressed his disappointment in the amount of time this item had been on the work programme. The Director of Housing and Customer Services explained that with regard to infrastructure providers such as Cadent Gas Ltd (formerly Transco), the information he had received was that they would charge an individual household a considerable amount of money to run a gas supply to the property.  He also reminded Members that Cadent Gas Ltd were a commercial business and he believed their response would be that they were under no obligation to extend the gas supply but would charge for the service.  He agreed to approach them and confirm a date for a representative to attend and discuss the matter further with the Committee.

Councillor T Eynon expressed her disappointment that the Committee was still meeting after Cabinet and therefore were unable to scrutinise particular reports.  She requested that the List of Local Heritage Assets report on the Executive Decision Notice for July 2018 be placed on the work programme.

The Head of Legal and Commercial Services explained that the Policy Development Group meetings had now been aligned with Cabinet meetings to ensure the quarterly performance reports could be scrutinised.  Unfortunately, due to the number of Policy Development Group meetings it might not be possible for all reports to be considered before every Cabinet.

RESOLVED THAT:

The List of Local Heritage Assets report be placed on the work programme.