Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N Clarke and A C Saffell.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the code of conduct.  In particular, members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non pecuniary'.

The Chairman advised members the item 12 on the agenda, Amendment to Officer Employment Procedure Rules, related to the Statutory Officers, namely the Head of Paid Service, the Monitoring Officer and the Section 151 Officer.  He explained that those officers had received external legal advice that they had an interest in the item.  As the Head of Paid Service and the Monitoring Officer were in attendance at the meeting, they would therefore leave the room when this item was considered.

During the discussion on Leader’s and Portfolio Holders’ announcements, Councillor J Legrys declared a non pecuniary interest in any discussions on Picnic in the Park as a volunteer at Hermitage FM, as they had contributed to the event.

The Chairman thanked all staff involved in organising Proms in the Park and Picnic in the Park over the weekend, adding that both of the events were an overwhelming success with over 1,500 visitors on Saturday night for Proms in the Park and a further 7,000 the following day for Picnic in the Park.  He commented that this was great news and showed just how much the people of Coalville appreciated the work of officers.  He thanked in particular the Cultural Services team who organised the entire weekend and made sure it went off without a hitch.  He also thanked the leisure, street action, community focus and waste services teams for being there to tell residents about the many things the Council was doing for them, including free health checks, advice on recycling, information on new schemes such as Dog Watch and much more.  He added that the event was well received and very much appreciated by residents.

The Chairman highlighted some events which he had attended recently, including the Normandy Star, Homestart and various parish council events.  He referred again to Picnic in the Park, and reported that the High Sheriff had written to him personally to comment on how well the event had been run and how he had enjoyed it.

The Chairman outlined the charity events that were currently being organised and urged members to attend the magic night which would be taking place on 24 or 25 July.

Members are reminded that under paragraph 11.1 of part 4 of the Constitution, questions can be asked of the Leader and Cabinet Members without notice about any matter contained in any address.  Questions shall be limited to five minutes in total for each announcement.

Councillor R Blunt updated members on the progress being made on the proposal for a combined authority.  He reported that he met with the district council leaders, the leader of the county council and the city mayor who had officially agreed in principle to support a bid to Government for a combined authority.  He added that this was a cross-party agreement.  He explained that discussions had been taking place since the election, and the leaders collectively believe that a combined authority covering four specific areas will help regional growth in Leicester and Leicestershire; those areas being:

·        Transport

·        Strategic land use and planning

·        Skills

·        Funding and finance

Councillor R Blunt advised that there would be no change to any North West Leicestershire District Council services as a result of this proposal.  He explained that the next step was to await the outcome of the bid.  He stated that members would be informed of progress.  He advised that it had been decided at the meeting that a Chief Executive to represent the district councils involved in the bid was required.  He advised that our own Chief Executive had been put forward and unanimously agreed.  He wanted to put this on record, as it was a credit to her.

Councillor T Neilson commented on the amount of detail that had been publicised on this issue since the election.  He sought clarification on the next steps in terms of what the Council would have to consider when the bid came back, and the governance arrangements.  He added that the Chief Executive was taking on quite a challenge as she was also leading on the Coalville project.  He sought assurances that she had sufficient capacity.

Councillor R Blunt stated that there was a huge amount of detail to work out, and governance would be crucial.  He added that the bottom line was that the bid needed to progress quickly, because if the Council did not put in a bid, the funding would go elsewhere.  He commented that the performance of the Chief Executive was crucial, and he agreed that she was taking on two very big challenges; however in the 11 years she had worked for the Council she had not been found wanting.

In response to a question from Councillor J Clarke, Councillor R Blunt stated that transport was a key issue and the railway line had been a hot topic.  He commented that it was crucial to have one voice on this issue for the bid, as differing viewpoints would dilute the message.  He added that this would be an issue for discussion.

Councillor N Smith commented that he had worked with the Chief Executive for many years, and he assured members that she would not take on anything that she could not achieve.  He felt that it was a tremendous accolade to her that the rest of the county wanted her to represent them in this matter.

Councillor R D Bayliss referred to the Leicestershire Revenues and Benefits Partnership which was established  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

To receive questions from members of the public under procedure rule no.10.  The procedure rule provides that members of the public may ask members of the Cabinet 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.

No questions were received.

Councillor J Legrys declared a non pecuniary interest in any discussions on Picnic in the Park as a volunteer at Hermitage FM, as they had contributed to the event.

To receive members’ questions under procedure rule no.11.  The procedure rule provides that any member may ask the chairman of a board or group 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.

Councillor R Adams put the following question to Councillor R D Bayliss:

“The Portfolio holder will be aware that the sheltered housing scheme in the Broom Leys Ward known as Greenacres which contains 22 flats has been empty and decommissioned since September 2011. Will the Portfolio Holder agree that this is an unsatisfactory state of affairs and explain to this Council what he proposes to do about it?”

Councillor R D Bayliss gave the following response:

“The Greenacres sheltered housing scheme has been empty for some time as a result of the design of the flats proving to be unpopular with applicants on our housing register. In response to this changing pattern of demand, Cabinet considered a report regarding the scheme’s future in 2011, and made the decision to decommission it. 

A number of alternative future uses for the building have since been explored in detail, including a proposal to develop a community scheme with the local Tenants and Residents Association, and redevelopment opportunities with Housing Association partners. However, these options did not prove to be financially viable at the time. 

The site at Greenacres was examined in the feasibility report from the consultancy, Housing Quality Network (referred to below in the reply to Cllr Clarke’s question). I am pleased to report that the future plans for this building will be addressed as part of our Asset Management Strategy which will be presented to Cabinet in September 2015. The Cabinet report will integrate our ambitions with respect to new build Council housing into a wider asset management strategy, and present a positive way forward for the Greenacres site”.

On behalf of Councillor N Clarke, Councillor T Neilson put the following question to Councillor R D Bayliss:

“The approved budget for 2015/16 identified £400k which was to be used to purchase sites for affordable housing developments. Does the portfolio holder believe that the land where the Cocked Hat Public House once stood on Cropston Drive Coalville to be ideal for such a development? If so, what efforts are being made to secure the site for affordable housing and what time scales are involved in this matter?”

Councillor R D Bayliss gave the following response:

“The Housing Service is currently considering the council’s options for the provision of more affordable housing, including new build. A feasibility report on developing several sites across the district from the consultant, Housing Quality Network was received earlier this year.

Officers have identified suitable in-fill sites in and around our existing housing stock, and are currently testing their potential for development with planners. I can confirm that we will actively consider the potential for any suitable site in the district, including privately owned sites such as the former Cocked Hat public house plot that you refer to, as part of this process.

Any recommendations to acquire sites not in the council’s ownership will normally have to be approved by Cabinet in accordance with the council’s Acquisitions Policy approved in February this year”.

To consider any motions on notice under procedure rule no. 12.

No motions were received.

To receive petitions in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme. 

No petitions were received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 May 2015.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 26 May 2015.

It was moved by Councillor J Bridges, seconded by Councillor J Cotterill and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 May 2015 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N J Rushton presented the report to members, highlighting the amendments to the Terms of Reference which were required as a result of the change to the political balance of the Council following the elections.

Councillors J Legrys and T Neilson expressed support for the changes.

Councillor T Neilson thanked the members of the Advisory Committee for the work they were doing and he looked forward to seeing the outcome in September.

It was moved by Councillor N J Rushton, seconded by Councillor V Richichi and

RESOLVED THAT:

The amendments to the Terms of Reference for the Local Plan Advisory Committee be noted.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N J Rushton presented the report to members, outlining the benefits of the group and the nominations as set out in the additional papers.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

Councillors D Harrison and M Specht be appointed to the Association for Public Service Excellence.

Due to the Monitoring Officer and the Head of Paid Service having an interest in the following item, they left the room at this point in the meeting.

Report of the Legal Services Team Manager and Deputy Monitoring Officer

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N J Rushton presented the report to members, drawing their attention to the revised recommendation and the nominations as set out in the additional papers.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

a)     The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 be noted.

b)     The membership of the Investigatory Committee be amended to five members when considering disciplinary matters relating to chief officers who are not Statutory Officers.

c)     The membership of the Investigatory Committee be amended to seven members consisting of five elected members and two co-opted independent persons when considering matters relating to Chief Officers who are Statutory Officers (Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer).

d)     The two independent persons have equal voting rights with other committee members.

e)     The terms of reference of the committee be amended to include “and to advise the Council in relation to the proposed dismissal of the Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer”.

f)       Council agree to remunerate the independent persons for the conduct of investigatory matters.

g)     Councillor R Blunt be appointed as Chairman of the Investigatory Committee for the municipal year.

h)     Councillor A V Smith MBE be appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Investigatory Committee for the municipal year.

i)       Councillors J Clarke and J G Coxon be appointed to the Investigatory Committee.

j)       The Monitoring Officer be authorised to make the consequential amendments to the Constitution to ensure compliance with the legislative provisions.