Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Ashman.

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'.

Councillor N J Rushton stated that he was aware of an amendment to item 10, Budget and Council Tax 2016/17.  He declared a pecuniary interest in part B of the amendment, as an owner of car parking facilities in Ashby de la Zouch.  He stated that he would therefore leave the room during consideration of the amendment.

Councillors T Eynon and J Legrys declared a non pecuniary interest in item 4, Leader’s and Portfolio Holders’ Announcements.  Their interest was relating to the announcement on the Coalville Project as a volunteer and stakeholder at Hermitage FM.

Councillor M B Wyatt declared a non pecuniary interest in item 10, Budget and Council Tax 2016/17, as a business owner in Coalville.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

The Chairman congratulated Councillor S Sheahan on being elected to the Measham South ward and he welcomed him back to the Chamber.

The Chairman welcomed Andrew Hunkin, who had recently joined the Council as Interim Director of Resources.

The Chairman made reference to the numerous events attended by himself over the past few weeks.  He added that he had attended some fantastic events, which really made him proud to come from North West Leicestershire.

The Chairman referred to two funerals which he had recently attended; the funeral of Kayleigh Haywood, whose life was tragically cut short.  He stated that her family should remain in our thoughts now and in the future.  The Chairman had also recently attended the funeral of Harold Smalley who was in the armed forces and had lived a very long and active life. 

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.

The Leader informed members about the legal action the Council was taking to protect a greenfield site on the edge of Coalville.  He advised that for the first time, the Council had applied to the High Court for a judicial review, seeking to challenge the planning inspector’s decision to overturn the Council’s refusal of the planning application for 180 houses on land off Greenhill Road, Coalville.  He explained that the Planning committee had refused this application in November, but following an appeal by the developer, the planning inspector had decided on 5 January to overturn the decision.  He felt that the district had taken its fair share of housing, and needed to fight to protect areas of attractive green space.  He added that Policy E22 was in place to protect key areas of the district and he did not agree that the inspector should ignore this policy.  He expressed support for the local community who were opposed to this development and added that the Council would do all in its power to overturn this decision. He stated that ward members would be kept informed and he would also provide updates at Council.

The Leader gave an update on the Coalville project, highlighting the new shop front on Martin and Co in the High Street.  He explained that this was the first business to benefit from the shop front improvement grant scheme, whereby the Council had provided 80% of the funding for the work to improve their shop front, creating a visually appealing frontage on the High Street.  He hoped that this would encourage the other 39 businesses in the town centre to take up the Council’s offer of grant funding.  He was pleased that 25 businesses were currently in discussions with the Council about this scheme.  The Leader also welcomed the official opening of the Royal Oak Court, which would take place in March.  The development would replace the derelict Pick and Shovel.  He stated that this was a major change for Coalville, as it would not only provide affordable homes for local people, but would also make Coalville more welcoming.  He added that he was proud that the Council was able to financially support the scheme, as it would not have taken place without this help.

Councillor M B Wyatt thanked the Leader on behalf of the residents of Castle Rock for supporting and instigating the judicial review. 

Councillor J Legrys stated that he felt the judicial review was a positive move forward.  He welcomed the progress on the town centre project, the opening of the Royal Oak Court and the shop front scheme.  He sought clarification on how much money was being invested into the shop front scheme, and how much funding business owners could access. 

Councillor R Blunt thanked members for their support.  He stated that business owners could access £250,000; however this would vary slightly depending upon the level of take up of the grants.  He added that he would not want funding to prevent the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

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.

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.

No questions were received.

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 17 November 2015.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2015.

It was noted that Councillor T Eynon had not received a response from Councillor N J Rushton to her question regarding letting agents. 

Councillor J Clarke highlighted a typographical error under minute number 41 and requested that this be amended to read ‘planned’ holidays.

Councillor D J Stevenson thanked members and officers for their kind words on behalf of himself and Councillor G A Allman.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

Subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2015 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Interim Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N J Rushton presented the report to members, drawing their attention to Section 2 of the report which set out the General Fund and Special Expenses budget proposals for 2016/17.  In particular he asked members to note that the provisional 2016/17 New Homes Bonus had been set at just under £2.8m, which was £350k higher than assumed in the Medium Term Financial Strategy, reflecting the excellent work that had been done in bringing empty homes back into use and ensuring that new homes qualified for the Bonus at the earliest opportunity.  He felt that with unknowns such as the Business Rates Retention Income and the New Homes Bonus Consultation Exercise, this was a prudent budget that held higher than historic levels of reserves.

Councillor N J Rushton highlighted that it was recommended to freeze the district’s Council Tax for the seventh year running, and North West Leicestershire was the only other local authority he was aware of, apart from Mansfield District Council, to have done so.  He added that this was something to be proud of as this represented a saving to our residents of £23.45 per annum on a Band D Council Tax bill.  He stated that he was also pleased to be able to continue to provide over £100,000 in localisation of Council Tax support grant to parishes.  He added that he would endeavour to maintain this support for as long as possible, however parish councils should be aware that there were particularly challenging times ahead.

Councillor N J Rushton made reference to Section 2.6 of the report which detailed the Projected Outturn for 2015/16 and explained the forecast under spend of £1.6 million. He advised that it was recommended to transfer this surplus to a special projects reserve, as both the end of year position and projected budget for 2016/17 relied heavily on the projected business rates income.  He added that it was therefore prudent to wait until the business rates were finalised in May prior to making any commitments to how the budgets may be allocated, and Cabinet would receive further reports in due course.

Councillor N J Rushton drew members’ attention to Section 3 of the report which set out the Housing Revenue Account proposals. Members were asked to note that the Government had changed its position regarding the rent decrease and this was explained in the addendum to the Cabinet report which had been circulated to members.  He advised that the balance on the Housing Revenue Account at 31 March 2016 was estimated at £5.3 million, which significantly exceeded the agreed minimum working balance of £1m.  He added that the HRA budget for 2016/17 would produce an estimated surplus of £2.5 million which would increase the HRA balance to just under £7.8 million, which would provide a healthy provision for the repayment of loans within the HRA Business Plan.  He congratulated the Housing department on doing an exceedingly good job in managing this.  With regard to rents, he advised that changing the core  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

Report of the Interim Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N J Rushton presented the report to members, highlighting that the statement complied with statutory, regulatory and professional requirements.  He added that specific roles and responsibilities were identified and the Council utilised the services of an independent treasury advisor.  Treasury management activity was also reported throughout the year to the Audit and Governance Committee. 

Councillor F Fenning suggested that members should abstain from voting on this item.  He made reference to section 4.1 of the report and observed that the estimated usable reserves for 2016/17 had decreased by £7 million from the 2015/16 figure, whilst the estimated working capital had increased by £7 million. He also referred to the estimated net debt figure for 2016/17 which was estimated to reduce by £25 million from 31 March 2015.  He sought an explanation for this.

Councillor N J Rushton suggested that such detailed questions would be better put in advance of the meeting.  He advised that these were CIPFA approved figures, and would undertake to provide a response in writing.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2016/17, Prudential Indicators 2015/16 (Revised) and 2016/17 to 2018/19, and the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Statement 2016/17 be approved.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

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

RESOLVED THAT:

a) The unchanged position regarding the political proportionality of the        Council following the district by-election for Measham South ward be noted.

b)         Councillor S Sheahan be appointed to the     vacant seats on the Audit       and Governance Committee, Licensing Committee and Appointments        Committee; and as a substitute on the Electoral Review Working Party.