Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Coalville

Contact: Democratic Services  01530 454512

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Geary, R Johnson and K Merrie.

2.

Declaration of Interests

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'.

Minutes:

Councillor S Sheahan declared a non pecuniary interest in item 15 – appointment of representatives on community bodies, as the Leicestershire County Council representative on the Highways Forum, Minorca Surface Mine Site Liaison Committee, New Albion Revised Liaison Committee and Redbank Manufacturing Liaison Committee.

3.

Appointment of Chairman

To appoint the Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

Minutes:

Councillor J Bridges said a few words regarding his year as Chairman of the Council.  He referred to the many events he had attended during the last year representing the people of the area, and the treasured memories he had gained.  He added that there were so many unsung heroes and the people of the area had been fantastic. He urged members not to underestimate the role of Chairman, as being the representative of the Council was a very responsible position.  He thanked the officers who had assisted him during his year as Chairman.  He hoped he had served the authority well, and added that he had been proud to do so.  He thanked his wife Annette for her support and added that she had been the best individual fundraiser for his charity, having completed a 54 mile cycle ride from London to Brighton, raising over £1,200.  He thanked the many people who had contributed towards his charity and had attended events.  He paid tribute to Mick McCreath, who raised money for the Chairman every year and  announced that the total amount raised so far for the Alzheimers Society was £6,691. Councillor J Bridges concluded that this authority was a very good authority and was something to be proud of.  He thanked the Deputy Chairman and his wife Linda for their help and support over the last year. 

 

Councillor J Bridges presented his Consort with a bouquet of flowers along with a personal gift as a small token of his appreciation.

 

Councillor R Blunt thanked Councillor J Bridges for representing the Council during his year in office.  He added that Councillor J Bridges had been a firm and fair Chairman, had done an outstanding job connecting with people and had been a credit to the Council.

 

Nominations were then sought for the Chairman for the ensuing municipal year.

 

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt that Councillor J Cotterillbe appointed as Chairman of the Council for 2016/17.

 

The motion was seconded by Councillor A V Smith.

 

Upon being put to the vote it was

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

Councillor J Cotterill be appointed Chairman of the Council for 2016/17.

 

Councillor J Cotterill then took the Chair and the retiring Chairman invested him with the Chain of Office.  The Chairman signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

 

The Chairman invested his Lady with her Chain of Office.

 

The Chairman presented Councillor J Bridgeswith his past Chairman's badge and proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Chairman.

4.

Appointment of Deputy Chairman

To appoint the Deputy Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

Councillor V Richichi be appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Council for 2016/17.

 

The Chairman invested Councillor V Richichi with the Chain of Office.  The Deputy Chairman signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

 

Councillor V Richichi thanked members for appointing him as Deputy Chairman, and felt it was a great privilege.  He hoped to support the Chairman over the coming year.

5.

Appointment of Leader

To appoint the Leader of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

Councillor R Blunt be appointed as the Leader of the Council for 2016/17.

 

Councillor R Blunt thanked members for electing him as Leader of the Council.  He added that this was a great honour which he took very seriously and acknowledged the challenges ahead.

6.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman stated that he was looking forward to the coming year.  He announced his chosen charities, which were LOROS and the Air Ambulance.  He added that he had chosen LOROS as this was a local charity.  He explained that the Air Ambulance was not publicly funded and relied solely on donations and that he  hoped members would help him support his chosen charities in the forthcoming year.

 

The Chairman presented Councillors J G Coxon and N Smith with a certificate of long service, each having completed 21 years as serving members of the Council. 

 

Councillor J G Coxon stated that it gave him great pride to win an election and to be elected as a Councillor.  He added that he stood for the town where he was born, and he hoped he had made a bit of a difference in the past 21 years.  He stated that he was proud to receive this award.

 

Councillor N Smith thanked his wife and fellow colleagues for their help and support over the years.

 

The Chairman expressed congratulations to Leicester City Football Club on becoming champions of the premier league against the odds.  He added that their achievement had brought a great sense of pride and community spirit to our county.

 

The Chairman also expressed congratulations to Coalville Town FC who had won their promotion playoffs with resounding confidence to secure their place in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League – Premier Division.

7.

Leader's and Portfolio Holders' Announcements pdf icon PDF 61 KB

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.

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor R Blunt announced the appointments and delegations of executive functions for the forthcoming municipal year as follows:

 

Deputy Leader and Community Services Portfolio Holder - Councillor Alison Smith

 

Housing Portfolio Holder - Councillor Roger Bayliss

 

Regeneration and Planning Portfolio Holder - Councillor Trevor Pendleton

 

Corporate Portfolio Holder - Councillor Nick Rushton

 

Business Portfolio Holder - Councillor Tony Gillard

 

As in previous years the Executive responsibilities are to be delegated to the Cabinet to take decisions collectively.

 

Councillor R Blunt referred to the Coalville Project and outlined progress made to date.  He explained that the management team had now been expanded to provide additional capacity for the Coalville project, and the appropriate money had been allocated within the budget to make a difference in Coalville.  He added that work had started on connecting with focus groups, Councillors, and also with small businesses, interest groups and volunteer groups.  He stated that it had to be accepted that the Council could not solve all of Coalville’s problems by itself, and the hearts and minds of those with interest in Coalville had to be engaged.  He reiterated the importance of talking to businesses with an interest in Coalville.  He hoped that some meaningful progress would be made over the coming year in reversing 100 years of decline.

 

Councillor T Gillard referred to the £500,000 grant scheme launched in April 2015 to support economic growth in the district.  He added that Enterprising North West Leicestershire was a truly unique grant fund, providing grants to small and medium sized businesses based in or relocating to the district.  He commented that no other council offered a similar scheme.  He advised that grants between £5,000 and £25,000 had been given to businesses across the district from various industries.  He listed some of the businesses which had benefitted from the scheme and advised that to date, £203,568 had been awarded to 13 businesses, creating a total of 41 jobs.  He added that these grants had attracted £1.25 million in private sector investment.  He concluded that this was a unique and highly successful programme and because of its success, consideration was being given to investing in a similar scheme in the future.  He commented that supporting local growth and business was fundamental to the future of this district and was worth investing in.

 

Councillor S McKendrick thanked Councillor J Bridges for his work as Chairman of the Council over the last year, and welcomed Councillor J Cotterill as the incoming Chairman.  She announced the Shadow Cabinet as follows:

 

Leader – Councillor S McKendrick

 

Housing - Councillor R Adams

 

Community Services – Councillor N Clarke

 

Community Services Support – Councillor D Everitt

 

Business – Councillor S Sheahan

 

Coalville Project Lead – J Geary

 

Deputy Leader and Regeneration and Planning - Councillor J Legrys

 

Corporate – Councillor F Fenning

 

Scrutiny Lead – Councillor J Geary

 

Councillor S McKendrick stated that the role of the opposition was to ensure that the work of the Council was scrutinised,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Question and Answer Session

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.

Minutes:

There were no questions received.

9.

Questions from Councillors

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.

Minutes:

There were no questions received.

10.

Motions

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

Minutes:

No motions were received.

11.

Petitions pdf icon PDF 135 KB

To consider a petition submitted by Mrs D Lacey MBE in accordance with the Council's Petition Scheme.

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Mrs D Lacey to present her petition.

 

Mrs D Lacey addressed the meeting and stated that she had been asked to attend the meeting to represent the views of many residents who lived in the Coalville area.  She asked members to reconsider their decision and to open the toilets on the market place.  She added that it was the opinion of the residents that following the increase in Sunday trading, which had also led to an increased number of visitors to the town, the importance of providing basic facilities had been overlooked and had not been given due consideration.  She commented that it was difficult to rationalise why the toilets had been closed if the Council wished to support increased visitor numbers.  She added that the elderly, small children and pregnant women would need to utilise such facilities, including on Sundays, and not everyone would want to visit a coffee shop to use the toilets.  She respectfully requested that the Council reconsider its decision to close the toilets, and felt that consideration should also be given to upgrading the current facilities, such as installing a safety rail. 

 

It was moved by Councillor D J Stevenson, seconded by Councillor J Legrys and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The subject matter of the petition be placed on the next convenient meeting of Cabinet.

12.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 162 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 22 March 2016.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2016.

 

It was moved by Councillor J G Coxon, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

13.

Appointment of Committees and Groups, Election of Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen pdf icon PDF 146 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Chairman of the Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

a) The appointments to the Committees and Groups as set out in the additional papers be agreed.

 

b) The Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the Committees and Groups as set out in the additional papers be agreed.

14.

Appointment of Representatives on Community Bodies pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Chairman of the Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman referred members to the nominations as set out in the additional papers.

 

Councillor A C Saffell expressed disappointment that the East Midlands Distribution Park Liaison Committee had been disbanded and commented that this was not due to lack of attendance of the representatives.  He hoped that this body could be regenerated.

 

Councillor N Clarke expressed disappointment that as Greenhill ward member, he was not able to be a representative on the Bardon Hill Quarry Liaison Committee.

 

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor D Everitt and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

Representatives be appointed to serve on the community bodies as set out in the additional papers.

15.

Schedule of Meetings pdf icon PDF 127 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Chairman of the Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman referred members to the nominations as set out in the additional papers. 

 

Councillor J Legrys requested that more notice and a fuller explanation be provided when meeting dates were revised.

 

Councillor A C Saffell expressed his dissatisfaction about the meeting which had been set on the last Thursday in February, as this always clashed with meetings of the parish councils.

 

Councillor N J Rushton advised that the meeting referred to by Councillor A C Saffell was the budget and Council Tax setting meeting and had to take place following Leicestershire County Council’s meeting.  He added that officers sought to provide ample notice of any changes to meeting dates.

It was moved by Councillor N J Rushton, seconded by Councillor J Cotterill and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

a)   The proposed schedule of meetings for 2016/17 be agreed.

 

b)         The future schedule of Council and Cabinet meetings for 2017/18 to 2018/19          be noted.

16.

Member Conduct Annual Report 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 125 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor N J Rushton presented the report to members.

 

It was moved by Councillor N J Rushton, seconded by Councillor J Cotterill and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The member conduct annual report 2015/16 be received and noted.

17.

Appointment of Independent Persons pdf icon PDF 203 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor N J Rushton presented the report to members.

 

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

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The following independent persons be appointed until Annual Council in May 2019:

 

Michael Pearson

Mark Shaw

Christine Howell

Gordon Grimes

Richard Gough

Rob Wade