Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Coalville

Contact: Democratic Services  01530 454512

Items
No. Item

29.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Hoult, R Johnson, G Jones and M Specht.

 

30.

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:

Councillors A V Smith and N Smith declared a pecuniary interest in item 12 – Appointments to the Independent Remuneration Panel, as Margaret Dadley was a customer of Fabulous Fabric and a student at School of Sewing.

 

Councillor S Sheahan declared a non pecuniary interest in item 10 – Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority, as a member of Leicestershire County Council.

 

31.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

With great sadness, the Chairman announced the recent passing of two former Councillors.  A one minute’s silence was held in remembrance of Councillor Phil Holland and Councillor Walter Quelch.

 

 

 

32.

Leader's and Portfolio Holders' Announcements

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 informed members of the ongoing work across the district to maintain high standards of design in new developments.  He referred to the recent visits undertaken by the design ambassadors to a number of sites across the district, and commented that high quality schemes in terms of design were being approved as a matter of course, which would leave a legacy the people of the district could be proud of.  He made reference to the DHL building and the Radisson Blu at East Midlands Airport, which was outstanding in design and a landmark building.  He also referred to the new Amazon building, the investment for which had been secured due to the Council’s can-do approach and business-like attitude, providing 500 permanent new jobs and up to 1,000 seasonal jobs in the district.  He added that the support from the Council would help to maximise the local employment benefit, and along with the development at Bardon Grange, the future for Coalville was far brighter than it had been for many years.

 

The Leader report that the Council was looking to invest over £1 million in conjunction with Ashby Town Council to enhance the area around Hood Park.  He advised that work would soon commence on a new car park for the town.  He added that the area around Hood Park would be improved and become the cultural and leisure quarter for the town. 

 

Councillor S Sheahan suggested that the Policy Development Group receives a report on the state of the district.  He commented that it would be encouraging if the Leader would support this and felt that it would be a useful time to do this exercise.

 

Councillor R Blunt responded that he felt scrutiny should play a role, however this was a matter for the Chairman of the Policy Development Group.

 

Councillor J G Coxon welcomed the news in respect of the cultural and leisure quarter for Ashby de la Zouch.  He thanked the Leader and the Chief Executive for their time and effort on this initiative and commented that the additional parking spaces would be a godsend.  He felt sure that the residents would appreciate the investment in the town.

 

Councillor N Smith commented on the improvements made in respect of the quality of new developments in the district during the time since he joined the Council.  He felt that new builds were tremendous and a credit to all.  He welcomed the announcement in respect of the cultural and leisure quarter and felt this would balance the town.

 

Councillor K Merrie outlined his experience liaising with Amazon, being the ward member for this large scale development.  He urged people not to be fearful of development, but to work with people to get the best for the community.

 

Councillor A C Saffell commented that house design has improved however there were issues on Spitfire Road with roads being too narrow and insufficient parking, which caused neighbour disputes. 

 

Councillor R Blunt thanked Councillor J G Coxon and Councillor N Smith  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

33.

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.

 

34.

Questions from Councillors pdf icon PDF 119 KB

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

As Councillor R Johnson was not present, his question was withdrawn and would be put to the next meeting of Council.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt put the following question to Councillor A V Smith:

 

“Can the Portfolio Holder for Environment supply information on the number of fly tipping incidents and the cost of any clean up since 2011”.

 

Councillor A V Smith gave the following response:

 

“Fly tipping in North West Leicestershire remains an on-going issue which the teams in Community Services continue to tackle. DEFRA publish national fly tipping statistics which include the number of fly tips reported and the estimated costs of clear up. As an authority we do not allocate costs for each fly tip we clear up but we use DEFRA cost guidelines based on the type of fly tip. For example, a single black bag according to DEFRA equates to £7.00 of costs. Multiple loads can be up to £350 although the authority can amend this if the fly tip costs in excess of this. For example, a tip of asbestos waste would cost more to clear than a pile of bricks. Our reported data since 2011/12 is as follows (data between 2011 and 2014 included some duplication, new system introduced in 2014/15);

 

Year

Fly tip incidents

Cost of dealing with fly tips

2011/12

1033

£50,044

2012/13

1156

£41,301

2013/14

1110

£42,220

2014/15

697

£31,664

2015/16

746*

£34,116

 

*The figures for 2015-16 are taken from NWLDC current data and have not yet been audited by DEFRA.

 

The size of the majority of fly tips in NWL is about the size of a car boot load or less. 60% of fly tips are household waste which are either single items or waste contained in a single black bag. The next highest numbers of fly tips are tyres (8%), construction (7%), green waste (5%), commercial waste (5%), white goods such as freezers and cookers (4%), and vehicle parts (4%). NWLDC are 115 out of all 234 districts for cost of clearing fly tips (excludes city council’s and London boroughs).

 

We use a range of tools for combating fly tipping;

 

·        Deploying mobile cameras at known hotspots

·        Display signage (tigers eyes posters)

·        School education visits

·        Stop & search interventions with police

·        Roadshows and stands at DIY stores-Buildbase/Wickes/Harlows

·        Duty of care leaflets sent out in Building Control letters

·        Information articles for housing tenants magazine “In Touch”

·        Facebook/twitter/press articles

·        Campaigns including the Keep Britain Tidy Award Winning Lorry Litter campaign

 

These have been enhanced by the Government introducing on 9 May 2016 a fixed penalty notice option to deal with “low level” offences relating to the illegal disposal of controlled waste contrary to section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 2016 1990 (fly tipping). There is no definition of what constitutes “low level”. The value of the penalty can be set between £150 and £400. Due to the seriousness of the offence NWLDC set the figure at £400. Since its introduction we have issued 3 FPN’s for this offence. Littering and dog  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

35.

Motions

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

Minutes:

No motions were received.

 

36.

Petitions

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

Minutes:

No petitions were received.

 

37.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 158 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 28 June 2016.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2016.

 

Councillor S Sheahan requested that the word Brexit be added following his speech on page 69 of the agenda.

 

It was moved by Councillor J Cotterill, seconded by Councillor V Richichi and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

Subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

 

38.

Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority pdf icon PDF 186 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman referred members to the nominations set out in the report.  He advised that the nominations from the Labour Group had subsequently been withdrawn, however more nominations had been received than there were seats available on the Planning Committee and Transport Committee.  The Chairman advised that a vote would be taken on the nominations individually.

 

Councillor R Blunt presented the report to members.  He provided an update on the progress of the Combined Authority and sought Council’s approval of the Constitution and operating agreement. 

 

Councillor S McKendrick stated that she remained concerned about the lack of scrutiny in the structure of the Combined Authority.  She felt that this was not robust and she could not support the proposals.

 

Councillor J Legrys stated that he was aware other authorities were not taking a decision on this matter until the content of the order had been made available.  He added that he was sceptical about the lack of scrutiny.  He doubted that many members had read the Constitution and operating agreement, and felt establishing a third organisation would add further duplication in North West Leicestershire.  He commented that the proposal was a sham.

 

Councillor J Bridges sought clarity on the proposed composition of the scrutiny function, bearing in mind the comments made.

 

Councillor R Blunt referred members to paragraph 4.2 of the report and advised that the Constitution required the scrutiny function to be politically balanced across all authorities, and therefore this authority was required to appoint a Conservative member.

 

A vote was then taken on the appointments to committees.

 

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

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

a)   The draft Constitution of the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority be endorsed;

 

b)   The draft operating agreement of the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority be endorsed;

 

c)   The Chief Executive be authorised, following consultation with the Leader, to make any final minor amendments to the Constitution and operating agreement prior to their approval and adoption by the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority;

 

d)   The Chief Executive be authorised, following consultation with the Leader, to agree any minor changes to the operating agreement in future following adoption of the document by the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority; and

 

e)   The following members be appointed to serve on the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority and its committees:

     

      Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority

      Councillor R Blunt (as Leader of the Council)

Substitute: Councillor A V Smith

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor M Specht

Substitute: Councillor N Smith

       

Planning Committee

Councillor T J Pendleton

Substitute: Councillor J Clarke

 

Transport Committee

Councillor T J Pendleton

Substitute: Councillor J Clarke

 

39.

Senior Management Structure pdf icon PDF 243 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

Minutes:

Councillor R Blunt presented the report to members, outlining the need for the expertise in this area and the appointment made by the Chief Executive on an interim basis.  He highlighted the initiatives which had been introduced and the recruitment process as set out in the report.

 

Councillor J Legrys welcomed the proposals.  He sought clarity on the forthcoming review process however he commented that he felt that this was a good use of public money.

 

Councillor S Sheahan commented that he would be interested to know what other cuts were likely.

 

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor R Adams and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

a)     The creation of a permanent post of Head of Economic Development be approved

 

b)     The Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any consequential          changes required to the constitution arising out of this report

 

 

40.

Appointments to the Independent Remuneration Panel pdf icon PDF 224 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Minutes:

Having declared a pecuniary interest, Councillors A V Smith and N Smith left the meeting during consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

 

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:

 

a)   Stephen Barkby and Trevor Moore be appointed as members of the      Independent Remuneration Panel for a four year term commencing 12 November            2016.

 

b)   Elaine Oldham and Margaret Dadley be re-appointed as members of the       Independent Remuneration Panel for a four year term commencing 12 November       2016.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt left the meeting at 7.24pm prior to consideration of the report entitled ‘Senior Management Structure’.