Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

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 S Sheahan declared a non pecuniary interest in item 7, Motions, as a member of Leicestershire County Council.

Councillor M Specht declared a non pecuniary interest in item 10, End of Year Performance Report 2016/17, as a volunteer in the local community.

Councillor M B Wyatt declared a non pecuniary interest in item 10, End of Year Performance Report 2016/17, as his business was a beneficiary of the small grants scheme.

Councillor J Legrys declared a non pecuniary interest in item 10, End of Year Performance Report 2016/17, as a volunteer at Hermitage FM. 

The Chairman made the following announcements:

In remembrance of all those who had lost their lives in the series of tragic events which had taken place in recent weeks in London and Manchester, the Chairman invited members to join him in observing a minute’s silence.  The Chairman had also sent a letter to the Mayor of Manchester and the Mayor of London as an expression of support.

The Chairman announced that the flag had been raised for Armed Forces Day and he was grateful to have been able to raise the flag himself. 

The Chairman referred to the success of the Proms in the Park, Picnic in the Park and the Moira steam rally event which had been very well attended.  He also announced that two defibrillators had been installed in Ashby de la Zouch.

The Chairman formally welcomed Bev Smith to her first Full Council meeting following her appointment as Chief Executive.

The Chairman said farewell to Steve Bambrick who was leaving the Council after over 10 years.

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 made reference to the Whitwick Green Wedge and the recent success in defending an appeal against a refusal of a planning application relating to the site.  He felt that the defence of the Green Wedge should be celebrated.

Councillor R Blunt reminded members that Steve Bambrick had joined the Council in 2006 as Head of Planning and had been quickly promoted to Director of Environment within two years and again to Director of Services and Deputy Chief Executive within another two years.  He added that Steve had worked seamlessly with Christine Fisher for all of that time and had been the only director for a four year period during the recession, which was a testament to his dedication.  He commented that the Council had been transformed in recent years and Steve had been at the forefront of this change, which had been difficult and challenging.  He stated that at heart Steve was a planner and should feel great pride at the way in which he had transformed a poor performing planning service.  He wished him luck.

Councillor J Bridges commented that he had dealt with Steve on many occasions on various issues.  He agreed that Steve was a planner at heart, and felt that to become a good leader you needed to be able to plan.  He referred to the qualities that Steve had brought to the Council and the Planning Department, which he knew from first-hand experience was as good as it got.  He added that Steve had empowered people to make decisions, he had allowed talented staff to flourish and had got the best out of them.  He commented that the Council had been very lucky to have had someone like Steve and his leaving was a big loss for the authority.  He thanked Steve for all the exceptional work he had done for the Council.

Councillor S Sheahan thanked Steve for his service to the Council, particularly in his role in supporting members.  He commented that Steve had carried a lot of responsibility in his post as Director of Services, he had performed admirably and thoroughly deserved his new role.

Councillor N Smith thanked Steve for the changes he had made to the Planning Department and his dedication.  He thanked him for all he had done and wished him all the very best for the future. 

Councillor M Specht commented that as a new Councillor he had had cause to discuss an issue with Steve and he was ruthless in the efforts he undertook to resolve the issue.  He congratulated Steve on his new post and wished him all the best for the future. 

Councillor J Legrys stated that he was disappointed that Steve was leaving as he had been a friend, a mentor and an individual.  He thanked Steve for all he had done for him personally. 

Councillor T J Pendleton recalled the frank discussions he had had with Steve as a portfolio holder with new responsibility for planning.  He added that Steve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

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.

There were no questions 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.

Councillor N Clarke put the following question to Councillor N J Rushton:

“In November 2016 the Government was defeated at the Supreme Court by two families who claimed " the bedroom tax is discriminatory ".  This decision related to disabled people and their carers.

Can the portfolio holder confirm whether this decision has affected any families in North West Leicestershire.  If so, how many and have these families been properly reimbursed with back payment for the Government’s unlawful imposition of the "bedroom tax?”.

Councillor N J Rushton gave the following response:

“We are only aware of one case in North West Leicestershire affected by this decision.

The case involved a couple whose husband required a spare bedroom due to his disability. In April 2013 their appeal was dismissed in line with the regulations at that time.

Following the decision by the Supreme Court in November 2016, new regulations took effect from April 2017 and cases cannot be reimbursed for decisions prior to that date.

In this particular case, no reimbursement would have been payable even if it was allowed as the loss of benefit had been compensated through Discretionary Housing Payments until the couple’s income had increased sufficiently due to the award of Personal Independence Payments. It should also be noted that the couple moved out of our area in August 2016”.

As a supplementary question, Councillor N Clarke sought assurances that all cases which may have been affected by the supreme court decision had been reviewed and that proper monitoring would continue to ensure that no lawful imposition could occur in future.

Councillor N J Rushton advised that the high court ruling was observed and taken account of and any subsequent applications would be treated accordingly. 

Councillor R Johnson put the following question to Councillor T J Pendleton:

“On 21 June I was informed by my Parish Clerk at 10:05am of an email sent to him of a meeting at Morrisons on the same day with Willy Bach Police commissioner and the Chief constable Simon Cole of what matters in Coalville. Was this council aware of this yes or no and if so, why weren’t councillors informed of this event?”.

Councillor T J Pendleton gave the following response:

“Officers at North West Leicestershire District Council were not formally advised of the visit to Morrisons by the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable on 21 June 2017. Officers did become aware of a potential visit, but only informally, as a result of a passing comment from a police representative on 20 June.

The PCC website provides a publicly available list of PCC events and meetings, including those within the “What Matters to You?” programme. Members can see that information using the following URL: http://www.leics.pcc.police.uk/News-and-Events/Events-Calendar.aspx . Officers have established that the PCC visit to Morrisons in Coalville was listed on this page ahead of the event”.

As a supplementary question, Councillor R Johnson commented that all members would not look at the PCC website and he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor S Sheahan:

“This Council notes with concern the most recent figures (2015) released by Public Health England on air quality in North West Leicestershire. They show that North West Leicestershire has the worst mortality rates (5.8%) attributable to fine particulate air pollution of any Council area within the East Midlands. Source - http://www.phoutcomes.info/public-health-outcomes-framework#page/0/gid/1000043/pat/104/ati/101/are/E07000131

The Council will, in line with DEFRA LAQM Policy Guidance PG16 April 2016, and this Council’s latest Air Quality Annual Status Report, actively engage with the County Council and specifically the Director of Public Health to –

·         better understand why the mortality rate in North West Leicestershire due to man-made PM2.5 particulates is worse even than the East Midlands' largest cities of Leicester and Nottingham,

·         bring forward an Air Quality Action Plan, identifying new priority measures to tackle PM2.5 emissions and concentrations”.

Councillor S Sheahan moved the following motion:

“This Council notes with concern the most recent figures (2015) released by Public Health England on air quality in North West Leicestershire. They show that North West Leicestershire has the worst mortality rates (5.8%) attributable to fine particulate air pollution of any Council area within the East Midlands. Source - http://www.phoutcomes.info/public-health-outcomes-framework#page/0/gid/1000043/pat/104/ati/101/are/E07000131

The Council will, in line with DEFRA LAQM Policy Guidance PG16 April 2016 and this Council’s latest Air Quality Annual Status Report, actively engage with the County Council and specifically the Director of Public Health to –

·         better understand why the mortality rate in North West Leicestershire due to man-made PM2.5 particulates is worse even than the East Midlands' largest cities of Leicester and Nottingham,

·         bring forward an Air Quality Action Plan, identifying new priority measures to tackle PM2.5 emissions and concentrations”.

Councillor S Sheahan spoke to the motion, referring to the five air quality management areas in the district and the failure of the Council to produce an action plan despite being required to do so and recommendations from DEFRA that a new action plan be submitted.  He highlighted that the district had the worst mortality rate in 2017 for PM2.5 particulates in the East Midlands.  He felt that the Council had dragged its feet and the guidance provided by DEFRA showed that there was no safe level for particulate matter.  He stated that the Council needed to play its part and in doing so would save lives.

The motion was seconded by Councillor T Eynon.  She referred to the 2014 action plan and framework document which remained unmonitored and unreviewed.  She stated that the fraction of mortality in respect of particulates was 5.8%, however this was not just a statistic, these were people who had to choose between walking and talking.  She commented that the evidence was there, however it was not being updated and the Council had the responsibility but was not exercising it.

Councillor A V Smith moved the following amendment to the motion:

“This Council notes the most recent figures (2015) released by Public Health England on air quality in North West Leicestershire. They show that 5.8 % of deaths of residents of North West Leicestershire are attributable to fine particulate air pollution. This does not mean that air pollution was the cause of those deaths, it means that air pollution was a factor in those deaths. Sources of PM2.5 air pollution include diesel vehicles, quarrying and agriculture and it is the case that North West Leicestershire hosts quarrying and agriculture activities, which employ thousands of residents. 

The Council will, in line with DEFRA LAQM Policy Guidance PG16 April 2016 and this Council’s latest Air Quality Annual Status Report, actively engage with the County Council and specifically the Director of Public Health to –

·         better understand why the mortality rate in North West Leicestershire due to man-made PM2.5 particulates is worse even than the East Midlands' largest cities of Leicester and Nottingham

·         if as a result it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

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 16 May 2017.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2017.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2017 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

Councillor R Blunt presented the report to members, outlining the key highlights in performance from the previous year.

Councillor M B Wyatt expressed concerns in respect of the reference to the management of leisure services and sought clarity on the scope of that reference. 

Councillor K Merrie commended the report and the focus on businesses and jobs.  He made reference to the industrial development in Ellistown and the   woodland park which had received a national award.  

Councillor N Smith welcomed the heritage aspects of the report and the promotion of Coalville.

Councillor J Clarke welcomed the Green Footprints section of the report and the free trees and bulbs given away which he would like to see increased.  He commented however that litter remained a major problem.

Councillor J Bridges made reference to the LEAP programme case study highlighted in the report and recalled the pride he felt meeting Mr Pollard and hearing his story. 

Councillor T Eynon commented that the document really sold the Council as good value.  She expressed disappointment that the document had not been considered by scrutiny.  She requested that a functioning scrutiny system be put in place to enable members to wholeheartedly support documents such as this.

Councillor J Geary welcomed the private sector housing stock survey as he felt it was important to understand the condition of all housing stock.  He thanked the Council for taking this initiative.  He made reference to the scheme to replace solid fuel heating in non-gas areas and he hoped the advice would be made available to the private sector once the best solution was known.

Councillor M Specht welcomed the celebration of volunteers event and clarified that there were far more than 90 volunteers in the district.

Councillor R D Bayliss highlighted the ongoing work in respect of the decent homes programme and the high rates of tenant satisfaction.  He also made reference to the excellent work of the Tenant Scrutiny Panel, the high rate of rent collection and the reduction in the re-let time of empty properties. 

Councillor J Legrys commented that he would have liked to have seen a significant improvement in the housing repairs service demonstrated in this document.  He highlighted that the business photographed in the document in respect of the shop fronts scheme had subsequently closed.  He commented that there had been a lot of effort put into bringing jobs into the town which many people could not access due to a lack of public transport.  He stated that he would have preferred a focus on where things could have been done better and some comment on engagement with the community and elected members of all levels.  He referred to recent comments made in relation to poor Council Tax collection rates and added that he would have liked to have seen some statistics on this issue. 

Councillor R Ashman commended the report. He welcomed the focus on value for money.  He commented that in his experience the housing department was very responsive and he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

Report of the Director of Services

Presented by the Regeneration and Planning Portfolio Holder

Councillor T J Pendleton presented the report to members, highlighting the new priority relating to cybercrime and the slight rise in crime overall.

Councillor S Sheahan paid tribute to the Police who did a great job facing enormous responsibility to keep people safe.  He also paid tribute to the partnership working ethos.  He commented however that this could not replace bobbies on the beat which had been reduced.  He made reference to the Prevent strategy and the need to ensure right wing extremism was also countered.

Councillor N Clarke questioned whether a £2,000 budget to tackle anti-social behaviour across the whole of North West Leicestershire was a serious commitment.  He added that there did not appear to be any clear objectives or targets.

Councillor T Eynon welcomed the document having been considered by Policy Development Group and she welcomed the focus on cybercrime which had been increasing exponentially.  She emphasised the need to measure the outcomes of the strategy and hoped this data would be considered by scrutiny to enable this. 

Councillor J Legrys welcomed the report and commended the officers.  He made reference to the further cuts planned in the police service and asked how the Council would cope with this.

Councillor R Canny welcomed the support for the Prevent strategy and relayed her experiences as a school teacher.

Councillor J Geary commented that there were many crimes committed which did not get reported.  He felt that elected members should be represented on the partnership to perform a scrutiny function and he gave an example highlighting the importance of receiving feedback from the grass roots.

Councillor T J Pendleton advised that the Police and Crime Commissioner was currently recruiting.  He highlighted that the £2,000 funding to tackle anti-social behaviour was additional.  He assured members that CCTV was well funded from Section 106 contributions when there was a requirement and a complete review of the system was currently being undertaken.  He advised that the partnership was constituted lawfully and took on board information from many external sources. 

It was moved by Councillor T J Pendleton, seconded by Councillor R D Bayliss and

RESOLVED THAT:

The North West Leicestershire Community Safety Strategy 2017 – 2020 be noted.