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:

There were no apologies for absence received.

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 14, Appointment of representatives on community bodies, having been appointed to the Highways Forum, New Albion Revised Liaison Committee and Redbank Manufacturing Liaison Committee as a member of Leicestershire County Council. 

 

Councillors R D Bayliss, J G Coxon, G Hoult, J Hoult and G Jones declared a non pecuniary interest in item 17, urgent decisions taken by Cabinet in Quarter 4 2016/17, as members of Ashby Town Council, who owned and controlled the land referred to in the report.

3.

Appointment of Chairman

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

Minutes:

Councillor J Cotterill said a few words regarding his year as Chairman of the Council and referred to the numerous events he had attended during the last year, totalling in excess of 101 events.  He commented on the amount of charitable work being done in North West Leicestershire and stated that he felt very blessed to live in the area.  He announced that the total amount raised for LOROS and the Air Ambulance was £3,616.67 which would be shared equally.

 

Councillor J Cotterill presented his Lady with a bouquet of flowers as a small token of his thanks for her support and assistance over the past 2 years.

 

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

 

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt that Councillor V Richichi be appointed as Chairman of the Council for 2017/18. 

 

The motion was seconded by Councillor G A Allman.

 

Upon being put to the vote it was

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

Councillor V Richichi be appointed Chairman of the Council for 2017/18.

 

Councillor V Richichi 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 Consort with her Chain of Office.

 

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

 

Councillor S Sheahan stated that he knew Councillor J Cotterill had taken his duties very seriously in the last year and had taken an interest in whatever he had done.  He added that he was very pleased to see him at the recent Ashby Canal event.  He wished him well for the future.

 

Councillor R Blunt thanked Councillor J Cotterill on behalf of the Council for all his work as Chairman.

 

Councillor M Specht thanked the Chairman and commended him for undertaking his duties until the very end of his term.

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 J Clarke be appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Council for 2017/18.

 

Councillor J Clarke stated that he was delighted to be appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Council and was anxious and keen to get started.  He looked forward to working with the Chairman and hoped he could justify the faith placed in him.

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 2017/18.

 

 

Councillor R Blunt thanked members for electing him as Leader of the Council and added that this was a great honour.  He outlined the key issues over the coming year, namely the integration of the new management team, the Coalville project, the Ashby cultural quarter and the Hermitage Leisure Centre.

6.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman stated that he was very honoured and humbled that members had chosen him to be the Chairman of the Council.  He recounted an event from his childhood and made reference to the importance of the role of the Chairman of the Council.  He added that he had never imagined he would be in that position.  He stated that with importance came good conduct and honour and he hoped for honourable debate and good conduct towards all fellow councillors in the coming year.

 

The Chairman presented Councillor S Sheahan with a certificate of long service in recognition of having completed 21 years as a serving member of the Council.

 

Councillor S Sheahan stated that it was a privilege to serve the community and it was a great honour to have that service recognised

 

Councillor N Clarke congratulated Councillor S Sheahan on achieving 21 years’ service.  He stated that Councillor S Sheahan was very conscientious and hardworking, and had supported many community groups over the years in the various areas he had represented.  He thanked him for his efforts.

 

The Chairman welcomed Bev Smith to full Council.  Bev would be commencing employment with the Council on 1 June as the new Chief Executive.

7.

Leader's and Portfolio Holders' Announcements pdf icon PDF 60 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:

Councillor A V Smith provided an update on the current situation in respect of recycling credits following notice being given to district councils by Leicestershire County Council that payment of recycling credits would cease from 1 April 2018.  She advised that Leicestershire County Council had now gone out to tender for contracts and the district council had made a bid to retain the recycling material generated by our residents.  She reiterated her belief that collecting recycling in a small separated way represented the best value for money for residents and was better for the environment.  She advised that evaluation of the bid was awaited and she looked forward to embarking on a positive working relationship with Leicestershire County Council if the bid was successful.  She stated that the outcome would be known in July and she would update Council in due course.

 

Councillor N Clarke thanked Councillor A V Smith for her announcement and for keeping all members informed.  He stated that the loss of recycling credits represented a significant financial loss and the loss of materials would be a double blow.  He added that he was pleased that a bid had been made and he looked forward to hearing the outcome.  He thanked officers for putting the bid together and expressed frustration and disappointment that Leicestershire County Council had not entered into negotiations on this matter.

 

Councillor T J Pendleton reported that officers had met with officials from HS2 Limited who had thanked them for the Council’s response.  He added that HS2 were continuing to process the concerns raised by the Council, which were emphasised, and he was pleased to report that a good working relationship had been established. 

 

Councillor T J Pendleton highlighted some of the achievements of the Planning and Building Control teams, in particular the submission of the Local Plan to the Secretary of State and the adoption of the planning design guide supplementary planning document.  He commended the outstanding planning department for a job well done in terms of delivering outcomes on applications within an 8 week window.  Councillor T J Pendleton also highlighted that the Council had won a regional Building Excellence award in conjunction with David Granger and Lychgate homes in the category ‘best change of use of an existing building of conversion’ for School House in Griffydam.  He congratulated the staff in the Planning department who were delivering these excellent results.  

 

Councillor S Sheahan commented that the campaign groups who had assisted the council with making its submission had helped a tremendous amount. 

 

Councillor J Legrys commented that the staff who were delivering needed to be congratulated.  He expressed confidence that the Local Plan would be approved, however felt it needed to be recognised that this would not be the end of the journey as a number of modifications would be required, some of which may be highly contentious.  He thanked the Planning Policy team for their work and looked forward to further meetings of the Local Plan Advisory Committee.

 

Councillor M  ...  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 pdf icon PDF 107 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.

Minutes:

Councillor D Everitt put the following question to Councillor N J Rushton:

 

Please supply an up to date financial statement for the Hood Park Leisure Centre, Ashby de la Zouch and a separate up to date financial statement for Hermitage Leisure Centre in Whitwick”. 

 

Councillor N J Rushton gave the following response:

 

Whilst I am happy to supply up to date financial statements as requested the Finance Team are currently in the process of closing down the accounts for the financial year 2016/17 and up to date statements will not be available until 9 June when I will be happy to supply them”.

 

As a supplementary question, Councillor D Everitt asked why the previous financial statement had not been made available showing the figures for the two leisure centres separately. 

 

Councillor N J Rushton responded that this could be made available if requested.

10.

Motions

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

Minutes:

No motions were received.

11.

Petitions

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

Minutes:

No petitions were received.

12.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 172 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 21 March 2017.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2017.

 

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

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2017 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 144 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

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 76 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Councillor T Gillard moved the nominations set out in the additional papers and thanked Councillor R Johnson for his co-operation in formulating the nominations.

 

Councillor R Johnson seconded the motion.  He stated that he was pleased that the name of the Disability Action Group had been left in place and added that he was concerned about the change of name to Equity Group.  He added that the Disability Action Group had not met for two years and he hoped more meetings would be scheduled.

 

Councillor T Eynon echoed these comments and added that she understood that work was being undertaken to reinvigorate this committee.  She commented that there was a lot of disquiet amongst the disabled community for example in respect of the access to the post office.  She requested a meeting of this group at the earliest convenience.

 

Councillor A C Saffell commented that there were quite a number of local issues in the northern parishes relating to the airport liaison committee and in particular the Marks and Spencers site.  He also felt that a new committee should be constituted in respect of the Roxhill site.

 

Councillor T J Pendleton outlined the arrangements in place in respect of the airport liaison panels and the Roxhill site.

15.

Schedule of Meetings pdf icon PDF 125 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman referred members to the schedule of meetings set out in the report.

 

Councillor J Legrys expressed concerns regarding the number of meeting being rearranged or cancelled.

 

It was moved by Councillor V Richichi, seconded by  and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

a) The proposed schedule of meetings for 2017/18 be agreed.

 

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

16.

Member Conduct Annual Report 2016-17 pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor N J Rushton introduced the report to members. 

 

Councillor J Clarke spoke to the report as Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee and outlined the slight reduction in complaints made to the Monitoring Officer in the past year and the work of the independent person.

 

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

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The Member Conduct Annual Report 2016-17 be received and endorsed.

17.

Urgent decisions taken by Cabinet in Quarter 4 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 203 KB

Report of the Director of Services and Deputy Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor R Blunt presented the report to members.

 

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

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The report be noted.