Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R Johnson.

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'.

There were no interests declared.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

He advised Members that the Christmas Carol Service was being held at 7pm on Thursday 19^th December at Christ Church and that it would be wonderful to see all Members there.

He advised that Members would be aware of the deeply sad passing of Councillor David Stevenson and gave Members the opportunity to say a few words after a minute’s silence that was observed in memory of one of the authority’s dear fellow councillors.

Councillor T Gillard commented that David was the longest serving member of the council, having first been elected for the Valley ward in 1973 when North West Leicestershire District Council was first created. The ward later became known as the Worthington and Breedon ward and he was re-elected to it every four years leading to an unbroken service of over 46 years, which was quite remarkable. He was also a parish councillor for Worthington for a great number of years.

One of the reasons he was re-elected every term was the enormous respect he earned from his constituents. David cared about his communities and each and every day he showed passion and commitment to make a difference to people’s lives.

He remembered that David was known and loved by every one of all political persuasions. David was a much-respected Chairman of the Planning Committee between May 2007 and May 2018 and this was a role he really enjoyed. He was a great speaker in the Council Chamber and his points were always of great merit. Councillor Gillard summed up by stating that David Stevenson would be sadly missed, particularly in the Chamber having taken his seat by his side over many years. He added that it would  be very difficult for him  and his colleagues to come to terms with his absence and that they had kept his seat for him at this meeting.

David is now at peace as he joins Joyce but he will never be forgotten in the Chamber.

David's funeral will be held at 11.45am on Thursday at Worthington Parish Church. It is a small church but there will be a marquee and speakers outside to accommodate more attendees and you are all welcome.

As a mark of respect, the flag at the Council Offices will fly at half-mast on Thursday.

Councillor S Sheahan commented that David had shown great dedication to the role of district councillor over the past 46 years and standing in 13 elections. Making such a commitment required great fortitude; an understanding family and a willingness help the residents of his ward. David has given great service to this Council and both he and his vast experience will be missed.

Councillor R Boam shared his first memory of David when they had met in 1981 when he was 10 years old and David had visited his home on the campaign trial, and the a few days later when out with friends, a very smartly dressed David had driven up to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

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.

There were announcements.

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 Commercial 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 Commercial Services.

Two questions had been received.

The Chairman invited Councillor J Geary to ask his question addressed to Councillor R Ashman.

Travellers Site within our District

“I would like to refer you to the return of the travellers who were located in Coalville, firstly on the town centre car park until the Police moved them on. They then decided to set up home on the old Snibston Discovery Park site on Ashby Road, allegedly destroying part of the fencing to enable them to gain access, at yet another cost to the Local Government taxpayer.

This will be the third time I have tabled a question at a Council meeting asking just what we are doing to address this problem and when will we have a Warden Controlled Site within our District.

I ask this question of Officers just to be told that they are still looking at sites and how many they have considered to date. Well maybe it's now time for me to say just looking at sites is no longer sufficient, we have been looking at sites for three years or more, we now need to identify and establish a traveller site as a priority so we are able to take some control of this ongoing problem.

Would the Portfolio Holder respond to the points I have made?”

The Chairman invited Councillor R Ashman to respond.

“The identification of suitable sites is a matter for the Local Plan Committee as part of the Substantive Review of the Local Plan.

In March 2018 officers had prepared a draft allocations document which identified a potential site for transit purposes at Ashby de la Zouch. However, members and the local community expressed significant concerns about this and so the plan was not taken forward. The plan had also identified a potential site for travelling showpeople on the former Measham Mine site. A planning application was subsequently submitted on this site for travelling showpeople but due to a change in the circumstances of ownership, this was withdrawn. Additional consultancy resource has recently been taken on to undertake a further search for potential sites. 

The outcome of this will be a matter for the Local plan Committee in due course as part of the Substantive Review. It is anticipated that a draft plan will be published in 2020 which will identify potential sites.”

The Chairman invited Councillor J Geary to ask a supplementary question.

Councillor J Geary’s supplementary question was “As Portfolio Holder, can you guarantee that a site will be found in 2020 and planning permission applied for?”

Councillor R Ashman thanked Councillor J Geary for the question and stated that he could not guarantee, however he said that it would be dealt with and viable sites would be put before the Local Plan Committee in 2020. He stated that whatever route was taken it would have to be dealt with very carefully. Anything put before the Local Plan Committee would be for a temporary site.

The Chairman invited Councillor C Sewell to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

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 10 September 2019

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2019

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2019 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Leader

Cllr Ashman presented the report. He advised that at its meeting on the16 July 2019 Cabinet agreed to undertake the preparation of both a Partial Review and a Substantive Review of the Local Plan. He stated that the Partial Review would focus solely upon the wording of Policy S1 in the adopted Local Plan with the only change being a revised date by which a wider, substantive review would be submitted.

He informed Members that the Local Plan Committee considered a report at its meeting on 2 October 2019, which sought approval to begin consultation on that basis. The committee passed an amendment to the recommendations, which also sought to make changes to policies S3 and Ec2(2}.

He advised that the Local Plan Committee did not have the authority to make changes to documents and that instead, it is required to instruct Cabinet, as the Executive, to reconsider documents. That was done at the meeting of Cabinet on 29 November 2019 where it was decided to not agree to the amendment supported by the Local Plan Committee. He highlighted that the Partial Review must be submitted by 20 February 2020 to ensure that the plan does not become out-of-date, adding that it was a tight timetable and so it was not possible for the matter to be considered by Scrutiny, as well as then undertaking consultation and considering any comments received. He noted that therefore, the Chairman of the Council agreed to waiver the Council's normal call-in process for Cabinet decisions.

Councillor R Ashman informed the Council that if the plan were to become out-of-date, it would prejudice the Council's ability to resist planning applications, which it would have otherwise regarded as being inappropriate, and that it was important that the authority retains control over planning in the district. He added that he knew members did not want the plan to be regarded as being out-of-­date as the Council had been there before. He stated that it was for that reason that the steps had to be taken.

It was noted that the Local Plan Committee had met again on 13 November 2019 and that they supported the recommendation to begin consultation on the partial review, which started on 20 November 2019 and will run until 8 January 2020.

Councillor D Bigby stated that as the mover of amendment at Local Plan Committee that led to the current situation, a short explanation was required. He advised that the amendment was carried by 5 votes to 2 cross party. He advised that there were 2 parts to the amendment, the first sought to delete or modify policy EC2 part 2, in order to avoid further erosion of countryside. This followed the HEADNA report identifying a shortfall in employment land and, rather than designating sites, the policy opened the floodgates to allow employment anywhere in countryside. He highlighted the requirement that had been stated and advised that the requirement would be met with applications that had been or were due to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader presented the report and advised Members that any changes to polling places would take effect from 2020 and not for the General Election.

Councillor R Blunt stated the parties had sat down and worked together to come up with the best compromise for polling places.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The final proposals in respect of  review, as set out in appendix a to the report be approved;

2.    Authority be delegated to the Returning Officer to make, where necessary, alterations to the designation of any polling place prior to the next full review in consultation with Ward Members and Group Leaders.