Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor C Benfield.

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 T Eynon declared a non-pecuniary interest on items 13 – Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 and 14 – Gender Pay Gap, as a member of the East Midlands Councils Employers Board, on behalf of Leicestershire County Council.

The Chairman delivered a very poignant address reflecting on approaching the one-year anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact that the virus had had on the community. He wished both Councillors A Black and D Harrison a speedy recovery from the virus and he asked all in attendance to observe a minute’s silence to remember all the individuals and families that had lost their lives or loved ones during the past year.

He then took the opportunity to acknowledge and thank all key workers, in particular NHS staff, Council staff and unsung heroes that had supported the district during this difficult time.

Councillor S Sheahan echoed the sentiments of the Chairman and acknowledged the outstanding work of the vaccination centre at Measham Leisure Centre.

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 acknowledged the amazing achievement of the vaccination programme and paid tribute to the volunteers at the local centre and the local taxi drivers, who had been ensuring members of the community where able to attend their appointments. He updated Councillors on the grants that had been and were continuing to be distributed to support local businesses. He recognised the continuing work of the Coalville project following the news that the Future High Streets Fund bid had not been successful; and the progress on the new Leisure Centre. He detailed the proposals for the upgrading of heating in Council homes following the award of the Green Homes Grant and the purchase of a further 17 houses for offer to those on the housing register.

Councillor M Wyatt echoed the Leader’s comments and thanked the taxi drivers in the district who were providing an essential service to the community.

Before inviting Councillor R Bayliss to make his announcements, the Chairman invited the Chief Executive to make a statement to the Council in relation to grant payments for the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. Bev Smith, Chief Executive made her statement which outlined the issue to which Councillor Baylisss would refer, and the measures which had been put in place as a consequence.   

Councillor R Bayliss advised members on the situation that had arisen with the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and the actions that had been taken since the error had been discovered. He noted that a further report on the matter and the actions going forward would be taken back to the Audit and Governance Committee for its consideration.

Councillor R Bayliss was pleased to announce that the Customer services team had been awarded the accreditation of Customer Service Excellence, which was formal recognition of the progress of the team over the past number of years and highlighted the elements detailed in the report. He congratulated the team for their achievement.

Members were given the opportunity to comment on the announcements from Councillor R Bayliss and the achievements of the Customer Services Team were acknowledged.

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.

The Chairman advised that he had received two questions ahead of the meeting and that he would take them in the order they had been received.

(1)    The Chairman invited Councillor J Clarke to ask his question addressed to Councillor A Woodman.

“There is an inordinate amount of road side litter on the rural roads in the district. I am happy to pick litter in my own village but I will not collect litter on roads where there is no pavement, for safety reasons. Could the Council assist Parish Councils in litter collection on the rural roads by providing extra litter pickers, plastic bags and bag rings but more importantly an escort vehicle to protect volunteer litter pickers from traffic. In addition could the Council launch a drive against those who litter and encourage fast food establishments too high light the anti-social behaviour of those who dispose of their rubbish on the roadside?”

The Chairman invited Councillor A Woodman to respond.

“The council currently supports over 300 volunteer litter pickers across the district and this will be enhanced by the addition of a £15k budget that is being considered at this Full Council meeting which will provide much needed equipment to our army of volunteers. This equipment will be available for voluntary groups and parish/town councils to help organise litter picks and target areas of concern.

For insurance and health and safety reasons we are not able to supply escort vehicles to our volunteers, they are only advised to keep areas tidy that are easily accessible when out and about (footpath verges, community parks, hedgerows etc.). 

The litter they collect should only be what is typically dropped irresponsibly by others (cans, plastic bottles, crisp packets etc.). 

They are also advised to avoid large items and unidentified cans or canisters, poisons, insecticides, clinical waste, other hazardous substances, broken glass, syringes, etc.

This year, Keep Britain Tidy ‘The Big Spring Clean’ will be held 28 May to 13 June.  North West Leicestershire District Council will be supporting this by organising our own event where we will be asking people to ‘Pick Their Own Street’.  In previous years, the event has been around the Coalville and Ashby Town centres however, this year we will be offering the event to the wider district and encouraging people to pick on the road in which they reside or work. (Subject to any Covid restrictions in place at the time).

The Litter Strategy for England, which the council supports, aims to clean up the country and reduce both litter and littering behaviours by means of better education, enforcement.  To help combat roadside litter new regulations were introduced in April 2018. These regulations mean that local councils may issue a Penalty Charge Notice to the registered owner of a car if it can be proved litter had been dumped from their vehicle even if someone else discarded the rubbish.

A countywide campaign was also launched in 2019 to highlight these new powers which is currently ongoing across  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

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 17 November 2021

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2020.

Councillor N Smith made a comment in respect of the minutes of the meeting in relation to the comments that he made at the September meeting. He apologised if the comments had been misunderstood and had not wanted to infer that any whipping had taken place.

It was moved by Councillor V Richichi, seconded by Councillor J Hoult and by affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2020 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Finance

Councillor N Rushton presented the report to members. He thanked the Finance Team for all the work

Councillor N Rushton moved the recommendations as set out in the report. The motion was seconded by Councillor R Blunt.

The Chairman referred to the amendments to the motion, which had been circulated in the additional papers. He invited Councillor S Sheahan to put forward his amendment.

Councillor S Sheahan outlined the amended budget as detailed in the additional papers and echoed Councillor N Rushton’s thanks to the Finance Team in assisting with the amended budget. The motion was seconded by Councillor J Legrys.

A full and lengthy debate was held which received some support but reservations were expressed over the use of the surplus budget, when there was an unknown financial future due to the pandemic, unsupported borrowing and lack for money towards the climate change emergency.

The Chairman then put the motion to the vote. A recorded vote being required, the voting was as detailed below:

The motion was declared LOST.

The Chairman referred members to the substantive motion as set out in the agenda.

A further debate was held which received support for the budget and acknowledged the amendment that was circulated which would not see any increase to the precept for the Coalville Special Expense area,.

The Chairman then put the substantive motion to the vote. A recorded vote being required, the voting was as detailed below:

The motion was declared CARRIED.

It was therefore

RESOLVED THAT:

1.         The S151 Officer’s comments on the robustness of the estimates and adequacy of reserves, as required by Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 be noted.

2.         The Medium Term Financial Plan approved by Cabinet on 2 February 2021 as detailed in appendix 2 be noted.

3.         The General Fund Revenue Budget for 2021/22 as summarised in appendix 3a be approved.

4.         The ground rent increase at Appleby Magna Caravan Site of 0.5% on the anniversary of each individual rent agreement from 1 April 2021 be approved.

5.         The amendments to the General Fund Fees and Charges as detailed in appendix 3c effective from 1 April 2021 be approved.

6.         The District Council Tax in 2021/22 be frozen.

7.         The transfer of any general fund surplus income over expenditure in 2021/22 to the Self Sufficiency reserve (currently budgeted at £1,102,407) be approved.

8.         The Special Expenses Revenue Budget for 2021/22 as summarised in appendix 3d be approved.

9.         The Special Expenses Band D Council Tax as appendix 6 table b for 2021/22 be set.

10.      The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2021/22 as summarised in appendix 4a be approved.

11.      The increase in Council Rents for 2021/22 by up to 1.5% be approved.

12.      The increase in garage rents for 2021/22 by 0.5% be approved.

13.      The decrease in central heating charges for 2021/22 by 5% be approved.

14.      The average decrease of 3.54% in service charge for 2021/22, as set in appendix 4d be approved.

15.      The increasing of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Report of the Head of Finance

Councillor N Rushton presented the report to members.

It was moved by Councillor N Rushton, seconded by Councillor R Ashman and by affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The Investment Strategy – Service and Commercial 2021/22 be approved.

Report of the Head of Finance

Councillor N Rushton presented the report to members.

It was moved by Councillor N Rushton, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and by affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The Treasury Management Strategy 2021/22, Treasury Management Prudential Indicators – Revised 2020/21 and the 2021/22-2023/24, and the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Statement be approved.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Report of the Chief Executive

Councillor R Ashman presented the report to members.

It was moved by Councillor R Ashman, seconded by Councillor J Clarke and by affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The Pay Policy Statement for 2021/22, as attached at appendix 1 of the report be approved.

Report of the Chief Executive

Councillor R Ashman presented the report to members.

It was moved by Councillor R Ashman, seconded by Councillor L Gillard and by affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.

Report of the Chief Executive

Councillor R Blunt presented the report to members.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor J Hoult and by affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.