Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest, registerable interest or other interest

There were no interests declared.

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

Councillor R Boam said a few words regarding his year as Chairman.  He thanked all officers and Members for their support throughout the civic year, particularly with his charity work for Hospice Hope.  He advised that he had raised just over £3,500.

Nominations were sought for the Chairman for the ensuing year.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt that Councillor R Morris be appointed as Chairman of the Council for 2023/24.  The motion was seconded by Councillor T Gillard.

It was also moved by Councillor J Legrys that Councillor T Eynon be appointed as Chair of the Council for 2023/24.  The motion was seconded by Councillor D Bigby.

As two nominations had been received, a vote was taken for each nominee, the result of which was tied.  Therefore, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman exercised his second and casting vote.  It was

RESOLVED THAT:

Councillor R Morris be appointed as Chairman of the Council for 2023/24.

Councillor R Morris received the Chairman’s chains and signed the Acceptance of Office.  He thanked Members for electing him as Chairman and presented Councillor R Boam with his Past Chairman’s badge.

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

Nominations were sought for the Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt that Councillor K Horn be appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Council for 2023/24.  The motion was seconded by Councillor T Gillard.

It was also moved by Councillor J Legrys that Councillor T Eynon be appointed as Deputy Chair of the Council for 2023/24. The motion was seconded by Councillor D Bigby.

As two nominations had been received, a vote was taken for each nominee, the result of which was tied.  Therefore, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman exercised his second and casting vote.  It was

RESOLVED THAT:

Councillor K Horn be appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Council for 2023/24.

Councillor K Horn received the Deputy Chairman’s chains and signed the Acceptance of Office. 

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

Nominations were sought for the Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard that Councillor R Blunt be appointed as Leader of the Council for 2023/24.  The motion was seconded by Councillor A C Saffell.

It was also moved by Councillor J Legrys that Councillor S Sheahan be appointed as Leader of the Council for 2023/24.  It was seconded by Councillor D Bigby.

Before a vote was taken, in agreement with the Chairman, Councillor R Sutton addressed the meeting in relation to the expectations of his constituents and the decision on leadership for members to consider.

As two nominations had been received, a vote was taken for each nominee, the result of which was tied.  Therefore, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman exercised his second and casting vote.  It was

RESOLVED THAT:

Councillor R Blunt be appointed as Leader of the Council for 2023/24.

Councillor R Blunt thanked Members for his appointment and vowed to do his best for the people of the District,

The Chairman thanked Members for placing their trust in him by electing him to the role.  He welcomed the newly elected Councillors and hoped that they enjoyed their ensuing terms of office.  He also announced that he would be holding regular ‘Chairman’s Coffee Mornings’ and would like to invite Members to attend, more details would follow.

A Member commented on the outcome of the recent District election and the resulting numbers within the political groupings.  Statements were made from all sides of the Chamber regarding the decisions taken to form alliances and some concerns was raised as the political numbers meant future decisions taken by the Council would be controlled by the Chairman’s casting vote.

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.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor R Blunt announced the appointments and delegations of executive functions for the forthcoming year as follows:

Leader – Councillor R Blunt

Deputy Leader and Community Services Portfolio – Councillor M Wyatt

Infrastructure Portfolio - Councillor K Merrie

Planning Portfolio – Councillor T Saffell

Corporate Portfolio – Councillor N Rushton

Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio – Councillor A Woodman

Business and Regeneration Portfolio – Councillor T Gillard

As in previous years the Executive responsibilities were to be delegated to the Cabinet to take decisions collectively.

Comments were made from the Leader of the Labour Group in relation to the make up of the administration and the Leader of the Council responded with some background information on how the decision was taken to form the alliance.

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.

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.

No questions received.

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 23 February 2023.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2023.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2023 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

At this point in the proceedings, the Chairman moved to adjourn the meeting to allow further discussions on the nominations for Committees and Community Bodies.  It was seconded by Councillor J Legrys. Therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 7.00pm and reconvened at 7.30pm.

The Chief Executive presented the report to Members.  Updated details of all nominations were set out in the additional papers which were circulated at the meeting following the adjournment.

It was announced that the Labour Group was in favour of the nominations as circulated subject to the Chair of the Local Plan Committee, for which Councillor D Bigby was nominated.  Therefore, a separate vote on this committee was required.

The appointments for Committees and Groups as circulated at the meeting, subject to the Chair of the Local Plan Committee was moved by Councillor T Gillard and seconded by Councillor J Legrys.

The appointment of Chair of the Local Plan Committee as circulated at the meeting was put to the vote, the result of which was tied. Therefore, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman exercised his second and casting vote.  It was

RESOLVED THAT:

Councillor J Simmons be appointed as Chair of the Local Plan Committee.

The appointments for the remaining Committees and Groups were then put to the vote.

RESOLVED THAT:

The appointments to the Committees and Groups as circulated at the meeting, subject to the Chair of the Local Plan Committee, be agreed.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Chief Executive presented the report to Members.

It was moved by Councillor K Merrie, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Scheme of Delegation in Part 2 – Section G of the Council’s Constitution be agreed.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Chief Executive presented the report to Members.   Updated details of all nominations were set out in the additional papers which were circulated at the meeting following the adjournment earlier in the meeting.

A comment was received in relation to the omission of Coalville Town Football Club Committee from the Community Body list presented to Members.  Councillor J Legrys formally nominated Councillor J Geary as the representative on this body as he has been for many years.

Officers agreed to investigate this omission and suggested that Council delegate the appointment to this body to the Chief Executive on this occasion.  All Members agreed.

By affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

a)      The representatives be appointed to serve on the Community Bodies as circulated at the meeting.

b)      The authority to appoint Councillor J Geary to the Coalville Town Football Club Committee be delegated to the Chief Executive.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Chief Executive presented the report to Members.

A comment was made in relation to the importance of adhering to the schedule with no unexpected cancellation of meetings as has occurred during the last municipal year.

It was moved by Councillor K merrie, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Schedule of Meetings 2023/24 be approved.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Chief Executive presented the report to Members.

It was moved by Councillor K Merrie Seconded by Councillor N J Rushton and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Member Conduct Annual Report 2022/23 be endorsed.

Report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive presented the report to Members.

Members felt that it was appropriate to provide a list of events for transparency, but it was recommended that officers continue to include additional events throughout the year should the need arise.  It was agreed that the Holocaust Memorial Day was a welcomed addition to the list, but it was suggested that race, ethnicity and disability be added alongside religion in the protected characteristics as these were the other aspects of the Holocaust and other genocides.  The Leader and Chairman fully supported the suggestions and would take the comments back to officers.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor N J Rushton and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Events List as detailed at Appendix A be adopted for the 2023/24 financial year.