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'.

There were no interests declared.

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

Councillor G A Allman said a few words regarding his year as Chairman of the Council.  He welcomed recently elected new and returning members.  He also felt it would be remiss of him not to welcome Princess Charlotte, daughter of Prince William and Kate.  He stated that it had been a great honour to act as the Council’s Chairman, representing North West Leicestershire with his Consort Charmaigne.  He referred to two events which particularly stood out as they were of great historical significance.  The first event being the centenary of the outbreak of the great war which had been commemorated with a week of remembrance.  He made reference to the large number of people who had congregated in Coalville, in churches and at memorials to remember those fallen in conflicts past.  He added that veterans had been remembered from all over the commonwealth and allied forces who made the ultimate sacrifice.  The Chairman expressed special thanks to the Royal British Legion.  The second event was the reinterment of King Richard III in Leicester Cathedral, which he and his Consort, Charmaigne, had attended on 26 March.  They were just two of the 300 dignitaries invited, which included all the Mayors, Chairmen and MPs of the county, in the company of members of the Royal Family.  In all, 600 people filled the church with many thousands outside and TV coverage worldwide followed by many millions. 

Councillor G A Allman expressed special thanks to the members, officers and staff who had supported his family during his hospitalisation.  He commented that best wishes and offers of support had come from all sides of the chamber; a sign of true humanity and friendship which he would never forget.  He also highlighted the unselfish support given by the Deputy Chairman, Councillor J Bridges, who had represented the Council along with his wife Annette, during his absence throughout January, February and March.  He added that should Councillor J Bridges be successful in taking the Chair tonight, he was confident that the Council would be in a safe pair of hands.

Councillor G A Allman presented his Consort with a bouquet of flowers as a small token of his appreciation.

Councillor R Blunt thanked Councillor G A Allman for what he had done on behalf of the Council.  He made reference to his incredible bravery throughout his hospitalisation. 

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

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt that Councillor J Bridges be appointed as Chairman of the Council for 2015/16.

The motion was seconded by Councillor V Richichi.

Upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED THAT:

Councillor J Bridges be appointed Chairman of the Council for 2015/16.

Councillor J Bridges 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 thanked Members for their kind words and for electing him as Chairman. 

The Chairman invested his Consort with her Chain of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and

RESOLVED THAT:

Councillor J Cotterill be appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Council for 2015/16.

The Chairman invested Councillor J Cotterill with the Chain of Office.  The Deputy Chairman signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Councillor J Cotterill stated that it was a great honour to be elected as Deputy Chairman and he looked forward to executing his duties to the best of his ability.  He added that he would undertake to do so fairly and impartially and he looked forward to supporting the Chairman.

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

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 2015/16.

Councillor R Blunt thanked members for electing him unopposed as Leader of the Council.  He outlined his priorities for the coming term; he reiterated his determination to make a meaningful difference to Coalville, expressed the need for resilience and being prepared for cuts in funding and highlighted the intention to freeze Council Tax throughout the coming four year term.  He stated that strategically the administration wanted to work very closely with the MP and more closely with town and parish councils.  He also stressed the importance of the Council acting as an independent voice on HS2 and Roxhill.  He added that he would be challenging his Cabinet members to meet targets over the next year with the focus being on delivering outcomes.  Finally he wanted to make more use of task and finish groups to encourage greater involvement of backbenchers.

The Chairman announced that his chosen charity was the Alzheimer’s Society.  He stated that this cause was close to his heart, and he hoped that members would support it.  He announced that his first charity event would be a walk across the district.

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 municipal year as follows:

Deputy Leader and Community Services Portfolio Holder - Councillor Alison Smith

Housing Portfolio Holder - Councillor Roger Bayliss

Regeneration and Planning Portfolio Holder - Councillor Trevor Pendleton

Corporate Portfolio Holder - Councillor Nick Rushton

Business Portfolio Holder - Councillor Tony Gillard

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

Councillor R Blunt encouraged newly elected members to raise any concerns with the portfolio holder directly.

Councillor T Neilson announced the Shadow Cabinet as follows:

Leader and Corporate – Councillor T Neilson

Deputy Leader and Housing - Councillor S McKendrick

Community Services – Councillor D Everitt

Business – Councillor F Fenning

Planning and Regeneration - Councillor J Legrys

Councillor T Neilson also announced his Portfolio Support Members as follows:

Wellbeing – Councillor T Eynon

Town Centres – Councillor J Geary

Customer Services – Councillor R Adams

Living Standards – Councillor N Clarke

Councillor A C Saffell congratulated all members on being elected.  He commented that it would be helpful for newly elected members to have the Portfolio Holders introduced individually.

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 M B Wyatt put the following question to Councillor T J Pendleton:

“Could the Portfolio Holder provide an update on the alleged plans with the Belvoir centre due to comments made by the MP Andrew Bridgen at a recent election hustings at Christ Church in Coalville where he stated in public, that a company was interested in purchasing the shopping centre to help redevelopment the shopping precinct, which would includes a cinema and a bowling alley?”

Councillor T J Pendleton gave the following response:

“I cannot speak on behalf of Andrew Bridgen MP about comments that you attribute to him, instead you are advised to contact him directly. I have had no formal approach from any company to discuss a prospective purchase of the shopping centre, nor from any developer or other company to discuss redevelopment proposals”.

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 24 March 2015.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2015.

It was moved by Councillor J Bridges, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2015 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Chairman of the Council

The Chairman referred Members to the nominations as set out in the additional papers circulated at the meeting.

Councillor J Legrys congratulated Councillor J Bridges on his election as Chairman.  He moved that Councillor T Neilson be elected as Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee.  This was seconded by Councillor D Everitt.

The Chairman put the motion to the vote and it was declared LOST.

Councillor A C Saffell stated that he had written to Councillor R Blunt to ask him to reconsider the membership of the Local Plan Advisory Committee as it was comprised only of members representing Ashby de la Zouch and Coalville.  He commented that there were no representatives from the northern parishes, which would be hugely impacted.  He felt the membership should be reconsidered as this was a terrible way of conducting business.

Councillor J Legrys expressed support for Councillor A C Saffell’s request for a representative of the northern parishes on the Local Plan Advisory Committee.  He added that the comments made were valid, and if this could not be considered now, this matter should be referred back to the whips for discussion.

The Chairman advised members that the position in respect of nominations was as set out in the additional papers.

It was moved by Councillor J Bridges, seconded by Councillor R Blunt 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.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Chairman of the Council

The Chairman referred Members to the nominations as set out in the additional papers.  As there were a number of community bodies where more nominations had been received than there were seats available, the Chairman advised that he would take a vote on these individually.

Some members commented on the nomination process and felt that proportionality and ward representation should be taken more into account when nominating representatives to community bodies.

A vote was then taken on the appointments to each of the community bodies listed below and members were appointed as follows:

Bardon Hill Quarries Liaison Committee

Councillors J Cotterill and M Specht

Coalville and District Town Twinning Association

Councillors P Purver and M Specht

Disability Action Group

Councillors G A Allman, J Cotterill, G Hoult, J Hoult, V Richichi and M Specht

Former Lount Landfill Site Liaison Committee

Councillors R Boam and D J Stevenson

Grace Dieu Priory Trust

Councillors R Boam and L Goacher

Highways Forum

Councillors R Ashman (substitute N Smith), R Boam (substitute P Purver), J Bridges (substitute T Gillard), J Cotterill (substitute G A Allman), D Harrison (substitute J Clarke), G Hoult (substitute A V Smith), V Richichi (substitute R D Bayliss) and M Specht (substitute K Merrie)

Ibstock Brick Liaison Committee

Councillor J Clarke

Leicestershire and Rutland Heritage Forum

Councillor M Specht

Mantle Community Arts

Councillor P Purver

Minorca Surface Mine Site Liaison Committee

Councillors J Clarke and V Richichi

Moira Furnace Trust

Councillor J Hoult

New Albion Revised Liaison Committee

Councillor K Merrie

North West Leicestershire Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Forum

Councillor P Purver

Owen Street Recreation Ground Pavilion Management Committee

Councillors R Boam, P Purver and A V Smith

Thringstone House Community Centre – Executive Committee

Councillors R Boam, J Cotterill and M Specht

It was then moved by Councillor J Bridges, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

Representatives be appointed to the remaining community bodies as set out in the additional papers.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Chairman of the Council

It was moved by Councillor J Bridges, seconded by Councillor R Bluntand

RESOLVED THAT:

a)   The proposed schedule of meetings for 2015/16 be agreed.

b)   The proposed schedule of Council meetings for 2016/17 to 2018/19 be agreed.

c)    The proposed schedule of Cabinet meetings for 2016/17 to 2018/19 be noted.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N J Rushton introduced the report to members.

Councillor T Neilson spoke to the report and stated that it was a great honour to have been elected as Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee for the previous year.  He thanked officers, in particular the Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer for their good work.  He felt that the informal process for resolution of complaints which had been implemented worked incredibly well.  He commended the report to Council.

It was moved by Councillor N J Rushton, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Member Conduct Annual Report 2014/15 be received and endorsed.