Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor 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'.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, members declared the following interests:

Item 7 – Motions        

Non-pecuniary interest as members of Leicestershire County Council – Councillors R Blunt, J G Coxon, T Eynon, T Gillard, D Harrison, T J Pendleton, N J Rushton, S Sheahan and M B Wyatt

Item 11 – Review of Pensions Discretions

Non-pecuniary interest as members of the Leicestershire County Council Pension Scheme - Councillors R Adams, J G Coxon, D Everitt, J Geary, J Legrys, T J Pendleton, N J Rushton and N Smith

Non-pecuniary interest as members of GMB union - Councillors J Geary and J Legrys

Non-pecuniary interest as members of Unison - Councillors R Adams, D Everitt,  and S Sheahan

Item 12 – Update on County Council’s Intention to Consider Unitary Proposals and a Strategic Alliance for the East Midlands

Non-pecuniary interest as members of Leicestershire County Council – Councillors R Blunt, J G Coxon, T Eynon, T Gillard, D Harrison, T J Pendleton, N J Rushton, S Sheahan and M B Wyatt

Non-pecuniary interest due to working with other councils in Leicestershire – Councillor R Ashman

Being pre-disposed, but not pre-determined – Councillors J G Coxon, D Harrison, T J Pendleton, N J Rushton

The Chairman referred to the numerous events he had attended recently, including Music in the Park, Picnic in the Park and Coalville by the Sea.  He congratulated the staff involved in the organisation of these events. 

The Chairman reminded members of the forthcoming Remembrance Day Service and events taking place on Sunday, 11 November, marking 100 years since the end of WW1.

The Chairman made reference to his recent experiences in France regarding the absence of litter and unused food from supermarkets being given to the needy.

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 announced that the council was hosting the Good Design for North West Leicestershire awards at the Radisson Blu hotel on 21 September.  He added that this was a fitting venue to celebrate good design, as it was the greenest hotel in the UK.  Awards would be presented to 22 schemes across Leicestershire.  He urged members to attend.

Councillor R Blunt advised that the council was working closely with market traders to develop plans for the new indoor and outdoor market.  He stated that he considered the current market traders to be committed entrepreneurs and he considered it the council’s responsibility to find good outcomes.  He highlighted the support being provided by officers for traders who wished to move into retail premises such as Mmm Bread which had recently opened on Hotel Street having had a successful market stall for a number of years.  He thanked the members who had been supportive of the proposals.

Councillor R Blunt provided an update on progress with the former bus depot at Ashby Road.  He advised that work was continuing and was on track to be completed by the end of the year.  He looked forward to this key site being brought back into use as a classic car business.

Councillor A V Smith announced that the RSPCA had awarded the council a gold footprint award for the high quality manner in which it dealt with stray dogs.  As the council had held this award for five years continuously, and in recognition of the tenth anniversary of the awards, the council had now received a platinum footprint award.  This was the highest achievable accolade and recognised the initiatives that were in place to deal with stray dogs and to improve the service.

Councillor A V Smith announced that Ashby de la Zouch had been successful in its renewal accreditation for the Purple Flag in recognition of the excellent, vibrant and safe nightlife in Ashby.  She stated that the award was testament to the joint partnership work on the accreditation process.  A weekend of celebration would be taking place on 20 October 2018.

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 S Sheahan put the following question to Councillor R Blunt:

“Can the Leader set out what contingency plans the Council is preparing in the event of a no-deal Brexit?”

Councillor R Blunt gave the following response:

“I can confirm that as negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU progress, the Government will clarify the approach to Border Inspection Posts, and we will consider any implications for East Midlands Airport.

The Chief Executive sits on the Border Control Local Authority Steering group and is working in partnership with East Midlands airport and key stakeholders to ensure all border related changes are identified and planned for in the event of a no deal scenario.

In addition we are supporting our businesses through our business focus team to ensure that we share widely the government’s recently published technical notices to business, to enable them to consider and prepare for a no deal Brexit. We are also working with the Chamber of Commerce who have developed a business Brexit checklist to help businesses consider the changes that Brexit may bring to their business.

The Corporate Risk Register will be updated over the coming weeks and will be presented to the next Audit and Governance Committee”.

Councillor R Adams put the following question to Councillor R D Bayliss:

“The Portfolio holder will be aware regarding Planning Applications that in exceptional circumstances (such as site specific constraints or demonstrable viability issues) the Local Authority may accept a sum of money (referred to as a commuted sum) to make provision for affordable housing on another site(s).

Could the Portfolio holder tell me how much this Council holds in Affordable Housing Commuted Sums up to the end of August 2018 and what is the total outstanding in unpaid Affordable Housing Contributions up to the end of August 2018?”

Councillor R D Bayliss gave the following response:

“At the end of August 2018 the Council held £2,443,362.79 for affordable housing.

Commuted sums have recently been used to support the Council’s new build programme at Smedley Close and Staley Avenue, Ashby. We will also be looking to use commuted sums to support future phases.

Commitments have also been made to spend commuted sums on supporting the development (by east midlands homes) of 14 affordable rented homes at Scotlands Road, Coalville and 65 apartments at the district’s first ever extra care scheme at Burton Road, Ashby.

In addition, there is about £1,532,000 which is attached to development which have either not started or yet to reach the necessary trigger for payment. This figure may increase as a number of agreements on sites where development has yet to start allow for the possibility of either on-site provision or an off-site commuted sum”.

As a supplementary question, Councillor R Adams asked how recently the commuted sums referred to in the first paragraph of the reply had been used to support the new build programme, and how much had been spent.  He also sought clarification on the trigger  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor S Sheahan:

 “This council notes that:

1. Last year, 90 young people in Leicestershire (aged 16 or over) left the care of the County Council and began the difficult transition out of care and into adulthood. A proportion of these young people came to live in North West Leicestershire.

2. A 2016 report by The Children’s Society found that when care leavers move into independent accommodation they begin to manage their own budget fully for the first time. The report showed that care leavers can find this extremely challenging and with no family to support them and insufficient financial education, are falling into debt and financial difficulty.

3. Research from The Centre for Social Justice found that over half (57%) of young people leaving care have difficulty managing their money and avoiding debt when leaving care.

4. Whilst the County Council has statutory corporate parenting responsibilities towards young people who have left care up until the age of 25, the Children and Social Work Act 2017 placed corporate parenting responsibilities on district councils for the first time, requiring them to have regard to children in care and care leavers when carrying out their functions.

This council believes that:

1. To ensure that the transition from care to adult life is as smooth as possible, and to mitigate the chances of care leavers falling into debt as they begin to manage their own finances, they should be exempt from paying council tax until they are 25.

2. Care leavers are a particularly vulnerable group for council tax debt.

This council, therefore, resolves:

1. To recommend to Cabinet that the Council Tax Support Scheme be amended so that care leavers in North West Leicestershire be exempted from council tax.

2. To work with Leicestershire County Council and all council tax collecting authorities within   the county area to exempt all care leavers in the county from council tax up to the age of 25.

Councillor S Sheahan moved the following motion:

“This council notes that:

1.    Last year, 90 young people in Leicestershire (aged 16 or over) left the care of the County Council and began the difficult transition out of care and into adulthood. A proportion of these young people came to live in North West Leicestershire.

2.    A 2016 report by The Children’s Society found that when care leavers move into independent accommodation they begin to manage their own budget fully for the first time. The report showed that care leavers can find this extremely challenging and with no family to support them and insufficient financial education, are falling into debt and financial difficulty.

3.    Research from The Centre for Social Justice found that over half (57%) of young people leaving care have difficulty managing their money and avoiding debt when leaving care.

4.    Whilst the County Council has statutory corporate parenting responsibilities towards young people who have left care up until the age of 25, the Children and Social Work Act 2017 placed corporate parenting responsibilities on district councils for the first time, requiring them to have regard to children in care and care leavers when carrying out their functions.

This council believes that:

1.    To ensure that the transition from care to adult life is as smooth as possible, and to mitigate the chances of care leavers falling into debt as they begin to manage their own finances, they should be exempt from paying council tax until they are 25.

2.    Care leavers are a particularly vulnerable group for council tax debt.

This council, therefore, resolves:

1.    To recommend to Cabinet that the Council Tax Support Scheme be amended so that care leavers in North West Leicestershire be exempted from council tax.

2.    To work with Leicestershire County Council and all council tax collecting authorities within   the county area to exempt all care leavers in the county from council tax up to the age of 25.

Councillor Sheahan spoke to the motion and stated that care leavers were one of the most vulnerable groups in society and were more likely to have abrupt transitions into adulthood than their peers.  He added that when they turned 18, care leavers became liable for paying Council Tax, most of which went to the council which was responsible for their care.  He highlighted research undertaken by the Childrens’ Society which showed that many care leavers experienced difficulties with managing a budget.  He also referred to the government’s care leavers strategy which encouraged councils to consider the role of the corporate parent and encouraged local authorities to consider exempting care leavers from paying Council Tax.  He added that the latest data showed that 83 top tier authorities had introduced exemptions from Council Tax for care leavers and if passed, this motion would support the process.  He stated that he could not emphasise enough how much this would help a vulnerable group.

Councillor R Blunt seconded the motion and confirmed that as part of a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

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 15 May 2018

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2018.

Councillor S Sheahan requested that the minutes be amended to reflect the shadow portfolios as follows:

Business – Councillor S Sheahan

Coalville Project – Councillor J Geary

It was moved by Councillor J Clarke, seconded by Councillor M Specht and

RESOLVED THAT:

Subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2018 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Report of the Strategic Director of Housing and Customer Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N J Rushton presented the report to members, highlighting the comments from Policy Development Group and the savings that could be made if the exemption was applied for, including backdating over up to four years.

Councillor S Sheahan stated that the Labour Group were instrumental in bringing this to the attention of the council and he was pleased to see the potential £1 million windfall.  He felt that these funds should remain allocated to leisure services if possible and he would like to see some of the other leisure centre in the district benefit from the savings.

Councillor N J Rushton assured members that the funds would be utilised in the leisure sector across the district.

It was moved by Councillor N J Rushton, seconded by Councillor A V Smith and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)    The contents of the report and the comments of Policy Development Group and Cabinet be noted;

b)      The recommendation to proceed with an application to HMRC for VAT exemption in respect of sporting services provided by the Council be approved.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

Councillor R Blunt presented the report to members.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The proposed revisions to the pensions discretions as detailed in Appendix 1 be adopted with effect from 19 September 2018.

Report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive presented the report to members, highlighting the information received from Leicestershire County Council and the current response from North West Leicestershire.  She explained that the details of the proposals had not yet been shared however it had been clarified that there would be a period of engagement following publication of the proposals, dependent upon the decision at the County Council meeting in December.

Councillor R Blunt emphasised the importance of open and fair discussions relating to the proposals.  He intended to have a free vote at Council when a recommendation was made and believed that Cabinet should support the decision taken by Council.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The County Council’s intention to develop proposals for unitary government and an East Midlands Strategic Alliance be noted.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N J Rushton presented the report to members, explaining the reasons for the interim review and the consultation process which had taken place.  He advised that all consultation responses had been considered by the Electoral Review Working Party and schools had not been utilised for polling stations where possible.

Councillor S Sheahan stated that he was happy to support the recommendations and welcomed the outcomes particularly in respect of disabled access.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

a)    The consultation responses made in respect of the review of polling districts and polling places for North West Leicestershire be noted;

b)    The final proposals in respect of the review be approved, as set out in Appendix A to the report;

c)    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.