Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors A Bridgen, G Hoult and J Hoult.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

The Monitoring Officer read out a statement, in relation to the planning application that had been submitted to the Planning department, to develop the land that was to be discussed at Item 7 - Disposal of NWLDC Land Holding in Cropston Drive/Waterworks Road. She advised members of the committee that they were not to take into account any planning issues or concerns that were being raised by the local community in relation to the planning application, when considering the report in front of them.

Councillors K Merrie and R Morris declared the following in relation to item 7 – Disposal of NWLDC Land Holding in Cropston Drive/Waterworks Road:-

“I am here tonight to contribute to any comments that this committee may wish to make in order for Cabinet to make a decision on the method of disposing of this site.  I note that the decision to dispose of the site has already been made by Cabinet previously. 

I recognise that as a member of the Planning Committee, I may be asked to determine a planning application in relation to this site through that committee at a later date.  In the event that I participate in that decision-making process, I will do so with my planning hat on and having regard to all the advice and material before me at that time and having regard to the discussion and debate at that meeting.  I will not let my participation tonight predetermine any decision I may make at that Planning Committee.

My comments tonight will be to inform Cabinet to make its own decision on the method of disposal. In the event that I participate in the decision-making process at Planning Committee, I will be making my own decision on the matter before me at that time.”

Councillor K Merrie declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7 - Disposal of NWLDC Land Holding in Cropston Drive/Waterworks Road, as the Leicestershire County Council Division Member for the site.

Councillor M B Wyatt declared a pecuniary interest in item 7 - Disposal of NWLDC Land Holding in Cropston Drive/Waterworks Road, as he was against the proposal to sell the land for housing development and he could not support the recommendations detailed in the report. He stated that he would leave the meeting for the consideration of the item.

To receive questions from members of the public under rule no.10 of the Council Procedure Rules. The procedure rule provides that members of the public may ask 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 approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2021

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2021.

It was moved by Councillor J Geary, seconded by Councillor T Eynon and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2021 be approved as a correct record.

To consider any items to be included in the work programme. The plan of forthcoming Cabinet decisions and the current work programme are attached for information.

The Chairman referred members to the committee’s work programme and the Cabinet’s Executive Decision Notice. He advised members that work was currently being undertaken to improve the scrutiny work programming process and the proposals would be considered by the Cross Party Working Group and then by both Scrutiny Committees.

Members were invited to make requests for additional items to be included. No comments were made.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The Future Work Programme be received and noted.

The officers consider that the press and public should be excluded during consideration of the following items in accordance with Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 as publicity would be likely to result in disclosure of exempt or confidential information.  Members are reminded that they must have regard to the public interest test and must consider, for each item, whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption from disclosure outweighs the public interest in making the item available.

It was moved by Councillor J Clarke, seconded by Councillor J Geary and

RESOLVED THAT:

In pursuance of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Having declared a pecuniary interest in item 7, Councillor M B Wyatt left the meeting at 6.40pm.

Report of the Strategic Director

Mr M Vickery, project manager presented the report to members.

To enable the committee to make informed comments to Cabinet, members asked a number of questions in relation to the report, which were responded to by Mr M Vickery.

It was moved by Councillor J Simmons, seconded by Councillor R Morris and

RESOLVED THAT:

The proposed recommendations to Cabinet in the report be endorsed.

Report of the Head of Economic Regeneration

The Head of Economic Regeneration presented the report to members, supported by Councillor R Blunt and the Head of Finance.

To enable the committee to make informed comments to Cabinet, members asked a number of questions in relation to the report, which were responded to by the Head of Economic Regeneration and Councillor R Blunt.

It was moved by Councillor J Geary, seconded by Councillor J Clarke and

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations as set out in the report be endorsed and supported.