Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor P Lees, M Ball and A Morley.

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 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 28 September 2023

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2023.

It was moved by Councillor S Lambeth, seconded by Councillor E Parle and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2023 be approved as an accurate record of proceedings.

Discussion item with invited representatives from Campaign to Reopen the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL) and Network Rail

The Chair welcomed the representative from the Campaign to Reopen the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL) and advised the Committee that the discussion to follow would contribute to a future report, and that she welcomed points for further inquiry from the Committee. A second session, she added, was planned, and would incorporate other stakeholders.

The representative from CRIL spoke to the Committee. He advised the Committee that the CRIL was a non-partisan campaign group to reopen the Ivanhoe Line between Ashby and Leicester. He set out what CRIL had done so far, procedurally, in their campaign to reopen the Line, including how they had attempted to work with various local stakeholders as well as with Central Government, who invited them to present a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC). This SOBC was submitted to the Central Government; it received strong feedback and was passed onto the next phase of the process, and Network Rail were invited to get involved.

The representative praised the work of Network Rail. He clarified for Members that so far, the planned work was more focused on the section of the Line from Derby to Coalville. He was very confident that national approval for this would be attained.

Further work was planned to campaign for the phase between Coalville and Leicester. He outlined for the Committee the prospects of success in this aspect of the campaign. He advised the Committee on the various potential financial and practical hindrances to the second phase of the project. Furthermore, and further down the line, there was also various issues associated with connecting the envisaged Leicester South station to the main station at Leicester. In summary, the easy phase was Burton to Coalville, the harder phase was Coalville to Leicester, and the trickiest phase was developing the Line within Leicester city centre. Strategically, it was advisable to be pragmatic about what was on offer, even if it was an imperfect option at the moment, as it would provide immediate benefits and portend further development in the future.

A Member congratulated CRIL and concurred that the strategy of CRIL to campaign for the rest of the Line in tandem with the construction of the first phase of the Line was sensible. The representative from CRIL said that whilst it was always likely to have happened in phases, it would be better if the whole thing had been authorised simultaneously. As this had not happened, the campaign must continue to present a measured and united front to Central Government. CRIL hoped the Council would begin campaigning for phase two to begin as soon as possible.

A Member welcomed the work of CRIL and agreed with the suggestion that what was so far on offer was something that the Council should not turn down, and that the phased strategy was eminently sensible.

The Chair asked what other support CRIL required. The representative said the Council should reaffirm their wholehearted support for the project to whichever Government was in power after the next General Election. More practically  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The report of the Head of Property and Regeneration

The Head of Property and Regeneration presented the report.

He invited the Senior Economic Development Officer to present part of the report to the Committee.

The Chair read a statement from the relevant Ward Members, Councillors R Sutton and C Sewell. They noted the history of the proposed project, that it had been somewhat contentious, and that roughly a third of the work had already been done. Communication with residents had been enhanced and the ward Members hoped to see the project completed by May 2024.

A Member welcomed the support of the ward Members and the work of Officers in what had historically proved a tricky project. He did query about the two hour parking restriction and how it would be enforced. In response, the Head of Property and Regeneration advised that it was the County Council’s responsibility to enforce where the District Council would work as the agent.

A Member remained concerned that people would abuse the car-parking and hoped that there would be regular enforcement. The Head of Property and Economic Regeneration concurred.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

RECOMMENDED THAT:

The following recommendation be added to the report to be presented to Cabinet: ‘after the scheme is completed, this authority ask Leicestershire County Council to review parking enforcement in the area so maximum benefit from the scheme is attained.’

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.

Consideration was given to the inclusion of any item on the Work Programme.

The Strategic Director of Place advised the Committee on various changes to the plan and why these changes had occurred.

The Chair updated Members on the work of the Scrutiny Work Programming Group and implored Members to contribute.