Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Remote Meeting using Microsoft Teams

Contact: Democratic Services  01530 454512

Media

Items
No. Item

21.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C Benfield, A Bridgen and D Tebbutt.

 

22.

Declaration of Interests

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.

Minutes:

Councillor B Harrison-Rushton declared a pecuniary interest in item 7 – Update on Carpark Review due to a close relative being a landowner and car park operator within the District.

 

23.

Public Question and Answer Session

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.

Minutes:

None

 

24.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 215 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2020

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2020.

 

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

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

 The minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2020 be approved as a correct record.

 

25.

Items for Inclusion in the Future Work Programme pdf icon PDF 339 KB

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the Committee’s work programme, the item action log and the Cabinet’s Executive Decision Notice.

 

Regard was given to a request that had been made outside of the meeting to scrutinise the supply of social and affordable housing in the District.  It was confirmed that work had begun with the Strategic Director to scope the topic and a task and finish group requested.

 

The following comments were made in relation to the action log:

 

When the ‘Shop Front Scheme Update’ report was brought to Committee, a Member requested that it not only provide an update on the scheme, but why Members were not informed that it had concluded.

 

That a clear view be taken on how to tackle items that fell under both scrutiny committees as the ‘Update on Climate Change and Carbon Reduction’ report had a cross cutting status.

 

By affirmation of the meeting it was

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The Committee’s future work programme be updated in accordance with the above requests from the Committee.

 

 

26.

Air Quality Progress Update pdf icon PDF 311 KB

Report of the Head of Community Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor A Woodman, Portfolio Holder, introduced the item to Members.

 

On behalf of the Air Quality Task and Finish Group, the Chairman of the group Councillor D Harrison, presented the findings and the formulated recommendations to Cabinet as detailed at appendix 4 of the report.

 

Members spoke positively in relation to the work undertaken by the task and finish Group and the majority of Members were in support of the proposed recommendations.  A distinction was made between the statutory amount of air quality monitoring required and the additional monitoring desired by Members. A comment was made regarding the area focus within recommendation 4 as it was felt it should take a more strategic approach across the whole district rather than to state specific monitoring sites.  As the view was not shared by all Members, an amendment to the recommendation was not sought.   

 

A Member referred to the audit document at Appendix 1 and asked that paragraph 3.10 be amended to say that liaison with the airport ‘should’ be increased rather than ’could’ be increased.  Likewise, it was asked that paragraph 5.8 be amended to say that NWLDC ‘should’ liaise more closely with the airport rather than ‘could’ liaise.  

 

It was questioned if High Street in Coalville should be included as a monitoring site as there were plans to widen the pavement to allow people to sit outside the establishments to consume refreshments.  This road was extremely busy; often with stationary vehicles queuing at the traffic lights which meant the air quality was poor.

 

Members were in support of the additional resource proposed for the air quality delivery plan.

 

A suggestion was made for cabinet to consider a decision making all NWLDC taxi’s electric by the year 2030.  A decision made now would give enough time to plan for the transition. 

 

Regard was given to the costs involved in the additional air quality monitoring being proposed and a member suggested that consideration be given to the Coalville Special Expenses, as there were budgets available, which could be used to fund equipment and monitoring in the Coalville area. 

 

At the request of Members, Clare Beattie, the Air Quality Consultant, addressed the committee and commented on some of the views shared at the meeting.

 

Councillors Eynon and Merrie wished their view to be noted that they did not agree with specifying monitoring locations in the fourth recommendation from the Task and Finish group. They felt a more strategic approach was required rather than specifying exact locations. They supported the recommendations overall and were content to support the majority view.

 

 

It was moved by Councillor J Geary, seconded by Councillor M B Wyatt and

 

RECOMMENDED THAT CABINET:

 

1)     Produces a supplementary planning document to clarify the processes for Air Quality Management;

 

2)     Undertakes a review of Local Plan to include improved Air Quality standards;

 

3)     Responds to DEFRA consultations on Air Quality;

 

4)     Undertakes a strategic and costed plan, ensuring all the District’s monitoring meets the DEFRA guidelines and that the district is screened  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

Update on Car Park Review pdf icon PDF 368 KB

Report of the Head of Community Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Having declared a pecuniary interest in the item Councillor B Harrison-Rushton left the meeting during consideration and did not return to the meeting.

 

The Head of Community Services presented the report to Members, with the support of Councillor A Woodman, Portfolio Holder, who also addressed the committee.

 

The Facilities Team Leader gave a presentation to Members in relation to the future provision for parking services.

 

Concerns were raised in relation to the move towards more cashless parking payment machines and the use of mobile phones to make payment, in particularly for those people that find this technology confusing or did not have a smart phone.  The Head of Community Services explained that the response to these machines so far had been positive due to the contactless nature in the current climate.  He assured Members that the machines also accepted card payments so this was an alternative method available to most people.

 

Members supported the recommendation to stop the ‘Free after 3pm’ at the market hall car park in Coalville as it was agreed that it was not an effective strategy.  It was felt that the recommendation to align the charges to the Belvoir Centre was a good one as the current 2-hour free parking was increasing the footfall in the town.

 

A member raised concerns regarding the prospect of selling the car parks, as it was felt that the Council should keep hold of assets.  The Head of Community Services explained that the current discussion with parish councils were for the sale of the freehold only, this meant that they would be protected and only used for car parking but would save the council money as the running costs would be transferred to the parish council.  The car parks could also be pulled back at any time.  He also confirmed that if at any point it was decided to sell any car parks it would probably be in the smaller areas but would be subject to an individual business case and local consultations. 

 

It was moved by Councillor K Merrie, seconded by Councillor M B Wyatt and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The report be noted and comments made be provided to Cabinet when considering the item.

 

 

Councillor B Harrison-Rushton left the meeting at 7.31pm