Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor T Gillard, K Merrie and N Rushton.

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.

There were no questions received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2024

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2024 were considered.

It was moved by Councillor T Saffell, seconded by Councillor M Wyatt and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2024 be confirmed as an accurate record of proceedings.

The report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Leader of the Council presented the report.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T Saffell and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The Transformation Delivery Plan be noted and approved.
2. The overall approach to transformation over the medium term to ensure the Council is financially sustainable be noted.
3. The projects identified for delivery in 2024/25 be noted.

Reason for decision: To enable Cabinet to consider the Transformation Delivery Plan and arrangements for Cabinet oversight of the Plan.

The report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Leader of the Council presented the report. In addition, he addressed an email from an opposition Member received that afternoon, advising that the approach of the Council to the Productivity Plan was very similar to other local authorities in Leicestershire on content and member engagement, and that it was a requirement of Central Government for the Council to produce one by 19 July 2024. Officers had tried to provide the information requested by the opposition Member, for the meeting, but given the time available this had not been possible. The Leader of the Council offered to work with the Director of Resources on a response to address the concerns raised and this would be provided after the meeting. 

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T Saffell and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The details of the Government’s requirement to produce a productivity plan, as set out in Appendix one, be noted.
2. The Council’s Productivity Plan, as set out in Appendix two, be noted.

Reason for decision: to ensure that the Council is complying with the Government’s requirement to publish and submit a Productivity Plan by the deadline of 19 July 2024.

The report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Leader of the Council presented the report.

A Member was supportive but said that he would ask further questions on the details of the project as it progressed.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T Saffell and

RESOLVED THAT:

Subject to Council approving joining the EMF Company, Cabinet approves the Council’s East Midlands Freeport Business Rates Relief Policy and delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Resources/S151 Officer to finalise the document.

Reason for decision: as part of the formal creation of the East Midlands Freeport the Council is required to have in place a Business Rates Relief Policy for eligible organisations outlining the eligibility criteria, operation and delivery of Business Rates Relief for East Midlands Freeport Tax Sites.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder

The Communities and Climate Change Portfolio Holder presented the report.

A couple of Members commended the work done by Officers.

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor A Woodman and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The Environmental Health Food Safety Service Delivery Plan 2024/25, as set out at Appendix 1, be approved.
2. The performance and achievements in 2023/24 be noted.

Reason for decision: to approve the content of the Food Safety Service Delivery Plan 2024/25 as required by the Food Standards Agency.

The report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report.

The Chair stressed the importance of Corporate Complaints and asked the Portfolio Holder how he would measure success in this area moving forwards.

The Portfolio Holder said that his key target would be for a decrease in the number of Ombudsman complaints which had been upheld to below a 50% upheld rate. A lot of money was also being invested in the Housing Service, which was the source of a significant percentage of complaints received.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor M Wyatt and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The comments made by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee on 23 May 2024 be noted.
2. The details of the Annual Report 2023/24 be noted.
3. The Self-Assessment at Appendix 1 be reviewed and it be confirmed that Cabinet is in agreement that the Council is compliant.

Reason for decision: the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaints Code requires the Council to report on complaints annually to the governing body.

The report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Leader of the Council presented the report.

The Strategic Director of Resources advised the Cabinet on the technical details contained within the report and how they related to the Council’s constitution. The majority of funding in reports related to grants received since the budget was set in February, though some would require additional funding from reserves.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T Saffell and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The decision made by the Head of Service and Section 151 Officer in respect of Supplementary Estimates detailed on Appendix 2 which are below £100k and are externally funded, be noted
2. The Supplementary Estimates detailed on Appendix 2 which are between £100k and £250k and are externally funded, be approved.
3. The Supplementary Estimates detailed on Appendix 2 which are above £250k and are externally funded, be recommended to Council for approval.
4. All Supplementary Estimates detailed on Appendix 2 which are Council funded, be approved.
5. The movement from the Development Pool to the Active Programme for the capital schemes detailed in Table 2 be approved.

Reason for decision: as required by the Council’s Constitution.

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 R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T Saffell 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.

Reason for decision: To enable the consideration of exempt information.

The report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations contained within the report be approved.

Reason for decision: to comply with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

The report of the Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor T Saffell and

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations contained within the report be approved.

Reason for decision: To meet landlord obligations and to ensure that the premises can continue to be let to businesses.