Agenda item

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 D Bayliss referred to a previous announcement he had made at the March meeting regarding the Green and Decent Homes pilot scheme, and gave an update on progress to date.  He reported that of the 12 volunteer households, 4 installations had already taken place, and one alternative property was now being sought following a tenant move.  He stated that the intention of the scheme was to reduce energy costs for tenants across the district and allow the Council to see how best to maintain and improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock in future.  He added that the receipt of a feed in tariff would also support the Housing Revenue Account.  He explained that energy use would be monitored over the ensuing 12 months.  He outlined the various technologies being utilised in the pilot scheme and advised that the properties involved in the pilot were scattered throughout the district.  He hoped to have a report on the outcome over the next few months.

Councillor J Ruff welcomed the initiative and hoped for positive feedback.  She asked what would happen to the equipment after the pilot had concluded; would the equipment be removed or made available to tenants for purchase.

Councillor R D Bayliss responded that the equipment would not be removed, and if the pilot scheme was successful, it would hopefully lead to further installations.  He added that the scheme had been led by officers and tenants, and there had been a great deal of enthusiasm for it.

Councillor A V Smith stated that she would like to clarify the point she made in the Council meeting of 1 July 2014 regarding this Council’s position on Leicestershire County Council’s proposals for Snibston Discovery Park and to apologise for any confusion caused by her statement and subsequent press release.  She clarified that the intention of her statement was that, should the proposals for Snibston go ahead, North West Leicestershire District Council would encourage the development of a local mining museum on the site, as we had knowledge that it would be valued.  She apologised unreservedly for any misunderstanding and hoped that this statement clarified the situation for the wider community regarding her previous statement at Council and the subsequent press release.

Councillor A V Smith extended congratulations to Gemma Steele on her remarkable achievement in the Great North Run.  She reported that Gemma had placed second, knocking 2 minutes off her personal best time.  She added that Gemma was now the third fastest British woman of all time at this distance.  She commended Gemma on her fantastic achievement and hoped that she had her sights set on the Rio Olympics.

Councillor A V Smith announced that for the third year running, the RSPCA had awarded the Council a ‘gold footprint’ award for the high quality manner in which the Council handles stray dogs.  She expressed congratulations to all staff involved.

Councillor J Legrys welcomed the apology from Councillor A V Smith, the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer regarding the manner in which Coalville Heritage Society was presented at the last meeting during the debate on Snibston.  He expressed disappointment that this had happened in the first instance and that a Portfolio Holder in receipt of a special responsibility allowance had allowed herself to be misguided or misled on an issue without checking.  He added that he wished to draw a line under this issue.

Councillor N Clarke expressed congratulations to the officers for their hard work and achievement in respect of the golden footprint award.

Councillor A C Saffell congratulated staff on their handling of the noise issues at the Zoo Project which had taken place in Castle Donington over the last weekend.

Councillor T J Pendleton announced a tour of developments across the district would take place on Friday, 10 October 2014.  He advised that the purpose of the tour was to bring Members and officers together to visit and discuss residential developments that had been recently completed within the district, to help Members see the positive impact of the planning decisions they are making.  He added that representatives from the government’s Homes and Communities Agency were expected to be joining the tour as the Council was being increasingly recognised as an authority that reflects good practice in building more and better new homes and communities.  He encouraged all Members to attend.