Agenda and minutes

The meeting of the Council will be called to order to receive Her Worship The Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The meeting of the Council was called to order to receive the Deputy Mayor.

A minute’s silence was observed in memory of both the late former County Councillor, Mr Alan Kind, and the late former Oadby Urban District and Borough Councillor, Mr Richard Pollard.

Tributes were led by Councillor G A Boulter and the Deputy Mayor respectively.

To receive apologies for absence from Members to determine the quorum of the meeting in accordance with Rule 7 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

An apology for absence was received from Her Worship The Mayor, Councillor Mrs R H Adam, and Councillors N Alam, D M Carter, Mrs H E Darling JP, M L Darr, Ms C D Kozlowski, Mrs H E Loydall, K J Loydall, R E R Morris and Dr I K Ridley.

It was moved by Councillor G A Boulter, seconded by Councillor K J Loydall and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

Councillor Mrs L Kaufman be appointed the Vice-Chair for the duration of the meeting only.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

None.

To read, confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 19 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 April 2022 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the Annual General Meeting (2022/23) held on 10 May 2022 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

There as no Action List arising from the previous meeting.

There was no Action List(s) arising from the previous meeting(s).

To consider any Motions on Notice in accordance with Rule 14 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Charlesworth

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Linda M Broadley

The Council gave consideration to the Motion on Notice (as set out at pages 15 – 16 of the agenda reports pack) in relation to the state of pollution of rivers in England (“the Motion”)

The Council was advised that due to transposition error, paragraphs 1.2 and 1.12 of the Motion as originally published (as set out at 15 page of the agenda reports pack) ought to be disregarded.

It was moved by Councillors M H Charlesworth, seconded by Councillor Mrs L M Broadley and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Motion be carried, excluding paragraphs 1.2. and 1.12 of the Motion as originally published.

To receive any Petitions, Deputations and, or, to answer any Questions by Members or the Public in accordance with Rule(s) 11, 12, 13 and 10 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Petitions Procedure Rules respectively.

Question of Councillor Michael H Charlesworth

The Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer provided the following response to the Question on Notice (as set out on page 17 of the agenda reports pack) received by Councillor M H Charlesworth in relation to the preservation of significant works by Christopher Dresser’s at Bushloe House.

Grade II listed buildings are subject to regulations which protect their historical and architectural significance. These buildings are of special interest, meaning alterations and building work cannot be carried out without written consent from the Local Planning Authority. The listing of a building includes the interior and any fixtures, for example the staircase at Bushloe House. Unauthorised works are a criminal offence punishable by an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment for a maximum of 2 years.

No supplementary question was asked by Councillor M H Charlesworth.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor in accordance with Rule 2 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

There were no announcements in the absence of Her Worship The Mayor.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The list of Official Engagements attended by The Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor be noted.

To receive any statement from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Article 2.9.2(ii) of Part 2 of the Constitution.

The Leader of the Council presented a Statement outlining his recent work, the administration’s plans and an overview of recent decisions taken since the previous meeting of the Council.

In particular, the Leader of the Council provided an update on the current position regarding the Levelling Up Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund relating to this Council and relative and comparative impacts it would have on both the Borough, the immediate Leicester/shire and Rutland area and the wider East Midlands region.  

Report of Chief Executive / Head of Paid Service

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 20 – 27 of the agenda reports pack) which asked it to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23.

The Council was advised that at paragraph 2.1 of the report (as set out at 21 page of the agenda reports pack) the pay award for 2021/22 ought to have read 1.75% and not 1.9%.

It was moved by the Deputy Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor Mrs S B Morris and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       That the content of the report and appendix be noted;

(ii)      The Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23 (as set out at Appendix 1 to this report) be approved.

Report of Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 28 - 44 of the agenda reports pack) which asked it to approve certain amendments to the Constitution following the issuing of statutory guidance on the making of special severance payments by local authorities.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor Mrs S B Morris and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The content of the report and appendices be noted;

(ii)      The amendments to the Constitution (as set out in paragraphs 5.7, 5.8 and 5.9 of the report) be approved.

Report of the Economic Regeneration Manager

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 45 - 56 of the agenda reports pack) which asked it to approve certain amendments to the Constitution following the issuing of statutory guidance on the making of special severance payments by local authorities.

In relation to the Leader of the Council’s earlier Statement (at agenda item 10 and minute item 9), he clarified that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund applied Borough-wide, the Levelling Up Fund applied to Wigston due to an identified development need, and the County Deal applied to the entire Leicester/shire and Rutland area.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor Mrs S B Morris and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The content of the report and appendix be noted;

(ii)      The Leader of the Council, in conjunction with the Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer be given delegated authority to approve the final OWB Investment Plan submitted to DHLUC (as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report); and

(iii)    The Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer be given authority to make required changes to the Council budget (as set out in paragraph 2.1 of the report).

Report of the Head of Built Environment

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 57 - 104 of the agenda reports pack) which asked it to approve to approve the Leicester and Leicestershire Statement of Common Ground relating to Housing and Employment Land Needs.

The Council was advised that, in response to Members’ comments relating to Leicester City Council’s purported ability to meet its own ‘unmet need’ by building upwards (e.g. high -rise apartments) than outwards, evidence-based demand for particular property types, together with appropriate infrastructure to support development on available albeit limited land supply, were also key considerations.

The Council was further advised that, at the present time, there remained an ongoing Duty to Cooperate on strategic housing and employment growth matters and that the Council itself has always been able to meet its own needs through the implementation of its own Strategic Growth Plan as part of the adopted Local Plan.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by Deputy Leader of the Council and

RESOLVED THAT:

The signing of the Leicester and Leicestershire Statement of Common Ground relating to Housing and Employment Land Needs (2022) be approved.

Votes For                   10

Votes Against          2

Abstentions             3

Presentation of the Strategic Director

The Council gave consideration to the presentation (a copy of which is provided with this minute) which asked it to approve an 8-week consultation between 18 July and 9 September 2022 in relation to the Council’s New Vision as proposed.

The Council was advised that, once the New Vision was adopted and approved by Council at its meeting on 27 September 2022, Members would be consulted on a revised Corporate Plan in order to gauge whether the New Vision is being realised.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by Deputy Leader of the Council and

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

An 8-week consultation between 18 July and 9 September 2022 in relation to the Council’s New Vision as proposed be approved.

Report of the Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 105 - 111 of the agenda reports pack) together with a presentation (a copy of which is provided with this minute) which asked it to the progress of the office relocation project.

It was emphasised to the Council that the building specification comprised a flexible, ground-floor, multiple meeting space solution, which could accommodate both Members and Officers needs, including provision to hold Member surgery sessions, and suitable toilet facilities for Officers on the upper-floor.

The Council requested that as part of the decanting process from Bushloe House to Brocks Hill, that Members and Officers be afforded one last opportunity to tour Bushloe House for nostalgic reasons. The request was fully welcomed.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The progress of the office relocation project and resulting changes required to the Council Budget and Policy Framework, to be considered as a separate item on the meeting’s agenda, be noted.

The press and public are likely to be excluded from the remainder of the meeting in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (Exempt Information) during consideration of the item(s) below on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the respective paragraph(s) 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and, in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exempt item(s) outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (Exempt Information) during consideration of the item(s) below on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the respective paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and, in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exempt item outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Exempt Appendix of the Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the exempt appendix (as set out at page 112 of the private agenda reports pack) in relation to the office relocation project.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the exempt appendix be noted.

Exempt Report of the Head of Finance / Deputy Section 151 Officer

The Council gave consideration to the exempt report and appendices (as set out at pages 113 - 129 of the private agenda reports pack) in relation to the revised 2022/23 Capital Programmes as commended by the Chair of the Policy, Finance and Development Committee, Councillor M H Charlesworth.

It was moved by Councillor M H Charlesworth, seconded by Councillor Mrs S B Morris and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendation be approved.