Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillors G Boulter, Mrs E Connell and Miss M Chamberlain

None received

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the following meetings be taken as read, confirmed and signed:

 Council Meeting – 2^nd September  2014

The Action List be noted.

None received.

The Council noted events attended by the Mayor within report pages 6 & 7.

The Mayor thanked Members for the support they have given to her and her events so far and informed them that there had been an increase by fifty percent of events from last year.

The Mayor announced the following events :

Charity Fashion Show on 24 September 2014.

Charity Beer and Skittles on 11 November 2014.

Christmas Carol Concert on 10 December 2014.

Charity Curry Night in February 2015.

Parklands Barn Dance on 25April 2015.

None.

The Leader discussed the forthcoming budget setting and said that a quarter of the budget has been cut during the last four years.  He informed members that the Council has managed to avoid cutting frontline services by reviewing services and redesigning them.

The Leader raised concerns regarding the County Council’s budget cuts stating that there was a lack of clarity or system to implement their cuts. He informed members that support for vulnerable people is being cut but the district councils have not been consulted on the reasoning or implications.

The Leader informed members that the Leader of the County Council had referred the district leaders to the County Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy and that it would be looking to stop paying recycling credits for green waste from next year.  This proposal would need to go through a formal process in order for the County Council to try and do this which the Leader believed has still not been started. In the case of Oadby & Wigston this would be between £80,000 and £85,000 per year in lost income.

The Leader informed members that the County Council would be looking at stopping paying dry goods recycling credits in three years time. Dry recycling gives the Council a large income from the recycling credits and sale of the processed materials and any changes to this would have a significant and game changing effect on the Council.The Council requires and must be provided with adequate consultation and notice of any proposed changes to give it the opportunity to review the service.

The Leader said he had asked the Chief Executive to seek  clarification from the County Council on these issues and that his main concern was if cuts were being considered that could threaten this Council’s dry recycling scheme income then he would do all he could to prevent or delay that .  He thought it would be good if the County Council could see this Council’s dry recycling operation and how both councils could possible benefit from its continuation.

The Leader then wished Members a Merry Christmas.

The Committee gave consideration to the report of the Head of Corporate Resources as set out at pages 8 to 40, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

The Electoral and Democratic Services Officer gave the background to the report and informed Members it is required to be adopted by Full Council.

RESOLVED: That the Policy be approved to take effect from 1 January 2015.

The Committee gave consideration to the report of the Director of Services as set out at pages 41 to 45, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

The Director of Services gave the background to the report setting out to Members the progress to date and why there had been some delays.

The Mayor said that she had been present at the contract signing and she now appreciated the huge amount of work that had gone into the project so far and that members should acknowledge this and thank the officers concerned particularly Mrs Court and Mrs Lennox.

Members sought reassurances as to the reasons for the additional costs of £571,000. Members sought further reassurance that there would be no further additional costs.

Mr Thompson stated that the £571,000 was now fixed in the contract and that SLM Ltd the contractor undertaking the works now take full responsibility for any additional costs and that the costs had been independently assessed, scrutinised and challenged by the Council appointed independent consultants. In addition, SLM had met the additional demolition costs at Wigston Pool of £10,000

Members queried a number of points regarding the Leisure Contract as follows: -

1)    If the Council were aware of the asbestos risk at the Council Leisure Sites. The Director of Services confirmed that the Council and SLM were aware of the risks and these had been costed into the scheme.

2)    Why had the utilities diversion and piling works not been identified at tender stage. Mr Thompson stated that it is normal practice for such works as utility diversions to be within the additional costs.  This is because it is not expected tenders at the bidding stage to do in depth ground surveys

3)    If SLM went into liquidation then how would the Council cover any costs and what would it do.  Mr Thompson confirmed that a performance bond is in place and if SLM went into liquidation the Council could:-

a) Appoint another contractor

b) Close the facilities.

           c) The Council, itself, operate the facilities

Another Member welcomed the scrutiny of the contract and welcomed the report.

Members were also reminded of the invitation to  preview the refurbished gym at the Parklands Leisure Centre on the 22 December 2014.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Committee gave consideration to the report of the Director of Services as set out at pages 46 to 53, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

The Planning Policy and Regeneration Manager went through the report

 Regarding 41 Canal Street, South Wigston

He stated there was a compelling reason to make the CPO because:-

a)    The Building is in a significant state of neglect and is continuing to deteriorate, glass falling out of windows, damp issues for adjoining properties and a public safety risk. Neighbours have complained on many occasions about the continuing deterioration of the fabric of the building.

b)   Visual appearance gives an unfavourable impression of the area, which is added to by substantial boarding.

c)    The pigeon infestation is so great that the Council has to take action and incur costs to control the infestation, secure and tidy the site.

He informed the Committee that Land at Bennett Way South Wigston and site of Oadby pool would be developed for affordable housing.

Members welcomed the report and the fact that 41 Canal Street was being looked at for development and were supportive that the sites would be used to develop affordable housing.

The Leader of the Council clarified that the decision being made was a policy decision and that an action plan should be drawn up within the next six months for the delivery of the projects.

A couple of Members queried whether the affordable housing projects at the site of Oadby Pool would encroach into Ellis Park Car Park. The Leader said that this was not known at this stage and was still to be determined as no detailed site plans were in place but the point would be taken into consideration.

A member sought clarification that if 41 Canal Street was obtained by the Council and transferred to a Developer what happens if they disappear. The Director of Services assured  that  sufficient safeguards would be in place.

RESOLVED: To support the recommendations in the report.

The Committee gave consideration to the report of the Chief Executive as set out at pages 54 to 58, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

The Chief Executive gave the background to the report.

A Member said that the 3(b) of the Terms of Reference for the Supporting Leicestershire Families Group be amended to read “The Leader of the Council “ who it had been agreed would chair the group.

RESOLVED: To support the recommendations in the report with the above change.

Cllr D Carter pointed out that his name was omitted for the attendance list the Development Control Committee meeting on the 16 October 2014 and the Place Shaping Working Group on the 22 October 2014.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meetings of the committees, forums and working groups as set out in the agenda be received.

RESOLVED: That the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to all contracts, orders, deeds and other documents arising out of the Minutes and Reports in the foregoing items.

None.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100 A (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 Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended).

The Committee gave consideration to the report of the Director of Services as set out at pages 187 to 189, which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

The Planning Policy and Regeneration Manager gave the background to the report and informed the Committee that a developer had been successful and is hereby recommended to regenerate 41 Canal Street.

RESOLVED: To support the recommendations in the report.

The Clerks to the meeting left at 8.06pm

Council Members considered the confidential report.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and any necessary action be taken