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 Her Worship The Deputy Mayor.

The meeting was led in prayer by the Deputy Mayor.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by J Kaufman and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

Councillor D M Carter deputise as Vice-Chair for the duration of the meeting.

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 L Eaton JP.

Apologies for absence were also received from Councillor R F Eaton and Councillor Miss A Kaur.

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 24 September 2019 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

There is no Action List arising from the previous meeting.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The absence of any actions arising from the previous meeting held on 24 September 2019 be noted by Members.

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

None.

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.

None.

The Deputy Mayor confirmed that one question had been received from Councillors under Rule 13.2 of Part 4 of the Constitution of the Council.

Question from Cllr Michael Charlesworth (Wigston All Saints Ward) to Councillor Lee A Bentley, Chair of Development Control Committee:

‘Does Oadby and Wigston Borough Council have to abide by the Communication Act 2003 that imposes on the owner/occupier of a building an agreement permitting access to that building by an operator for the purpose of determining whether it is suitable for the installation of electronic communications apparatus, even where the owner/occupier objects?’

Answer:

The Council has to abide by the Communication Act 2003 that imposes on the owner/occupier of a building an agreement permitting access to that building by an operator for the purpose of determining whether it is suitable for the installation of electronic communications apparatus, even where the owner/occupier objects, by virtue of the case of The University of London –v- Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 2017.

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

The Deputy Mayor requested an amendment to the list of Deputy Mayoral engagements attended between May to September 2019, insofar as she did not attend the Navatri Festival on 5 October 2019.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The amended 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.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Council gave consideration to the report as set out on pages 12-13 of the agenda, which asked it to approve the appointment of a permanent Chief Executive.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

Anne Court be appointed as the Council’s permanent Chief Executive with immediate effect and that from 1 April 2020 her contract be varied from 37.5 hours to 30 hours per week.

Report of the Head of Built Environment

The Council gave consideration to the report as set out on pages 14-27 of the agenda, which asked it note the Council’s overall strategic position on Housing and the outcome of the public consultation on the Housing Strategy 2019-2024.

It was moved by G A Boulter, seconded by L A Bentley and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report be noted and the Housing Strategy (2019-2024) be approved.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Council gave consideration to the report as set out on pages 28-72 of the agenda which asked it to approve the revised Statement of Licensing Policy (2020-2025).

It was moved by Mrs L M Broadley, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The revised Statement of Licensing Policy (2020-2025) be approved, to take effect from 1 January 2020.

Report of the Head of Built Environment

The Council gave consideration to the report as set out on pages 73-74 of the agenda, which asked it to nominate a Member to attend meetings of the A46 Partnership to represent the Borough Council.

It was moved by K J Loydall JP, seconded by J Kaufman and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Leader of the Council, J W Boyce, be nominated to act as the Borough Council representative at meetings of the A46 Partnership.

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 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) outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Councillor M L Darr left the Chamber at 20:38 and did not return.

Exempt Presentation of the Deputy Chief Executive

The Council gave consideration to the exempt presentation delivered by the Economic Regeneration Manager.

By affirmation of the meeting it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the presentation be noted.

Exempt Report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The Council gave consideration to the exempt report as set out on pages 75-100 of the agenda.

It was moved by Mrs S B Morris, seconded by D W Loydall and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The contents of the report be noted and recommendations B and C be approved.