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.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor 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.

An apology for absence was also received from Councillors Mrs R H Adams, L A Bentley, R F Eaton, F S Ghattoraya, Miss A Kaur and Mrs H E Loydall.

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(s) 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 17 December 2019 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 04 February 2020 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

To read, confirm and note the Action List arising from the previous meeting(s).

There is no Action List arising from the previous meeting held on 17 December 2020.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Action List arising from the previous meeting held on 17 December 2019 be noted.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Action List arising from the extraordinary meeting held on 04 February 2020 be noted.

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

Proposed by Councillor David M Carter

Seconded by Councillor Garth (Bill) A Boulter

The Council gave consideration to the Motion on Notice (at page 12 of the agenda reports pack) which asked Members resolved that the Council support the efforts to reduce single-use plastic in Oadby and the work of ‘Plastic Free Oadby etc.

It was moved by Councillor D M Carter, seconded by Councillor G A Boulter and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The Council supports the effort to reduce single-use plastic in Oadby and the work of Plastic Free Oadby by:

(a)     Offering an example to the town, by reducing the amount of single-use plastic in all Council premises and activities;

(b)     Appointing a Councillor to represent the Council on the Plastic Free Oadby Steering Group;

(c)      Encouraging and promoting Borough-wide plastic free events and initiatives; and

(d)     Making information about the reduction of plastic use available to local residents via all Council-ran communication channels, including on the Council’s website, its social media platforms and Letterbox.

(ii)     The Council supports the initiative being piloted in Oadby and then for it to be rolled out to Wigston and South Wigston.

Councillor J Kaufman requested that an initiative be explored by the Environment Working Group to reduce plastic waste associated with the tea and coffee making facilities in the Council Chamber, Committee Room and at other Council premises.

The Council requested that a letter be sent by the Mayor on behalf of the Council to the relevant Portfolio Holder at Leicestershire County Council to exert influence upon the County Council to take affirmative action to ensure that recyclable waste is collected from schools within the Borough in the future.

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.

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

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.

In accordance with Rule 6.3 of Part 4 of the Constitution, the Deputy Mayor moved for the order of business to be altered and taken in the order as reflected in the minutes.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The order of business be altered and taken accordingly.

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 19 - 107 of the main agenda reports pack) and the supplementary papers (as set at pages 3 - 5 of the supplementary agenda reports pack) which asked it

·           to approve the 2020/21 Budget (including approval of Council Tax and Housing Revenue Account Rents) (“the Budget”);

·           to approve the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (2021/22 to 2024/25) (“the MTFS”); and

·           to consider the statutory report of the Chief Financial Officer / Section 151 Officer under section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 (as amended) (“the Section 25 Report”).

as commended by the Chair of the Policy, Finance and Development Committee.

An amendment was moved by the Deputy Leader of the Council and seconded by Councillor Mrs S B Morris, proposing that in respect of recommendation A, the words:

·         ‘…the future savings, income generation, growth proposals and fees & charges proposals…’ be replaced with;

·         ‘…the 2020/21 savings, income generation, growth and fees and charges proposals are accepted and the 2021/22 and subsequent years new proposals be subject to Member review…’.

The amendment was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

Councillor G A Boulter requested that further details be provided to Members outside of the meeting regarding the leased depot vehicle (as referred to at page 33 of the of the main agenda reports pack).

It was moved by Councillor D A Gamble, seconded by Councillor Dr I K Ridley that the recommendations (as amended) be put to the vote en bloc and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       That Full Council approves:

(a)      The General Fund Budget for 2020/21 and MTFS 2021/22 to 2024/25 (including Reserves & Capital) (as set out at paragraph(s) 2.1, Table 1, 2.2(a) and 4 of the report and section(s) 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 of the appendix);

(b)     An increase of £5 in Council Tax for 2020/21 i.e. the Band D charge will increase to £229.50 (£224.50, 2019/20) (as set out at paragraph(s) Table 1 and 2.2(c) of the report and the formal resolution on the Council Tax at section item(s) (a) to (e) of the appendix, together with the supplementary papers);

(c)      The Housing Revenue Account for 2020/21 and the MTFS 2021/22 to 2024/25 (including Reserves & Capital) (as set out at paragraphs 3.1, Table 2, 3.2(a) and 4 of the report and section(s) 3.0 and 5.0 of the Appendix);

(d)     An increase in rent of 2.7%, an average rent increase of £2.03 per week, taking it to £77.44 per week (£75.41, 2019/20) and specific charges of 2.7% (as set out at paragraph(s) 3.1, Table 2 and 3.2(b) or the report and section(s) 5.0 of the appendix);

(e)      The 2020/21 savings, income generation, growth and fees and charges proposals are accepted and the 2021/22 and subsequent years new proposals be subject to Member review (as set out at paragraph(s) 2.1 of the report and section(s) 1.0 of the appendix); and

(f)       The 2020/21 Treasury Management, Capital, Investment and Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategies; Minimum  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

Report of the Chief Executive / Head of Paid Service

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 108 - 119 of the main agenda reports pack) which asked it to approve the Council’s Pay Policy Statement and its continued commitment to paying the Real Living Wage for 2020/21.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21 (as set out at Appendix 1); be approved; and

(ii)     The continued commitment to paying the Real Living Wage for 2020/21 be approved.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 120 - 128 of the main agenda reports pack) which asked it to note the receipt of a report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (“the Ombudsman”) and the response of the Council to that report.

The Leader of the Council announced that a private Members’ Briefing Session in relation to homelessness and housing allocations arising from the Ombudsman will be delivered prior to the next meeting of the Full Council on Tuesday, 24 March.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

That the contents of the report and appendix be noted.

Report of the Trainee Solicitor

The Council gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 129 – 131 of the main agenda reports pack) which asked it to appoint a single Member representative to represent the Council on the ‘Oadby & Wigston Environmental Forum’ and the ‘Plastic Free Oadby Steering Group’ (“the Outside Bodies”).

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

That the Chair of the Council’s Environment Working Group for the time being be appointed as the single Member representative to each of the Outside Bodies known as the ‘Oadby & Wigston Environmental Forum’ and the ‘Plastic Free Oadby Steering Group’ respectively with immediate effect.

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. This included his summation of the current commentary surrounding the future of local government financial and governance settlement(s) and direction for growth, with particular emphasis on the need for greater partnership and collaborative working between all local authorities in Leicester/shire.

The Leader of the Council also wished for both Members’ and Officers’ well-wishes to be conveyed to Councillor R F Eaton.