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 Mayor.

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 Councillor F S Broadley, L M Broadley, D A Gamble, R E R Morris and I K Ridley.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

Councillor D M Carter deputise for and in the absence of the Deputy Mayor for the duration of this 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'.

Councillors K J Loydall and L Eaton declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 12 of the agenda insofar as they were acquainted with two members of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP).

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 23 February 2023 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

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

There was no Action List arising from the previous meeting.

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.

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.

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 outgoing 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 addition to fielding questions from Members.

He reflected on his time in office, the Council’s achievements under his tenure, and the changing political and financial landscape local authorities faced. He expressed his gratitude to Members and Officers, past and present, and reiterated that his decision to step down was due to personal reasons. He wished all candidates standing at upcoming local elections to the Council on 4 May 2023 the best of luck.

Members put on record their gratitude to the outgoing Leader. Councillor H E Loydall wished it to be minuted that the Leader of the Opposition or any other Opposition Member present did not make an appropriate statement to acknowledge the outgoing Leader.

To appoint a new Leader of the Council in accordance with Article 2.9.2 of Part 2 and Paragraph 1.1.3, Section 3 of Part 3 of Council’s Constitution.

The outgoing Leader formally tendered his resignation as Leader of the Council with immediate effect.

It was moved by Councillor G A Boulter, seconded by Councillor M L Darr and

RESOLVED THAT:

In accordance with Article 2.9.2 of Part 2 and Paragraph 1.1.3, Section 3 of Part 3 of Council’s Constitution, Councillor S Z Haq be appointed the new Leader of the Council.

Votes For                  20

Votes Against          0

Abstentions             4

The newly-appointed Leader of the Council addressed the meeting, thanked the outgoing Leader and set out her administration’s aspirations for the Borough.

Report of the Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 16 - 46 of the agenda reports pack) which presented to the Council the External Auditor’s Annual Report for 2020/21 and 2021/22 as introduced by the Chair of the Audit Committee, Councillor K J Loydall, and presented by the External Auditor(s).

It was moved by Councillor K J Loydall, and seconded by Councillor M H Charlesworth and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Auditor’s Annual Report for 2020/21 and 2021/22 (as set out at Appendix 1 to the report) be noted.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 47 - 57 of the agenda reports pack) which asked the Council to consider and adopt a Members’ Allowance Scheme for the municipal year 2023/24 upon the considerations and recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP).

It was moved by Councillor M H Charlesworth, seconded by Councillor G A Boulter and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Scheme of Members’ Allowances for 2023/24 as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) set out in paragraph 1 of the report (Appendix 1) be adopted.

Votes For                  20

Votes Against          0

Abstentions             4

Report of the Safety & Resilience Officer

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 58 - 72 of the agenda reports pack) which asked the Council to approve the Full Health and Safety Annual Report for 2022/23 and the revised Health and HS.00.P1 Health and Safety Policy and Statement.

Members were advised that in relation to the access road to The Depot off Wigston Road in Oadby, sufficient signage has been erected to safeguard pedestrian safety.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The Full Health and Safety Annual Report (2022/23) (as set out in Appendix 1 of the report) be approved; and

(ii)      The HS.00.P1 Health and Safety Policy and Statement (April 2023) (as set out in Appendix 2 of the report) be approved.

Report of the Legal & Democratic Services Manager / Deputy Monitoring Officer

Report of the Democratic & Electoral Services Officers

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 73 - 100 of the agenda reports pack) which sought Members’ recommendation of the draft Schedule of Council and Allied Meetings (“the draft Schedule”) for the municipal year 2023/24 to Full Council for approval and adoption at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 18 May 2023.

Members were advised that pre-agenda meetings with the Chair and Vice-Chair in relation to the Development Control Committee would be scheduled into the draft Schedule prior its approval at the AGM.

It was moved by Councillor L A Bentley, seconded by the Leader of the Council and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The draft Schedule of Council and Allied Meetings for 2023/24 (as set out at Appendix 1 and 2 to this report) be recommended to Full Council for approval and adoption at its AGM scheduled on Thursday 18 May 2023;

(ii)      The contents of the draft Members’ Induction Programme (May/June 2023) (as summarised separately and set out at Appendix 3 to this report) be noted;

(iii)    The draft Schedule of Council and Allied Meetings for 2023/24 (as may be recommended) be circulated to all Members and Officers ahead of the AGM; and

(iv)    The proposed dates, times and venues of meetings for 2023/24 be provisionally entered onto the Council’s meeting management application accordingly.