Agenda and minutes

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

A minute’s silence will be observed in memory of the late former Mayor and Councillor Charles D Horsfall who passed away on 5 September 2023.

Tributes are to be led by Councillor Colin S Gore.

The meeting of the Council was called to order to receive Her Worship The Mayor and Deputy 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 Councillors D A Gamble and F S Ghattoraya.

The Leader of the Opposition attended the meeting remotely, but in accordance with the provisions in the Local Government Act 1972, was not considered present for the purposes of voting.

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'.

Upon the Monitoring Officer’s advice, all Member who participated in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LPGS) as administered locally by Leicestershire County Council indicated a non-pecuniary interest in relation to item 6a of the agenda by a show of hands.

Councillors K J Loydall and C A M Walter declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to item 6b of the agenda insofar as Members were involved in organisations that facilitated and/or sponsored the festive light switch-on events in Wigston and South Wigston respectively.

To read, confirm and approve 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 11 July 2023 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

There was no 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.

Proposed by Councillor Garth (Bill) A Boulter

The Council gave consideration to the Motion on Notice (as set out at pages 7 – 8 of the agenda reports pack) regarding pension divestment within Leicestershire’s Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) as administered by Leicestershire County Council in relation to the LGPS’s investment interests and portfolios in fossil fuels.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Council resolves to commit to:

(i)       Reaffirming its commitment to its Environment Strategy and Action Plan which sets out how the Council will contribute towards reducing carbon emissions both in terms of actions that it can take as an organisation in its own right and in terms of the Council’s role in influencing local residents and businesses and encouraging a partnership approach involving a range of stakeholders.

(ii)      Calculate and publish the scale of that carbon footprint at a borough-wide level associated with pension investments in the Leicestershire scheme.

(iii)    Calling on Leicestershire County Council Pension Fund to bring forward a transparent plan to divest from fossil fuels by 2030 through the development and adoption of responsible investment policies that:

(a)      Stop investment in energy companies actively exploiting new fossil fuel reserves;

(b)     Divest from direct ownership and any commingled funds that include fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds unless the specific funds are being used exclusively to develop or support renewables, carbon capture, hydrogen or other decarbonisation technology; and

(c)      Instruct its fund managers to pursue an active investment strategy in companies with a verified commitment to, and track record of, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimise climate risk.

Proposed by Councillor Jeffrey Kaufman

Seconded by Councillor M Latif Darr

The Council gave consideration to the Motion on Notice (as set out at page 9 of the agenda reports pack) regarding the making of free parking arrangements with the Borough’s town centre car parks during the 2023 festive light switch-on and celebration events.

It was moved by Councillor N Alam, seconded by Councillor J K Ford and

DEFEATED THAT:

The Motion be amended to remove the preamble ‘Whilst noting the dire financial situation of Oadby & Wigston Borough Council caused by reduced budgets and a combination of a history of unfair funding of the local authorities in Leicestershire, COVID and Brexit…’

Votes For                  5

Votes Against          16

Abstentions            1

It was moved by the Councillor J Kaufman, seconded by Councillor M L Darr and

RESOLVED THAT:

Whilst noting the dire financial situation of Oadby & Wigston Borough Council caused by reduced budgets and a combination of a history of unfair funding of the local authorities in Leicestershire, COVID and Brexit, that Officers make arrangements for free parking from 1:00 pm in the Council's car parks in each of the three town centres on the day of the festive light switch on and celebrations.

Votes For                  16

Votes Against          5

Abstentions            1

Councillors K J Loydall and C A M Walter did not participate in the vote on the amendment or substantive motion having declared a non-pecuniary interest.

Councillor C S Gore left the meeting at 7:35 pm.

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.

The Mayor reminded all those in attendance of her Civic Service scheduled for Saturday, 30 September 2023 followed by a 'bring your own' picnic event in the Brocks Hill Country Park between 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

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 her recent work, the administration’s plans and an overview of recent decisions taken since the previous meeting of the Council, together with fielding questions in relation to her Statement.

The Leader stated there would remain an open dialogue amongst and between both Members of the Administration and the Opposition regarding the ongoing budget setting process, including any suggested initiatives or alternatives, so to inform any final decisions to be considered by the Full Council, which were yet to be made.

Report of the Interim Strategic Director

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 12 - 57 of the agenda reports pack) which provided Members with an update and summary of the recently developed draft statutory guide for best value authorities.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report be noted.

Under section 100B(4)(B) of the Local Government Act 1972, by reason of special circumstance, in this additional item of business needs to be considered before the next meeting of the Full Council.

Report of the Head of Finance / Section 151 Officer

Under section 100B(4)(B) of the Local Government Act 1972, by reason of special circumstance, in that an additional item of business needed to be considered before the next meeting of the Full Council.

The Mayor was of the opinion that this urgent item of business was to be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency insofar as that certain elements of the Budget Setting Approach for 2024/25 was time-bound, requiring immediate approval and implementation particularly given the prevailing financial circumstances the Council.

The Council gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 3 - 9 of the agenda update reports pack) which provided an update on the MTFP budget gaps and

progress on the Sustainability Programme and asked Members to approve the approach to set the annual budget for 2024/25.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor M H Charlesworth and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The budget approach for 2024/25 be approved; and

(ii)      The updated MTFP budget gaps and the progress on the Sustainability Programme be noted.