Agenda and minutes

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 Mrs L M Broadley, R F Eaton,  Mrs S Z Haq and Dr I K Ridley.

Councillor D A Gamble attended the meeting remotely.

It was moved by Councillor J W Boyce, seconded by Councillor K J Loydall JP and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOVLED THAT:

Councillor L A Bentley be appointed Chair for the duration of the meeting.

To appoint substitute Members in accordance with Rule 26 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Substitution Procedure Rules.

None.

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'.

Councillor J Kaufman declared a non-pecuniary interest with regard to item 11 of the agenda, insofar as he was a member of the executive of the Oadby Community Stakeholders group. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that this did not impact upon his ability to participate in the debate on the item or take part in the vote thereon.

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 16^th November 2021 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

There was no Action List arising from the previous meeting.

There was no action list arising from the previous meeting held on 16 November 2021.

To receive any Petitions and, or, Deputations in accordance with Rule(s) 11 and 12 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Petitions Procedure Rules respectively.

None.

Report of the Strategic Manager - Environmental Health

The Committee gave consideration to the report as set out on pages 8 – 17 of the agenda, which asked it to note the Leicestershire Municipal Waste Management Strategy (LMWMS) target to achieve net zero carbon by 2050 by embracing waste prevention and increasing recycling and refuse.

It was moved by Councillor L A Bentley, seconded by Councillor J W Boyce and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)        The public consultation approach and process described in section 7 be approved; and

(ii)      Delegation be given to the Head of Customer Service and Transformation in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Chair of Services to agree the final content of the documents to accompany the public consultation process.

Report of the Housing Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report as set out on pages 18 – 19 of the agenda, which asked it to approve the commencement of the process of procuring an external contractor to deliver the housing repairs, maintenance, and void property programme.

A number of Members expressed concern that awarding the full contract to a single bidder could disadvantage smaller local businesses and favour larger companies which in the past had not always demonstrated a track record of delivery. An amendment to the published recommendation was subsequently moved by Councillor J W Boyce and seconded by Councillor KJ Loydall JP, proposing that the wording of the recommendation be amended from procuring ‘a contractor’ to procuring ‘a contract’. The amendment was put to the vote and carried:

Votes For:                 6

Votes Against:         0

Abstentions:            4

The recommendations, as amended, were then moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor J W Boyce and it was

RESOLVED THAT:

Approval be given to commence procurement for a contract to deliver the housing repairs, maintenance and void programme.

Votes For:                 6

Votes Against:         0  

Abstentions:            4

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report as set out on pages 20 - 29 of the agenda, which asked it to note the figures for local determination of complaints and ethical indicators for Q2 2021-22.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor J W Boyce and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report and appendix be noted.

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 paragraphs 1 and 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 below on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the respective paragraphs 1 and 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.

Exempt Report of the Assistant Solicitor

The Committee gave consideration to the exempt report, as set out on pages 30 - 70 of the private agenda reports pack.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

Permission for the proposed disposal of Council-owned land in Oadby be refused.

Votes For:                 6

Votes Against:         4

Abstentions:            0