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, F S Broadley, Mrs H E Darling JP, D W Loydall and Mrs S B Morris.

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'.

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 28 June 2022 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

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

In relation to action point 4, the Committee was advised that to date, only one Special Severance Payment had been made Council which was in November 2017.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Action List arising from the previous meeting held on 28 June 2022 be noted.

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.

In accordance with Rule 6.3 of Section 1 of Part 4 of the Constitution, the Chair 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 accordingly.

Report of the Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 72 – 88 of the agenda reports pack) which sought to its approval of a new Corporate Charging Policy (“the Policy”) to support the maximisation of Council income and to review and approve the business case for two new income generating opportunities.

The Committee also gave consideration to a presentation in relation to the proposed Community Lottery Scheme (as set out at paragraph 5 and appendix 2 of the report) as delivered by Mr Ged Bretherton of Gatherwell Limited.

The Committee was advised that proposals regarding potential income generation from the charging out of storage provision at the Council’s Depot site in Oadby would form part of the criteria to be featured in an upcoming service review process and be reported back to the Committee at a subsequent meeting. 

The Committee requested that the wording at paragraph 3.2 of the Policy (at page 82 the agenda reports pack) be reviewed to remove any ambiguity purporting that Members have a delegated charge-setting power.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The new Corporate Charging Policy (a set out at Appendix 1 to the report) be approved and recommend to Council;

(ii)      The proposals for the provision of a Community Lottery and new approach to Events Management be approved and recommend to Council; and

(iii)    The Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer be given delegated authority to make any required budgetary changes for the schemes to progress.

Report of the Finance Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 12 – 24 of the agenda reports pack) which provided the Committee with an update on the forecast financial position for the Council for the financial year 2022/23, as at the end of the first quarter.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The contents of the report and appendix be noted; and

(ii)      The Council’s Senior Leadership Team carry out actions to mitigate inflationary-linked and other pressures on the General Fund.

Report of the Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 25 – 71 of the agenda reports pack) which presented the draft Medium Term Financial Strategy ahead of Full Council approval on 27 September 2022.

The Committee noted the challenging pressures arising from the volatility of the current financial situation affecting all local authorities, together with the uncertainty surrounding the Local Government Financial Settlement for 2022/23 onwards which, as a result, would require the Council to make difficult decisions in the short-to-medium term regarding further efficiency savings and maximising income streams.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The contents of the report be noted; and

(ii)      The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (2022 - 2027) be reviewed and recommended to Council for approval.

Report of the Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 89 – 91 of the agenda reports pack) which sought to consult Members on the approach for setting the 2023/24 budget.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The budget-setting approach for 2023/24 be noted.

Report of the Revenues & Benefits Manager

Report of the Finance Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 92 – 94 of the agenda reports pack) which provide Members with an update on the Corporate Debt Policy (“the Policy”) revision and to consult Members on areas to be considered for inclusion in the revised Policy.

The Committee fedback that the Council’s approach to debt recovery ought to be as consistent, pragmatic and flexible as far as reasonably possible, and that particular care be taken in terms of the charging of proportionate rate of interest on debts so that it does not unfairly affect debtors’ overall ability to pay. The Committee also suggested that provision be made for ratepayers to make payments on account.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       That the content of the report be noted;

(ii)      The feedback be given on the areas for inclusion and amendment in the Corporate Debt Recovery Policy.

Report of the Community Safety & Youth Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 95 – 109 of the agenda reports pack) which sought the Committee’s approval to adopt the revised Volunteering Policy (2022-25) (“the Policy”) and to answer queries raised at the previous meeting of the Committee in relation to the draft Policy.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mrs L Kaufman

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Volunteering Policy (2022-25) (as set out at Appendix 1 to the report) be approved.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 110 – 120 of the agenda reports pack) which provided Members with the figures for the local determination of complaints and ethical indicators for Q1 2022-23.

It was moved by the Councillor J W Boyce, seconded by Councillor Mrs S Z Haq and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report and appendix be noted.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 121 – 126 of the agenda reports pack) which bought to Members’ attention the details of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Annual Review Letter in respect of the Council for the year ending 31 March 2022.

It was moved by the Councillor J W Boyce, seconded by Councillor Mrs S Z Haq and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report and appendices be noted.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 127 – 138 of the agenda reports pack) which sought Members’ approve of the Discretionary Pension Statement.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor G A Boulter and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The content of the report be noted; and

(ii)      The LGPS Discretionary Pension Statement (as set out at Appendix 1 of the report) be approved.

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(s) below on the grounds that it involved 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 Legal & Democratic Services Manager / Deputy Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the exempt report and appendix (as set out at pages 139 – 141 of the private agenda reports pack) regarding a proposed public consultation on a potential disposal of Council-owned land in Oadby.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       That the contents of the exempt report and appendix be noted; and

(ii)      Recommendation B be approved.

Votes For                   6

Votes Against          5

Abstentions             0

Exempt Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the exempt report (as set out at pages 142 – 143 of the private agenda reports pack) regarding a leisure centre contract update for September 2022, together with a exempt presentation delivered by Mr Robin Thompson of RPT Consulting Limited.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the exempt report and presentation be noted.