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 D A Gamble, Miss P V Joshi, J Kaufman, Mrs L Kaufman 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.

Councillor F S Ghattoraya substituted for Councillor Miss P V Joshi.

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 26 September 2022 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

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

There was no Action List arising from the previous meeting.

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.

Upon an urgent question being raised by Councillor G A Boulter, the Chair requested that the Chief Executive write to the Boundary Commission for England before 5 December 2022 as part of the final consultation on the revised proposals under the 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies to advocate on behalf of the Council for the re-naming of the constituency from ‘Harborough’ to ‘Harborough, Oadby and Wigston’.

Report of the Interim Head of Finance / Deputy Section 151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 10 – 23 of the agenda reports pack) which informed it about the range of funding applications received during the August 2022 cycle of Residents’ Forums seeking Members’ approval.

Whilst the Committee was, in principle, in favour of the funding request in relation to the Paddling and Wellbeing Hub in Kilby Bridge, Members did request that, going forward, the process for funding requests for Borough-wide projects be reviewed in conjunction with the Terms of Reference for the three Residents’ Forums.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT: 

Funding for the project identified in the report be approved and met from the appropriate central Community and Wellbeing Fund (as amended).

In relation to a question raised by Councillor G A Boulter, the Committee requested that the Jubilee Tree intended for Elizabeth Court in Wigston be procured as soon as reasonably possible to allow for seasonal planting, subject to a report being brought back to a subsequent meeting of the Committee for retrospective approval.

Report of the Interim Head of Finance / Deputy Section 151 Officer and the Revenues & Benefits Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 24 – 26 of the agenda reports pack) which requested its approval for a contract exemption in relation to a contract for the Revenues and Benefits processing software and an associated capital supplementary estimate.

The Committee was advised that reference in the report to the ‘EU Threshold’ was applicable and correct for the time being as the relevant EU-originated procurement rules had been adopted into UK law by national legislation following Brexit.

The Committee was further advised that, notwithstanding the cost implications arising from the proposed contract exemption, the Council’s withdrawal from the IT Partnership earlier in the year had realised other benefits in terms of service flexibility and autonomy which were also relevant and equal considerations.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:                                               

(i)       The contents of the report be noted;

(ii)      The contract exemption (as set out at paragraph 4.1 of report) be approved;

(iii)    The capital supplementary estimate (as set out in paragraph 3.2 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.

Report of the Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the exempt report and appendix (as set out at pages 27 – 66 of the private agenda reports pack) which asked it to provide comments on the early Budget Proposals and Scale of Fees and Charges for 2023/24.

Councillors F S Broadley and Mrs L M Broadley left the Council Chamber at 8:21 pm.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The position and progress at this stage in the budget setting process be noted; and

(i)       Comments on the proposals and proposed indicative Scale of Fees and Charges and other considerations to be taken forward as part of developing the draft 2023/24 budget were provided accordingly.