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 M L Darr, P Joshi and I K Ridley.

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 N Alam declared a non-pecuniary interest with regard to item 12 of the agenda, insofar as owning a rental property in South Wigston.

Councillor G A Boulter declared a non-pecuniary interest with regard to 14 of the agenda, insofar as being the director of the Wigston Framework Knitters Museum.

Councillor C S Gore declared a non-pecuniary interest with regard to item 12 of the agenda, insofar as renting a plot in the Aylestone Lane allotments.

To read, confirm and approve the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 19 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 12 September, 2023 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

The was no Action List arising from the previous meeting.

None.

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 National Management Trainee

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 7 - 38 of the agenda reports pack), which asked it to approve the Economic Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan 2023-28.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice-Chair, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The Council’s Economic Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan 2023-28 be approved.

Report of the Planning Policy and Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 39 – 78 of the agenda reports pack), which asked it to approve the revised Statement of Community Involvement for an 8 week public consultation.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor K J Loydall, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The revised Statement of Community Involvement be approved for the purpose of an 8 week public consultation to commence on Wednesday 13 December 2023.

Report of the Corporate Project, System & IT Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 79 - 110 of the agenda reports pack), which asked it to approve the updated Procurement Policy for the Council.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The content of the report and appendix be approved.

Report of the Interim Finance Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 111 – 125 of the agenda reports pack), which provided an update on the forecast financial position for the Council for the financial year 2023/24, as at the end of the second quarter.

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The contents of the report and appendices be noted.

It was noted that recommendation B should read “(section 2.11)” and subject to this amendment, it was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice-Chair, and

RESOLVED THAT:

ii)           The supplementary budget for the essential temporary resources in the Finance Team (section 2.11) be approved.

Votes For                   8

Votes Against           3

Abstentions              0

Report of the Senior Finance Business Partner and the Head of Finance / Acting Chief Finance Officer - S151

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 126 - 135 of the agenda reports pack), which detailed the performance and activities of the authority’s treasury management function for the financial year 2023/24 to 30^th September 2023.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The content of the report and appendices be noted.

Report of the Head of Finance / Acting Chief Finance Officer – S151

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 3 - 42 of the agenda update), which presented the revised General Fund Annual Budget for 2024/25 and an updated MTFP for 2024/25 to 2026/27, provided an update on the capital programme for 2024/25 and presented the HRA Annual Budget for 2024/25.

The Chair noted that due to ongoing discussions around recommendation C, the recommendation would instead read “Recommends to Council that the Service Delivery Changes – Financial Sustainability Plan be considered by Full Council on 12 December.”

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor G A Boulter, and an amendment was proposed by Councillor C S Gore and seconded by Councillor N Alam that recommendation B read “Recommends to Council that the general fund balance reserve is no longer used to balance the budget and recognise the mistake in using the balance for this purpose for as long as it has been doing.”

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT:

The amendment to recommendation B be rejected.

Votes For                   3

Votes Against           8

Abstentions              0

IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

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

ii)           The general fund balance reserve no longer be used to balance the budget; and

iii)         The Service Delivery Changes – Financial Sustainability Plan be be considered at Full Council on Tuesday 12 December 2023.

IT WAS RESOLVED THAT:

iv)         An increase in housing rents, service charges and garage rents by the maximum social rent level of 7.7% (subject to any changes being announced on the rent setting formula) be recommended to Full Council.

Votes For                   8

Votes Against           3

Abstentions              0

Report of the Head of Finance / Acting Chief Finance Officer – S151

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 43 - 48 of the agenda update), which provided an update on the review of the Council’s MRP Policy and proposed a change in the MRP methodology and presented a revised MRP Policy for approval to allow the change in methodology to be implemented.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice-Chair, and

RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The change in MRP methodology be recommended to and approved by Full Council; and

ii)           The revised MRP Policy be recommended to and approved by Full Council to enable the change in methodology to be implemented.

Votes For                   8

Votes Against           3

Abstentions              0

Report of the Interim Finance Manager and the Head of Finance / Acting Chief Finance Officer – S151

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 49 - 61 of the agenda update) which provided an update on income generation projects and asked it to approve the new Advertising and Sponsorship Policy.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice-Chair, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The content of the report be noted;

ii)           The new Advertising and Sponsorship Policy be approved; and

iii)         The new fees and charged for Advertising and Sponsorship for 2023/24 be approved.

Report of the Interim Strategic Director

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 154 - 165 of the agenda reports pack) which presented a draft Organisational Strategy for approval.

It was moved by Councillor L A Bentley, seconded by Councillor S Z Haq, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The item be deferred until after the budget setting process and pending further Member involvement.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 166 - 176 of the agenda reports pack) which presented the figures for local determination of complaints and ethical indicators for Q2 2023/24.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice-Chair, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The contents 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 general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            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 Head of Finance / Acting Chief Finance Officer – S151

The Committee gave consideration to the exempt report and appendix (as set out at pages 177 - 184 of the agenda reports pack) which asked the Committee to note the information provided and recommend to Full Council acceptance of recommendation B.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            Recommendation A be noted.

It was moved by Councillor K J Loydall, seconded by Councillor D A Gamble, and

RESOLVED THAT:

ii)           Recommendation B be accepted by Full Council.

Votes For                   10

Votes Against           0

Abstentions              1

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice-Chair, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

iii)         Recommendation C be noted.