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 J K Ford and G G Hunt.

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 K J Loydall declared a non-pecuniary interest with regard to item 12 of the agenda, insofar as he is a veteran.

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 10 September 2024 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

To read, confirm and note the 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 Finance Manager, the Senior Business Partner and the Finance Business Partner

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 8 - 20 of the agenda reports pack), which provided the forecast outturn position for the Council for the financial year 2024/25 at the end of Q2.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

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

ii)           The use of the contingency budget to fund some of the overspend on Housing Benefit from providing Homelessness be approved; and

iii)         The slippage as shown in the capital projects be carried forward.

Report of the Senior Finance Business Partner

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 21 – 36 of the agenda reports pack), which detailed the performance and activities of the authority’s treasury management function for the financial year 2024/25 to 30 September 2024.

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

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

Report of the Chief Finance Officer and the Finance Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 37 – 44 of the agenda reports pack), which presented the revised General Fund Annual Budget for 2025/26, an updated MTFP for 2025/26, an update on the capital programme for 2025/26 and the HRA Annual Budget for 2025/26.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The content of the report be noted; and

ii)           An increase in housing rents, service charges and garage rents by the maximum social rent level of 2.7% be recommended to Council.

Report of the Corporate Project, System & IT Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 45 – 47 of the agenda reports pack), which provided information on capital expenditure relating to the implementation of the food waste scheme that is being rolled out nationally by all local authorities with the deadline of 1 April 2026 for collections to have commenced by.

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The content of the report be noted.

Report of the Senior Planning Policy Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 3 – 151 of the agenda update pack), which sought approval for a response to the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

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

ii)           The comments set out at 1.11 in this report be approved.

Report of the Community Safety & Youth Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 56 – 57 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval for the funding requests that were approved by the Borough’s three Residents’ Forums.

Councillor G A Boulter proposed that recommendation B be amended to including £400 for the Wigston Residents’ Forum for the purchase of a bench at Willow Park.

It was moved by Councillor G A Boulter, seconded by Councillor S Z Haq, and

RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The content of the report be noted; and

ii)           Releasing the requested funds to the requesting parties (as set out in the report), including £400 for the Wigston Residents’ Forum for the purchase of a bench at Willow Park be approved.

For                  11

Against          0

Abstention    1

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 58 – 68 of the agenda reports pack), which provided the figures for local determination of complaints and ethical indicators for Q2 2024/25.

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            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 69 – 93 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval for the updated Car Park Strategy for the Borough for 2024 – 2027.

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The Car Park Strategy (2024 – 2027) (as set out at Appendix 2) be approved.