Agenda and draft 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 Councillor M L Darr.

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 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 9 September 2025 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

There 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 Chief Finance Officer / S151 Officer, the Finance Manager / Deputy S151 Officer and the Senior Finance Business Partner

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 8 – 18 of the agenda reports pack) which provided the Committee with the forecast Outturn position for the Council for the financial year 2025/26, at the end Quarter 2.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

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

ii)           The carry forward of slippage as shown in the Capital projects be approved.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer / S151 Officer and the Revenues & Benefits Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 3 – 6 of the first agenda update) which provided Members with an update on the status of debts written off under delegated powers.

Councillors requested that the council tax write offs be broken down to show the amounts lost to each authority in future reports. The Chief Finance Officer confirmed this would be included from now on.

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The contents of the report and appendix be noted.

Report of the Finance Manager / Deputy S151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 19 - 35 of the agenda reports pack) which detailed the performance and activities of the authority’s treasury management function for the financial year 2025/26 to 30 September 2025.

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report and appendices be noted.

Report of the Town Centre Manager

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.

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 39 – 42 of the agenda reports pack and pages 2 -3 of the second agenda update) which investigated the continued use of the public Wi-Fi and footfall monitoring in the Borough.

Councillor M H Charlesworth suggested that the recommendation include ‘an alternative more cost-efficient and accurate means of counting footfall’ (emphasis added) which was accepted by the proposer and seconder.

It was also suggested by the Head of Built Environment that the Chair of Policy, Finance & Development Committee and the Chair of Place Shaping & Climate Change Working Group be involved in the procurement process for the replacement technology, which was also accepted by the proposer and seconder.

It was moved by Councillor S Z Haq, seconded by Councillor J Kaufman, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The content of the report be noted;

ii)           The Council proceed along the lines set out in Option 4 of this report (to stop providing free Wi Fi and to move to an alternative more cost-efficient and accurate means of counting footfall); and

iii)         The Chairs of the Policy, Finance & Development Committee and Place Shaping & Climate Change Working Group be involved in the procurement process.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer / S151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 7 – 13 of the first agenda update) which presented the revised General Fund Annual Budget for 2026/27 and an updated MTFP for 2026/27 to 2030/31, and also provided an update on the capital programme for 2026/27 as well as the HRA Annual Budget for 2025/26.

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The contents of the report be noted; and

ii)           The intention to increase Housing Rents, Garages and Service Charges by a minimum of 4.8%, pending the outcome of the Rent Convergence review currently underway be noted.

Report of the Community Safety and Youth Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 36 – 38 of the agenda reports pack) which sought approval for funding to be released to the Oadby Residents Forum for the requesting party.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The content of the report be noted; and

ii)           The request for funding to be released to the Oadby 50 Plus Group be approved.

Report of the Safety & Resilience Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices ( as set out at pages 14 – 25 of the first agenda update pack) which sought approval for the Event Booking and Venue Hire Policy (2025).

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The Event Booking and Venue Hire Policy (2025) (as set out at Appendix 1 to this report) be approved; and

ii)           The Information Sheet for Event Booking and Venue Hire (as set out at Appendix 2 to this report) be approved.

Report of the Legal & Democratic Services Manager / Monitoring Officer (Solicitor)

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 43 – 53 of the agenda reports pack) which presented the figures for local determination of complaints and ethical indicators for Q2 2025-26.

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report and appendix be noted.