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 J Kaufman.

To appoint substitute Members in accordance with Rule 26 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Substitution Procedure Rules.

Councillor J K Chohan substituted for Councillor J Kaufman.

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 G G Hunt declared a non-pecuniary interest with regard to item 9 of the agenda, insofar as he was previously a board member of Design:Midlands.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 March 2025 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

For                  11

Against          0         

Abstentions  1

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 Chief Finance Officer / S151 Officer, Finance Manager / Deputy S151 Officer and Finance Business Partner

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 7 – 25 of the agenda reports pack), which presented the outturn position for the Council at the end of Q4 for the financial year 2024/25.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The contents of the report and appendices be noted and forwarded on for Full Council to note;

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

iii)         The carry forward of budgets as shown in the appendices be approved;

iv)         The percentages to be applied to bad debt provision in the accounts be noted; and

v)           The minimum HRA Balance to be 15% of Gross Budgeted Income for 2025/26 be noted.

For                  9

Against          0

Abstentions  4

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

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 26 – 30 of the agenda reports pack), which gave an update on the status of debts written off under delegated powers and sought approval for the write off of debts over £10k.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor S Z Haq, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The contents of the report and appendix be noted, and the write offs over £10k be approved.

In accordance with Rule 6.3 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.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm.

Report of the Head of Policy, Performance & Transformation

Meeting reconvened at 7:50pm.

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 104 – 121 of the agenda reports pack), which presented the Council’s new Contract Management Framework.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report and appendix be noted.

Report of the Planning Policy & Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 31 – 103 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval of the Design Code Supplementary Planning Document.

It was moved by Councillor L A Bentley, seconded by Councillor G A Boulter, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Design Code Supplementary Planning Document (as set out in appendix 1) be approved and adopted.

For                  8

Against          0

Abstentions  5

Meeting adjourned at 8:13pm.

Councillor G G Hunt left the meeting at 8:14pm.

Report of the Planning Policy Officer

Meeting reconvened at 8:16pm.

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out pages 122 – 265 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire and Rutland.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

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

ii)           As a supporting authority The Local Nature Recovery Strategy be approved by the Committee.

Report of the Principal Planning Policy Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 266 – 281 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval for a public consultation on the Local Plan – Local Housing Need.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Local Plan - Local Housing Need (LHN) be approved for the purposes of public consultation commencing on Friday 20 June 2025, running until Friday 1 August 2025.

Report of the Legal & Democratic Services Manager / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 282 – 292 of the agenda reports pack), which presented the figures for local determination of complaints and ethical indicators for Q4 2024/25.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report and appendix be noted.