Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bessant, Boothby, Nichols, O’Shea and Taylor.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 17 April and 15 May 2018.

It was moved by Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Hall and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meetings held on 17 April and 15 May 2018 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor.

To receive verbally from Members any disclosures which they are required to make in accordance with the Council's code of conduct or in pursuance of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is in addition to the need for such disclosure to be also given when the relevant matter is reached on the Agenda.

No interests were declared at this stage.

To receive such communications as the Mayor may decide to lay before the Council.

The Mayor congratulated Desford Lawn Tennis Club for winning the Leicestershire Tennis Disability Project of the year in March and going on to win the regional and national awards for its works in partnership with the Borough Council and the Sport and Health Alliance. She also referred to the Making a Difference Awards and the value added to the community in running these awards, and her recent visit to Grand Quevilly.

In this position statement I am taking the opportunity to outline Council’s priorities set by the Executive for the year to May 2019. These priorities support the Corporate Plan objectives whilst also seeking to tackle the most difficult issues faced by residents.

1)    Firstly we will agree a plan for growth to 2050, in the form of a Strategic Growth Plan, in partnership with other authorities across Leicestershire.

Ambition is one thing that we should all share in this Borough, and economic growth is important for us to achieve those ambitions. Three years ago we started to shape a long term growth plan which has become the Strategic Growth Plan. This will set out how we and our colleagues across Leicestershire will ensure that infrastructure is in place to deliver growth and prosperity. This plan has to be right for Hinckley and Bosworth and will be put to members only when it is right, but this is expected before the end of the year.

2)    Secondly Council will agree a Housing Strategy which brings together our role to provide housing solutions for those in need, with our responsibilities to ensure that future housing capacity is delivered.

Housing is an area that is of national importance, and has many issues which cut across our service areas, issues such as availability, affordability, homelessness, quality of supply are addressed through both planning and housing functions. We will bring these together in an overall housing strategy that sets out how Council will intervene to improve the local housing market for those most in need, and to support peoples ambition for home ownership.

3)    Thirdly Council will agree the next phase of our Local Plan Update, to outline how we will deliver housing and industrial growth to 2036. We will decide how sites will be allocated and agree a draft list of potential development sites.

A key element of supporting housing and employment delivery will be our updated Local Plan. This is progressing and will continue to be treated as a high priority so that we are in a position to plan for future homes in places where they are most needed, and in a way which protects our existing settlements from overdevelopment.

4)    Fourthly Council will agree an Asset Management Strategy, to ensure that we are making best use of our current assets and the value that they hold, whilst improving our ability to invest in new facilities.

It is high time that Council conducted a thorough review of its assets, to make sure that it is improving those which are of value to the community, re-developing some, and disposing of others. Council also needs to be able to respond to market opportunities in some areas, and an agreed strategy will underpin future decision making. This will enable acquisitions to be made more easily, especially where they are needed to deliver economic growth or housing solutions.

5)    Our final priority will see Council agree a strategy to support young people because they need to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 62.

In presenting his Leader’s position statement, Cllr Hall referred to the Executive’s aspirations for the year, the Making a Difference awards and the items on the agenda for the meeting.

During discussion on the position statement, the following points were raised:

·         Officers were congratulated on the new housing development on Southfield Road, Hinckley

·         The outcome of the Members Advisory Group meeting, in which changes to the Strategic Growth Plan were discussed, was requested. In response it was noted that an update meeting for members was being arranged

·         The level of response from the public compared to developers and landowners in relation to the local plan review consultation was highlighted.

To receive for information only the minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 28 March 2018.

The chairman of the Scrutiny Commission presented the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March.

To review the Building Control charges as required by the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010.

Members received a report which reviewed building control charges as required by the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010. It was moved by Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Surtees, and

RESOLVED – the level of building control charges detailed in the appendix to the report be approved with effect from June 2018.

To provide an update on the Local Plan Review.

An update on the local plan review was provided to Council along with comments on the scope, issues and options consultation exercise. Concern was expressed about the low response rate and that the majority of responses were from land owners and developers and it was suggested that the proportion be made clear and responses be weighted appropriately to ensure responses from communities, parish councils and individuals were given sufficient weight.

A member suggested that the best way forward was grouping development, for example via a planned new garden village, in order to ensure that infrastructure was delivered and that areas to the west of the district be considered. It was noted that infrastructure included not only highways and transport, but doctors’ surgeries, education, water and power supplies.

It was moved by Councillor Surtees, seconded by Councillor Hall and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The progress made to date be noted;

(ii)           The public consultation exercise that had taken place be noted;

(iii)          The summary of comments received to the scope, issues and options consultation be noted but it be acknowledged that many contributions were from developers and landowners which will have been weighted towards their own interests;

(iv)         The concerns of the Scrutiny Commission that the delivery of infrastructure needs to be given sufficient priority in all its forms be endorsed;

(v)          Continuing progress on the local plan review be supported.

To seek support for the introduction of a local authority lottery.

Members’ approval was sought for the establishment and management of a local authority lottery for Hinckley & Bosworth. Whilst members considered this could be a positive initiative to support local good causes, some members expressed concern about the Council being seen to promote gambling and also about the restrictive methods for buying tickets. In response it was agreed that the risks would be kept under review. It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Lay and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The establishment of a local authority lottery for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and the appointment of a preferred external lottery manager be approved;

(ii)           The Director (Community Services) be authorised to have overall management responsibility for the promotion and proper governance of the lottery and form compliance with the regulatory regime as a whole, including appointment of the preferred external lottery manager, and associated percentage pay-outs;

(iii)          The presentation of an annual report to the Scrutiny Commission be endorsed.

To seek approval of the draft financial outturn for 2017/18.

Council was advised of the draft financial outturn for 2017/18. Discussion ensued in relation to new homes bonus, business rates and the enterprise zone deals. It was moved by Councillor Ladkin, seconded by Councillor Hall and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The general fund outturn for 2017/18 be approved;

(ii)           The transfer to earmarked reserves and balances as outlined in section 3.5 of the report be approved;

(iii)          The general fund revenue carry forwards of expenditure and income to 2018/19 be approved;

(iv)         The housing revenue and housing repairs account outturn for 2017/18 and transfers to and from balances be approved;

(v)          The capital programme outturn for the general fund and housing revenue account from 2017/18 be approved;

(vi)         The HRA carry forwards be approved;

(vii)        The capital carry forwards be approved.

The Executive at its meeting on 6 June 2018 resolved that this report be considered by Council.

Council received a report which had been referred by the Executive at its meeting on 6 June and sought endorsement for the refresh of the A5 Strategy. During discussion, the following points were raised:

·         The problem of lorries regularly colliding with the railway bridge on the A5 – it was requested that this be addressed in the strategy

·         The use of Nutts Lane as an alternative route in the event of an issue on the A5 which led to heavy vehicles using local roads to access the industrial estates

·         The relatively short time given to consider the report.

Councillor Wright left the meeting at 7.49pm.

The Leader confirmed he was happy to include the points about the railway bridge and Nutts Lane in the action plan but would like more evidence in relation to the Nutts Lane issue. He also agreed to accept comments until the end of the following week. It was moved by Councillor Hall,

RESOLVED –

(i)            The A5 Strategy be endorsed, subject to final formatting and minor amendments as agreed by the Leader with other members of the A5 Partnership;

(ii)           The abovementioned points in relation to the railway bridge and Nutts Lane be included in the action plan following receipt of additional evidence in relation to the latter;

(iii)          Continuing support to and lobbying for the upgrade of the A5 through the work of the A5 Partnership, engagement with national and regional bodies, MPs and Ministers be endorsed;

(iv)         Partner authorities be encouraged to fully support the A5 strategy and actively engage in promoting its objectives.

Motion from Councillor Nickerson, seconded by Councillor Hall:

“As members will be aware, plastic pollution is a real threat to our planet.

There is an increasing public concern at the environmental damage and ecological harm caused by the use and dumping of plastic and as a council we should consider new ways to encourage residents to reduce its use, and to make better use of the recycling services available.

HBBC should set an example to others in order for us to further promote the reduction of single use plastic.

This Council therefore resolves to take a lead in tackling this problem locally by:

·         Ensuring that, where possible, HBBC only uses plastic where there are no alternatives, and that as far as possible any plastic being used is recycled

·         Increasing awareness across Hinckley and Bosworth Borough of how everybody can help in reducing the use of plastic

·         Encouraging all businesses in our borough to reduce their use of plastics, especially non-recyclable packaging and other single use plastics

·         Working with parish councils to provide plastic recycling points in public places

·         Investigating how this council can further help people to reduce their use of non-recyclable plastic.”

Councillor Nickerson, seconded by Councillor Hall, proposed the following motion:

“As members will be aware, plastic pollution is a real threat to our planet.

There is an increasing public concern at the environmental damage and ecological harm caused by the use and dumping of plastic and as a council we should consider new ways to encourage residents to reduce its use, and to make better use of the recycling services available.

HBBC should set an example to others in order for us to further promote the reduction of single use plastic.

This Council therefore resolves to take a lead in tackling this problem locally by:

·         Ensuring that, where possible, HBBC only uses plastic where there are no alternatives, and that as far as possible any plastic being used is recycled

·         Increasing awareness across Hinckley and Bosworth Borough of how everybody can help in reducing the use of plastic

·         Encouraging all businesses in our borough to reduce their use of plastics, especially non-recyclable packaging and other single use plastics

·         Working with parish councils to provide plastic recycling points in public places

·         Investigating how this council can further help people to reduce their use of non-recyclable plastic.”

Several members spoke in support of the motion and it was suggested that the Leader should write to the Government to ask them to take action. It was

RESOLVED – the Council will:

(i)            where possible, only use plastic where there are no alternatives and that, as far as possible, any plastic used is recycled;

(ii)           increase awareness across the Borough of how everybody can help in reducing the use of plastic;

(iii)          encourage all businesses in the borough to reduce their use of plastics, especially non-recyclable packaging and other single use plastics;

(iv)         work with parish councils to provide plastic recycling points in public places;

(v)          investigate how it can further help people to reduce their use of non-recyclable plastic.