Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain led a one-minute silence in memory of Councillor O’Shea’s wife, Jenny, who had passed away recently following a short illness.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Boothby, O’Shea, Smith, Webber-Jones and P Williams.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2019.

It was moved by Councillor Lay, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 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 referred to recent events that she had attended including the Making a Difference Awards, the D-Day Anniversary event, blue plaque unveilings, the soapbox derby and the #Islastones event and world record attempt.

This is the first position statement since the district council elections in May. Obviously I am delighted and deeply honoured to once again lead the Council and I thank members for their support.

I would like to place on record thanks to those members who have not returned following those elections either through their choice or not, for the service they have given to the Council and the community.

There are a record number of new members elected this time and I welcome them to the first full ‘business’ Council meeting. I would also like to welcome Matt Bowers to the Council who takes up the post of Director of Environment & Planning following Rob Parkinson’s retirement in May.

Member Induction Programme

I wish to thank Officers, and particularly Rebecca Owen, for the comprehensive member induction programme. I think new and returning members all found it useful. The Member Development Group is keen to hear further feedback on the programme and would welcome ideas for future training and development needs.

5 Year housing land supply

It was extremely disappointing to be told in the days after the election that the Council can no longer demonstrate a 5-year housing supply as required by the Government. We have already seen the impact of this disastrous position with the recent appeal decision in Barwell.

In my opinion this will be the single biggest challenge this Council will face over the next 12 months. If we do not address this position we will be severely hindered in our ability to resist inappropriate development thanks to national planning policy. Our residents rightly expect us to resist unsuitable development – particularly where the much-needed infrastructure isn’t being provided alongside it.

I welcome the opposition’s commitment to work cross-party to try and address this problem. This will need to start with us quickly identifying land for 1000 new houses in order to get back to the position we are required to be and take back control of the planning system - to borrow a phrase used elsewhere!

Rail Freight Depot

I wish once again to re-state the administration’s strong opposition to the proposed strategic rail freight depot planned for the edge of Burbage Common. It is our view that the environmental impact on Burbage Common will be devastating and the emerging proposals for traffic mitigation will add to our already congested road network.

We will be reinstating the member working group to be chaired by Cllr Paul Williams. I hope that a cross-party and cross-community effort will persuade the Government that this development is not justified or wanted in this area.

I would urge anyone who is concerned to attend one of the consultation events being held over the next few weeks to have their say.

A46 Expressway

Similarly the Liberal Democrat Group has been consistent in expressing strong concerns about the proposed A46 Expressway and the impact this will have on this area. I’m grateful to Cllr Michael Mullaney for attending the county-wide Members Advisory Group (MAG)  ...  view the full agenda text for item 70.

In his position statement, the Leader expressed thanks to those former members who were no longer Council members, welcomed the new Director (Environment & Planning) and referred to:

·         The member induction programme, thanking officers for their support with this

·         the five year housing land supply and disappointing position which, if not addressed, would hinder the council’s ability to resist inappropriate development

·         the proposed strategic rail freight depot which would have a devastating environmental impact on Burbage Common. Members were urged to attend the forthcoming consultation events

·         the A46 expressway which would have a detrimental impact on the borough

·         the administration’s commitment to retention of Block C of the Crescent

·         proposals to increase free car parking in Hinckley to boost the town and help ease some of the on-street parking problems

·         investigations into installation of electric vehicle charging points

·         the return of Proms in the Park from 2020

·         recent constructive discussions with the LLEP in relation to business rate retention and investment of the MIRA Enterprise Zone

·         the campaign to re-open the Ivanhoe Line to passengers

·         work with the A5 Partnership to push for major improvements to the A5

·         recently awarded Green Flag status for Hollycroft Park and Argents Mead, for which the Green Spaces team was thanked

·         the #islastones initiative, which had won a national award from the Association of Town Centre Management

·         the England cricket world cup victory and potential to inspire local young people.

Members, in response, made the following points:

·         The need for investment in green space in Markfield

·         the importance of national sporting events, such as the cricket world cup, being shown on free to air TV

·         the value to parish councils of being included in the member induction programme

·         the success of Earl Shilton in Bloom and the need for all to visit to view the displays.

To recommend an amendment to the constitution to withdraw the “minded to refuse” process at Planning Committee.

Members received a report which proposed an amendment to the council’s constitution to remove the “minded to refuse” process from the Planning Committee procedure rules. During discussion, mixed views were expressed on the success, or otherwise, of the process. Some members felt that that the process gave members a welcome opportunity to consider reasons for refusal and that it was beneficial, whilst others felt that delayed decisions and caused confusion for the public. It was highlighted that there would still be provision for deferral should there be a genuine need to have further discussions with the applicant or give consideration to any particular aspect of the application.

It was moved by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor MJ Crooks that the constitution be amended to remove the “minded to refuse” process.

Councillor Bray, along with five further councillors, requested that voting on the motion be recorded. The vote was subsequently taken as follows:

Councillors CM Allen; RG Allen; Bill; Bray; Cartwright; Collett; Cook; Cope; MJ Crooks; WJ Crooks; Findlay; Flemming; Furlong; Gibbens; Glenville; Ladkin; Lay; Lynch; LJ Mullaney; MT Mullaney; Nichols; Pendlebury; Roberts; Sheppard-Bools; Walker and H Williams voted FOR the motion (26);

Councillors Hodgkins; Hollick and Morrell abstained from voting.

The motion was therefore declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – paragraph 2.12 of part 3c of the council’s constitution referring to the “minded to refuse” process be deleted.

To consider the draft outturn for 2018/19.

Council received the financial outturn for 2018/19. Whilst not forming part of the recommendations, members expressed concern about the external auditor being unable to audit the accounts by the date required due to resource issues. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The general fund outturn for 2018/19 be approved;

(ii)           The transfers to earmarked reserves and balances be approved;

(iii)          The general fund revenue carry forwards of expenditure and income to 2019/20 be approved;

(iv)         The housing revenue and housing repairs account outturn for 2018/19 and transfers to and from balances be approved;

(v)          The capital programme outturn for the general fund and housing revenue account from 2018/19 be approved;

(vi)         The housing revenue account carry forwards be approved;

(vii)        The capital carry forwards be approved.

Motion from Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Gibbens:

“This Council recognises that we face a climate change emergency and resolves to work both internally and with others to try to ensure that all decisions are taken with a view to reversing the current disastrous trend”.

Amendment to motion proposed by Councillor Cartwright and seconded by Councillor Gibbens:

“Council notes:

1.    Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt around the world. Global temperatures have already increased by 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels.

2.    In order to reduce the chance of runaway global warming and limit the effects of climate breakdown, it is imperative that we as a species reduce our CO₂eq (carbon equivalent) emissions from their current 6.5 tonnes per person per year to less than 2 tonnes as soon as possible.

3.    Individuals cannot be expected to make this reduction on their own. Society needs to change its laws, taxation, infrastructure etc to make low carbon living easier and the new norm.

4.    Carbon emissions result from both production and consumption.

5.    Society’s current plans and actions are not enough. The world is on track to surpass the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree Celsius limit before 2050.

6.    The IPCC’s special report on global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius, published In October 2018, describes the enormous harm that a 2 degree Celsius rise is likely to cause compared to a 1.5 degree Celsius, and told us that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities.

7.    Local councils around the world are responding by declaring a ‘climate emergency’ and committing resources to address this emergency.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council believes that:

1.    All governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts of climate breakdown, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. It is important for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and all other councils to commit to carbon neutrality as quickly as possible.

2.    Towns, cities and local authorities at all tiers are uniquely placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions, they are well placed to help decarbonise villages and more remote areas as they have closer links with their residents who can affect change and are directly affected by the impact of not doing so.

3.    Bold climate action can deliver economic benefits in terms of new jobs, economic savings and market opportunities, as well as improved personal, social and environmental well-being for people, locally and worldwide.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council will:

1.    Declare a ‘climate emergency’.

2.    Pledge to do what is within our powers, to work towards making Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions.

3.    Call on Westminster to provide the powers and resources necessary for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council  ...  view the full agenda text for item 73.

Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Gibbens, had submitted the following motion:

“This Council recognises that we face a climate change emergency and resolves to work both internally and with others to try to ensure that all decisions are taken with a view to reversing the current disastrous trend”.

Prior to the meeting, Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Gibbens had submitted the following amendment:

“Council notes:

1.    Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt around the world. Global temperatures have already increased by 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels.

2.    In order to reduce the chance of runaway global warming and limit the effects of climate breakdown, it is imperative that we as a species reduce our CO₂eq (carbon equivalent) emissions from their current 6.5 tonnes per person per year to less than 2 tonnes as soon as possible.

3.    Individuals cannot be expected to make this reduction on their own. Society needs to change its laws, taxation, infrastructure etc to make low carbon living easier and the new norm.

4.    Carbon emissions result from both production and consumption.

5.    Society’s current plans and actions are not enough. The world is on track to surpass the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree Celsius limit before 2050.

6.    The IPCC’s special report on global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius, published In October 2018, describes the enormous harm that a 2 degree Celsius rise is likely to cause compared to a 1.5 degree Celsius, and told us that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities.

7.    Local councils around the world are responding by declaring a ‘climate emergency’ and committing resources to address this emergency.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council believes that:

1.    All governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts of climate breakdown, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. It is important for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and all other councils to commit to carbon neutrality as quickly as possible.

2.    Towns, cities and local authorities at all tiers are uniquely placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions, they are well placed to help decarbonise villages and more remote areas as they have closer links with their residents who can affect change and are directly affected by the impact of not doing so.

3.    Bold climate action can deliver economic benefits in terms of new jobs, economic savings and market opportunities, as well as improved personal, social and environmental well-being for people, locally and worldwide.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council will:

1.    Declare a ‘climate emergency’.

2.    Pledge to do what is within our powers, to work towards making Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions.

3.    Call on Westminster to provide the powers and resources  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.