Agenda and minutes

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillor Gould.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2013.

On the motion of Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Crooks, it was

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 10 July be approved and signed by the Chairman.

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.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction) attached.

The Executive was presented with the updated Procurement Strategy and welcomed the use of local companies where possible. On the motion of Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Cope, it was

RESOLVED – the Procurement Strategy be endorsed.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) attached.

A report requesting a supplementary income budget as a result of an increase in trade waste income was welcomed by the Executive and highlighted as good news. It was moved by Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED – the provision of a supplementary income budget of £30,000 for trade waste collection income be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) attached.

Consideration was given to a report which advised of the increase in income from recycling credits and sought approval of a supplementary income budget of £40,000. On the motion of Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Mullaney, it was

RESOLVED – the provision of a supplementary income budget of £40,000 for recycling credit income be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) attached.

The Executive received a report which detailed the proposal to re-adopt the provisions of Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 following a statutory notice period. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Mullaney and

RESOLVED – the Principal Licensing Officer be authorised to provide notice in accordance with Section 45 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 of the Council’s intention to pass a resolution to adopt the provisions of Part II of the 1976 Act.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) attached.

Members were informed of the licensing requirements of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 which would result in an amendment to the scheme of delegation contained within the Council’s Constitution and an amendment to the scale of fees and charges. It was explained that it would be an offence to trade without a licence and that traders would have to be licensed in the area in which they wished to operate. The Police would have an input into the licensing process and could recommend that a licence be withheld if they were not satisfied that it was appropriate.

Members welcomed the Act, particularly as there were severe problems with unlicensed scrap metal dealers in some parts of the Borough. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

RESOLVED – the report be endorsed and RECOMMENDED to Council for approval of those matters which are reserved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

The Executive considered a report which presented the Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment commissioned in 2012 following the issuing of the Government guidance “Planning Policy for Traveller Sites”. It was acknowledged that numbers required were lower under this assessment than under the countywide study. On the motion of Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Crooks, it was

RESOLVED – the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment be adopted as an evidence base for local plan preparation.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members received the Hinckley and Bosworth Renewable Energy Capacity Study and were informed that the report had been discussed in detail by the Scrutiny Commission. In response to Members’ concerns about some of the locations highlighted on the map, it was explained that it was a technical document and showed only which areas may be suitable as a site for renewable energy, and did not take into consideration any other planning constraints which would have to be considered should an application be received. It was agreed that a disclaimer be put on the map to say that it was a technical assessment and not an indication of site suitability. On the motion of Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Crooks, it was

RESOLVED – the study be approved for use as part of the evidence base for the Local Plan.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) attached.

A report was presented which introduced the Hinckley and Bosworth Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Review 2013. It was moved by Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED – the Review be approved for use as part of the evidence base.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) attached.

The Executive received a report which proposed provision of a supplementary budget to fund support to process planning applications. It was proposed that the virement be taken from the LDF reserve. Members supported the need to help maintain performance with regard to processing planning applications. On the motion of Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Bill, it was

RESOLVED – the provision of a supplementary budget of £40,000 to fund consultancy support for the processing of planning applications be approved.

Report of the Chief Executive attached.

Members received the report of the Independent Panel on Members’ Allowances and was advised of the recommendations of the Scrutiny Commission in response to the report. The Executive agreed with the view of the Independent Panel and the Scrutiny Commission that, in comparison with other similar authorities and in light of the workload of a councillor and the lack of allowance increase since 2005, the current members’ allowances were very low. They also supported the view that the costs for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor during their terms of office were higher than the allowance paid and these roles should be adequately recompensed. It was also felt that the Deputy Mayor should receive a greater increase as the costs of carrying out this role were similar to that of the Mayor.

Despite support for the findings of the Independent Panel, the view of the Scrutiny Commission was supported that the recommended increase in the basic allowance and SRAs be not accepted at that time. It was moved by Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)         the report of the Independent Panel be endorsed;

(ii)        Council be RECOMMENDED to

(a)        approve the recommended increase in the Mayor and Deputy Mayors’ allowances;

(b)        not approve the recommended increases in the basic allowance and special responsibility allowances;

(c)        publicise the rejection of an allowance increase.