Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2013.

On the motion of Mr Bill, seconded by Mr Crooks, it was

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meetings held on 19 February 2013 be confirmed 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.

Members considered the impact of Auto Enrolment for the council and also considered whether to elect for deferred auto enrolment until 1 April 2017 for non pension scheme members.

It was highlighted that the cost to the council had already been put into reserve.

On the motion of Mr Lynch, seconded by Mr Crooks it was

RESOLVED - the council defer auto enrolment of staff that previously opted out of the pension scheme until April 2017.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members were informed of the options available to progress the Affordable Housing

Delivery Plan and agree preferred options for further discussion at the HRA

Investment Plan workshop.

On the motion of Mr Mullaney, seconded by Mr Crooks it was

RESOLVED

a) Members noted the range of options available to members to increase the supply of affordable housing in the borough;

b) Approval was given the progressing of preferred options a, c, g and h as mechanisms to contribute to the affordable housing development in the borough, whilst being open to other opportunities for delivery should they prove viable

c) Agreement was given to pursue the use of a Local Delivery Vehicle to work in partnership with a Registered Provider to deliver new housing under option a.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Proposal was sought to update the Housing Allocations policy in the light of changes introduced by the Localism Bill 2011 and the ‘Allocation of accommodation: guidance for the local housing authorities in England, June 2012’. This includes guidance to ensure that members of the Armed forces and their families are given additional preference for social housing as pledged by the Government through the Military Covenant.

On the motion of Mr Mullaney, seconded by Mr Crooks it was

RESOLVED - approval was given to the proposed changes to the Allocations Policy as detailed in Appendix A to the report.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members were updated on the progress that has been made exploring the feasibility of a Private Sector Leasing scheme further to the last report of 19 June 2012 and approval was sought to:

·         Formally adopt a Private Sector Leasing scheme as a method of bringing empty properties back into use

·         Make use of £522,120 of funding already approved by the Homes and Communities Agency to run and sustain the scheme

·         Use flexible, short-term tenancies for properties which form part of the Private Sector Leasing scheme and agree to the amendment of the Tenancy Policy to include this provision

RESOLVED –

(i)      Members noted the objectives of the Private Sector Leasing scheme and formally approved the use of a Private Sector Leasing scheme across the borough.

(ii)     approval was given to the use of flexible, fixed term tenancies for properties that form part of the council’s Private Sector Leasing Scheme

(iii)    agreement was given to the addition of a clause to the Tenancy Policy to state that where a property forms part of the Private Sector Leasing scheme, lifetime tenancies cannot be granted but a tenancy will be granted for the longest term possible within the time frame of the leasing term.

(iv)    on the basis that works will be funded by the HCA, delegated authority be given to the Deputy Chief Executive Corporate Direction to create appropriate capital and revenue budget once the nature of individual works are known up to the value of £468,900.

(v)     it was agreed that a supplementary budget be available of £6,000 to fund the administration cost and £20,610, annually, for two years for modern apprentices. These are to be funded from either the HCA funding or rental income.

(vi)    Members agreed to delegate authority for the Deputy Chief Executive to create rental income budgets once the properties have been bought back into use

Report of the Chief Executive.

Members' approval was sought to the under spend from this year's Parish and

Community Initiative Fund (PCIF) be put towards investment in super fast broadband

(SFBB).

On the motion of Mr Crooks, seconded by Mr Bill

RESOLVED –

i) Members approved the allocation of £18,820 under spend from the 2013/14 PCIF as an additional contribution to funding from this council to support the delivery of super fast broadband in rural areas.

(ii) Scrutiny Commission's comments were noted regarding SFBB funding.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members were presented with the Environmental Improvement Programme for 2013/14.

On the motion of Mr Bill, seconded by Mr Crooks it was

RESOLVED – that the enhanced schemes be implemented in the financial year 2013/14 as the Environmental Improvement Programme.

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

Members’ endorsement was given to the Hinckley & Bosworth Tourism Partnership’s

Tourism Strategy and Blueprint for Action for 2013 to 2018.

On the motion of Mr Cope, seconded by Mr Crooks it was

RESOLVED – Approval given to endorse the strategy.