Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2014.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2014 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

A report on the progress and impact as a result of the temporary Neighbourhood Action Hub in Thornton was presented to the Executive. Members emphasised the importance of the community houses and expressed their full support for continuation of the initiative. It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The work undertaken and achievements to date be acknowledged;

(ii)           The proposed actions for the next development phase be endorsed;

(iii)          The proposals, including financial arrangements, be supported.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members received a report which advised on the outcome of the consultation with tenants and officers on the proposed service model for delivery of sheltered and control centre services and outlined the proposed timetable for implementation. Members were pleased to see the continuation of services that had been threatened by the County Council cuts and congratulated officers on their hard work. It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Gould and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The implementation of the proposed service model and introduction of service charges from 1 April 2015 be approved;

(ii)           The early termination of the existing funding and contract arrangements with Leicestershire County Council from 31 March 2015, subject to the service charges going live on 1 April 2015, be approved;

(iii)          The positive and supportive comments expressed by staff and tenants during the recent consultation on the proposed service model and introduction of service be noted.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members received a report which set out the requirements for a revised Local Development Scheme. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Gould and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The requirements for a review of the existing Local Development Scheme be noted;

(ii)           The revised Local Development Scheme programme and supporting Local Development Scheme be endorsed for approval at Council on 19 February 2015.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

The Executive received a report on the District, Local and Neighbourhood Centre Review which would be used to inform future documents produced for the Local Plan. A member expressed concern that two shops could be regarded as a neighbourhood centre, and officers confirmed that this would provide some protection for them. In response to a member’s question, it was confirmed that, once approved, the document would be used to inform decision making on planning applications. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED – the District, Local and Neighbourhood Centre Review 2014 be approved to be used as part of the evidence base for future reviews of the Local Plan.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) to follow.

Members gave consideration to a report relating to a key public realm improvement scheme in the town centre which would provide a high quality link between the Crescent and Caste Street. The report requested a supplementary budget for public realm improvements on Station Road, Hinckley. A member emphasised the need to ensure a flow of styles between the Victorian buildings on Station Road, moving up toward the modern Crescent development. Officers gave assurance that it would be designed sympathetically and complementary materials would be used within the confines of the budget available. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Witherford and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The supplementary budget of £48,500 for the advanced construction works for the planned public realm improvements on Station Road, Hinckley, be approved;

(ii)           The re-profiling of the budget from the 2015/16 capital programme resulting in no increase to the total cost of the public realm works (funded from developer contributions) be noted.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

The Executive received a report which proposed the scale of fees and charges for 2015/16. Attention was drawn to the new charge for replacement bins, the exact charges for which had been omitted from the fees & charges book. It was noted that this was £22 for one bin, £44 for two bins and £65 for three bins. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Witherford and

RESOLVED – the fees and charges for 2015/16 be approved, with the inclusion of the charges for bins.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Members were informed of revised Government guidance for rent setting and gave consideration to rent levels for 2015/16. It was noted that the figure was a compromise and that the recommended ‘formula rent’ be charged on new lettings from April 2015. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Mullaney and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The revised Government guidance on rent setting and the average formula rent increase of 9.76% be noted;

(ii)           A rent increase for 2015/16 of 6.5% in line with recommendations from consulted tenants be approved;

(iii)          The negative impact on the HRA Business Plan by approving a rent increase below that recommended by Government be acknowledged;

(iv)         All void properties be re-let at formula rent from 1 April 2015;

(v)          Introduction of a rent policy for higher income tenants as recommended by the Government be rejected.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

The Executive received a report which recommended reinstatement of the Leicester and Leicestershire Pool for dealing with business rates. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The Leicester and Leicestershire Pool be re-formed for 2015/16;

(ii)           The £706,390 balance retained from the 2013/14 Pool be used to form a provision for the new 2015/16 Pool;

(iii)          The County Council be supported as lead authority for the Pool.