Agenda and minutes

Executive - Wednesday, 21 December 2016 6.30 pm

Venue: De Montfort Suite - Hub

Contact: Rebecca Owen  Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

301.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Boothby.

302.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 43 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2016.

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Rooney, seconded by Councillor Nickerson and

 

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2016 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

303.

Declarations of interest

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.

Minutes:

No interests were declared at this stage.

304.

Council Tax, NNDR and Overpaid Housing Benefit Write Offs pdf icon PDF 108 KB

To seek approval to write off debts over £10,000 in respect of outstanding business rates and to provide details of the sums written off under delegated powers.

 

Finance & Performance Scrutiny gave consideration to this report on 21 November. An extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached for your information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive received a report which sought approval for writing off debts over £10,000 in respect of outstanding business rates and provided details of sums written off under delegated powers. It was moved by Councillor Rooney, seconded by Councillor Morrell and

 

RESOLVED – the six business rate write offs details in the report be approved and the amounts written off under delegated powers be noted.

305.

Environmental enforcement policy and procedures pdf icon PDF 105 KB

To seek approval of the updated Enforcement policy and procedures for the Clean Neighbourhoods team.

 

The Scrutiny Commission gave consideration to this report on 8 December. A minute extract of that discussion will follow.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members gave consideration to the updated Environmental Enforcement policy & procedures. It was moved by Councillor Nickerson, seconded by Councillor Ladkin and

 

RESOLVED – the updated policy and procedures be approved.

306.

Smoke Free Playgrounds Initative pdf icon PDF 103 KB

To seek approval for introduction of a voluntary no smoking scheme in children’s play areas.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive received a report which recommended introduction of a no smoking scheme in children’s play areas. It was moved by Councillor Wright, seconded by Councillor Ladkin and

 

RESOLVED – the introduction of a voluntary no smoking scheme in children’s play areas owned and maintained by HBBC be supported.

307.

Lightbulb - transformation housing related support pdf icon PDF 127 KB

To present the Lightbulb business case for transforming practical housing support in Leicestershire.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received the Lightbulb business case for transforming practical housing support in Leicestershire and approval was sought to progress work within the authority to implement an integrated model of housing support. It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Surtees and

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)            The potential benefits of service transformation and integration, set out in the Lightbulb business case, be noted;

 

(ii)           The Lighbulb service model be agreed as the future mechanism for delivering the housing support offer across Leicestershire;

 

(iii)          Authority be delegated to the Chief Officer (Housing, Community Safety and Partnerships) and the Executive member for Housing and Community Safety to progress the practical actions set out in the business case to support implementation of the Lighbulb service model within the authority and to agree the financial model.

308.

Burbage Common Visitors' Centre Foul Drainage pdf icon PDF 94 KB

To request a supplementary budget to allow for the removal of the old septic tank at Burbage Common Visitors’ Centre and the installation of a suitably sized new system.

Minutes:

The Executive gave consideration to a supplementary bid to allow for the removal of the old septic tank at Burbage Common Visitors’ Centre and the installation of a suitably sized new system.

 

A member expressed concern about the cost of the work and asked whether any grants were likely to be available. In response it was felt that it was unlikely as it was a business, but that this would be explored before procuring the work.

 

In relation to the facilities on the extension car park which were currently closed due to antisocial behaviour, it was noted that they were closed occasionally to break the pattern of behaviour and that this had proven to be successful. It was, however, reiterated that the facilities in the café were open to the public, not just customers, and could therefore be used when the facilities on the car park were closed.

 

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

 

RESOLVED – the virement of £50,000 from the leisure centre demolition budget to fund the scheme be approved.

309.

Former Co-op Site, Castle Street, Hinckley pdf icon PDF 89 KB

To seek approval for an outline brief to guide further work in drafting a detailed development brief for future use of the site.

Minutes:

The Executive was presented with an outline brief to guide further work in drafting a detailed development brief for future use of the Coop site. It was reported that there had been more interest in the site than anticipated and that the aim was re-use of the former Coop store. It was suggested that, if a deal could not be secured by June 2017, the brief be reviewed.

 

Members were informed of further discussions since the publication of the report, in relation to housing the Hansom Cab in the former Shopmobility premises on Castle Street, to facilitate its return to the town following refurbishment. Concern was expressed that this may limit options for the future use of the site as a whole, but in response it was explained that this was a temporary, medium term arrangement and, at present, the interest was in returning the Hansom Cab to Hinckley.

 

In light of the above and other discussions that had taken place, Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Surtees, proposed the following amended resolution:

 

“The Executive agrees

 

(i)            That, subject to (ii) below, the former Coop site be marketed for re-use for retail and other complementary uses, in accordance with a marketing brief, and that negotiations with any retail interest in the building (in relation to lease or purchase) be concluded as soon as possible on the best possible terms for the council;

 

(ii)           That arrangements be made for the Hansom Cab to be relocated on a medium term/temporary basis in the former Shopmobility premises on Castle Street, Hinckley;

 

(iii)          That any/all options for the interim occupancy/use of the building by retail concessions be given positive consideration and decisions be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services, along with the Executive member for Regeneration, Asset Management and Growth and the Executive member for Town and Urban Communities.”

 

The motion was CARRIED and it was

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)            Subject to (ii) below, the former Coop site be marketed for re-use for retail and other complementary uses, in accordance with a marketing brief, and that negotiations with any retail interest in the building (in relation to lease or purchase) be concluded as soon as possible on the best possible terms for the council;

 

(ii)           Arrangements be made for the Hansom Cab to be relocated on a medium term/temporary basis in the former Shopmobility premises on Castle Street, Hinckley;

 

(iii)          Any/all options for the interim occupancy/use of the building by retail concessions be given positive consideration and decisions be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services, along with the Executive member for Regeneration, Asset Management and Growth and the Executive member for Town and Urban Communities.