Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bray, Roberts, Ward and Williams. It was also noted that Councillor Crooks had apologised that he would be late arriving.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2018.

It was moved by Councillor Camamile, seconded by Councillor Sutton and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March be confirmed and signed by the chairman.

                                                                                                                                                                              Councillor Lynch declared a personal interest in the Voluntary and Community Sector Commissioning outcomes report (item 6) as President of Leicestershire & Rutland Youth Sailing Association which was a recipient of VCS funding.

Councillors Camamile, Lay and Lynch declared a personal interest in the Parish & Community Initiative Fund report (item 12).

To update members on outcomes arising from the 2016/17 round of voluntary & community sector commissioning.

Members received a report and presentation on outcomes arising from the 2016/17 round of voluntary & community sector commissioning. Some of those groups who had benefitted from funding were in attendance and members expressed their thanks for the contributions and to all those involved in the groups.

RESOLVED – the report be endorsed and the commitment of those involved be recognised and congratulated.

To provide an overview of service delivery in our rural communities, against the agreed priorities in our Rural Strategy.

The Scrutiny Commission received an overview of service delivery in the rural communities against agreed priorities in the rural strategy. Whilst members welcomed the report and the number of services and activities in the rural areas, it was suggested that more support could be given to parishes, in particular clerks to parish councils.

RESOLVED – the report be endorsed.

To seek support for the establishment and management of a local authority lottery.

Consideration was given to a report which recommended the introduction of a local authority lottery to help sustain the borough’s voluntary and community sector. It was acknowledged that a company would run the scheme and HBBC would be responsible for governance and monitoring.

In response to members’ questions, it was explained that good causes would request to join up and the council would manage the approval process. A web page managed by the external company would give information on each good cause and buyers would choose their good cause when purchasing tickets. Prize money would be underwritten by the external company. Officers agreed to check whether councillors and council employees were eligible to take part.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The report be endorsed;

(ii)           A report be brought back to the Scrutiny Commission before roll out;

(iii)          An annual report be brought to the Scrutiny Commission.

To inform members of the outcome of the annual review and advise of any changes required to the terms of the service level agreement and service specification.

Members were informed of the outcome of the annual review of performance against the service level agreement the borough council had entered into with the Rural Community Council to support neighbourhood planning in the borough and advised of changes required to the terms of the service level agreement and service specification.

Some concern was expressed that there was often an intention that having a neighbourhood plan would stop development altogether, rather than giving the neighbourhood a say in planning where development should be located.

RESOLVED – the report be endorsed.

To provide an update on the local plan review.

The Commission received an update on the local plan review and comments to the scope, issues and options consultation exercise. Some members felt that the consultation responses were not necessarily representative of the residents of the borough as they were mostly from developers, landowners and agents.

Concern was expressed that there was a need for infrastructure before any further development and this had been reflected in comments received by councillors.

The issue of roads on estates not being built to proper standards was raised and it was agreed that this could be requested as a separate report. Concern was also expressed about the spending of S106 money, particularly contributions to health, that were not spent on the local facilities.

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

RESOLVED –

(i)            The progress made on the local plan review be noted;

(ii)           The eight week public consultation exercise undertaken between 8 January and 4 March 2018 be noted;

(iii)          The summary of comments received to the scope, issues and options consultation be noted but it be acknowledged that many contributions were from developers and landowners which will have been weighted towards their own interests;

(iv)         The concerns of the Scrutiny Commission that the delivery of infrastructure needs to be given sufficient priority in all its forms be reiterated;

(v)          Progress continues to be made on the local plan review as set out in the development scheme.

To outline the Environmental Improvement Programme for 2018/19.

The Environmental Improvement Programme for 2018/19 was outlined. Members were pleased to see the installation of a blue plaque for Molly Badham and Nathalie Evans, founders of Twycross Zoo. Discussion ensued on the possibility of submitting a bid for Battling Brook walkway to be extended to reach the canal and it was agreed that the best way to pursue this would be considered outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED – the enhancement schemes be approved.

To seek endorsement of proposed allocations.

The Scrutiny Commission received a report on recommended allocations of the Parish & Community Initiative Fund 2018/19. Members commended the scheme and commented on the large number of communities benefitting.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The funding allocations of £141,461 for 42 schemes be endorsed;

(ii)           The Strategic Leadership Team be RECOMMENDED to allocate a further £8,539 to fund the applications detailed in section 3.4 of the report;

(iii)          The carry forward request of £15,563 allowing four previous years’ schemes to be completed be endorsed.

To provide an update on the procurement of the council’s fleet following the report to Council in July 2017.

An update on the procurement of the council’s fleet was provided to the Scrutiny Commission. It was noted that the option of contract hire had been selected and 67 vehicles had been ordered, made up of various configurations due to the differing requirements.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

To seek approval of the annual report summarising the main achievements for 2017/18 against the Corporate Plan 2017-2021.

The main achievements for 2017/18 against the council’s Corporate Plan 2017-2021 were summarised. During discussion, reference was made to environmental crime and it was acknowledged that whilst there seemed to be less of an issue with dog faeces not being picked up by owners, there seemed to have been an increase of “poo bags” being tied to tree branches. It was asked that an article be placed in the borough bulletin to advise against this practice.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

Work programme attached.

The work programme was noted, with the addition of items added during the course of the meeting.

It was noted that the July meeting would need to be rescheduled.