Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bannister, Batty, Bessant, Lay, Richards and Smith.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2014.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2014 be confirmed and signed by the Deputy Mayor.

No interests were declared at this stage.

The Deputy Mayor introduced Jill Stidever to the meeting and presented her with flowers, explaining that she had won the Unsung Hero award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event, a video of which was shown to members.

In presenting his position statement, the Leader made reference to the recommendations to freeze Council Tax, the theft of an ATM machine at Barclays in Groby, the excellent work of street scene and repairs operatives in recent bad weather and Fairtrade Fortnight. He also welcomed Councillor Morrell as Leader and Councillor Allen as Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group.

Items 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 on the agenda were discussed together due to being interlinked (with votes being taken separately under each item). During discussion on the finance-related reports, the following points were raised or comments made:

·         The finance team were thanked for their hard work on the budget

·         Officers in the housing team were thanked for their hard work in progressing major housing service issues in response to County Council funding reductions

·         In response to a question regarding the risk of not receiving capital funds from the Crescent and the Leisure Centre, it was noted that this had been built into the Medium Term Financial Strategy

·         The lack of affordable housing in rural areas was highlighted

·         In response to a question regarding a possible net gain in relation to the Squash Club, it was reported that CPO monies received would be released as the scheme progresses and there would neither be a gain nor a loss

·         It was noted that the Piper Alarm scheme would be reviewed

·         It was requested that all members be provided with copies of the parish precepts

·         It was noted that there was a six-year projection for the New Homes Bonus

·         Support for continuing contribution to the voluntary sector was expressed.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Further to the discussion on the financial reports (minute * refers), it was moved by Councillor Lynch and seconded by Councillor Bray that the General Fund budget report and recommendations contained therein be approved. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, voting on this item was recorded and taken as follows:

Councillors Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Cope, Crooks, Gould, Mrs Hall, Mr Hall, Hodgkins, Hulbert, Inman, Lynch, Mayne, Moore, Mullaney, Nichols and Witherford voted FOR the motion (17);

Councillors Allen, Boothby, Camamile, Ladkin, Morrell, O’Shea, Sprason, Sutton and Ward abstained from voting.

The motion was therefore declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            The General Fund budget for 2014/15 and 2015/16 be approved;

(ii)           The Special Expenses Area budget for 2014/15 and 2015/16 be approved;

(iii)          The proposed movement in General Fund reserves and balances for 2014/15 and 2015/16 be approved.

Final report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Further to discussion on the financial reports (minute * refers), it was moved by Councillor Lynch and seconded by Councillor Bray that the recommendations contained within the Council Tax setting report be approved. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, voting on this item was recorded and taken as follows:

Councillors Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Cope, Crooks, Gould, Mrs Hall, Mr Hall, Hodgkins, Hulbert, Inman, Lynch, Mayne, Moore, Mullaney, Nichols and Witherford voted FOR the motion (17);

Councillors Allen, Boothby, Camamile, Ladkin, Morrell, O’Shea, Sprason, Sutton and Ward abstained from voting.

The motion was therefore declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

(i)            A budget requirement excluding Special Expenses and Parish Councils of £9,668,339 be approved;

(ii)           A budget requirement including Special Expenses of £10,242,560 be approved;

(iii)          A total net budget requirement including Special Expenses and Parish Councils of £11,777,999 be approved;

(iv)         A contribution from Revenue Support Grant (including the element indicated for Local Council Tax Support) and Non Domestic Rates (indicated by the NNDR baseline) of £3,959,742 be approved;

(v)          A forecast transfer of £86,971 surplus from the Collection Fund to the General Fund be approved;

(vi)         A Band D Council Tax for Borough wide services, excluding Special Expenses and Parish Council precepts of £95.96 (the same level as the previous five years) be approved;

(vii)        A Band D Council Tax for Borough wide services and an average of Special Expenses Services of £112.09 be approved;

(viii)       An average Band D Council Tax relating to Borough wide services and an average of Special Expenses and Parish Council services of £155.22; be approved;

(ix)         The total Council Tax, including amounts for the County Council, Police and Crime Commissioner and Combined Fire Authority and for each valuation band as detailed at appendix A to the report be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Further to discussion on the financial reports, it was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The revised Housing Revenue and Housing Repairs Account budgets for 2014/15 be approved;

(ii)           The Housing Revenue and Housing Repairs Account budgets for 2015/16 be approved;

(iii)          The proposed movement in reserves as outlined in appendix 3 to the report be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Further to discussion on the financial reports, it was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – the Capital Programme for 2014/15 – 2017/18 be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Further to discussion on the financial reports, it was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The prudential indicators and limits for 2014/15 to 2017/18 be approved;

(ii)           The minimum revenue provision (MRP) statement be approved;

(iii)          The Treasury Management Strategy 2014/15 to 2017/18 and the Treasury Prudential Indicators be approved;

(iv)         The Investment Strategy contained in the Treasury Management Strategy be approved.

Councillor Camamile left the meeting at 8.08pm.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Council received a report which set out the requirements for a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS). Sally Smith, Strategy and Regeneration Manager, was personally thanked for her work and wished well in her future career. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED – the revised Local Development Scheme 2015-18 be approved.

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

A report was presented which suggested amendments to the Scheme of Delegation in relation to planning applications. Members welcomed the report and appreciated the common sense approach. It was moved by Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Bray and unanimously

RESOLVED – the new scheme of delegation in relation to planning applications be approved.

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

Members gave consideration to a revised scheme of delegation in relation to planning policy matters. It was moved by Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Bray and unanimously

RESOLVED – amended scheme of delegation in relation to planning policy matters be approved.

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

Council considered suggested revisions to the Constitution as part of the annual review of the document. It was moved by Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Bray and unanimously

RESOLVED – the proposed changes to the Constitution outlined in the report be approved.

Members are asked to consider and confirm the calendar of meetings for 2015-16 and provisional dates for the first few months of the 2016-17 municipal year.

Members received the draft calendar of meetings for 2015/16. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and unanimously

RESOLVED – the calendar of meetings be approved.

The following are amended versions of the Motions printed on the face of the original agenda.

(a)       Motion received from Councillor Gould, seconded by Councillor Hulbert:

“That this Council commits to spend £100 of overall revenue income for each home built in the Barwell and Earl Shilton Sustainable Urban Extensions on capital projects in the respective settlements.

·         Specifically this council commits to spending £250,000 (in addition to Section 106 contributions obtained for the purpose) upon a replacement building for the Jubilee Hall, Byron Close, Barwell in consultation with Barwell Parish Council;

·         Commit £160,000 on facilities in Earl Shilton in consultation with Earl Shilton Town Council.

(b)       Motion received from Councillor Gould, seconded by Councillor Bill:

This Council requests that the Chief Executive respond to each and every consultation relating to the Birmingham-Leicester line requesting the opening of a station at Elmesthorpe to serve the communities of Barwell and Earl Shilton and seeking commitments from Blaby District Council and the LLEP to secure that objective.

            Further, this Council reaffirms its request to the Chief Executive to also include in his response a request for a twice hourly service for both Elmesthorpe and Hinckley.

The following motions

(a)       Motion proposed by Councillor Gould, seconded by Councillor Hulbert:

“That this Council commits to spend £100 of overall revenue income for each home built in the Barwell and Earl Shilton Sustainable Urban Extensions on capital projects in the respective settlements.

·         Specifically this council commits to spending £250,000 (in addition to Section 106 contributions obtained for the purpose) upon a replacement building for the Jubilee Hall, Byron Close, Barwell in consultation with Barwell Parish Council;

·         Commits £160,000 on facilities in Earl Shilton in consultation with Earl Shilton Town Council.

During discussion, Councillor Ladkin proposed an AMENDMENT to the motion that the figure for Earl Shilton match that for Barwell, ie £250,000. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was LOST.

Upon being put to the vote, the original motion moved by Councillor Gould and seconded by Councillor Hulbert was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – £100 of revenue from each home built in Barwell and Earl Shilton Sustainable Urban Extensions be spent on capital projects in the respective settlements:

(i)            £250,000 (in addition to S106 contributions obtained for this purpose) upon a replacement building for the Jubilee Hall, Byron Close, Barwell;

(ii)        £160,000 on facilities in Earl Shilton.

(b)        Motion proposed by Councillor Gould, seconded by Councillor Bill:

This Council requests that the Chief Executive respond to each and every consultation relating to the Birmingham-Leicester line requesting the opening of a station at Elmesthorpe to serve the communities of Barwell and Earl Shilton and seeking commitments from Blaby District Council and the LLEP to secure that objective.

            Further, this Council reaffirms its request to the Chief Executive to also include in his response a request for a twice hourly service for both Elmesthorpe and Hinckley.

            Upon being put to the vote, it was CARRIED and unanimously

RESOLVED – the action requested by Council be undertaken.