Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Batty, Boothby, Ladkin and O’Shea.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2015.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Lynch and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor.

Councillor Bray declared a personal, non-pecuniary interest in the item on the Housing Development Company as the Middlefield Lane site was near his property.

The Mayor provided a brief update on recent engagements.

The following questions have been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule number 11.1, with answers provided as follows:

(a)        Question received from Councillor MT Mullaney

“Does the Deputy Leader of the Council agree with me that a town the size of Hinckley should have proper A&E and Maternity Services?  Will he make representations through the various external partnerships to try and secure these much needed facilities?”

Response from Councillor DC Bill

“Thank you for your question.  I fully agree that Hinckley residents deserve to have proper and well-resourced A&E and Maternity services.  Members may be aware that a major review of community health care services is currently underway for the Borough, led by West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. This work started in September 2014 and options for future service configuration (which is being informed by a broad range of carers, patients, professionals and stakeholders) are due to be published later this year, and will then be subject to a comprehensive public consultation exercise.  Whilst the focus of this review is about the effective future provision of community health services in Hinckley, it will also take account of any proposed service changes on other hospital services both acute and community, for example the proposed 40% transfer of outpatient and day case surgery from UHL to community settings.  Therefore, in my role as Executive Lead for Health and a member of the Hinckley & Bosworth Health & Wellbeing Partnership, I will make strong representations on this matter and seek a commitment for these services to be considered.

I am pleased to confirm the Council has launched with its health partners, a local Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the Borough.  This captures how we intend to improve health and wellbeing for all our residents.  Particular priorities include reducing obesity in children and adults, promoting good mental health, reducing the misuse of alcohol and supporting our aging population.”

(b)        Question received from Councillor DS Cope

            “Could the lead member for housing update the Council on what measures he and officers have been taking to tackle issues around anti-social behaviour in the St Peter’s Drive area of Thornton?”

            Response from Councillor MT Mullaney

As members will be aware we have established a temporary Neighbourhood Action Hub in St. Peter’s Drive, Thornton, to provide targeted support to focus on a range of community issues, including ASB.  The overall aim of this initiative is to help improve community cohesion, reduce  isolation and increase satisfaction with the local area.  Our investment is also to support the development of community capacity and confidence, to enable community- led work to continue beyond the initial 12 months of this project.

The hard work and commitment of two of our most experienced community development workers has enabled the establishment of a growing programme of community activities and initiatives, informed by the community.  The approach to building community trust and confidence has been achieved through a measured but visible presence within the community, by having a regular presence at the community hub  ...  view the full agenda text for item 429.

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule number 11.1, with answers provided as follows:

(a)        Question received from Councillor MT Mullaney

“Does the Deputy Leader of the Council agree with me that a town the size of Hinckley should have proper A&E and Maternity Services?  Will he make representations through the various external partnerships to try and secure these much needed facilities?”

Response from Councillor DC Bill

“Thank you for your question.  I fully agree that Hinckley residents deserve to have proper and well-resourced A&E and Maternity services.  Members may be aware that a major review of community health care services is currently underway for the Borough, led by West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. This work started in September 2014 and options for future service configuration (which is being informed by a broad range of carers, patients, professionals and stakeholders) are due to be published later this year, and will then be subject to a comprehensive public consultation exercise.  Whilst the focus of this review is about the effective future provision of community health services in Hinckley, it will also take account of any proposed service changes on other hospital services both acute and community, for example the proposed 40% transfer of outpatient and day case surgery from UHL to community settings.  Therefore, in my role as Executive Lead for Health and a member of the Hinckley & Bosworth Health & Wellbeing Partnership, I will make strong representations on this matter and seek a commitment for these services to be considered.

I am pleased to confirm the Council has launched with its health partners, a local Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the Borough.  This captures how we intend to improve health and wellbeing for all our residents.  Particular priorities include reducing obesity in children and adults, promoting good mental health, reducing the misuse of alcohol and supporting our aging population.”

(b)        Question received from Councillor DS Cope

            “Could the lead member for housing update the Council on what measures he and officers have been taking to tackle issues around anti-social behaviour in the St Peter’s Drive area of Thornton?”

            Response from Councillor MT Mullaney

As members will be aware we have established a temporary Neighbourhood Action Hub in St. Peter’s Drive, Thornton, to provide targeted support to focus on a range of community issues, including ASB.  The overall aim of this initiative is to help improve community cohesion, reduce  isolation and increase satisfaction with the local area.  Our investment is also to support the development of community capacity and confidence, to enable community- led work to continue beyond the initial 12 months of this project.

The hard work and commitment of two of our most experienced community development workers has enabled the establishment of a growing programme of community activities and initiatives, informed by the community.  The approach to building community trust and confidence has been achieved through a measured but visible presence within the community, by having a regular presence at the community hub and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 429.

Mr Mayor, fellow Councillors, Officers, members of the public and media.

As this is my last Position Statement to the 2011/15 Council, it is very much an ‘end of term’ report, reminding everyone what has been achieved for people who live and work in Hinckley and Bosworth over the last four years, as well as what will be delivered, certainly within the first year of the next Administration.

Significant progress continues to be made on the delivery of major economic and regeneration schemes facilitated by the Council.  These include:-

o   RGF-funded works on the A5 upgrade, with new cycle-ways to be completed by the end of this month and the improvement of bus services between Hinckley and major employment centres and the MIRA Enterprise Zone to be introduced during summer 2015.

o   The £15m new Leisure Centre scheme is progressing on programme with steel work now being erected and the scheme taking shape on Argents Mead. This scheme is still targeted for completion in the spring of 2016.

o   The £60m Crescent scheme continues to show significant progress. The new shopping and leisure scheme is due to open in November 2015, with Sainsbury’s stating that they are targeting to open on 4 November!

o   The MIRA Technology Park Enterprise Zone, which will secure £300m investment - creating 2,500 direct jobs and 2,500 indirect jobs, is developing well. Some major new occupiers are taking up new space already, including Haldex and Aston Martin.  A new £10m National Training Centre is due for development on the site for opening in 2016.

o   Government has announced very recently the intention to extend the Enterprise Zone by 250,000 square feet – another very welcome initiative, reflecting the economic success of this area, in which this Council has played, and continues to play, a major part.

o   We recently secured £1.4m LEADER European funding with our partners at North Warwickshire Borough Council which will be directed to a range of rural economic initiatives.

o   I am delighted that, with the full support of this Council, the Hinckley Town Centre BID last year secured a further four year term to help promote and showcase the tremendous offer we have in the Town Centre.

Following the production of the multi-agency case, led by this Council and put forward to Government for further major investment in the A5, the Autumn Statement announcement of identifying the A5 as a future Expressway is a significant step in securing the long term dualling of the A5.  Furthermore, the commitment of £20m from the Highways Agency to develop the detailed scheme for upgrading the A5 between the M42 and the M69 has been a key success.

Securing DPD’s new £100m logistics hub at Sketchley Brook, bringing 1,000 new jobs from September this year, is a significant achievement.  This will be the largest parcel delivery hub in Europe!

Two weeks ago, at the last Planning Committee, the Council took a step closer to facilitating the delivery of the £400m investment in the Barwell  ...  view the full agenda text for item 430.

In his position statement, the Leader of the Council referred to the A5 upgrade, the new leisure centre, the Crescent development, MIRA, DPD’s new hub, regeneration activities and the budget. He thanked members and officers for their support in achieving these improvements.

To receive for information only the minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 29 January 2015.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Commission were received.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

A report was presented which outlined the successful Local Democracy Week event. It was suggested that a similar event be held for teenagers to engage them in democracy. On the motion of Councillor Hulbert, seconded by Councillor Witherford, it was

RESOLVED – support be given to providing future democracy work with schools.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Council received the abbreviated Medium Term Financial Strategy in advance of completion of a full revision in autumn 2015. Arising from a recommendation of the Scrutiny Commission, additional information was provided to members regarding underspends over previous years. Members thanked the Finance team for their work. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            the abbreviated Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved and the targets set out in 3.9 be endorsed;

(ii)           a complete revision of the Medium Term Financial Strategy be prepared and presented to Council in autumn 2015, following the general and local elections in May 2015.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Members were advised of the rollout of Universal Credit in the Borough and the Council’s responsibilities under the proposed Partnership Agreement with the Department for Work and Pensions. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to sign off the final Partnership Agreement;

(ii)          The approach by the Council for delivery of its responsibilities contained within the Partnership Agreement be approved;

(iii)         The creation of a twelve-month temporary post within the housing service to minimise the impact of Universal Credit on the HRA rental stream be approved;

(iv)         A supplementary income budget of £32,940 and a supplementary expenditure budget of up to £28,712 be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Council was updated on the setting up of Hinckley and Bosworth Development – a company wholly owned by the Council for development of property for sale and rent. Members were reminded that the company would not be used for building council houses but that the Council could purchase houses from the company at market value.

Whilst acknowledging that the main objective of the company was to make a profit, members were presented with an ethical statement that had been requested by the Scrutiny Commission. An amendment was proposed to include an additional recommendation to adopt the ethical statement. This amendment was accepted without debate.

In relation to the proposed Board of Directors, it was noted that the exact officer representation was still under discussion, but in response to a member’s question it was noted that the officers appointed to the Board would be from the existing establishment and would receive no additional remuneration for this.

It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            A housing development company (the company), wholly owned by the Council, be created to build houses for sale and rent;

(ii)          The name of the company be Hinckley and Bosworth Development Limited;

(iii)         The company be incorporated and be limited by shares;

(iv)         Approval of the business plan be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Officer (Finance, Customer Services and Compliance);

(v)          Any loan requirement, as set out in the business plan, be repaid to the Council at a market rate of interest;

(vi)         Agreement of the rate of interest for any loans be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Officer (Finance, Customer Services and Compliance) depending on market conditions at the time of the transaction;

(vii)        The Articles of Association for the company as attached in appendix 2 to the report be approved;

(viii)      The in principal gift at nil value of the land at Middlefield Lane (the former depot site) to the company once incorporated be approved, subject to the prior approval of the Secretary of State being obtained to the disposal and confirmation that no State Aid issues arise as a result of the transfer and further report on the current leisure centre site be presented in due course;

(ix)         The Prudential Indicators for 2015/2016 be amended to take account of the gift of Middlefield Lane and the loan to the company (ie increase of the Authorised Borrowing Limit);

(x)          Delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive to appoint up to four officers to the Board of Directors for the company;

(xi)         A supplementary budget of £100,000 to meet costs associated with the set up of the company, financed from the existing Transformation Reserve, be approved;

(xii)        The Ethical Statement be adopted in the form presented to the Council.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Council received a report which outlined the Community Right to Bid (Assets of Community Value) Policy which had been introduced under the Localism Act 2011. The Legal Services Manager was thanked for her work on this and members wished her luck for the future. It was moved by Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The Community Right to Bid (Assets of Community Value) Policy be approved;

(ii)           Authority be delegated to officers to deal with nominations of assets of community value;

(iii)          Authority be delegated to the Legal Services Manager to make any minor amendments or amendments as required due to changes in the legislation to the Policy.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Council gave consideration to an amended procedure for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints, the amendments being officer title changes and the provision for the Monitoring Officer to informally resolve complaints in accordance with the legislation. Whilst not against the recommended changes, members went on to discuss the wider issues of the way in which the committee operated, which was set by statute, and the choice of some members not to be represented on the body. It was moved by Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – the revised procedure for dealing with complaints under the Code of Conduct be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

The Homelessness Strategy 2015-19 was presented to members. On the motion of Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Bray, it was

RESOLVED – the Homelessness Strategy 2015-19 be approved.

Report of the Group Leaders and Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission.

The Chief Executive left the meeting during consideration of this item.

Council received a report which proposed a six month shared management of the Chief Executive with the District Councils’ Network (DCN), with the proportional salary costs being recompensed to the Council by the DCN. It was noted that this urgent matter had been accepted as a late item due to the opportunity emerging after the agenda had been published. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED – the arrangement for sharing the time of the Chief Executive with the District Councils’ Network for the period April to September 2015 be approved.

To consider the passing of a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the public from the undermentioned items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act as indicated under each item heading.

On the motion of Councillor Bray seconded by Councillor Crooks, it was

RESOLVED – in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act indicated.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Exempt under paragraphs 1, 2 and 10.

Not for publication by virtue of paragraphs 1, 2 and 10 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Council was advised of two long-term empty properties and one in substantial disrepair which were subject to formal legal notices served by the private sector housing team. It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – the recommendations contained within the report be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Exempt under paragraphs 5 and 10.

Not for publication by virtue of paragraphs 5 and 10 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Subsequent to the report presented to Council on 1 July 2014, members were updated on progress of negotiations in respect of the land charges litigation. The Mayor had accepted this report as an urgent and late item due to the information being received after the agenda had been published. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – the recommendations contained within the report, including express delegations, be approved.

Councillor Hodgkins was absent during this item and voting thereon.