Agenda and minutes

Prayer was offered by the Chief Executive. The Mayor then led a minute’s silence in memory of former councillor David Inman, who had passed away recently. Senior members spoke in tribute to Mr Inman.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Camamile, Cook, Ladkin, Taylor and Ward.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2017.

It was moved by Councillor Nichols, seconded by Councillor Allen and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2017 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor.

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.

No interests were declared at this stage.

To receive such communications as the Mayor may decide to lay before the Council.

The Mayor mentioned some of the events he had attended recently, particularly the Hinckley Feast event on which he congratulated officers, and his forthcoming town twinning visit to Grand Quevilly.

Question from Councillor Crooks:

“What is the current status with this council implementing the ‘Light Bulb’ housing service, which is supposedly being rolled out across the whole of Leicestershire during 2017?

I believe Blaby Council are already carrying out this and have been instrumental in the development of the service.”

Response from Councillor Hall:

“Can I thank Cllr Crooks for his question, which gives me the opportunity to highlight the Lightbulb programme, and the key role that this Council has played in its development, and also how it will support vulnerable people remaining independent in their own homes.

Lightbulb is a partnership transformation Programme supported by the seven District Councils in Leicestershire with Leicestershire County council. It brings together a range of practical housing support into a single, integrated pathway. An holistic housing needs assessment ensures that housing support needs are proactively identified and that the right solution is found to address a person’s needs. 

The overall aim of Lightbulb is to maximise the contribution that housing support can play in keeping vulnerable people independent in their homes; helping to avoid unnecessary admissions or GP visits and helping timely hospital discharge. The type of work carried out in the team are the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants, warm home advice, aids and adaptations, home security, falls prevention, assistive technology and advice and signposting to other support services.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s private sector housing team have been instrumental in the programme and in developing the Lightbulb model. A number of pilots have taken place across the county to test different parts of Lightbulb, with Hinckley and Bosworth taking the lead in linking Lightbulb into a GP surgery. 

These pilots have now been brought together into the final model which will be rolled out to all districts in October. For Hinckley and Bosworth there will be a Lightbulb team of 4 additional officers, including an occupational therapist, housing support workers and a technical officer sitting with the private sector housing team delivering this service to our residents. 

I believe that it will be a great success.”

Question from Councillor Crooks:

“What is the current status with this council implementing the ‘Light Bulb’ housing service, which is supposedly being rolled out across the whole of Leicestershire during 2017?

I believe Blaby Council are already carrying out this and have been instrumental in the development of the service.”

Response from Councillor Hall:

“Can I thank Cllr Crooks for his question, which gives me the opportunity to highlight the Lightbulb programme, and the key role that this Council has played in its development, and also how it will support vulnerable people remaining independent in their own homes.

Lightbulb is a partnership transformation Programme supported by the seven District Councils in Leicestershire with Leicestershire County council. It brings together a range of practical housing support into a single, integrated pathway. An holistic housing needs assessment ensures that housing support needs are proactively identified and that the right solution is found to address a person’s needs. 

The overall aim of Lightbulb is to maximise the contribution that housing support can play in keeping vulnerable people independent in their homes; helping to avoid unnecessary admissions or GP visits and helping timely hospital discharge. The type of work carried out in the team are the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants, warm home advice, aids and adaptations, home security, falls prevention, assistive technology and advice and signposting to other support services.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s private sector housing team have been instrumental in the programme and in developing the Lightbulb model. A number of pilots have taken place across the county to test different parts of Lightbulb, with Hinckley and Bosworth taking the lead in linking Lightbulb into a GP surgery. 

These pilots have now been brought together into the final model which will be rolled out to all districts in October. For Hinckley and Bosworth there will be a Lightbulb team of 4 additional officers, including an occupational therapist, housing support workers and a technical officer sitting with the private sector housing team delivering this service to our residents. 

I believe that it will be a great success.”

I have to start this evening with some comments about changes to the Executive. Firstly I must thank Cllr Boothby for the hard work he has put in over the past two years. His role as Executive member for Housing and Community Safety will now be filled by Cllr Peter Wallace.

I was also sorry to lose Cllr Rooney from the Executive, and as a member of this Council. Stan has served not only the people of Burbage as a Councillor, but the whole Borough in his role as Executive Member for Planning. Stan had the respect of members and officers alike. His Executive position will now be taken by the former Mayor Cllr Richard Allan.

Our agenda this evening does not have a great deal of business but we will be seeking member approval for the People Strategy. This strategy sets out some of the employment challenges facing this Council over the coming years, and the priorities we have for supporting those who are employed by this Council. Ultimately they are the people who will continue to deliver better services to our communities.

There are a few updates that I want to give members on local matters.

Firstly on the former Co-Op site in Hinckley. Members will be aware that this site has been vacant for some time and whilst officers and agents have been working to find a tenant this is proving difficult. The Executive will soon be considering several other options for this site which will be reported to members in due course.

Members may also have seen a press report about the old leisure centre site. This site is currently being advertised for sale with bids due by 8th September. We anticipate the site having appeal for a number of uses, taking account of its prime location in Hinckley.

Aldi and Lidl have both recently announced plans for new stores on old factory sites in Hinckley, showing that there is no loss of appetite to support the further regeneration of the town. We have also taken some early steps towards regeneration in Barwell by opening up additional public car parking. This has been achieved by removing the fence between the Constitutional Club and the car park at Stanley Street, opening up this larger parking area for multiple uses.

Finally I want to update members on the A5. I have a further meeting of the A5 partnership at the end of this month, where I can expect updates on safety and traffic flow improvements from Highways England, but members should also be aware of the exposure that this route is being given nationally.

Highways England, Midlands Connect, East Midlands Councils, Local MPs and all of the authorities along the A5 see this as a route of considerable strategic importance. Our local stretch of the road is included in recently published upgrade strategies, which could ultimately see the A5 become a duel carriageway. The Chief Executive and myself continue to lobby Government Ministers and local MPs, for  ...  view the full agenda text for item 129.

In his position statement, the Leader referred to new members of the Executive, the agenda for the meeting and progress on local matters including the former Co-op site, Aldi and Lidl and the A5 partnership.

Minutes of the meeting held on 10 August 2017 – for information only.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Commission were presented to Council.

To present the draft People Strategy 2017-2021, setting out the strategic priorities for our workforce for the next four years.

The strategy was considered by the Ethical Governance & Personnel Committee at its meeting on 16 August. An extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

The People Strategy 2017-2021 was presented to Council. It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Morrell and

RESOLVED – the People Strategy 2017-2021 be approved.

It will be proposed that Councillor Allen be appointed to Hinckley & Bosworth Community Transport for the remainder of the municipal year.

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

RESOLVED – Councillor Allen be appointed to Hinckley & Bosworth Community Transport for the remainder of the municipal year.

The following membership of council bodies will be proposed:

Audit Committee:

CouncillorRB Roberts (Chairman) (replacing Cllr Allen); Councillor R Camamile; Councillor DS Cope; Councillor L Hodgkins; Councillor MR Lay; Councillor KWP Lynch; Councillor BE Sutton; Councillor DM Taylor; Councillor HG Williams and Councillor A Wright; 1 vacancy.

Finance & Performance Scrutiny:

Councillor KWP Lynch (Chairman); Councillor R Camamile; Councillor DS Cope; Councillor H Smith; Councillor DM Taylor; Councillor R Ward and Councillor HG Williams; 2 vacancies.

Licensing Committee:

Councillor H Smith (Chairman); Councillor PS Bessant; Councillor MB Cartwright; Councillor DS Cope; Councillor MA Hall; Councillor L Hodgkins; Councillor J Kirby; Councillor K Morrell; Councillor K Nichols; Councillor M Nickerson and Councillor P Wallace (replacing Cllr Rooney).

Licensing (Regulatory) Committee:

Councillor H Smith (Chairman); Councillor PS Bessant; Councillor MB Cartwright; Councillor DS Cope; Councillor MA Hall; Councillor L Hodgkins; Councillor J Kirby; Councillor K Morrell; Councillor K Nichols; Councillor M Nickerson and Councillor P Wallace (replacing Cllr Rooney).

Scrutiny Commission:

Councillor MR Lay (Chairman); Councillor R Camamile (Vice-Chairman); Councillor KWP Lynch (Vice-Chairman); Councillor DC Bill; Councillor SL Bray; Councillor WJ Crooks; Councillor RB Roberts; Councillor BE Sutton; Councillor R Ward and Councillor HG Williams; 1 vacancy.

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

RESOLVED – the following membership be approved:

Audit Committee:

CouncillorRB Roberts (Chairman) (replacing Cllr Allen); Councillor R Camamile; Councillor DS Cope; Councillor L Hodgkins; Councillor MR Lay; Councillor KWP Lynch; Councillor BE Sutton; Councillor DM Taylor; Councillor HG Williams and Councillor A Wright; 1 vacancy.

Finance & Performance Scrutiny:

Councillor KWP Lynch (Chairman); Councillor R Camamile; Councillor DS Cope; Councillor H Smith; Councillor DM Taylor; Councillor R Ward and Councillor HG Williams; 2 vacancies.

Licensing Committee:

Councillor H Smith (Chairman); Councillor PS Bessant; Councillor MB Cartwright; Councillor DS Cope; Councillor MA Hall; Councillor L Hodgkins; Councillor J Kirby; Councillor K Morrell; Councillor K Nichols; Councillor M Nickerson and Councillor P Wallace (replacing Cllr Rooney).

Licensing (Regulatory) Committee:

Councillor H Smith (Chairman); Councillor PS Bessant; Councillor MB Cartwright; Councillor DS Cope; Councillor MA Hall; Councillor L Hodgkins; Councillor J Kirby; Councillor K Morrell; Councillor K Nichols; Councillor M Nickerson and Councillor P Wallace (replacing Cllr Rooney).

Scrutiny Commission:

Councillor MR Lay (Chairman); Councillor R Camamile (Vice-Chairman); Councillor KWP Lynch (Vice-Chairman); Councillor DC Bill; Councillor SL Bray; Councillor WJ Crooks; Councillor RB Roberts; Councillor BE Sutton; Councillor R Ward and Councillor HG Williams; 1 vacancy.

Motion proposed by Councillor Lay and seconded by Councillor Bill, on behalf of the Scrutiny Commission:

“Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is concerned about the cumulative impact of traffic, particularly HGVs accessing commercial development in neighbouring districts, upon the air quality within the borough. Whilst air quality is taken into account in considering planning applications made to the borough council, we urge the government to consider implementing a national policy to ensure that consideration is given to the impact of such traffic accessing these sites via roads in neighbouring districts to assist in improving air quality throughout the country”.

Councillor Lay, seconded by Councillor Bill, proposed the following motion on behalf of the Scrutiny Commission:

“Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is concerned about the cumulative impact of traffic, particularly HGVs accessing commercial development in neighbouring districts, upon the air quality within the borough. Whilst air quality is taken into account in considering planning applications made to the borough council, we urge the government to consider implementing a national policy to ensure that consideration is given to the impact of such traffic accessing these sites via roads in neighbouring districts to assist in improving air quality throughout the country”.

Discussion ensued on the wider causes and consequences of reductions in air quality. It was subsequently unanimously

RESOLVED – the abovementioned representations be made.