Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Mayor due to a civic engagement within the community, the Deputy Mayor took the chair for this meeting.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Allen, Bessant, Lay, Roberts and Smith. It was also noted that Councillors Richards and Taylor would be late.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2017.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2017 be confirmed and signed by the Deputy Mayor.

No interests were declared at this stage.

Questions received under Council Procedure Rule number 11.1

(a)  From Councillor Crooks to the Executive member for Regeneration, Asset Management and Growth:

“Would the Executive member please advise me (given the problems in Leicester City) whether we have adopted the Government’s standards of a minimum of 37 sqm for anyone building or converting buildings into flats in our local plan? If not, are we looking to amend our standards to cover this? This standard will prevent planning applications coming in sub-standard size and the council then being unable to refuse permission”.

Response from Councillor Surtees:

“The current local plan does not include the principles set out in the Government’s technical housing standards – nationally described space standard. However, where planning applications are received contrary to these standards, officers work with applicants to address significant issues and thus encourage better design and size standards such as making reference to current good practice. In addition, it has often been noted that poor quality proposals in terms of space standards fall short in other policy areas which means that they are not likely to gain support for approval. There is a strong commitment to address this policy gap and so we will be including policy and guidance related to appropriate housing standards in the new local plan that reflects and builds on the national standards.”

(b)  From Councillor Bray to the Executive member for Development Management:

“Could the Executive member please update Council on the latest position regarding the issuing of planning consent for the Barwell SUE and could he give his best estimate of when he expects this to be issued?”

Response from Councillor Rooney:

“I thank Cllr Bray for his question.

The position is that at Planning Committee on 3 March 2015, it was moved by Councillor Hulbert, seconded by Councillor Hodgkins and resolved that the Chief Planning & Development Officer be granted delegated powers to finalise all matters associated with the completion of the S106 agreement and the range, scope and drafting of all planning conditions and to issue outline planning permission.

Officers have since that time been endeavouring to finalise those details with the developers. Whilst the majority of the terms are agreed, it is only in the last week that a final draft of the Section 106 agreement has been returned from the developers. This is now being scrutinised by the council. Once this document is agreed and signed, the planning permission can be issued. The best estimate for this is April 2017. We will continue to press the developer to reach agreement and expedite the development, which remains on course to being late 2017.”

(c)  From Councillor Bray to the Executive member for Town & Urban Communities:

“Would the Executive member for car parks please look again at the situation for car parking for members of Hinckley Leisure Centre? At the previous site, members were given free use of the car park whilst using the centre. Since its relocation, this is no longer the case and residents living in  ...  view the full agenda text for item 368.

The following questions were received and responses provided in accordance with council procedure rule 11.1:

(a)  From Councillor Crooks to the Executive member for Regeneration, Asset Management and Growth:

“Would the Executive member please advise me (given the problems in Leicester City) whether we have adopted the Government’s standards of a minimum of 37 sqm for anyone building or converting buildings into flats in our local plan? If not, are we looking to amend our standards to cover this? This standard will prevent planning applications coming in sub-standard size and the council then being unable to refuse permission”.

Response from Councillor Surtees:

“The current local plan does not include the principles set out in the Government’s technical housing standards – nationally described space standard. However, where planning applications are received contrary to these standards, officers work with applicants to address significant issues and thus encourage better design and size standards such as making reference to current good practice. In addition, it has often been noted that poor quality proposals in terms of space standards fall short in other policy areas which means that they are not likely to gain support for approval. There is a strong commitment to address this policy gap and so we will be including policy and guidance related to appropriate housing standards in the new local plan that reflects and builds on the national standards.”

(b)  From Councillor Bray to the Executive member for Development Management:

“Could the Executive member please update Council on the latest position regarding the issuing of planning consent for the Barwell SUE and could he give his best estimate of when he expects this to be issued?”

Response from Councillor Rooney:

“I thank Cllr Bray for his question.

The position is that at Planning Committee on 3 March 2015, it was moved by Councillor Hulbert, seconded by Councillor Hodgkins and resolved that the Chief Planning & Development Officer be granted delegated powers to finalise all matters associated with the completion of the S106 agreement and the range, scope and drafting of all planning conditions and to issue outline planning permission.

Officers have since that time been endeavouring to finalise those details with the developers. Whilst the majority of the terms are agreed, it is only in the last week that a final draft of the Section 106 agreement has been returned from the developers. This is now being scrutinised by the council. Once this document is agreed and signed, the planning permission can be issued. The best estimate for this is April 2017. We will continue to press the developer to reach agreement and expedite the development, which remains on course to being late 2017.”

By way of supplementary question, Councillor Bray asked whether the Administration was committed to delivering the SUE. In response, Councillor Rooney assured Council of their commitment.

(c)  From Councillor Bray to the Executive member for Town & Urban Communities:

“Would the Executive member for car parks please look again at the situation for car parking for members of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 368.

To receive the Leader of the Council's Position Statement:

Last week I attended a meeting of East Midlands Council and was pleased to hear that bids for improvement works to create an A5 expressway remain a top four infrastructure investment priority for the East Midlands. This is getting support through Midlands Connect, The Midlands Engine, Highways England, and locally from Councils along the A5 through the A5 partnership, which I chair.  In January I chaired a meeting of the Partnership where we were presented with an update on Highway England's current programme, which confirms that the investment for upgrading the section between Dodwells and Longshoot will take place in 2019.  It is likely to be some years away from seeing the delivery of the full expressway being considered between the M1 and M42.   However, our position on the need for major improvement has significant support across the region.

I also attended a meeting with the Chief Executive of the George Eliot Hospital, which was also attended by other members. We sought assurance that the A&E department was not going to close and in fact there are plans being developed which could, subject to funding, see an expansion of services at the site.  This is good news for a significant number of residents in this Borough.

In January I met with Mark Edgell (LGA Principal Adviser for the East Midlands), as a follow-up to our Peer Review, which took place in the autumn of 2016.  He was encouraged to hear of the progress on actions arising from the Review and impressed with our emerging Corporate Plan.

Tonight's Council agenda sets out a new corporate plan for the four years ahead, and delivers a budget that is balanced in the medium term, and allows us to be more resilient to future shocks.

This is in contrast to the previous administration who gave my administration a £1.7 million gap in the general fund budget to fill.

I know there will be questions on the budget this evening, but they come from Councillors who gave us a deficit, who removed long stay parking from Hinckley town centre, and who approved the Barwell SUE.

Residents of Hinckley and Bosworth can be assured that plans which we create will deliver more services based on sound finances, and without leaving us with budget black holes.

In presenting his position statement, the Leader referred to bids for improvement works to the A5, a meeting with the Chief Executive of the George Eliot Hospital and a peer review follow-up meeting with Mark Edgell of the LGA.

Councillor Richards entered the meeting at 6.55pm.

To seek approval of the new Corporate Plan 2017 to 2021. The Scrutiny Commission endorsed this item at its meeting on 8 February. An extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

The Leader presented the Corporate Plan 2017 to 2021. It was noted that the plan received cross party support at the last meeting of the Scrutiny Commission. It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED – the Corporate Plan 2017 to 2021 be approved.

It was noted that presentation and debate on the finance items (agenda items 10 to 16 – minutes 372 to 378 refer) would be taken together, but votes would be taken on each report separately.

The Leader presented the budget and debate ensued thereon. During discussion, reference was made to:

·         The difficulties in forecasting longer-term positions in relation to business rates and the new homes bonus due to uncertainties and changes in the basis of direct government funding and the move towards 100% rates retention

·         The commendable concept of the Developing Communities Fund – although some members strongly felt that the fund should be available for projects in the special expenses area of Hinckley and others felt that Hinckley had already benefitted from extensive regeneration over the last few years, funded from the general fund

·         The potential for increased responsibility for the Hinckley Area Committee

·         The increase in support for vulnerable people

·         The predicted increase in fuel costs in 2017/18

·         The need to consider concessions on the garden waste charge for charitable groups

·         The difficulty in letting large retail units.

To seek approval of the Medium Term Financial Strategy. Consideration was given to this report by the Joint meeting of Finance & Performance and the Scrutiny Commission on 30 January and an extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Further to the discussion on the finance reports (minute 371 refers), it was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Morrell that the recommendations within the Medium Term Financial Strategy report be approved. Councillor Bray along with five other councillors requested that voting on this item be recorded. The vote was taken as follows:

Councillors Boothby, Camamile, Cook, Hall, Kirby, Ladkin, Morrell, Nickerson, O’Shea, Richards, Rooney, Surtees, Sutton, Wallace, Ward, Williams and Wright voted FOR the motion (17);

Councillors Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Mr Cope, Mrs Cope, Crooks, Hodgkins, Hollick, Lynch, Nichols, Taylor and Witherford voted AGAINST the motion (12).

The motion was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – the updated Medium Terms Finance Strategy (MTFS) and increase in minimum balance target to an average of 15% over the life of the MTFS be approved.

To seek approval of the 2017/18 general fund revenue budget. Consideration was given to this report by the Joint meeting of Finance & Performance and the Scrutiny Commission on 30 January and an extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Further to the discussion on the finance reports (minute 371 refers), it was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Morrell that the recommendations within the General Fund Budget 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 Boothby, Camamile, Cook, Hall, Kirby, Ladkin, Morrell, Nickerson, O’Shea, Richards, Rooney, Surtees, Sutton, Wallace, Ward, Williams and Wright voted FOR the motion (17);

Councillors Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Mr Cope, Mrs Cope, Crooks, Hodgkins, Hollick, Lynch, Nichols, Taylor and Witherford voted AGAINST the motion (12).

The motion was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            The general fund budget for 2016/17 and 2017/18 be approved;

(ii)           The special expenses area budget for 2016/17 and 2017/18 be approved;

(iii)          The movement in general fund reserves and balances for 2016/17 and 2017/18 be approved.

To obtain approval of Council Tax for 2017/18.

Further to the discussion on the finance reports (minute 371 refers), it was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Morrell that the recommendations within the report for Calculation of Council Tax for 2017/18 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 Boothby, Camamile, Cook, Hall, Kirby, Ladkin, Morrell, Nickerson, O’Shea, Richards, Rooney, Surtees, Sutton, Wallace, Ward, Williams and Wright voted FOR the motion (17);

Councillors Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Mr Cope, Mrs Cope, Crooks, Hodgkins, Hollick, Lynch, Nichols, Taylor and Witherford voted AGAINST the motion (12).

The motion was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – the following be approved for 2017/18 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act (1992):

(i)            A council budget requirement excluding special expenses and parish councils of £10,247,348;

(ii)           A council net budget requirement including special expenses of £10,903,051;

(iii)          A total net budget requirement including special expenses and parish councils of £12,763,807;

(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 £3,180,842;

(v)          A forecast transfer of £147,841 deficit to the collection fund from the general fund;

(vi)         A band D council tax for borough wide services, excluding special expenses and parish council precepts, of £104.54;

(vii)        A band D council tax for borough wide services and an average of special expenses services of £122.09;

(viii)       An average band D council tax relating to borough wide services and an average of special expenses and parish council services of £171.89;

(ix)         The total council tax, including amounts for Leicestershire County Council, Police & Crime Commissioner and Combined Fire Authority and for each area and valuation band as detailed in appendix A to the report.

To seek approval of the 2017/18 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget, including the Housing Repairs Account. Consideration was given to this report by the Joint meeting of Finance & Performance and the Scrutiny Commission on 30 January and an extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Further to the discussion on the finance reports (minute 371 refers), it was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Morrell that the recommendations within the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2017/18 report be approved. Upon being put to the vote the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            The rent policy for 2017/18 be approved;

(ii)           The revised housing revenue and housing repairs account budgets for 2016/17 be approved;

(iii)          The housing revenue and housing repairs account budgets for 2017/18 be approved;

(iv)         The proposed movement in reserves be approved.

To seek approval of the general fund capital programme for the years 2016/17 to 2019/20. Consideration was given to this report by the Joint meeting of Finance & Performance and the Scrutiny Commission on 30 January and an extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Further to the discussion on the finance reports (minute 371 refers), it was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Morrell that the recommendations within the Capital Programme 2016/17 to 2019/20 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, Boothby, Bray, Camamile, Cartwright, Cook, Mr Cope, Mrs Cope, Crooks, Hall, Hodgkins, Hollick, Kirby, Ladkin, Lynch, Morrell, Nichols, Nickerson, O’Shea, Richards, Rooney, Surtees, Sutton, Taylor, Wallace, Ward, Williams, Witherford and Wright voted FOR the motion (29).

There were no votes against the motion.

The motion was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            The proposed capital programme for the years 2016/17 to 2019/20 be approved;

(ii)           The growth bids detailed within the report be approved.

To obtain approval of the proposed scale of fees & charges for 2017/18.

Further to the discussion on the finance reports (minute 371 refers), it was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Morrell that the recommendations within the report for Calculation of Council Tax for 2017/18 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 Boothby, Camamile, Cook, Hall, Kirby, Ladkin, Morrell, Nickerson, O’Shea, Richards, Rooney, Surtees, Sutton, Wallace, Ward, Williams and Wright voted FOR the motion (17);

Councillors Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Mr Cope, Mrs Cope, Crooks, Hodgkins, Hollick, Lynch, Nichols, Taylor and Witherford voted AGAINST the motion (12).

The motion was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – the fees and charges book for 2017/18 be approved.

To outline the council’s prudential indicators for 2016/17 to 2019/20 and set out the expected treasury operations for this period in accordance with legislative requirements.

Further to the discussion on the finance reports (minute 371 refers), it was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Morrell that the recommendations within the Prudential Code and Treasury Management report be approved. Upon being put to the vote the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            The prudential indicators and limits for 2016/17 to 2019/20 be approved;

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

(iii)          The treasury management strategy 2016/17 to 2019/20 and the treasury prudential indicators be approved;

(iv)         The investment strategy contained in the treasury management strategy be approved.

Councillor Hollick left the meeting at 8.04pm.

To seek approval of the proposed pay policy statement for 2017/18. This item was considered by the Scrutiny Commission at its meeting on 8 February 2017. An extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Consideration was given to the pay policy statement for 2017/18 as required by the Localism Act 2011. It was moved by Councillor Wright, seconded by Councillor Surtees and

RESOLVED – the council’s pay policy statement for 2017/18 be approved.