Agenda and minutes

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillors Boothby, Chastney and Richards.

No interests were declared at this stage.

In presenting the update report on the situation regarding Hinckley Hub and the commencement of Stepnell as the new contractor, Councillor Lynch proposed an additional recommendation as follows:

“Members thank the Senior Officers and our development partners MRP Developments Ltd for ensuring the financial protection of the Council and its council tax payers in their preparation of the contractual agreement and for the speedy and professional way in which they have handled the transfer of the contract to Stepnells”.

This proposal was seconded by Councillor Bray.

During discussion, Members asked whether the agreement that was made with Hallam to use local sub-contractors would be carried forward, and in response Members were assured that it had been.

Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray, moved the recommendations and they, along with seven further Members, stood to request a recorded vote on the recommendations as amended.

Councillors Allen, Bannister, Batty, Bessant, Bill, Bray, Camamile, Cartwright, Cope, Crooks, Gould, A Hall, P Hall, Hodgkins, Hulbert, Inman, Ladkin, Lay, Lynch, Mayne, Moore, Morrell, Mullaney, Nichols, O’Shea, Smith, Sprason, Sutton, Taylor, Ward and Witherford voted FOR the recommendations as amended (31).

It was therefore declared CARRIED and unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)         the content of the report be noted and the outcome achieved be welcomed;

(ii)        Senior Officers and our development partners MRP Developments Ltd be thanked for ensuring the financial protection of the Council and its council tax payers in their preparation of the contractual agreement and for the speedy and professional way in which they have handled the transfer of the contract to Stepnells.

Members received an update on the current position regarding the sale of land adjacent to Stoke Road (former Boys’ Club) to Morris Homes. In presenting the report, Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray, proposed the following additional recommendation:

“Members confirm their support for retention of the Brodick Rd Park, welcome the progress in its planting as a community woodland and thank all the residents and especially the school children for their help with planting the trees”.

Discussion ensued regarding the history of the site on Stoke Road and Brodick Park before that.

Councillor Lynch plus six other Members stood to request a recorded vote. The vote was taken as follows:

Councillors Bannister, Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Cope, Crooks, Gould, A Hall, P Hall, Hodgkins, Hulbert, Inman, Lynch, Mayne, Mullaney, Nichols, Taylor and Witherford voted FOR the recommendations as amended (18);

Councillors Allen, Batty, Bessant, Camamile, Ladkin, Lay, Moore, Morrell, O’Shea, Smith, Sprason, Sutton and Ward voted AGAINST the recommendations (13).

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

RESOLVED –

(i)         the sale of land adjacent to Stoke Road be agreed for the sum of £2.3m and on the terms set out in paragraph 3.16 of the report;

(ii)        the retention of the Brodick Road Park be supported;

(iii)       the progress in the planting of Brodick Road Park as a community woodland be welcomed;

(iv)       all the residents and especially the school children be thanked for their help with planting the trees.