Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Batty, Bessant and Ward.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 1 July and 2 September 2014.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meetings held on 1 July and 2 September 2013 be approved and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor agreed to take three items of urgent business: changes to membership of committees, a petition from Councillor Morrell and a petition from Councillor Crooks. It was agreed that these would be taken immediately.

It was proposed, seconded and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Councillor Mayne be replaced by Councillor Hodgkins on the Finance, Audit & Performance Committee;

(ii)           Councillor Hodgkins be replaced by Councillor Mayne on the Scrutiny Commission.

Councillor Morrell was permitted to submit a petition with 358 signatures with the following title:

“We the Parishioners of Sheepy feel betrayed by current Government Housing Policies.

·         The Parishioners & Parish Council recognised and agreed the need for more housing.

·         The Parish Council worked with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council to produce an agreed core strategy yet the Government is imposing housing numbers on Local Councils which far exceed the numbers laid down in the core strategy.

·         The Localism Act was supposed to empower the local community yet local wishes and opinions are being ignored contrary to the Localism policy.

·         The National Planning Policy Framework was supposed to protect the countryside from inappropriate development yet present Government policy is giving housing developers carte blanche to develop on valuable quality agricultural land.

·         A rising population not only needs to be housed but needs to be fed and according to new research, Britain is running out of land for food and faces a potential shortfall of two million hectares by 2030.

We the Parishioners of Sheepy Magna and Sheepy Parva insist that the Government reconsiders this policy immediately and uses its leadership and influence over HBBC to remove the intent of using prime agricultural land for an unwanted expansion of the village which will, over time, completely destroy its character and which is very much against voters’ wishes!”

It was agreed that Councillor Morrell would raise the issue further under the Statement of Community Involvement.

Councillor Crooks presented a petition with 434 signatures with the following title:

“We the undersigned wish to object to the proposed plan to build 450 houses known as ‘Thrussel Meadows’ in Barlestone & Osbaston on the grounds of increased traffic, overdevelopment of the site and lack of facilities & amenities to support this type & size of major development.”

The petition was accepted and it was agreed that it would be passed to the Planning team.

No interests were declared at this stage.

The Mayor briefly reported that he had attended many enjoyable events recently.

Questions received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule number 11.1 are attached.

The attached questions were asked in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1 and answers provided. Supplementary questions were asked as follows:

(b)        Councillor Moore asked if there had been an annual increase in car parking charges under the previous Conservative administration. In response it was stated that there had been annual increases as per the response circulated.

(c)        Councillor Moore queried the position of the Council nationally with regard to Council Tax. In response it was reported that the authority was the ninth lowest.

(d)        Councillor Camamile asked why other authorities could collect carrier bags whilst HBBC’s contractor could not. The Executive member explained that, whilst the contract had never included collection of carrier bags, they had taken them anyway due to the high value of other recyclable materials in the bins. Due to the lower value of recyclable materials now, the contractor was not willing to take them under the current contract. It was explained that other authorities would be paying more for their contract and as such, carrier bags could be taken.

Mr Mayor, fellow Councillors, officers, members of the public and media

We have a weighty agenda before us tonight, and not just in terms of the amount of paper.  All the topics we will be discussing have important impacts on citizens who live and work in our Borough - in both the short - and in the case of planning and finance - the longer term. All these issues deserve our full and serious attention.

Since the Extraordinary meeting earlier this month, matters have progressed positively with the Leisure Centre and the contract is due to be signed formally tomorrow, with preliminary work on site commencing next week and main contract works starting by the end of October 2014.  We are very close now to making a physical start on this major project, which will be a flagship for our Borough.

Work on the Bus Station continues at pace and we should be seeing construction of steel work for key buildings in October as well.  I know of few, if any, other District Councils of our size who are undertaking two such significant development projects at this time.  The hard work from officers and members of the administration over a long period is about to bear fruit, despite opposition and scare-mongering from the other side of this Chamber.

I need to point out also, as our Budget Strategy for 2015/16 is on tonight's agenda, the significant additional pressures we will face (as will other Districts) because of the decisions made and anticipated by Leicestershire County Council for the next few years.  These relate particularly to Recycling, where the impact on Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council alone is likely to exceed £1m going into 2017/18. 

Can I update Members also on recent and future deliberations of the Executive.  Earlier this evening, we met to consider the Earl Shilton and Barwell Area Action Plan, which has been endorsed by an Independent Inspector, and the Statement of Community Involvement, and have endorsed both, prior to consideration at this meeting, as required by the Constitution.

On 6 August, we gave our full endorsement to the Annual Report on our Services and

Support to Rural Areas (2013/14) and agreed the enhancement schemes in the Environmental Improvement Programme for 2014/15.

Tomorrow evening, 24 September, we will be giving consideration to the Strategic Housing Market Assessment, a requirement that all authorities in Leicestershire and the City are obliged to do.  I also hope to bring about a sustainable resolution to the long-standing issues at Mallory Park Race Circuit, where positive work has been undertaken by the Operator, RML, who started in March this year.

Finally, Mr Mayor, in commending this Statement to the Council, can I congratulate Leicester City on their historic win last Sunday.  There are comments/jokes I could make about the team they played, but both to spare the blushes of the Chief Executive and to concentrate on a tremendous performance by 'the Foxes', I will refrain from doing so!

Councillor Stuart Bray

Leader of  ...  view the full agenda text for item 179.

The Leader started his speech by sending his best wishes to Councillor Ward who had damaged his knee.

During his position statement, the Leader referred to progress on the Leisure Centre contract, work on the Bus Station site, difficult budget decisions needed for the future, the Earl Shilton and Barwell Area Action Plan consultation and forthcoming Executive consideration of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and Mallory Park noise control.

To receive for information only the minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 3 & 17 July and 28 August 2014.

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission introduced the minutes of recent meetings.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Members received a report which outlined increasing pressure on the Social Services Adaptations budget and requested a virement to address this. Members asked questions regarding the waiting list for adaptations, the average costs and the reasons for removing adaptations when a property is vacated. In response to these and other comments, the following points were made:

·         The assessment process undertaken by Social Services was very lengthy as they were under-resourced

·         The average cost of an adaptation was £862

·         There was currently no waiting list for HBBC to carry out the work once a referral, specification and necessary permissions were received

·         Whilst properties were advertised as having adaptations in place, it was important to ensure adaptations met the needs of the individual, and as such there were often no residents on the housing waiting list requiring that particular adaptation.

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

RESOLVED – the virement of £100,000 from the Major Voids capital budget to the Social Services Adaptations capital budget be approved in accordance with financial procedure rules.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Council was informed of the new Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) powers, the Community Trigger and Endeavour. During discussion reference was made to the lack of resources within the Police, the increased perception of anti social behaviour and the excellent work of Endeavour. It was moved by Councillor Bill, seconded by Councillor Witherford and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The provisions of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 be noted and powers be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) and authorised officers to take action under Part 4 of that Act;

(ii)           The ASB policy be approved;

(iii)          The Community Trigger detailed in the report be noted;

(iv)         The work of the Endeavour team in tackling a wide range of Community Protection issues and improving public confidence be noted and commended.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members were informed of a new externally funded cycling and walking scheme called ‘Active Hinckley’. During discussion, Members referred to walking and cycling initiatives set up by other local employers, including the bus station developer. It was moved by Councillor Cope, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            the securing of external funding be welcomed;

(ii)           the creation of income and expenditure budgets of £45,000 for 2014/15 and £65,000 for 2015/16, to be funded from the external grant via the Department of Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund and issued by Leicestershire County Council, be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

The Statement of Accounts and Annual Governance Statement for 2013/14 was presented to members. The Chairman of the Finance, Audit & Performance Committee reported that the Auditors were happy with the documents and she thanked the Finance team for their hard work. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The Statement of Accounts for the year 2013/14 be approved;

(ii)           The expected ‘unqualified’ audit opinion be noted.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

The Budget Strategy 2015/16 was presented to Council in conjunction with the Statement of Accounts and the New Homes Bonus reports also on the agenda for this meeting. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and by majority

RESOLVED – the Budget Strategy 2015/16 be approved.

An extract from the minutes of the meeting of the Finance, Audit & Performance Committee on 15 September containing a recommendation to Council is attached.

Members received a report which provided information on the levels of funding to parish councils by the Borough Council. Attention was drawn to the supplementary agenda which contained a recommendation from the Finance, Audit & Performance Committee that the New Homes Bonus allocation to parish councils be withdrawn with effect from 2015/16.

Several Councillors expressed concern regarding the removal of funding to already struggling parishes. It was highlighted that the forwarding of New Homes Bonus monies to parishes was discretionary and that HBBC was the only authority in Leicestershire who did this and it had been made clear from the outset that it was never intended to be relied upon by parishes.

The provision of Council Tax Support to parishes was discussed, and it was agreed that there was currently no intention to remove this, and it would only be removed as a last resort.

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

RESOLVED –

(i)            The significant level of discretionary support provided to parish councils and the Special Expenses Area to date be noted;

(ii)           In light of the requirement contained in the Medium Term Financial Strategy to consider removal of the New Homes Bonus in order to ensure minimum general fund balance levels from 2015/16 onwards, the ending of all payments of New Homes Bonus to parish councils and the special expenses area from 2015/16 be approved;

(iii)          The ongoing provision of Council Tax Support funding to parish councils be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

A report seeking to dispose of the Middlefield Lane site was presented to Council. A member asked whether it would be a good idea to market the site with outline planning permission as had been done previously with another site. In response it was felt that there would be not benefit to doing so, but if no suitable tenders were received this would be reconsidered. Concern was also expressed that the site had been considered for council housing, but it was felt to be too large and too expensive. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The use of a formal tender process for marketing and disposal at a figure of not less than £2.2m be approved;

(ii)           Authority to accept a tender and dispose of the land at a value not less than £2.2m be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Council gave consideration to the Earl Shilton & Barwell Area Action Plan. It was reported that the Inspector had recommended modifications which had been incorporated. During discussion, the following points were raised:

·         The need to avoid over-provision of affordable flats in Earl Shilton

·         the importance of bringing the employment land into use early in the Barwell SUE development

·         concern regarding Mill Lane in Earl Shilton becoming a ‘rat run’ and the need to avoid heavy lorries using that road

·         the position regarding town centre regeneration for Earl Shilton

·         the viability claim from developers of Barwell SUE regarding the affordable housing provision.

In response to comments made, the Leader explained that planning permission for Barwell SUE had not been issued, as he was not yet satisfied that the commitments would be delivered and permission would not be issued until an agreement that was the best possible for the area had been reached.

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

RESOLVED –

(i)            the conclusions and recommendations of the Planning Inspector of the Earl Shilton and Barwell Area Action Plan be noted;

(ii)           the Earl Shilton and Barwell Area Action Plan be adopted.

Councillor Lay left the meeting at 8.45pm.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members received a report on the findings of the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) Consultation Statement and resulting modifications. At this point, Councillor Morrell spoke on his petition (minute 174 refers) which called for the Government to reconsider its intention to expand the villages of Sheepy Magna and Sheepy Parva, using agricultural land.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and by majority

RESOLVED –

(i)            The findings of the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) Consultation Statement and resulting modifications to the final SCI be approved;

(ii)           The publication of the SCI to inform plan-making and decision-taking be approved.

Motion received from Councillor Gould, seconded by Councillor Hulbert:

The council notes:

-           It has been estimated that the UK Treasury loses as much as £12 billion to tax dodging by multinational companies every year. Developing countries lose three times more to tax dodging than they receive in aid each year – enough to give a basic education to the 57 million children currently missing out.

-           The UK has a particular responsibility to end tax dodging, as it is responsible for 1 in 5 of the world’s tax havens in the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

-           The use of tax havens by UK companies is rife, with 98 of the FTSE 100 companies routinely using tax havens.

-           Large multinational companies pay as little as 5% in corporate taxes globally, while smaller businesses pay up to 30%.

This council believes:

-           As a local authority we have a duty to provide the best possible public services.

-           Our ability to provide quality local services would be significantly enhanced by the increased revenues from the government tackling tax dodging.

-           All who benefit from public spending should contribute their fair share.

-           The UK must take a lead role in creating a fairer tax system and combatting tax dodging.

This council resolves:

-               To support the campaign for tax justice, supporting the motion:

“While many ordinary people face falling household income and rising costs of living,

some multinational companies are avoiding billions of pounds of tax from a tax

system that fails to make them pay their fair share. Local governments in developing

countries and the UK alike would benefit from a fairer tax system where multinational

companies pay their fair share, enabling authorities around the world to provide

quality public services. The UK government must listen to the strength of public

feeling and act to end the injustice of tax dodging by large multinational companies,

in developing countries and the UK.”

Councillor Gould, seconded by Councillor Hulbert, proposed the following motion:

The council notes:

-           It has been estimated that the UK Treasury loses as much as £12 billion to tax dodging by multinational companies every year. Developing countries lose three times more to tax dodging than they receive in aid each year – enough to give a basic education to the 57 million children currently missing out.

-           The UK has a particular responsibility to end tax dodging, as it is responsible for 1 in 5 of the world’s tax havens in the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

-           The use of tax havens by UK companies is rife, with 98 of the FTSE 100 companies routinely using tax havens.

-           Large multinational companies pay as little as 5% in corporate taxes globally, while smaller businesses pay up to 30%.

This council believes:

-           As a local authority we have a duty to provide the best possible public services.

-           Our ability to provide quality local services would be significantly enhanced by the increased revenues from the government tackling tax dodging.

-           All who benefit from public spending should contribute their fair share.

-           The UK must take a lead role in creating a fairer tax system and combatting tax dodging.

This council resolves:

-               To support the campaign for tax justice, supporting the motion:

“While many ordinary people face falling household income and rising costs of living,

some multinational companies are avoiding billions of pounds of tax from a tax

system that fails to make them pay their fair share. Local governments in developing

countries and the UK alike would benefit from a fairer tax system where multinational

companies pay their fair share, enabling authorities around the world to provide

quality public services. The UK government must listen to the strength of public

feeling and act to end the injustice of tax dodging by large multinational companies,

in developing countries and the UK.”

Following discussion, it was unanimously

RESOLVED – the above motion be sent to HM Treasury.