Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors C Allen, R Allen, J Crooks, W Crooks, Ladkin and Pendlebury.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 22 February.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 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.

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

The Mayor reported on recent events and paid tribute to longstanding members, Councillors Bill, Lay, Morrell and Nichols, who were retiring in May.

Madam Mayor, members, officers and those members of the public who have joined this meeting, welcome to this last meeting of Council prior to the local elections in May. I have deliberately kept this brief on that basis. Below are a few brief highlights.

Firstly, I would like to echo the Mayor’s comments and provide my heartfelt thanks to our longstanding members who will be standing down from May following long and distinguished service to the communities of the borough.

Events update

This year’s pancake race was hugely popular with overwhelming attendance levels. Hinckley town centre saw its footfall increase by 25% from the previous year’s race.

This year’s St George’s Day and Scout Parade are taking place on Saturday, 22 April which will hopefully be another exceptionally well supported event.

A Music in the Mead Coronation Special takes place on Sunday, 7 May between 1pm and 3pm with the Jones Jazz Orchestra.

Then into June, we have the annual Proms in the Park event. This year our hosts are the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Wind Orchestra. We look forward to welcoming them to our borough. Hollycroft Park gates open at 5pm on Saturday, 10 June.

To mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, the borough council in partnership with the Rural Communities Council launched a new fund to help community groups to celebrate and commemorate this historic occasion. Over £14,000 worth of grants of up to £500 have been awarded to a wide range of community groups across our borough. 32 VCS groups will be delivering projects and events. Funding will support new flagpoles, the purchase of Union flags, commemorative benches, new orchards and wildflower gardens. This includes 22 celebration events across the borough including village fund days and garden parties.

Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange proposal

As members will be aware, following the council’s and other partner responses to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) on 3 February, the application was withdrawn. Our chief concerns were the inadequacy of the time given to respond, shortcomings in the information provided, including incomplete baseline technical data, and the fact that the consultation fell far short of the government’s own guidance and case law on such matters.

I can now confirm the application was resubmitted in March. On the face of it no significant changes have been submitted in either the technical outputs or the consultation report.

We have therefore notified PINS that the Council retains its position over the inadequacy of the consultation and technical detail provided on which to base any meaningful response.

I remain deeply concerned over the huge environmental impacts of the proposal on Burbage Common and impact on the local area arising from the huge increase in freight train movements and associated 50,000 daily HGV movements in the local area.

Thank you

I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the senior management team and officers from across the council who do an incredible job in supporting our communities (which was exemplified during Covid  ...  view the full agenda text for item 349.

In his position statement, the Leader referred to recent events, the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange and thanked members and officers for their support over the last four years. Members paid tribute to retiring councillors and echoed the Leader’s thanks to all members and officers.

To receive for information only the minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 16 March.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Commission were received for information.

To review the recommendations of the Constitution Working Group and agree amendments to the council’s constitution.

Consideration was given to a report of the Constitution Working Group which recommended updates to the council’s constitution. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED – the amendments listed in the appendices to the report be approved.

Further to the political balance set out in the agenda, it is recommended that:

(i)            Councillor Roberts remains on the Planning Committee but as an independent member in order to achieve the required balance

(ii)          Councillor Roberts be appointed to the Audit Committee. The Chief Executive in consultation with the group leader be granted delegated authority to approve membership from the conservative group in order to achieve the required political balance should a meeting of the Audit Committee be required in advance of the election of the new Council.

Following a change of political group membership, members were presented with an updated political balance and recommended committee membership. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The political balance set out in the agenda be approved;

(ii)          Councillor Roberts remain on the Planning Committee as an independent member;

(iii)         Councillor Roberts be appointed to the Audit Committee;

(iv)         The Chief Executive, in consultation with the group leader, be granted delegated authority to approve membership of the Audit Committee from the conservative group in order to achieve the required political balance should a meeting of the committee be required in advance of the election of the new Council.

To consider the passing of a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the public from the undermentioned item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 10 of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act.

On the motion of Councillor Glenville seconded by Councillor Gibbens, it was

RESOLVED – in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Summary of amendments to report attached.

Members received a report relating to the lease of a retail unit. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The options contained in the report be acknowledged;

(ii)          The decision on the most appropriate option including any variation and subsequent completion of the lease be delegated to the Estates & Asset Manager in consultation with the Leader and the Executive member for Finance.