Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Boothby, Cope, L Mullaney, M Mullaney and O’Shea.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2023.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 3 October be confirmed as a correct record.

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.

Councillor Sutton declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 16b as chair of Dixie Educational Foundation.

To receive such communications as the Mayor may decide to lay before the Council and to acknowledge the long service of three members of staff.

The Mayor presented two long service awards to members of staff who had each worked for the council for forty years. He then updated Council on recent events attended.

Question from Councillor Sutton to the Executive member for Planning:

“In relation to residential development in the borough, can the Executive member please confirm:

(a)  How many new homes the borough is expected to complete per year over the next five years, including any overspill agreed to be taken from Leicester City

(b)  Over the last five years, how many have been completed versus the target?

(c)   Several applications have been refused on the grounds that they are outside the settlement boundaries. Is there room to build what we have to, inside the present settlement boundaries?”

Response from Councillor Crooks:

“Thank you for your question. In response:

(a)  The council’s trajectory shows delivery of 2,424 dwellings in the five year period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027. This is proposed completions only and does not take account of any overspill from Leicester City, of which none has been agreed

(b)  From 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2022 a total of 1,947 dwellings were completed. This is against a target at the time (changing through the five years) of 2,289 dwellings

(c)   In the past five years to 31 March 2022, completed dwellings (on major sites, greater than 10 dwellings only) were 941 on greenfield sites and 417 on brownfield / previously developed land. It is not considered that going forward, with an annual target of 472 dwellings plus 5% buffer, that there is sufficient brownfield / previously developed land to meet these housing targets.

Question from Councillor Sutton to the Executive member for Planning:

“In relation to residential development in the borough, can the Executive member please confirm:

(a)  How many new homes the borough is expected to complete per year over the next five years, including any overspill agreed to be taken from Leicester City

(b)  Over the last five years, how many have been completed versus the target?

(c)   Several applications have been refused on the grounds that they are outside the settlement boundaries. Is there room to build what we have to, inside the present settlement boundaries?”

Response from Councillor Crooks:

“Thank you for your question. In response:

(a)  The council’s trajectory shows delivery of 2,424 dwellings in the five year period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027. This is proposed completions only and does not take account of any overspill from Leicester City, of which none has been agreed

(b)  From 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2022 a total of 1,947 dwellings were completed. This is against a target at the time (changing through the five years) of 2,289 dwellings

(c)   In the past five years to 31 March 2022, completed dwellings (on major sites, greater than 10 dwellings only) were 941 on greenfield sites and 417 on brownfield / previously developed land. It is not considered that going forward, with an annual target of 472 dwellings plus 5% buffer, that there is sufficient brownfield / previously developed land to meet these housing targets.

By way of supplementary question, Councillor Sutton asked when and how the issue of lack of brownfield space would be addressed. In response, Councillor Crooks stated that it would require a change in national policy.

Mr Mayor, Members, as this is our last full Council meeting prior to Christmas I would like to extend my warm Christmas wishes to you all for a safe and Merry Christmas. You will note my statement has, on the whole, a Christmas theme to it.

Christmas lights

On Friday, 17 November we launched the festive season with our annual Christmas light switch on and firework display, sponsored by the Showman’s Guild. We drew bumper crowds who enjoyed the live music and Fosse 107 radio.

I would like to extend my thanks to all officers involved in putting on the event and those volunteers who helped support the evening.

Free parking for Christmas period

I am pleased to announce that shoppers can park for free in Lower Bond Street, Trinity West and Castle car parks after 9am in the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas on the 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th and 23^rd December. I would also remind everyone that parking is free on Sundays throughout the year and shoppers can also park for free in North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) car park on these Saturdays before Christmas.

Whilst recognising the financial challenges that everyone is facing this Christmas, I hope the free parking offer will encourage residents to support their local high street, market and hospitality venues.

BID success

I am pleased to confirm that Hinckley BID secured its fourth five-year term, following a successful ballot of over 400 businesses in the town centre. 74% of eligible businesses voted in favour of a further five-year term. The BID works closely with the council in promoting our annual joint events programme and in showcasing what the town has to offer along with providing support to local businesses.

Hollycroft Park – People’s Choice Awards

Sticking with the Christmas cheer, I am delighted that Hollycroft Park, Hinckley, has been listed nationally by the public as one of their most impressive green spaces as part of the 2023 People’s Choice Awards – a top 10 park in the country. This builds on recent success in securing a Green Flag award.

This is fantastic news and thank you to everyone who voted for the park. To be recognised as one of the top 10 favourite parks in the country rightly acknowledges the amazing contributions of our staff, the Friends of Hollycroft Park and all our volunteers and visitors that make this such a great place to visit at the heart of our community.

Our new big bin service launched

I am delighted to announce that our new big bin service has been launched and take up is going well. This service is aimed at those who are throwing out numerous items which are too big to fit in a standard waste bin, but do not have enough to fill up a skip. Details of the service can be found on the council’s website and have been published to the media and in the Borough Bulletin.

I would  ...  view the full agenda text for item 188.

In his position statement, the leader referred to:

·         The Christmas lights switch on

·         Free parking in Hinckley for the Christmas period

·         Hinckley BID securing its fourth five-year term

·         Hollycroft Park being voted in the top ten parks in the country

·         Launch of the new big bin service

·         The high performance of the planning team

·         The examination for the Hinckley national rail freight interchange

·         The free tree scheme

·         Rollout of a considerate parking campaign

·         Remembrance Sunday events

·         Ukrainian families’ visit to Birmingham Conservatoire

·         Christmas events.

During discussion on the position statement, the Leader committed to exploring alternatives to noisy fireworks for future council events. Officers were thanked for their hard work in providing events for residents.

To receive for information only the minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 26 October 2023.

The chair of the Scrutiny Commission presented the minutes of the meeting held on 26 October.

To seek support for the regeneration of the flats at Peggs Close, Earl Shilton.

Members were informed of the proposals for regeneration of the flats at Peggs Close, Earl Shilton. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Weightman and unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)            Option B, which included demolition of existing flats and further work to draw up a detailed scheme, be supported;

(ii)          The capital budget be increased by £1,181,073 to ensure maximum flexibility in determining the mix of property types / scheme design;

(iii)         The issuing of a demolition notice be approved;

(iv)         The associated one-off home loss and disturbance payments of £200,000 be approved.

To seek support for adoption and implementation of the Green Space Strategy and Delivery Plan.

Consideration was given to the Green Space Strategy and delivery plan for 2023 to 2033. During discussion, a member asked whether any sites outside of Hinckley were included and Council was reminded that open space outside of Hinckley was generally managed by the relevant parish council, but that countryside sites under the council’s management, such as Burbage Common, were included in this strategy. A member’s concern about provision of pitches for organised sport was also acknowledged.

It was moved by Councillor Hodgkins, seconded by Councillor Bray and unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)            The Green Space Strategy and delivery plan be adopted;

(ii)          The capital investment and budget requirements for schemes over the term of the plan be approved;

(iii)         Delivery of the strategy and plan be delegated to the Head of Street Scene Services and Executive member for Parks, Open Spaces and Neighbourhood Services.

To seek approval of the review outcomes in relation to polling districts and polling places.

Appendix C to the report (maps) are available on the website alongside the agenda.

Addendum to report:

Paragraph 3.6.11: disregard lines 2 and 4 and substitute with “no changes to the polling district boundaries and polling place for DAC and DAD”.

Appendix C: disregard map 2.

The final recommendations of the Polling District and Polling Place review were presented. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bools and unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)            All descriptions of polling places be redesignated to better reflect the legal definition of a polling place as a specific location to which a voter can travel, such as a building or a road;

(ii)          The delegated authority of the Chief Executive to agree ‘polling station changes’ at short notice in consultation with group leaders and relevant ward member(s) (section 2, paragraph 3.2 of the Council’s constitution), be amended to read ‘polling place changes’;

(iii)         The polling place for FAD (Earl Shilton ward) be designated as Belle Vue Road and Heath Land Academy, Earl Shilton, as a temporary measure with the intention of pursuing the use of Newlands Communty Primary School;

(iv)         The boundaries of DAA and DAB (Hinckley Castle ward) be merged to simplify boundaries, with a new polling district DAA created with the polling place designated as Mount Road Baptist Church, Mount Road, Hinckley;

(v)          The boundary of EAB (Hinckley Clarendon ward) be extended westwards to better reflect the shape of the established neighbourhood;

(vi)         The boundary of EAC (Hinckley Clarendon ward) be split to make the Hollycroft Grange / Normandy Way development a separate new polling district, EAE, with the polling place for EAE temporarily designated as Hope Community Church, Deveron Way, Hinckley;

(vii)        The boundaries of polling districts ABA and ABC (Hinckley De Montfort ward) be redrawn to create a third, new polling district (ABD);

(viii)       The polling place for ABB (Hinckley De Montfort ward) be changed to Hinckley Methodist Church, Albert Road, Hinckley;

(ix)         The polling place for new polling district ABD (Hinckley De Montfort ward) be designated as Ashby Road Sports Club, Ashby Road, Hinckley;

(x)          The boundaries of ACA and ACB (Hinckley Trinity ward) be merged to create a new polling district ACA with the polling place designated as St Francis Community Centre, Tudor Road, Hinckley;

(xi)         The boundary of polling district ACC (Hinckley Trinity ward) be split to create two smaller polling districts, ACB and ACC with the polling place for ACB designated as Hope Community Church, Deveron Way, Hinckley and the new polling place for ACC designated as Gwendoline Community House, Gwendoline Avenue, Hinckley.

To inform Council of the statutory increase in planning fees and approve the amendment to the scale of fees & charges.

Council was informed of a statutory increase in planning fees to be implemented from 6 December. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor W Crooks and unanimously

RESOLVED – the imposed increases be noted and the amendment to the scale of fees and charges be approved.

To seek approval of the Medium Terms Financial Strategy for 2023/24 to 2027/28.

The Scrutiny Commission gave consideration to this report at its meeting on 26 October. An extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Consideration was given to the medium term financial strategy for 2023/24 to 2027/28. In response to members’ questions, it was hoped that there would be progress on the development of the crematorium to report in early 2024. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – The medium term financial strategy for 2023/24 to 2027/28 be approved.

To seek endorsement for the new corporate plan.

Members received the new corporate plan for 2024 to 2028. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bools and

RESOLVED – the new corporate plan for 2024 to 2028 be endorsed.

To appoint one representative for a term of three years with effect from December 2023.

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

RESOLVED – Councillor Green be appointed to Alderman Newton’s Educational Foundation, Barwell for a term of three years with effect from December 2023.

To appoint four representatives for a term of three years with effect from December 2023.

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

RESOLVED – Councillor Cartwright, Councillor Cook, Councillor W Crooks and Mrs J Glennon be appointed to the Dixie Educational Foundation for a term of three years with effect from December 2023.

This motion has been deferred to the next meeting at the request of the mover and seconder.

This motion was deferred to the following meeting at the request of the mover and seconder.

“This Council notes:

A recent cross-party emergency summit hosted by Eastbourne Borough Council, alongside the District Councils Network and attended by 158 local authorities (half of all local authorities in England), discussed the national crisis relating to homelessness and temporary accommodation. Ordinary working families and single people are caught up in a housing crisis that is no fault of theirs. Local authorities across the country spent £1.7bn on temporary accommodation in the last financial year.

Homeless presentations to the borough council have risen by 93% from 2020/21 to 2022/23 and continue to rise. Our spend on temporary accommodation during this time has more than doubled. A combination of new responsibilities from the Homelessness Reduction Act, private sector rents being beyond the means of many people and the lack of affordable housing options for people to move into has created this crisis. The lack of secure housing has a wider socio-economic impact on health, mental wellbeing, childhood development, productivity and communities.

This Council supports the outcomes of the emergency cross party summit and urgently requests that the government:

1.    Raises local housing allowance rates to a level that will cover at least 30% of local market rent and commit to annual uprating.

2.    Provides urgent additional funding to local authorities for discretionary housing payments of £100m in 2023-24 and £200m in 2024-25.

3.    Provides a £150m top-up to the homelessness prevention grant for 2024-25.

4.    Reviews the cap for housing benefit subsidy rate for local authority homelessness placements.

5.    Develops new policy to stimulate retention and supply in the privately rented sector.

6.    Gives councils the long-term funding, flexibility and certainty needed to increase the supply of social housing.”

Supplementary agenda: The following amendment will be proposed by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Bools as mover and seconder of the original motion:

Amend point 1 to read:

“1.        Commit to an annual uplifting of the local housing allowance rates to ensure it continues to cover at least 30% of local market rent”.

Notice had been given of the following motion:

“This Council notes:

A recent cross-party emergency summit hosted by Eastbourne Borough Council, alongside the District Councils Network and attended by 158 local authorities (half of all local authorities in England), discussed the national crisis relating to homelessness and temporary accommodation. Ordinary working families and single people are caught up in a housing crisis that is no fault of theirs. Local authorities across the country spent £1.7bn on temporary accommodation in the last financial year.

Homeless presentations to the borough council have risen by 93% from 2020/21 to 2022/23 and continue to rise. Our spend on temporary accommodation during this time has more than doubled. A combination of new responsibilities from the Homelessness Reduction Act, private sector rents being beyond the means of many people and the lack of affordable housing options for people to move into has created this crisis. The lack of secure housing has a wider socio-economic impact on health, mental wellbeing, childhood development, productivity and communities.

This Council supports the outcomes of the emergency cross party summit and urgently requests that the government:

1.    Raises local housing allowance rates to a level that will cover at least 30% of local market rent and commit to annual uprating.

2.    Provides urgent additional funding to local authorities for discretionary housing payments of £100m in 2023-24 and £200m in 2024-25.

3.    Provides a £150m top-up to the homelessness prevention grant for 2024-25.

4.    Reviews the cap for housing benefit subsidy rate for local authority homelessness placements.

5.    Develops new policy to stimulate retention and supply in the privately rented sector.

6.    Gives councils the long-term funding, flexibility and certainty needed to increase the supply of social housing.”

In proposing the motion, Councillor Bray seconded by Councillor Bools proposed an amendment to point 1 to read:

“1.        Commit to an annual uplifting of the local housing allowance rates to ensure it continues to cover at least 30% of local market rent”.

The amendment was accepted without debate and became the substantive motion.

Councillor R Allen, seconded by Councillor Cook, proposed the following amended motion:

“This Council notes:

Local Authorities spent £1.7bn on temporary accommodation in the last financial year. Homeless presentations to the Borough have almost doubled over the last 3 years.

The net cost to the Borough has more than doubled.

Private sector rents are at their highest on record, with available housing supply at its lowest.

Lack of secure housing has a wider socio-economic impact on health, productivity and communities.

A recent cross-party emergency summit hosted by Eastbourne Borough Council, alongside the District Councils Network and attended by 158 local authorities (half of all local authorities in England), discussed the national crisis relating to homelessness and temporary accommodation.

Ordinary working families and single people are caught up in a housing crisis that is no fault of their own.

This Council welcomes the announcement in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement that Local Housing Allowance rates will rise to a level that will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 197b

“This Council notes that while we welcome technological advances and development, there is an increasingly wide digital divide between those who have access to online services and those who don’t.

The Ofcom report of 2022 notes that 6% of households in the UK do not have access to online services. In Hinckley and Bosworth this would mean there are approximately 6,600 people who are unable to access digital services and these people are likely to be the most vulnerable in our communities, so those with disabilities, the young and the old and those on low incomes.

Therefore, this Council agrees to:

1.    Appoint a Digital Divide Champion to take an active lead in this area.

2.    Ensure all council services are available to all our residents and put in place action plans to resolve any deficits.

3.    Work with council partners to maximise digital skills for local residents and address digital poverty.

4.    Ensure that the implementation of future online services does not increase the digital divide and any future online developments take this into account.

5.    Call upon Leicestershire County Council and the government to ensure that their own services, government offices, national corporations and banks that utilise online services do not negatively impact on those who are unable to access digital equipment in line with the Equalities Act 2010.”

Supplementary agenda: In the absence of Councillor L Mullaney, this motion will be seconded by Councillor C Gibbens.

“This Council notes that while we welcome technological advances and development, there is an increasingly wide digital divide between those who have access to online services and those who don’t.

The Ofcom report of 2022 notes that 6% of households in the UK do not have access to online services. In Hinckley and Bosworth this would mean there are approximately 6,600 people who are unable to access digital services and these people are likely to be the most vulnerable in our communities, so those with disabilities, the young and the old and those on low incomes.

Therefore, this Council agrees to:

1.    Appoint a Digital Divide Champion to take an active lead in this area.

2.    Ensure all council services are available to all our residents and put in place action plans to resolve any deficits.

3.    Work with council partners to maximise digital skills for local residents and address digital poverty.

4.    Ensure that the implementation of future online services does not increase the digital divide and any future online developments take this into account.

5.    Call upon Leicestershire County Council and the government to ensure that their own services, government offices, national corporations and banks that utilise online services do not negatively impact on those who are unable to access digital equipment in line with the Equalities Act 2010.”

During discussion, it was reported that officers had agreed to review the disposal policy for IT equipment with the intention of donating it to a charity to distribute to those in need of equipment.

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            A digital divide champion be appointed to take an active lead in this area;

(ii)          It be ensured that all council services are available to all residents and an action plan be put in place to resolve any deficits;

(iii)         The Council works with partners to maximise digital skills for local residents and to address digital poverty;

(iv)         It be ensured that the implementation of future online services does not increase the digital divide and any future online developments take this into account;

(v)          Leicestershire County Council and the government be called upon to ensure that their services, government offices, national corporations and banks that utilise online services do not negatively impact on those who are unable to access digital equipment in line with the Equalities Act 2010.

“Once more we are looking forward to the festive season.

This motion proposes that this Council notes that the people of Ukraine are approaching their second Christmas at war and reaffirms its support for the Ukraine.

This motion further acknowledges the continuing work and support given to Ukrainian refugees by officers of this council and residents across the borough.

Lastly, this motion seeks to recognise and welcome the efforts and contributions made to our communities by Ukrainians who have made their new homes in the towns and rural communities throughout Hinckley & Bosworth.”

“Once more we are looking forward to the festive season.

This motion proposes that this Council notes that the people of Ukraine are approaching their second Christmas at war and reaffirms its support for the Ukraine.

This motion further acknowledges the continuing work and support given to Ukrainian refugees by officers of this council and residents across the borough.

Lastly, this motion seeks to recognise and welcome the efforts and contributions made to our communities by Ukrainians who have made their new homes in the towns and rural communities throughout Hinckley & Bosworth.”

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)            The Council’s support for the Ukraine be reaffirmed;

(ii)          The continuing work and support given to Ukrainian refugees by officers of this council and residents across the borough be acknowledged;

(iii)         The efforts and contributions made to our communities by Ukrainians who have made their new homes in the towns and rural communities throughout Hinckley & Bosworth be recognised.