Agenda and minutes

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillors Boothby, Lay and O’Shea.

Councillor Mrs Richards stated that, contrary to the minutes, Councillor Ladkin had left the previous meeting before her. On the motion of Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill, it was

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2012 be confirmed subject to the abovementioned amendment and signed by the Chairman.

No interests were declared at this stage.

The Mayor highlighted some of his recent events including his involvement in the Big Splash and his recent lunch with the Queen and Prince Philip. He thanked Councillor Taylor for doing a bungee jump to raise funds for his charities.

a)         Question asked by Councillor WJ Crooks and addressed to the Executive Member for Finance

            “Would the executive Member for Finance, ICT and Asset Management please advise me what Posts/Facilities are being funded by the Borough in some villages, but not in others?  I am aware that we put money into Market Bosworth for the Christmas Lights, but other anomalies have come to my notice.”

            Response from Councillor KWP Lynch

“Thank you Councillor Crooks for your question. The following expenditure in villages/ parishes was funded by this Council in the last financial year”:

Councillor Crooks said he would ask supplementary questions of officers outside of the meeting.

b)         Question asked by Councillor RG Allen and addressed to the Leader of Council

“Will the Leader please provide Members details of and key conclusions of the research undertaken by and on behalf of HBBC on the anticipated effects of footfall in Castle Street and Hinckley town centre, as a result of moving the council offices from Hinckley Town centre out to Hawley Road?”

Response from Councillor SL Bray

“It is important to set the context that there are many impacts on footfall in the town centre, of which this development is but one. There are a number of other developments, some involving this Council, but others also of a private nature.

The Town Centre Partnership, working with this Council, has installed footfall counters at various locations in the town over the last year and, whilst week by week monitoring is proving useful, longer term comparisons and projections can not be made on the information period over which data has been collected. This will be undertaken and analyses made as we build up our information base.

As Cllr Allen will be aware, the location of the Hub, at the south of the centre, is a balance to the developments already in place in the north west quarter of the town -the Atkins Building and the New College; both of which are fully anticipated to increase town centre footfall from that area. I will be happy to show longer term comparisons and projections, when we have more meaningful information to present.”

Councillor Allen asked when specific facts for such a significant project would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 482.

The Leader in his position statement referred to the Secretary of State having approved the Compulsory Purchase Order on the bus station site, forthcoming celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the challenges presented in light of the localisation of business rates and Council Tax discount and work being undertaken with partners on the issue of Troubled Families.

In presenting the minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meetings held on 30 January and 1 March 2012, Councillor Mr Hall highlighted the on-going review into Care of People with Dementia.

The Executive Member outlined recent successes and the value for money presented by Street Scene Services.  Discussion ensued around the new commercial waste service which had been underway for nine months and how this could not be compared with the service provided by Blaby District Council as their service had been in place for many years. The year on year savings made within the service were commended and all managers and staff within the service area were thanked for their work. On the motion of Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Bray it was

RESOLVED – the value for money of Street Scene Services and continued internal provision of refused, recycling, street cleansing and grounds maintenance to at least March 2018 be approved.

In presenting this report the Executive Member provided the background to the development of the report and to the Single Equality Scheme and stated that the comments of the Scrutiny Commission had now been incorporated. It was moved by Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – the Partnership Single Equality Scheme be approved.

Council received a report which informed them of the coming into force of section 25 of the Localism Act 2011 relating to predetermination. In summarising the key issues, the Executive Member explained that having previously given a view on a matter did not show a ‘closed mind’ and therefore a Member could remain in a meeting and participate in discussion and voting on that matter. Members of the Planning Committee in particular welcomed this change and the difference it would make in being able to support the community. It was moved by Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

Members received a report which had been endorsed by the Standards Committee and sought to outline the changes to the system of regulation of standards of conduct for elected Members in local authorities. It was noted that contrary to early suggestions of the Coalition Government, a code of conduct would be mandatory and the local authority would still be responsible for determining complaints. It was however explained that a big difference was that there would no longer be Independent Members, but that ‘Independent Persons’ would need to be appointed. These would have an entirely different role to the former Independent Members and would act in an advisory role, but would not be Co-opted Members of the authority. In the new regime, a Standards Committee would not be essential as determining complaints would be a Council function which could then be delegated to a smaller Committee, which would have to be politically balanced. It was suggested that this should be entitled ‘Ethical Governance Committee’.

Members expressed concern about having a politically balanced Committee to determine complaints but acknowledged that this was set out in the Act. Concern was also expressed about the appointment of Independent Persons and whilst generally in support of the suggestion to appoint a pool of Independent Persons across the Leicestershire districts, Members wished to have input into the final selection of those who would be the advisors for this authority.

It was proposed by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Moore that a working group be set up to consider the process that this authority should follow and to select the Independent Persons. This amendment was agreed.

On the motion of Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Bray it was

RESOLVED –

(i)         the changes made to the regime by the Localism Act be noted;

(ii)        the proposal to jointly recruit a pool of Independent Persons be agreed;

(iii)       a working group be set up to consider the process and select this authority’s Independent Persons;

(iv)       a report on the draft Code of Conduct and Regulations be brought back to Council when available.

The Executive Member presented a report which introduced the Member Development Strategy and gauged support for pursuing the East Midlands Councillor Development Charter. The level of Member involvement and support required was highlighted and it was suggested that the timescale for the current round of Development Needs Assessments be extended.

Members were in support of continuing work towards the Charter and acknowledged the work already undertaken by the Member Development Steering Group in monitoring and reviewing progress against the action plan.

On the motion of Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Bray, it was

RESOLVED –

(i)         the timescale for the 2012 Development Needs Assessments be extended;

(ii)        the Member Development Strategy be approved;

(iii)       the Councillor Development Charter be pursued.

Members were presented with the proposed terms of reference to be used in the Community Governance Review. On the motion of Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Witherford, it was

RESOLVED – the Community Governance Review and associated terms of reference be approved for publication.

Council was provided with the background to Compact Leicestershire and its development. It was moved by Councillor Bill, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – the adoption and implementation of Compact Leicestershire be supported.

a)   Motion from Councillor Mullaney

This Council notes:

• The Government plan to raise the income tax threshold to £10,000 so that the first £10,000 people earn will be tax free;

• That a recent opinion poll conducted by ComRes in February 2012 shows that a majority of people clearly support this policy;

• That last April the raising of the income tax threshold meant 800,000 people on low incomes now do not have to pay any income tax at all and that working people were also given a £200 tax cut; and that this year a further cut is planned so a further 1.1 million will not pay any income tax at all;

• The calls to speed up the raising of the threshold so that over 3 million lower paid people will not have to pay any income tax at all and those on lower and middle incomes will benefit from paying £700 less in tax a year;

• That this will have a clear impact on improving the lives of lower paid people in our area and those on benefits seeking work.

Council instructs the Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to support the campaign to speed up the raising of the tax threshold.

b)   Motion from Councillor Morrell

This Council notes the concerns of local people in a number of areas in the Borough in respect of the proposed development of wind farms in the vicinity of their homes, and the potential of such turbines to create low-frequency noise (infrasound) disturbance to residents along with a significant loss of amenity.

To this end, in order to protect local residents, this Council resolves that detailed planning policies be examined and adopted to ensure:

i)    Wind farm proposals should not be permitted if they would have a significant long term detrimental impact on the amenity of people living nearby;

ii)   A separation distance of at least 2km between wind turbines and residential properties.

(a)        It was noted that this motion had been withdrawn.

(b)        Motion from Councillor Morrell

This Council notes the concerns of local people in a number of areas in the Borough in respect of the proposed development of wind farms in the vicinity of their homes, and the potential of such turbines to create low-frequency noise (infrasound) disturbance to residents along with a significant loss of amenity.

To this end, in order to protect local residents, this Council resolves that detailed planning policies be examined and adopted to ensure:

i)    Wind farm proposals should not be permitted if they would have a significant long term detrimental impact on the amenity of people living nearby;

ii)   A separation distance of at least 2km between wind turbines and residential properties.

Many Members expressed concerns with regards to wind turbines and farms and felt that the Planning Committee should be asked to consider putting policies in place. It was moved by Councillor Crooks and seconded by Councillor Lynch that the matter be referred to the Planning Committee. The AMENDMENT was subsequently agreed. It was

            RESOLVED –

            (i)         the motion be supported;

(ii)        Council amends the relevant policy statements to ensure that this is put into effect.

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 Nichols, seconded by Councillor Gould 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

A report was presented which sought approval for the conversion of the void open plan office space on the top floor of the Atkins Building into serviced office space. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – the investment of £60,000 be approved towards the refurbishment of the top floor to allow for the provision of an additional ten office units.