Agenda and minutes

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

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2012 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor.

(a)        It was reported at this juncture that former Borough Councillor John Bown was unwell and it was agreed that a card be sent from the Mayor on behalf of the Council.

(b)        It was noted that an emergency motion had been received and would be dealt with under the relevant agenda item. It was confirmed that the matter was considered urgent due to only becoming aware of the matter after the preparation of the agenda.

(c)        It was stated that the Leader’s position statement contained some information that would interest members of the public due to arrive at 7.30pm. It was agreed that when the aforementioned group of members of the public arrived, the item being debated at that point be allowed to draw to its natural conclusion and the Leader then be permitted to make his statement.

(d)        It was agreed that item 21 (Review of the Constitution) be deferred to the next meeting to allow for consideration by the Planning Committee of planning-related proposed changes.

No declarations were made at this stage.

The Mayor reported on the success of Hinckley Carnival and the forthcoming visit of a delegation from Grand Quevilly.

In response to a question, the Mayor stated that he had written to congratulate TeamGB on their Olympic success and the IOC on the organisation of the Games and agreed to send a copy of the letter to Councillor Ladkin.

a)         Question from Councillor Hulbert to Councillor Bray

“Could the Leader inform the Council what the new National Planning Policy Framework says about sustainable developments such as the one proposed for Barwell?”

Response from Councillor Bray

“The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is underpinned by a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’.  Paragraph 14 of the NPPF clearly emphasises this:

Indeed, the Ministerial foreword (made by the former Minister for Planning, the Right Honourable Greg Clark M.P) to the NPPF confirms “sustainable development is about positive growth – making economic, environmental and social progress for this and future generations…. Development that is sustainable should go ahead without delay…”.

“At the heart of the National Planning Policy Framework is a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which should be seen as a golden thread running through both plan-making and decision-taking.

For plan-makingthis means that:

·         local planning authorities should positively seek opportunities to meet the development needs of their area;

·          Local Plans should meet objectively assessed needs, with sufficient flexibility to adapt to rapid change, unless:

n        any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole; or

n        specific policies in this Framework indicate development should be restricted.

For decision-takingthis means:

·         approving development proposals that accord with the development plan without delay; and

·         where the development plan is absent, silent or relevant policies are outof date, granting permission unless:

n        any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole; or

n        specific policies in this Framework indicate development should be restricted.”

The guidance goes on to reaffirm that “Housing applications should be considered in the context of the presumption in favour of sustainable development (para 49 NPPF).”  It further states in relation to support growth and urban extensions that “The supply of new homes can sometimes be best achieved through planning for larger scale developments, such as new settlements or extensions to existing villages and towns……” (para 52 NPPF).

Underpinning this support for sustainable growth, the NPPF states that “The Government is committed to ensuring that the planning system does everything it can to support sustainable economic growth.  Planning should operate to encourage and not act as an impediment to sustainable growth.  Therefore, significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth through the planning system.”(para 19 NPPF).”

b)         Question from Councillor Hulbert to Councillor Bray

“Could the Leader inform me when the idea of a sustainable urban extension for Barwell and Earl Shilton was first mooted? And which group controlled the Council at the time?”

Response from Councillor Bray

“A Draft Core Strategy Preferred Options Document was published for public consultation in July 2006 (prior to the Liberal Democrats gaining control of Hinckley & Bosworth at the 2007 election).  This identified the Council’s preferred vision for shaping future  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission presented the minutes of the meeting on 24 May 2012 for information, making reference in particular to the review into care for people with dementia, which would be concluded shortly.

Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 on the agenda (Final outturn, Statement of Accounts, Annual Governance Statement and Review of Reserves) were introduced and discussed together (but voting recorded separately). During discussion, the following points were made:

• Following previous discussions on the possibility of payments to staff earning below £21,000 and payment of the ‘living wage’ as a minimum, it was confirmed that both of these had now been actioned and payment of the living wage had been backdated to April 2012.
• Good progress had been made on reserves, which were twice the minimum balance.
• The HRA was ringfenced.
• With reference to item 10 on page 17 of the agenda, part of the LDF reserve had been set aside for the SUE and had been carried forward due to delays.
• A business case for the use of the New Homes Bonus was being put together.

The Accountancy Manager and team were thanks for their hard work.

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

RESOLVED –

(i)         the outturn positions for 2011/12 and associated transfers to balances set out in paragraphs 3.4 and 3.10 of the report be approved;

(ii)        the carry forward to 2012/13 as set out in appendices 1 and 2 to the report be approved.

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

RESOLVED – the statement of accounts for 2011/12 be approved.

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

RESOLVED – the Annual Governance Statement be approved.

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

RESOLVED –

(i)         transfers from balances to reserves as outlined in section 3.4 of the report be approved;

(ii)        the use of earmarked reserves to fund future spend as outlined in section 3.7 of the report be approved.

Members received a report which provided an update on the outcome of the recent developer procurement process for the civic offices site on Argents Mead and the termination of the procurement process due to the current poor market conditions was being recommended.  It was further explained that arising from an independent Options Appraisal the possibility of building a leisure centre on the site was now being considered

There was general support for the suggestion to build a new leisure centre on Argents Mead, but concern for how this fit into the overall ‘jigsaw’ of the capital programme and the possibility of a ‘sporting hub’ on Leicester Road was expressed.

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

RESOLVED –

(i)         the outcome of the recent developer procurement process for a residential / retirement village on this site be noted and the termination of the process be endorsed;

(ii)        the progression of feasibility work in respect of possible development of a leisure centre on the site be agreed;

(iii)       the establishment of a new project board to lead the leisure centre option work be supported;

(iv)       a report on the outcomes of the leisure centre option work be brought back to Council in November 2012.

At this juncture the Leader of the Council presented his position statement, mentioning the success of the Olympic and Paralympic events and successful delivery of local sporting and cultural initiatives linked to the Olympics.  He also highlighted work being undertaken on the development of a single framework scheme for Council Tax Discount across the county and decisions made by the Executive the previous week.

The Leader addressed members of the public present on the situation regarding the Sustainable Urban Extensions, including the background including the extensive public consultation already undertaken and progress made. Reference was made to the current government’s focus towards promoting development and also the obligation on the Borough Council as Local Planning Authority to determine any application received and the requirement to give weight to material planning considerations in doing so.

A report was presented which sought approval for the re-alignment of Housing Revenue Account budgets for various council house improvement schemes linked to the recently adopted Council Housing Investor Strategy and funding of housing surveys from the Housing Revenue Account balances. Some Members emphasised the success of services that had been brought in-house and suggested that such successes be promoted.

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

RESOLVED –

(i)         the 2012/13 allocation of the ‘earmarked’ service improvement expenditure as set out in the report be approved;

(ii)        the permanent transfer of £150,000 for service improvement expenditure from the Housing Revenue Account General Fund budget to the HRA Capital Budget be approved;

(iii)       the future allocation from 2013/14 of the £150,000 for service improvement expenditure be delegated to the Chief Officer, Business, Contract and Street Scene Services and the Executive Member for Housing in accordance with agreed Tenant Priorities;

(iv)       the movement of £120,000 from the existing Major Voids Enhancements Housing Revenue Account Capital Budget to the Kitchen Upgrades Housing Revenue Account Capital Budget be approved;

(v)        the movement of £11,000 from the existing Windows: Single to Double Glazing Capital Budget to a newly created Sheltered Accommodation Improvements Capital Budget be approved;

(vi)       the movement of £10,000 from the Environment Works Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget to a newly created Neighbourhood Improvement Fund Housing revenue Account Revenue Budget be approved;

(vii)      A supplementary estimate of £96,628 for the stock condition surveys and stock profile surveys from the Housing Revenue Account balances be approved.

(Councillor Richards was absent for the vote on this item).

Approval was sought for additional expenditure to be funded from additional grant funding and existing reserves to improve the drainage on Richmond Park. Members welcomed the report. It was moved by Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)         the increase in the project budget for the Richmond Park Project to £300,000 be approved;

(ii)        the increase of £62,880 be funded from additional FA grant funding of £49,823 and earmarked reserves of £13,057.

Council was informed of the issues surrounding the development of the Carlton Rural Exception Site and the funding shortfall was outlined. Members supported the report and congratulated officers on the work done to bring the project forward. On the motion of Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Bray, it was

RESOLVED –

(i)         the provision of a Rural Exception Site in Carlton be supported;

(ii)        the contribution of £55,000 to enable the development of the site to progress be approved.

(Councillor Bill was absent during voting on this item).

Members received a report which sought approval for adoption of a revised Property Asset Management Plan. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – the Property Asset Management Plan with Acquisition Strategy and Disposal Strategy be approved.

Approval was sought for the disposal of land at St Martins Drive, Desford. Members asked if the sum from the sale could be ringfenced for spending in that Ward. In response it was agreed that this would be checked and done if possible. On the motion of Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Bray, it was

RESOLVED – the sale of the land identified in appendix 1 to the report be sold for the sum of £125,000.

Members were updated on the Leicester-Shire and Rutland County Sports Partnership Annual Review 2011/12 and the excellent progress made in securing investment in sport within the Borough. On the motion of Councillor Cope, seconded by Councillor Bray, it was

RESOLVED –

(i)         the Leicester-shire and Rutland County Sports Partnership Annual Review be acknowledged and endorsed;

(ii)        the significant investment secured for sport and physical activity within the Borough during 2011/12 be noted and endorsed.

It was agreed that the annual review of the Constitution be deferred to the next meeting of Council.

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

RESOLVED – Councillor Cartwright be appointed as Chairman of the Appeals Panel for the remainder of the municipal year.

(Councillors Batty, Ladkin and Ward were not present during the vote).

In anticipation of the meeting continuing past 9.30pm, it was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and

RESOLVED – the meeting be permitted to continue until all remaining items of business had been transacted.

(a)        Received from Cllr Bray (to be seconded by Cllr Bannister)

“This Council notes with concern the decision by Leicestershire Police Authority to sell off Hinckley Police Station, an important public building in the centre of Hinckley, in secret and with no public consultation. Furthermore this Council is concerned that any future uses of this building should not add to the already grave on-street parking problems in this part of Hinckley”

(b)        Received Cllr Mullaney (to be seconded by Cllr Inman)

"Council notes with concern the proposals of the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) which would see the 66 current ambulance stations in this region, including one in Hinckley, replaced by 13 hub stations, one of which will be in Leicester.

EMAS will be announcing later this year the venue for it's public consultations. Because of the huge concern felt by many residents in the borough about the threat to Hinckley Ambulance Station, Council urges EMAS to visit a venue in Hinckley and Bosworth as part of the consultation.

Council believes that Hinckley's Ambulance Station is an important local service and should not be closed unless EMAS can provide extremely compelling and convincing evidence that changing to the Hub system will improve response times."

(c)        Received from Cllr Crooks (to be seconded by Cllr Mullaney)

"Council notes with concern the current proposal by Leicestershire County Council to remove the Number 7 bus service.

This is the only regular bus service that runs through many villages in our Borough including Fenny Drayton, Witherley and Sheepy Magna.

The proposed demand responsive transport that would replace the number 7 would mean far fewer buses, travelling on fewer days through these villages.

Council notes the large number of submissions to the County Council's consultation on the future of bus services, including many about the Number 7 bus. These included a submission from the Borough Council's Executive supporting the Number 7 service.

Council notes proposals submitted by residents, via a petition, which suggested an amended bus service running through these villages.

Council resolves to urge the County Council to maintain the number 7 bus service and look seriously at the option of an amended route as suggested by residents of the affected villages."

(d)        Received from Cllr Taylor

“This Council notes recent concerns and frustrations expressed by members of all groups about the advice often received from the Highways Authority. This Council therefore asks the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction) to investigate options for securing secondary highways advice on planning applications to allow members to make more fully informed decisions.”

(e)        Received from Cllr Bill

"This Council recognises the vital role played by Police Community Support Officers in the upkeep of law and order and urges both the County Council and the incoming Police & Crime Commissioner to ensure that they are retained in full despite the difficult financial situation ".

(f)         Received from Cllr Hulbert

“The Council notes:

1.   Already 1 in 4 households in the UK are  ...  view the full agenda text for item 181.

(a)        Motion from Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bannister

“This Council notes with concern the decision by Leicestershire Police Authority to sell off Hinckley Police Station, an important public building in the centre of Hinckley, in secret and with no public consultation. Furthermore this Council is concerned that any future uses of this building should not add to the already grave on-street parking problems in this part of Hinckley”

Discussion ensued regarding the lack of consultation by the Police Authority and the requirement to hold the meeting in private. Concern was expressed regarding parking provision.

Councillor Bray and five other Councillors requested that voting on the motion be recorded. The vote was taken as follows:

Councillors Bannister, Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Cope, Crooks, Gould, Mrs Hall, Mr Hall, Hodgkins, Hulbert, Inman, Lynch, Mayne, Mullaney, Nichols and Taylor voted FOR the motion (17);

Councillors Allen, Batty, Bessant, Camamile, Chastney, Ladkin, Lay, Moore, Morrell, Richards, Smith, Sprason and Ward abstained from voting.

The motion was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – the motion be supported.

(b)        Motion from Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Inman

"Council notes with concern the proposals of the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) which would see the 66 current ambulance stations in this region, including one in Hinckley, replaced by 13 hub stations, one of which will be in Leicester.

EMAS will be announcing later this year the venue for it's public consultations. Because of the huge concern felt by many residents in the borough about the threat to Hinckley Ambulance Station, Council urges EMAS to visit a venue in Hinckley and Bosworth as part of the consultation.

Council believes that Hinckley's Ambulance Station is an important local service and should not be closed unless EMAS can provide extremely compelling and convincing evidence that changing to the Hub system will improve response times."

Members shared concerns regarding the service and it was suggested that representatives of EMAS be invited to the Scrutiny Commission to enable Members to have a full understanding of the proposals and possible implications. It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Inman and

RESOLVED – the motion be supported and in addition EMAS be invited to the next suitable meeting of the Scrutiny Commission.

(c)        Motion from Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Mullaney

"Council notes with concern the current proposal by Leicestershire County Council to remove the Number 7 bus service.

This is the only regular bus service that runs through many villages in our Borough including Fenny Drayton, Witherley and Sheepy Magna.

The proposed demand responsive transport that would replace the number 7 would mean far fewer buses, travelling on fewer days through these villages.

Council notes the large number of submissions to the County Council's consultation on the future of bus services, including many about the Number 7 bus. These included a submission from the Borough Council's Executive supporting the Number 7 service.

Council notes proposals submitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 181.