Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Rebecca Owen, Democratic Services Manager on 01455255879 or email  rebecca.owen@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

253.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Boothby, Cope, Hodgkins and H Williams.

254.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 145 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2021.

Minutes:

It was noted that the heading of minute 179 referred to Councillor Findlay seconding the motion but this should have read Councillor Pendlebury as recorded in the body of the minute.

 

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

 

RESOLVED – the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as a correct record subject to the abovementioned amendment.

255.

Declarations of interest

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Findlay declared a personal interest in item 11(a) as an employee of a bank.

256.

Mayor's Communications

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

Minutes:

The Mayor led a short silence in memory of former councillor and mayor Pam Wills who passed away in early November.

 

The Mayor reported on recent events that he had attended including Christmas lights switch-on events. He also congratulated John McGowan, tennis coach and member of Hinckley Town Tennis Club, on winning the BBC East Midlands Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero award for 2021.

257.

Leader of the Council's Position Statement

Welcome to this December Council and may I take this opportunity of wishing all members and officers of the Council a very merry and restful Christmas, which is well deserved following the extremely challenging year that we have faced due to the pandemic.

 

On tonight’s agenda we have an item on the engagement and response process for the National Rail Freight Interchange, which the Council is strongly opposed to. Given the continued challenges nationally and locally concerning shortage of qualified HGV drivers, there is a report on increasing capacity for the refuse service. There are also items on progress of partnership arrangements on the building control service and an update on investment opportunities at Horiba MIRA.

 

You will note the motion from my colleague, Cllr Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Pendlebury, regarding recent closures of bank branches in Hinckley, which I hope we will all support.

 

I have set out below a few key updates.

 

Levelling Up Bid Success

 

I am pleased to confirm our success in securing almost £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for our bid, submitted in partnership with Twycross Zoo, for a new National Science and Conservation Centre at the zoo, which will be of international significance and bring new jobs and a real boost to the Midlands and local economy. Progress on the plans will be developed in earnest in the New Year and the scheme is expected to be completed by April 2024.

 

COP26

 

In response to COP26 we have refreshed our Climate Change Strategy which will be presented to the next programmed Scrutiny Commission and Council. I’m also pleased to report  the CEO of Hinckley and Rugby Building Society, a key local business in Hinckley, had the opportunity to speak at COP26 and will be providing a presentation at the Council’s Employment and Skills Partnership later this week.

 

Spending Review

 

Following the Government’s spending review announcement in early November, which confirmed a £1.6bn annual allocation to local government over the next three years, we expect to receive our provisional allocation in December. We still do not know if we will receive a multi-year settlement or only a one year settlement, which makes it extremely challenging to budget and plan over the medium term.

 

Business Grant Support

 

I am pleased to confirm we have launched a further round of COVID business support funding of £0.75m to assist retail and hospitality and tourism businesses. Details are available on our website.

 

Parish and Hinckley Community Initiative Funds 2022/23

 

I am pleased to report we have launched the bidding process for community projects within our parishes and in Hinckley. The closing date for applications will be 7 January 2022. I would encourage all members to consider worthy causes within their parishes and wards.

 

Green Flag Awards

 

I am pleased two of Hinckley’s parks are once again amongst the best in the UK after they were awarded the much coveted Green Flag - a prestigious accolade only awarded to the very best parks and green spaces. The award  ...  view the full agenda text for item 257.

Minutes:

In his position statement, the leader referred to:

 

·         The Levelling Up bid success, securing almost £20m for a new national science and conservation centre at Twycross Zoo

·         The refreshed climate change strategy in response to COP26

·         The government’s spending review announcement

·         The launch of a further round of COVID business support funding

·         The Parish & Hinckley Community Initiative Funds

·         Green flag awards

·         The successful Remembrance Sunday and other events

·         Disappointment and concern about the county council’s recent article in the Hinckley Times following its Cabinet report in relation to the local plan review.

258.

Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange pdf icon PDF 398 KB

To seek authorisation for a scheme of delegation.

Minutes:

Members were updated on the progress being made in relation to the pre-application and application for a Development Consent Order for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI), advised on the statutory process and requested to consider a scheme of delegation in order to respond and engage effectively in that process.

 

During discussion, the following points were raised:

 

·         The timescale for the HNRFI was unknown but it appeared that venues for consultation events were being booked from January onwards

·         Funding would support the authority’s position to defend its position

·         The number of additional vehicle movements that would result from this would have a huge impact on the road network.

 

It was moved by Councillor Bill, seconded by Councillor P Williams and unanimously

 

RESOLVED – authority be delegated to the Director (Environment & Planning) in consultation with the Executive member for Planning and chair of the Member Working Group to respond on behalf of the Council on all matters pertaining to the HNRFI as outlined in the report.

259.

Recruitment of additional posts: HGV drivers and driver training for waste collection service pdf icon PDF 389 KB

To seek approval to recruit two additional HGV drivers and support the training of two additional staff for the waste collection service.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which sought support for recruitment of two additional HGV drivers and for the training of two existing staff as HGV drivers for the waste collection service. It was moved by Councillor W Crooks, seconded by Councillor Bray and unanimously

 

RESOLVED –

 

(i)            The request for the recruitment of two permanent HGV drivers and training of two existing staff as HGV drivers for the waste collection service be endorsed;

 

(ii)          A supplementary budget of £87,000 in 2022/23 and £17,000 in 2021/22 for the part year impact be approved;

 

(iii)         The £60,000 for the estimated additional agency costs in 2021/22 be noted.

260.

Motions received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 17

260a

Motion proposed by Councillor M Mullaney and seconded by Councillor Pendlebury

“Council notes the recent closures of the Santander and Halifax bank branches in Hinckley as part of a wider spate of bank closures across the country.

 

Council further notes that whilst many people are comfortable and able to bank online some, often elderly, residents still rely on banking in person. Closing the local branch will mean them having to travel substantial distances when many are unable to drive.

 

Council calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give the Financial Conduct Authority more powers to prevent large bank companies carrying out anti-social large scale closures of local branches without adequate alternative provisions.”

Minutes:

“Council notes the recent closures of the Santander and Halifax bank branches in Hinckley as part of a wider spate of bank closures across the country.

 

Council further notes that whilst many people are comfortable and able to bank online some, often elderly, residents still rely on banking in person. Closing the local branch will mean them having to travel substantial distances when many are unable to drive.

 

Council calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give the Financial Conduct Authority more powers to prevent large bank companies carrying out anti-social large scale closures of local branches without adequate alternative provisions.”

 

During debate on the motion, the following points were raised:

 

·         Not all residents used online banking

·         It was often difficult for elderly or disabled residents to travel to banks in other towns, particularly if they had to rely on public transport

·         The Post Office provided financial services on behalf of several banks, although it was acknowledged that many of these had also closed in recent years

·         The presence of services such as banks was important for the continued vibrancy of town centres.

 

Councillor Bray and seven further councillors stood to request the vote on the motion be recorded.

 

The vote was taken as follows:

 

Councillors Bill, Bray, Cartwright, M Crooks, W Crooks, Flemming, Furlong, Gibbens, Glenville, Hollick, Lay, Lynch, L Mullaney, M Mullaney, Nichols, Pendlebury, Sheppard-Bools, Walker, Webber-Jones and Williams voted FOR the motion (20);

 

Councillors C Allen, R Allen, Collett, Ladkin, Morrell and Roberts voted AGAINST the motion (6);

 

Councillors Cook, Findlay, O’Shea and Smith abstained from voting.

 

The motion was therefore declared CARRIED and it was

 

RESOLVED – the Chancellor of the Exchequer be called upon to give the Financial Conduct Authority more powers to prevent large bank companies from carrying out anti-social large scale closures of local branches without adequate alternative provisions.

260b

Motion proposed by Councillor Ladkin and seconded by Councillor Morrell

“Council recognises the limited success of COP26 and asks the Climate Change Member Working Group to note and act on them”.

 

Amendment to be moved by Councillor Webber-Jones and seconded by Councillor Bill:

 

“Council recognises the successes of COP26.

 

The commitment simply to ‘phase down’ the use of coal is a major disappointment which needs revisiting by the world leaders at the earliest opportunity if there is any hope of keeping the 1.5 degree goal alive.

 

The UK standing at conference was undermined by the government’s budget announcements on domestic flight ahead of the conference and the Prime Minister’s decision to fly to the conference generating unnecessary emissions.

 

The Council remains fully committed to tackling climate change locally and asks the Climate Change Member Working Group to note and act on the outcomes.”

Minutes:

It was noted that this motion had been withdrawn.

261.

Matters from which the public may be excluded

To consider the passing of a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the public from the undermentioned items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act listed on the documents.

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED – in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act noted under each item.

262.

Building Control Service

Minutes:

This itemwas exempt under paragraphs 1, 2 and 10.

 

Members received a report on the Building Control service. It was moved by Councillor Bill, seconded by Councillor Lynch and

 

RESOLVED – the recommendations in the report be approved.

263.

Horiba Mira investment update

Minutes:

This report was exempt under paragraphs 3, 5 and 10.

 

Council gave consideration to an investment opportunity. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Lynch and unanimously

 

RESOLVED – the recommendations within the report be approved.