Agenda

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2024.

To be advised of any additional items of business which the Mayor decides by reason of special circumstances shall be taken as matters of urgency at this meeting. Items will be considered at the end of the agenda.

In the absence of the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor will lead this item, including presenting a long service award to a former member of staff.

The Mayor, Councillor Webber-Jones, would like to offer his communications in writing on this occasion:

“I am sorry I cannot be with you this evening. As you may be aware, my work is in education and my institution is having a visit from Ofsted this week. In my absence, the Deputy Mayor has agreed to chair this meeting, and for that I am very grateful.

It has been busy since we last met. The one thing that I am continually humbled by in the office of Mayor is meeting so many wonderful charities, people and organisations, as well as being in awe of the great work our officers do. For example they, along with the Hinckley BID, did a magnificent job with the Christmas lights switch-on and it was a privilege to operate the plunger to turn the lights on this year. I have to say, I think the lights in Argents Mead are a sophisticated and well-received development.

Two days after this event, on 24 November, I saw some wonderful work at the Desford and Peckleton Art Club exhibition. I have represented the borough at a number of events in the past few weeks. On 6 October I attended the Leicestershire Civic Service, on 13 October I attended the High Sherriff’s Civic Service, and on 19 October I attended the British Legion Festival of Remembrance at De Montfort Hall. On 8 November I attended a fundraiser for the Chairman of Blaby District Council who is raising money for the Air Ambulance. On 29 October I visited Dovebank Primary School in Nailstone as they are designing my Christmas card for this year which will be out soon. On 31 October I visited Leicester Charity Link to hear about the good work they are doing for those in need in the borough.

In November it was an honour to be part of, and do a reading at, the Remembrance Service in Hinckley. It was poignant to see so many attend the event on 10 November. That evening I attended the Leicestershire multi-faith Festival of Remembrance in Leicester.

On 9 November I opened and visited the Altern-ativity in Hinckley. This event has now been running for many years and is a great way to re-think gifting in the build up to Christmas. I had lots of fun on 26 October at the Saturday Spook-tacular in the Britannia Centre in Hinckley. On 2 November I got to light the bonfire and start the fireworks at the Hinckley Sea Cadets Firework Spectacular. As ever, this was a great family event. During the day on 2 November I went to visit those who are seeking to put up a statue in Hinckley honouring the work and life of Ada Lovelace.

My thanks also go to the Deputy Mayor who, as ever, has been working very hard. On 2 October  ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Question received from Councillor R Allen:

“As I am sure the Leader is aware, 8 May 2025 is the 80^th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Can he assure members that this authority will offer financial assistance and practical support to any of the borough’s parishes and towns to assist them in ensuring this important anniversary is marked in a manner befitting its importance in our country’s history please?”

Response from the Leader of Council:

“The Borough Council looks forward to celebrating this anniversary next year.

It is important to remember when considering any new funding requests that the council has lost £10million in funding since 2016.

However, to act as a catalyst and to encourage borough-wide engagement in this poignant anniversary, there will be an opportunity to request a small amount of event-day funds via the council, on a first-come-first-served basis.

The council’s events team will be providing support and guidance to those parishes and towns who ask.

I hope that the County Council will also be supportive by waiving fees etc for any road closures that may be required and trust that Councillor Allen will pursue that with his colleagues.”

To deal with petitions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.

“Welcome to this last meeting of Council before Christmas.

You will note we have five key items of business on the agenda tonight. The first relates to recommendations of the Licensing Committee regarding our requirements under the Gambling Act 2005. The second regards renewing a lease for an existing popular short stay car park in the town centre. I’m please we also have the annual report of the Scrutiny Commission, which highlights the incredibly good work of the Commission.

In addition, we have a report and recommendations of the Ethical Governance and Personnel Committee, followed by a report to be considered in private session on the Council depot.

I have included a few key updates below.

Devolution

Members will recall from my last Leader’s Statement that we are awaiting a new government white paper on devolution. This is expected imminently and is something I will be discussing later in December with my district Leader and Chief Executive colleagues. I have advised officers that I would like the Scrutiny Commission and Council to formally consider the draft response to the long-awaited devolution framework for England.

I would like to clarify a matter that has recently hit the headlines in the Municipal Journal which suggested that ministers were poised to scrap districts. We understand that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in response to an approach by the Time newspaper has confirmed “this is not true… districts play a crucial role and there are no plans to scrap them”.

This is welcome news. We know councils like ours are so much closer to our communities and businesses who identify with our place and the services we provide. We know we are well placed and have the powers to promote economic development, deliver much needed new housing for our communities and support our town centres and high streets. We are the most trusted part of local government and are effective at delivering services in the right places for our communities.

Whilst I welcome the opportunity of more powers and resources being devolved nationally, this should not be at the expense of seeing local government boundaries and structure changing in areas where there is little support and lack of key evidence over the benefits versus impact on our communities.

As I said at the last Council meeting, it is the government’s express desire for every area of the country to have devolution deals with the opportunity for new powers and resources linked to the government’s ambition for economic growth. It is therefore vitally important that we are at the table locally and nationally in those discussions to ensure we secure the best deal for our local communities. I will update members on the outcome of my discussions following my meeting with leaders in December.

National insurance changes

At her recent budget, the Chancellor made a number of changes to employer national insurance contributions. Officers tell me that this will impact on our budget in the region of £300,000 which we will  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

To recommend re-adoption of the statement of principles as required by the Gambling Act 2005

To seek approval for the renewal of the lease for the rear of Castle Street car park, Hinckley.

To seek approval of the overview & scrutiny annual report.

To refer recommendations of the Ethical Governance & Personnel Committee to Council.

Motion proposed by Councillor R Allen, seconded by Councillor C Allen:

“Hinckley and Bosworth is a rural borough, with many family owned and operated farming businesses.

The announcements in the recent Labour budget pose an existential threat to the continuance of these family businesses that have historically passed from generation to generation.

This motion proposes Council notes that:

The recent 2024 autumn budget change to inheritance tax relief announced by the Labour Government will introduce a family farm tax, which will have a devastating impact on family farms and farmers’ ability to pass on their farms to the next generation of farmers.

A study by the Farm Safety Foundation found that 95% of farmers under the age of 40 rank poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem they face today, with farmers working in an industry recognised as having high rates of suicide.

Council believes that: 

·         The Labour Government has committed a shameful betrayal and let down farmers by breaking its promise to not introduce a family farm tax.  Only last year, Secretary of State Steve Reed said: “We have no intention of changing APR (Agricultural Property Relief)”.

·         At last year’s NFU conference, Sir Keir Starmer stated that “losing a farm is not like losing any other business, it can’t come back”. He was absolutely right, it can’t. And neither can its ability to produce food for the nation.

·         The family farm tax will damage the ability of farmers to pass on their farms to the next generation.

·         Labour’s family farm tax will threaten food security by forcing the sale of family farms.

·         Numerous rural and farming organisations such as the National Farmers Union and Country Land and Business Association have warned that countless farms will be harmed, threatening food security, progress on measures to tackle climate change, and the rural way of life.

·         The comments made by Secretary of State Steve Reed that already struggling farmers will have to “do more with less” are deplorable.

·         At a time when many farmers in Hinckley & Bosworth are struggling with soaring costs and energy prices, this sudden tax rise will endanger the future of their farms.

Council resolves:

1.    To request that the Chief Executive of HBBC writes to the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to outline the Council’s dismay at this decision and calls on the Government to reverse its decision to impose family farm tax.

2.    That this Council engages with local farmers and community representatives to assess what measures and actions Council can take to support them.

3.    That a list must be published by Government of affected farms in Hinckley & Bosworth, Leicestershire and nationally so that the extent of the impact of these proposals can be fully demonstrated and appreciated.”

The following amendment will be proposed by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Cope:

“That an additional bullet point be included at the top of the list of points, to read:

Council believes that:

·         The last conservative government, backed by  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

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.

To seek approval of a lease to provide depot accommodation for the Street Scene and Housing Repairs services.