Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting. View directions

Contact: Rebecca Owen  Democratic Services Manager Email: rebecca.owen@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

234.

Apologies and substitutions

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Collett and Gibbens with the substitution of Councillor Cook for Councillor Collett authorised in accordance with council procedure rule 10.

235.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 129 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2021.

Minutes:

Councillor Sheppard-Bools stated that he was recorded as having seconded the motion to move into private session whereas it should have read that Councillor Webber-Jones seconded the motion. It was moved by Councillor P Williams, seconded by Councillor Sheppard-Bools and

 

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

236.

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:

No interests were declared.

237.

Voluntary and Community Sector Partnership Arrangements pdf icon PDF 394 KB

To update members on the new arrangements for overseeing the borough’s VCS partnership arrangements and to report on the outcomes of the VCS commissioning round for October 2019 to September 2020 and October 2020 to September 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members were updated on the new arrangements for overseeing the borough’s voluntary and community sector (VCS) partnership arrangements and supporting activities which would now be undertaken by the Rural Community Council (RCC) following Next Generation’s decision not to continue in the role.

 

In response to members’ questions, the following points were noted:

 

·         All funding was documented and monitored and the relevant Executive member was kept updated

·         The RCC had worked with the authority for many years and extended its support beyond rural areas in the borough

·         Dial-a-ride had been able to continue providing a driving service throughout the pandemic thanks to its dedicated volunteers and a new paid driver post which had enabled residents to attend GP and hospital appointments and for their vaccinations.

 

It was agreed that a briefing note with further detail about the grants paid, including itemising the amounts listed in appendix 1, would be prepared.

 

Members commended the work of the VCS partnership.

238.

Hinckley & Bosworth Local Plan 2020 to 2039 - submission pdf icon PDF 424 KB

To update members on progress in relation to the preparation of the emerging local plan and to present the housing and employment land allocations proposed for inclusion in the submission version of the local plan.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Scrutiny Commission was provided with an update on progress with the preparation of the emerging local plan and the housing and employment land allocations proposed for inclusion in the submission version of the local plan. During discussion and in response to members’ questions, the following points were made:

 

·         There would be no weight attached to the local plan until the submission version was signed off by Council

·         Members had had the opportunity to view the developing plan at the Planning Policy Working Group but attendance had been poor

·         Some members were disappointed with the site allocations and designation of key rural settlements

·         The two sustainable urban extensions (SUEs) were still in the plan but would not be fully delivered within this local plan period

·         The notion of a garden village could not be included in the plan as it would require a significant amount of detail but should a proposal come forward, it could be explored at a later date and could be included in a development plan document at that time

·         The process undertaken in relation to the local plan was good practice and had support from the Planning Advisory Service and the government’s Planning Inspectorate service.

 

Members were reminded that the report was an update and not a the full local plan document, which would be brought to members in due course. It was also suggested that members could arrange to discuss specific sites with an officer.

 

It was suggested that it would be helpful to include a map which showed where sites already had planning permission. In response it was agreed that this could be provided at a future working group meeting.

 

Councillors Boothby and Findlay left the meeting at 8.05pm.

239.

Minutes of Finance & Performance Scrutiny pdf icon PDF 139 KB

Minutes of the last meeting for information.

Minutes:

The minutes of the Finance & Performance Scrutiny were received for information. The Planning frontline service review was highlighted and it was noted that the chairman had requested a more detailed review of the service which would be undertaken by a task and finish group.

240.

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 the paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act listed on the reports.

Minutes:

On the motion of Councillor Sheppard-Bools seconded by Councillor P Williams, 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 paragraphs 1, 3 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

 

Councillors Cartwright and O’Shea left the meeting at 8.08pm.

241.

Building Control Service

Minutes:

Members were advised of the outcome of work undertaken to consider a shared Building Control service which would formalise the partnership work already undertaken and would result in cost savings.

 

It was requested that reports on the authority’s shared services be brought to the Scrutiny Commission or Finance & Performance Scrutiny annually.

 

Members emphasised the need to have a contact for the service in case queries arose in their ward. It was agreed that this would be included.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(i)            The business case be endorsed and RECOMMENDED to Council;

 

(ii)          The increase in fees be RECOMMENDED to Council as part of the budget process;

 

(iii)         An annual report on the authority’s shared services be added to the work programme for the appropriate scrutiny body.

242.

Hinckley Crematorium update

Minutes:

Members received an update on the development of the crematorium.

 

Members requested a tour of the site and a further report when a new update was available.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(i)            The report be noted;

 

(ii)          A further update be brought to the Scrutiny Commission in due course;

 

(iii)         A tour of the site for members be arranged.