Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Ladkin and Lay.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2022.

It was moved by Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Sheppard-Bools and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 31 March be approved as a correct record.

No interests were declared.

To outline the Environmental Improvement Programme for 2022/23.

Members were updated on the 2022/23 Environmental Improvement Programme. It was agreed that photographs of some of the schemes would be sent to members along with a link to the relevant pages of the website.

To notify members of the housing delivery test results and resulting action plan.

The Scrutiny Commission was notified of the housing delivery test results which calculated that the council had delivered 86% of its required housing target over the last three years, requiring publication of an action plan. It was reported that the government had taken account of slower delivery during the pandemic.

Cllr Ladkin entered the meeting at 6.47pm.

During discussion, the following points were raised:

·         The lack of sustainable communities to accept housing

·         Concern that the situation will worsen in future

·         The local plan would improve the situation in the longer term

·         Engagement with developers and neighbourhood plan groups was taking place

·         Bringing forward the sustainable urban extensions (SUEs) would improve the situation

·         Legislation now required local plans to be updated every five years, so this would result in a constant programme of updates.

A member expressed concern that the Earl Shilton SUE would experience similar delays to the Barwell SUE, however officers provided assurance that lessons had been learned and a project board would oversee progress. It was noted that the Earl Shilton Town Team had been kept informed and the developers were happy to continue to attend those meetings.

To update members on the garden waste position in relation to income and cost recovery.

Members were updated on the garden waste position in relation to income and cost recovery. It was acknowledged that the income from the service wasn’t intended to cover the cost of delivery and despite more residents subscribing to the service than initially predicted, the service continued to run at a loss. Members thanked the Head of Finance for the clear explanation with regard to the financial position.

To provide an update on Ashby Road Cemetery, further to the motion to Council on 25 January 2022.

Further to a motion to Council on 25 January 2022, the Scrutiny Commission received a presentation on works to improve surface water drainage at Ashby Road Cemetery. It was noted that since opening in 1858 the cemetery had had two extensions, the most recent in 2009.

Members were informed that in March 2021 a small number of complaints had been received about surface water to the newest extension. Consultants were engaged to review the drainage system and in November 2021 additional drainage was installed. Following the motion to Council, new consultants were appointed to review the matter. The consultants reviewed the initial risk assessment from 2007 where there was a moderate risk, meeting Environment Agency requirements and concluded that the risk was now low.

The consultants also considered the impact of the new development on the site of the “Big Pit” and concluded that it would not affect the existing cemetery extension. It was noted that this would be monitored throughout the construction of the new development. The cemetery was at a higher level than the Big Pit site.

The cemetery was monitored daily Monday to Friday and at weekends during times of high rainfall. 17 days of wetter ground were recorded but these were during periods of high rainfall. The drainage system was designed for surface water from precipitation to percolate through the system over an eight hour period.

Further work was planned to increase drains on the adjacent section and on hardstanding areas and between existing graves subject to the agreement of families.

To provide an update on the MTFS.

Members were provided with a presentation on the medium term financial strategy (MTFS) which would cover three outlooks due to the high level of uncertainty. The business rates reset remained the key risk as part of the fair funding review. It was noted that the MTFS would be reported to Council in July.

Work programme attached.

Members received the work programme which covered the 2022/23 municipal year. It was reported that the report on supporting young people and young people’s voice would be taken to the March meeting.

It was agreed that a briefing note about legislation relating to hedges would be arranged.

Minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2022, for information only.

The minutes of Finance & Performance Scrutiny were received for information.