Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Lay, Mullaney and Pendlebury.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2022.

It was moved by Councillor Cope, seconded by Councillor Williams and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 10 November be confirmed and signed by the chair.

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.

No interests were declared.

To present the proposed HBBC pay policy statement for 2023/24.

Members received the pay policy statement for 2023/24. In response to a member’s question, it was agreed that a comparison with the pay gap in other authorities would be available by the time the report was presented to Council.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

To present the strategy.

Consideration was given to the homelessness review and rough sleeping strategy. During discussion, reference was made to:

·         The use of grant funding

·         Engagement with private landlords

·         The need for more temporary accommodation

·         The increase in those presenting as homeless which had almost doubled since before the pandemic

·         The ongoing Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The housing service was thanked for its hard work, particularly in light of homelessness challenges.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

The general fund budget for 2023/24 was discussed and the following points were raised:

·         The reduction in funding for local government

·         The strain on social care which has led to unitary authorities being prioritised nationally for funding and leading to pressures elsewhere in local government

·         The risk of unforeseen costs impacting the council’s financial position

·         The need to review costs, secure future income from government and generate new income locally.

Councillor Webber-Jones left the meeting at 7.50pm.

During discussion on the other budget reports, reference was made to:

·         Progress in relation to the crematorium

·         The processes for land acquisition under the approved strategy

·         The need to consider an ICT solution for members from May 2023.

RESOLVED – the reports be noted.

Councillor Lynch left the meeting at 7.55pm.

The Leicestershire resources and waste strategy 2022 – 2050 was presented to members. It was noted that a key part of the strategy was the introduction of food waste collection. Concern was expressed that the big increase in recycling required would be challenging and would require a behavioural change. It was requested that, given the additional bins that would be required, consideration be given to homes without suitable bin storage, for example terraced properties. It was, however, noted that the food waste bins would be small.

In relation to the change in collection methods for furniture containing flame retardant chemicals, it was noted that the bulky waste collections were still good value for money so the change would hopefully not lead to an increase in fly tipping. Reuse charities would need to decide whether they would collect, repair and resell such furniture.

Officers were thanked for their hard work.

RESOLVED – the report be endorsed.

Work programme attached.

The work programme was noted.

Minutes of the meeting held on 7 November for information.

The minutes of Finance & Performance Scrutiny were noted.