Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting. View directions

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

Items
No. Item

533.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Boothby. It was noted that Councillor Lynch may be late due to technical problems and that Councillor Lay would need to leave the meeting early.

534.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 158 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2020.

Minutes:

In presenting the minutes of the previous meeting, it was noted that there was a typographical error in that minute 464 resolution (ii) has the number 3 omitted before the comma of the second figure and should read “£3,769,668”. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and

 

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September be approved with the abovementioned amendment.

535.

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 Pendlebury declared a pecuniary interest in item 12b as a registered nurse working in the NHS.

 

Councillor R Allen declared a personal interest in item 12a as an employee of the Member of Parliament.

536.

Mayor's Communications

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

Minutes:

The Mayor expressed her sadness at the recent death of former councillor and Mayor, Denis Bown. Other councillors spoke about Mr Bown and a moment of silent reflection was held.

537.

Leader of the Council's Position Statement

Welcome to our third virtual Council meeting this year which is a necessity due to the COVID pandemic and COVID safety restrictions.

 

Tonight’s Agenda

 

You will note from the agenda that even with the challenges posed by COVID-19 we are able to continue to develop innovative projects and services. This is illustrated by the report on the countywide hoarding project which this council is leading and the investment in delegated technology to support the housing service.

 

There are two motions which we can discuss when we get to them on the agenda. I would like at this point to thank members of all parties who have contributed to our response on the two key Government consultations on housing numbers and the national planning reforms. These have now been submitted to Government and shared with town and parish councils. Let’s hope they will see sense and realise the significant impact these proposals could have.

 

You will also note we have a report in yellow pages on the challenges facing our leisure centre operation and measures that are proposed to safeguard the continued operating of the centre for the public. These were recently considered and endorsed by the Scrutiny Commission.

 

Cineworld

 

You will have all recently heard the announcement by Cineworld that it is temporarily closing all of its cinemas in the UK and Ireland, with the potential loss of 5,000 jobs. The cinema takes pride of place in the Crescent, which is our flagship, multi-million regeneration project on the old bus station site. It was also the one standout facility that the residents of the borough told us they wanted as part of the development.

 

I have offered the resources of the council, working in partnership with DWP, to support all the staff at risk of losing their jobs to provide help and advice at this worrying time. I have also asked the council’s Chief Executive to make contact with Cineworld to seek some clarity on when we can expect the Hinckley cinema to reopen.

 

A5 Partnership

 

A meeting recently took place of the A5 Partnership. There we heard that the Dodwells/Longshoot improvement proposal would be put back from a planned start date in 2021 to 2023/24, at the earliest. This is disappointing to say the least and representations were made by my colleague, the Deputy Leader David Bill, over the impact this delay will have on congestion and the local economy and rat running of vehicles via Burbage and Hinckley. This could also impact on bringing forward Barwell and Earl Shilton SUEs.

                     

 

On the same subject, we understand that the A5 between the M42 and M69 has been identified as a priority section of the A5 for upgrade. A commitment to development work on potential schemes has been included as part of Route Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2) - which is how the Department of Transport programmes investment on road investment for Highways, England. The potential level of investment which would be sought could be up to £0.5bn and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 537.

Minutes:

In presenting his statement, the Leader referred to the temporary closure of Cineworld, the A5 Parternship, climate change, Remembrance Day, local government reorganisation, the financial settlement and he sent best wishes to the streetscene operative who was recently injured in a traffic incident.

538.

Minutes of the Scrutiny Commission pdf icon PDF 136 KB

To receive for information only the minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 8 October.

Minutes:

The minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 8 October 2020 were received for information.

539.

Countywide hoarding project pdf icon PDF 401 KB

To advise members of a countywide project and request supplementary income and expenditure budgets.

 

This report was considered by the Scrutiny Commission on 8 October. An extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members were advised of a countywide hoarding project led by the borough council on behalf of the seven district councils and funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant element of the Better Care Fund. It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Bray and

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)            Participation in and hosting of the pilot project be endorsed;

 

(ii)           A supplementary income and expenditure budget for the value of the external funding of £315,000 be approved;

 

(iii)          A one-off reduction in the Disabled Facilities Grant budget of £45,000 be approved.

540.

Upgrade of Housing Mobile Solution Software pdf icon PDF 401 KB

To seek approveal for a replacement mobile solution for housing repairs and associated supplementary capital and expenditure budget.

 

This report was considered by the Scrutiny Commission at its meeting on 8 October. An extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report seeking approval for a new mobile solution software for housing repairs was presented to Council. It was noted that this would provide an improved service for customers as well as moving away from a paper-based system. It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Bray and

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)            The purchase of AccuServ to replace the current software be approved;

 

(ii)           A supplementary capital budget of £71,850 and an annual revenue budget of £10,015 be established.

 

Councillor Lay left the meeting at 7.13pm.

541.

Motion from Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill

“This Council notes:

 

1.         The Residential Land Availability Monitoring Statement circulated to all members on which clearly states that the Council can demonstrate a 5-year land supply.

 

2.         That the Council currently has an adopted Local Plan which goes up until the period of 2026.

 

Council further notes that:

 

1.         The Member of Parliament for Bosworth erroneously stated in the House of Commons on the 8th of October that Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council does not have either a Local Plan or a 5-year housing supply which he subsequently repeated in the local press.

 

2.         The MP for Bosworth made a clumsy attempt to partially correct his statement in the House but failed to fully correct his inaccuracies before being further rebuked by the Speaker.

 

Therefore the Council resolves to:

 

1.         Deplore the MP for Bosworth for deliberately misleading the House of Commons, local residents and the press with his false statements.

 

2.         Write to him to better inform him of the true position.

 

The Council further resolves to call upon both the MPs representing the Hinckley and Bosworth area to oppose:

 

1.         The Conservative Government’s proposals which will almost double the amount of housing development in the Borough from 452 per year to 889 per year, with the inevitable consequences this will have on already over-stretched services and loss of green space.

 

2.         The Conservative Government's proposals to overhaul the planning system which lead to a reduced role in local decision making, reduce the opportunity for public participation and make it easier for developers to ride roughshod over local people in their desire to concrete over our Borough.”

Minutes:

Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill, proposed the following motion:

 

“This Council notes:

 

1.         The Residential Land Availability Monitoring Statement circulated to all members on which clearly states that the Council can demonstrate a 5-year land supply.

 

2.         That the Council currently has an adopted Local Plan which goes up until the period of 2026.

 

Council further notes that:

 

1.         The Member of Parliament for Bosworth erroneously stated in the House of Commons on the 8th of October that Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council does not have either a Local Plan or a 5-year housing supply which he subsequently repeated in the local press.

 

2.         The MP for Bosworth made a clumsy attempt to partially correct his statement in the House but failed to fully correct his inaccuracies before being further rebuked by the Speaker.

 

Therefore the Council resolves to:

 

1.         Deplore the MP for Bosworth for deliberately misleading the House of Commons, local residents and the press with his false statements.

 

2.         Write to him to better inform him of the true position.

 

The Council further resolves to call upon both the MPs representing the Hinckley and Bosworth area to oppose:

 

1.         The Conservative Government’s proposals which will almost double the amount of housing development in the Borough from 452 per year to 889 per year, with the inevitable consequences this will have on already over-stretched services and loss of green space.

 

2.         The Conservative Government's proposals to overhaul the planning system which lead to a reduced role in local decision making, reduce the opportunity for public participation and make it easier for developers to ride roughshod over local people in their desire to concrete over our Borough.”

 

Having stated that the Conservative group would take no part in the debate or vote on this item, Councillors C Allen, Collett, Cook, O’Shea, Roberts and H Williams switched off their camera or moved away from their seat at 7.12pm and were therefore deemed to have left the meeting. Councillor Ladkin moved away from his seat at 7.13pm. Councillor R Allen switched off his camera at 7.17pm and back on at 7.30pm.

 

Councillor Bray, supported by at least four further councillors, requested that voting be recorded. The vote was taken as follows:

 

Councillors Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Cope, J Crooks, W Crooks, Findlay, Flemming, Furlong, Gibbens, Glenville, Hodgkins, Hollick, Lynch, L Mullaney, M Mullaney, Nichols, Pendlebury, Sheppard-Bools, Walker, Webber-Jones and P Williams voted FOR the motion (22);

 

Councillors C Allen, R Allen, Collett, Cook, Ladkin, Morrell, O’Shea, Roberts, Smith and H Williams abstained from voting.

 

The motion was therefore declared CARRIED and it was

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)         The MP for Bosworth be deplored for deliberately misleading the House of Commons, local residents and the press with his false statements;

 

(ii)        HBBC writes to the MP to better inform him of the true position;

 

(iii)       Both MPs representing the Hinckley & Bosworth area be called upon to oppose:

 

a.         The Conservative Government’s proposals which will almost double the amount of housing development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 541.

542.

Motion from Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Webber-Jones

“Council recognises the tremendous work carried out by nurses, carers and other health workers here in Hinckley and Bosworth and across Britain during the coronavirus crises.  

 

Council is appalled ?at the fact that hard working nurses who did so much during the coronavirus crisis will be denied a pay rise until April 2021 - while MPs will receive significant pay rises.

 

Council requests the Chief Executive writes to the Prime Minister? to urge the government to reconsider its decision not to raise NHS nurses pay. Nurses here in Leicestershire and across Britain deserve more than applause thy deserve proper payment for the essential work they do.”

Minutes:

Having declared a pecuniary interest in this item, Councillor Pendlebury left the meeting at 7.43pm.

 

Having stated that members of the Conservative group would take no part in discussion or voting on this item, Councillors C Allen, Cook, Ladkin, O’Shea, Roberts and H Williams remained absent from the meeting either by turning off their camera or leaving their seat.

 

Councillor M Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Webber-Jones, proposed the following motion:

 

“Council recognises the tremendous work carried out by nurses, carers and other health workers here in Hinckley and Bosworth and across Britain during the coronavirus crises.  

 

Council is appalled ?at the fact that hard working nurses who did so much during the coronavirus crisis will be denied a pay rise until April 2021 - while MPs will receive significant pay rises.

 

Council requests the Chief Executive writes to the Prime Minister? to urge the government to reconsider its decision not to raise NHS nurses pay. Nurses here in Leicestershire and across Britain deserve more than applause thy deserve proper payment for the essential work they do.”

 

At this juncture, Councillor Flemming declared a personal interest in the item as he was previously a registered nurse and was a member of the Royal College of Nursing, which had been mentioned during discussion. He said he would abstain from voting on the item.

 

Councillor O’Shea returned to his seat at 7.58pm.

 

Councillor Webber-Jones, supported by at least four further members, requested that voting on the motion be recorded. The vote was taken as follows:

 

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

 

Councillors C Allen, R Allen, Collett, Cook, Flemming, Ladkin, Morrell, O’Shea, Roberts, Smith and H Williams abstained from voting.

 

The motion was therefore declared CARRIED and it was

 

RESOLVED – the Chief Executive writes to the Prime Minister? to urge the government to reconsider its decision not to raise NHS nurses pay.

 

Councillors Cook, Ladkin, Pendlebury, Roberts and H Williams returned to the meeting at 8pm.

543.

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 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.

Minutes:

On the motion of Councillor Bray 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 item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

544.

Hinckley Leisure Centre

To consider a report in relation to Hinckley Leisure Centre.

 

This report was considered by the Scrutiny Commission at its meeting on 8 October. An extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Minutes:

A report on the impact of Covid-19 on the leisure centre operations was presented to Council. It was noted that the report had been considered by the Scrutiny Commission who had requested an update in three months. It was noted that some questions asked would be answered outside of the meeting. In response to a question from a member, it was explained that the report was being taken in private session due not only to commercial sensitivity but also so as not to prejudice ongoing negotiations.

 

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

 

RESOLVED – the recommendations contained in the report be approved.