Agenda and minutes

No disclosures were made.

No announcements were made.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15th October 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.

The deadline for questions is noon on Wednesday, 11th November 2020. 

B. Nunn – 2020 Air Quality Annual Status Report/Monitoring Equipment/Waste Incinerators

“Please would the Cabinet Leader respond to my question in the context of the Air Quality Annual Status Report 2020.

Note: https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/documents/2020_annual_status_report_asr/Charnwood%20ASR%202020.pdf

“One aspect of our monitoring that we need to be mindful of is the ageing life of our monitoring equipment. Unfortunately, we have again experienced issues with our automatic NO2 analysers this period that has meant insufficient data capture for inclusion within this report. The remaining longevity of existing equipment, some of which has been in operation since 2007, is now becoming a significant consideration when planning flexibility to cover future air quality requirements in the borough.”

1.      The 2020 Air Quality Annual Status Report published by the Borough Council in fulfilment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management states that “we need to be mindful of is the ageing life of our monitoring equipment”.  It then refers to difficulties experienced issues with our automatic NO2 analysers and equipment that is over twelve years old.  Air quality is of increasing concern to residents and whilst we have nothing but admiration for our professional environmental officers, does the Leader agree that they, and the public, deserve air quality monitoring equipment of standard we can all rely on?

2.      Despite the progress made to restrict NO2 emissions to below 30 µgm3 across the Borough, which is appreciated, many people are concerned about emissions from chemical and industrial processes and none more so than from Waste Incinerators like the Newhurst EfW currently under construction in Charnwood as well as others within range of the borough.  Could the Leader therefore tell me what instrumentation we are able to dedicate to measuring emissions that are likely to be generated within such plants?

3.      In Appendix E (Page 76) the table refers to Particulate Matter (PM10) 50 µg/m3 , not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year 24-hour mean 40 µg/m3 Annual mean.  Whilst the owners of incinerators, together with the Environment Agency, are responsible for monitoring emissions within the plant, what emissions are the Borough independently responsible for monitoring in the wider community and do we currently have the adequate equipment and resources to do so?

4.      I note that the 2020 Air Quality Report (Page 19 3.2.3) states “Charnwood Borough Council do not undertake any local monitoring of PM2.5 As outlined in section 2.3; consideration will be taken via several available indicative data sources as well as local knowledge for us to identify any localised ‘hot-spots’ that may be, or become, potential areas of concern.  As Particulate matter comes in very fine measures, what does the law require the Council to measure and will the council measure outside that range as it appears that the finer the particles the more likely they are to accumulate in the surrounding population?

5.      Noting the significant public concern, and particularly over the long term effects of waste incinerator emissions, will the Borough Council be monitoring the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration seeking approval to accept the request from North West Leicestershire District Council to undertake its Building Control Service under delegated powers (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Seaton, Chair of the Scrutiny Commission, presented a report setting out the Commission’s pre-decision scrutiny of the matter and recommendation (copy filed with these minutes).

The Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Team Leader Building Control assisted with consideration of the report.

Officers were thanked for their work in progressing this matter.

RESOLVED

1.      that the work which has been done to date on the Building Control Alternative Service Delivery Project with North West Leicestershire District Council be noted;

2.      that under Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972, Sections 19 and 9EA of the Local Government Act 2000 and Regulation 5(2)(a) of the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012, the grant of the delegation of authority to Charnwood Borough Council to deliver building control services on behalf of North West Leicestershire District Council be accepted in accordance with the terms of a Delegation Agreement which is to be agreed by both Authorities;

3.      that delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Community, Planning and Housing, to enable the negotiation and finalisation of the terms of Delegation Agreement with North West Leicestershire District Council Borough Council be approved;

4.      that it be noted that the Head of Paid Service will, in accordance with powers vested in him in the Constitution and subject to Cabinet approval of the acceptance of the delegation of the function, make a decision to make the consequential changes to the establishment so arising;

5.      that the report of the Scrutiny Commission be noted.

Reasons

1.      To recognise the very significant amount of work undertaken by staff in both organisations over the last two years to provide a sustainable solution for the provision of Building control services in future.

2.      To enable the transfer of service functions from North West Leicestershire District Council to Charnwood Borough Council.

3.      To refine the detailed wording of the legal agreement and enable it to be signed.

4       To recognise the bringing together of the two Building Control teams will require a restructure that will add staffing to the establishment.

5.      To acknowledge the work undertaken by and the views of the Scrutiny Commission.

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration seeking in principal approval of the scheme design for public realm improvement works in Market Place, Bull Ring, Hall Croft and Field Street in Shepshed town centre (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Seaton, Chair of the Scrutiny Commission, presented a report setting out the Commission’s pre-decision scrutiny of the matter and recommendation (copy filed with these minutes).

The Scrutiny Commission was thanked for its useful pre-decision scrutiny work both in respect of this and the previous item.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Regeneration and Economic Development Officer assisted with consideration of the report.

Officers were thanked for their work in progressing this matter.  The Leader also wished to thank former Councillor Eric Vardy for the valuable work he had undertaken on the project in its early stages.

In response to a question, it was confirmed that officers would look into how it was proposed to preserve heritage features of the area.

RESOLVED

1.      that the draft project scheme design proposals, including the draft redesign option for Market Place, as outlined in Part B and Appendices 1 and 4 of the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration be approved in principle;

2.      that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member to make necessary modifications to the scheme design and specification in the period leading up to and during the submission of the Section 278 application in response to comments from the County Highway Authority;

3.      that the phased approach to implementing the project, detailed in Section 14 Part B of the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, be approved;

4.      that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to accept £600k of grant funding for the project from the LLEP Business Rates Pool Fund;

5.      that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to seek out additional funding, as may be necessary, to deliver the whole scheme;

6.      that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to enter into a Section 278 Legal Agreement with Leicestershire County Council, along with any other contracts and legal obligations necessary, to prepare the scheme for implementation;

7.      that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to undertake a procurement process for a contractor and the required professional support services, as set out in Part B of the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration;

8.      that the report of the Scrutiny Commission be noted.

Reasons

1.      To ensure that Members are in agreement with the draft detailed scheme design (including the redesign option for Market Place) in principle so that the final scheme drawings and specification can be completed and submitted to the County Highway Authority to secure the necessary approval to carry out works on the public highway and agree any necessary TROs in order that the final  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration regarding the establishment of a Covid 19 Recovery Programme financed by the uplift in business rates from the designated Enterprise Zone sites in Charnwood (item 8 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Team Leader Regeneration and Economic Development assisted with consideration of the report.

Officers were thanked for their work in progressing this matter. 

RESOLVED

1.      that the business case for the delivery of the EZ Covid 19 Recovery Programme, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved;

2.      that subject to the approval of the business case by the LLEP Board, Loughborough University is commissioned to deliver the Recovery Programme in accordance with the provisions, outcomes and milestones prescribed in the business case;

3.      that delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director; Environmental and Corporate Services to agree the terms of, and enter into, a contract for the delivery of the Programme;

4.      that the preference of the Enterprise Zone Implementation Group for the deployment of the balance of the Covid Recovery Fund to off-set the funding and borrowing costs associated with capital investment on Charnwood Campus be endorsed and supported.

Reasons

1.      To permit the consideration and approval of the business case by the LLEP Board for the release of the necessary funding.

2.      To engage a suitable partner with the appropriate experience, skills, capabilities and capacity to deliver the Programme.

3.      To ensure performance targets are achieved, delivering value for money in the allocation of public funding.

4.      To enhance the business case for the delivery of the proposed Medicinal and Synthetic Chemistry Research Centre and its capacity to deliver new jobs in the life sciences sector.

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Considered, a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration proposing an updated Statement of Community Involvement. The Statement set out how the Council would consult on planning policy documents (including the Local Plan), engage with and support neighbourhood planning, and consult on planning applications (item 9 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Senior Planning Officer (Policy) assisted with consideration of the report.

Officers were thanked for their work in progressing this matter.

Reference was made to agenda page 176, protected characteristics, item 7 should read “Religion or belief”.  This would be corrected.  

RESOLVED

1.      that the Statement of Community Involvement in Appendix A of Part B to the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration be adopted*;

2.      that the fee proposal (detailed at paragraph 2.2 of Appendix A of Part B to the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration) to charge an administration fee for requests to provide physical copies of consultation documents at a rate of £5 per document plus the printing cost be approved.

*This is a policy that falls within the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework and will now be submitted to Full Council on 18th January 2021 for final approval.

Reasons

1.      To meet statutory timescales to update the Statement of Community Involvement every five years and ensure that the Council has modern and engaging approaches to plan-making consultations that are sufficiently flexible to enable plan-making to progress in the context of COVID-19 restrictions. Also, to set out the Council’s approach to supporting neighbourhood planning and consult on planning applications.

2.      To establish a new discretionary service charge as set out at paragraph 5.3 of the Council’s Income and Charging Policy.