Agenda and minutes

The following disclosures were made:

(i)         Councillor Rollings – a personal interest in item 8 on the agenda (Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan) as two of his firm’s clients had responded to the consultation on the Plan.  Councillor Rollings would leave the meeting during consideration on the item.

(ii)        Councillor Rollings – a personal interest in item 10 on the agenda (Future Cemetery Provision for Loughborough) as a client of his firm had objected during the consultation to one of the sites.  Councillor Rollings would leave the meeting during consideration of the item.

(iii)       Councillors Barkley, Morgan, Poland and Taylor – personal interests in item 8 on the agenda (Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan), as Leicestershire County Councillors.

The Leader stated that all at this meeting had been very saddened to hear of the passing of Councillor Sutherington.  Councillor Sutherington had been an exceptionally kind, generous man and a person who was always a pleasure to talk to. Many people, particularly in the Anstey area, had been very fond of him and he would be sadly missed.  However unwell Councillor Sutherington had been, he had always wanted to know how others were.  Councillors would wish to remember Councillor Sutherington at the next meeting of this Council and at his funeral, but all thoughts were with his partner and his family at this time.   

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th September 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The deadline for questions is noon on Wednesday, 10th October 2018. 

Councillor Hayes – Cemetery Proposal

I fully support and welcome the officers’ recommendations.

However, it is important to understand how we have arrived at this point, and my question to the Leader is: Can an investigation be carried out, to establish the full costs and actions that have caused many residents considerable distress and financial hardship over the last year particularly those trying to sell or buy houses?

The Leader referred to the following response, which had been published prior to the meeting:

I’m pleased that Cllr. Hayes agrees with the recommendation being made in this report.

This is an excellent illustration of the effectiveness of the decision making systems in the Council and the value added by Scrutiny.  Decisions are not always right first time and on this occasion the checks and balances operated as they should within the Council in a way that led to further examination of the proposals. Officers working on this project have followed appropriate procedures and have been subjected to the required levels of governance throughout. The project also has progressed in accordance with previous Cabinet decisions. For this reason, I do not feel that an investigation is necessary.

Information received from the District Valuer indicates that the impact on properties local to cemetery developments is limited and that the presence of existing cemeteries can enhance the value of neighbouring properties.

The decision taken by Cabinet on 13th September 2018 in respect of this matter was called-in in accordance with Scrutiny Committee Procedure 11.7.  The call-in will be considered by Scrutiny Management Board on 8th October2018.  This item is listed on an “if required” basis, should Scrutiny Management Board decide to send the decision back with its comments to the Cabinet in order for it to then take a final decision.

Consideration of this item was not necessary as the Scrutiny Management Board had, at its meeting held on 8th October 2018, supported the decision taken by the Cabinet on 13th September 2018 in relation to the Environmental Services Contract.         

A report of the Head of Finance and Property Services to consider finalisation of the VPRS (Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme) budget allocation (based on more information than was available during the budget setting process).

Key Decision

Considered a report of the Head of Finance and Property Services to consider finalisation of the VPRS (Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme) budget allocation (based on more information than was available during the budget setting process) (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Group Accountant assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED that the budget virements outlined in Part B of the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services for the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement scheme be approved.

Reason

To comply with 1.6 of the Scheme of Budgetary Virement where budget changes more than £100,000 are taken to Cabinet for approval.

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration to consider a revised Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan, for recommendation to Council.

Key Decision

Having declared an interest, Councillor Rollings left the meeting during the consideration of this item.

Considered a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration to consider a revised Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan, for recommendation to Council (item 8 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that it be recommended to Council that:

1.      the Strategic Growth Plan (SGP) “Leicester and Leicestershire 2050: Our Vision for Growth” (attached at Appendix A to the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration) be approved; and

2.      the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader and the Joint Strategic Planning Manager, be authorised to agree prior to publication any final minor amendments to the SGP which do not significantly change the overall content or purpose of the document prior to its publication.  

Reasons

1.      Approval of the Strategic Growth Plan will put in place a key long-term strategy for the future development and prosperity of Leicester and Leicestershire.

2.      The revised Strategic Growth Plan document is being submitted to each participating authority for approval during the autumn/early winter and it is likely that, during this process, the need for some minor changes will be identified.  Enabling the Chief Executive to make such amendments following consultation with the Leader and Joint Strategic Planning Manager will avoid unnecessary delay. The Joint Strategic Planning Manager reports to all partner organisations and acts on behalf of the Members’ Advisory Group (MAG).

Councillor Rollings returned to the meeting.

A report of the Head of Customer Experience to consider options for the delivery of the Revenues and Benefits Service post 2020 (when the current outsourcing contract comes to an end).

Key Decision

Considered a report of the Head of Customer Experience to consider options for the delivery of the Revenues and Benefits Service post 2020 (when the current outsourcing contract would come to an end) (item 9 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Capleton, Chair of the Overview Scrutiny Group, presented a report detailing the Group’s pre-decision scrutiny of the matter and recommendation (copy filed with these minutes).

The Head of Customer Experience assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.         that the development of Options 2 and 3, as set out in Part B of the report of the Head of Customer Experience, into detailed and costed proposals to present to Cabinet for a final decision on the future provision of the Revenues and Benefits service, be endorsed;

2.      that the report of the Overview Scrutiny Group be noted.

Reasons

1.         To allow resources to be focussed on a defined set of preferred future service delivery options.

2.      To acknowledge the work undertaken by and the views of the Overview Scrutiny Group.

A report of the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces to further consider options for a new cemetery site for Loughborough.

Key Decision

Having declared an interest, Councillor Rollings left the meeting during the consideration of this item.

Considered a report of the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces to further consider options for a new cemetery site for Loughborough (item 10 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Capleton, Chair of the Overview Scrutiny Group, presented a report detailing the Group’s pre-decision scrutiny of the matter and recommendation (copy filed with these minutes).

The Leader wished to thank the Overview Scrutiny Group for its useful scrutiny of matters to be decided at this meeting.

The Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Community Wellbeing and the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces assisted with consideration of the report.  The Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces referred to typographical errors in the report as follows.  Page 68 of the agenda, the Scrutiny Management Board meeting referred to in the final paragraph had been held on 14th November 2017.  Page 69 of the agenda, the Cabinet meeting referred to in the first paragraph had been held on 16th November 2017.

RESOLVED

1.      that land at Nanpantan be approved as the location of the site to be developed as a new cemetery subject to approval by the Environment Agency and Planning Permission being obtained;

2.      that the revision of the capital programme for the cemetery development project, to allocate £60,000 of capital funding for 2018/19 to enable the commencement of pre-development surveys and assessments and £590,000 for construction/development to 2020/21, be approved;

3.      that the report of the Overview Scrutiny Group be noted.

Reasons

1.      To reflect the outcome of detailed independent site assessments carried out to the 3 shortlisted sites and to reflect the public consultation undertaken by the Council.

2.      To ensure that sufficient resources are made available to deliver the project.

3.      To acknowledge the work undertaken by and the views of the Overview Scrutiny Group.