Agenda and minutes

Councillors Barkley, Poland and Taylor declared personal interests in Item 7 on the agenda (Model of Local Government in Leicestershire), as Leicestershire County Councillors.

No announcements were made.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5th July 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The deadline for questions is noon on Wednesday, 8th August 2018. 

(i)         Councillor Snartt – Cabinet 16th August 2018 Item 7 Model of Local Government in Leicestershire

Although the Policy Justification and Previous Decisions stated in Part A of the Cabinet Report 16th August 2018 does in some ways meet the objectives of the Corporate Plan, I believe that the recommendation in Part A of the Model of Local Government in Leicestershire falls short of the Council’s commitment to our residents. Customer First, we put the customer at the heart of everything we do.  I ask Cabinet to consider widening the recommendation to put the residents of Charnwood at the forefront of any changes to the structure of Local Government in Leicestershire.

In light of our commitment through the Corporate Plan, would Cabinet agree to amend the recommendation? That the Council adopts a collaborative approach with other Local Authorities in Leicestershire to examine what may be the best way of delivering local services for the residents of the Borough of Charnwood, the County and in the wider context of the East Midlands region.

The following response had been published prior to the meeting:

Councillor Snartt is absolutely correct that this Council puts the customer at the heart of everything we do.  The recommendation in item 7 was drafted to reflect exactly what had been agreed by District Council Leaders across Leicestershire in their joint statement issued on 27th July.

Cabinet will take Councillor Snartt’s observations into account when considering this matter later on the agenda.

In making a statement, Councillor Snartt thanked the Deputy Leader for the reply and reiterated the importance both of putting residents of Charnwood at the forefront of any outcomes that were decided and understanding fully how proposed structures would affect our communities.  Accordingly, he hoped that the Cabinet would amend the recommendation made in Item 7 to refer to residents of the Borough of Charnwood.  Councillor Snartt referred also to the importance of keeping councillors informed of progress on the matter, preferably via regular updates, and of making sure that residents saw genuine improvement and benefits to services and financial gains if changes to structures were made.

In response, the Deputy Leader confirmed that Councillor Snartt’s suggestion would be considered under Item 7 on the agenda. 

(ii)       Councillor Jukes – HMO Licensing

I look forward to the presentation of the research results by Professor Smith and Andreas Colura on the 20th of August.

Will the Leader/Deputy Leader confirm that, working with the appropriate Lead Member, he will investigate the possibilities of licensing across Charnwood Borough?

The following response had been published prior to the meeting:

We are all very much looking forward to Professor Smith’s presentation on his findings, following three years of study which the Council supported through £21k funding.

The objective of the study was to help identify Houses in Multiple Occupation by sharing data to produce a database, analyse the results of the mapping and study the impact of Houses in Multiple Occupation on the Borough in terms of dynamics and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

A joint report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services and the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces to consider agreeing funding to improve safety and access at sites owned by the Council.  Report to follow.

Key Decision

Considered a joint report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services and Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces to consider agreeing funding to improve safety and secured access at open spaces owned by the Council (item 6 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 Cleansing and Open Spaces assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.            that funding of up to £50k is identified in the Capital Programme to address works to improve access and safety at open spaces owned by the Council and that the Capital Plan be amended accordingly;

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

Reasons 

1.            To ensure resources to support improvements for security, safety and access for Charnwood owned open spaces.

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

A report of the Chief Executive to consider the Council working with other local authorities in Leicestershire to review the current model of local government for Leicestershire. 

Considered a report of the Chief Executive to consider the Council working with other local authorities in Leicestershire to review the current model of local government for Leicestershire (item 7 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 Chief Executive assisted with consideration of the report.

In considering this item, the Cabinet acknowledged in particular the importance of keeping all councillors up to date on progress, of comprehensive scrutiny of any proposals that came forward and that residents of the Borough and “Customer First” would always be the priority.

RESOLVED

1.            that the Council adopts a collaborative approach with other local authorities in Leicestershire to examine what may be the best way of delivering local services for residents in the County, and in the wider context of the East Midlands region;

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

Reasons

1.            To demonstrate commitment to collaborative working and produce a proposal upon which stakeholders have been fully engaged.

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