Agenda and minutes

Councillor Morgan declared a pecuniary interest in item 7 on the agenda (Insurance Arrangements) as a Director of the Local Government Mutual (LGM) and would leave the meeting during the consideration of the item.

The Leader made the following announcement:

Coronavirus Pandemic

“This has been an extraordinary few weeks and unlike any period that any of us have lived through.  Nationally and locally we have been tested.  Many of our families, colleagues and residents have been struck down by the virus, several have been admitted to hospital and I’m afraid some have not survived.  But the crisis is not over yet, it may barely in fact have begun.  We must adapt and find a way to live with it over the coming months.  It is clear that online public meetings like this one will be the new standard.  We will not be holding meetings at Southfields until the crisis has passed and it is safe for all colleagues, including the most vulnerable, to be together again.  Until then, as every part of the Council adapts to a new way of supporting residents and delivering services, its democratic structures must change too, to ensure the same rigour, scrutiny and quality of debate whilst remaining accountable and transparent.  So finally, along with Cabinet colleagues and beyond, I would like to pay my thanks to the Chief Executive, his officers and the Council’s contractors for the support they have given to residents and businesses across Charnwood over the past few weeks.  They have been outstanding and have made a significant difference to so many lives. So, thank you”.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12th March 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.

The deadline for questions is noon on Wednesday 29th April 2020. 

A.        Councillor Draycott – Commercial Property Investment

“Revenue Budget 2020/21 – Commercial Property Investment and New Post

Would the Leader inform Cabinet of the progress on both these matters which were important factors in the Budget agreed by Councillors in February?

Also, does the review by MPs on councils using the public purse in this way change/affect this strategy?”

The following response had been published prior to the meeting:

The Council is committed to becoming a more commercial and entrepreneurial organisation – and this is probably now even more important given the economic conditions facing us. This will be achieved through a variety of means but a key factor will be the Strategic Director of Commercial Development role. The new postholder will provide leadership, commercial acumen and experience to the Council. The post has been appointed to and Justin Henry will be joining the Council on June 29th. 

Whilst the economic context has changed there will remain opportunities for commercial investment, and we need to be able to respond these effectively. Furthermore, the role will be essential in supporting the Councils efforts on economic, community and organisational recovery. A specific focus on our assets and buildings will be an early priority. 

The review by MPs will be interesting and its outcomes will be factored into our strategic approach to commercial investments.

In asking a supplementary question/making a statement, Councillor Draycott thanked the Leader and officer for the response.  She stated that the new post was critical to the Council in continuing to deliver services and maintain staff during this financial year.  The response provided indicated a change to the job description for the post towards leading in the coronavirus recovery programme and not as agreed by Council to find commercial opportunities to bring in vital income, that income now being needed even more.  The Government had helped the Council with funding over the period of Covid-19, but not sufficiently to cover total increased expenditure.  The Local Government Association considered that 3 to 4 times more would be needed by councils.  Therefore, when would councillors have full oversight of current budgets, noting that the first Cabinet report was not scheduled until July, could this be earlier and would the new job description for the new post and salary costs be made available to members?

The Leader asked the Chief Executive to respond, referencing in particular the report on coronavirus recovery due to be considered by Cabinet.  The Chief Executive stated that that report was scheduled for consideration by Cabinet on 4th June 2020, with the Scrutiny Commission having the opportunity to scrutinise that.  He added that the job description for the new post was as approved and was a matter for the Chief Executive rather than Council.  The commercial property investment focus of the post remained, but it was also hoped that the recovery agenda would also be assisted with.  Reports would be submitted to Cabinet and later Council setting out budgets and all of the implications associated with the coronavirus  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Key Decision

Considered a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration to consider in principle approval of the scheme design for public realm works at Bedford Square and Devonshire Square, Loughborough (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Informal pre-decision scrutiny of the report had been undertaken by individual members of the Scrutiny Commission, set out in an addendum to the item (copy filed with these minutes).

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

Cabinet noted that approval in principle was being requested at this stage, with a further report setting out full costings to be considered for approval later in 2020.

RESOLVED

1.      that the project scheme design and specification as outlined in Part B and Appendix 1 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 minor modifications to the scheme design and specification during the drawing up of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs);

3.      that the phased approach to implementing the project, detailed in Section 10 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 seek out additional funding, as may be necessary, to deliver the whole scheme;

5.      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 legal obligations necessary, to prepare the scheme for implementation.

Reasons

1.      To ensure that Members are in agreement with the proposed scheme design in principle so that it can be submitted to the County Highway Authority to secure the necessary TROs and the final construction drawings can be prepared.

2.      To enable minor modifications to the scheme design to be made in response to any technical issues that may arise from the TRO process and also any requirements arising from County Highway Authority advice on the technicalities of the scheme design.

3.      To ensure that a scheme of works can be prioritised and delivered in a phased way, within the available budget.

4.      To respond to the provisions of the Constitution that limit the delegated authority of Heads of Service to accept grant funding above £200k without separate Cabinet approval.

5.      To obtain agreement with Leicestershire County Council that the proposed works can be undertaken on the public highway and that any other legal agreements and requirements to prepare the final scheme design for implementation can be secured.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support.

Key Decision

Having declared an interest, Councillor Morgan left the meeting during the consideration of this item. The item was chaired by Councillor Barkley.

Considered, a report of the Head of Strategic Support to consider extending the Council’s current long-term agreement for insurance for a further year (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Informal pre-decision scrutiny of the report had been undertaken by individual members of the Scrutiny Commission, set out in an addendum to the item (copy filed with these minutes).

The Head of Strategic Support assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED that the Council extends its existing long-term agreement (LTA) for insurance for a further year (ie. from 1st June 2020 to 31st May 2021) and that delegated authority be given to the Head of Strategic Support to finalise and agree the detailed terms of the extension.

Reason 

To ensure that the Council has appropriate insurance cover in place.

Councillor Morgan returned to the meeting.