Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting - Zoom. View directions

Note: This is a public meeting and can be viewed by clicking on the media link below (you may need to use Chrome as a browser to do so). Consideration of any exempt (confidential) items will not be part of the public meeting. 

Media

Items
No. Item

10.

Disclosures of Pecuniary and Personal Interests

Minutes:

The following disclosures were made:

 

(i)         Councillor Smidowicz – a personal interest as a trustee of The Carpenter’s Arms, that organisation was referred to in an item on the agenda.

(ii)        Councillor Poland – an interest in item 12 on the agenda as a member of Leicestershire Fire Authority.

11.

Leader's Announcements pdf icon PDF 222 KB

Minutes:

On behalf of the Leader, the Deputy Leader made the following announcement:

 

Srebrenica Memorial Day 2020

 

“This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, in which over 8,000 Muslim men and boys were murdered in the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War, simply because of their religious identity. As an organisation we believe that we must ensure that we never forget about the genocide and reaffirm our commitment to standing up against all forms of hatred and prejudice that targets groups based on their religion, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or any type of difference.

 

The theme of 2020, “Every Action Matters” seeks to encourage every person to reflect upon their own behaviour and choices that they make, and demonstrate that however insignificant it may seem, every action matters, whether positive or negative. It aims to show that those who stand up and unite against hatred can make a difference. It sets out to dispel the notion that one person cannot make a difference and show that the action of one individual does matter and that they can achieve a great deal, however small their action may appear initially.

 

It is now more important than ever for us to come together, no matter what our background, to celebrate diversity and to stand together in solidarity against hatred and discrimination by mourning the loss of those who died at Srebrenica and reflecting on how we as individuals, groups and communities can come together to build a better future without hatred”.

12.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 203 KB

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4th June 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.

13.

Questions under Cabinet Procedure 10.7 pdf icon PDF 194 KB

The deadline for questions is noon on Wednesday, 1st July 2020. 

Minutes:

A.      Mr M. Hunt – Garendon Obelisk and Woods Surrounding

 

“Would the Leader thank officers for the recent attention they have given to the protection and refurbishment of the Garendon Obelisk and their on-going care for the monuments and listed landscape?

 

The woods surrounding the Obelisk are within the Garendon Development Site Area, and at one end integral to Booth Wood in a continuous landscape feature.  What are the current and future plans for these woods which lie within the development site?

 

Would the Leader agree that it would be silly not to manage this area of woodland jointly for the protection of wildlife and controlled public access?

 

When do we expect Booth Wood to become Local Nature Reserves?”

 

The following response had been published prior to the meeting:

 

Booth Wood lies within the boundary of the Garendon SUE development area and is part of a wider area of woodland that surrounds the Obelisk.

 

The woodland within the Garendon estate will be managed for conservation and to control access/recreational use as the new housing develops but its characteristics are quite different from Booth Wood. Booth Wood is an established semi natural woodland with a varied structure and canopy composition whilst the woodland elsewhere on the Garendon estate is even aged plantation with a closed canopy and is understood to have fairly limited ground cover. It is therefore appropriate to treat them differently.

 

The Estate woodland is to be managed by a Management Company as set out in the legal agreement to the planning permission. Booth Wood is owned and managed by the Borough Council and that arrangement is expected to continue alongside those of the Management Company.

 

The Council expects Booth Wood to be declared as a Local Nature Reserve later this year.

 

Mr Hunt wished to ask the following supplementary question:

 

“My sincere thanks for this important background information and the welcome prospect of declaring Booth Wood a Local Nature Reserve.  I am a little confused by the statement that Booth Wood is “within the boundary of the Garendon SUE development area” and would be grateful for clarification of this because the wood clearly lies outside the red line defined in the latest Master Plan*.

 

Whilst I understand that some of the extensive woodland on the estate is different from Booth Wood, would you confirm that the adjoining wood to Booth Wood, extending as far as the Obelisk, is particularly different from Booth Wood in terms of its characteristics and in what way?”

 

*Mr Hunt had submitted his supplementary question to officers in advance of the meeting and had included a map to illustrate this point.

 

In response, the Deputy Leader stated that, in light of the supplementary question, the application details had been checked and it had been confirmed Booth Wood was adjoining but outside the boundary as indicated by Mr Hunt.  An apology was given for the oversight.  The Deputy Leader added that the Council’s Senior Ecologist advises that woodland within the Garendon estate will be managed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

General Fund and HRA Revenue Outturn Report 2019/20 and Carry Forward of Budgets pdf icon PDF 352 KB

A report of the Head of Finance and Property Services.

 

Key Decision

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Head of Finance and Property Services setting out  the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Outturn position for 2019/20 compared with Original budget and requesting budget carry forwards of £5.6k for the General Fund (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 Finance and Property Services assisted with consideration of the report.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the Revenue Outturn positions of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for 2019/20 be noted;

 

2.      that carry forwards of budgets amounting to £5.6k for Unit 4 upgrades, Making Tax Digital/GDPR Financial System upgrades that are still to be finalised in 2020, this is be funded from the General Fund working balance;

 

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

 

Reasons

 

1.         To enable the information to be used when considering future budgets and the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

 

2.         To enable the budgets to be carried forward to cover costs of committed services in 2020-21.

 

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

15.

Capital Plan Outturn Report 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 240 KB

A report of the Head of Finance and Property Services.

 

Key Decision

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Head of Finance and Property Services setting out total expenditure on the Capital Plan for 2019/20 compared with the current budget and detailing those schemes that required carry forward of budget to 2020/21 and 2021/22  and the provisional arrangements for the financing of the Plan (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 Head of Finance and Property Services assisted with consideration of the report.

 

It was agreed that the Head of Planning and Regeneration would be asked to provide information to Councillor Rattray on the current position with the Shepshed Bull Ring scheme.  It was understood that recent progress had been made with the scheme.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the outturn position for 2019/20 be noted and that slippage of capital budgets totalling £9,292,200 be carried forward into 2020/21 be approved (General Fund £8,404,100 and HRA £886,100) and the slippage will be added to the new 3 Year Capital Plan; 

 

2.      that the provisional financing of the Plan set out in Table 2 in Part B of the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services be noted;

 

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

 

Reasons  

 

1.      To enable projects to be completed.

 

2.      To indicate how the Plan is likely to be financed.

 

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

16.

Amendments to Annual Procurement Plan pdf icon PDF 188 KB

A report of the Head of Finance and Property Services.

 

Key Decision

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Head of Finance and Property Services setting out proposed additions to the Annual Procurement Plan 2020/21 (item 8 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Head of Finance and Property Services assisted with consideration of the report.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the contracts, over £25,000 and up to £75,000, listed in Appendix A to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services, be let in accordance with Contract Procedure Rules;

 

2.         that the contracts, over £75,001 and up to £500,000, listed in Appendix B to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services, be let in accordance with Contract Procedure Rules.

 

Reason  

 

1.& 2. To allow contracts of the Council to be let in accordance with contract procedure rules.

17.

Charnwood Community Development and Engagement/Loughborough Grants Redesignation pdf icon PDF 790 KB

A report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services.

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services seeking agreement to proposed amendments to the Charnwood Community Development and Engagement (including environmental) and Loughborough Community Grant Schemes in 2020/21 to ensure the provision of a grants scheme that supports the local voluntary and community sector (VCS) to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (item 9 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Head of Neighbourhood Services and the Neighbourhoods and Partnerships Manager assisted with consideration of the report.

 

Councillor Mercer referred to question 4 e) on the application form attached at appendix 2 to the report.  He considered that it would be useful to ask applicants to give details if they had applied for or received any other emergency funding during the current pandemic as this may affect the decision on the application.  In response, the Head of Neighbourhood Services stated that that was implied by the question, but it could be made more explicit that those details were needed.

 

RESOLVED     

 

1.         that approval is given to the amalgamation of the Charnwood Community Development and Engagement (including environmental) and the Loughborough Community Grant Schemes in 2020/21 into a single grants scheme renamed Charnwood VCS COVID-19 Recovery Grants; 

 

2.      that the Charnwood VCS COVID-19 Recovery Grants Scheme as outlined in Part B, sections 13 to 29 of the report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services is approved as the way forward for 2020/21;

 

3.      that the draft Application Form and Guidance Notes (containing the criteria) attached at Appendices A and B to the report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services are approved and that the Head of Neighbourhood Services, in agreement with the Cabinet Lead Member, is given delegated authority to finalise these documents; 

 

4.      that the Head of Neighbourhood Services, in agreement with the Cabinet Lead Member, is given delegated authority to determine the Charnwood VCS COVID-19 Recovery Grants to be awarded in 2020/21;

 

5.      that the Head of Neighbourhood Services is given delegated authority to finalise the terms and conditions of the awarded Charnwood VCS COVID-19 Recovery grants.

 

Reasons     

 

1.      To ensure the 2020/21 grants programme is responsive to meeting the needs of the local voluntary and community sector to recover from the impact of the COVID19 pandemic for the period up to 31 March 2021.

 

2.      To enable the delivery of a grants scheme in 2020/21 that is responsive to the impact of COVID-19 on the VCS and assists with its recovery.

 

3.      To enable any further amendments that are required to be made in the required timescales.

 

4.      To ensure that decisions regarding the award of grants, following recommendations from the Grants Panel, can be made in a responsive and timely way to ensure that the required support to the VCS is provided as quickly as possible.

 

5.      To enable the grants awarded to be finalised and appropriate information to be supplied to the Council about the outcomes of the project.

18.

Urgent Decisions Taken During Covid-19 Pandemic pdf icon PDF 834 KB

A report of the Chief Executive.

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Chief Executive setting out actions taken by the Chief Executive and/or Strategic Directors and Heads of Service which were made under urgency provisions due to the COVID-19 pandemic (item 10 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Chief Executive and the Democratic Services Manager assisted with consideration of the report.  It was acknowledged that the requirements of Section 8.3 of the Council’s Constitution had been incorrectly stated in the report in that the requirement was for the action to be reported to the next meeting of the Cabinet and not to a future meeting of the Cabinet as appropriate.  On this occasion, the action had been reported as soon as possible, but that had not been to the next meeting of the Cabinet.  The Chief Executive added that there remained some further urgent decisions taken by officers that would be reported to Cabinet.

 

RESOLVED that the actions taken by the Chief Executive, and/or Strategic Directors and Heads of Service, which were made under urgency provisions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, be noted.

 

Reason

 

To ensure that the actions have been reported to the Cabinet.

19.

Exempt Information

It is recommended that members of the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following item on the grounds that it will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that members of the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following item on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

 

The Information Development Manager confirmed that the meeting was no longer being livestreamed.

20.

Enterprise Zone Update

An exempt report of the Chief Executive, circulated to members. To Follow.

 

Notification was given on 3rd June 2020 that the public could potentially be excluded during this item since exempt or confidential information could be considered.  No representations regarding considering this item in exempt session have been received.

 

Key Decision

Minutes:

Considered, an exempt report of the Chief Executive to consider the Legal Agreement between the Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership (item 12 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

Councillor Seaton, Chair of the Scrutiny Commission, presented an exempt 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 item and items considered earlier in the meeting.

 

The Chief Executive assisted with consideration of the report.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that decisions be made as detailed in the exempt minute (Cabinet Minute 20E 2020/21);

 

2.         that the exempt report of the Scrutiny Commission be noted.

 

Reasons

 

1.         As set out in the exempt minute (Cabinet Minute 20E 2020/21).

 

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