Agenda and minutes

Disclosed under item 9 on the agenda (Private Sector Housing Licensing Schemes): by Councillor Morgan, an interest as a trustee of a Trust which held a property in one of areas included (not pecuniary).

No announcements were made.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10th February 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The deadline for questions is noon on Wednesday, 2nd March 2022.

No questions had been submitted.

A report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services to consider the Active Together Physical Activity Framework 2022-31 (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Ranson, Vice-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 Neighbourhood Services assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Active Together Physical Activity Framework 2022-31, attached at Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services, is adopted by the Council as a key delivery partner;

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

Reasons

1.      To provide Active Together with the evidence of the Council’s support and commitment for the principles set out in the 10 year framework.

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

A report of the Head of Landlord Services.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Landlord Services to consider a Housing Capital Programme for 2022-2023 (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Landlord Services assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED that the proposed Housing Capital Programme for 2022-2023 amounting to £8,874,400 detailed at Appendix 1 to the report be approved and the Capital Plan be amended to reflect this.

Reason

To improve the Council’s housing stock, in line with the Charnwood and Decent Homes Standards, thus delivering the priorities set out in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan approved by Cabinet in September 2014, the update to which was approved in February 2022 alongside the Asset Management Strategy Framework.

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration to consider a revised Local Development Scheme (item 8 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Group Leader Plans Policy and Place Making assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.      that the revised programme for the preparation of local development documents as set out in the Local Development Scheme attached to the report be approved;

2.      that the Local Development Scheme comes into effect and is published on 14 April 2022; and

3.      that authority is delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning to make any minor typographical/graphical amendments to the Local Development Scheme prior to its publication.

Reasons

1.      To ensure that the Local Development Scheme provides a realistic programme for the preparation of development plan documents.

2.      To meet the requirements of Section 15 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004), as amended by the Localism Act 2011 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004 (as amended by the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) (amendment) Regulations 2008, 2009 and 2012.

3.      To enable the timely publication of the revised Local Development Scheme.

A report of the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Licensing.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing to consider decisions in respect of the Private Sector Housing Licensing Schemes (item 9 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Ranson, Vice-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 Strategic and Private Sector Housing assisted with consideration of the report. Reference agenda page 96, it was noted that maps of two wards incorrectly labelled, this would be corrected before policy was published.

RESOLVED

1.      that the work completed to date to implement the two new discretionary licensing schemes be endorsed;

2.      that the Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing Policies (Appendix 1 and 2 to the report of the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing) be approved;

3.      that the Licence Conditions for the Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing Schemes (Appendix 3 [Houses in Multiple Occupation Licensing Scheme Licence Conditions] and 4 [Selective Licensing Scheme Licence Conditions] to the report of the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing) be approved;

4.      that the publication be approved of the Public Notices for the two designated schemes for three months and delegated authority be given to the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing for the implementation of the schemes thereafter;

5.      that delegated authority be given to the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing in consultation with the Lead Member for Private Housing to update or make minor amendments to the Licensing Policies and Conditions subject to there being no financial or human resource implications arising from the proposals;

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

Reasons 

1.      To enable the Cabinet to consider and endorse the work completed.

2.      To enable the Cabinet to consider and approve the final Houses in Multiple Occupation Policy and Selective Licensing Policy.

3.      To enable the Cabinet to consider and approve the final Licence Conditions for the Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing Schemes.

4.      To enable the required publication of the Public Notices for the two designated schemes for three months, and for the implementation of the schemes thereafter.

5.      To ensure that the Licensing Policies and Conditions remains relevant and responsive during the lifetime of the Policies.

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

A report of the Strategic Director; Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Strategic Director; Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure to consider the Annual Procurement Plan 2022-23 (item 10 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Strategic Director; Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure 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 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 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.

A report of the Strategic Director; Environmental and Corporate Services.

Considered, a report of the Strategic Director: Environmental and Corporate Services to consider the Strategic Risk Register 2022/23, also the Risk Management Framework (item 11 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Organisational Development Manager assisted with consideration of the report.

Reference SR7: risk that adequate data sharing and data security arrangements were not implemented leading to an increase in cyber-attacks (agenda page 159), the Chief Executive suggested that a brief update be sent to members of the Cabinet setting out the work the Council’s ICS Team was undertaking in this respect, in particular to prevent ransomware attacks and to protect the increasing number of Council databases.  This would be useful, also noted perhaps as matter for Cabinet Member Briefing.    

RESOLVED

1.      that the draft Strategic Risk Register for 2022/23 as set out in the Appendix to the report is adopted, and that the Audit Committee monitor progress against those risks on the register by receiving quarterly monitoring reports;

2.      that the Risk Management Framework as set out in the Appendix to the report is adopted;

3.      that authority is delegated to the Strategic Director; Environmental and Corporate Services to make amendments to the risk register where required, in consultation with the relevant risk owner and Lead Member.

Reasons 

1.         To ensure that the most significant risks to the Council achieving its objectives are identified and actively managed.

2.      To outline the Council’s corporate approach to Risk Management.

3.      To ensure that the Strategic Risk Register is kept up to date and relevant.

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 Paragraph 3 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.

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 Paragraph 3 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.

An exempt report of the Strategic Director; Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure circulated to members.

Notification was given on 9th February 2022 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

Considered, an exempt report of the Strategic Director; Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure to consider authority to sell Council-owned land known as Limehurst Depot (item 8 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Ranson, Vice-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 pre-decision scrutiny of reports to this meeting.

The Strategic Director; Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.      that decisions be made as detailed in the exempt minute (Cabinet Minute 98E 2021/22);

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

Reasons

1.      As set out in the exempt minute (Cabinet Minute 98E 2021/22).

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