Agenda and minutes

For information, disclosable pecuniary interests and registrable interests relate to entries that are included, or should be included,  on a councillor’s register of interests. Non-registrable interests relate to any other matters.

No disclosures were made.

No announcements were made.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7th July 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The deadline for questions is noon on Monday, 3rd October 2022.

No questions had been submitted.

A report of the Head of Governance and Human Resources (MO).

Considered, a report of the Head of Governance and Human Resources to consider the recommendations and observations of the Digital Transformation Scrutiny Panel (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Brookes, Chair of the Digital Transformation Scrutiny Panel, presented the recommendations and observations of the Panel. In concluding the item, he wished for the record to thank officers for both their time and outstanding work in this area. 

The Digital Transformation Scrutiny Panel was thanked for its scrutiny of the matter.

RESOLVED

1.         that, in respect of Panel recommendation 1, members are invited to be involved in the testing and feedback stage of the development and implementation of the new website;

2.         that, in respect of Panel recommendation 2, members are offered and encouraged to participate in the Digital Champions initiative to enable the further development of their digital skills further as required allowing greater support to residents;

3.         that, in respect of Panel recommendation 3, members be offered further digital skills training to increase awareness and confidence in the use and services available on line to the Council’s customers;

4.         that four observations of the Panel set out in the report be noted.

Reason

1-4.   To acknowledge the work undertaken by and the views of the Digital Transformation Scrutiny Panel and to ensure implementation of scrutiny recommendations where agreed by the Cabinet.

Councillors Bokor and Poland, attending virtually, confirmed that they would have voted in favour of the above decision had they been physically present at the meeting and able to do so.

A report of the Director Commercial and Economic Development.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Director Commercial and Economic Development seeking approval for the budget initially agreed for Solar Feasibility to be expanded in its scope to include feasibility work for any measure to reduce or offset carbon (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 Director Commercial and Economic Development assisted with consideration of the report.

The view was expressed that it would be useful for all members to be kept updated on the Council’s progress regarding carbon reduction.

RESOLVED

1.         that wider use of the £150,000 budget allocated for solar feasibility studies to undertake wider carbon reduction/offsetting feasibility studies be approved;

2.         that authority for the same be delegated to the Director Commercial and Economic Development to commission work;

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

Reasons

1.         To understand the Council’s options and ability to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the move to net zero.

2.         To allow for the timely completion of studies such that that any following phases of a project can be planned and submitted for scrutiny and approval.

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

Councillors Bokor and Poland, attending virtually, confirmed that they would have voted in favour of the above decision had they been physically present at the meeting and able to do so.

A report of the Chief Executive.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Chief Executive outlining the support the Council had put in place regarding the cost of living crisis and requesting financial resources to provide enhanced support to residents and businesses, together with a supplementary report of the Chief Executive setting out Council’s consideration on 5th September 2022 of a Position Statement regarding the cost of living which had been referred to the Cabinet (item 8 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 Chief Executive and the Director Finance, Governance and Contracts assisted with consideration of the report and supplementary report.

The view was expressed that the generic wording on Council Tax reminder letters was quite harsh and that consideration should be given as to whether that could be softened, being mindful of the current financial climate. This might also apply to other payment reminder letters sent out by the Council. Also suggested, that a debt advice leaflet be included with such letters.  In response, the Chief Executive would look into the suggestions, highlighting that a balance was needed between ensuring that the wording did not cause distress, but was sufficiently firm to ensure payments were collected and legal process was met.  The Council would seek to provide support where possible and the importance of early engagement by all sides was noted.

It was suggested that the Council could partner with additional campaigns to add to its support of local businesses throughout Charnwood.  The Chief Executive would discuss this with Councillor Rattray following the meeting.

RESOLVED

1.      that the release of £180,000 from the Reinvestment Reserve for internal and voluntary sector use to assist communities with the cost of living crisis be approved;

2.      that delegated authority is given to the Chief Executive for the distribution of these funds. The submitted report set out an indicative spend plan;

3.      that any funds unspent at 31 March 2023 are returned to the Reinvestment Reserve;

4.      that it be noted that the Cabinet confirmed the above to be an appropriate response to the Position Statement referred to it by Council;

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

Reasons 

1.      To provide support to communities and businesses with the cost of living crisis through a range of mechanisms.

2.      There is a project team led by the Chief Executive and comprising of officers from across the Council who will develop a comprehensive spend plan outlining where the support will be allocated.

3.      To ensure that financial resources are not unnecessarily earmarked and hence unavailable for alternate uses.

4.      To acknowledge the Position Statement, its referral from Council and the response to it.

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

Councillors Bokor and Poland, attending virtually, confirmed that they would have voted in favour of the above decision had they been physically present at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

A report of the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety seeking approval of the Notice of Intention and upon expiry of the 28-day notice period to approve the Public Spaces Protection Order (Charnwood Borough Council) Control of Dogs 2023 under the provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 (item 9 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).  In response to a question, she confirmed that the Commission had considered Option 1 in recommendation 1 to be the most appropriate course of action. 

The Scrutiny Commission was thanked for its pre-decision scrutiny of this item and items earlier in the meeting.

The Head of Regulatory and Community Safety assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.      that the following option be included in the Notice of Intention for Stonebow Washlands, Loughborough: 

Option 1 - to maintain the existing restriction of dogs on leads by direction on the playing fields (yellow zone on the map shown in Appendix C to the report);

2.      that the Notice of Intention, attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved and issued once the schedule of areas is amended to reflect the Cabinet decision in resolution 1 above;

3.      that if there are no objections the draft Public Spaces Protection Order (‘PSPO’), attached at Appendix B to the report, be approved as drafted after the expiry of the 28 days’ notice period;

4.      that the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety, in consultation with the Lead Member for Business Support, be given delegated authority to amend and make the Order if there are only minor alterations required;

5.      that the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety, in consultation with the Lead Member for Business Support, be given delegated authority to make revisions and amendments to the Order in response to future requests for additional dog controls (for requests which cover no more than one ward);

6.      that the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety, in consultation with the Lead Member for Business Support, be given delegated authority to extend the Order if there are no major changes required to the Order at the renewal time (January 2026);

7.      that the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety, in consultation with the Lead Member for Business Support, be given delegated authority to authorise staff at Parish/Town Councils or other organisations, as deemed appropriate, to issue fixed penalty notices for dog control offences;

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

Reasons 

1.      To enable Cabinet to decide on the preferred option whether to maintain or extend the current restrictions after considering the evidence, as detailed in the background papers, put forward during the consultation period and specifically regarding Stonebow Washlands, Loughborough.

2.      To inform the public about the content of the proposed PSPO and give a formal opportunity for them to raise comments. 

3.      To  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

A report of the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety.

Considered, a report of the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety seeking approval of the Notice of Intention and upon expiry of the 28-day notice period to approve the Public Spaces Protection Order (Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood) Control of Dogs 2023 under the provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 (item 10 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Regulatory and Community Safety assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Notice of Intention, attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved and issued;

2.      that, if there are no objections, the draft Public Spaces Protection Order (‘PSPO’), attached at Appendix B to the report, be made as drafted after the expiry of the 28 days’ notice period;

3.      that the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety, in consultation with the Lead Member for Business Support, be given delegated authority to amend and make the Order if there are only minor alterations required;

4.      that the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety, in consultation with the Lead Member for Business Support, be given delegated authority to make revisions and amendments to the Order in response to future requests for additional dog controls at Bradgate Park Estate and that the Constitution be amended accordingly;

5.      that the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety, in consultation with the Lead Member for Business Support, be given delegated authority to renew the Order if there are no major changes required to the Order at the renewal time (January 2026) and that the Constitution be amended accordingly;

6.      that the Head of Regulatory and Community Safety, in consultation with the Lead Member for Business Support, be given delegated authority to authorise staff employed by Bradgate Park Estate to issue fixed penalty notices for dog control offences.

Reasons 

1.      To inform the public about the principles of the proposed PSPO and give a formal opportunity for them to raise objections and make comments.

2.&3. To make the PSPO under the provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, to address anti-social behaviour issues relating to dog control.

4.      To enable relevant revisions of the PSPO subject to evidence of dog control issues.

5.      To enable renewal of the PSPO if there are no major changes required.

6.      To authorise officers of Bradgate Park Estate so they can provide dog control enforcement across Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood.

Councillors Bokor and Poland, attending virtually, confirmed that they would have voted in favour of the above decision had they been physically present at the meeting and able to do so.

A report of the Chief Executive.

Considered, a report of the Chief Executive setting out an action taken by the Head of Customer Services under urgency provisions (item 11 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Democratic Services Manager assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED that the action taken be the Head of Customer Services under urgency provisions, as set out in the report, be noted.

Reason

To ensure that the action has been reported to the Cabinet in accordance with the requirements of the Council's Constitution.

Councillors Bokor and Poland, attending virtually, confirmed that they would have voted in favour of the above decision had they been physically present at the meeting and able to do so.