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 9th February 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Further to the issue of use of body worn cameras by Council street wardens raised at the last meeting (minute 60), the subsequent responses provided and following further investigation of the matter, outlined, the Chief Executive agreed to check whether continual recording by cameras would be a breach of relevant legislation and to subsequently ensure compliance/that street wardens were aware of the position.  Response on that to be sent to all members of the Cabinet.

The deadline for questions is noon on Monday, 27th February 2023. 

No questions had been submitted.

A report of the Head of Contracts, Leisure, Waste and Environment.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Contracts, Leisure, Waste and Environment seeking approval and adoption of the Leicestershire Resources and Waste Strategy 2022-2050 (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Contracts, Leisure, Waste and Environment assisted with consideration of the report. Regarding the performance comparison he had undertaken for Leicestershire authorities for the last complete year, he noted that members of the Cabinet would be interested to receive that information.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Leicestershire Resources and Waste Strategy and Action Plan (Appendices A and B to the report) be adopted;

2.      endorse the continuation of the waste partnership and request that the partnership is developed and enhanced to ensure appropriate political, strategic, and operational engagement;

3.      request that the partnership explores collaborative opportunities which have the potential to deliver environmental improvements, whilst helping to reduce costs across the waste-system, such that cost shunting is avoided and mutual benefits are shared across all partners.

Reasons

1.      The Strategy provides a policy framework to enable a sustainable system of waste management to be implemented.

2.      To ensure that the relevant authorities in Leicestershire have effective collaborative working arrangements at all levels.

3.      To ensure that resources are used effectively across all partners within the partnership.

A report of the Director Housing and Wellbeing.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Director Housing and Wellbeing to consider the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Asset Management Strategy 2023-2028 (item 7 on the agenda files with these minutes).

The Director Housing and Wellbeing assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Housing Revenue Account Asset Management Strategy 2023-2028 at Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

2.      that delegated authority be given to the Director Housing and Wellbeing to make minor amendments to the Housing Revenue Account Asset Management Strategy 2023-2028 in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Housing.

Reasons

1.      To set out a strategy for the management of HRA assets to provide high quality homes and communal areas.

2.      To enable minor amendments to be made in response to internal and external changes in context which have a bearing on the strategy.

A report of the Director Housing and Wellbeing.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Director Housing and Wellbeing to consider the housing capital programme for 2023-2024 (item 8 on the agenda files with these minutes).

The Director Housing and Wellbeing assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.      that virements and slippage on the following schemes exceeding £250,000 be recommended to Council for approval:

•        Z375        Garages

•        Z763        Kitchens

•        Z764        Bathrooms

•        Z765        Electrical upgrades

•        Z766        Window replacement

•        Z769        Roofing Works & Insulation;

2.      that the remaining virements and slippage on other schemes within the proposed housing capital programme budget for 2023-2024 amounting to £11,693,700 detailed at Appendix 1 to the report be approved and the Capital Plan be amended to reflect this.

Reason

1.& 2.    To improve the Council’s housing stock, in line with the Charnwood and Decent Homes Standards.

A report of the Head of Planning and Growth.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Planning and Growth seeking approval of the revised Local Development Scheme (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).

The Head of Planning and Growth 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 by Friday 30 March 2023; and

3.      that authority is delegated to the Head of Planning and Growth 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.

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

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.

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

A report of the Chief Executive.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Chief Executive proposing the Council’s Corporate Delivery Plan for 2023-24 (item 10 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, the Head of Transformation, Strategy and Performance and the Transformation and Improvement Manager assisted with consideration of the report.  Noted, an error at top of agenda page 196, duplication and possible omission, this could be corrected under requested delegated authority to make amendments.

In particular, the Cabinet discussed the current position with the Discover Charnwood website and the plans to progress and improve content on that, with suggestions made at this meeting being noted by officers.  

RESOLVED

1.      that the 2023-24 Corporate Delivery Plan, appended to the report, be approved;

2.      that delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to make amendments to the Corporate Delivery Plan.

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

Reasons 

1.      To identify the Council’s key activities and performance indicators for 2023-24 that support the objectives set out in the Corporate Strategy (2020-2024).

2.      To allow minor corrections and amendments to be made in a timely manner prior to publication and throughout the 2023-24 Corporate Delivery Plan.

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

A report of the Director Finance, Governance and Contracts.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Director Finance, Governance and Contracts requesting approval for forward funding in respect of the Charnwood Campus site, to enable the refurbishment of Building 28E (item 11 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 Scrutiny Commission was thanked for its valuable scrutiny of this matter and previous items.

The Director Finance, Governance and Contracts assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.      approve a conditional grant to the Leicester & Leicestershire Economic Partnership for an amount of up to £5.0m, to be recovered through retention of business rates generated within the Enterprise Zone;

2.      give delegated authority to the Director Finance, Governance and Contracts, in conjunction with the Chief Executive and Lead Member for Finance, to finalise details of the grant agreement and other agreements associated with this transaction.

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

Reasons

1.       To facilitate the development of the Charnwood Campus site within the Enterprise Zone.

2.      To facilitate efficient and timely completion of the legal arrangements.

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

A report of the Director Finance, Governance and Contracts.

Considered, a report of the Head of Transformation, Strategy and Performance proposing an updated Strategic Risk Register (item 12 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Transformation, Strategy and Performance assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.      that the draft Strategic Risk Register for 2023/24 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 authority is delegated to the Chief Executive to make amendments to the Strategic 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 ensure that the Strategic Risk Register is kept up to date and relevant.

A report of the Director Customer Experience.

Considered, a report of the Director Customer Experience seeking approval to write off irrecoverable debts in line with Financial Procedure Rules (item 13 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Director Finance, Governance and Contracts assisted with consideration of the report.  Noted, a suggestion that, in addition to listing directors of the company concerned in the report for the public record and as a possible deterrent, it would be useful to also list shareholders and to use full names including any known middle names.

RESOLVED that the following debt be written off:

£103,927.50 owed by Loco Mexicano Ltd.

Reason

The normal enforcement/recovery and tracing of these debts have been exhausted and write off is now the only alternative. The Council’s financial procedures require write-off any debt over £100,000 be approved by Cabinet.