Agenda and minutes

The Mayor opened the meeting and stated that that the meeting was being recorded and the sound recording would be made available on the Council’s website.  In addition, under the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations people may film, record, tweet or blog the meeting and that was outside the Council’s control.

The Mayor reflected on the importance of flowers and gardens and paid tribute to Loughborough resident Harry Cook who had recently passed away.  She then read a poem entitled ‘To Harry’.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Gaskell, Huddlestone, Lowe, Miah and Murphy, and from Honorary Aldermen Bush and Stott.

No disclosures of pecuniary and personal interests were made.

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 25th June 2018.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 25th June 2018 were confirmed and signed.

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

The Mayor reminded Councillors that she would be holding her Civic Service on Wednesday, 19^th September 2018 at All Saints with Holy Trinity Parish Church, Loughborough commencing at 6.30 p.m.

To consider significant, recent matters affecting the Council or the Borough (if any).

The Leader made the following announcement.

“Madam Mayor, it is with great sadness that I report the recent death of the former Great Central Railway Chairman, Bill Ford.  Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.  He will be greatly missed. I also echo the Mayors words and sentiments about Harry Cook.

To receive announcements from the Chief Executive (if any).

The Chief Executive made no announcements.

To allow councillors to formally submit petitions for consideration under the Council’s petition scheme, as set out in Full Council Procedure 9.8.

No petitions were submitted.

To consider the following matters reserved to Council in accordance with Section 5 of the Constitution:

To consider the following matters reserved to Council in accordance with Part 5 of the Constitution.

A report of the Monitoring Officer, informing Council of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s annual review letter for 2017/18.

A report of the Monitoring Officer, informing the Council of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s annual review letter for 2017/18, was submitted (item 6.1 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

It was proposed by Councillor Poland, seconded by Councillor Fryer and

RESOLVED that the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s review letter for 2017/18, attached as Appendix A to the report of the Monitoring Officer, and the summary of the upheld complaint as set out in Part B of the report, be noted.

Reason

To comply with the guidance from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman that the Monitoring Officer should make Members aware of upheld complaints on a periodic basis.

A report of the Chief Executive, presenting a proposal to undertake the required compulsory review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations within the Borough.

A report of the Chief Executive, presenting a proposal to undertake the required compulsory review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations within the Borough, was submitted (item 6.2 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

It was proposed by Councillor Poland, seconded by Councillor Grimley and

RESOLVED that a review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations within the Borough be undertaken, to commence on 1st October 2018, with final proposals being reported for decision at the scheduled Council meeting on 21st January 2019.

Reason

To comply with the requirements of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, and to ensure that any amended arrangements for polling districts, polling places and polling stations are in place in time for the Borough elections on 2nd May 2019.

There are no references to Council following the call-in of a Cabinet decision under Scrutiny Committee Procedure 11.7.

There were no call-in references from Scrutiny.

No requests for position statements have been received.

No position statements had been requested.

No motions on notice have been received.

No motions on notice had been submitted.

To deal with the following questions on notice, submitted under Full Council Procedure 9.9(a):

The Questions on Notice and the responses of the Leader or his nominee were submitted (item 10 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Question submitted by Councillor Hayes.

Councillor Hayes stated he was disappointed that he needed to ask a supplementary question following the Leaders agreement and group meeting last February.  He further stated that he was surprised at the written answer because of the issues surrounding poor contract documentation and the poor quality of work delivered by the previous decent homes contractor.  He asked what action the Chief Executive was proposing to take on the matters he had highlighted. 

In response Councillor Harper-Davies referred to the written response and advised that he would be updated accordingly along the journey.

Question submitted by Councillor Hayes.

Councillor Hayes thanked the Lead Member for the response.  He stated that the residents of Grange Park would say that they had a bad deal from a  current S106 agreement which was in the process of being changed.  He further went on to ask the Lead Member to provide an independent legal assessment of the S106 agreement, and made reference to the relationship between developers and the Planning Service.

In response, Councillor Vardy referred to the written response.

Question submitted by Councillor Campsall.

Councillor Campsall stated that he was disappointed in the response from the Lead Member, and described a range of examples where older people were concerned for their safety.  He asked the Lead Member to accompany him on a ‘walkabout’ to see the issues being experienced by tenants.

In response Councillor Mercer stated that he was more than willing to go on a ‘walkabout’ and would make arrangements to do so, but expressed caution about identifying specific tenants as these were vulnerable people.  He also explained the view of the Police and commented that they did not consider fencing would help with the anti-social behaviour and other issues. Reference was made to the efforts made by the Police to reduce the levels of anti-social behaviour at the nearby shops. He also pointed out that the Thorpe Acre estate constituted 4.5% of the Council stock but only 3% of reported anti-social behaviour incidents occurred on the estate, suggesting it was not a ‘hot spot’. He also said that the level of reported incidents had decreased year on year over recent years.  He closed by saying that the cost of erecting fences would cost £100 per metre along with on-going maintenance costs, and so was not a practical solution given the facts presented by the Police.

Question submitted by Councillor Bradshaw.

Councillor Bradshaw thanked the Lead Member for the response. She stated that she was not convinced that all S106 monies were being delivered and asked that the quarterly report to the officers group be circulated to all members in the future.

In response Councillor Vardy stated that he would look into the request and in the meantime suggested that she attend a future meeting to see the depth of detail discussed.

Question submitted by Councillor Draycott.

Councillor Draycott thanked the Lead Member for the response. In view of the response she asked that all Members’ be sent information setting out the number of cases since 2013/14 with a breakdown for each year, and be given an explanation on how the monies will be paid back to those incorrectly charged including how the Council will ensure monies are refunded back to each person.

In response Councillor Harper-Davies advised that she would arrange for the information to be circulated to all Members’.

Question submitted by Councillor Draycott.

Councillor Draycott thanked the Lead Member for the response. She stated that as a resident of Charnwood she had not been given any notification of these changes or any information that bags can be requested. She enquired when residents would be advised that their recycling will be collected by the kerbside system only.  In addition she asked for information about the negotiations with the kerbside contractor as additional resources would be required.

In response Councillor Harper-Davies advised that bags can be ordered through the Council’s website and that she was not aware that letters had been sent to residents. In terms of negotiations with the contractor she advised that she would arrange for the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces to reply directly.

Question submitted by Councillor K. Harris.

Cllr K. Harris thanked the Lead Member for the response.  He stated that the answer dealt with cleansing only and not path clearing.  He described various examples and advised that when he explained to residents the workings of the contract they remained dissatisfied. He recognised that the Council needs to make efficiency savings but a system that relies on residents reporting issues means that streets accumulate dirt, paths become unpassable and trees become overgrown. He considered that the system created ‘fatigue’ in voluntary reporting and residents considered that they should not have to report routine issues. 

Councillor Harper- Davies thanked Cllr K. Harris for his enquiry.  She stated that she agreed with some of his points but the unpredictability of the weather impacts street cleansing.  She further stated that she was surprised that he was dissatisfied at the service as she had personally found the team to be exemplary. She suggested that any specific cases should be directed to her so that she can arrange for the necessary action to be undertaken.

Question submitted by Councillor Miah.

There was no supplementary question or statement on this matter.

Question submitted by Councillor Hamilton.

Councillor Hamilton stated that whilst it was good to see a reduction in the number of ASB incidents across the Borough, the data had to be seen in the context of the overall rise in crime which was up by 11% for Charnwood.  He referenced Loughborough Town Centre as up by 12%, Shepshed, Hathern and Dishley up over 40%, and Sileby and Charnwood North up over 50%.  He referenced the report that went to Scrutiny Management Board in August where there was acknowledgement that cuts in support services can result in an increase in the burden on services elsewhere.  He further stated that it was good to see initiatives in place to prioritise areas of focus but did ask that the Council looks very carefully when it asks for savings to ensure adequate funding for support services. Otherwise it could run the risk of creating problems further down the line and ultimately impact on the quality of life for all residents.  

Councillor Taylor thanked Councillor Hamilton for his question.  She stated that Charnwood were the best performing Community Safety Partnership (CSP) in our family group, and the team and the Police should be praised. She pointed out that reporting criteria had changed which affects the analysis of crime statistics.  She gave assurances that the team do all they can and are excellent at tackling Anti-Social Behaviour.

There are no minute references.

There were no minute references.

A report of the Chief Executive, informing the Council of a decision taken by the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing to acquire a property which was exempted from call-in in accordance with Scrutiny Committee Procedure 11.9

A report of the Chief Executive, informing the Council of a decision taken by the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing to acquire a property which was exempted from call-in in accordance with Scrutiny Committee Procedure 11.9, was submitted (item 12 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

A report of the Chief Executive, informing the Council of changes to the delegation of Executive functions to officers.

A report of the Chief Executive, informing the Council of changes to the delegation of Executive functions, was submitted (item 13 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

To consider any changes to Committee membership for the current Council year (2018/19) (if any).

It was proposed by Councillor Morgan, seconded by Councillor Poland and

RESOLVED that Councillor Tassell be appointed Chair of the Member Conduct Committee, and Councillor Murphy be appointed Vice Chair of the Member Conduct Committee with immediate effect.