Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting - Zoom

Media

Items
No. Item

97.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence had been received from Honorary Aldermen Bush, Stott and Tormey.

98.

Disclosures of Pecuniary and Personal Interests

Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires that a Councillor who owes arrears of Council Tax which have been outstanding for more than two months must declare this at any Council meeting which considers the setting of a budget and the Council Tax, and that they should not vote on those matters.  Failing to comply with those requirements if they apply is an offence.  If this applies to any Councillors at this meeting, they are therefore advised to make the required declaration and to leave the meeting during consideration of item 6.1.

 

It is a requirement of the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members that the existence and nature of all personal interests must be disclosed.  Therefore, in the case of item 6.1 on the agenda,  2021-22 General Fund,  HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax and Medium Financial Strategy 2021/24 , it is suggested that members of precepting authorities declare such interests.  (For example, this would relate to members of Leicestershire County Council, the Combined Fire Authority and Parish and Town Councils).

 

Minutes:

The Chief Executive drew Councillors’ attention to Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 required that a Councillor who owed arrears of Council Tax which had been outstanding for more than two months must declare that at any Council meeting which considered the setting of a budget and the Council Tax, and that they should not vote on those matters.

 

In addition it was noted that it is a requirement of the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members that the existence and nature of all personal interests must be disclosed.  Therefore, in the case of item 6.1 on the agenda, General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-24, it is suggested that members of precepting authorities declare such interests.  (For example, this would relate to members of Leicestershire County Council, the Combined Fire Authority and Parish and Town Councils).

 

The following disclosures of pecuniary and personal interests were made:

 

i.              by Councillor Barkley - a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-24) as a member of Leicestershire County Council and as Chairman of Syston Town Council. 

 

ii.            by Councillor Bentley – a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-24) as a member of Leicestershire County Council and the Combined Fire Authority.

 

iii.           by Councillor Brookes – a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-24) as a member of Thurmaston Parish Council.

 

iv.           by Councillor Charles – a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-24) as a member of Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council. 

 

v.            by Councillor Forrest – a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-24) as the Chair of Barrow Upon Soar Parish Council.

 

vi.           by Councillor Fryer – a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-24) as a member of Leicestershire County Council. 

 

vii.          by Councillor Gerrard – a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-24) as a member of East Goscote Parish Council and Syston Town Council. 

 

viii.         by Councillor Howe – a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-24) as a member of Birstall Parish Council. 

 

ix.           by Councillor Lowe – a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

99.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 214 KB

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18th January 2021.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 18th January 2021 were confirmed and signed, subject to the inclusion that Honorary Alderman Bush was in attendance.

100.

Announcements

101.

Mayor's Announcements

Minutes:

The Mayor made the following announcements:

 

DEATH OF FORMER MAYORESS MARGARET DUNCAN

 

“Firstly, I would like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of Mrs Margaret Duncan, who served the Borough as Mayoress between May 1992 and May 1993, and who recently passed away. Margaret’s husband, Alistair Duncan also served as a Councillor for 23 years between May 1976 and May 1999, and was conferred as an Honorary Alderman in June 1999, before sadly passing away in August 1999.  Margaret’s funeral service will be held at All Saints with Holy Trinity Parish Church, Steeple Row, Loughborough on Wednesday 3rd March at 2.30 p.m.  Due to the current pandemic this will be for close family only.  The service will be live streamed on the All Saints Church You Tube Channel.

 

The Council then observed a one minute silence as a mark of respect for former Mayoress Margaret Duncan.

 

POLITICS STUDENT PLACEMENT ESSIVI KOSSI

 

“Secondly, I would like to welcome Essivi Kossi, a 20-year-old Loughborough University student Studying Politics and international relations.  She has a placement with the Democratic Services team and is watching proceedings in the Zoom environment tonight. Essiv is Chair of the Politics and international studies (POLIS) committee at Loughborough university and is helping to organise a Democracy Event which some of our Cllrs are taking part in March.  When not at University in Loughborough Essivi lives in Doncaster, and is originally from Togo in Africa”

 

COVID-19 – ONE YEAR ON

 

 “Finally, as we are now approaching the first Covid case in the Borough I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in our borough. From the GPs and nurses to the many volunteers who have come forward to help protect many of our residents. Our NHS colleagues have been working around the clock to keep us all safe during this pandemic and we owe them a great deal.

 

“I’ve heard from residents who have had a positive experience when visiting their local vaccination centre and I would like to encourage people who receive an invite for their jab, please take up the offer. The more people who have the vaccination, the more people we will protect and the brighter the light at the end of this very dark tunnel”

102.

Leader's Announcements

 

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

Minutes:

There were no Leader’s announcements.

103.

Chief Executive's Announcements

 

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

Minutes:

The Chief Executive made no announcements.

104.

Petitions

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

Minutes:

The following Councillors virtually presented a petition submitted on behalf of residents:

 

Councillor Bradshaw and Councillor Draycott in respect of the closure of Biggins Street public toilets in Loughborough.

105.

Business Reserved to Council

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

106.

General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2021-22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2021-24 pdf icon PDF 383 KB

 

A report of the Cabinet, setting out the proposed General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets for 2021/22 along with the proposed Council Tax Levy, the 2021/22 proposals to increase rent and service charges within the ring-fenced Housing Revenue Account and the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-24.

 

The full Council Tax recommendations, which the Council must consider in order to set a Council Tax Levy, and General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets for 2021/22, will be circulated once the major preceptors have confirmed their precepts.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Brookes joined the meeting during the consideration of this item.

 

A supplementary report of the Cabinet, to enable the Council to adopt a General Fund Revenue Budget, a Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget and a Council Tax levy for 2021/22 in line with legislative requirements. (item 6.1 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

Following confirmation from major preceptors regarding their precepts, the full Council Tax Recommendations, which the Council had to consider in order to set a Council Tax Levy and General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets for 2021/22, were circulated (item 6.1 supplementary report filed with these minutes).

 

Councillors were reminded that it was a legal requirement that all votes taken on this item, including votes on amendments must be recorded votes.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Barkley and seconded by Councillor Morgan that recommendations 1 to 17 outlined in the supplementary report of the Cabinet be approved for reasons 1 to 17 in that report.

 

For the motion – Councillors Bailey, Baines, Barkley, Bentley, Bokor, S Bradshaw, Campsall, Capleton, Charles, Fryer, Gerrard, Grimley, Hadji-Nikolaou, Harper-Davies, Howe, Hunt, Lowe, Mercer, Morgan, Murphy, Pacey, Paling, Parton, Poland, Popley, Radford, Ranson, Rattray, Rollings, Savage, Seaton, Shepherd, Smidowicz, Snartt, Tassell and Taylor.

 

Against the motion – Councillors Boldrin, Bolton, J Bradshaw, Brennan, Draycott, Forrest, Goddard, Hamilton, C Harris, K Harris, Miah, Needham, Tillotson and Ward.

 

Abstentions – Councillors Brookes and Parsons.

 

RESOLVED that the Council adopts recommendations 1-17 as set out in the supplementary report of the Cabinet.

 

Reasons

 

For the reasons set out in the supplementary report of the Cabinet.

107.

Capital Strategy, including Treasury Management Strategy, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 329 KB

 

A report of the Cabinet to set out a Capital Strategy, the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, the Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy for 2021/22 for consideration and approval.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report of the Cabinet to set out a Capital Strategy, the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, the Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy for 2021/22 for consideration and approval (item 6.2 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

It was proposed by Councillor Barkley, seconded by Councillor Rollings, and

 

RESOLVED

 

1. That the Capital Strategy, as set out at Appendix A of the report be approved.

 

2. That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy, as shown at Appendix B of the report be approved.

 

3. That the Prudential and Treasury Indicators, also set out in Appendix B of the report be approved.

 

Reasons

 

1. To enable the Council to comply with the statutory code of practice issued by CIPFA: ‘The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, 2017 Edition’.

 

2. To ensure that the Council’s governance and management procedures for Treasury Management reflect best practice and comply with the CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Services Code of Practice, Guidance Notes and Treasury Management Policy Statement.

 

3. To ensure that funding of capital expenditure is taken within the totality of the Council’s financial position and that borrowing and investment is only carried out with proper regard to the Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities.

108.

Treasury Management - Mid-Year Review for the 6 Months Ended 30th September 2020 pdf icon PDF 260 KB

 

A report of the Cabinet to consider the mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy, plus the various Prudential Borrowing and Treasury Indicators for the first six months of 2020/21.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report of the Cabinet to consider the mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy, plus the various Prudential Borrowing and Treasury Indicators for the first six months of 2020/21 (item 6.3 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

It was proposed by Councillor Barkley, seconded by Councillor Bokor, and

 

RESOLVED that the mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Borrowing and Treasury Indicators plus the Annual Investment Strategy, as set out in Part B of the report to the Cabinet, attached as an Annex, be noted.

 

Reason

 

To ensure that the Council’s governance and management procedures for Treasury Management reflect best practice and comply with the Revised CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Services Code of Practice, Guidance Notes and Treasury Management Policy Statement, that funding of capital expenditure is taken within the totality of the Council’s financial position, and that borrowing and Investment is only carried out with proper regard to the Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities.

109.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) in Respect of Allowances Paid to Members of Charnwood Borough Council for 2021/22. pdf icon PDF 327 KB

 

A report of the Chief Executive to consider the findings and the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel in respect of allowances paid to members of Charnwood Borough Council (attached as Appendix A) and the Scheme of Members’ Allowances for 2021/22 (attached as Appendix B). 

Minutes:

A report of the Chief Executive to consider the findings and the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel in respect of allowances paid to members of Charnwood Borough Council and the Scheme of Members’ Allowances for 2021/22 (item 6.4 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

Councillor Smidowicz thanked the members of the Independent Remuneration Panel for their review of Members’ Allowances for 2021/22.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Smidowicz, seconded by Councillor Miah, and

 

RESOLVED that Council considers the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel, submitted in accordance with the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 as set out in Appendix A, and agrees to adopt the proposed Scheme of Members’ Allowances for the 2021/22 financial year, as set out at Appendix B.

 

Reason

 

To ensure compliance with the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003.

110.

Call-in References

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

Minutes:

There were no call-in references from Scrutiny.

111.

Position Statements

No requests for position statements were received.

Minutes:

No position statements had been requested.

112.

Motions on Notice

No motions on notice have been received.

Minutes:

No motions on notice had been submitted.

113.

Questions on Notice pdf icon PDF 398 KB

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

Minutes:

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

114.

Section 106 Monies

 

Question submitted by Councillor Taylor.

Minutes:

Councillor Taylor did not have a supplementary question.

115.

Charnwood Paralympics

 

Question submitted by Councillor Popley.

Minutes:

Councillor Popley thanked the Lead Member for the response and asked for a meeting with officers to discuss how the Council could work with existing partners to relaunch a similar event in the future, and other disabled activities to raise awareness.

 

Councillor Harper-Davies agreed that a meeting could be arranged in order to discuss future events.

116.

Legislation of Virtual Meetings

 

Question submitted by Councillor Draycott.

Minutes:

Councillor Draycott asked whether all Councillors would be involved in the consultation led by the Local Government Association, on extending the virtual meetings legislation.

 

Councillor Morgan thanked Councillor Draycott for her questions and stated that the Secretary of State had committed to consulting with Group Leaders, indicating that comments were welcome from leading group and also the opposition groups.

117.

Minute References

There are no minute references.

Minutes:

There were no minute references.

118.

Urgent Executive Decisions Exempted from Call-in pdf icon PDF 142 KB

To note a decision which was exempted from call-in in accordance with Scrutiny Committee Procedure 11.9.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report of the Chief Executive, to note a decision which was exempted from call-in in accordance with Scrutiny Committee Procedure 11.9 (item 12 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

119.

Nomination of Mayor Elect 2021/22

To receive nominations for the Mayor Elect for 2021/22 (subject to nomination and appointment at the Annual Council, scheduled for 17th May 2021).

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton, seconded by Councillor Taylor, and

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Baines be nominated as Mayor Elect for the 2021/22 Council year.

 

Reason

 

To ensure that a nomination was made for the Mayor of the Borough for 2021/22.

120.

Nomination of Deputy Mayor Elect 2021/22

To receive nominations for the Deputy Mayor Elect for 2021/22 (subject to nomination and appointment at the Annual Council, scheduled for 17th May 2021).

 

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Tillotson be nominated as Deputy Mayor Elect for the 2021/22 Council year.

 

Reason

 

To ensure that a nomination was made for the Deputy Mayor of the Borough for 2021/22.

121.

Appointments to Committees

To consider any changes to Committee membership for the current Council year (2020/21) (if any).

Minutes:

There were no proposals to consider.