Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Lecture Theatre 1.10B, Edward Herbert Building (EHB), Loughborough University

Media

Items
No. Item

11.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Bailey, Bokor, J Bradshaw, Draycott, Howe, Hunt, Needham, Pacey and Ward.

 

Honorary Aldermen were not in attendance as the meeting was held in a Covid-secure manner.

12.

Disclosures of Pecuniary and Personal Interests

Minutes:

The following disclosures of pecuniary and personal interests were made:

 

      i.        Councillor Barkley – a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (Conferment of the Freedom of the Borough) as a Leicester City Football Club season ticket holder, but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

    ii.        Councillor Barkley – a personal interest in item 6.5 on the agenda (Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037) as a member of Syston Town Council, but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

   iii.        Councillor Bolton – a personal interest in item 6.5 on the agenda (Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037) as a respondent to the Draft Local Plan Consultation and as a member of the Haddon Way Residents’ Association (HWRA), but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

   iv.        Councillor Boldrin - a personal interest in item 6.5 on the agenda (Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037) as a member of the Garendon Park Protection Committee and making representations against the plan, but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

    v.        Councillor Simon Bradshaw - a personal interest in item 6.5 on the agenda (Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037) as a respondent to the Draft Local Plan Consultation, but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

   vi.        Councillor Brennan - a personal interest in item 6.5 on the agenda (Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037) as a respondent to the Draft Local Plan Consultation, but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

  vii.        Councillor Brookes - a personal interest in item 6.5 on the agenda (Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037) as a member of Thurmaston Parish Council but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

 viii.        Councillor Charles - a personal interest in item 6.5 on the agenda (Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037) as a member of Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

   ix.        Councillor Forrest - a personal interest in item 6.5 on the agenda (Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037) as a member of Barrow-Upon-Soar Parish Council but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

    x.        Councillor Fryer - a personal interest in item 6.5 on the agenda (Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037) as a member of Leicestershire County Council but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

   xi.        Councillor Gerrard - a personal interest in item 6.5 on the agenda (Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037) as a member of Syston Town Council and Goscote Parish Council but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

  xii.        Councillor Grimley - a personal interest in item 6.1 on the agenda (Conferment of the Freedom of the Borough) as a supporter of Leicester City Football Club but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

 xiii.        Councillor Grimley - a personal interest in item 6.4 on the agenda (Community Governance Review – Broadnook) as a member of Leicestershire County Council but comes to the meeting with an open mind.

 

xiv.        Councillor Grimley - a personal interest in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 216 KB

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 17th May 2021.

Minutes:

It was highlighted that the Annual Council meeting on 17th May 2021 had a reduced attendance due to meeting being held in a Covid-secure manner. Therefore, members not stated in the attendance in the previous minutes were not required. The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 17th May 2021 were then confirmed and signed.

14.

Announcements

15.

Mayor's Announcements

 

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

Minutes:

The Mayor made the following announcements.

 

“First of all, I would like to express my sadness at the passing of former Councillor Brian Page, in April this year.

 

Brian served as a Councillor from May 1999 – May 2007, and then again from May 2015 - May 2019, representing the Mountsorrel and Rothley ward, which was then changed to the Rothley and Thurcaston ward.

 

During his time as a Councillor, Brian served on committees including the Audit and Risk Management Scrutiny Committee, the Resources Scrutiny Committee, the Policy Scrutiny Committee and the Policy and Finance Committee.

 

Brian also Chaired the Regulatory Committee and the Plans Committee and Co-Chaired the Appeals and Reviews Committee.

 

Brian leaves behind his wife Jenny, three daughters and seven grandchildren. 

 

Councillors, I invite you to take part in a one-minute silence”.

 

The Council then observed a one-minute silence in respect of former-Councillor Brian Page.

 

 

 

16.

Leader's Announcements

 

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

Minutes:

The Leader made the following announcements.

 

Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College

 

“At the end of this term, Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College will close its doors to students.

 

The College started life in 1953 at Welbeck Abbey in Nottinghamshire, but moved to the borough in 2005, to its current, purpose-built campus.

 

Over the past 16 years, it has become a welcome fixture within the civic life of the Borough – with students, representing our three military services, attending many events including the annual Remembrance service in Queens Park.

 

The College, attended by up to 380 A level students at any given time, gave a superb grounding for those attending, and we will miss its presence in the community and across the Borough.

 

At this time, we are waiting news of what the Ministry of Defence will use the campus for but understand that they intend to make further announcements over the coming months.

 

On behalf of the Council, I thank the staff and students, past and present, for the part they played in our civic life, and wish them well for the future.”

 

 

Professor Bob Allison

 

“I would also like to pay thanks and gratitude to another figure leaving us at the end of this academic term, namely Professor Robert Allison, Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University.

 

Universally known as Bob, and by Loughborough’s students as #VCBob, Professor Allison has made an extraordinary contribution towards the university’s ongoing success over the past few years.

 

It now features in every national Top 10 university list and is classed as the world’s best university for sport.

 

As I have mentioned before, whenever there is an international sporting event, I am always very proud to hear the expression “…if Loughborough were a country, it would currently be 5th or 9th in the medal table “ – that pride stems partly from the work carried out by Bob over his 9 year tenure at the university.

 

His enthusiasm for the achievements of his students and the university has been highly infectious over the years, and I know that there are many who owe him a great debt.

 

I would lastly like to say how pleased I was that he was recognised in last weeks Queens Birthday honours, when he received the title of Commander of the British Empire (CBE). A significant honour, recognising his role both nationally and locally.

 

We wish him all the best for the future.”

 

The Leader also highlighted that a number of apologies had been received for the meeting from members due to concerns over Covid-19. He stated it was unfortunate that legislation no longer allowed the Council to hold virtual meetings.

17.

Chief Executive's Announcements

 

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

Minutes:

The Chief Executive made no announcements.

18.

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:

No petitions were submitted.

19.

Business Reserved to Council

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

20.

Conferment of the Freedom of the Borough pdf icon PDF 210 KB

 

A report of the Chief Executive to consider initial arrangements for conferring the Freedom of the Borough status to Leicester City Football Club.

Minutes:

A report of the Chief Executive to consider initial arrangements for conferring the Freedom of the Borough status to Leicester City Football Club (item 6.1 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

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

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That consideration be given to conferring upon Leicester City Football Club the honour of Honorary Freeman in view of their eminent services to the Borough and its people.

 

2.    That subject to 1 above, the ceremony take place at a special meeting of the Council at 6.30pm on 6th September 2021, prior to the Council meeting proposed for that date.

 

Reasons

 

1.    To consider in principle whether to confer a civic honour.

 

2.     To make arrangements for a special meeting to confer the honour as required by statue.

21.

Constitution Changes - Delegations to the Head of Planning and Regeneration pdf icon PDF 390 KB

 

A report of the Monitoring Officer to consider proposed amendments to the Constitution in relation to the delegations to the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report of the Monitoring Officer to consider proposed amendments to the Constitution in relation to the delegations to the Head of Planning and Regeneration (item 6.2 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

Councillor Snartt expressed concern that ward members would not be involved in the process of appeals against non-determination where an application would normally be reported to the Plans Committee, but where there was insufficient time to do so. He stated that ward members would have extensive knowledge of the area and that this would be beneficial.

 

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

 

RESOLVED that the changes to the Constitution set out in Appendix 1, to be effective from 22nd June 2021 be approved.

 

Reason

 

 To ensure the Constitution is kept up to date and fulfils its intended purposes.

22.

Special Responsibility Allowances for the Amended Scrutiny Committee Structure pdf icon PDF 298 KB

 

A report of the Chief Executive to consider the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel in respect of special responsibility allowances for the amended scrutiny committee structure and to approve an amended Scheme of Members’ Allowances (attached as Appendix A). 

Minutes:

A report of the Chief Executive to consider the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel in respect of special responsibility allowances for the amended scrutiny committee structure and to approve an amended Scheme of Members’ Allowances (item 6.3 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

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

 

RESOLVED that Council considers the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel relating to special responsibility allowances for the amended scrutiny structure, and agrees to adopt the amended Scheme of Members’ Allowances as set out at Appendix A.

 

Reason

 

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

23.

Community Governance Review - Broadnook pdf icon PDF 163 KB

 

A report of the Chief Executive to seek to defer a Community Governance Review for the proposed Broadnook development. 

Minutes:

A report of the Chief Executive to seek to defer a Community Governance Review for the proposed Broadnook development (item 6.4 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

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

 

RESOLVED that a Community Governance Review relating to the proposed Broadnook development be deferred until the ongoing Borough electoral review is completed and until at least 50 residential properties within the development are completed and occupied.

 

Reason

 

To defer the review until a more suitable time for it to be undertaken.

24.

Pre-Submission Charnwood Local Plan (2021-2037) pdf icon PDF 417 KB

 

A report of the Cabinet to seek approval for the publication of the Pre-Submission (Regulation 19) version of the Charnwood Local Plan (2021-2037) and its supporting documents for public consultation and seek approval for the submission of the Local Plan and its amended supporting documents to the Secretary of State for an Examination in Public. To follow.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report of the Cabinet to seek approval for the publication of the Pre-Submission (Regulation 19) version of the Charnwood Local Plan (2021-2037) and its supporting documents for public consultation and seek approval for the submission of the Local Plan and its amended supporting documents to the Secretary of State for an Examination in Public (item 6.5 on the agenda filed with these minutes). The following summarises the discussion:

 

Councillor Rollings stated that in voting for the item, members would be agreeing to release the Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037 into the public realm for examination and consultation, and that following this process, the Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037 would come before Council again for final approval.

 

Councillor Miah thanked the officers and Lead Members involved in the development of the Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037. He referred to the pressures that the adoption of the proposed plan would create, and the impact upon services, resources and the environment. He stated that the Eastern side of the Borough would remain underdeveloped if the proposed plan was adopted, whilst other areas would be overdeveloped. Councillor Miah also highlighted the need for more affordable housing through the proposed developments.

 

Councillor Hamilton referred to the need for specific types of housing in specific areas. He echoed that there was a need for more affordable housing across the Borough, as property prices in the Borough were relatively high.

 

Councillor Bolton stated that the area which she represented would be heavily impacted by the proposed plan and stated that she would welcome more control over the new developments proposed. She also highlighted that the consultation period would take place for six weeks over the summer period. She believed that this was not sufficient and that the summer period was not the most appropriate time to hold the consultation. She encouraged her fellow members to engage with residents and promote the consultation.

 

Councillor Poland stated that the Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037 was a procedural item which would allow the Council to move the process into the next stage. He encouraged members to engage with the process and provide comments as part of the consultation.

 

Councillor Taylor highlighted that the proposed plan would have a significant impact on the ward that she represents. She stated that traffic was already an issue due to the location and existing infrastructure of the ward, as there were attractions close by such as Bradgate Park and Charnwood Forest, which encouraged more traffic. She stated that the plan would create more traffic and additional pressures on services such as doctor surgeries, chemists, dentists and transport. There were additional developments proposed in neighbouring districts, such as Leicester City, which would further add to the pressures within the ward. Councillor Taylor stated that Anstey was full and she encouraged her residents to participate in the consultation process.

 

Councillor Shepherd referred to the importance of the five-year housing land supply which the Council did not currently have. He stated that there were a number of obstacles which had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

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.

26.

Position Statements

No requests for position statements were received.

Minutes:

No position statements had been requested.

27.

Motions on Notice

No motions on notice have been received.

Minutes:

No valid motions on notice had been received.  

28.

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).

29.

Easing of Ban on Evictions

 

Question submitted by Councillor Bolton.

Minutes:

Councillor Bolton thanked the Lead Member and Officers for the comprehensive response and stated that she now believed the Council was prepared for the easing on the ban on restrictions. Councillor Bolton stated that she had scheduled a meeting with the officer responsible for this area in order to gain more information and stated that she would also like a meeting with the Lead Member to discuss the matter.

 

Councillor Mercer agreed to meet with Councillor Bolton to discuss the matter and stated that the Council would do all it can to support residents.

30.

Tenants' Repairs

 

Question submitted by Councillor Bolton.

Minutes:

Councillor Bolton thanked the Lead Member and officers for the response and stated that she was pleased with the progress in the completion of repairs. She referred to the number of repairs outstanding and asked when these works would be complete and what impact the completion of these outstanding works would have on the completion of this year’s repairs?

 

Councillor Poland thanked Councillor Bolton for the question and stated that he would ensure the information requested would be supplied to Councillor Bolton. 

31.

Electric Vehicles and Charging Points

 

Question submitted by Councillor Draycott.

Minutes:

Councillor Draycott had sent apologies for the meeting and so was unable to ask a supplementary question.

32.

Tree Planting

 

Question submitted by Councillor Needham.

Minutes:

Councillor Needham had sent apologies for the meeting and so was unable to ask a supplementary question.

 

33.

Council Accommodation Banding

 

Question submitted by Councillor Ward.

Minutes:

Councillor Ward had sent apologies for the meeting and so was unable to ask a supplementary question.

 

34.

Minute References

There are no minute references.

Minutes:

There were no minute references.

35.

Urgent Executive Decisions Exempted from Call-in pdf icon PDF 159 KB

A report of the Chief Executive to note decisions which were exempted from call-in in accordance with Scrutiny Committee Procedure 11.9

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report of the Chief Executive, informing the Council of an urgent decision made by the Cabinet that was exempted from call-in in accordance with Scrutiny Committee Procedure 11.9, was submitted (item 12 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

36.

Appointments to Committees

To consider any changes to Committee membership for the current Council year (2021/22) (if any).

Minutes:

There were no proposals to consider.