Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Bentley, Boldrin, Hadji-Nikolaou, Hunt, Harper-Davies, Gerrard and Paling.

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

The following disclosures of pecuniary or personal interests were made.

      i.        By Councillor Shepherd – A personal interest in item 12 (Urgent Executive Decisions Exempted from Call-In) as a representative of the Leicestershire County Council Asset Management Committee.

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 28th February 2022 and the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 1st March 2022.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 21st February 2022 and the minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Council on 1st March 2022 were confirmed and signed.

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

The Mayor made the following announcements.

“I would like to offer my condolences on the recent passing of Simon Cole who until his retirement had served as Leicestershire Police's Chief Constable for 12 years.  Simon grew up in Leicestershire and had been in policing for 30 years and served with West Midlands and Hampshire. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

I would also like to offer my condolences on the recent passing of former Councillor and past Mayor, Mavis Mason. Mavis was the Mayor of Charnwood for the Civic Year 1991/1992 and a Borough Councillor for 15 years, representing the Cossington Ward between 1976 and 1983, and Sileby between 1987 and 1995. She was awarded the British Empire Medal by The Queen in 2013 for her services to community life. She was 94 years old when she passed, just shy of turning 95 on the 20th of March.

Please stand to join me in a minute’s silence to remember both Simon Cole and former Councillor and Past Mayor, Mavis Mason.”

The Council then observed a one minute’s silence to remember both Simon Cole and former Councillor and Past Mayor, Mavis Mason.

“I am pleased to announce finally after various cancellations due to Covid that my Civic Service will now be held on 21st May 2022 at 4 p.m. at All Saints Church, Staple Row, Loughborough.  You are all welcome to attend”

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

The Leader referred to Councillor Baine’s Mayoral Year and thanked him for his service as Mayor on behalf of the Council. He highlighted that it had been another extraordinary year and that the Mayor had carried out the role very well considering the circumstances.

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.

Councillor Taylor presented two petitions on behalf of residents in her ward regarding Davidsons Developments Ltd, planning permission to build 420 houses on Land to the north and south of Groby Road, Anstey and William Davis Ltd & Chapman Estates Ltd. Planning permission to build 500 houses on land to the west of Bradgate Road, Anstey.

Councillor Forrest presented a petition on behalf of residents in her ward regarding anti-social behaviour  on the Warwick Way estate.

The Mayor confirmed that the petitions would be considered and responded to in accordance with the Council’s petition scheme.

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

A report of the Licensing Committee to consider a revised Statement of Licensing Policy made under the Licensing Act 2003 following consideration by the Licensing Committee and public consultation.

A report of the Licensing Committee to consider a revised Statement of Licensing Policy made under the Licensing Act 2003 following consideration by the Licensing Committee and public consultation, was submitted (item 6.1 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

It was proposed by Councillor Lowe, seconded by Councillor Forrest and

RESOLVED that the Statement of Licensing Policy made under the Licensing Act 2003, set out in Annex A to this report, be approved and adopted.

Reason

To ensure that the Council has an up-to-date Statement of Licensing Policy to adhere to which sets out the Council’s policy in respect of liquor licensing, including confirming proposed changes to the boundary of the Loughborough Cumulative Impact Zone, that meets the licensing objectives and complies with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

A report of the Cabinet to consider proposed amendments to the Constitution following the annual review.

A report of the Cabinet to consider proposed amendments to the Constitution following the annual review, was submitted (item 6.2 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that the changes to the Constitution set out in Appendix 1 to the report (attached as an Annex) be made, to be effective from the new Civic Year 2022/23.

Reason

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

A report of the Chief Executive to present a proposal to undertake a review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations within the Borough to prepare for the new warding arrangements that will come into effect for the Borough elections on 4th May 2023.

A report of the Chief Executive to present a proposal to undertake a review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations within the Borough to prepare for the new warding arrangements that will come into effect for the Borough elections on 4th May 2023, was submitted (item 6.3 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that a review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations within the Borough be undertaken, to commence in May 2022, with final proposals being reported for approval at the November 2022 Council meeting.

Reason

To ensure that any amended arrangements for polling districts, polling places and polling stations are in place for the next Borough elections in May 2023.

A report of the Chief Executive to consider a proposed timetable for Council and committee meetings and designated member training days for the next two Council years (2022 - 2024), from June 2022 to May 2024.

A report of the Chief Executive to consider a proposed timetable for Council and committee meetings and designated member training days for the next two Council years (2022 - 2024), from June 2022 to May 2024, was submitted (item 6.4 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED

1.    That the schedule of Council, Cabinet, Scrutiny and other committee meetings for 2022-24, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved subject to the following changes;

·         That the date of the Council meeting scheduled for 20th June 2022 be moved to 4th July 2022 to fit with the approval process for a report about the Senior Leadership review.

·         That the Scrutiny Commission meeting scheduled for 4th July 2022 be moved to 5th July 2022.

·         That the Appeals & Reviews Committee, which is scheduled in the report for the date of 21st April 2023, should be Monday, 24th April 2023.

2.    That the proposed dates for member training days for 2022-24, attached as Appendix 2 to the report, be endorsed.

3.    That delegated authority be given to the Head of Strategic Support to make minor amendments and corrections to the schedule of Council and committee meetings and member training days.

Reasons

1.    To ensure that a schedule of meetings for 2022-24 is agreed to enable planning for the forthcoming two Council years.

2.    To ensure that there is a timetable to enable planning for training and development days for Councillors and co-opted members.

3.    To enable minor amendments and corrections to be made in a timely manner.

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 were 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 Taylor.

Question submitted by Councillor Taylor.

Councillor Taylor stated that her question had not been answered thoroughly and that she had initially asked for the number of times that the Planning Department had taken enforcement action against a develop for not building to an approved plan?

Councillor Bailey stated that enforcement action was used only as a last resort in planning matters.

Question submitted by Councillor Taylor.

Councillor Taylor asked that more information be provided on plans for Martin Court, Anstey when available to enable her to inform residents.

Councillor Poland stated that he was happy to discuss plans with Councillor Taylor as soon as possible.

Question submitted by Councillor Draycott.

Councillor Draycott thanked officers for the response received and stated that the whole cost of the project had not been included within the response.

The Leader stated that the cost to date had been included within the response and that the final cost of the project could be communicated to the Council following completion of the project.

Question submitted by Councillor Draycott.

Councillor Draycott stated that she would ask the same question at a later date for more information.

The Leader stated that Councillor Draycott’s initial question had been answered in the response provided.

Question submitted by Councillor Forrest.

Councillor Forrest stated that she was disappointed with the response to the initial question. She asked whether the Council would reinstall the CCTV camera at Warwick Court to deter crime?

The Leader stated that the Lead Member for Community Support and Equalities was not present at the meeting and that he would speak to her following the meeting to provide an answer to Councillor Forrest’s question. He also encouraged Councillor Forrest to liaise with the officer team at the Council in order to identify a solution to issues.

Question submitted by Councillor J Bradshaw.

Councillor J Bradshaw thanked officers and the Leader for the response and expressed concern that the Council would be disadvantaged financially. She asked the Leader what the Council planned to do in response?

The Leader stated that it was mainly a matter for Leicestershire County Council who had applied for a level 3 deal but indications were that a level 2 deal was more likely. He highlighted that Leicestershire County Council received the lowest level of funding in the country at present and as discussions were ongoing it was hoped that additional funding could be awarded in the future. The District Council was ready and willing to help.

Question submitted by Councillor Draycott.

Councillor Draycott did not wish to ask a supplementary question.

There are no minute references.

There were no minute references.

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

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

A report of the Chief Executive to inform Council of a change to a delegation of Executive functions to the Head of Regulatory Services.

A report of the Chief Executive to inform Council of a change to a delegation of Executive functions to the Head of Regulatory Services (item 13 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

A report of the Chief Executive to seek confirmation of changes to the membership of committees.

A report of the Chief Executive to seek confirmation of changes to the membership of committees (item 15 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that the following changes to committees be made;

Reason

To reflect the wishes of the Conservative group in making appointments to committees and to comply with sections 11.2(d) and 12.4(a) and (b) of the Council’s Constitution.