Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Boldrin, Brookes, Hadji-Nikolaou, Hunt, Paling, Popley, Radford, Savage and Williams.

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

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. 

To confirm the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 23rd May 2022.

The minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 23rd May 2022 were confirmed and signed.

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

The Mayor made the following announcements.

First Month as Mayor

“In my first month of being Mayor I realised something which I’m sure past Mayors know, but others may not, and that is how important he role of Mayor is to local people.  I called uninvited at a Platinum Jubilee street party and the people were thrilled.  By chance I saw one of the participants at another event and she told me how wonderful they all felt that I had called at their celebration.  At another event an elderly lady said I was the most important person she had ever met.  Of course, I am not important, I am an ordinary person doing an extraordinary job.  So please, encourage organisers of events to invite the Mayor, I’m sure that I and future Mayors will attend if at all possible and it will raise the significance of the event for all concerned.”

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

The Leader made no announcements.

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:

An exempt report of the Chief Executive has been circulated to members of the Council.

This is an exempt report and will be considered under item 16.

[Note: Appendices 1-5 are classified as public and are published with the agenda]

An exempt report of the Chief Executive was circulated to members. This report would be considered under Item 16 of the agenda and recorded under Exempt minute 37E.

A report of the Scrutiny Commission to consider the Annual Scrutiny Report for 2021/22.

A report of the Scrutiny Commission to the Annual Scrutiny Report for 2021/22.

In considering the item Councillor Miah commented that this was the first year of scrutiny under the new scrutiny structure.   He thanked the Councillors on the Budget Scrutiny Panel and noted that whilst it had been a tough year, going forward things had settled and sustainability was a focus.  He raised the issue of void council properties and noted that waiting lists were long

Summing up, Councillor Seaton stated that she had been pleased to be the Chair of the Scrutiny Commission and was proud of the Scrutiny Panel work undertaken.  In addition she stated that the issue of voids was being monitored by the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee.  

It was proposed by Councillor Seaton, seconded by Councillor Ranson, and

RESOLVED that the work of scrutiny during 2021/22, as set out in the Annual  Scrutiny Report 2021/22 attached as an Annex to this report, be noted.

Reason

To report annually to Council on the workings of scrutiny bodies and the operation of the scrutiny function generally, in accordance with Scrutiny Committee Procedure 6.3(e) of the Council’s Constitution.

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 Draycott.

Councillor Draycott referred to there being fewer food bank donations as people could not afford to donate.  She further asked whether the Council could have a food and toiletry drop-off and a call for people to drop off these items at Council facilities.

Councillor Harper-Davies responded that she appreciated the comments and would take them on board.

Question submitted by Councillor Draycott.

Councillor Draycott stated that she was happy that safety had improved, but suggested that the fact that there had been 18 complaints and four insurance claims meant that the grand opening had been premature. She also questioned the cost of the scheme.

Councillor Morgan responded that the scheme was an investment in an important area of Loughborough.  He praised the way it looked and the fact that it had wider pavements and better parking arrangements.  He suggested that the scheme would improve the appearance of the centre of Loughborough and the appreciation of shoppers.

Question submitted by Councillor J Bradshaw.

Councillor J Bradshaw thanked the lead member for their response.  She made reference to the plans for a new Council building to replace Southfields Offices and suggested that this could give the Council the chance to lead on the matter and provide an example to future developments.  She asked whether this could be taken on board when building commenced.

Councillor Barkley responded that the Council were bound by rules from Central government, however, the Council wanted a building suitable for the future and all aspects would be considered.

Question submitted by Councillor Ward.

Councillor Ward thanked the lead member and the relevant officers for their responses, but expressed concern that her initial question had not been answered.  She referred to the area around York Road being a hotspot for Alcohol-Related ASB and asked if patrols could be increased in Radmoor Road and Ashby Road then could patrols also be increased on York Road?  She also highlighted that no enforcement action had been taken despite numerous complaints being made.

Councillor Harper-Davies responded that from an ASB perspective the Police needed to be held to account, but it was also important to work in partnership to ensure that plans are put into place to address the issue.  She further stated that she would discuss the issue with Inspector Oswin through the Community Safety Partnership.to address the issue.

Question submitted by Councillor A Gray.

Councillor A Gray stated that she was happy to see statistics showing that tenants were happy with repairs but also expressed surprise that there were at least two residents who had been waiting for over three years for serious repairs.  She asked whether serious repairs could be fast-tracked.

Councillor Poland could not comment on these specific questions at this time, but advised Councillor A Gray to contact him following the meeting so that he could take the issue up with the lead officer.

There are no minute references.

There were no minute references.

To note a decision which was exempted from call-in in accordance with Scrutiny Committee Procedure 11.9.  To note the action taken by the Chief Executive in respect of an urgent Council function decision which was made under urgency provisions.

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 and to note the action taken by the Chief Executive in respect of an urgent Council function decision which was made under urgency provisions, was submitted (item 12 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

A report of the Chief Executive to inform Council of delegations of Executive functions.

A report of the Chief Executive to inform Council of delegations to Executive functions relating to the participation in the UK Resettlement Scheme and the Chairmanship of the Member Development Member Reference Group (item 13 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Regarding the UK Resettlement Scheme Councillor Draycott suggested that perhaps the pledge should be widened  from  just one family of up to six people and suggested a Landlords’ Forum to discuss the issue.

Councillor Morgan responded that he would raise the point with the lead member and lead officer.

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

There were no proposals to consider.

It is recommended that members of the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following item on the grounds that it will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

It was proposed by the Mayor, and seconded by the Deputy Mayor, and

RESOLVED that members of the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of items 16 on the grounds that they will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemptions outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.

At this point in the meeting the public were excluded and the recording was stopped.

An exempt report of the Chief Executive circulated to members.

[Note: Appendices 1-5 are classified as public and published with the agenda]

An exempt report of the Chief Executive was considered (exempt item 6.1 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

A summary of the Council’s discussion on this matter is provided in the exempt minute (Council 37E 2022/23).

RESOLVED

That decisions be made as detailed in the exempt minute (Council minute 37E2022/23)  

Reason

As set out in the exempt minute (Council minute 37E 2022/23)