Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Bentley, Boldrin, Howe, Paling and Shepherd,

Apologies for absence had been received from Honorary Aldermen Bush, Shields, 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 Council meeting held on 4th July 2022.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 4th July 2022 were confirmed and signed.

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

The Mayor made the following announcements.

“I would like to tell you about three upcoming events for my charity, Rainbows. The first one is on the 30th September. It is an event that Morrison’s are organising for Rainbows. It is to be held here (Loughborough Town Hall), a charity ball and pie and pea supper. There’s going to be live music and Morrison’s are going to be covering all the expenses, and also promised to match the funds raised at the event. If you possibly can, it would be wonderful if people could attend.

The second is on the 8th October and this again, is for Rainbows, and it is abseiling Derby Cathedral. If that doesn’t appeal, you might want to consider sponsoring Councillor Baines, who has agreed to do it. If anybody hasn’t already supported him and would like to, then please do support Councillor Baines in his endeavours.

The final event is on the 8th November, which is a curry night at Eastern Spice. There will be a grand raffle and prizes, including a magnum of champagne and other prizes. I know times are hard, and this is making fundraising really hard. So if you could support one or all of these events, I would be very grateful, as will the people that use Rainbows.”

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

The Leader made the following announcements.

“It’s been a while since our last meeting, so quite a lot has happened. I’d like to pay my thanks to the staff that have left us over the last few months, some to move closer to family, others to retire. Particularly, I’d like to pay my thanks to Eileen Mallon, who was our Strategic Director: Community, Planning and Housing and stepped down on Friday. I know many people in this room were able to make her farewell and thanks over lunch and drinks later on in the evening. I pay a huge amount of thanks to Eileen, who has been with us at Charnwood for many years.

I would also like to congratulate Peter Oliver, who has become the Director of Housing and Wellbeing and Karey Barnshaw, who has become the Director of Customer Experience. I wish them well in their endeavours.

On a personal basis on behalf of all councillors, I would also like to congratulate Councillor Hunt. It is very rare for a councillor to be appointed a Government Minister. I am impressed that Councillor Hunt is here this evening. We wish her well and it is a huge pride for Charnwood to be associated with somebody carrying out a national role as well.

On a personal level on behalf of all councillors, I’d like to pay our good wishes to Edward Argar MP for Charnwood, who got married this past weekend. I know on behalf of all councillors, I pay congratulations to him and his wife, Tish, and we wish them well for the future.”

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:

A report of the Cabinet to consider a recommendation of the Cabinet in respect of the Capital Plan Outturn Report 2021-22.

A report of the Cabinet to consider a recommendation of the Cabinet in respect of the Capital Plan Outturn Report 2021-22., was submitted (item 6.1 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that the outturn position for 2021/22 be noted and slippage of capital budgets totalling £36,370,400, being General Fund £33,384,000 and Housing Revenue Account £2,985,600, be carried forward into 2022/23 and added to the new 3 Year Capital Plan.

Reason

To ensure compliance with Financial Regulations and that Capital projects are completed.

A report of the Monitoring Officer to make Members aware of the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman’s (LGSCO) review letter for 2021/22 and three cases of  complaints that were upheld by the LGSCO during the year, in accordance with the LGSCO’s guidance which is that the Monitoring Officer should make a periodic report to councillors summarising any upheld complaints.

A report of the Monitoring Officer to make Members aware of the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman’s (LGSCO) review letter for 2021/22 and three cases of complaints that were upheld by the LGSCO during the year, in accordance with the LGSCO’s guidance which is that the Monitoring Officer should make a periodic report to councillors summarising any upheld complaints, was submitted (item 6.2 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman’s appended review letter for 2021/22, and the summary of the upheld complaints as set out in Part B of this report, be noted.

Reason

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

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.

To consider a position statement submitted by the Labour Group under Full Council Procedure 9.10.

The Labour Group had given notice of a position statement on the Cost of Living (item 8.1 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The following points were raised by Councillors:

The Leader introduced the Position Statement on the Cost of Living by stating that everyone was aware of the rising energy costs as a direct impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He stated that the Ukraine had the full support of the Council, and that the issues regarding energy prices would not end soon. He stated that the new Prime Minister would need to be bold and stated that locally the Council would do everything possible to support the Government’s plan when it is announced. He went on to confirm that the Council would support local partners to help residents and businesses across Charnwood.

Officers had been working on a plan and comments made at the meeting would be fed through to officers to help produce a report to Cabinet. The Leader intended on including the Position Statement on the Cost of Living with the report to Cabinet.

The Leader continued by highlighting that the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy was likely to include £1.3m in spending to cover staff and energy costs.

The Council had created a comprehensive support website. The Leader finished by reiterating that the impact of the Ukrainian invasion would be lasting and that support locally, nationally and internationally would need to focus on residents and businesses and be sustainable for the long term.

Councillor Miah stated that he believed councillors had a responsibility to ensure residents were supported. He stated that the new Prime Minister would ultimately decide the larger plan, but he would like to see the most vulnerable members of the community receive support. Councillor Miah referred to the financial reserves held by the Council and suggested that these be utilised to support residents.

Councillor Parton referred to the Local Government Associate (LGA) website which included a cost of living hub, containing information on best practice from councils across the country in terms of aspects such as food insecurity and poverty and fuel and energy. Councillor Parton went on to say that Charnwood Borough Council’s website included much of the support which was considered best practice by the LGA. He referred to the strong emphasis on mental health that Charnwood Borough Council’s website included and thanked Council for this approach.

Councillor Hamilton also highlighted the reserve funding of the council and stated that this funding could be used to support voluntary and community groups to increase the resources available. Councillor Hamilton suggested introducing a discretionary fund to support residents facing financial hardship, using the eligibility criteria of Leicestershire County Council.

Councillor Barkley referred to the financial reserves of the Council and stated that £13m had already been earmarked towards projects. He stated that the working balances were £6m and within three years, this would be reduced to £2m, which was the minimum required by the Council. He stated that the incoming Government  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

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 Miah.

Councillor Miah 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 decisions which were 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).

Councillor Miah referred to the Council Tax rebate scheme and asked whether there was a mechanism to allow unpaid Council Tax rebate funds to be credited to a bank account in order to allow the individual to allocate the funds towards energy costs?

The Leader stated that it was a national scheme and that he would ask officers to provide an answer following the meeting.

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 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 (2022/23) (if any).

There were no proposals to consider.