Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Brookes, Forrest, and Hunt.

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

The following disclosures of pecuniary and personal interests were made:

Councillor Hunt –– a disclosable pecuniary interest in item 10.1 on the agenda (Questions on Notice – Neighbourhood Plans) as the MP for Loughborough.

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 8th November 2021.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 8th November 2022 were confirmed and signed.

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

The Mayor made the following announcements.

Living without Abuse Burns night – 22nd January 2022

“A reminder that the Burns Night Mayoral Charity event is taking place at the Swan in the Rushes on Saturday 22nd January 2022 at 7p.m.  There is a three-course dinner with traditional Scottish piper.  Tickets are still available.”

Holocaust Memorial Day Service – 27th January 2022

“A reminder we are holding this event at 5 p.m. on 27th January 2022 in Queens Park, Loughborough.”

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:

A report of the Cabinet to review the Treasury Management Strategy and the Annual Investment Strategy, plus the various Prudential Borrowing and Treasury Indicators for the first six months of 2021/22.

A report of the Cabinet to review the Treasury Management Strategy and the Annual Investment Strategy, plus the various Prudential Borrowing and Treasury Indicators for the first six months of 2021/22 (item 6.1 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that the Council note 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.

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.

A report of the Member Conduct Committee to consider a recommendation from the Member Conduct Committee that the amended Code of Conduct developed by a group of Leicestershire Monitoring Officers and adopted by Leicestershire County Council and based on the LGA national code of conduct be approved and adopted with effect from the 2022/23 civic year.

A report of the Member Conduct Committee to consider a recommendation from the Member Conduct Committee that the amended Code of Conduct developed by a group of Leicestershire Monitoring Officers and adopted by Leicestershire County Council and based on the LGA national code of conduct be approved and adopted with effect from the 2022/23 civic year (item 6.2 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that the amended LGA Code, as set out in Appendix A to the report considered by the Member Conduct Committee (attached as an appendix), be approved and adopted with effect from the 2022/23 civic year.

Reason

To ensure that the Council meets its obligations under the Localism Act 2011.

A report of the Personnel Committee to considera recommendationthatthePay PolicyStatementfor2022/23 beapprovedandadopted.

A report of the Personnel Committee to consider a recommendation that the Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23 be approved and adopted (item 6.3 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that the Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23, as set out in Appendix A to the report considered by the Personnel Committee (attached as an appendix), be approved and adopted.

Reason

To ensure that the Council meets its obligations under Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011.

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.

To consider the following motion on notice submitted under Full Council Procedure 9.12:

Motion submitted by the Cabinet.

Further to the Council minute No. 84, 201/22, 8th November 2021 the Mayor reported that the Motion put forward in accordance with Full Council Procedure 9.12 at that meeting proposed by Councillor Ward and seconded by Councillor Goddard had been referred for further officer advice on those elements that are Council responsibilities, as set out in the report (item 9 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Rollings responded to the motion, noting that training on carbon literacy had been held, and that it had been well attended, and that carbon literacy training was being provided for Cabinet members and the Chair of the Scrutiny Commission.  He added that setting a minimum budget would not be appropriate.  He stated that he would make sure funding was available to meet the target of being Carbon Neutral by 2030 but added that this was a matter for the budget and Capital Plan setting process.

The following summarises the discussion; 

that the proposal did not include the Community Climate Committee as public engagement was essential in delivering carbon neutrality.  It was hoped that a provisional commitment from the budget could be made towards the plan.

It was explained that there was a budget for carbon neutrality and that there had been training for Councillors.  Reference was made to the Green Rewards Scheme which encouraged Councillors to show what they personally were doing towards Carbon Neutrality.

Initiatives to promote Carbon Neutrality such as solar panels on council housing or buildings should be explored, and where possible bids be made for external funding to help formulate such initiatives

It was important to safeguard the environment not just for current residents but for future generations. 

Councillor Ward who proposed the original Motion on Notice summed up by thanking officers for their work on the various elements of the Motion.  She welcomed the training offered and further stressed its importance.  She drew attention to the fact that carbon impact was not on the Risk Register for decisions being made.  She welcomed the budget proposal to create a full-time officer role to oversee plans for carbon neutrality. She further expressed concern that the proposal for an advisory group made up of residents had been dismissed and added that in a 2019 motion the Council had committed to working with residents on the issue.  She suggested that carbon literacy training should be made mandatory for all new Councillors and expressed concern about amendments in the Capital Plan to not add any funding for carbon neutrality for 2022/23 or the following year.

The members then voted on the original motion and it was defeated.

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 Snartt.

Councillor Snartt asked how current Neighbourhood Plans could be updated to give full weight when deciding future planning applications, and how it would be funded.  He also stated that Neighbourhood Planning Guidance stated that Strategic Policy Making Authorities were expected to set housing requirement figures for the designated neighbourhood areas and asked why this had not been achieved within the Borough and what assistance could the Local Planning Authority  give to the neighbourhood plan groups so the current neighbourhood plans would fulfil the criteria set out in Paragraph 14b of the NPPF, giving full weight when deciding future planning applications.

Councillor Bailey stated that when the existing core strategy was prepared, Paragraph 14 of the NPPF was not in existence.  He further added that officers had always been available to work with neighbourhood plan bodies to assist with preparation of the plans, however, discussions about housing numbers within the plans remained within the gift of the neighbourhood plan body and subject to examination by the expectorate.  As such, the Council as a Local Planning Authority did not get involved in the decision making.

Question submitted by Councillor Draycott.

Councillor Draycott asked whether Leader or Cabinet Lead Member would explain to Council why more than 5% of staff had left the Council in each of the last two years (not Covid related) and some vacancies being were kept empty, in order for departmental budget savings to be made?

Councillor Morgan stated that the proportion of staff leaving the Council each year was not particularly high when compared to the private sector and recommended that Councillor Draycott continue the discussion with the relevant Cabinet lead Member.

Question submitted by Councillor Howe.

No supplementary question was asked by Councillor Howe.

Question submitted by Councillor Grimley.

Councillor Grimley stated that of the 666 travel packs were made available to residents in new developments in Anstey, Shepshed and Seagrave, however, not one single bus pass was applied for.  He asked whether given the low take-up of bus passes, they were an effective way to mitigate new-car traffic in the local area around housing developments.

Councillor Bailey stated that provision of bus passes had been required as part of Section 106 agreements and was within the gift of Leicestershire County Council Highways.  As such Charnwood Borough Council had no influence over was asked for within the Section 106 agreements.

There are no minute references.

There were no minute references.

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

A report of the Chief Executive to note the action taken in respect of the purchase of an affordable housing property within woodhouse Eaves as part of a S106 agreement (item 12 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

To receive nominations for the Mayor Elect for the 2022/23 civic year.

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

RESOLVED that Councillor Tillotson be nominated as Mayor Elect for the 2022/23 Council year.

Reason

To ensure that a nomination was made for the Mayor of the Borough for 2022/23.

To receive nominations for the Deputy Mayor Elect for the 2022/23 civic year.

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

RESOLVED that Councillor Smidowicz be nominated as Deputy Mayor Elect for the 2022/23 Council year.

Reason

To ensure that a nomination was made for the Deputy Mayor of the Borough for 2022/23.

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

It was confirmed that with immediate effect Cllr Capleton was appointed to the Housing Management Advisory Body (HMAB).  This decision was taken as an officer Delegated Decision due to the timing of the change and the date of the meeting.