Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Ashcroft, Charles, Dent, Forde and Monk.

Apologies for absence were also received from Honorary Aldermen Bush, Day, Stott and Tormey.

Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires that a Councillor who owes arrears of Council Tax which have been outstanding for more than two months must declare this at any Council meeting which considers the setting of a budget and the Council Tax, and that they should not vote on those matters. Failing to comply with those requirements if they apply is an offence. If this applies to any Councillors at this meeting, they are therefore advised to make the required declaration and to leave the meeting during consideration of item 6.1.

It is a requirement of the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members that the existence and nature of all personal interests must be disclosed. Therefore, in the case of item 6.1 on the agenda, 2024-25 General Fund, HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax, it is suggested that members of precepting authorities declare such interests. (For example, this would relate to members of Leicestershire County Council, the Combined Fire Authority and Parish and Town Councils).

Councillor Brookes joined the meeting at 6:38pm.

The Mayor drew Councillors’ attention to Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 required that a Councillor who owed arrears of Council Tax which had been outstanding for more than two months must declare that at any Council meeting which considered the setting of a budget and the Council Tax, and that they should not vote on those matters. In addition it was noted that it is a requirement of the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members that the existence and nature of all personal interests must be disclosed.

Therefore, in the case of item 6.1 on the agenda, General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2024/25, it is suggested that members of precepting authorities declare such interests. (For example, this would relate to members of Leicestershire County Council, the Combined Fire Authority and Parish and Town Councils).

The following disclosures of pecuniary and personal interests were made:

       i.          By Councillor Braker - a registrable interest in items 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2024/25) as a member of Shepshed Town Council.

      ii.          By Councillor Braker - a registrable interest in items 6.2 on the agenda (Medium Term Financial Outlook 2024-27 and Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and Annual Investment Strategy 2024-25) as a member of Shepshed Town Council.

    iii.          By Councillor C Forrest - a registrable interest in items 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2024/25) as a member of Barrow Upon Soar Parish Council.

    iv.          By Councillor C Forrest - a registrable interest in items 6.2 on the agenda (Medium Term Financial Outlook 2024-27 and Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and Annual Investment Strategy 2024-25) as a member of Barrow Upon Soar Parish Council.

     v.          By Councillor S Forrest - a registrable interest in items 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2024/25) as a member of Barrow Upon Soar Parish Council.

    vi.          By Councillor S Forrest - a registrable interest in items 6.2 on the agenda (Medium Term Financial Outlook 2024-27 and Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and Annual Investment Strategy 2024-25) as a member of Barrow Upon Soar Parish Council.

  vii.          By Councillor Fryer – a registrable interest in items 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2024/25) as a member of Leicestershire County Council.

 viii.          By Councillor Fryer – a registrable interest in items 6.2 on the agenda (Medium Term Financial Outlook 2024-27 and Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and Annual Investment Strategy 2024-25) as a member of Leicestershire County Council.

    ix.          By Councillor Jackson - a registrable interest in items 6.1 on the agenda (General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets and Council Tax 2024/25) as a member of Thurmaston Parish Council.

     x.          By Councillor Jackson - a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 15th January 2024.

It was raised that in relation to minute number 92.1 2023/24, ‘Appointment of Monitoring Officer and Deputy Electoral  Registration Officer’ the motion had not been seconded as stated in the minutes. Council was advised that it was not a legal requirement for motions to be seconded and so the decisions made during that item were valid.

Following this clarification, the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15th January 2024 were confirmed and signed.

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

The Mayor stated that the Mayor’s Chairty Dinner on Saturday 9th March 2024 was fully booked.

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

There were no Leader’s 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, setting out the proposed General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budgets for 2024/25 and proposed Council Tax levy for consideration and approval.

The full Council Tax Recommendations, which the Council must consider in order to set a Council Tax Levy and General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets for 2024/25, is to follow.

A report of the Cabinet, setting out the proposed General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budgets for 2024/25 and proposed Council Tax levy for consideration and approval, was submitted (item 6.1 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

A supplementary report of the Cabinet to enable theCouncil to adopt a GeneralFundRevenueBudget, a HousingRevenueAccount (HRA) Budgetanda CouncilTax levyfor 2024/25 in line with legislative requirements was also submitted (item 6.1 supplementary report filed with these minutes).

Councillors were reminded that it was a legal requirement that all votes taken on this item, including votes on amendments must be recorded votes.

It was proposed by Councillor Miah and seconded by Councillor Hamilton that recommendations 1 to 17 of the supplementary report of the Cabinet be approved for reasons 1 to 17 in that supplementary report of the Cabinet.

The following amendment was proposed by Councillor Bokor and seconded by Councillor Brookes:

That the Council undertake a review to investigate the feasibility of raising additional income through additional increases in fees and charges for 2024/25 in areas such as car park fees, green waste fees, fly tipping fines, discretionary licencing fees (including HMO Licencing fees, planning fees, and regulatory fees) to create a ringfenced fund of £250,000 for internal and external carbon reduction and flooding resilience projects.

Reason

To facilitate and enhance the Council’s programme of initiatives targeted at achieving ‘net zero’ status and improving the resilience of the Borough. 

For the amendment: Councillors Baines, Bokor, Braker, Brookes, Fox, Fryer, Hadji-Nikolaou, Harper-Davies, Jackson, Knight, Lowe, Matthews, Northage, Popley, Rattray, Seaton, Smidowicz, Snartt, D. Taylor, Westley.

Against the amendment: Councillors Blackshaw, Bottomley, Bradshaw, Cory-Lowsley, C. Forrest, S. Forrest, Goode, A. Gray, B. Gray, Hamilton, Haynes, Infield, Jadeja, Jones, Lawrence, Lennie, Maynard, Miah, Needham, O’Neill, Palmer, Roberts, N. Taylor, Tillotson, Woodward, Worrall.

Abstentions: Councillor Campsall

The amendment was defeated.

For the substantive motion: Councillors Baines, Blackshaw, Bokor, Bottomley, Bradshaw, Braker, Brookes, Campsall, Cory-Lowsley, C. Forrest, S. Forrest, Fox, Fryer, Goode, A. Gray, B. Gray, Hadji-Nikolaou, Hamilton, Harper-Davies, Haynes, Infield, Jackson, Jadeja, Jones, Knight, Lawrence, Lennie, Lowe, Matthews, Maynard, Miah, Needham, Northage, O’Neill, Palmer, Popley, Rattray, Roberts, Seaton, Smidowicz, Snartt, D. Taylor, N. Taylor, Tillotson, Westley, Woodward, Worrall.

Against the substantive motion: None

Abstentions: None

RESOLVED that the Council adopts recommendations 1-17 as set out in the supplementary report of the Cabinet.

Reasons

For reasons 1-17 set out in the supplementary report of the Cabinet.

A report of the Cabinet to consider the Medium Term Financial Outlook 2024-27 and a Capital Strategy, the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy and the Annual Investment Strategy for 2024-25.

A report of the Cabinet to consider the Medium Term Financial Outlook 2024-27 and a Capital Strategy, the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy and the Annual Investment Strategy for 2024-25, was submitted (item 6.2 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

It was proposed by Councillor Miah and seconded by Councillor Hamilton that recommendations 1 to 4 in the report of the Cabinet be approved, for the reasons set out in the report.

The following amendment was proposed by Councillor Baines, and seconded by Councillor D Taylor:

That the Council commit to undertaking a review to investigate the feasibility of making cost reductions in the order of 3% and 4.2% for financial years 2025/26 and 2026/27 respectively, in line with the MTFO projections, such that a balanced budget can be set in each of those years without requiring any drawdown of the General Fund Working Balance reserve.

Reason

In order that balanced budgets may be set in line with guidance from the Local Government Association.  

The motion was defeated.

Following a vote on the substantive motion, it was

RESOLVED

1.     That the Medium Term Financial Outlook 2024-2027 as set out at Appendix A to the report (attached as an Annex) be approved.

2.     That the Capital Strategy as set out at Appendix B to the report (attached as an Annex) be approved.

3.     That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy as shown at Appendix BB to the report (attached as an Annex) be approved.

4.     That the Prudential and Treasury Indicators also set out within Appendix BB to the report (attached as an Annex) be approved.

Reasons

1.     To inform members of the future financial outlook for the Council.

2.     To enable the Council to comply with the statutory code of practice issued by CIPFA: ‘The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, 2021 Edition’.

3.     To ensure that the Council’s governance and management procedures for Treasury Management reflect best practice and comply with the CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Services Code of Practice, Guidance Notes and Treasury Management Policy Statement.

4.     To ensure 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 Chief Executive to consider a recommendation of the Cabinet in respect of the Corporate Strategy 2024-2028.

A report of the Chief Executive to consider a recommendation of the Cabinet in respect of the Corporate Strategy 2024-2028, was submitted (item 6.3 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that the new Corporate Strategy 2024-2028, attached at the annex to the Cabinet report, be approved.

Reason

To enable the draft Corporate Strategy to set out the direction for the Council for the period 2024-2028.

A report of the Cabinet to consider a new three year Capital Plan for the period 2024-25 to 2026-27.

A report of the Cabinet to consider a new three year Capital Plan for the period 2024-25 to 2026-27 was submitted (item 6.4 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

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

RESOLVED that the new three year Capital Plan 2024-25 to 2026-27 for the General Fund and HRA schemes at Appendix 1 to the report (attached as an Annex) be endorsed.

Reason

So that the Plan becomes the basis for capital spending by the Council for the period.

A report of the Chief Executive to approve scales of election fees and expenses payable to the Returning Officer for any local council elections during 2024/25.

A report of the Chief Executive to approve scales of election fees and expenses payable to the Returning Officer for any local council elections during 2024/25, was submitted (item 6.5 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

It was proposed by Councillor Blackshaw, seconded by Councillor Jones and

RESOLVED that the scale of election fees and expenses appended to this report be adopted for 2024/25.

Reason

To ensure an approved scale of fees can be applied in respect of any local council elections and by-elections which take place during 2024/25.

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 Westley.

Councillor Rattray left the meeting at 8:45pm.

Councillor Westley thanked the Lead Member and Officers for the response and said that he felt there was still some ambiguity surrounding the process. He asked the Lead Member for formal definitions of ‘controversial’ and of ‘significant public interest’ and recent examples of recent planning applications called in using the old Constitution, which would now not pass the threshold.

Councillor Jadeja stated that it was not possible to highlight every eventuality and that she thought the parameters were very clear. She said that she would meet with Councillor Westley to discuss this in further detail.

Question submitted by Councillor D Taylor.

Councillor D Taylor thanked the Lead Member and officers for the response and said that she did not feel it answered her questions. She said there were three delayed audits and that the response did not inform about the risk to the Council. She asked what was the risk to the Council as a result of the three delayed audits?

Councillor Miah asked that the Audit Committee highlight any audit concerns to the Cabinet and said that action would be taken on issues of concern.

Question submitted by Councillor D Taylor.

Councillor D Taylor thanked the Lead Member and officers for the response and asked when the assessment would be complete?

Councillor Hamilton stated that the information on the review would be shared when available.

Question submitted by Councillor D Taylor.

Councillor D Taylor thanked the Lead Member and officers for the response and highlighted that there had been six available dates for the Lead Member to attend Plans Committee meetings. She asked whether the Lead Member would prioritise Plans Committee meetings?

Councillor Miah stated that there were other meetings outside of those outlined in the response and that the Lead Member for Planning did prioritise planning.

Question submitted by Councillor Snartt.

Councillor Snartt stated that he felt the homes being built did not reflect the needs of the community and asked whether the Lead Member agreed that some residents had been let down as a result?

Councillor Hamilton responded by stating that planning applications were determined on their own merits and that there were a number of considerations taken into account. He said he was sympathetic towards the requirement of more affordable homes and the target of 35% for affordable homes remained in place.

Question submitted by Councillor Bokor.

Councillor Bokor did not wish to ask a supplementary question.

Question submitted by Councillor Bokor.

Councillor Bokor asked for more clarity on the number of unlicensed properties and whether enforcement action had been taken?

Councillor Hamilton stated that the new licensing schemes were still being embedded and that more information would be available in due course.

Question submitted by Councillor Harper-Davies.

Councillor Harper-Davies did not wish to ask a supplementary question.

Question submitted by Councillor Harper-Davies.

Councillor Harper-Davies thanked the Lead Member and officers for the response and asked how residents were being reassured that Mountsorrel was a safe place to live?

Councillor Blackshaw thanked Councillor Harper-davies for the question and confirmed that crime had reduced in Mountsorrel. She stated that she was working in the community and with Mountsorrel Parish Council to reassure residents. She also stated that a communications strategy was in development to publicise the work of the Community Safety Partnership.

Question submitted by Councillor Infield.

Councillor Infield asked that as the Environment Agency flood maps were out of date, could the Council keep an updated record of flood damaged areas that had planning permissions granted?

Councillor Jones stated that she would discuss this with the Lead Member for Planning outside of the meeting.

Question submitted by Councillor Snartt.

Councillor Snartt thanked the Lead Member and Officers for the response. He said that he felt the response did not answer each of the questions. He asked for a further response, particularly for the second question, asking whether the Council was able to communicate the amendments to the public in a media release, confirming the Council had a four year land supply and was compliant with the NPPF amendments?  

Councillor Miah stated that an email had been circulated to provide information on the updated Planning Practice Guide to reflect the Government’s intended policy in the National Planning Policy Framework. The email had also explained that the information could not be circulated sooner.

Question submitted by Councillor Fryer.

Councillor Fryer thanked the Lead Member and Officers for the response and acknowledged that there had been a large sum of money allocated to the reinstallation of the museum from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and asked whether the installation of the military collection would be made available elsewhere?

Councillor Tillotson stated that the advice provided to the Council would be followed in the interests of public safety and that it was hoped that alternative options would be available for the items which could not be displayed on the ground floor.

There are no minute references.

There were no minute references.

There are no urgent executive decisions exempted from call-in.

There were no urgent executive decisions exempted from call-in.

To consider any changes to Committee membership for the current Council year (2023/24) (if any).

The Mayor stated that Councillor Rattray was appointed Chair of the Scrutiny Commission with effect from 1st December 2023 and that this had been an officer delegated decision.

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

RESOLVED that Councillor Cory-Lowsley replace Councillor Nat Taylor on the Plans Committee with immediate effect.

Reason

To fill a Labour Group vacancy on the Plans Committee.