Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Holmes, Lumley, and Pearson.

(a)  To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2017

(b)  To confirm the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 16 May 2017

(c)  To confirm the minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 31 May 2017

The minutes of the meetings held on the following dates were confirmed as correct records and authorised to be signed by the Mayor:

Ordinary Meeting – 26 April 2017

Annual Meeting – 16 May 2017

Extraordinary Meeting – 31 May 2017

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

Councillors Orson, Posnett and Rhodes each declared a personal interest in any matters relating to the Leicestershire County Council due to their roles as County Councillors.

The Mayor announced that the first two months of his civic year had been busy with 22 engagements, highlighting the following:

•           an interview with BBC Radio Leicester in which he spoke about being bot the youngest and Melton’s first Asian Mayor;

•           carrying out the role of Returning Officer at the recent Parliamentary Election count

•           the recent visit to Sochaczew at which he and the Mayoress had been represented by Councillors Graham MBE and Posnett MBE;

•           how he especially enjoyed attending local events and referred to earlier in the day when he had been recognised in the town by some local school children.  He was looking forward to visiting local schools during his year of office;

•           how the community was encouraged by the fact that there were more younger Members on the Council and encouraged the newer Members to continue to make their voices heard;

•           the recent East Midlands in Bloom competition and commended the volunteers from Melton in Bloom for all their hard work and efforts towards the town’s entry;

•           thanked the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Chandler, for representing him at some recent events.

The Mayor then made a special announcement regarding the award of an MBE to Councillor Posnett in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours List.  He read the citation for the award which referred to her services to local government.  Members, officers, and members of the public present stood and applauded Councillor Posnett on this achievement.

The Mayor concluded his announcements by referring to the Chief Executive’s last meeting of the Council before her retirement at the end of the month.  The Mayor thanked Lynn Aisbett for her services over the last 12 years, stating she would be missed and wished her a happy retirement.  The Mayor said he looked forward to working with the new Chief Executive, Edd de Coverly, who would take up the post at the end of August.

The Leader  made the following announcements:

(a)  added his personal congratulations to Councillor Posnett on her MBE, stating that it was well deserved and long overdue.  He also referred to a former Member of the authority, Councillor Rob Waltham, who had also been awarded an MBE in the recent Honours List.  Councillor Waltham was now the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council.  The Leader proposed that a letter of congratulations be sent to Councillor Waltham on behalf of the Mayor and Members of this Council.  The Council indicated its support for this proposal;

(b)  reminded Members that the Melton Local Plan was now out for consultation.  The Strategic Growth Plan for Leicester and Leicestershire looked even further ahead to 2050.  A briefing session was to be held on 1 August to which all Members were invited;

(c) referred to an invitation that had been extended to all Members to meet informally with the new Chief Executive on 24 August;

(d)  paid tribute to the outgoing Chief Executive and her achievements during her 12 years with the Council.  He said that Mrs Aisbett had encouraged a culture of delivery of customer focused services for the residents of the Borough, leading on the continual improvement and delivery of integrated services with the Council’s partners.  Amongst other notable achievements, he said that Lynn would be known most for leading the Council’s recovery from the office fire in 2008.  This had led to where the authority was now in terms of its location in Parkside, delivering services in partnership with the other agencies.  The Leader concluded by referring to her modest style which was very much appreciated.  However, she had also not been afraid to challenge Members when required.  Members and officers stood to applaud Mrs Aisbett;

(e)  thanked Mrs Angela Roberts, the Head of Communications and Monitoring Officer, who was also leaving the Council at the end of the month.  The Leader, both on behalf of Members and personally, thanked Mrs Roberts for her support and caring manner.

As former Leader of the Council when Mrs Aisbett had been appointed to the post of Chief Executive, Councillor Graham MBE also wished to place on record his personal thanks to Mrs Aisbett.  Councillor Graham referred to the sound financial management of the authority under her leadership in conjunction with the Head of Central Services, Dawn Garton.  Under her stewardship, supported by the Strategic Director, Keith Aubrey, the Council had gained a reputation, second to none, in looking after vulnerable people and had won numerous awards.  He wished Mrs Aisbett well in her retirement, stating that the Council would be forever in her debt.

As a former Mayor, Councillor Illingworth thanked Mrs Aisbett for the confidence and reassurance she had provided during his term of office.  He said he spoke on behalf of past Mayors who had all appreciated her guidance during Council meetings.

Also as a former Leader of the Council, Councillor Posnett paid tribute to the legacy that Mrs Aisbett would leave following her  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO37

The Leader and Chairs of Policy Committees to answer any questions from the public of which notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 of the Constitution.

There are no questions to be put.

There were no questions to be put.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 24.1, the Chief Executive shall report the receipt of a petition to the next meeting of the Council where there shall be no debate or comment thereon. 

Friends of Melton Country Park

The Chief Executive to report the receipt of a combined paper and online petition received on 8 June 2017 containing a combined total of 1281 signatures which states:

We the undersigned, demand the establishment of a 500m protection zone between Melton Country Park and any future development.  This buffer would reduce the negative impact of any noise and light pollution arising from residential development and would provide further protection for the wildlife that inhabits the Park.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 24.1, the Chief Executive reported receipt of a combined paper and online petition received on 8 June 2017 from the Friends of Melton County Park.  The petition contained a combined total of 1281 signatures and stated:

We the undersigned, demand the establishment of a 500m protection zone between Melton Country Park and any future development. This buffer would reduce the negative impact of any noise and light pollution arising from residential development and would provide further protection for the wildlife that inhabits the Park.

Mr Bill Forbes presented the petition to the Mayor on behalf of the Friends of Melton Country Park.

The Mayor responded: The petition is welcomed and we applaud the Friends’ participation in local planning issues.  It was received after the consultation period for the Pre Submission Local Plan last winter, but as most people are aware, we have proposed ‘focussed changes’ to the Local Plan which is currently out to consultation.  These consultations include the policies that relate to housing close to the Country Park and indeed amendments to the Policy intended to protect it (Policy SS5), and it will be treated as a response to this consultation exercise.  This means it will be presented back to the Council for consideration alongside all other consultation responses, and also that it will be included in the papers sent to the Inspector for consideration through the Independent Examination process.

8(a)  Governance Committee: 6 June 2017: Minute G.8 – Counter Fraud and Corruption Policy

RECOMMENDED: That

(a)  the revised Counter Fraud and Corruption Policy be referred to Full Council for approval and the Constitution be updated accordingly with the revised document:

(b)  Full Council approve delegated authority be given to the Head of Central Services to make minor changes to the Counter Fraud and Corruption Policy.

A copy of the report presented to the Governance Committee on 6 June 2017 has been re-circulated with this agenda.

8(b)  Governance Committee: 6 June 2017: Minute G.12 – Constitution Update

RECOMMENDED:  That the revised Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2017/18 be referred to Full Council for adoption into the Council’s Constitution.

A copy of the report presented to the Governance Committee on 6 June 2017 has been re-circulated with this agenda.

8(c)  Licensing & Regulatory Committee: 26 June 2017: Minute L4 - Statement of Licensing Policy

RECOMMENDED:  that the amended version of the Statement of Licensing Policy be presented to the Council in order that the 12 week consultation may commence, with a view to adopting the amended policy on 13 December 2017.

A copy of the report presented to the Licensing & Regulatory Committee on 26 June 2017 has been re-circulated with this agenda.

(a)  Governance Committee: 6 June 2017 – Counter Fraud and Corruption Policy

The Chairman of the Governance Committee, Councillor Cumbers moved the recommendation as set out in the Order Paper.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Simpson.  There being no discussion on the motion, the Mayor moved to the vote and the motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the revised Counter Fraud and Corruption Policy be approved and the Constitution be updated accordingly with the revised document;

(2)   delegated authority be given to the Head of Central Services to make minor changes to the Counter Fraud and Corruption Policy.

(b)  Governance Committee: 6 June 2017: Minute G.12 - Constitution Update

The Chairman of the Governance Committee, Councillor Cumbers moved the recommendation as set out in the Order Paper.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Simpson.  There being no discussion on the motion, the Mayor moved to the vote and the motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That the revised Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2017/18 be adopted and incorporated into the Council’s Constitution.

(c)  Licensing & Regulatory Committee: 26 June 2017: Minute L4 - Statement of Licensing Policy

The Chairman of the Licensing & Regulatory Committee, Councillor Wyatt moved the recommendation as set out in the Order Paper.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Baguley.  There being no discussion on the motion, the Mayor moved to the vote and the motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: that the amended version of the Statement of Licensing Policy be approved in order that the 12 week consultation may commence, with a view to adopting the amended policy on 13 December 2017.

(a) The Chairmen of Committees to answer any questions upon items of reports of Committees when those items are being received or under consideration by the Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.1 of the Constitution :-

(b)  In accordance with Procedure Rules 10.3 and 10.5, a Member may ask the Mayor, Leader or the Chairman of any committee or sub-committee, a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Melton Borough.

No questions were received by the deadline.

(a)  In accordance with Procedure Rule 10.1, the Chairmen of Committees were to respond to any questions upon items of reports of Committees when those items were received or were under consideration by the Council as follows :-

Planning Committee                                               27 April 2017

Planning Committee                                               25 May 2017

Governance Committee                                          6 June 2017

Rural, Economic & Environmental

Affairs Committee                                                    7 June 2017

Planning Committee                                               15 June 2017

Town Area Committee                                            19 June 2017

Community & Social Affairs Committee              21 June 2017

Licensing & Regulatory Committee                      26 June 2016

Ad Hoc Planning Committee                                 29 June 2017

Policy, Finance & Administration Committee     11 July 2017

(b)  A Member pointed out that the resolution under minute P19 of the Policy, Finance & Administration Committee set of public minutes for 11 July 2017 (amended version circulated after the agenda despatch) had been recorded differently to that minute number in the exempt set of minutes.  He believed the exempt minute was the correct version of the decision made.

The Chief Executive apologised and confirmed that the decision had been correctly recorded in the exempt version of minute P19 and that the public set of minutes would require amendment before presentation to the next meeting of the Policy, Finance & Administration Committee.

There were no Motions on Notice  received in accordance

with Procedure Rule 11.1

There were no Motions on Notice received in accordance with Procedure Rule 11.1

The Head of Central Services to submit a report which provides a summary of the Treasury activities in 2016-17 and covers the actual position on the Prudential Indicators in accordance with the Prudential Code.

Members had before them a report prepared by the Head of Central Services which provided a summary of the Treasury activities in 2016-17.  The report also covered the actual position on the Prudential Indicators in accordance with the Prudential Code and highlighted compliance with both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities.  Recent changes in the regulatory environment placed a much greater onus on Members for the review and scrutiny of treasury management policy and activities and the report was therefore important in that respect.

The Leader commended the report to Members and moved the recommendations contained in the Order Paper.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Higgins.

There being no discussion on the report, the Mayor moved to the vote which was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2016-17 be approved; and

(2)  the actual position on Prudential Indicators for 2016-17 be noted.

The Head of Communications to submit a report to confirm the appointment of two Independent Persons under the Localism Act 2011.       

The Head of Communications had previously circulated a report with the agenda the purpose of which was to advise that the Council must appoint two Independent Persons under the Localism Act 2011 to give an independent view on allegations that a Councillor had not complied with the Code of Conduct.  The term of office of the existing Independent Person ended on 18 July 2017 and, following a recruitment process, the Council was requested to confirm the appointment of two Independent Persons with immediate effect.

The recommendations contained in the Order Paper was moved by Councillor Cumbers and seconded by Councillor Higgins.  A vote was then taken which resulted in the motion being carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That the appointments of Mr Gordon Grimes and Mr Adam Lowe as Independent Persons be confirmed with immediate effect for a period of 5 years.

The Head of Communications

(a)  to report that Councillor Sheldon had been appointed as the Council’s representative to the Melton BID Board at the Annual Meeting held on 16 May 2017;

(b)  to report that Councillor Sheldon had requested that he be replaced by Councillor Freer-Jones  to this organisation;

(c)  to request the Council’s approval to this change.

The Chief Executive reported that

(a)  Councillor Sheldon had been appointed as the Council’s representative to the Melton BID Board at the Annual Meeting held on 16 May 2017;

(b)  Councillor Sheldon had requested that he be replaced by Councillor Freer-Jones on this organisation.

The change in representation to this organisation was moved by Councillor Orson and seconded by Councillor Higgins.  There being no other nominations, the motion was put to the vote and subsequently carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Sheldon be replaced by Councillor Freer-Jones  on the Melton BID Board for 2017/18.