Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Sheldon, Councillor Simpson, Councillor Graham and Councillor Orson.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 100118 were confirmed and authorised to be signed by the chair.

The exempt minutes of the meeting 100118 were approved to be signed by the Chair

The minutes from the Ad Hoc Melton Economic & Environmental Affairs Committee meetings held on 240118 and 130218 will be deferred for approval at the next committee meeting.

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

Councillor Rhodes declared a personal interest in anything relating to County Council.

There were no recommendations from other committees.

The Director of Corporate Services to submit a report to update the Committee on the progress of schemes within the Capital Programme to 31 January 2018.

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report to update the Committee on the progress of schemes within the Capital Programme to 31^st January 2018.

The Corporate Services Manager drew members’ attention to 5.2 of the report, noting a budget allocation of just over £1m.

An underspend of -£31k was explained as being a result of the Lake Terrace Waste Depot Refurbishment. As per Appendix A, negotiations and subsequent business case for necessary works required on the site are expected to be finalised by 2018/19 and so the project will be carried forward.

A member asked what proportion of the Lake Terrace Refurbishment Biffa is responsible for.

The Corporate Services Manager noted that it will be expected for them to rectify situation, however this requires negotiation.

All members were in favour.

RESOLVED that the progress made on each capital scheme, attached as appendix A, be noted along with the year end forecast position.

The Director of Corporate Services to submit a report to provide information on actual expenditure and income incurred on this Committee’s   services compared to the latest approved budget for the period 1^st April 2017 to 31^st December 2017.

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report to provide information on actual expenditure and income incurred on this Committee’s services compared to the latest approved budget for the period 1^st April 2017 to 31^st December 2017.

The Corporate Services Manager noted that Appendix A gave a summary of key services under this committee. It was noted that the suggested overspend of approximately £162k in 3.3 of the report relates to items detailed in 3.6.1:

Car parks and bus stations.

Income expected from car park is down. This is thought to be as a result of free parking and 20 minute or 20p spaces available on St Mary’s way. Additional income of £9k from the leasing of the Thorpe End car park reduces the expected shortfall, however due to other costs, the budgeted income for car parking fees will not be met.

Cattle Market

The overall budget predicts an approximate £200k surplus. The 2017/18 net expenditure has been reduced by handing the business rate charges over to Gillstream. There has been an increase in usage from the new development, however the expected figures may be more optimistic than actually thought

Building Control

A £3k overspend on salaries is due to an overlap of senior officers of one month. The shortfall projection is based on current levels of demand continuing. Fee paying applications are falling and application values have also been lower.

Economic Development

The expected overspend in this area is due to a shortfall of income. This is slightly offset by salary savings due to vacant posts at varying time throughout the year.

A member asked if the fall in car park usage is due to the price increase.

The Corporate Services Manager advised that the price increase is not a fundamental impact of falling usage.

A member enquired that car park usage was thought to have increased since changes and strategies and advised it would be useful to see data showing long term usage.

The Corporate Services Manager noted that officers will be looking at current strategy with regard to car parking.

All members were in favour.

RESOLVED that the financial position and year end forecast on each of this Committee’s services to 31^st December be noted.

The Assistant  Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services to submit a report to inform members of the progress of the Frisby Neighbourhood Development Plan (2017) and determine whether it should proceed to Referendum. 

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services submitted a report to inform members of the progress of the Frisby Neighbourhood Development Plan (2017) and determine whether it should proceed to Referendum.

The Chair advised members that he proposed that be deferred due to recent contact from Frisby Neighbourhood Plan Group on 8^th March. Members were asked to arrange an ad hoc meeting of this committee, possibly on 200318.

A member asked why it was necessary to defer. The examination is strong and if a community wants to challenge it then there is a process to do so through the Referendum .

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services noted that the challenge was not about site selection, the group have submitted proposed alternatives to the Examiner’s recommendations addressing some policy wording. The subsequent work for the Committee report required more time than available to present to committee.

A member asked if Parish Councils were a parent body of neighbourhood planning groups and if so, were the Committee doing the right thing if the Parish voted unanimously to accept the examiner’s report.

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services advised to defer and confirm details.

A member noted it was necessary to consider liability if the decision departs from Examiner.

A member noted that the Examiner, as an unelected body, is not part of the democratic process.

The Chair that the group are seeking clarification on certain areas including limits to development.

A member asked if anything was incorrect with the recommendation of the report.

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services noted that the decision of the Parish Council needs to be confirmed as the vote was only taken on the previous evening of the 7^th.

A member asked if the committee could move the recommendations subject to the Parish Council’s vote and added that the Parish Council must have taken into account the views of the planning group.

A member asked what areas need amending.

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services confirmed that five or six points were raised of which ‘limits to development’ is a significant one. It is possible to add or detract from the Examiner’s decision as we see fit but only if it means that the recommendations meet basic conditions.

A member drew members’ attention to page 59 of the report and read the examiner’s summary.

A member advised that it may be safer to refer the item.

A member noted that if the Parish Council agreed then the e-mail received by members stating the Parish Council’s decision to accept the report would be sufficient.

A member noted that he was happy to be steered by the ward councillor of Frisby as to defer or move recommendations.

The Chair noted that it may be better to defer to reduce risk.

A member asked if the Parish Council’s view of the new information from the group was known.

A member proposed the  ...  view the full minutes text for item R61

The Assistant Director for Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services to submit a report to invite the Committee to adopt the on proposed revisions to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire policy.

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services submitted a report to invite the Committee to adopt the proposed revisions to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy.

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services directed members to the proposed changes as attached as Appendix B and C and noted that the main changes seek to adopt a three yearly renewal and changes to criminality details.

A member asked -with regards to vehicle testing (2.4 of App A) – there is an implication of there being only three Council approved taxi testing stations, if the policy is limited to this number.

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services noted that there is no reason that this number could not increase and is not prohibited to do so by the policy.

A member asked where the official taxi ranks are located in the town as arranging carriage that would be further than the town centre is difficult. As such, it may be worth publicising this policy as well as the designated taxi ranks.

The Chair sought a proposer and seconder.

All members were in favour.

RESOLVED that members agree to adopt the Policy for the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy at Appendix A.

The Assistant Director for Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services to submit a report to determine the fees for the taxi vehicle, driver and operators licences for 2018/19.

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services to submit a report to follow to determine the fees for the taxi vehicle, driver and operators licenses for 2018/19.

This item was removed from the agenda and will be brought back to this committee at a  later date.

To consider any other items that the Chair considers urgent

There was no urgent business however, Cllr Rhodes noted the approval for the Long Clawson, Hose & Harby Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to referendum with 44% turnout and 90% approval.