Agenda and minutes

It was moved by Dr O’Callaghan, seconded by Mr Parsons and carried:-

 

“That Mr Mike Jones be elected Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.”

 

Mr Jones read out and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was witnessed and signed by the Chief Executive.

 

Mr Jones took the Chair and thanked his proposer and seconder and members of the Council for electing him.

 

The Chairman thanked Mr Garner for his services to the County during his period of office as Chairman.  Mr Parsons, Dr O’Callaghan and Mr Galton each joined the Chairman in associating their Groups with the thanks to Mr Garner.  Mr Garner thanked members for their generous remarks.

 

 

It was moved by Mr Parsons, seconded by Dr O’Callaghan and carried:-

 

“That Mr Tony Kershaw be appointed Vice-Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.”

 

Mr Kershaw read out and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was witnessed and signed by the Chief Executive.

 

Mr Kershaw thanked his proposer and seconder for their generous remarks and members of the Council for appointing him as Vice-Chairman.

 

 

County Service

 

The Chairman asked members to note that the County Service this year would be held at All Saints Church, Loughborough, on Sunday 14^th October. The service would be followed by a reception.  Further details would be finalised once a Rector had been appointed.  The Chairman was hoping that the service would be of a multi-faith format and that all members would support this important annual service.

 

Chairman’s Reception – Beaumanor Hall

 

The Chairman was pleased to inform members that he would be holding a reception at Beaumanor Hall on Tuesday 31^st July at 6.30 p.m. All members of the County Council would be receiving invitations in due course.

 

Health and Safety Awards

 

The Chairman was pleased to announce that the Community Services Department had recently been awarded the ROSPA Gold Award for its Health and Safety Work.

 

The Chairman reminded the Council that the former Social Services Department had received similar awards in recent years and it was pleasing to see that the combined Adult Social Care and Children and Young People’s Health and Safety Service was maintaining the tradition in having also achieved this award this year.

 

The awards reflected the commitment and dedication of all concerned towards ensuring that health and safety received the prominence it deserved.

 

Visitors

 

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting all visitors and guests of members.

 

It was moved by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman and carried:-

 

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 21 March 2007, copies of which have been circulated to members, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.”

 

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to make declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

 

The following declarations were made:-

 

Member                         Minute No(s)                             Interest

 

Mr Moore                      106A                        Personal non-prejudicial

Mr Sheahan                  106A                        Personal non-prejudicial

 

(A)    Dr Hill asked the following question of the Leader or his nominee:

 

“Can the Leader or his nominee supply the following:

 

1.         A list of holdings in terms of acreage and the capital value of County farms?

 

2.         The value of farm land sold in the last 3 years and details of what these capital receipts were spent on?

 

3.         Confirmation that the farm rental revenue is still used for re-investment in the farms or, if not, what it is used for?

 

4.         What the County’s strategy is for County farm holdings in terms of delivering LCC/LAA priorities?”

 

Dr Feltham replied as follows:

 

“1.        The County Farms Estate comprises 82 County Farms extending to 2909 hectares, one cottage and 67 hectares of woodland and other land. The Estate has an asset value of £7.2 million.

 

2.         In the past 3 years the value of sales of County Farms property was £5.98 million. The proceeds of sale accrued to the General Pool of Capital Receipts from which £468k was reinvested in the County Farms Capital Improvement Programme; the balance being used to fund other elements of the County Council’s overall Capital Programme, e.g. the library refurbishment programme.

 

3.         The revenue surpluses of the County Farms Trading Account, to which rents contribute, are used to fund the general revenue expenditure of the County Council and cannot be identified as having been spent on anything specific.  

 

4.         Whilst the primary aim of the farm strategy is to support an effective and efficient estate making a positive contribution to the Authority, it also supports a wide range of LAA/LCC priorities in the form of safer environment, thriving towns and villages, stronger communities and the economy. Examples include community benefit such as affordable housing, rural businesses and direct and indirect employment.”

 

(B)       Mr Bailey asked the following question of the Leader or his nominee:

 

“1.        How many of Leicestershire County Council's School Crossing Patrol posts are currently vacant?

 

2.         How many of these posts have been unfilled for over three months?

 

               3.   (i)      Is the Leader aware that a School Crossing Patrol post at Grove Road, Blaby has been vacant for over a year, and that another Crossing Patrol post on Leicester Road, Glen Parva has been vacant since September, 2006?

 

                  (ii)     What measures does the Leader intend to take to fill these posts, since their continued vacancy leaves young children and their families at risk on a daily basis?"

 

Mr Ould replied as follows:

 

“1.        There are currently 48 vacant posts, from a total number of 152 approved sites.  However, 5 of these have patrols appointed but are awaiting CRB clearance before being allowed to take up their duties.

 

2.         All 48 have been vacant for over 3 months.

 

3.   (i)      I would like to thank Mr Bailey for bringing this information to my attention.  I was not previously aware of this.  The 2 posts have indeed been vacant for the periods stated by Mr Bailey.

 

(ii)     There have already been recruitment leaflet drops in the local vicinities of the crossing sites.  Newsletters and individual letters have been sent by the relevant schools directly to parents seeking volunteers but with no success. 

 

                           A survey of the Council’s current patrols was recently undertaken to ascertain what attracted them to the post. Many responded that their children attended the school and the hours suited their lifestyle.  This is why parents are being targeted.

 

                           Officers are planning to visit schools with patrol vacancies to speak to parents and offer information about the post of Crossing Patrol.”

 

Mr Bailey asked the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

The Leader presented a position statement on the following matters:

 

Local Elections

Travellers

The Council’s Financial Prospects

 

The Lead Member for Community Services presented a position statement on various Environment issues.

 

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission presented a position statement which focused on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

 

A copy of each Position Statement is attached to these minutes.

 

It was moved by Mr Rhodes, seconded by Mrs Sherwin and carried:-

 

“That the Youth Justice Plan 2007/08, as referred to in Section A of the report of the Cabinet, be approved.”

 

 

It was moved by Mr Parsons, seconded by Mr Rushton and carried:

 

“That Council meetings in 2007/08 be held on the following dates:-

 

Wednesday         11 July 2007

Wednesday         26^.September 2007

Wednesday         5 December 2007

Wednesday         20 February 2008 (Budget Meeting)

Wednesday         19 March 2008

Wednesday         21 May 2008 (Annual Meeting)”

 

(A)       TO APPOINT THE LEADER AND DEPUTY LEADER OF THE COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE CABINET

 

It was moved by Prof Preston and seconded by Mr Moore:-

 

            “That the members named on list ‘A’ (attached to these minutes) be appointed Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council and Members of the Cabinet”.

 

            The motion was put and carried.

 

 

(B)       TO APPOINT CABINET SUPPORT MEMBERS

 

It was moved by Mr Parsons and seconded by Mr Rushton:-

 

            “That the following members be appointed as Cabinet Support Members, as provided for in Article 7 of the Council’s Constitution:-

 

            Mrs R Camamile CC

            Mr J T Orson CC

            Mr P C Osborne CC.”

 

            The motion was put and carried.

 

(C)       TO APPOINT MEMBERS OF THE SCRUTINY COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

It was moved by Prof Preston, seconded by Mr Stanley and carried:-

 

            “That the membership of the Scrutiny Commission, Boards and Committees be as set out in List ‘B’ (attached to these minutes).”

 

(D)       SPOKESMEN

 

Prof Preston named the members shown in the second column of list ‘S’ as Conservative Spokesmen of the bodies as shown.

 

Mr Stanley named the members shown in the third column of list ‘S’, as Labour Spokespersons of the bodies as shown.

 

Mr Boulter named the members shown in the fourth column of list ‘S’ as Liberal Democrat Spokesmen of the bodies as shown.

 

(A copy of list ‘S’ is attached to these minutes.)

 

(E)       SUBSTITUTES

It was moved by Prof Preston, seconded by Mr Stanley and carried:-

 

            “That the Chief Executive be authorised to make and terminate appointments to the Commission, committees, boards and other County Council bodies (not including the Cabinet) in accordance with the wishes of the political groups to whom the seat in question has been allocated, subject, in the case of those bodies set out in List ‘B’, to the Group giving one day’s notice to the Chief Executive of its wishes.”

 

"(a)      That this Council does not wish to charge pupils for transport to their nearest denominational school;

 

(b)       That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(4), the matter be referred to the Cabinet for consideration and report."

 

It was moved by Dr O’Callaghan and seconded by Ms Betty Newton:-

 

“(a)    That this Council does not wish to charge pupils for transport to their nearest denominational school;

 

(b)     That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(4), the matter be referred to the Cabinet for consideration and report.”

 

An amendment was moved by Mr Ould and seconded by Mr Hart:-

 

‘(i)        That the following be added at the end of paragraph (a) of the motion:-

 

“but, as debated during the recent budget process, has been required to consider the introduction of a charge as a consequence of the Government’s continuing rejection of Leicestershire’s case for fair funding of its schools and support services;”

 

(ii)        That paragraph (b) be deleted from the motion and the following inserted in its place:-

 

“(b)      That the County Council believes that the overall outcome of the consultation process, particularly the responses of the Citizens’ Panel, which is representative of the County’s population and Council Taxpayers, justifies a decision to proceed with the proposed charge but with a recognition that the Council should seek to do more to support families for whom the charge could cause particular difficulties;

 

(c)        Accordingly, it be recommended that families of more than two children attending denominational schools should pay only for two children, and that a ‘hardship fund’ be established to assist those families who may be in financial difficulty but who are above the low income threshold, such fund to be administered by the Diocesan Authorities;

 

(d)       That it be noted that the estimated annual cost to the County Council of these changes will be £15,000 (families with more than two children), and £20,000 (‘hardship fund’);

 

(e)       That the proposed charges with the additional support for families as mentioned above be determined by the Cabinet at its meeting on 4 June 2007.” ’

 

On the amendment being put and before the vote was taken, five members rose asking that the vote be recorded.  The vote was recorded as follows:-

 

For the Amendment

 

            Mrs Camamile, Mr Coxon, Mrs Dickinson, Dr Feltham, Mr Fraser, Mr Garner, Mr Harley, Mr Hart, Mr Houseman, Mr Jennings, Mr Kershaw, Mr Lewis, Mr Moore, Mr Natzel, Mr Orson, Mr Osborne, Mr Ould, Mr Page, Mrs Page, Mr Parsons, Mrs Pendleton, Prof Preston, Mr Rhodes, Mr Roffey, Mr Rushton, Mr Shepherd, Mrs Sherwin, Mr Snartt, Mr Sprason, Mr White.

 

Against the Amendment

 

Mr Bailey, Mr Bill, Mr Boulter, Mr Bown, Mr Brown, Mr Callis, Mr Charlesworth, Mr Galton, Mr Griffiths, Dr Hill, Mr Hunt, Mr Hyde, Mr Jones, Mr Legrys, Ms Newton, Dr O’Callaghan, Mr Sheahan, Mr Stanley, Mr Stork, Mr Wilson, Mr Wright.

 

The amendment was carried, 30 members voting for the amendment and 21 against.

 

In the light of comments made by Mr Brown, the Leader of the Council agreed that consideration would be given at the meeting of the Cabinet to a proposal that, if a charge was introduced, it should only be levied on new pupils starting at faith schools from September 2008 provided this was fully costed.

 

The substantive motion was put and carried.

 

"In the recent district council election in North West Leicestershire the local Conservative Party promised the electorate that, if elected, it would re-introduce passenger traffic on the Leicester to Burton Rail Line.  As the local Transport Authority, this Council therefore resolves:-

 

(a)       to actively seek funding from all relevant Agencies including the European Union to re-introduce passenger traffic on the Leicester to Burton Rail Line (National Forest Line);

 

(b)       to undertake a feasibility study seeking ways of realizing the Conservative Administration's recent conversion to the National Forest Line;

 

(c)        to initiate a Community Rail Partnership, which includes the voluntary sector, to campaign for and aid the re-opening of the National Forest Line to passenger traffic."

 

It was moved by Mr John Legrys and seconded by Mr Hyde:-

 

"In the recent district council election in North West Leicestershire the local Conservative Party promised the electorate that, if elected, it would re-introduce passenger traffic on the Leicester to Burton Rail Line.  As the local Transport Authority, this Council therefore resolves:-

 

(a)       to actively seek funding from all relevant Agencies including the European Union to re-introduce passenger traffic on the Leicester to Burton Rail Line (National Forest Line);

 

(b)       to undertake a feasibility study seeking ways of realizing the Conservative Administration's recent conversion to the National Forest Line;

 

(c)        to initiate a Community Rail Partnership, which includes the voluntary sector, to campaign for and aid the re-opening of the National Forest Line to passenger traffic."

 

An amendment was moved by Mr Rushton and seconded by Mrs Pendleton:-

 

‘That all the words after the word “elected” be deleted from the motion and the following inserted in their place:-

 

“its members would champion the cause of the re-opening of the Leicester to Burton rail line to passenger traffic, recognising that the Conservative controlled County Council has consistently supported the project through, for example, a feasibility study and a positive reference in its Local Transport Plan despite the lack of any prospect of EU or other external funding.

 

In addition, the County Council:

 

(a)       notes that its current and future support will include working with the District Councils in the preparation of their Local Development Frameworks to ensure the future development of the railway line is safeguarded and to capitalise on the opportunities for funding through developer contributions and  “New Growth Points” regarding the proposed  sustainable urban extension to Coalville and to encourage a sustainable transport infrastructure;

 

(b)       recognises that campaigning in the short term is best directed at the Government and its supporters in advance of this autumn’s Comprehensive Spending Review since, without a specific national commitment to funding of local rail schemes, a strong business case for the re-opening of the railway line to passenger traffic cannot be made. ” ’

 

The amendment was put and carried.

 

The substantive motion was put and carried.

 

 

 

 

23 May 2007                                                       CHAIRMAN

2.30 p.m. – 6.53 p.m.