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Contact: Mo Seedat - Tel: 0116 305 2583 Email: mo.seedat@leics.gov.uk
Note: Please note: This meeting will not be open to the public in line with Government advice on public gatherings. The meeting will be webcast live via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWFpwBLs6MnUzG0WjejrQtQ
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A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWFpwBLs6MnUzG0WjejrQtQ |
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Chairman's Announcements. Minutes: It was with great
sadness that the Chairman reported the passing of former Councillors Sir Lyonel Tollemache and Mr Denis Bown. Denis Bown Denis Bown passed away on Sunday, 4th October
following a short illness aged 88. Mr Bown served on the County Council for 28 years from 1981 to
2009. During his period in office he served on various Council bodies but his main interest was in the areas of Planning
and Environment and Transport. He also
campaigned tirelessly for the Earl Shilton bypass. He also served on
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for a total of 34 years in three terms
between 1962 and 2007 and was Mayor twice – in 1974-76 and again in 1999-2000. Sir Lyonel Tollemache Sir Lyonel passed away on Wednesday 7th October 2020
aged 89. Sir Lyonel served on the County Council for 12 years from 1985
to 1997 representing the Belvoir Division.
During his period of office he served on the
Finance and General Purposes, Agriculture and Social Services Committees. I call on members
to stand in silent tribute to the memory of Denis Bown
and Sir Lyonel Tollemache. Remembrance Sunday and Armistice The Chairman
reported that although Remembrance Sunday and Armistice were very different
this year she was pleased to be able to participate in online ceremonies
marking both of these commemorations. The Chairman was also pleased to report that
County Hall had been illuminated in red for the duration of the Royal British
Legion’s Poppy Appeal. Although the number
of Remembrance Sunday Services were much reduced this year, the Chairman
thanked those Members who were able to attend local services and lay a County
Council wreath. |
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 30 September 2020. PDF 360 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: It was moved by the
Chairman, seconded by Mr Kaufman and carried: “That the minutes
of the meeting of the Council held on 30 September 2020, copies of which have
been circulated to members, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.” |
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To receive declarations by members of interests in respect of items on this agenda. Minutes: The Chairman
invited members who wished to do so to make declarations of interest in respect
of items on the agenda for this meeting. Mr Osborne and Mr
Orson declared a personal interest in the notice of motion concerning increased
tree planting (Item 8 (a)) as farmers and landowners in the County. Mrs Newton, Mrs
Seaton, Mr Kaufman and Mr Miah declared personal interests in the notice of
motion on the St Mary’s Birth Centre (Item 8 (c)) as members of their family
were employed by NHS Trusts affected by the proposed reorganisation of NHS
services. Dr Eynon declared a
personal interest in the notice of motion on the St Mary’s Birth Centre (Item 8
(c)) as a former GP. Mrs A. Wright
declared a personal interest in the notice of motion on the St Mary’s Birth
Centre (Item 8 (c)) as an employee of a firm that represented NHS Trusts. |
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To answer questions asked under Standing Order 7(1)(2) and (5). Minutes: (A) Mr
Sheahan asked the following question of the Leader or his nominee: “It has been recognised that many Early Years
providers have had significant reductions of children attending preschool. How many early years places have been lost in
Leicestershire, expressed both numerically and as a percentage?” Mrs Taylor responded as follows: “Since March 2020, 9 pre-schools and day nurseries and 33 childminders
have closed resulting in a loss of 436 places. However, over the same period 6 pre-school and day nurseries and 20
childminders have opened offering a total of 333 places. Therefore, in total there has been a loss of 103 places (0.88%) in
Leicestershire since March 2020.” (B) Mr Sheahan asked the following question of
the Leader or his nominee: “There have been concerns from Head Teachers,
reported nationally, that some students have fallen behind after the closure of
schools. What assessment has been made
of this trend in Leicestershire? Is it
known how much further disadvantaged pupils have fallen behind in comparison
with their peers due to school closures and what arrangements have been made to
ensure there is appropriate and targeted catch-up support?” Mrs Taylor responded as follows: “Most students across Leicestershire were out
of school from 23rd March 2020 until the beginning of the Autumn
Term 2020. Over this period schools
remained open for children of key workers and those children who were deemed to
be vulnerable. Children who were not in
school over this period were provided with education through their school,
predominantly through online methods. As children have returned to school in the
Autumn Term all schools have undertaken an assessment of all children in order
to fully understand the impact of the period of time out of school and learning
at home. It appears that the impact of
pupils’ time out of education in Leicestershire, mirrors the gap reported
nationally which is that the curriculum learning gap between disadvantaged
pupils and their peers has increased by 46 per cent compared with July 2019. In the summer (2020) the Government announced £1 billion of funding to
support children and young people to catch up lost time after school
closure. The funding is especially
important for the most vulnerable children and those children from
disadvantaged backgrounds. This funding
includes:
Individual schools are responsible for
planning their programmes of work to support children to catch up. Through the County Council’s Education
Effectiveness Team, school leaders have accessed training on recovery
curriculum, provided jointly by the Local Authority and school leaders on what
this means and how it could be structured and implemented. Training sessions on planning for effective
remote learning in schools and another on the most effective use of the catch-up
funding allocated to schools by the Department for Education have also been
well attended by school leaders.” (C) Mr Sheahan asked the following question of
the Leader or his nominee: “Early on, it was anticipated that schools would require access to computer equipment for those children who needed that support. How many pieces of equipment were delivered to schools in ... view the full minutes text for item 21. |
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To receive position statements under Standing Order 8. PDF 195 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: “The Leader gave a position statement which provided an
update on Covid-19 and the UK100’s new Net Zero Pledge. The Lead Member for Adult Social Care, and Heritage, Leisure
and Arts gave a position statement which provided an update on the Adult Social
Care response to the Covid-19 pandemic and summarised the current position of
the care sector in Leicestershire. The Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission gave a position
statement on the work of the Scrutiny Commission and its Committees to support
and protect the residents of Leicestershire. Copies of the position statements are attached.” |
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Report of the Cabinet. |
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Annual Delivery Report and Performance Compendium 2020. PDF 423 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: “That the Annual Delivery Report and Performance Compendium 2020 be approved.” |
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Report of the Employment Committee. |
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Pay Policy Statement 2021-22. PDF 194 KB Additional documents: Minutes: It was moved by Mr Rhodes, seconded by Mr Shepherd, and carried: “That the County Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2021/22, attached as
Appendix A to the report of the Employment Committee, be approved.” |
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To consider the following notice of motion: |
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Increasing new tree planting across Leicestershire. a)
This
Council notes that
i.
The County Council Tree Strategy,
agreed by Cabinet last year, identifies the need for a ‘substantial and
sustained’ programme of tree planting to offset the effects of tree loss
throughout the County;
ii.
In addition, the historic human and
natural development of the County has had an impact on the landscape character
with consequential loss of woodland cover;
iii.
The woodland cover over the counties
of Leicestershire and Rutland currently approximates to 4% which is
significantly lower than most rural counties like ours;
iv.
As well as acting as carbon
sequestration, it is well evidenced that trees can remove air pollutants from
the atmosphere. (Leicestershire 2018-21 JSNA);
v.
The statutory Committee for Climate
Change advocates the planting of around 30,000 hectares (90 – 120 million
trees) of broadleaf and conifer woodland each year to 2050, which has lately
been supported by Central Government. b)
This
Council calls on the Cabinet to:
i.
Set a target for new woodland planting
across the county, in addition to its existing programme of arboreal disease
management and replacement;
ii.
Work with partners applying the
Stewardship Scheme; Agri-environment schemes and Local Growth Funds and
agricultural opportunities of the forthcoming Environment Act;
iii.
Consult with Local Planning
Authorities notably through Local Plans, developer contributions; Planning
conditions/obligations to increase woodland cover;
iv.
Use its best endeavours to seek new
funding through future government funding offers, the county’s great landowners
and other private concerns, including personal endowments. Minutes: Mr Hunt, with the consent of the seconder of
the motion, sought the approval of the Council to move the following altered
motion:- It was moved by Mr Hunt, seconded by Mr Pain,
and carried: “a) This
Council notes that i. The historic human and natural
development of the County has had an impact on the landscape character with
consequential loss of woodland cover; ii. The
woodland cover over the counties of Leicestershire and Rutland currently
approximates to 4% which is significantly lower than most rural counties like
ours; iii. As
well as acting as carbon sequestration, it is well evidenced that trees can
remove air pollutants from the atmosphere. (Leicestershire 2018-21 JSNA); iv. The
statutory Committee for Climate Change advocates the planting of around 30,000
hectares (90 – 120 million trees) of broadleaf and conifer woodland each year
to 2050, which has lately been supported by Central Government; v. The
new England Tree Strategy which is expected to be produced by DEFRA before the
end of the year will:- • set
out policy priorities to support and deliver an ambitious tree planting
programme throughout the country focussed on expanding, protecting and
improving woodlands, and how trees and woodlands can connect people to nature,
support the economy, combat climate change and recover biodiversity; • help
bring together potential funding streams and wider policies to increase tree
planting, including the forthcoming Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS)
and other private and publicly funded schemes thereby supporting the
Government’s “Green Future”, 25-year Environmental plan and aspiration to
increase woodland cover in England to 12% by 2060. b) That
it be noted that this Council has:- i) a
long history of encouraging tree planting through initiatives such as the
‘MOREhedges’, ‘MOREwoods’, Tree Disease Pack and Free Tree Replacement schemes
which has resulted in over 26,500 trees and 14,000 metres of hedges being
planted since 2010; ii) in
its updated Tree Management Strategy 2020- 2025 set a target for new woodland
planting across the county, in addition to its existing programme of arboreal
disease management and replacement; iii) developed
an overarching management plan for 340ha of woodland across the County Park
Estate and submitted the plan for approval by the Forestry Commission which
will set out a programme of sustainable woodland management works across the
estate and provides opportunities to apply for funding to deliver works under
the countryside stewardship scheme. c) That
recognising the role tree planting can play in reducing carbon and improving
the quality of the environment this Council commits to:- i) Working
in partnership with the National Forest Company on a Woodland Charter for
Leicestershire which will: - • set
out a ‘vision’ for trees and woodlands in Leicestershire and form the basis for
engaging partners to deliver wider ambitions for increasing tree planting; • establish
an up to date baseline for woodland and canopy cover for the County and will
work with partners to set new SMART targets needed to increase canopy cover to
ensure our communities are safe and economy is sustainable for the long-term. ii) Consulting
with Local Planning Authorities notably through Local Plans, developer
contributions; Planning conditions/obligations to increase woodland cover; iii) Using
its best endeavours to seek new funding through future government funding
offers, the county’s great landowners and other private concerns, including
personal endowments.” |
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Care Homes. a. That
this Council notes: - i) the immense challenges faced by care workers in providing
essential support to some of Leicestershire’s most vulnerable residents during
the Coronavirus Pandemic and thanks them for their hard work, bravery and
compassion; ii) notes how workers at some of the Leicestershire County Care
Limited (LCCL) homes were forced to accept cuts to pay and conditions on threat
of losing their jobs during the pandemic; iii)
further notes the recent closure of the LCCL home ‘The Limes’ as a consequence the poor CQC reports the home had received. b.
That this Council believes it is vital that
care workers are properly rewarded for the work they do and resolves to request
the Cabinet to require all providers to declare as a condition for inclusion on
the Council’s framework of approved providers: - i)
whether they pay the Real Living
Wage to their staff; ii)
their policy on pay for travel
time; iii)
their policy on pay for
over-night care. c.
That the information provided in (c) above be
published to allow those purchasing care to take it into account when deciding
which providers to commission. d.
That this Council further requests that
officers be asked present a paper setting out a
path towards signing up to Unison’s Ethical Care Charter and the costs involved
noting that should the cost involved in doing so exceed the Council’s ability
to fund the commitment, this Council pledges to campaign actively for the
Government for the increased funding needed, thereby creating a level playing field
and the highest standards possible for Adult Social Care. Minutes: It was moved by Mr
Mullaney and seconded by Mr Bill: “(a) That
this Council notes: - i) the
immense challenges faced by care workers in providing essential support to some
of Leicestershire’s most vulnerable residents during the Coronavirus Pandemic
and thanks them for their hard work, bravery and compassion; ii) notes
how workers at some of the Leicestershire County Care Limited (LCCL) homes were
forced to accept cuts to pay and conditions on threat of losing their jobs
during the pandemic; iii) further
notes the recent closure of the LCCL home ‘The Limes’ as a
consequence the poor CQC reports the home had received. (b) That
this Council believes it is vital that care workers are properly rewarded for
the work they do and resolves to request the Cabinet to require all providers
to declare as a condition for inclusion on the Council’s framework of approved
providers: - i) whether
they pay the Real Living Wage to their staff; ii) their
policy on pay for travel time; iii) their
policy on pay for over-night care. (c) That
the information provided in (c) above be published to allow those purchasing
care to take it into account when deciding which providers to commission. (d) That
this Council further requests that officers be asked present a paper setting out
a path towards signing up to Unison’s Ethical Care Charter and the costs
involved noting that should the cost involved in doing so exceed the Council’s
ability to fund the commitment, this Council pledges to campaign actively for
the Government for the increased funding needed, thereby creating a level
playing field and the highest standards possible for Adult Social Care.” An amendment was moved by Mrs Radford and
seconded by Dr Eynon: “a) That
this Council: - i) notes
that Leicestershire’s care workers (internal and external social care staff)
have demonstrated enormous dedication, professionalism and tireless energies in
supporting people during the Coronavirus pandemic since March; ii) notes
that employers and providers of adult social care, have navigated their way
through this unprecedented time with support from the County Council; iii) extends
its enormous appreciation and thanks to hard working adult social care staff
and providers for all that they have done, and continue to do, to support Leicestershire
citizens during this period of ongoing challenge. b) That
this Council notes that: - i) all
providers of social care are required by law to pay their staff the National
Living Wage and National Minimum Wage (NLW and NMW), depending on their age and
that the regulations also require employers to pay for all working time and for
their travel time between care calls, excluding commuting time; ii) the
County Council’s contracts and tenders stipulate that employers are responsible
for ensuring that they are legally compliant and that its care rates enable
providers to pay their staff the NLW and NMW. c) That
this Council notes that: - i) officers
are looking at the implications of signing up to the Unison’s Ethical Care and
Residential Care Charters which will include: - • engagement
with providers and other stakeholders; • identifying
if and how elements of the charter can be included in any future publicly
available service delivery processes and contract conditions; and • a
report to members setting out the viability of signing up to the Charters.” The amendment was
put and carried, 41 members voting for the amendment and 12 against. The substantive
motion was put and carried unanimously. •
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St Mary's Birth Centre. The County Council
recognises the strong local concern in and around Melton Mowbray about the
proposed closure of the St Mary’s Birth Centre. Accordingly, the
County Council: a.
requests the relevant NHS organisations to
provide more information and justification for the proposed closure and in
respect of how they envisage new facilities in Leicester would better serve
Melton residents; b.
draws
the attention of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to the above. Minutes: Mr Pearson, with the consent of the seconder
of the motion, sought the approval of the Council to move the following altered
motion: - It was moved by Mr Pearson, seconded by Mrs
Hack, and carried: “a) That
this Council recognises that improvements to Leicestershire Hospitals are
needed, welcomes the £450m NHS investment to Build Better Hospitals for the
Future and notes that these proposals include reconfiguration of both Acute and
Maternity services. b) That
this County Council also: - i. recognises
the strong local concern regarding the proposed relocation of the Midwife-led
Birthing Unit and closure of the postnatal ward currently based in Melton
Mowbray; ii. recognises
the value of stand-alone midwife-led services; iii. notes
concerns regarding the temporary nature of the
proposed relocated service at the Leicester General Hospital; iv. supports
the right of local people to campaign for local services. c) That
this Council notes the response to the consultation is being led by the
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny
Committee on 14th December and encourages all Members to: i. read
the ‘Build Better Hospitals for the Future’ consultation documents; ii. examine
how the proposed changes will affect residents in their division; iii. give
their individual responses to the consultation directly to the NHS or via the
Joint Committee.” |