Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWFpwBLs6MnUzG0WjejrQtQ.

It was moved by Mr D Harrison and seconded by Mr Boam:

 

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

 

It was moved by Mrs Taylor and seconded by Mr Smith:

 

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

 

The Chairman informed members that both candidates had been duly proposed and seconded.  In accordance with item 4 of Standing Order 27 a secret ballot would therefore take place.

 

The Chief Executive announced the results of the ballot, as follows:

 

25 votes for Mr Paul Harrison, 16 votes for Mr Joe Orson and 12 abstentions.  The motion “That Mr Paul Harrison be elected Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council” was therefore carried.

 

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

 

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

 

The Chairman thanked Mr Orson for his services to the County during his period of office as Chairman.  Mr D Harrison, Mrs Taylor and Mr Mullaney each joined the Chairman in associating their Groups with the thanks to Mr Orson.  Mr Orson thanked members for their generous remarks.

 

Mr. P. Harrison CC (in the Chair)

 

It was moved by Mr D Harrison and seconded by Mr Boam:

 

“That Mr Andrew Hamilton-Gray be elected Vice-Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.”

 

It was moved by Mrs Taylor and seconded by Mr Smith:

 

“That Mrs Brenda Seaton be elected Vice-Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council”.

 

The Chairman informed members that both candidates had been duly proposed and seconded.  In accordance with item 4 of Standing Order 27 a secret ballot would therefore take place.

 

The Chief Executive announced the results of the ballot, as follows:

 

25 votes for Mr Andrew Hamilton-Gray, 16 votes for Mrs Brenda Seaton and 12 abstentions.  The motion “That Mr Andrew Hamilton-Gray be elected Vice-Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council” was therefore carried.

 

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

 

Mr Hamilton-Gray thanked his proposer and seconder.

 

Armed Forces Week

 

As a prelude to Armed Forces Day, there would be an Armed Forces Day Flag-Raising ceremony at the County Council’s Stand Easy Memorial, on Monday 23^rd June at 10.30 a.m. All Members would be invited, and the Chairman hoped that they would be able to join him.

 

On Saturday 28^th June, together with the Lord-Lieutenant and Lord Mayor of Leicester, the Chairman would be attending Armed Forces Day Parade in Leicester City. The parade would include service personnel, veterans, and cadets who would march through the streets of Leicester. Following the parade there would be an outside ‘Drumhead Service’ in Jubilee Square.  The Chairman invited members to come into the City and watch this fitting tribute to the Armed Forces and veterans.

 

County Service

 

The Chairman would be hosting a County Service later in the year and all Members would receive an invitation in due course.

 

The Chief Executive presented the report of the Returning Officer on the persons duly elected to the County Council at the elections held on 1 May 2025. 

 

The Chairman welcomed new members to the Council.

 

It was moved by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Hamilton-Gray and carried:-

 

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 19 February 2025, 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.

 

Mr K Crook, as Chairman elect of the Local Pension Committee, declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel and undertook to leave the room during consideration of that item.

 

(A)    Mr Bray asked the following question of the Leader:

 

“Congratulations to the new Leader on their election.

 

With local government facing significant upheaval in the coming years, would the new Leader commit the council to re-joining the Local Government Association (LGA) better to ensure the council's voice is heard at national level and open up access to LGA seminars and other resources which will benefit all councillors, especially newly elected members.”

 

Mr Harrison replied as follows:

 

“Thank you for your question.  Any request for additional funding which is not budgeted for will need to demonstrate value for money.  I will consider your request on that basis and let you know the outcome.”

 

(B)    Mr Bools asked the following question of the Leader:

 

“The previous administration withdrew the subsidy causing the 159 bus to be removed from service. The 159 served Stapleton, Barlestone, Barwell, Newbold Verdon, Ellistown, Ibstock and Coalville. This decision has left a number of communities isolated with people no longer able to access work and essential services.

 

Will the new administration review this decision and enter into discussions with potential operators to reinstate the service?”

 

Mr Harrison replied as follows:

 

“Thank you for your question.  As a new administration I would prefer to understand the Council’s current policy on public transport before considering any local requests for subsidy, particularly in the context of the level of demand, alternative provision and budgetary implications.  I hope to do so soon.”

 

[Subsequent to the meeting, the Leader provided the following response:

 

The withdrawal of service 159 was a commercial decision made by the bus operator. While the Council was providing de-minimis support for the service, it was unable to continue to provide this financial support to the levels being requested by the operator at the time (circa £160,000). Without that de-minimis support the operator took the decision to withdraw the service.

 

However, the Council is currently progressing with a countywide Passenger Transport Network Review (PTNR) following receipt of Government Bus Grant and this will cover the areas that were served by the 159. Details of the PTNR phase areas can be seen here: https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/public-transport/get-around-by-bus/leicestershire-buses/leicestershire-network-review/

 

Feedback from the most recent Sustainable Travel roadshow events included residents wanting us to look at reinstating a bus link between Hinckley and Coalville. We are currently investigating the feasibility and potential costs of this as part of the PTNR and aim to be in a position to provide a wider update on this late June/early July.]

 

(C)    Mr Walker asked the following question of the Leader:

 

“Can the Leader outline what discussions have been had regarding the installation of a 5G mast on County Council land on Rugby Road, Burbage.  What is the process for engaging local members and what income will the County Council receive for its land being used this way?”

 

Mr Harrison replied as follows:

 

“Thank you for your question.  Having been elected Leader of my Group only this week I have not had the opportunity to look into this particular installation, although I have had experience of similar concerns in North West Leicestershire.  I will provide a written response as soon as possible.”

 

[Subsequent to the meeting, the Leader provided the following response:

 

Application 24/00689/TGDO for the installation of 20m pole with six Antennas, two dishes, two cabinets and associated ancillary works was approved by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) as the Local Planning Authority (LPA) on 11 September 2024.

 

The decision notice details the consultation and decision making process undertaken noting this application was made under Part 16 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

There were no position statements.

 

It was moved by Mrs Taylor, seconded by Mr Poland, and carried unanimously:

 

“That Council meetings in 2025/26 and 2026/27 be held on the following dates:

 

• Wednesday 2 July 2025 
• Wednesday 24 September 202 
• Wednesday 3 December 2025 
• Wednesday 18 February 2026 (to consider the budget) 
• Wednesday 13 May 2026 (Annual meeting) 
• Wednesday 1 July 2026 
• Wednesday 23 September 2026 
• Wednesday 2 December 2026 
• Wednesday 17 February 2027 (to consider the budget) 
• Wednesday 12 May 2027 (Annual meeting)”

 

It was moved by Mrs Taylor, seconded by Mr Poland and carried:

 

“(a)    That the Chairman of the Local Pension Committee receive a Special Responsibility Allowance of £5,209.00 per annum.

(b)      That the Chairman of the Local Pension Board receive a Special Responsibility Allowance of £2,318.00 per annum.

 

(c)       That the new Special Responsibility Allowances for the Chairmen of the Local Pension Committee and Board be index linked on an annual basis in accordance the level of indexation set out in the Members’ Allowance Scheme.

 

(d)      That the current levels of Travel and Subsistence allowances remain unchanged.”

 

The motion was put and carried, with 52 members voting for the motion and 1 member voting against.

 

(a)      To appoint the Leader (and to note the members which the Leader proposes to appoint to the Cabinet);

(b)      To appoint such Cabinet Support Members as the Council considers appropriate.

Motion 1

 

It was moved by Mr Boam and seconded by Mr Abbott:

 

“That Mr Dan Harrison be appointed Leader of the Council for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.”

 

The motion was put and carried, with 24 members voting for the motion and 3 against.

 

Motion 2:

 

It was moved by Mr D Harrison and seconded by Mr Abbott:

 

“That it be noted that the Leader proposes to appoint the members named on List ‘1’ attached to the Order Paper as members of the Cabinet.”

 

It was moved by Mr Abbott, seconded by Mr Poland and carried unanimously:

 

(a)  That the Council’s political balance following the results of the local election held on 1 May 2025 be noted;

 

(b)  That the allocation of seats on those committees subject to political balance arrangements be approved.

 

It was moved by Mr Abbott and seconded by Mr Pugsley:

 

Membership

 

“That the membership of the Scrutiny Commission, Boards and Committees as set out in List ‘2’ and the Chairmen Elect and Spokespersons named in List ‘3A’ be approved.”

 

Substitutes

 

“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 ‘2’ to the Group giving one day’s notice to the Chief Executive of its wishes.”

 

It was moved by Mr Poland and seconded by Mrs Taylor:

 

Membership

 

“That the membership of the Scrutiny Commission, Boards and Committees as set out in List ‘2’ and the Chairmen Elect and Spokespersons named in List ‘3B’ be approved.”

 

Substitutes

 

“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 ‘2’ to the Group giving one day’s notice to the Chief Executive of its wishes.”

 

In accordance with Standing Order 28, the Chairman put to the Council for decision the lists of nominations proposed and seconded.  Each member had one vote only to be cast in favour of one list of nominations.

 

List ‘2’ and the arrangements for substitutes were approved unanimously.

 

List ‘3A’ received 25 votes.

List ‘3B’ received 17 votes.

 

The Chairman declared appointed those members named in List ‘2’ and List ‘3A’.

 

A copy of List ‘2’, List ‘3A’ and List ‘3B’ is filed with these minutes.

 

It was moved by Mr Abbott, seconded by Mr Poland and carried unanimously:

 

“That Mr G. Grimes and Mr J. Pilgrim be appointed to serve as independent members of the Corporate Governance Committee for a term of four years up to the May annual Council meeting in 2029”

 

It was moved by Mr Abbott, seconded by Mr Poland and carried:

 

“That Canon Carolyn Shoyer be appointed as Church of England representative on the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee (or other appropriate scrutiny committee dealing with Education) for the period ending with the County Council elections in 2029.”

 

It was moved by Mr Abbott, seconded by Mr Poland and carried:

 

“That Adina Murataj and Emily Greasley be appointed as co-opted members of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee (or other appropriate scrutiny committee dealing with Education) for the period ending with the County Council elections in 2029.”