Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at

http://council.webcast.vualto.com/leicestershire-county-council/home?EventId=14116

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 and 12 February were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

 

There were no urgent items for consideration.

 

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interests in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting. Mr B. L. Pain CC declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 (Tourism Support Services Review) as a Director of Leicester Shire Promotions. 

 

No further declarations were made.

 

The appendices to this report are contained in the supplementary document pack to this agenda.

 

 

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities on the outcome of the public consultation and subsequent engagement activity held in four communities (Barwell, Braunstone Town, Mountsorrel and Narborough) regarding alternative library provision and progress made with regard to Kirby Muxloe library.  A copy of the report, marked ‘4’, is filed with these minutes.

 

Members noted the comments from the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

 

Mr. Blunt CC welcomed the positive responses received from the consultation which had resulted in positive proposals being received for three of the four libraries.  Mr Blunt said that whilst it was now recommended that Barwell library be closed and replaced with a mobile service, as no viable bid had been received, he would be very pleased if the local community managed to submit a fresh proposal within the next 12 months and, if a new bid was submitted, it would be given careful consideration.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the outcome of the consultation and its findings be noted;

 

(b)       That the comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted;

 

(c)       That, noting that no viable plans in line with the County Council’s offer have been received:

 

(i)            Barwell library be closed and replaced with a mobile library service at locations informed by the results of the consultation, and that officers seek the agreement of the George Ward Centre (GWC) in Barwell to support and manage the provision of community access to IT facilities from a suitable space within the GWC;

(ii)          The Barwell Community nevertheless be advised that at any time during the next 12 months, should a fresh proposal for library provision in the village come forward, it will be given due consideration by the County Council;

(iii)         The new outline business case received for Braunstone Town library be fully assessed and recommendations be made to the Cabinet on 19 April 2016;

 

(iv)       Further lease discussions be undertaken with the landlord of the Mountsorrel library premises and other relevant parties and recommendations be made to the Cabinet on 19 April 2016;

 

(v)        A deadline of 31 March 2016 be set for the submission of an outline business plan for Narborough library from the local community group and recommendations be made to the Cabinet on 19 April 2016;

 

(d)       That the Director of Adults and Communities in consultation with the County Solicitor be authorised to determine whether, and if so in what form, any further consultation should take place with regard to Kirby Muxloe library following the receipt of further legal advice.

 

(KEY DECISION)

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

The Council has a statutory obligation to ensure provision of a comprehensive and efficient library service.  It has sought to enable and facilitate the ongoing provision, wherever possible, of library services by closer working with communities and other providers, whilst at the same time sustaining the countywide infrastructure to enable it to meet both its statutory obligations and budget challenges.  In November 2014 the Cabinet agreed, inter alia, a delivery model for its library services and a support package for community libraries. 

 

Barwell library is situated within the GWC, a community centre.  The local group that previously submitted an outline business plan that was approved by the Council has withdrawn its plans as they feel unable to guarantee the library’s long term future financial sustainability. Consequently there is no viable plan to progress community management of the library.

 

Since the closure of the consultation, a staff-based social enterprise has come forward with an outline proposal for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 398.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the draft Rail Strategy for Leicester and Leicestershire (including HS2) which had been developed in partnership with Leicester City Council and the Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), and proposals for the Authority to revise its formal position on the HS2 eastern leg in the light of the work done to develop the Strategy and recent Government announcements in respect of the HS2 Toton Station in Nottinghamshire.   A copy of the report, marked ‘5’, is filed with these minutes.

 

Members noted comments received from the Labour Group, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

 

Mr. Osborne CC said that the Strategy focused on areas identified as offering the best Gross Value Added (GVA) potential and would enable the Authority and its partners to engage with the rail industry regarding future network proposals and in particular the planning for HS2 Phase 2, to ensure that investment best supported local economic and housing growth needs. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the content of the draft Rail Strategy be noted, and in particular the four key priorities contained therein as follows:-

 

(i)         Maximising the benefits from increased investment in the Midland Main Line railway infrastructure and services;

 

(ii)        Ensuring that the interests of residents and businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire are reflected in the planning and implementation of the eastern leg of HS2;

 

(iii)       Seeking the necessary investment commitments to improve direct fast rail connectivity to key regional and national destinations, including to Coventry and Birmingham; and

 

(iv)       Ensuring that rail access is a consideration in the planning of new developments;

 

(b)       That it be noted that the work undertaken in preparing the draft Strategy has highlighted economic benefits that would arise from the implementation of eastern leg of HS2 with the East Midlands Hub station being located at Toton;

 

(c)       That the County Council’s formal position on the eastern leg of HS2 be amended to one of support in principle, subject to the Government confirming the route as quickly as possible to give certainty to residents and businesses, and working constructively with this Council and others to ensure:-

 

(i)         That the adverse impacts of the HS2 route through Leicestershire previously highlighted by the County Council are minimised;

 

(ii)        That the published route of the HS2 line running under East Midlands Airport and the proposed East Midlands Strategic Rail Freight Interchange is maintained;

 

(iii)       That the HS2 proposals provide the necessary rail connectivity and track/station capacity to allow for the operation of direct, ‘classic compatible’ rail services from Leicestershire stations, via Toton to/from destinations in Northern England;

 

(iv)       The prompt delivery of improvements to the Midland Main Line (MML) railway to achieve sub 60-minute journey time to London, including:

 

·      to improve line-speed (including track straightening at Market Harborough);

·      to improve line capacity; and

·      to improve electrification;

(v)        That there is no diminution of rail services to London on the MML post opening of HS2, in terms of journey time, frequency of services and general standard of rolling stock;

 

(d)       That an engagement exercise take place on the draft Strategy, to include rail industry bodies, business groups, and adjoining authorities;

 

(e)       That it be noted that following on from the engagement exercise a final version of the Strategy will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval prior to its adoption by the County Council as a formal Policy Document; and

 

(f)        That it be noted that work to reinvestigate the potential reopening of the Leicester to Burton freight line to passenger traffic is still ongoing and that a separate report will be submitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 399.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport concerning the Public Inquiry into Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) facilitating the Loughborough Town Centre Pedestrianisation Trial held on 12 and 13 January 2016 and proposals to make these permanent.  A copy of the report, marked ‘6’, is filed with these minutes.

 

Members noted that since the report had been circulated the Planning Inspectorate’s report had been received and he had recommended that both the Experimental TROs be made permanent.  He had also made comments with regard to cycling provision, bus shelters, and enforcement of TROs.  The recommendations to the Cabinet had been amended to reflect this.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the representations presented at the Public Inquiry and the Director’s response as attached as Appendix A to the report be noted;

 

(b)       That the recommendations of the Inspector arising from the Public Inquiry be welcomed;

 

(c)       That the Council’s commitment to a package of remedial measures in support of Loughborough town centre bus services, which facilitated the withdrawal of the two objections from Kinchbus and Arriva, be noted;

 

(d)       That the Director of Environment and Transport, in consultation with the County Solicitor, be authorised to make permanent the provisions of the existing Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders;

 

(e)       That the comments made by the Inspector with regard to cycling provision, bus shelters, and enforcement of Traffic Regulation Orders be noted and that the Director of Environment and Transport be requested to take measures as necessary to address these.

 

(KEY DECISION)

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

The Public Inquiry was triggered by three statutory objections, two of which were subsequently withdrawn. The remaining statutory objection was considered by an Inspector on 12-13 January, along with additional representations that were made following the Council’s decision to proceed with the making permanent of the pedestrianisation trial.  

 

The pedestrianisation trial has been implemented using three experimental TROs (ETROs) which will expire on 30 April.  It is necessary to allow sufficient time to make permanent Orders to ensure that an appropriate traffic management scheme is in place when the ETROs expire.

 

The Inspector’s report, received on 23 February, recommended that the ETROs which were the subject of the Inquiry were were made permanent. The Inspector made some comments on other matters (i.e. outside of his formal recommendations) and it may be appropriate to take measures to address these.

 

The Cabinet considered a report of the Independent Chair of the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Children Board and Safeguarding Adult Board which set out the draft proposed Business Plans for both Boards for 2016/17.  A copy of the report, marked ‘7’, is filed with these minutes.

 

In response to Mr. Houseman MBE, CC Mr Burnett, the Independent Chair of both Boards, confirmed that the carrying out of health checks of people with disabilities (including learning disabilities) would be monitored on a quarterly basis.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Business Plans 2016/17 for the LRLSCB and the LRSAB be noted and supported.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

It has been considered good practice in Leicestershire to submit both the Annual Reports and Business Plans to the Cabinet and to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees for the LRSAB as well as the LRLSCB.

 

The report enables the Cabinet to comment on the draft Business Plans and to consider whether they identify matters that it wishes to address in relation to the effectiveness of safeguarding within the work of the Authority.

 

The Annual Report of the LRLSCB and LRSAB was considered by the Cabinet on 11 September 2015 and emerging priorities for the new Business Plan for 2016/17 were discussed at that meeting.  The views expressed by the Cabinet at that stage were fed into the formative process for the Plan and are reflected in the drafts attached as Appendices 1, 2 and 3.

 

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive seeking agreement for a preferred option for future tourism support services, including associated governance and delivery arrangements, following the findings of an independent review jointly commissioned by the County Council and Leicester City Council.  A copy of the report, marked ‘8’, is filed with these minutes.

 

The Chairman said that he had received comments from Alberto Costa MP and from Mr. David Snartt in his capacity as a Trustee of the Bradgate Park Trust.  Members also noted comments from Dr. Matthew O’Callaghan, Director of the Melton Mowbray Food Partnership, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the preferred option for the strategic governance of tourism is that it should be led by the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority, noting that this will require approval by the Combined Authority Committee once established;

 

(b)       That a Tourism Advisory Board be established to provide business insight and guidance from the sector to the Combined Authority;

 

(c)       That the preferred option for the strategic management of tourism is that it should be managed by one or both of the lead local authorities (Leicester City and Leicestershire County Councils) on behalf of the Combined Authority;

 

(d)       That the preferred option for the delivery of tourism support services, including tactical marketing and campaigns, is via a combination of the lead local authorities’ staff and commissioned services;

 

(e)       That the Chief Executive be requested to consult with stakeholders on the preferred option/s outlined in (a) to (d) above with the feedback to be considered as part of the final determination of the future model for tourism support services; and

 

(f)        That the Chief Executive be requested to explore the option of establishing a trading organisation which could undertake commercial and/or bidding activity and a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

A Local Authority-led approach reporting to the Combined Authority would enable all nine local authorities in the Combined Authority area to have strategic oversight and influence of future tourism services.

 

The proposals would provide a coordinated approach with aligned resources across the city, county, and districts and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.  Private sector partners would be engaged and contribute via the proposed Tourism Advisory Board, and the approach would enable alignment with other place-marketing activity such as Inward Investment. 

 

As the proposed model involves no contractual obligations it would be possible to review and modify the approach in the future, as circumstances require. 

 

Consultation will enable key stakeholders to express their views on the options, and these will be considered as part of determining the final recommended model.

 

The establishment of a local authority-owned trading company could enable opportunities for income generation which would support the future sustainability of the preferred model. However further consideration of this option is required.

 

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

 

Three options were considered in the report. Option 1, a reformed Public Private Partnership (an independent not-for-profit company similar to the existing model with a broader remit and greater involvement in policy development), was not a preferred option.  A revised specification for an externally procured model would need to include a closer relationship with the local authorities as a partner and for the procured organisation to be included in policy development, identification of investment priorities, and the creation of the narrative for place marketing. Whilst the procurement process may attract a provider it may demonstrate that the model is not viable (or not at an affordable cost) and would take some time, prolonging uncertainty.

 

There were no items referred from Overview and Scrutiny.