Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Members were requested to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

No declarations were made.

Councillor Willmott congratulated Leicester Riders on winning the British Basketball League Championship.  It was noted that the City Council were continuing to give financial support to the Club and negotiations were ongoing to find a suitable venue for them in the City.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 April 2001 have been circulated to Members and the Cabinet is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 April 2001, having been circulated to Members, be received, taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillor Willmott to give a presentation.

Councillor Willmott gave a presentation on the work of the Chief Executive’s Office.

RESOLVED:

                        that the presentation be noted.

Due to the scale of public interest in the item, the Cabinet agreed to vary the order of business on the agenda to allow the report on the Braunstone Housing Survey to be considered next.

Councillor Draycott submits a report that details the results of a consultation exercise which sought the views of tenants on options for the future of 250 properties in North Braunstone. The Cabinet is asked to decide which of the options to adopt.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report detailing the results of a consultation exercise which sought the views of tenants on options for the future of 250 properties in North Braunstone.

It was noted that the results of the survey, which had been drawn up in consultation with ‘New Deal’ in Braunstone, indicated that the majority of tenants had expressed a preference to stay as tenants of the City Council and there was also strong support in favour of demolition.  This result was consistent with the Council’s housing strategy across the City.

The next stage would be to offer alternative accommodation to tenants and negotiate with owner occupiers and leaseholders, around compensation and purchase giving consideration to retaining shopping provision.  It was noted that New Deal would be fully involved in the redevelopment of the site and that there would be a report back to Cabinet.

It was also noted that a letter had been received  from the Braunstone Community Association which was circulated to the meeting and which asked the Council not to demolish the properties indicated in the report.  The Cabinet had taken the letter into account.

Councillor Draycott then circulated to the meeting, a proposed resolution.

RESOLVED:

(1) that the demolition of properties as outlined in the report be agreed in principle and the Director of Housing be authorised to relocate tenants as soon as possible with the agreed relocation package, including the £1,500 compulsory home loss payment;

(2)that negotiations be entered in to with owners and leaseholders around compensation and purchase, giving consideration for retaining shopping facilities; and

(3)that a further report be brought to Cabinet on the future development of the site following discussions with the Braunstone Community Association.

The Chair adjourned the meeting at 5.25pm due to disorder in the public gallery.  The meeting reconvened at 5.45pm.

Councillor Getliffe and Councillor Patel submit a joint report which provides a ‘summary overview’ of the Transport Conference held on 16 August 2000. The Cabinet is asked to note the success of the conference, incorporate its positive outcomes into future Best Value Reviews and agree that the conference report document be released with the support of Cabinet.

Councillor Getliffe and Councillor Patel submitted a joint report that provided a ‘summary overview’ of the Transport Conference held on 16 August 2000, focussing on the transport needs of disabled people.  The importance of ensuring that access to transport for disabled people was acknowledged and it was noted that the conference had provided a way forward for improvements.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the success of the conference be noted and the positive outcomes be incorporated into future Best Value Reviews;

(2)that the document be endorsed, published and widely disseminated; and

(3)that the Action Plan which resulted from the conference be referred to Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee, to monitor the progress of implementation.

Councillor Holden submits a report advising Members on the procurement options for the design and construction of the proposed new leisure facility in Braunstone.  The Cabinet is asked to note the likely choice of an alternative procurement method for this scheme and in the event of the project specific partnership arrangement being chosen, to agree that Standing Orders 84.85 and 86 be waived in so far as it is necessary to comply with the partnership process and to allow acceptance of the most economically advantageous method overall.  The Cabinet is also asked to delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services, in consultation with the Director of Arts and Leisure, Head of Legal Services and Chief Financial Officer, to determine all matters in relation to the choice of procurement method and the tendering of the design and construction up to, but not including, the appointment of the successful design and construction organisation.

Councillor Holden submitted a report advising the Cabinet of the procurement options for the design and construction of the proposed new leisure facility in Braunstone.   It was noted that  in order to enable the project to be implemented as quickly as possible, two alternative options to the ‘normal’ tendering process were also being considered.  These needed to be considered both in the context of achieving the project as soon as possible, given the closure of alternative facilities and taking all other relevant factors into account.

It was noted that in the event of the ‘project specific partnership’ option being pursued, a waiver of Standing Orders would be required to enable the choice of contractor to be based not necessarily on the cheapest option.

Councillor Holden also asked that the relevant Members be consulted on the decision as to which procurement option should be pursued.

RESOLVED:

(1) that the likely choice of an alternative procurement method for this scheme be noted;

(2)that in the event of the project specific partnership being chosen, Standing Orders 84, 85 and 86 be waived in so far as it is necessary to comply with the partnership process and to allow acceptance of the most economically advantageous tender overall; and

(3)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services, be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Arts and Leisure, the Head of Legal Services, the Chief Financial Officer, the Leader and the Cabinet Lead Member for Arts, Leisure and the Environment, to determine all matters in relation to the choice of procurement method and the tendering of both the design and construction up to, but not including, the appointment of the successful design and construction organisations.

Councillor Roberts submits a report asking the Cabinet to endorse the Management Plan for Humberstone Gate and agree proposals for a way forward to implement the plan.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report asking the Cabinet to endorse the Management Plan for Humberstone Gate and agree to proposals for a way forward to implement the plan.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Humberstone Gate Management Plan, be endorsed;

(2)that income from promotions in Humberstone Gate West be optimised, subject to this not unduly interfering with the use and enjoyment of this valuable space by the general public;

(3)that a proactive approach be supported in conjunction with the City Centre manager in programming a series of events which would add to the attractiveness of the City Centre to visitors;

(4)that a high standard of cleanliness and maintenance be supported for Humberstone Gate West to ensure its status as the City Centre’s most prestigious space is maintained and additional expenditure be considered from any income received from promotions in Humberstone Gate West;

(5)that the efforts of City Centre Management be supported in attracting and organising key promotions and events while recognising that the City Council remains legally responsible for the highway and structures or activities it sanctions in or on it and overall control over any activity or structure in the highway put forward by the City Centre Management will remain with the City Council;

(6)that proposals for expenditure of income received by City Centre Management from the use of Humberstone Gate West be put forward by the City Centre Management Board and endorsed by the City Council prior to the commitment of such expenditure, the Council’s costs resulting from any activity to be included in these expenditure proposals;

(7)that City Centre Management Board be consulted on the Management Plan and the proposed operating framework set out in the report;

(8)that any significant issues raised by the City Centre Management Board be reported back to Cabinet; and

(9)that Cabinet receive a further report on proposals to restrict further vehicular access to Humberstone Gate West.

Councillor Willmott submits a report seeking Cabinet’s approval to revised Political Conventions, which have been updated in the light of the new political management structures, recent legislation and other issues which have arisen since the last review and also to approve a Procedure for Dealing with Complaints against Councillors.  The Cabinet is also recommended to  ask the Standards Committee in due course to consider how best to promote understanding and observance of the Conventions.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report seeking Cabinet’s approval for revised Political Conventions which had been updated in the light of the new political management structures, recent legislation and other issues which have arisen since the last review. The report also introduced a Procedure for Dealing with Complaints Against Councillors.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the updated Political Conventions and Procedure for Dealing with Complaints Against Councillors be approved and referred to Council for adoption, subject to the views of the Standards Committee in due course; and

(2)that the Standards Committee be asked to consider how best to promote understanding and observance of the Conventions.

Councillor Osman submits a report informing Cabinet of a decision taken by the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services to waive Standing Orders under the provisions of Standing Order 82.1 (k). The Cabinet is asked to note the action taken.

Councillor Osman submitted a report informing the Cabinet of a decision taken by the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services to waive Standing Orders under the provisions of Standing Order 82.1 (k), in connection with the provision of monitoring data for inclusion in the first Annual Progress Report of the Local Transport Plan, which had been required urgently.

RESOLVED:

that the action of the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services under Standing Order 82.1 (k), be noted.

AGENDA

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO NOTE

Under the law, the Cabinet is entitled to consider certain items in private.  Members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting when such items are discussed.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the following reports in private on the grounds that they contain ‘exempt’ information as defined by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, and consequently that the Sub-Committee makes the following resolution:-

“that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.”

Paragraph 9

Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

RESOLVED:

            that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Paragraph 7

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

Freehold Sale of Land at Grange Lane and Gosling Street

Councillor Patel submits a report.

Councillor Patel submitted report seeking the necessary authority to enable the freehold sale of the above land and release of a restrictive covenant referred to in the report.  It was noted that the land was surplus to requirements.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the freehold interest in the land at Grange Lane and Gosling Street be sold to the person identified in the report together with a release of the restrictive covenant.

(2)that the sale be approved at the agreed price as detailed in the report.

The meeting ended at 6.06 pm.