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 on the agenda and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

Councillors Getliffe and Roberts declared interests in Report C, "Proposed Tenant Participation Structure", Report D, "UPVC Composite Doors" and Report E, "Black and Ethnic Minority Housing Strategy", as Council tenants and referred to their dispensation from the Secretary of State to speak and vote.

Councillor Willmott declared a non-pecuniary interest in Report G, "The Replacement City of Leicester Local Plan", as a member of the Leicester City Regeneration Company.

a)                 Third Annual Youth Games

Councillor Holden reported that he had attended the Third Annual Youth Games at Loughborough University at which City teams won four events.  It was noted that the City Council would be hosting a celebration of the achievements at the games.

b)                 National Space Centre

The Leader reminded everyone that the National Space Centre would be opening on Saturday.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4 June 2001 have been circulated and the Cabinet is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4 June 2001, having been circulated to Members, be received, taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillor Roberts submits a report giving details of the progress of relocation of provision from the John Ellis Centre for lifelong learning and responding to the concerns of the Scrutiny Committee about the future of the site. The Cabinet is recommended to note the contents of the report and consider the Scrutiny Committee’s comments and concerns about the future of the John Ellis site.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report giving details of the progress of relocation of provision from the John Ellis Centre for Lifelong Learning and responding to the concerns of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee about the future of the site.  It was noted that the Centre would be handed over to Corporate Property for disposal to release the capital for the Secondary School Improvement Programme.  Guidance could be written into the supplementary planning guidance for prospective purchasers setting out any community facilities or linkages the Council would wish to see incorporated into any proposals for the redevelopment of the site.

In response to the other concern of the Scrutiny Committee regarding the attendance of the Cabinet Lead Member at their meetings, the Leader stressed to the Cabinet the intention that Cabinet Members would attend meetings of Scrutiny Committees.  In the event that the relevant Cabinet Member was not available then the Deputy Leader or he would endeavour to attend.  However Scrutiny Committees were also asked to issue explicit invitations to Cabinet Members if there was a particular item coming up at a meeting at which they specifically wanted the Cabinet Lead Member's input.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the report be noted, along with the concerns of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee and that the Committee be acquainted with the contents of the report;

(2) that Cabinet Members attend their appropriate Scrutiny Committees and that the Town Clerk ensure that Scrutiny Committees be asked to make it explicit if there was a particular issue coming up on which they wished the contribution of the relevant Cabinet Member.

Councillor Patel submits a report on proposals for the redevelopment of the Market. Cabinet is asked to approve expenditure of £500,000 for the Market redevelopment, which includes the creation of a cafeteria, new self contained units and new lighting and signage; to agree the programme of works for the Market redevelopment, due to commence in July 2001 and completion in May 2002 and to support the principle of future Market redevelopment when funds become available.

Councillor Patel submitted a report on proposals for the redevelopment of Leicester Market.  A presentation was given to the Cabinet on the proposals which included the creation of a cafeteria, new self-contained units and new lighting and signage.  Members welcomed the proposals and congratulated the officers, Members and market traders who had worked hard to bring these proposals forward.

Members’ attention was drawn to the fact that although the programme of works was due to start in July 2001, actual building work on the site would not begin until after the Christmas trading period.

RESOLVED:

(1) that approval be given for expenditure of £500,000 for the Market Redevelopment, which included the creation of a cafeteria, new self-contained units and new lighting and signage;

(2) that the programme of works for the Market Redevelopment, due to commence in July 2001 and to complete in May 2002, be approved; and

(3) that the principle of future Market redevelopment when funds become available, be supported.

Councillor Draycott submits a report containing the details of the new structure for Tenant Participation. The Cabinet is asked to approve the terms of reference for both the Housing Management Board and the Community Associations; to confirm that the Leicester Federation of Tenants Associations be given a place on the Housing Management Board and that each Association shall have two members on the Housing Management Board with one vote per Association. Cabinet is also asked to commit to further consultation with tenant’s groups on the structure and terms of reference on the Housing Management Board.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report detailing proposals for the new Tenant Participation Structure, following consideration by both the Cabinet and the Housing Scrutiny Committee.  The Cabinet also considered the Housing Scrutiny Committee's draft minutes and a memo from its Chair.  In response to issues raised by the Housing Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Draycott reported that further details on the proposed Management Board had been submitted to the Housing Scrutiny Committee and that it was intended to consult Tier 2 meetings for comments on the proposed structure of both the Community Associations and the Housing Management Board.  It was noted that the proposed Housing Management Board would replace the current Tier 1 meetings; whilst this would reduce the number of tenants involved, it was considered that a smaller group would help to focus on issues.

Another issue that had been raised by the Scrutiny Committee was the role of the Leicester Federation of Tenants Associations and the Association had now submitted, for consideration, a paper on how they proposed to run in the future.

It was also clarified that the six Development Workers and Manager which were currently being recruited would be long term appointments.

RESOLVED:

(1) that the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal proceed with the implementation of the proposed Tenant Participation Structure, taking into account the views of the Housing Scrutiny Committee; and

(2) that it be confirmed that the Leicester Federation of Tenants Associations be given a place on the Housing Management Board and that each Community Association be allowed two members to attend with one vote per Association.

Councillor Draycott submits a report on the final “Black & Ethnic Minority Housing Strategy”.  The Strategy sets out the identified housing needs of Leicester's diverse Black and Ethnic Minority population, the priorities to be addressed and outcomes to be sought. The Strategy sets out an overall agenda for all housing providers in the City, including the City Council, Registered Social Landlords and the voluntary and private sectors and seeks to gain commitment and support from all housing providers to address the needs of Black and Ethnic Minority communities in the City across all tenures. The Cabinet is recommended to endorse the Strategy for publication and dissemination.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report introducing the Black and Ethnic Minority Housing Strategy.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Black and Ethnic Minority Housing Strategy as attached to the report, be endorsed for application to housing services and provision in the City area; and

(2)that a further report be submitted in 12 months' time.

Councillor Holden submits a report, which introduces the Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy for the City of Leicester, this strategy has been prepared to comply with Section 78(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and has been subject to external consultation required under the strategy adoption process. The Cabinet is requested to formally adopt the Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy for the City of Leicester.

Councillor Holden submitted a report introducing the Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy for the City of Leicester to comply with Section 78(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which required each local authority to adopt and implement a strategy for the identification and remediation of contaminated land within its area.

RESOLVED:

that the Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy as attached to the report, be formally adopted for the City of Leicester.

Councillor Kavia submits a report detailing the latest position with regard to the production of the Local Plan, contained within the report are details of consultations done on the plan so far. The Cabinet is asked to approve the Replacement City of Leicester Local Plan for public consultation and request that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services move to place the Plan on deposit. The Cabinet is also asked to delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Strategic Planning and Regeneration, to make amendments to the plan as necessary during the course of its preparation for deposit.

Councillor Kavia submitted a report seeking approval for the contents of the draft Replacement City of Leicester Local Plan and agreement to place the Plan formally "on deposit".  It was noted that the City Council as the Local Planning Authority had a statutory duty to prepare and keep up to date a Local Plan which covered its administrative area.  The replacement City of Leicester Local Plan was considered by the Cabinet on 9 April and had since been considered by Development Control Sub-Committee, the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee and at a specially convened Members Steering Group.  The Plan had also been considered by the Leicester City Regeneration Company whose principal concern related to the timetable which they felt would not allow them sufficient time to play as full a part as they would like in the plan making process.  In response to this therefore it was proposed that instead of placing the Plan on public deposit on 10 September as originally indicated, the Plan should now be deposited on 15 October and the timetable revised accordingly.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Replacement City of Leicester Local Plan be approved for consultation purposes and that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services place the Plan on deposit in accordance with the timetable set out in the background papers to the report; and

(2)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Regeneration, to make updates, corrections and minor alterations as necessary to the Plan during the course of its preparation for deposit.

Councillor Roberts submits a report outlining urgent needs for additional accommodation at various Schools and Community Colleges. The Cabinet is requested to approve funding of up to £140, 000 for mobile accommodation and for their transfer.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report seeking approval to funding to address urgent accommodation needs at a number of schools.

RESOLVED:

that approval be given for expenditure of up to £140,000 for mobile accommodation and for transfers to meet accommodation needs at Sir Jonathan North, St. Barnabas Primary, Queensmead Junior, Mayflower Primary and Fullhurst Community College.

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 11

Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matters arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF   APPENDIX B1

SKILLED CRAFT WORKERS IN THE

HOUSING MAINTENANCE DSO

RESOLVED:

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

Paragraph 11

Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations, or negotiations in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report outlining proposals for a Recruitment and Retention package for introduction in the Housing Building Maintenance DSO and including proposals for the introduction of vehicle tracking and data transfer systems in Housing Department maintenance vehicles.  It was acknowledged that the opportunity would be taken to build further on the measures to reach out to ethnic minorities who were significantly underrepresented and could provide a valuable source of recruitment.

RESOLVED:

that the Director of Housing be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, to conclude negotiations with the trades unions on the recruitment and retention package.

The meeting ended at 6.20pm.