Agenda and minutes

Kings Award

The Lord Mayor noted that the Shree Jalaram Temple and the Virbaimaa Jalaram Community Centre had received a Kings Award for voluntary services. The award recognised the efforts in supporting the local community through a wide range of initiatives including helping the homeless, raising money for other charities and distributing food to those in need.

CLETA visit to Krefeld

The Lord Mayor noted that the Chair of the City of Leicester European Twinning Association (CLETA) was present with a canvas received by the delegation from Leicester on a recent to visit to Krefeld, one of Leicester’s twin cities. The canvas was presented to the Lord Mayor who congratulated the delegation on a successful visit.

Carers Rights Day

The Lord Mayor noted that it was Carers Rights Day. The Lord Mayor recognised the significant impact that informal carers had in Leicester and noted how important it was to raise awareness for the rights and challenges on unpaid family carers.

Council meetings – explanation of rules and expectations

The Lord Mayor thanked Councillors for their conduct at the previous meeting, and stated that she hoped it would continue into this meeting.

The Lord Mayor invited Members to declare any interests they might have in the business on the agenda not already declared on their register of interests.

There were no declarations.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 28 September are available to view at:

https://cabinet.leicester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=81&MId=12776&Ver=4

Copies are also available from Democratic Support on (0116) 454 6350 or committees@leicester.gov.uk

Moved by the Lord Mayor, seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor and carried:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2023 having been circulated to each Member of the Council be taken as read and are approved as a correct record.

There were no statements by the City Mayor of Executive.

-           Presented by Members of the Public

-           Presented by Councillors

-           Petitions to be debated

Petitions from Members of the Public

No petitions for presentation had been received from members of the public.

Petitions from Councillors

Councillor Singh Patel presented a petition with 87 valid signatures in the following terms:

“The residents of Harrison Road urge the Leicester City Council to take an action, against dog owners, who don’t pick the dog fouling. The residents had made numerous complaints to the Leicester City Council. The Council should install CCTV camera to catch these dog owners.”

Under Council Procedure Rule 13a, the aforementioned petition was referred to the Monitoring Officer for consideration and action as appropriate.

-           From Members of the Public

-           From Councillors

Please note that a full record of the questions and responses is available on the recording of the meeting at http://tinyurl.com/mtfsczy9. Time codes for each question will be provided before the wording of the question.

There were no questions from members of the public.

QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS

1.    Cllr Batool

00:38

“With reference to the Pro Bono Economics report that councils in England wasted millions of pounds in court disputes with parents and carers over disability and educational support for their children.

A total of 11,052 tribunals involving SEND were registered in 2021-22, of which 96% were won by parents, carers and young people. The majority of legal challenges cost had to be paid by local authorities, that £46 million could have been used to fund 9,960 extra places in SEN units. How many SEND related tribunals were registered by Leicester City Council in the year 2021-22?”

Assistant City Mayor Councillor Dempster provided a response this question and to Councillor Batool’s supplemental question.

2.    Cllr Batool

5:58

“What are the procedural protocols that the Highways department follow when they receive a request for a new pedestrian crossing? ”

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Clarke provided a response this question and to Councillor Batool’s supplemental question.

3.    Cllr March

8:56

“Please can you confirm exactly how much was paid by Festival Republic for hire or usage of Victoria Park during BBC Radio 2 in the park?”

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Clarke provided a response this question and to Councillor March’s supplemental question.

4.    Cllr March

10:04

“Please can you share details of how and when the public were consulted around changes to the tennis courts on Knighton Park? (How, when, how long was the consultation open for, how was it advertised, how many responses were received etc).”

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Clarke provided a response to this question and to Councillor March’s supplemental question.

5.    Cllr March

13:35

“In May 2021, the Friends of Knighton Park - a voluntary group who look after one of our key city parks - crowdfunded over £11.5k to create an inclusive sensory play area based on advice from council officers. When can we reasonably expect that work to be completed to the standards agreed, please? ”

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Cutkelvin provided a response to this question and to Councillor March’s supplemental question.

6.    Cllr Singh Sangha

16:38

“My concern is regarding with condition of the front of the saffron lane athletics stadium along with the car park.  The Stadium was once a thing of pride for Leicester. Are there any plans to update its presentation on Saffron Lane?”

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Clarke provided a response to this question.

7.    Cllr Haq

18:29

“How much money is the council losing per year in the last 4 years on the Park and Ride ? ”

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Clarke provided a response to this question and to Councillor Haq’s supplemental question.

8.    Cllr Haq

21:49

“Should the council support businesses around the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Gaza Conflict Motion

Councillor Dawood proposes that Leicester City Council notes:

We as elected members of Leicester City Council, call on the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the other parties nationally to:

1. Call for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza.

2. Advocate for the unrestricted restoration of aid and amenities into Gaza.

3. Demand the unconditional release of all hostages.

4. Urge the UK to recognize the state of Palestine.

5. Make the UK a place of sanctuary for refugees fleeing the conflict.

Gaza Conflict

Moved by Councillor Batool, seconded by the City Mayor that:

Leicester City Council notes:

Leicester is a city renowned for its tolerance, diversity, unity, and its strong stance against all forms of discrimination. This position enables different communities to live together harmoniously in our city.

The current conflict in Israel and Gaza continues to be the cause of much pain and concern in our city and has the danger of promoting divisions. We stand firmly against all forms of antisemitism and islamophobia.

Leicester City Council condemns all taking of hostages, indiscriminate killing of civilians, the destruction of property, homes and essential infrastructure.

We note that on 6^th November the UN Secretary General António Guterres described the situation in Gaza as a "graveyard for children" and that in comments made on 8^th November the UN High Commissioner, Volker Turk, denounced collective punishment as a war crime.

Gaza continues to remain under siege in distressing circumstances resulting in to date over 13,000 deaths, including almost 6,000 children, with the Israeli government preventing adequate aid, critical medical supplies, and fuel from entering the area.

We believe too there have been further settler incursions in the West bank and the bombing of safe passages, hospitals, places of worship and refugee camps resulting in hundreds more deaths and injuries.

As elected representatives of our proudly diverse city, we call on the Government and the other national political parties to -

1. Call for an immediate ceasefire from all parties.

2. Advocate for the unrestricted restoration of aid and amenities into Gaza.

3. Demand the unconditional release of all hostages.

4. Urge the UK to recognize the state of Palestine.

5. Call for proactive upholding of International Law and investigation of alleged war crimes.

AMENDMENT

Moved by Councillor Batool, seconded by the City Mayor:

Leicester City Council notes:

Leicester is a city renowned for its tolerance, diversity, unity, and its strong stance against all forms of discrimination. This position enables different communities to live together harmoniously in our city.

The current conflict in Israel and Gaza continues to be the cause of much pain and concern in our city and has the danger of promoting divisions. We stand firmly against all forms of antisemitism and islamophobia.

Leicester City Council condemns all taking of hostages, indiscriminate killing of civilians, the destruction of property, homes and essential infrastructure.

We note that on 6^th November the UN Secretary General António Guterres described the situation in Gaza as a "graveyard for children" and that in comments made on 8^th November the UN High Commissioner, Volker Turk, denounced collective punishment as a war crime.

Gaza continues to remain under siege in distressing circumstances resulting in to date over 13,000 deaths, including almost 6,000 children, with the Israeli government preventing adequate aid, critical medical supplies, and fuel from entering the area.

We believe too there have been further settler incursions in the West bank and the bombing of safe passages, hospitals, places of worship and refugee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.47pm.