Agenda and minutes

There were no announcements.

The Lord Mayor invited Members to declare any interests the might have in the business on the agenda.

The City Mayor declared that he was a season ticket holder for Leicester City Football Club.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2021 are available to view at:https://cabinet.leicester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=81&MId=10904&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 of Council held on 25 November 2021, copies having been circulated to each member of the council, be taken as read and that they each be approved as a correct record.

There were no statements made by the City Mayor or the Executive.

-           Presented by Members of the Public

-           Presented by Councillors

-           Petitions to be debated

Petitions from members of the public

The Lord Mayor allowed Pam Bellinger to provide further information in relation to her petition. Pam provided details of a recent accident at the location to which the petition relates and spoke of the impact on the person involved. She noted the petition was due to be debated at a forthcoming meeting.

Pam Bellinger, presented a petition with 1854 valid signatures and an E-petition with 22 signatures in the following terms:-

“We the undersigned petition the council to Residents demand the following safeguards before someone is killed: 1. A 20 mph speed limit along Hungarton Boulevard (LE5 1DF and 1HT) - in line with the amended speed limit in Humberstone Village; 2. Barriers along the bend to protect homes and keep residents safe when vehicles leave the road; and 3. Speed cameras to issue penalties to speeding drivers, acting as a deterrent and enforcing the speed limit.”

Petitions from councillors

Councillor Riyait, presented a petition with 131 valid signatures in the following terms:-

“Save Stocking Farm Youth Centre”

Under Council Procedure Rule 13a, the aforementioned petitions will be referred to Monitoring Officer for Consideration and action as appropriate.

There were no questions from Members of the public.

The following questions were asked by Councillors:

1.    Councillor Broadwell

“As a proponent of public transport and active travel, the proposed introduction of the Workplace Parking Levy is a measure that has my strong support in principle, however, fellow councillors and members of the public have raised concerns of putting the financial cart before the horse: what is the possibility of using funding streams secured on future WPL income to finance public transport and active travel schemes in advance of the WPL itself coming into force?”

Deputy City Mayor, Councillor Clarke in response confirmed that it was possible to borrow against future income derived from the Workplace Parking Levy for things such as improved facilities for employers and new infrastructure. He also however noted that there was already £150m of investment being made into transport improvements and long term investments through the Local Transport Plan.

2.    Councillor Broadwell

“A point has been raised regarding the cost of the WPL on the ability of schools such as New College in my ward to recruit sufficient teaching and other staff. Can the Council provide an explanation as to the need to levy the WPL on all employers, no exceptions, and clarify what help is available for schools thus affected?”

Deputy City Mayor, Councillor Clarke in response stated that he and Councillor Cutkelvin had met with schools to discuss their concerns and their views would be considered. He noted that car commuters to schools were contributors to congestion, poor air quality and carbon emissions. He noted that school staff would benefit from any transport improvements funded from the Workplace Parking Levy and support would be given to choose better modes of transport. Employers could make their own decisions about whether to pass on levy charges to their employees, or develop a scheme for example, where the charge wasn’t passed on to low paid staff.

3.    Councillor Broadwell

“I applaud the continuing efforts of the City Council to expand cycling infrastructure in Leicester, however, many parts of the city remain poorly served, and infrastructure built to legacy standards, if any at all, is common. Constituents in Western Ward have asked what the possibility is of solving dangerous road conditions on Hinckley Road and Glenfield Road, thus, I would like to ask what is being done in this area and how cycling infrastructure could play a possible role in thereof?”

Deputy City Mayor, Councillor Clarke in response stated that long term income such as that arising from the Workplace Parking Levy would mean that investment could take place in all wards of the city. The Deputy City Mayor paid tribute to the positive engagement from Western Ward councillors regarding solutions for traffic and road safety issues. He noted some proposals for improvements in the wards, some of which had already been completed. This included 20 mph zones outside schools, park and stride, and cycling and walking infrastructure on Glenfield and Hinckley Roads. The Deputy City Mayor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

Moved by Councillor Clair, seconded by Councillor Singh Johal and carried:

That the Statement of Licensing Policy 2022 – 2027 be approved.

Moved by Council Patel, seconded by Council Russell and carried:

a.   That the Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23 set out in Appendix A of the report, be approved; and

b.   That the Gender Pay Gap Report for 2021 set out in Appendix C of the report, be noted.”

Moved by the City Mayor, seconded by Councillor Clair and carried:

a)  “That the introduction of a new civic honours known as the ‘City of Leicester Award’, be approved; and

b)  “That the first recipients of this award are to be Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and Khun Aiyawatt Srivaddhanapraba in recognition of the commitment they have demonstrated to the city and the significant role they have played as advocates of the city nationally and internationally.”

-        To note any changes to the Executive

-        To vary the composition and fill any vacancies of any Committee of the Council

There was no Executive or committees’ business.

There being  no other business, the Lord Mayor declared the meeting closed at 8:54 pm.