Agenda and minutes

Beginning of the Mayoral Year

The Lord Mayor informed that 60 engagements have taken place, including showing support to local communities, recognizing the work of the armed forces, opening local businesses and congratulating students on their educational achievements. The Lord Mayor invited members to the Civic Service at Leicester Cathedral on Saturday 28 September.

Lord Mayor’s Painting

The Lord Mayor noted that he attended a local Charity Event and was introduced to a talented young artist named, Krishna Thanki who created the portrait of the Lord Mayor, using a number of images found on social media.

Lord Mayor’s Charity

The Lord Mayor informed the Council that he had chosen PASIC as his charity for the mayoral year. The charity provides emotional, practical and financial support to families of children and young people with cancer living in the East Midlands, although any funds raised through the charity appeal will focus directly on those families affected in Leicester.

The Lord Mayor invited Members to declare any interests they might have in the business to be discussed.

There were no declarations.

The minutes of the meeting held below are available to view at the links below:

23 November 2023 – Special meeting

Agenda for Council on Thursday, 23 November 2023, 5:00 pm (leicester.gov.uk)

23 November 2023

Agenda for Council on Thursday, 23 November 2023, 5:15 pm (leicester.gov.uk)

21 February 2024 – Special meeting

Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 21 February 2024, 5:00 pm (leicester.gov.uk)

21 February 2024

Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 21 February 2024, 5:15 pm (leicester.gov.uk)

Copies are also available from Governance Services 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 meetings of Council held on 23 November 2023 and 21 February 2024, having been circulated to each Member of the Council, be taken as read and approved as a correct record.

The City Mayor noted the Southport incident, and praised the solidarity shown nationwide. The City Mayor thanked the Leicestershire Police of their handling and management to keep residents safe.

-         Presented by Members of the Public (Adventure Playgrounds)

The Council’s Monitoring Officer will advise the meeting on the legitimate scope of the Petition Prayer.

-         Petitions to be debated

Petitions from Members of the Public

No petitions were received from Members of the Public other than the petition include to be debated.

Petitions from Councillors

No petitions were received from Councillors.

Petitions to be debated

The Monitoring Officer noted that the petition organiser will be given five minutes to present the petition at the meeting and the petition will then be discussed by Councillors for a maximum of 15 further minutes. The Council will decide how to respond to the petition at this meeting. They may decide to take the action the petition requests, not to take the action requested for reasons put forward in the debate, or to commission further investigation into the matter, for example by a relevant committee. Where the issue is one on which the City Mayor is required to make the final decision, the Council may note the petition or make recommendations to the City Mayor. Council cannot make decisions where the subject matter of a petition falls to the Executive to decide.

Mr Kev Sherrif presented the petition with 1500 valid signatures in the following terms:

“PETITION IN ABSENSE OF EFFECTIVE HELP OR GENUINE SUPPORT, WE THE UNDERSIGNED CALL UPON LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL TO: RE-INSTATE THE GRANT FUNDING TO THE CITY’S ADVENTURE PLAYGROUNDS FOR 2025/26 AND ISSUE RESPECTIVE LONG TERM LEASES, ALLOWING THE PLAYGROUNDS THE TIME TO ENGAGE IN REALISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILTY.” 

Moved by Councillor Kitterick, seconded by Councillor Porter.

Further to the petitioners’ request, that Officers of the Council are asked to do the following

1.    Agree the 5-year Licences for Adventure Playgrounds as soon as possible in an open, equitable and transparent manner.

2.    That monies committed by the Councillors for the 2024/25 Financial Year for Adventure Playgrounds, currently being with-held by the City Council are released so the Adventure Playgrounds can continue to provide services.

3.    That consideration is given to the transfers of one-off funding to Adventure Playgrounds for 2025/26 from surplus non ring-fenced reserves which currently exist. For example there is currently £1.8 million in the election reserves, given the 2027 election will cost around £800,000 that leaves a sizeable amount of money to dedicate towards more urgent causes such as Adventure Playgrounds.

4.    That a report on progress on the future of Adventure Playgrounds is brought back to a future Full Council for consideration.

AMENDMENT

Moved by Councillor Russell, seconded by Councillor Dempster:

That the motion read to say “Executives” instead of “Officers” on the opening sentence and to include “legal” on point one, to end the sentence with “open, legal and equitable and transparent manner”.  

This was accepted by Councillor Kitterick and Councillor Porter as a friendly amendment.

The Lord Mayor put the amended motion to the vote and declared the motion carried.

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

QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS

1.    Cllr Kaur Saini 

1:07:50

“For a period of 11 hours on Sunday 25th August hundreds of residents of the Hamilton area were subjected to a relentless and deafening level of music from what appears to have been a commercial live music festival taking place on the grounds of Nirvana FC. Everybody loves music in moderation, and in Leicester we pride ourselves on celebrating the great diversity of music on offer. But there's a vast gulf between enjoying music at a family BBQ, and having ones mental peace utterly shattered. In fact the law recognizes as a form of torture the relentless playing of loud music - it is literally something you do to your worst enemy. Through information provided to the many residents who took to complain about the events of Sunday, there is a belief that the City Council, who exist to protect the rights of citizens, actually sponsored or at least endorsed these events. It should also be known that Sunday's event was the last of three loud music events that have happened on that site, over the last month. Would the City Mayor like to comment?”

The City Mayor provided a response to this question and any supplemental questions.

2.    Cllr Kennedy-Lount

1:15:17

“Are the loans to Leicestershire County Cricket Club and Ethically Sourced Products Limited  currently on course for their expected repayments date?”

The City Mayor provided a response to this question and any supplemental questions.

3. Cllr Kennedy-Lount

1:16:16

“How much of Leicester City Council money has been received by Ethically Sourced Products Limited, by way of loans or grants since May 2011?”

The City Mayor provided a response to this question and any supplemental questions.

4. Cllr Kennedy-Lount

1:16:50

“Once a Private care home for children within the city has been approved by the Council, does Leicester City Council inspect the property before residents take up their new home ensuring suitable standards for the residents and the neighbouring properties?”

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Russell provided a response to this question and any supplemental questions.

5. Cllr Kennedy-Lount

1:17:36

“Does Leicester City Council make their own inspections of its Council Run or Privately Run accommodation for Childrens Care Homes in the city once these are live?”

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Russell provided a response to this question and any supplemental questions.

6. Cllr Kennedy-Lount

1:19:15

“Are all Childrens Care Homes whether privately run or Leicester City Council run regulated for persons between the ages of 16 to 19 in the City of Leicester?”

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Russell provided a response to this question and any supplemental questions.

7. Cllr Kennedy-Lount

1:21:53

“Will Leicester City Council consider cheaper parking at Haymarket, Dover Street and Newark Street with a flat fee or on street free parking on designated streets on Sundays in the City Centre in the run up to Christmas to boost retailing in the Centre? Other local authorities in the region offer similar schemes, why should Leicester put itself  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Moved by Councillor Malik, seconded by Councillor Cassidy and carried:

That Council agree:

a) The Corporate Equality and Diversity Strategy 2024-28

b) The draft Equality Action Plan 2024-25

c) The approach to remove discrimination for care experienced people

Moved by Councillor Russell, seconded by Councillor Batool and carried:

That Council:

·         Consider, and note, the achievements from 2023-24.

·         Consider, and agree, the priorities for 2024-25 as a final refresh of the three-year plan.

·         Consider a five-year plan from 2025-2030 with a strong yearly refresh.

Councillor Whittle, seconded by Waddington, and carried:

That Council is recommended to:

i.              Adopt the plan set out in Appendix 1

ii.            Note the amendments made to the draft plan in response to the public consultation findings iii. note that delivery will be monitored and reported, and the list of actions added to as resources allow, on an annual basis.

Moved by Councillor Russell, seconded by City Mayor and carried:

That council is recommended to note the presentation.

Moved by Councillor Cassidy, seconded by Cllr Porter and carried:

That the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023-24 report be deferred to the next meeting of Full Council.

Moved by Councillor Kaur Saini, seconded by Joel and carried:

That council is recommended to receive the report setting out the Committee’s work and achievements over the municipal year 2023/24.

Moved by Councillor Halford, seconded by Cassidy and carried:

That the Overview Select Committee be re-established in accordance with the existing Terms of Reference but with a membership of 12 members in accordance with the list which will be circulated with the Council script, it being noted that any remaining places will be filled in accordance with relevant procedures and in consultation with the relevant Members.

Marks and Spencer City Centre Motion

Councillor Kitterick proposes that Leicester City Council notes:

The council wishes to express its deep concern about the loss of Marks & Spencer from the City Centre of Leicester.

Whilst recognising the changes in shopping dynamics, the failure of the Council's leadership to appear to even attempt to retain the Marks & Spencer food offering in the City Centre is deeply disappointing.

The loss of Marks & Spencer alongside the uncertainty around the future of Leicester Market, the cancellation of this year's Caribbean Carnival and the Diwali Light Switch On coming on top of massive delays in processing of planning applications in the city are hallmarks of an exhausted and stale council leadership who lack the energy and ambition to lead our city forward.

Accordingly we call on the City Mayor and his team to make way for others to lead Leicester into the future.

Marks and Spencer City Centre Motion

Moved by Councillor Kitterick, seconded by Councillor Porter:

 Leicester City Council notes:

The council wishes to express its deep concern about the loss of Marks & Spencer from the City Centre of Leicester.

Whilst recognising the changes in shopping dynamics, the failure of the Council's leadership to appear to even attempt to retain the Marks & Spencer food offering in the City Centre is deeply disappointing.

The loss of Marks & Spencer alongside the uncertainty around the future of Leicester Market, the cancellation of this year's Caribbean Carnival and the Diwali Light Switch On coming on top of massive delays in processing of planning applications in the city are hallmarks of an exhausted and stale council leadership who lack the energy and ambition to lead our city forward.

Accordingly we call on the City Mayor and his team to make way for others to lead Leicester into the future.

The Lord Mayor declared that the motion was not carried.