Agenda and minutes

Before the meeting formally commences the Lord Mayor asked his Chaplain to say an appropriate prayer.

Councillor Palmer

The Lord Mayor informed Council that he had written to former Councillor and Deputy City Mayor Rory Palmer on behalf of Council to congratulate him on taking a seat as a Member of the European Parliament, to thank him for his service to the City, the Council and the constituents of the Eyres Monsell Ward and to wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Joe Humphries Memorial Trust

The Lord Mayor informed Council of the work of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust which was a charity set up after the sudden death of Joe who died of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome also known as SADS.  The Lord Mayor noted that the current week was SADS Awareness week which sought to promote the campaign for better understanding and recognition of SADS and other heart conditions which can strike very suddenly, particularly in seemingly fit and healthy young people between 12 – 35 years old.

As part of the promotion work for SADS awareness week and to help raise awareness of the importance of CPR and defibrillator training copies of the book Ruffle the Life Saver, which was the latest in the series of adventures of Ruffle the Rail Dog, would be donated to every primary school in the City.

The Samaritans

The Lord Mayor informed Council of a recent visit he had made to the Leicester Samaritans where he saw and acknowledged the hard work of the volunteers who were such a vital part of mental health networks. The Leicester Samaritans provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair and make a real difference to people in great need.

Diwali

The Lord Mayor noted that the Diwali festival was soon to commence and that the City lights switch on was the coming Sunday and wished all present a very Happy Diwali.

Fire & Emergency Evacuation Procedure

The Lord Mayor asked all present to note the evacuation procedures detailed on the Agenda for tonight’s meeting and if anyone had any queries to speak to one of the Town Hall staff who would be able to assist.

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

Councillor Patel declared an Other Disclosable Interest as her sister was an employee of the Council.

No further declarations were made.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2017 are available to view at:

http://www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk:8071/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=81&MId=8209&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:

13.       That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 6th July 2017, a copy having been circulated to each Member of the Council, be taken as read and that they be approved as a correct record.

None.

-           Presented by Members of the Public

-           Presented by Councillors

Petitions for Members of the Public

None

Petitions from Councillors

Councillor Sood presented a petition with 349 signatures in the following terms:

“We the undersigned Belgrave and Rushey Mead residents and users of Cossington Street Swimming pool feel neglected as a large community using third rate leisure amenities and request the City Council to invest in renovating and improving the dilapidated changing, showering and spectator facilities at the pool, as a matter of urgency.”

Councillor Corrall presented a petition with 459 signatures in the following terms:

“We the undersigned call on the Council to reconsider where it locates its proposed dance studio at Braunstone Leisure Centre and leave the Sunflower nursery were it is currently located thus removing the uncertainty for our parents and children.”

Councillor Osman presented a petition with 12 signatures in the following terms:

“We the residents of Beeby Road would like to request Leicester City Council to remove double yellow lines outside 6 Beeby Road.”

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

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Lord Mayor:  The next item is questions from members of the public. May I please request Ms. Brennan, Miss. Jennifer Brennan, to ask her question.  Thank you.

Miss. Brennan:  “Why would the Council propose to consult about taking away half of the successful sunflower neighbourhood nursery built in a deprived area of Leicester that has been established for over 15 years providing employment and opportunities for the Braunstone community?”

Lord Mayor:  Thank you.  Councillor Clair to reply.

Councillor Clair:  Thank you my Lord Mayor.  The City Council is obliged to consider the potential of converting the space that was temporarily licenced to Sunflower Nursery to expand the health and fitness facilities at Braunstone Leisure Centre.  We need to consider all the options to make sure we are able to keep our leisure centres on financial, stable footing.  However the Council is also right to consider fully the impact of this proposal on Sunflower Nursery over the three months consultation period before the Council make any final decision.  No decision yet has been made and the impact on the nursery and on the availability of children’s provision in Braunstone will be considered as part of the consultation process. 

Lord Mayor:  Thank you. Do you have a supplementary Miss. Brennan?

Miss. Brennan:  No.

QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS

Lord Mayor:  Thank you.  That concludes question from members of the public.  Questions from Councillors.  The next item is questions from Councillors.  Can I request that where any Members have questions for tonight’s meeting that they bear in mind the requirements of the constitution that questions should be asked and answered without discussion and that supplementary questions must be a question for the purposes of clarifying the reply and not a statement.  Please note that I will be seeking to curtail any Members that do not comply with this requirement and to achieve this the timer will be set for 30 seconds.  If you have not asked your supplementary question by the time the red light comes on I will immediately put your questions or I will move on to the next question without further debate. 

Cllr. Kitterick:  Point of order Lord Mayor.  This announcement tonight appears has been levied on us without any notice to Councillors, no consultations.  This is not in order Lord Mayor to do this without consulting Members of this chamber.

Lord Mayor:  When a question is being asked and it has been answered naturally there is a procedure where you will or whoever has asked the question will be able to format their supplementary question so this is what will take place tonight.  Councillor Chaplin.

Councillor Chaplin:  On a point of order Lord Mayor I do think that there should be some consultation because for some people and obviously if perhaps people might be on medication as indeed I am myself.  Having to speak a bit more slowly is obviously going to take up time which will be more than the allocated 30 seconds.  So  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

7.1       Service Plan for Food Law Enforcement

7.2       Treasury Strategy – Investments

7.3      Employee Appeals against Dismissal

7.4       Call-In of Executive Decision – Youth Service Remodelling

7.1            SERVICE PLAN FOR FOOD LAW ENFORCEMENT

A report was considered which presented the service plan together with details of the work of the Food Safety Team and how the obligations on the Council are to be met in the period.

Moved by Councillor Clair seconded by Councillor Gugnani and carried:

14.       That the Service Plan for Food Law Enforcement 2017/2018 be approved.

7.2                TREASURY STRATEGY – INVESTMENTS

A report was considered which proposed amendments to the investment strategy which sat within the Treasury Strategy that governs the way the Council manages borrowing and investments.

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

15.       That the revised investment strategy laid out within the report be approved.

7.3                EMPLOYEE APPEALS AGAINST DISMISSAL

Under Council Procedure Rule 15f the motion below was moved and voted upon without debate.

Moved by Councillor Westley, seconded by Councillor Alfonso and carried:-

16.             That the report be withdrawn.

CALL-IN OF EXECUTIVE DECISION – YOUTH SERVICE REMODELLING

Following a request by the proposer and seconder of the call-in the Monitoring Officer accepted its withdrawal. 

With the withdrawal of the call-in the Lord Mayor noted that the item would not now be considered.

-     To note any changes to the Executive

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

The City Mayor informed Council of the changes to his executive and to the membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

National Joint Council Pay

Proposed by the City Mayor, seconded by the Deputy City Mayor:

·         “On average, across the country, National Joint Council (NJC) basic pay has fallen by 21% in real terms since 2010

·         NJC workers had a three-year pay freeze from 2010-2012 and have received only 1% pay increase annually since then

·         NJC pay is the lowest in the public sector

·         Differentials in pay grades are being squeezed and distorted by bottom-loaded NJC pay settlements needed to reflect the increase Statutory National Living Wage

·         Leicester City Council began paying our staff the Living Wage Foundation living wage in March 2013 and formally signed the licence with the Foundation to include services the council contract with in September 2015.  We are committed to providing those on lower wage rates with a fair and decent rate of pay

·         The likelihood of rising inflation following the vote to leave the European Union will worsen the current public sector pay inequality.

This council therefore supports the NJC pay claim for 2018, submitted by UNISON, GMB and Unite on behalf of council and school workers and calls for the immediate end of public sector pay restraint.  NJC pay cannot be allowed to fall further behind other parts of the public sector.

The 2018 claim is for the deletion of NJC pay points SCP 6-9 to reach the Foundation Living Wage of £8.45 (UK) and £9.75 (London) and a 5% increase on all NJC pay points.

This council also welcomes the joint review of the NJC pay spine to remedy the turbulence caused by bottom-loaded pay settlements.

Council further notes the drastic ongoing cuts to local government funding and calls on the Government to provide additional resources to ensure local authorities can fund a decent pay rise for NJC employees and the pay spine review.

This council resolves to:

·         Write to the LGA asking it to make urgent representations to Government to fund the NJC claim and the pay spine review;

·         Write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor supporting the NJC pay claim and seeking additional resources to fund a decent pay rise and the pay spine review;

·         Write to local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim and the pay spine review.”

Moved by the City Mayor, seconded by Councillor Clair Deputy City Mayor and carried.

17. That:

·      On average, across the country, National Joint Council (NJC) basic pay has fallen by 21% in real terms since 2010

·      NJC workers had a three-year pay freeze from 2010-2012 and have received only 1% pay increase annually since then

·      NJC pay is the lowest in the public sector

·      Differentials in pay grades are being squeezed and distorted by bottom-loaded NJC pay settlements needed to reflect the increase Statutory National Living Wage

·      Leicester City Council began paying our staff the Living Wage Foundation living wage in March 2013 and formally signed the licence with the Foundation to include services the council contract with in September 2015.  We are committed to providing those on lower wage rates with a fair and decent rate of pay

·      The likelihood of rising inflation following the vote to leave the European Union will worsen the current public sector pay inequality.

This council therefore supports the NJC pay claim for 2018, submitted by UNISON, GMB and Unite on behalf of council and school workers and calls for the immediate end of public sector pay restraint.  NJC pay cannot be allowed to fall further behind other parts of the public sector.

The 2018 claim is for the deletion of NJC pay points SCP 6-9 to reach the Foundation Living Wage of £8.45 (UK) and £9.75 (London) and a 5% increase on all NJC pay points.

This council also welcomes the joint review of the NJC pay spine to remedy the turbulence caused by bottom-loaded pay settlements.

Council further notes the drastic ongoing cuts to local government funding and calls on the Government to provide additional resources to ensure local authorities can fund a decent pay rise for NJC employees and the pay spine review.

This council resolves to:

·      Write to the LGA asking it to make urgent representations to Government to fund the NJC claim and the pay spine review;

·      Write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor supporting the NJC pay claim and seeking additional resources to fund a decent pay rise and the pay spine review;

·      Write to local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim and the pay spine review.

There being no items of urgent business identified the Lord Mayor declared the meeting closed at 7.47pm.