Agenda and minutes

Former Councillor & Lord Mayor – John Allen

With great regret the Lord Mayor announced the recent loss of former Councillor and Lord Mayor John ‘Jack’ Allen.  The Lord Mayor acknowledged Jack’s significant contribution to the City and his work in his mayoral year to inspire people of all ages and abilities to take part in sporting activities, with proceeds from appeal events used to help sports clubs and projects in the city.

Hinckley Road

The Lord Mayor ask those present to remember the five victims of the recent explosion – Mary, Sean, Shane, Leah, and Viktorija and their family and friends in their tragic loss.  The Lord Mayor also thanked the emergency services, city council staff, volunteers, local residents and many others who responded so quickly and who have worked so hard to support the local community following the incident.

The Lord Mayor led Council in a one minute silence in memory of former Councillor Allen and those who lost their lives in the Hinckley Road explosion.

Lady Mayoress’ Coffee Morning

The Lord Mayor reminded Members that his Lady Mayoress was hosting a coffee morning in aid of his charities on Friday 6 April from 10am – 1pm in the Tea Room at the Town Hall.  The Lord Mayor invited all to attend and asked that if anyone was able to assist the Lady Mayoress they let him know.

International Women’s Day

The Lord Mayor thanked all those who had assisted in the recent charity collection.

Fire & Emergency Evacuation Procedure

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

The Lord Mayor invited the Monitoring Officer to brief Council in respect of declarations regarding item 7.1 on the agenda ‘Pay Policy Statement 2018/19 and Gender Pay Gap Report 2017’.

The Monitoring Officer reminded Council that the report did not set the pay of the Council officers referred to within it and that it only commented on the scale of pay to the most senior officers and the ratio of pay between the most highly paid staff and the median pay of the wider workforce. He noted that those Members who had partners or close associates who were officers but had made that declaration on their register of interests did not need to re-declare them.

The Lord Mayor invited Members to declare any interests they might have in the

business on the agenda.

No declarations were made.

The minutes of the meetings held on 25 January and 21 February 2018 are available to view at:

25 January 2018

http://www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk:8071/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=81&MId=8212&Ver=4

21 February 2018

http://www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk:8071/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=81&MId=8213&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:

29.       That the minutes of the meetings of Council held on 25^th January and 21^st February 2018, copies having been circulated to each Member of the Council, be taken as read and that they each be approved as a correct record.

The City Mayor echoed the comments of the Lord Mayor and expressed his sadness and regret at the recent loss of former Councillor and Lord Mayor Jack Allen.  The City Mayor noted Jack’s love for the City and his commitment to his constituents shown through his exceptional service as Councillor and as a distinguished Lord Mayor and, on behalf of the many people across the political divide who worked with him and knew him well, passed condolences to Jack’s family and friends.

-           Presented by Members of the Public

-           Presented by Councillors

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

Lord Mayor:  The next item is questions from members of the public – Ms. Everett.

Helen Everett:  Thank you my Lord Mayor.  My question is this:  “In the light of recent serious scandals concerning Harvey Weinstein and others, the President’s Club controversy and the rise of the MeToo and TimesUp movements, has Leicester City Council any plans to revise its 2011 policy on sexual entertainment venues (SEVs), and to adopt a zero tolerance policy on such places with a rebuttable presumption against granting licences following the lead of Labour led Manchester City Council.  Thank you.

Lord Mayor:  Thank you Ms. Everett for the question.  Deputy City Mayor, Councillor Clair, to reply. 

Councillor Clair:  Thank you my Lord Mayor.  First of all I would like to thank you for asking a question to this Council this evening,  and I checked with officers and they advised me that under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as amended by the Policing and Crime Act 2009 provides the legal basis for dealing with applications for sexual entertainment venues.  The current policy adopted was in 2011 which Helen has rightly said so.  Six sexual entertainment venues in the city centre and one which is on Braunstone Gate and that we agreed to put a limit in total to be licenced in City Council to five, but at present there are only three which are actually at this moment in time have planning permission and running.  Notwithstanding the cap on the number, the City Council is able to refuse the licence where the applicant does not meet criteria and as you have sent me Helen a letter on February 22^nd which even reminded me to check with officers those guidelines which is applicant for any new applications should be, the applicant is answerable to hold the licence by reason of having been convicted of an offence for any other reasons the licence should be inappropriate given to the character of the relevant authority and the use and purpose of any premises in the vicinity.  The condition of premises in respect of which the application is made.  So these are the basis we have already declined two applications which you rightly say and you mentioned one venue which is missed on.  Can I just give some information on Manchester.  They have currently five entertainment venues and officers have done some work and such from them that they do not actually operate on zero tolerance.  The City Council policy on sexual entertainment venues is programmed for review next year 2019-20.  This review will include consultation with local stakeholders and research  into the policy and practice from all other local authorities we will find out that and also as you mentioned in your letter that group of women’s equality party, Leicester branch.  I would ask officers to also consult and keep comments and allow the consultation on this policy commence.  After the consultation is undertaken and a review completed it is not possible to commit to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

7.1       Pay Policy Statement 2018/19 and Gender Pay Gap Report 2017.

MATTERS RESERVED TO COUNCIL

7.1       PAY POLICY STATEMENT 2018/19 AND GENDER PAY GAP REPORT 2017

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

30.       That Council approves the Pay Policy Statement for 2018/19 and notes the Gender Pay Gap Report 2017.

-        To note any changes to the Executive

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

None identified.

No items of urgent business were identified.

The City Mayor noted that the meeting was the last ordinary meeting of the municipal year and, on behalf of the Chamber thanked the Lord Mayor for the way in which he had managed the Council meetings during his terms of office and for his gravity and good humour.  The Lord Mayor thanked the City Mayor for his words and thanked Members for their kindness, support and patience during his term of office.

The Lord Mayor declared the meeting closed at 7.35pm.