Agenda and minutes

Before the meeting formally commenced the Lord Mayor asked Dr Irfan Al Alawi to say an appropriate prayer.

Eid

The Lord Mayor wished a very Happy Eid Mubarak to all in the city.

Leicester, Leicestershire & the China-Sichuan Twinning - 30th Anniversary

The Lord Mayor informed Council that it was the 30th anniversary of twinning arrangements between Leicestershire & the China-Sichuan province.  The twinning arrangement, signed in 1988, was one of the longest UK-China twinning relationships and had been celebrated during the week with a new strategy creating further opportunities and building upon the strong relationships that already existed.

Democratic and Civic Support Manager

The Lord Mayor informed Council that John Thorpe, Democratic and Civic Support Manager was leaving the Council in August after 17 years of service.  Although Mr Thorpe was not present at the meeting, the Lord Mayor thanked him for supporting Council meetings and advising many Lord Mayor’s during his time at the Council.  He wished him every success for the future.

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.

No declarations were made.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2018 and the Annual Council Meeting held on 17 May 2018 are available to view at:

http://www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk:8071/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=81&MId=8214&Ver=4

and

http://www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk:8071/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=81&MId=8215&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:

8.         That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 22nd March 2018 and the Annual Council meeting held on 17th May 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.

No statements were identified.

-           Presented by Members of the Public

-           Presented by Councillors

Petitions from Members of the Public

Hannah Wakley presented a petition with 58 valid signatures in the following terms:-

"We have been dismayed by the City Council's recent tree felling. Trees provide wildlife habitat, clean our air and make Leicester a more pleasant place to live. Cutting down trees should always be a last resort.

We ask that the City Council follow the example of Ipswich and Suffolk Councils and adopt the Tree Charter's principles into their policies, to establish a more responsible attitude to the city's trees.”

Petitions from Councillors

Councillor Chaplin presented a petition with 43 valid signatures in the following terms:-

“We petition for residential parking on Mere Road, Leicester.”

Under Council Procedure Rule 13a the aforementioned petitions were referred to the Monitoring Officer for consideration and action as appropriate.

-           From Members of the Public.

-           From Councillors.

Lord Mayor:  Questions from members of the public.   The next item is a question from Mr. Fox.

Mr. Fox:  Thank you Mr. Lord Mayor.  “What was the reason for felling the trees in Prebend Gardens in the week commencing 23^rd April when a community workshop to consult with local residents about the future development of the park was already planned for 16^th May?  Would it not have been better to consult first?”

Lord Mayor:  Councillor Clarke.

Councillor Clarke:  Thank you my Lord Mayor and thank you very much for the question.  The short answer to the second question within your question is yes in an ideal world it would have been preferable to have been able to consult before the workshop that was held.  However, the circumstances were such that we were told by the police and by the Community Safety Team of Leicester City Council that there were urgent works required to ensure public safety.  The works therefore needed to be carried out prior to when birds would be nesting at Prebend Gardens and in such a time to ensure that no serious police incidents took place again.  You will recall there was a death in January of this year and there have been 52 police incidents over the past year.  So, in the interests of the protection of public safety it was decided that the work that the police and the Community Safety Team had requested be carried out, plus works to ensure that the subsidence to buildings was ameliorated.  Thank you my Lord Mayor.

Lord Mayor:  Mr. Fox do you wish to make a supplementary question? 

Mr. Fox:  Yes please Mr. Lord Mayor.  Local people were actually misled about this.  At the Stoneygate community meeting we were told that essential maintenance needed to be carried out.  We were told that police cameras would be removed below the level of the tree canopy which would assume that there is any tree canopy left after this essential maintenance.  It would appear that the Council misinformed local residents rather than consult and taking every opportunity to consult.  

Lord Mayor:   Councillor Clarke please to respond to that.

Councillor Clarke:  Having read the minutes of that meeting none of what you have said was recorded in the minutes.  I was going to say that how novel it is to have two Lib/Dems in the chamber today but there is still only one because Councillor Porter isn’t here.  In terms of you say residents were misled I do understand the concerns that have been raised by members of the community but there are members of the South Highfields Community that have shown genuine support for the work of the Council. Indeed one resident wrote to me to say that she had been insulted on social media by those who were protesting against the work.  The work that was undertaken was in the interests of public safety.  It was unfortunate that that work had to take place but if we were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

7.1       Corporate Equality Strategy and Action Plan 2018 - 2022

7.2       Scheme of Member Allowances 2018/19 & 2019/20 – Application of Indexation

7.1       CORPORATE EQUALITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN

2018-2020

A report was considered that provided an overview of the feedback from engagement with staff and elected members that resulted in the Corporate Equality and Strategy 2018-2020 as submitted.

Moved by Assistant City Mayor, Councillor Sood, seconded by City Mayor and carried:

9.         a)         The content of the report and appendices be noted; and

b)        That the Corporate Equality Strategy 2018 – 2022 and Action Plan, be approved.

7.2       SCHEME OF MEMBER ALLOWANCES 2018/19 & 2019/2020 – APPLICATION OF INDEXATION

A report was considered that outlined the effect of the recent agreement of the Local Government Employees pay award upon the Schemes of Members Allowances and the indexation of the allowances in line with the Independent Remuneration Panel’s report.

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

10.       That Council:-

a)         Agrees the Members Allowances’ Schemes for 2018/19 and 2019/20 (attached at appendices 1 and 2 to the report) implementing indexation of allowances in line with the recent Independent Remuneration Panel report and the link to the Local Government employees pay award of 2% for each of the two years;

b)         Agrees that arrears relating to applicable allowances be payable to Members in receipt of those allowances for the period 1 April 2018 (or for the period the allowance was applicable) to 14 June 2018. This process reflects that for council employees for whom where the pay award is agreed following the start of the financial year arrears are paid back to that point; and

c)         Notes that under the terms of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 consideration of a further Independent Remuneration Panel will be required prior to consideration of a scheme of allowances for 2020/21.”

No reports were submitted.

No reports were submitted.

-        To note any changes to the Executive.

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

No business was submitted.

a)         Great Jobs Agenda 

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

This Council believes that:

“Every job should be a great job. For us that means workers in our city should be paid fairly; work in a safe and healthy workplace; be treated decently and with respect; have regular hours; have the chance to be represented by unions and be consulted on what matters at work; and get the chance to learn and progress at work and get on in life.

This Council resolves to:

1.   Support the TUC’s Great Jobs Agenda, which sets out the actions employers and the government must take for every job to be a great job.

2.   Ensure as an employer we continue providing great jobs for our own employees.

3.   Continue to value meaningful workforce engagement and representation through our recognised trade unions.

4.   Continue our work with employers in the city to influence their employment practices, and to ensure that business growth is sustainable and ethical.  This includes our proactive ongoing work with the textiles sector as a good example.

5.   Make increasing job quality a key part of the conversation when pursuing local economic development opportunities in the city.

6.   Use our commissioning and procurement processes where possible to raise employment standards amongst those suppliers and providers we work with.

7.   Where appropriate, engage with government and other bodies who hold regulatory powers, to tackle issues which local authorities do not have statutory powers to address directly.

8.   Write to our city MPs informing them of our position and encouraging them to support the Great Jobs Agenda too.”

b)        Windrush Generation

Proposed by Councillor Cole, seconded by the Deputy City Mayor Councillor Clair:

“Leicester City Council agrees to support The Windrush Generation in their struggle to –

1. Secure their rights to indefinite stay in Britain as citizens of the United Kingdom (UK).

2. Demand that the government restores the rights of those who have been deported or refused re-entry to the United Kingdom following a visit overseas.

3. Compensate them for losses incurred during their period of difficulties caused by the Home Office.

4. Get for the Windrush Generation, who went to live in the Caribbean, the right to return and settle in the UK if that is their desire and to be able to travel freely between the UK and the Caribbean without the need for a costly visa.

5. Restore their rights to work, receive services and benefits, to which they are entitled, and be able to move around the country freely like all other United Kingdom citizen.

We call on the Government to grant an amnesty for all those who are a part of The Windrush Generation yet don’t have documentary evidence of citizenship.”

c)         Community Cohesion & Hate Crime

Proposed by Councillor Rae Bhatia, seconded by Councillor Waddington:

“Hate doesn't spare or choose who it is targeted at. One thing it certainly does - it destroys lives - of those who are its victims, and also, in  ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

11.1    GREAT JOBS AGENDA

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

11.       “Every job should be a great job. For us that means workers in our city should be paid fairly; work in a safe and healthy workplace; be treated decently and with respect; have regular hours; have the chance to be represented by unions and be consulted on what matters at work; and get the chance to learn and progress at work and get on in life.”

This Council resolves to:

1.         Support the TUC’s Great Jobs Agenda, which sets out the actions employers and the government must take for every job to be a great job.

2.         Ensure as an employer we continue providing great jobs for our own employees.

3.         Continue to value meaningful workforce engagement and representation through our recognised trade unions.

4.         Continue our work with employers in the city to influence their employment practices, and to ensure that business growth is sustainable and ethical. This includes our proactive ongoing work with the textiles sector as a good example.

5.         Make increasing job quality a key part of the conversation when pursuing local economic development opportunities in the city.

6.         Use our commissioning and procurement processes where possible to raise employment standards amongst those suppliers and providers we work with.

7.         Where appropriate, engage with government and other bodies who hold regulatory powers, to tackle issues which local authorities do not have statutory powers to address directly.

8.         Write to our city MPs informing them of our position and encouraging them to support the Great Jobs Agenda too.”

11.2                WINDRUSH GENERATION

Moved by Councillor Cole, seconded by Councillor Sangster and carried:

12.       “Leicester City Council agrees to support The Windrush Generation in their struggle to –

1.         Secure their rights to indefinite stay in Britain as citizens of the United Kingdom (UK).

2.         Demand that the government restores the rights of those who have been deported or refused re-entry to the United Kingdom following a visit overseas.

3.         Compensate them for losses incurred during their period of difficulties caused by the Home Office.

4.         Get for the Windrush Generation, who went to live in the Caribbean, the right to return and settle in the UK if that is their desire and to be able to travel freely between the UK and the Caribbean without the need for a costly visa.

5.         Restore their rights to work, receive services and benefits, to which they are entitled, and be able to move around the country freely like all other United Kingdom citizen.

We call on the Government to grant an amnesty for all those who are a part of The Windrush Generation yet don’t have documentary evidence of citizenship.”

11.3    COMMUNITY COHESION & HATE CRIME

Under Council Procedure Rule 18c Councillor Riyait and the Councillor Waddington as proposers and seconders of the motion sought the consent of Council to amend the motion previously detailed on the agenda for the meeting to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

There being no further or urgent items of business the Lord Mayor declared the meeting closed at 8.56pm.