Agenda and minutes

There were no Lord Mayor’s announcements.

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 on 24 November 2022 are available to view at:

Agenda for Council on Thursday, 24 November 2022, 5:00 pm (leicester.gov.uk)

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 24 November 2022, copies having been circulated to each member of the Council, be taken as read and that they be approved as a correct record.

Earthquake – Turkey / Syria

The City Mayor reflected upon very sad news emerging from Turkey and Syria regarding the recent earthquakes which had affected the area, and the distress felt by those caught up in it. He was aware that some local Leicester people had lost family and friends and sincere condolences were passed to them.

The City Mayor noted that Leicestershire Fire and Rescue had sent a team to search for survivors amongst the scenes of devastation. They had since rescued 8 people between the ages of 2 and 90, in extremely difficult circumstances. The City Mayor had visited the City’s Turkish Education Centre and Hamidiye Mosque to assure the community that the city was thinking of them. He was sure that Members would want to join him in wishing the local Turkish and Syrian communities well.

Voluntary sector

The City Mayor made Council aware that officers had been reviewing and re-shaping the voluntary sector strategy which was expected to be launched in a few weeks. The strategy would guide the Council’s relationship with the sector for the next four years. He thanked Councillor Malik and officers for developing the strategy and noted that more details would be shared in due course as there was an emphasis on engaging a wider audience for the strategy.

-           Presented by Members of the Public

-           Presented by Councillors

-           Petitions to be debated

There were no petitions.

The following questions were asked by Members of the Public.

1.            Mr David Rollins

“Given that metering seems to be the way forward and given that we are an environment city at a time when climate change is a big issue, would it be worth putting in cabling for solar panels, while they are putting in metres, so then the buildings would be solar panel ready in the near future and this would help solve the problem of high energy costs for the most vulnerable. There may even be grant funding for this somewhere.”

Assistant City Mayor, Councillor Cutkelvin in response stated that this suggestion had been passed to the Housing Technical team to consider from a feasibility perspective and to the sustainability team to consider existing external funding opportunities.

2.            Mr David Rollins

“Whatever happens, the tenants do need to be kept in the loop. The Mayors comments that it’s not the tenants who decide how much to pay was vastly insensitive. There will be cost implications for tenants and we may need to move if its cost prohibitive. Will there be that option within the city council housing for people to move out of the district heating scheme housing into somewhere more cost effective.”

Assistant City Mayor, Councillor Cutkelvin in response said that she didn’t recall any comments from the City Mayor as suggested. It was true, as consumers, that it was not within the Council’s gift to set prices. Tenants would receive notification of the charges with 28 days to consider whether to accept the change. Housing Department staff would discuss the proposals with tenants, and they could hand in their notice if they wished to, but it will be explained to them that they would be better off in a Council property where district heating was in place as costs remained lower compared to a property where it wasn’t in place.

3.         Mr David Rollins

“What will happen to people who just cannot afford a steep rise in energy costs?”

Assistant City Mayor, Councillor Cutkelvin in response stated that where tenants could not pay, the Tenancy Management Team would support tenants at an early stage who were struggling to pay the charges. There was also strong support for tenants who were facing financial issues from the Supporting Tenants and Residents Team.

Mr Rollins asked a supplementary question. He asked how tenants would find out about these support options and how they would access them?

The Assistant City Mayor in response stated that after the meeting tonight, tenants would be written to, and include with the letter would be details of how to access the support.

4.         Mr David Rollins

“Will tenants be able to choose providers or be stuck with whomever the council chooses?”

Assistant City Mayor, Councillor Cutkelvin in response said that tenants on district heating would not be able to choose providers on the open market. However, tenants had benefitted from 30% cheaper heating costs than the open market for the last 10 years  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

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

That Council approves the appointment of the Council’s Electoral Services Manager and Senior Electoral Services Officer as Deputy Electoral Registration Officers which will support the process required to authorise the signing of temporary voter authority certificates.

Moved by Assistant City Mayor Councillor Malik, seconded by Assistant City Mayor Councillor Dempster, and carried:-

a)    That Council approves the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 set out in Appendix A of the report; and

b)    That Council notes the Gender Pay Gap Report for 2021/22 set out in Appendix B of the report.

Note: The 12 Appendices to the Youth Justice Plan are not published with the agenda but are available to view at the following link

 Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 22 February 2023, 6:00 pm (leicester.gov.uk)

Moved by Assistant City Mayor Councillor Dempster, seconded by Councillor Batool, and carried:

That Council:

a)  Notes the achievements from 2021-22; and

b)  Agrees the Plan for 2022-23.

-        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.

a)    SAMWORTH BROTHERS

Proposed by Councillor Kitterick, seconded by Councillor O’Donnell that:-

1)    “This Council recognises Samworth Brother’s partnership work with Leicester City Council on addressing food insecurity and hunger in the City.

2)    This Council also recognises Samworth Brothers as a major employer of Leicester people.

3)    The Council Members believe that workers’ rights, backed by recognised trade unions, are a key part of improving people's lives in the city and ensuring that workers do not have to rely on food banks to avoid going hungry.

4)    The Council Members, therefore, resolve to back the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) campaign for unionisation, better pay, full sick pay, and additional workers’ rights at Samworth's places of work.

5)    For Council Members with Samworth Employees in their Ward offer support and signpost those workers to the Bakers Food and Allied workers Union Campaign and wherever possible, support the union with campaigning including leafleting and holding ward based meetings.

6)    The Council Members ask the City Mayor to write to the management of Samworth Brothers in support of this campaign.”

b)    UNITED NATIONS TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Proposed by Councillor O’Donnell, seconded by Councillor Shelton that:-

1)    Leicester City Council declares its support for the United Nations Treaty on The Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), an historic treaty, which once being ratified, will completely prohibit the developing, testing and using of nuclear weapons.

2)    Leicester City Council recognises the necessity of creating a nuclear weapons-free world and as such deeply regrets the United Kingdom government’s refusal to sign or ratify this landmark treaty.

3)    In adopting this resolution, the council therefore unequivocally declares its support for the TPNW. Furthermore, Council calls on the United Kingdom government to work for global denuclearisation by:

·           Signing and ratifying the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, thereby joining the global majority of countries opposed to nuclear weapons.

·           Cancelling the replacement of Trident, Britain’s nuclear weapons system.

·           Utilising all diplomatic avenues possible to work towards a nuclear–free world.

c)    ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP (APPG) ON BRITISH MUSLIMS’ DEFINITION OF ISLAMOPHOBIA

Proposed by Councillor Master, seconded by Councillor Kaur Saini that:-

1)    “This Council notes the Motion to adopt the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia – Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”

2)    Islamophobia is a growing issue, both locally and nationally, as Muslims were targeted in 47% of all religious hate crime offences recorded in England and Wales in 2021/22, meaning they experience far more religiously motivated hate crime than any other group.

3)    That 75 academics, over 750 Muslim organisations and institutions, Plaid Cymru, the Labour Party (England & Scotland), the Liberal Democrats (England & Scotland), the SNP, the Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish Greens, 50 councils nationwide and many more have adopted the APPG definition of Islamophobia.

4)     As per the Public Sector Equality Duty enshrined in the 2010 Equality Act, the council  ...  view the full agenda text for item 76.

a)  SAMWORTH BROTHERS

Moved by Councillor Kitterick, seconded by Councillor O’Donnell and carried:

1)  “This Council recognises Samworth Brother’s partnership work with Leicester City Council on addressing food insecurity and hunger in the City.

2)  This Council also recognises Samworth Brothers as a major employer of Leicester people.

3)  The Council Members believe that workers’ rights, backed by recognised trade unions, are a key part of improving people's lives in the city and ensuring that workers do not have to rely on food banks to avoid going hungry.

4)  The Council Members, therefore, resolve to back the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) campaign for unionisation, better pay, full sick pay, and additional workers’ rights at Samworth's places of work.

5)  For Council Members with Samworth Employees in their Ward offer support and signpost those workers to the Bakers Food and Allied workers Union Campaign and wherever possible, support the union with campaigning including leafleting and holding ward based meetings.

6)  The Council Members ask the City Mayor to write to the management of Samworth Brothers in support of this campaign.”

Councillor Bajaj abstained from the vote on motion and requested that this be noted.

b)  UNITED NATIONS TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Moved by Councillor O’Donnell, seconded by Councillor Kitterick and carried:

1)  Leicester City Council declares its support for the United Nations Treaty on The Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), an historic treaty, which once being ratified, will completely prohibit the developing, testing and using of nuclear weapons.

2)  Leicester City Council recognises the necessity of creating a nuclear weapons-free world and as such deeply regrets the United Kingdom government’s refusal to sign or ratify this landmark treaty.

3)  In adopting this resolution, the council therefore unequivocally declares its support for the TPNW. Furthermore, Council calls on the United Kingdom government to work for global denuclearisation by:

·           Signing and ratifying the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, thereby joining the global majority of countries opposed to nuclear weapons.

·           Cancelling the replacement of Trident, Britain’s nuclear weapons system.

·           Utilising all diplomatic avenues possible to work towards a nuclear–free world.

Councillor Bajaj abstained from the vote on motion and requested that this be noted.

c)   ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP (APPG) ON BRITISH MUSLIMS’ DEFINITION OF ISLAMOPHOBIA

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

1)  This Council notes the Motion to adopt the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia – Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”

2)  Islamophobia is a growing issue, both locally and nationally, as Muslims were targeted in 47% of all religious hate crime offences recorded in England and Wales in 2021/22, meaning they experience far more religiously motivated hate crime than any other group.

3)  That 75 academics, over 750 Muslim organisations and institutions, Plaid Cymru, the Labour Party (England & Scotland), the Liberal Democrats (England & Scotland), the SNP, the Scottish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

The City Mayor thanked the Lord Mayor for his chairing of Council over the past year.

There being no other business, the Lord Mayor declared the meeting closed at 11.45pm.