To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2023 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2023, as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

Requests received by the Protocol deadline to be reported by the Senior Democratic Services Officer with details of the Agenda Item to which they relate. (Such persons entitled to use the Protocol attend for the purpose of making representations, answering questions or giving evidence relating to the business of the meeting and the time allocated to each person is a maximum of three minutes unless extended at the discretion of the Chairman).

To consider the report of the Environmental Services Manager (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.    That the Annual Status Report 2023 be approved for appropriate consultation and submission to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and publication.

2.    That consultation be undertaken prior to revocation of Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) 1 (A5460 Narborough Road South), AQMA 2 (M1 corridor in Enderby and Narborough) and AQMA 4b (Enderby Road, Whetstone).

3.    That consultation be undertaken prior to declaration of a new AQMA (AQMA 7, Lubbesthorpe Road and Narborough Road South Service Road Junction).

4.    That delegated authority be given to the Environmental Health, Housing & Community Services Group Manager, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder, to make minor amendments to the Annual Status Report 2023 prior to submission and publication.

Reasons:

1.    It is important for Members to be informed of the air quality monitoring data for the District in 2022.

2.    Air quality monitoring has demonstrated that levels of Nitrogen Dioxide in those areas are below the Air Quality Objective. Consultation is needed to comply with relevant legislation and guidance.

3.    Air quality monitoring has indicated that levels of Nitrogen Dioxide at that location are above the Air Quality Objective. Consultation is needed to comply with relevant legislation and guidance.

4.    This is to ensure any final amendments to the report can be made prior to submission to DEFRA.

Considered - Report of the Environmental Services Manager.

Other Options Considered:

1.    Completion and submission of the ASR is a statutory requirement and therefore there are no other options.

2.    Revocations and declarations of AQMAs have to comply with the provisions of the Environment Act 1995 and associated DEFRA guidance, therefore there are no other options.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Executive (enclosed).

DECISION

That Cabinet consider and accept the response to the recommendations as set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

Reason:

It is the duty of the Cabinet Executive to respond to Scrutiny reports and recommendations.

Considered – Report of the Housing Services Manager, presented by the Environmental Health, Housing & Community Services Group Manager.

Other Options Considered: None.

DECISION

That the report be noted.

Reason:

To ensure Members are informed on the industrial action, impact on our communities and supportive of approach being taken.

Considered – Report of the Chief Executive.

Other Options Considered:

Report is for noting, the only other option considered would be to agree a local pay rise, as outlined above there is significant costs involved in this approach, it is considered not to be in the best interests of the workforce and is not in line with our existing contractual arrangements with our staff.

To consider the report of the Finance Group Manager (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.    That the financial performance for 2022/23 be accepted.

2.    That the debts listed in paragraph 4.5 of the report are approved for write-off.

3.    That the “Covid Support Reserve” is redesignated as the “Contractual Losses Support Reserve” and £445,000 of the current balance be transferred to General Fund balances.

Reasons:

1.    The unaudited accounts for 2022/23 were published on 31st May, with Blaby being amongst only 30% of authorities to meet the statutory deadline. Whilst the accounts are still subject to external audit, it is important to give Members early sight of the outturn to assist with the financial planning process.

2.    The debts listed in paragraph 4.5 of the report are considered to be uncollectable and the amounts involved are above the limit up to which they may be written off by the Executive Director (Section 151) and Portfolio Holder.

3.    In response to Scrutiny’s recommendations concerning the administration’s budget proposals for 2023/24, it was agreed that earmarked reserves would be reviewed at year end to assess whether they are still required or adequately reflect the purpose for which they are held.

Considered - Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other Options Considered: None.

To consider the report of the Finance Group Manager (enclosed).

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    That the treasury management activities for 2022/23 be approved.

2.    That the prudential and treasury indicators for 2022/23 be approved.

Reasons:

1.    The regulatory framework governing treasury management activities includes a requirement that the Council should produce an annual review of treasury activities undertaken in the preceding financial year. It must also report the performance against the approved prudential indicators for the year.

2.    This report fulfils the requirement above and incorporates the needs of the Prudential Code to ensure adequate monitoring of capital expenditure plans and the Council’s prudential indicators. The treasury strategy and prudential indicators for 2022/23 were contained in the report approved by Council on 24th February 2022.

Considered - Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other Options Considered:

None. It is a legislative requirement that the Council receives an annual report covering its treasury activities for the financial year.

To consider the report of the Executive Director (Section 151 Officer) (enclosed).

DECISION

That the Annual Governance Statement in respect of 2022/23 financial year be approved.

Reason:

It is a requirement of the Account and Audit Regulations 2015 for the local authority to prepare and approve an Annual Governance Statement.

Considered - Report of the Executive Director (Section 151 Officer), presented by the Finance Group Manager.

Other Options Considered:

Not to produce a separate report on the Annual Governance Statement for the Cabinet Executive. This option was dismissed given it of utmost importance that the Cabinet Executive are fully informed and assured by the completion of the Corporate Assurance Review and the production of the Governance Statement.

To consider the report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer (enclosed). 

DECISIONS

1.    That the preferences and changes to appointments to Outside Bodies as proposed at Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

2.    That unless otherwise stated all appointments be held, until the first Cabinet Executive meeting following the Annual Council meeting in 2024.

3.    That all appointments be endorsed as approved duties for the payment of allowances.

4.    That the Constitution be amended accordingly.

Reason:

It is appropriate to give effect to the wishes of the political groups.

Considered - Report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer, presented by the Leader - Cllr. Terry Richardson.

Other Options Considered: None.