No disclosures were received.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2024 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2024, 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).

No requests were received.

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

DECISIONS

1.    That the financial performance against the budget for the quarter ending 30th September 2024 be accepted.

2.    That the forecast contribution of £499,486 from General Fund balances be approved.

3.    That the irrecoverable debts be authorised to be written off.

Reasons:

1.    It is good practice that Members have oversight of the Council’s financial performance at regular points during the financial year.

2.    To recognise movements in the call on reserves and balances to date, along with potential variances in establishment costs and key income streams that may arise between now and the end of the financial year.

Considered – Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other options considered:

None.

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

DECISION

That the Schedule of Charges for 2025/26 be approved.

Reason:

To ensure that the fees and charges for 2025/26 are formally set and approved.

Considered – Report of the Finance Services Group Manager.

Other options considered:

Not to review the fees and charges. However, it is considered appropriate that, where possible, charges should be set at a level necessary to achieve full cost recovery.

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

RECOMMDENATION TO COUNCIL

That the latest position in respect of treasury activities, and the prudential

indicators, are accepted.

Reasons:

1.    The regulatory framework governing treasury management activities includes a requirement that the Council should, as a minimum, receive quarterly treasury monitoring reports in addition to the forward-looking annual treasury strategy and the backward-looking annual treasury report. Whilst quarters 1 and 3 do not need to be formally reported to full Council, there is an implicit understanding that they should be adequately scrutinised by Cabinet Executive.

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 2024/25 were contained in the report approved by Council on 27th February 2024.

Considered – Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other options considered:

None, this report is a requirement of the 2024/25 Prudential Code.

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

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    That the report be accepted.

2.    That the latest Capital Programme for 2024/25, totalling £8,435,559, be accepted.

Reasons:

1.    To ensure that the Council has adequate resources in place to meet its capital expenditure commitments.

2.    To reflect additions or other changes to the Capital Programme that have occurred in the 2^nd quarter of the year.

Considered – Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other options considered:

None.

To consider the report of the Environmental Health, Housing and Community Services Group Manager (enclosed).

DECISION

1.    That the proposed revised fixed penalty notice (FPN) amounts for specified environmental crime offences be approved.

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Group Manager for Environmental Health, Housing & Community Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to make any changes to fixed penalty notice amounts and early repayment discounts moving forwards via the Schedule of Charges.

Reasons:

1.    Environmental Crime has a negative impact on the local environment and have a financial for the authority to remedy this impact.

2.    Fixed Penalty Notices provide a proportionate approach to be able to deal with offences in an expedient and cost-effective way.

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

Other options considered:

The FPN amounts can be kept at their current level. However, the maximum levels were increased by central government with the expectation that Councils would look to create a stronger deterrent against committing environmental crime offences.

To consider the report of the Environmental Health, Housing and Community Services Group Manager (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.    That the Environmental Health, Environmental Services and Community Services Enforcement and Compliance Policy 2025 – 2028 be adopted.

2.    That delegated authority for minor changes to the policy be given to the Group Manager of Environmental Health, Housing and Community Services in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder.

Reasons:

1.    To ensure best practice and consistency of approach to enforcement across the District.

2.    This policy is required to be revised regularly to ensure that it reflects the most up to date changes in legislation and good practice.

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

Other options considered:

It is a legal requirement to have considered the implications of enforcement and to take steps to ensure consistency of approach and compliance with the Regulators Code of Practice.

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

DECISIONS

1.    That the revocations of the following AQMAs as recommended by Defra, due to the ongoing compliance of the Air Quality Objectives for a number of years, be approved:

AQMA 1: A5460 Narborough Road South as recommended by Defra.

AQMA 2: M1 corridor in Enderby and Narborough

AQMA 3: M1 corridor between Thorpe Astley and Kirby Muxloe

AQMA 4B: Enderby Road, Whetstone.

2.    That the declaration of AQMA 7: Lubbesthorpe Road, Braunstone Town as advised by Defra under section 83 (1) of the 1995 Environment Act, be approved.

Reasons:

1.    For the proposed revocations: Monitoring has shown that the Air Quality Objective for Nitrogen Dioxide has been met in all areas for a number of years.

2.    For the proposed declaration: Local Authorities have a duty under section 83 (1) of the 1995 Environment Act to designate those areas where the Air Quality Objectives have not been met, where people are likely to be regularly present, as an AQMA. Monitoring has shown that the Air Quality Objective for Nitrogen Dioxide was not met in this area in 2022.

Considered – Report of the Environmental Services Manager.

Other options considered:

It would be possible to retain current AQMAs. However, this does not follow the advice and guidance set out by Defra in relation to AQMAs. The guidance states “For revocation this should demonstrate that air quality objectives are being met and will continue to do so”. In the AQMAs where revocation is proposed the Council have confidence that the improvements will be sustained due to a number of years of monitoring demonstrating compliance with the objective.