No disclosures were received.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 August 2005, as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman passed on her sincere condolences on behalf of the Members to Cllr. R.S. Dixon and his wife Pat in the sad loss of their son Colin.

The Chairman made announcements in relation to:

·                                            New Orleans Disaster

·                                            VE/VJ Event

·                                            Chain of Office

·                                            Crimebeat

·                                            Farmers’ Market

·                                            Awards for Outstanding Achievement

·                                            Civic Service

·                                            RAF Battle of Britain Service

Cllr. E.F. White, Leader of the Council, presented a statement (a copy of which was circulated at the meeting) in relation to:-

·                                            The Cabinet Consultation on Refreshing the Council’s Corporate Plan

·                                            Braunstone Civic Centre/Connect Service Shop

·                                            Business Process Re-Engineering

·                                            Flooding

·                                            Huncote Fund Day

·                                            Huncote Football Event

·                                            Leicestershire and Rutland Improvement Partnership Member Development

·                                            Blaby Farmers’ Market

Cllr. D.R. Parsons arrived during this item.

Motion under Council Rules of Procedure Number 12.  Cllr. S.M. King to move the motion set out at Appendix 1a to the Agenda.  Cllr. King has requested that EDM391 be appended to the agenda for reference (Appendix b).

DECISION

That the Motion in the name of Cllr. S.M. King, duly seconded by Cllr. F.G.H. Jackson be adopted.

Cllr. S.M. King moved the following motion which was seconded by Cllr. F.G.H. Jackson.

“Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill and the Management of Energy in Buildings Bill

That Blaby District Council

1)                 Recognises that microgeneration (that is the generation of energy by householders installing micro-units in their own homes) is a valuable new approach to engaging people as consumers and citizens in the important issues of climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

2)                 Therefore, welcomes the introduction of the Climate change and Sustainable Energy Bill and the Management of Energy in Buildings Bill into Parliament by a cross party group of MP’s on 22 June, noting that together these Bills will:

(a)               Require the Prime Minister to report annually to Parliament on the level of greenhouse gas emissions;

(b)               Require the Chancellor of the Exchequer to implement a fiscal strategy to assist with microgeneration and energy efficiency;

(c)               Require the government to set national targets for microgeneration and enable local authorities to set such targets if they deem it  appropriate;

(d)               Extend permitted development status to the installation of microgeneration subject to the specifying of safeguards relating to visual and noise effects;

(e)               Require utility companies to purchase at a reasonable rate any surplus energy generated by households via microgeneration;

(f)                 Require future revisions of Building Regulations to take into account the desirability of promoting microgeneration and of introducing an energy generating rating system in new buildings;

(g)               Enable households who generate electricity by microgeneration to have access to ‘renewable obligation certificates’, and

(h)               Establish a ‘renewable heat obligation’ requiring utility companies to support certain amount of heat from renewable sources.

and therefore

1)                 Supports the Bills and resolves to inform the Government of the Council’s view.

2)                 Urges the government to support the Bills, and

3)                 Urge Andrew Robathan MP and Stephen Dorrell MP to be present in Parliament to back these Bills when they are debated in the House of Commons on 11 November, and

4)                       Urges Andrew Robotham MP and Stephen Dorrell MP to sign House of Commons Early Day Motion No. 391 in support of these Bills

5)                 Resolves to inform the local media, Micropower Council and the Regional Planning Board of this resolution, and

6)                 Resolves also to support the Sustainable Energy Partnership’s submission to the government consultation on the draft microgeneration strategy (held under section 82 of the Energy Action 2004) which proposes that policies (b) – (g) above, should be included in final strategy.”

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

DECISION

(1) That the areas in the District identified in the Air Quality Detailed Assessment Report, and shown on the map appended to the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services, be declared as Air Quality Management Areas (at Branting Hill, Glenfield and Enderby/Whetstone), and

(2) that the existing Air Quality Management Areas located on Narborough Road South, Braunstone Town and Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest East be extended as identified in the Air Quality Detailed Assessment Report, by order of Full Council.

Reason for Decision :   The Council is obliged by the Environnment Act 1995 to declare areas of its District as AQMAS within four months of the identification for them being required.  The declarations have to be by order of the Full Council.

Considered – Report of the Cabinet Executive.  A copy of the Cabinet Executive minute dated 19 August 2005 was circulated for ease of reference.

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

DECISION

That the report be noted.

Reason for Decision : It is appropriate to note the report.

Considered – Report of the Cabinet Executive.  A copy of the Cabinet Executive Minute of 19 August 2005 was circulated at the meeting for ease of reference.

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

DECISION

That the changes to Committee dates as detailed below be approved:

Meetings cancelled:

Council:          6 June 2006

                        8 August 2006

                        3 October 2006

Cabinet:         21 July 2006

                        18 August 2006

                        3 October 2006

New meetings scheduled:

Council:          4 July 2006

                        26 September 2006

Cabinet:         28 July 2006

                        8 September 2006

Reason for Decision :   It is appropriate to consider a meetings recess during the summer months.

Considered – Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

Cllr. D.R. Parsons left the meeting at the start of this item and returned after the conclusion.

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

DECISION

That the Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission be appointed Chairman of the Policy, Finance and Strategic Management Scrutiny Panel.

Reason for Decision :  Council has a statutory power to make appointments to Scrutiny Panels.  It is appropriate to correct an error in appointments once detected.

Considered – Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

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

DECISION

That the Council indemnifies to the extent that the law allows, those Officers nominated as Case Progression Officers against any personal liability for ‘excess’ costs in respect of expenses, liability, loss, claim or proceedings whatsoever arising from neglect, act, error or omission in the course of their duties.

Reason for Decision :  It is appropriate to indemnify Case Progression Officers for any personal liability arising from actions or decisions taken by item in the course of their duties.

Considered – Report of the Legal Services Manager.

To consider the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services (enclosed)

DECISION

(1) That subject to the amendment to the draft Off-Street Parking Places) Order Schedule 1 to read Enderby – Jubilee Park, the existing District of Blaby (Off-Street Parking Places) Orders 1993 and 2001 be updated and consolidated by the Council (excluding those within the Housing portfolio),

(2) that the draft Off-Street Places Order as attached at Appendix 1 of the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services be adopted, and

(3) that the Order become effective from 20 October 2005.

Reason for Decision :   The current Orders require revision to bring them into line with current legislation.  The Council currently has no powers to control usage of any of its car parks under its ownership or management other than John’s Court, Enderby Road and Wigston Road, Blaby and The Grange, Narborough.  The recommended schedule of waiting limits (Schedule 1 to the Order) should produce improved usage patterns and availability for customers.

Considered – Report of the Head of Environmental Health Services

Cllr. W.C. Law left the meeting at the start of this item.

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

DECISION

That an easement on terms to be agreed by the Head of Administration and Legal Services be agreed.

Reason for Decision :   The access is currently being used and the easement would legitimate the position.

Considered – Report of the Cabinet Executive.  A copy of Cabinet Executive minute of 16 September 2005 was circulated for ease of reference.

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

Members are requested to bring with them their Cabinet papers from 16 September 2005 relating to the above item.

DECISION

That the Blaby District Local Development Framework – Statement of Community Involvement (Submission Version) attached at Appendix 2 to the report of the Head of Planning and Development Services be submitted to the Secretary of State.

Reason for Decision :   The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires that the Council publish a Statement of Community Involvement.  The Council’s Local Development Scheme indicates that the SC1 (Submission Version) will be submitted to the Secretary of State in October 2005.

Considered – Report of the Head of Planning and Development Services.

A copy of the Cabinet Executive minute dated 16 September 2005 was circulated for ease of reference.

Cllr. W.C. Law returned to the meeting.