Agenda and draft minutes

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

Councillor D Bagshaw declared a non registrable, pecuniary interest in item 7.  Minute number 71 refers.

Full Council is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2023.

The minutes were of the meeting on 13 December 2023 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Freeman and Alderman Council on 24 January 2024.

The minutes of the meeting of the Freeman and Alderman Council on 24 January 2024, were confirmed and signed as a correct record, subject to a number of amendments to correct the attendance lists.

24 January 2024

Pay Award and Review of Allowances

There was concern that the consistent rejection of recommendations to increase Member allowances were eroding the base of the allowance and causing the Council to fall behind other authorities in terms of remuneration for members.  There was concern that since 2015 the only increases in allowances had been a 2% rise in 2020 and 2% in 2022.

Discussion progressed on to the possibility of a review to address the new system of governance, the change this had made to roles and how this related to workloads for Councillors.  It was agreed that allowances for subsistence and travel would form a vital part of the review. 

There was also a discussion regarding the Business Manager role and whether this should be extended to each political group.  It was noted that to be officially recognised, a Political Group has to have at least three Members and that the Business Manager provided an essential administrative function, in particular, ensuring the attendance of Members at meetings, including the arrangement of substitutes.

A debate ensued about the real concern that the Panel had, that in ignoring previous recommendations, allowances for Members had been continually lowered in real terms and were no longer reflective of the valuable service provided by Councillors.  The Panel wished to emphasise that higher figures than the figure of 4% recommended by Officers had been discussed and seriously considered. 

          Recommended to Council that:

1.       An increase of 4% be applied to Member’s allowances

2.       A review be conducted to consider the roles and responsibilities of Councillors and for these to be benchmarked with other local authorities.

3.       The Business Manager role be extended to apply to all recognised political groups.

The recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel were debated, including the recommendation for a 4% rise in allowances.

          RESOLVED that:

1.       An increase of 4% be applied to Member’s allowances

2.       A review be conducted to consider the roles and responsibilities of Councillors and for these to be benchmarked with other local authorities.

3.       The Business Manager role be extended to apply to all recognised political groups.

To enable Full Council to see and approve the Pay Policy for 2024/25.

The Council debated the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25, as required by the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED that the Pay Policy Statement 2024/25 be approved.

The Local Government Act 1972 states that when a Councillor fails to attend any meeting for six consecutive months from the date of their last attendance, then, subject to certain exceptions, they cease to be a Member of the authority, unless the Council accepts a reason for the failure to attend before the six months expires. Councillor S A Bagshaw is currently unable to attend Council meetings and in the circumstances, it is put before Members to consider a dispensation under Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for the period of six months from 6 March 2024 before which forfeiture applies.

Council is asked to CONSIDER a dispensation for Councillor S A Bagshaw for a period of six months from the date of this meeting and RESOLVE accordingly.

The Local Government Act 1972 states that when a Councillor fails to attend any meeting for six consecutive months from the date of their last attendance, then, subject to certain exceptions, they cease to be a Member of the authority, unless the Council accepts a reason for the failure to attend before the six months expires. Councillor S A Bagshaw is currently unable to attend Council meetings and in the circumstances, it is put before Members to consider a dispensation under Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for the period of six months from 6 March 2024 before which forfeiture applies.

RESOLVED that a dispensation be granted for Councillor S A Bagshaw for a period of six months from the date of this meeting.

(Having declared a non registrable, pecuniary interest, Councillor D Bagshaw left the meeting for the duration of the item and did not vote thereon.)

Council is asked to NOTE the resignation of Mr Jamie Bennett from the Liberty Leisure LTD Board of Directors.

Members noted the resignation of Mr Jamie Bennett from the Liberty Leisure LTD Board of Directors.  There were thanks for Mr Bennett’s service.

To approve the capital and revenue budget proposals together with the Capital Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy and General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy and to approve the Business Plans.

(Members should note that, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment Regulations 2014, there will be a recorded vote on this item).

The Council debated the capital and revenue budget proposals together with the Capital Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy and General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy and Business Plans.

It was proposed by Councillor P J Owen and seconded by D D Pringle that the following amendment be made to the budget.

The Conservative party proposals for the 24/25 budget are as follows:

The Council shall -

1.    Abolish the recently introduced car parking charges (additional cost £270,000)

2.    Reduce proposed garden waste charges increases from an additional £5 to £1 per annum (additional cost £90,000)

3.    Introduce flood wardens and sand-bags (additional cost £50,000)

Total additional 24/25 budget cost - £410,000

4.    Increase the Council’s staffing vacancy target (additional saving £200,000)

5.    Use of general fund balances (additional saving £210,000)

Total additional 24/25 budget savings - £410,000.

Prior to the vote on the amendment Councillor R D MacRae proposed and Councillor E Williams seconded an adjournment.  On being put to the meeting the motion fell.

The debate on the amendment was had and included comments on car parking charges and the impact on existing employees and services of further staffing cuts.

The debate on the amendment focussed the pressure that would be put on Officers by vacant posts being deleted and the balance of ensuring car parking charges were fair, but didn’t impact negatively on businesses.  On being put to the meeting the motion fell. The vote was recorded and the voting was as follows:

There followed a brief adjournment.

After the adjournment the debate progressed on to the substantive motion.  It was noted that the proposed budget included grants to sports organisations and voluntary groups.  There were concerns about the house building programme, car parking charges and the increase in prices for garden waste bins.

Discussion progressed on to homelessness, the East Midlands Combined Authority, affordable housing and austerity.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was required. The voting was as follows: