Mark Andrews, Chief Executive, opened the meeting and informed Members that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had both submitted apologies to the meeting, in accordance with Procedure Rule 22 nominations were then invited for a Member to take the Chair.

Councillor K Bool was proposed by Councillor L Stephenson and seconded. There were no further nominations and upon being put to the vote, with 21 votes in favour and one abstention, the motion was carried.

RESOLVED

a)     That Councillor K Bool be APPOINTED to take the Chair.

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Councillor K Bool took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

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Apologies were received from Councillors N Begy, D Blanksby, J Burrows, J Dale, and O Hemsley.

Councillor K Bool announced that since the May meeting of Council the Chairman had attended HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at All Saints’ Church and the Flag Raising Ceremony for Armed Forces Week at the grounds of Oakham Castle.

Councillor Bool also drew Member’s attention to the recent Special meeting of Council at Oakham Castle where Sir Laurence Howard had been appointed as an Honorary Freeman.

Councillor L Stephenson, Leader of the Council, announced that she and the Chief Executive had attended the Local Government Association conference and highlighted announcements of two year funding settlements for local authorities and a roundtable with Britain’s Leading Edge discussing the issues facing rural unitary authorities.

Councillor R Powell, Deputy Leader, announced that the Issues and Options consultation stage of the Local Plan had recently commenced with several concerns regarding accessibility of the consultation site having been raised and Cllr Powell advised that there were various alternative ways to participate. Councillor Powell also announced she had recently attended the launch of the Civic Universities Agreement where the various Leicestershire universities had launched a number of initiatives around local growth and inclusion.

Councillor M Oxley, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Environment and Climate Change, updated Members on the position regarding a number of contracts currently in development and that the Council was also in discussions with partners on the future of Catmose sports hall. Announcements were also made regarding an events policy, the next meeting of the Rutland Climate Action group, and the future of the recent archaeological discoveries made in Rutland. Councillor Oxley also confirmed he had joined a Task and Finish group of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel looking at availability of Section 106 monies for local services.

Councillor D Wilby, Portfolio Holder for Education and Children’s Services, drew Members’ attention to the number of children in the care of the Council, and set out that the recent audit of Corporate Parenting had highlighted the need for additional training for Members following the survey as part of the audit. 

In accordance with the Regulations, Members are invited to declare any disclosable interests under the Code of Conduct and the nature of those interests in respect of items on this Agenda and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the Minutes of the 239^th and 240^th meetings of the Rutland County Council District Council held on 11 April and 9 May 2022.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meetings held on 11 April and 9 May 2022. It was noted that Councillors not elected at point of these meetings would be abstaining on any vote.

Councillor K Bool moved that the minutes of both meetings be approved, and this was seconded. Upon being put to the vote, with twenty votes in favour and two abstentions, the motion was carried.

RESOLVED

a)     That the minutes of the meetings held on 11 April and 9 May 2022 be APPROVED.

To receive any petitions, deputations or questions received from members of the public in accordance with the provisions of Procedures Rule 25 and 26. The total time allowed for this is 30 minutes.  Petitions, deputations and questions will be dealt with in the order in which they are received and any which are not considered within the time limit shall receive a written response after the meeting.

No petitions, deputations or questions from Members of the Public had been received.

To receive any questions submitted from Members of the Council in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rules 27 and 28.

Councillor J Fox asked her question to Councillor R Powell as set out in the agenda supplement.

Councillor Powell was invited to respond and set out that having asked similar questions herself prior to joining Cabinet, Members could be assured this was a priority for her, especially in the context of wider public concerns on the use of Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for public services. It was noted that Section 106 funding was tied to specific developments and interim priorities for strategically aimed CIL expenditure had been set out in the Infrastructure Funding Statement approved by Cabinet in December 2021. Councillor Powell set out that work was underway on putting arrangements in place on future funding allocations and she would report back to Council in the future following consideration by Cabinet and Scrutiny.

Councillor Fox asked as a supplementary question how Members would be involved in drafting of a plan and deciding of funding priorities. In response Councillor Powell reiterated the opportunities for Scrutiny and Cabinet to be involved and that all Members would be kept informed throughout the process.

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Councillor G Brown then asked his question to Councillor L Stephenson as set out in the agenda supplement.

Councillor Stephenson responded by confirming that Transport for East Midlands had at a recent meeting set their strategic investment priorities including various improvements to the A1, which was recognised as a significant freight artery and local economic role. It was noted the Council played an active role with both Transport for the East Midlands and Midlands Connect and was undertaking a lot of work regarding the A1 and rural transport in general.

In response to Councillor Brown’s supplementary question regarding attendance at the meeting referred to by Cllr Stephenson and the decisions on strategic improvements such as upgrading to a three-lane motorway, Councillor Stephenson confirmed the Deputy Leader had attended as a substitute and set out details of the process to be followed to ensure various improvements to the A1.

To determine matters where a decision taken by a Committee has been referred to the Council in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 89.

There were no referrals of committee decisions to the Council.

To determine matters where a decision taken by the Cabinet has been referred to Council by the call-in procedure of the Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rules 149 and 150. As a result of the decision being deemed to be outside the Council’s policy framework by the Monitoring Officer or not wholly in accordance with the budget by the Section 151 Officer, or otherwise not in accordance with Article 12.

There were no call-ins of decisions from Cabinet meetings.

To receive Reports from the Cabinet on recommendations referred to the Council for determination.

Three reports were received from the Cabinet.

To receive Report No. 120/2022 from the Cabinet.

Report No. 120/2022 from the Cabinet was introduced by Councillor L Stephenson, Leader of the Council, the report set out the new Corporate Strategy for 2022-2027 and recommended Council’s approval for it as a key strategic document following the approval of the Future Rutland Vision.

Several Members felt that the Strategy focused too much on objectives for residents as opposed to the Council and the Strategy would be better considered after the 2023 elections to the Council. However other Members set out their view that the Strategy was well-produced following the high level of public engagement in the Future Rutland Conversation and opportunities for Members to shape the Strategy at various stages. It was also noted that although the current Corporate Strategy was still in place until 2024 this had been written before both the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Future Rutland Conversation. It was also confirmed following concerns that a detailed set of priorities and implementation plan would follow in due course.

Councillor L Stephenson moved approval of the Strategy and this was seconded. Upon being put to the vote, with sixteen votes in favour, one against and five abstentions, the motion was carried.

RESOLVED

a)     That the Corporate Strategy for 2022-27 be APPROVED.

To receive Report No. 121/2022 from the Cabinet.

Report No. 121/2022 from the Cabinet was received setting out a number of recommendations from Cabinet.

Councillor K Bool informed Members he would take the recommendations from Cabinet separately.

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Councillors K Payne and L Stephenson introduced the recommendation of Report No. 106/2022 recommending approval of the Council’s Annual Report. It was noted that this was against previous Corporate Strategy and despite a number of challenges the Council had still achieved a positive report and set out remedies to areas where improvement was required. The report was welcomed and officers were thanked for their hard work in challenging circumstances. It was agreed comments regarding style of the report and future targets would be taken into account for future reports.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor K Payne and seconded.

Upon being put to the vote, with twenty-two votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

a)    That the Annual Report for 2021/22 be APPROVED.

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Councillor K Payne introduced the recommendations of Report No. 104/2022, requesting a number of changes to the budget for 2022/23, it was highlighted that any budget increases would be held centrally and only be released following analysis of need and comparison to grants and other funding available.

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Councillor S Harvey left the meeting at 8.03pm and returned at 8.05pm.

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It was confirmed following queries that the recommendation to delegate control of the £300k reserve was in order and the historic costs referred to in a recommendation were in relation to the SEND service as details were awaited from central government over when the sum would be due.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor K Payne and seconded.

Upon being put to the vote, with twenty-two votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Council:

a)    APPROVED use of new grants received in 22/23 of £2.082m

b)    APPROVED use of existing grants (those held at year end) £0.439m in the 22/23 budget.

c)    APPROVED an increase to the 22/23 budget to cover additional costs as set out in Section 7.1 of £3m to be funded by General Fund (£2.742m) and Earmarked Reserves (£0.318m)

d)    APPROVED to set aside £300k for further requests for funding that will emerge over the coming months as more information became available regarding planned Government reforms and the status of local projects (Section 8.7) and that the Chief Executive and Strategic Director for Resources be given authority to allocate this funding.

e)    APPROVED to establish a High Needs earmarked reserve (no upper ceiling) to cover historic costs as per section 7.8.

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Councillor R Powell introduced the recommendation of Report No. 110/2022 regarding the allocation of the Capital Highways Maintenance Block funding allocation from the Department for Transport. It was agreed a question regarding a scheme at Manor Lane in Barleythorpe would be answered after the meeting with detail appended to these minutes.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor R Powell and seconded. Upon being put to the vote, with twenty-two votes in favour the motion was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11b

To receive Report No. 122/2022 from the Leader of the Council.

Report No. 122/2022 was introduced by Councillor L Stephenson, Leader of the Council, who outlined the background to the decision taken under the Special Urgency provisions of Procedure Rule 107. It was moved by Councillor Stephenson and seconded that the report be noted.

RESOLVED

a)     That the report be received and NOTED.

a)    To receive Report No. 123/2022 from the Constitution Commission and any other reports from Committees on matters which require Council approval because the Committee does not have the delegated authority to act on the Council’s behalf.

b)    To receive reports from Council Committees on any other matters and to receive questions and answers on any of those reports.

Report No. 123/2022 was introduced by Councillor L Stephenson as Chair of the Constitution Commission, the report set out a number of recommendations from the Commission for Council Approval.

It was agreed that the Member Development Strategy would be amended to include training on Corporate Parenting following the recent audit of the subject.

The recommendations of the report were moved by Councillor L Stephenson and seconded. Upon being put to the vote, with twenty-two votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

a)     To ADOPT the Rutland Flag Flying Policy at Appendix A

b)     To ADOPT the Member Development Strategy set out at Appendix B

c)     To ADD oversight and direction of Member Development to the Terms of Reference of the Constitution Commission.

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A written report was then received from Councillor A Walters following the recent meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee.

RESOLVED

a)     That the report be received and NOTED.

To receive reports from the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee on any matters and to receive questions and answers on any of those reports.

Councillor G Waller, Chair of the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee, provided a verbal update on the work of the Committee at its first meeting and highlighted to Members the proposal for a Task and Finish Group reviewing the customer experience journey for residents and encouraged Members interested to come forward.

RESOLVED

a)     That the report be received and NOTED.

To receive reports about and receive questions and answers on the business of any joint arrangements or external organisations.

Councillor K Bool reminded Members of his previously circulated report as the representative on the Combined Fire Authority and set out the intention to arrange a visit for Members to Oakham Fire and Rescue Station.

Councillor G Waller reported to Members on attendance at the Carlton Hayes Mental Health Charity which awarded grants to smaller organisations and asked Members who were aware of local mental health charities to encourage them to apply for funding. An update was also provided on the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Joint Health Scrutiny Committee which had considered among other issues the issues of dentistry where check-up levels among Rutland residents was remarkably low. 

A written report was received from Councillor G Brown and K Payne following a meeting of the Hanson Cement Liaison Committee.

Councillor P Ainsley provided an update on his work as Armed Forces Champion, including attendance at the Armed Forces Day Flag Raising, and the event ‘Living in their shoes’ where a number of poignant postcards from children of serving personnel had been read out.

Councillor E Baines then provided an update on the work of the Welland River Partnership with work including support to a University of Leicester student and set out the role they may be able to play in contributing to various Local Plan consultations.

Councillor S Harvey provided an update following the first meeting of the Integrated Care Board following the establishment of the Integrated Care Partnership and asked Members to contact her with any queries on the new arrangements. 

Councillor K Payne reminded Members of a recently circulated report on a meeting of the Rural Services Network.

RESOLVED

a)     That the reports from Members be received and NOTED.

To consider any Notices of Motion submitted by Members of the Council in accordance with Procedure Rule 31 in the order in which they are recorded as having been received.

No notices of motion were received.

To receive Report No. 124/2022 from the Monitoring Officer.

Report No. 124/2022 was presented by Councillor L Stephenson, Leader of the Council, the report set out new political balance arrangements for the Council following the uncontested by-election in Oakham South.

The recommendations of the report were moved by Councillor Stephenson and seconded. Upon being put to the vote, with twenty-two votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Council:

a)     ADOPTED a revised political balance calculation for the Council at Table A.

b)     APPROVED the allocation of seats on Committees to Political Groups, as determined by the political balance, as set out in Appendix A.

c)     NOTED the political group’s subsequent nominations for the Committees in Appendix A based on the seats allocated.

d)     APPROVED the appointment of non-aligned Members to Committees as set out in Appendix A.

To receive items of urgent business which have been previously notified to the person presiding.

There was no urgent business for consideration.