Agenda and minutes

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2019 were approved as a correct record.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

12 June 2019

Hickings Lane Recreation Ground – Proposed Lease with Stapleford Town Football Club

The Committee considered the proposal from Stapleford Town Football Club to enter into a 25 year lease with the Council for Football pitch three at Hicking Lane Recreation Ground.  The good work of the club with regards to combating anti-social behaviour and providing an important service to the community were discussed.

RECOMMENDED to the Policy and Performance Committee that the Council subject to agreeing Heads of Terms with the Stapleford Town Football Club to grant a 25-year lease for pitch 3 at Hickings Lane Recreation Ground to Stapleford Town Football Club.

Stapleford Town Football Club was formed in 2012 and used the Hickings Lane Recreation Ground as its main home ground.  The club has grown significantly over the last few years and the use of the pitches has worked well for both the club and the Council.  

RESOLVED that the Council, subject to agreeing Heads of Terms with Stapleford Town Football Club, grant a 25-year lease for pitch 3 at Hickings Lane Recreation Ground to Stapleford Town Football Club.

13 June 2019

Attendance Management Policy

The Local Joint Consultative Committee considered the policy with particular reference to the changes contained within the document.

          RECOMMENDED to the to the Policy and Performance Committee that the amendments to the Attendance Management Policy to the Conditions of Service for employees be approved.

The Attendance Management Policy underwent wholesale revision in throughout June and July 2018 and a number of amendments were necessary following its implementation.

RESOLVED that the amendments to the Attendance Management Policy to the Conditions of Service for employees be approved.

To update members on progress on The Square Phase 2 in Beeston and to recommend continued delegation of key approvals to the Deputy Chief Executive.

Members received an update on progress made with regard to The Square Phase 2 in Beeston.

          RESOLVED to delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive, following consultation with the three group leaders, all key approvals including assessment of tender returns including qualitative criteria, and subsequent award of the main building contract, in consultation with the cross-party Project Board and subject to the overall project cost remaining within the financial limits already set or subsequently changed by the Finance and Resources Committee and/or Full Council as appropriate.

To approve the Procurement and Commissioning Strategy 2019 to 2024.

The updated Procurement and Commissioning Strategy had been refreshed to ensure compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, internal governance procedures and current corporate requirements.

The Strategy, which covered the five-year period 2019 to 2024, set out the central role of the Procurement function in supporting the Council in achieving compliance with the regulations, whilst maintaining an efficient and cost effective procurement and commissioning activity. Members suggested that consideration of the Living Wage be included within the Strategy in addition to borough wide engagement with local businesses.

RESOLVED that the Procurement and Commissioning Strategy 2019-2024 be approved and come into effect following the approval of revised Financial Regulations – Contract Standing Orders by Council.

To seek approval for change to the establishment within the Licensing Section of the Public Protection Division of the Chief Executive’s Department and to create an Administration Apprentice post within the Business Support Unit of the Interim Strategic Director’s Department.

Members considered a report which sought approval for changes to the establishment within the Licensing Section of the Public Protection Division of the Chief Executive’s Department and to create an Administration Apprentice post within the Business Support Unit of the Interim Strategic Director’s Department.

RESOLVED that:

1.             The part-time post of Administration Officer (L57) in Licensing be deleted.

2.             A full-time Administration Apprentice post in the Business Support Unit be established on a two-year contract.

To seek approval to change the establishment within the Finance Services Division of the Deputy Chief Executive’s Department to allow the creation of a Finance Apprentice post.

Members considered a report which sought approval to change the establishment within the Finance Services Division of the Deputy Chief Executive’s Department to allow the creation of a Finance Apprentice post.

RESOLVED that the establishment of the Finance Services Division be amended such that:

1.             The post of Finance Assistant (F52) at Grade 3 working 19.5 hours per week be deleted.

2.             A full time Finance Apprentice post at Grade 2 be established.

To request approval for a permanent increase in the hours of the Leasehold Officer from 18.5 hours per week to 25 hours per week.

The Committee considered a request to approve a permanent increase in the hours of the Leasehold Officer (H123) from 18.5 hours per week to 25 hours per week.

RESOLVED that the increase in hours for the Leasehold Officer be approved.

To inform members of the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 powers and to amend the Policy and Guidance document.

The Committee was informed that since July 2015 the Council had made no use of RIPA powers. This was due to the main reason for the powers’ usage being in connection with Benefit Fraud, which was transferred back to the Department of Works and Pensions. The Policy and Guidance referred to the authorised officers and the senior responsible person. Following the restructure of the senior management team, approved by Council on 27 February 2019, the list of authorised officers needed to be reviewed.

RESOLVED that the Policy and Guidance be amended to include the additional authorised officers.

To invite councillors to review progress in achieving the Corporate Plan objectives 2016-2020.

The election of a new Council provided an opportunity for the Council to reflect on how members would wish to review the current approach, consult and engage with local residents, businesses and stakeholders, and refresh the priorities and agenda for action for the next four years. Previously it had been thought useful to invite cross party discussion on this through a separate workshop to which all members of the Council would be invited.

Members suggested that it should be ensured that the consultation be conducted borough-wide and consist of an array of stakeholders and community groups through a series of roadshows which would be accessible to as many residents as possible.

RESOLVED that the refresh of the priorities and agenda for action of a corporate plan for 2020-2024, be conducted initially by a series of roadshows.

To consider progress against the Business Plans in respect of the Council’s priority areas and key support functions and to consider significant variances in the financial outturn against revised budgets for 2018/19.

Members noted the progress made in achieving the Corporate Plan priorities and with regard to the financial position for 2018/19. Further information was requested in relation to grants to town and parish councils and figures regarding Eastwood Cash Office.

To ask the Committee to note the exercise of the Chief Executive’s urgency powers.

Members noted the exercise of the Chief Executive’s urgency powers in relation to:

·       An offer of £650 in compensation plus £250 in decoration vouchers made to a tenant.

·       The reduction of a burial fee.

·       A compensation payment of £1,182.92 to a tenant due water leaks.

·       A virement to cover the cost of the purchase of 24 hand held devices for housing staff to use in connection with the capita software upgrade.

·       A commitment of £7,500 to take advantage of DCLG funding available through a bid for a ‘pocket park’ for an environmental improvement scheme at Redwood Crescent.

·       A rent incentive scheme for new clients of hard to let properties was authorised.

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that the installation of the cable in return for the payment of £10,000, which would be spent in the Toton area, be approved.

RESOLVED that the voluntary redundancy of the Benefits Assessor post (F149) on 31 July 2019, be approved.