Agenda and 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 R I Jackson declared a pecuniary interest in item 10. Councillors S J Carr, G Marshall and R I Jackson declared a none pecuniary interest in item 11 as members of the Beeston Town Centre Board.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2020 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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 2019/20.

The Committee was updated on the Business and Financial Plans. All Neighbourhood Plan referendums had been put on hold due to Covid 19. An answer would be provided to Councillors regarding the reduction of income for off street parking and the reduction in costs for highways sweeping.

To inform members of the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) powers and to amend the Policy and Guidance document. And update members on the outcome of the most recent Inspection.

The Council had made no use of the RIPA powers since July 2015. This was due to the fact that the only use being made by the Council was in connection with investigations into benefit fraud. This function had been transferred back to the Department of Works and Pensions. The RIPA Inspector had made only minor suggestions at the most recent Inspection.

RESOLVED that the Policy and Guidance document be amended to include the reduced number of authorising officers.

The report provides Councillors with options in respect to the provision of ICT devices in order for Councillors to be able to access all relevant Council technology platforms and systems and in addition to have a common supported device to use for Council business in line with their role as Broxtowe Borough Councillors.

The Committee discussed the available options. The Covid 19 emergency had highlighted the disparate range of ICT devices used by Councillors and the difficulty for a small number of Councillors in accessing the new ICT platforms that were established to allow for the democratic process to continue. Option 1 was the preferred choice with point 4 being omitted.

The following amendment was moved by Councillor M Radulovic and seconded by Councillor T Hallam:

Option 1 be adopted with point 4 omitted. An additional line be added stating there be annual reviews of new technology/licenses.

The amendment was carried.

RESOLVED that:

1) The procurement of the appropriate module for the Committee Management System to allow for secure remote access to Section 12 documents goes ahead.

2) Option 1 be adopted with point 4 omitted and an annual review of new technology/licenses to be included.

3) It be recommended to the Finance and Resources Committee to include £45,000 in the 2020/21 capital programme as outlined to be funded by a carry forward of £45,500 from2019/20.

This matter was delegated to this Committee by a decision of Annual Council on 15 May 2020 for determination by this Committee.

This matter was delegated to this Committee by a decision of Annual Council on 15 May 2020. The Code of Conduct was discussed. It was agreed to formalise the agreement that the Leader of the Opposition be consulted, where possible, if the Chief Executive’s Emergency Powers were used.

RESOLVED that the Scheme of Delegation be approved as part of the Constitution of this Council.

To ask the committee to consider what action to take in relation to provision of defibrillators in the Broxtowe area.

The Committee considered what action to take regarding the provision of defibrillators in the Broxtowe area. It was agreed that the Council should work alongside organisations such as parish councils to ensure communities had access to a defibrillator. Members did not feel that telephone boxes were the best choice of location.

RESOLVED the Council should play a role in the provision of defibrillators working alongside other organisations.

To present the latest Digital Strategy for the Committee to consider.

The latest Digital Strategy was presented to the Committee. The previous Digital Strategy had worked well and had helped the Council respond to the Covid-19 emergency. The IT department were commended for the work they had done during this time. The Council website was usable on all devices. The Email Me scheme had been helpful communicating with residents during this time and was popular among residents.

RESOLVED that the Digital Strategy 2020-2024 be approved.

To ask the committee to approve the strategic approach to leading Broxtowe’s recovery from the covid 19 pandemic and to inform the Committee of decisions made under emergency powers during the emergency.

The committee discussed the strategic approach of Broxtowe’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Councillors were informed of the decisions made under emergency powers during the emergency. Each town would have a recovery plan. More flexibility with the Business Grants was needed. The Business Discretionary Grants were the next phase. Businesses could not receive both.

RESOLVED that the approach to recovery set out in appendix 2 be approved.

To update members on progress on The Square Phase 2 in Beeston.

Members were updated on progress made. Works had been suspended for a few weeks due to Covid-19. Work had recommenced but social distancing was inevitably slowing the project down. Planning consent had been given to the residential part of the development.

RESOLVED to continue to delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive all key approvals, 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 & Resources Committee and/or Full Council as appropriate.

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

The Committee considered the Work Programme with the following items added:

1 October - Covid-19 Recovery

2 December – Covid-19 Recovery.

24 March – Covid-19 Recovery

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 paragraph  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 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The confidential information was noted.

The confidential information was noted.