Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Foster Avenue, Beeston NG9 1AB

Contact: Email: committees@broxtowe.gov.uk 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

2.

MINUTES

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 March 2020.

Minutes:

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

3.

REFERENCE

3.1

Policy and Performance Committee pdf icon PDF 127 KB

1 July 2020

Member Devices

 

The Policy and Performance Committee received 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 despatch of the papers for this Committee was prior to the Policy and Performance Committee meeting and an update will be provided verbally on that Committee’s decision. The report submitted is included within this agenda and the recommendation that the Committee was asked to consider was as follows:

 

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that:

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

2.       To determine which option is preferred and RESOLVE accordingly.

3.       To RECOMMEND 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 from 2019/20.

Minutes:

1 July 2020

Member Devices

 

The Committee considered a reference from the Policy and Performance Committee in respect to the provision of ICT devices.

 

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.

 

4.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REVIEW OF BUSINESS PLAN - SUPPORT SERVICE AREAS - OUTTURN REPORT pdf icon PDF 582 KB

To report progress against outcome targets identified in the Business Plans for support services areas, linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives, and to provide an update as to the latest key performance indicators therein.

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted a report on the progress against outcome targets identified in the Business Plans for support services areas, linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives. It was agreed that data relating to previous financial years should be removed as they related to the previous Corporate Plan. It was confirmed that there would be a review of the information reported. There had been an increase in the amount of people registered to vote. A full written answer would be provided outlining the reasons why.

5.

GRANT AID 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 489 KB

To consider the outturn position in respect of the Service Level Agreement with Citizens Advice Broxtowe following the commitment of a three-year grant funding settlement from 2018/19 in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy.

 

Minutes:

Members had previously approved grant aid of £73,750 to Citizens Advice Broxtowe (CAB). The resolution included a commitment to award grant aid at this level in both 2019/20 and 2020/21, subject to a suitable Service Level Agreement being in place.  This three-year funding settlement was seen to provide some much-needed stability for Citizens Advice Broxtowe and give it a platform to lever in additional funds from other sources. The Committee praised CAB for the work that is does in the community. It was noted that no financial statements had been circulated as yet and

these would be shared once received.

6.

GRANT AID REQUEST - TRENT VALE COMMUNITY SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND BEESTON FOOTBALL CLUB pdf icon PDF 223 KB

A grant aid request from Trent Vale Community Sports Association and Beeston Football Club has been submitted. Members will receive further information prior to the meeting.

Minutes:

On 9 January 2020, the Committee had approved a capital grant award of £10,000 to Trent Vale Community Sports Association (TVCSA), in conjunction with Beeston Football Club (BFC). This was towards the cost of an ambitious scheme to redevelop sports and community facilities at the sports ground on Trent Vale Road, Beeston Rylands. The total cost of the scheme is £571,686, with the Premier League and Football Facilities Fund having pledged £481,656. TVCSA/BFC had to raise the outstanding funds. A late request for further financial support was submitted as a result.

 

RESOLVED to approve the capital grant award.

7.

GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, CHARITABLE BODIES AND INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN SPORTS, THE ARTS AND DISABILITY MATTERS pdf icon PDF 287 KB

To consider requests for grant aid in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy.

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered the requests for grant aid in accordance with the

provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy. Members praised the groups for the work that they do, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was confirmed that the Grant Aid Policy would be reviewed as it currently discounted animal charities. An all party working group would look at this.

It was queried if The Helpful Bureau needed its full £10,000 bid as it had recently received funding through Nottinghamshire County Council.

 

The following amendment was proposed by Councillor S J Carr and seconded by Councillor T Hallam:

 

To match the £5,000 grant received last year instead of the proposed £10,000. Further information would be sought as to why the bid was higher than the previous year. The charity could submit another bid for the outstanding amount when the information was provided. The issue would then be discussed at the next Finance and Resources Committee meeting.

 

Upon being put to the meeting the amendment was carried.

 

RESOLVED to approve the request in appendix 1 of the report subject to the above amendment.

8.

SECTION 106 ITPS ALLOCATIONS pdf icon PDF 351 KB

        To recommend the allocation of further s.106 Integrated Transport funding to the Bennerley Viaduct scheme and new allocations to various measures associated with the Mushroom Farm development in Eastwood.

 

Minutes:

The Committee was updated on available s.106 Integrated Transport (ITPS) funds and considered utilising some of these to amend the 2020/21 capital programme with an additional contribution to the Bennerley Viaduct scheme and new schemes associated with the Mushroom Farm development in Eastwood; also to support measures for disabled persons in Beeston. A written answer would be provided detailing the proposed bus stop infrastructure upgrades and footpath improvements.

 

RESOLVED that the amendments to the 2020/21 capital programme set out below in section 4 be approved.

·     To allocate an additional £100,000 to the Bennerley Viaduct proposal.

·     To allocate £385,000 for upgrades to the existing bus stop infrastructure in

·     the vicinity of the Mushroom Farm development along the A610 corridor.

·     This investment would offer a step-change improvement in the public

·     transport offer in Eastwood, Newthorpe, Giltbrook, Kimberley, Nuthall,

·     Brinsley and Watnall.

·     £15,000 for improvements to Kimberley Footpath 35

·     £30,000 for improvements to Strelley Bridleway 4

·     £20,000 for the introduction of traffic signal controller upgrades at the Sun Inn gyratory

·     £10,000 for Beeston Shopmobility

·     £2,000 for wheelchair signage on Broxtowe-owned land near Beeston train station.

9.

TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND PRUDENTIAL INDICATORS - ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 pdf icon PDF 293 KB

To inform the Committee of treasury management activity and the actual prudential indicators for 2019/20. 

 

 

Minutes:

Members were updated on treasury management activity and the actual prudential indicators for 2019/20. During 2019/20 the minimum reporting requirements were that an annual treasury management strategy be approved in advance of the year, a mid year report and finally an annual report be produced following the year describing the activity compared to the strategy.

10.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS UPDATE AND OUTTURN POSITION 2019/20. pdf icon PDF 114 KB

 

To report on the revenue and capital outturn position for 2019/20, provide and update on progress with the preparation of the draft annual statement of accounts for 2019/20, approve the revenue and capital carry-forward requests to the 2020/21 year and inform the Committee that the Policy and Performance Committee were tasked with considering significant variances in the financial outturn against revised revenue estimates for 2019/20. This is in accordance with the Council’s objective to deliver value for money.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The accounts for 2019/20 had been finalised, subject to audit, and showed an

underspend on the General Fund revenue account of £362,388 and an underspending on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) of £898,758 when compared to the revised estimates. It was hoped that the final, audited 2019/20 accounts would be presented forapproval to the Governance, Audit and Standards Committee on 21 September 2020. Members discussed the various reserves budgets. The reserve budget in respect of Noise Pollution Equipment replacement, was queried as new apps were now available

which were admissible in court and would reduce costs. Environmental Health would look at this matter and report back to this Committee. Further information regarding Central support charges (CSCs) to Civic Affairs was requested as was clarification on the transport study. A written answer would be provided.

 

RESOLVED that:

1.     The accounts summary for the financial year ended 31 March 2020 subject to audit, be approved.

2.     The revenue carry forward requests outlined in section 2 of appendix 1 be approved and included as supplementary revenue estimates in the 2020/21budget.

3.     The capital carry forward requests outlined in appendix 2b be approved and included as supplementary capital estimates in the 2020/21 budget.

11.

MUSHROOM FARM - ADDITIONAL INDUSTRIAL UNITS pdf icon PDF 282 KB

To provide an update of progress on the capital scheme to provide additional industrial units at Mushroom Farm and seek approval to amend the budget for the scheme.

 

Minutes:

 

The Committee was updated of progress on the capital scheme to provide additional industrial units at Mushroom Farm. The LEP have indicated that, based on the projected cost of £270,000, they would be prepared to increase their contribution towards the scheme from £124,000 to £160,000 if the Council’s contribution were to increase by £15,000 from £95,000 to £110,000. As previously agreed, the cost of the Council’s contribution would be financed by borrowing. The site had been a success with businesses on a waiting list for units.

 

RESOLVED that the 2020/21 capital programme be amended such that the budget for additional industrial units at Mushroom Farm be increased from £219,000 to £270,000 with financing as set out in the report.

 

12.

FINANCIAL IMPACT OF COVID 19 (2020/21) pdf icon PDF 151 KB

This report informs the Committee on the latest estimates of the financial impact of Covid 19 on the Councils 2020/21 financial position, and the impact on the Council’s medium term financial strategy.

 

Minutes:

The Committee discussed the latest estimates of the financial impact of Covid-19 on the Councils 2020/21 financial position, and the impact on the Council’s medium term financial strategy. Financial estimates were being revised on a monthly basis, to reflect the various advice and guidance being issued by the government. The Government had provided a grant of £1,187,365 to provide support to various community groups and to help offset the significant shortfalls in income to the Council. More money was needed, however as the loss of income was far higher.

 

Leisure Centre’s had lost the most income. Councillors agreed it was good news that they had been given the go ahead by Government to re-open. More clarity on proposals for recovery and funding were requested for the next committee meeting.

13.

WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 117 KB

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Work Programme and agreed that a Review of the Voluntary and Community Organisations Grants Policy be submitted to a future meeting.

 

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

 

14.

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

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.

 

 

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 item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

Minutes:

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 involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

15.

BEESTON SHOP MOBILITY

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report on Beeston Shop Mobility.

 

RESOLVED that the principle of a deal be considered in accordance with the report and the negotiation of any final deal be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee.

 

16.

BEESTON SQUARE PHASE 1 - ANNUAL REPORT 2019/20

Minutes:

The Committee noted details of the Beeston Square 2019/20 financial position.

17.

IRRECOVERABLE ARREARS

Minutes:

Members considered a report on Irrecoverable Arrears.

 

RESOLVED that the arrears in excess of £1,200 on national non-domestic rates, council tax, rents, housing/council tax benefit overpayment and sundry debtors as set out in the report be written off and to note the exercise of the Deputy Chief Executive’s delegated authority under financial regulation 5.9.