Agenda

To receive apologies for absence.

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

Council is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2023.

To receive a report from the Leader and to receive questions and answers on the report should there be any.

“Given the increasing cost of living, particularly for the poorest in society, and the increases being seen in fly-tipping across the Borough, we call upon the Council to abolish Bulky Waste collection charges for residents on Housing Benefit, the Housing Element of Universal Credit, Pension Credits and Council Tax Support.”

“Tackling the Energy Crisis - United for Warm Homes

This Council notes with concern that our national housing and energy systems are broken. People across the UK are paying sky-high bills and feeling the brunt of living in poorly insulated homes. Without rapid, meaningful action, we’ll face continuous hardship. In Broxtowe, only 32.7% of homes have “good” insulation with the average fuel bill in energy crisis hotspot areas in Broxtowe running at £2,420.

Therefore, this Council resolves to call on the government to:

?       Provide long term funding for those most vulnerable to the cost of living crisis, ensuring everyone can afford the energy they need to keep their homes warm

?       Roll out a rapid, street-by-street insulation programme, coordinated by councils as part of a mass green new jobs programme. This should start with the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the crisis to be provided free of charge in areas where people are living on low incomes. This must be followed with deeper measures to upgrade our homes to ensure they are cheaper and greener to heat by 2030.

?       End the need for expensive and polluting gas in the long term, we must move to a home-grown, renewable energy system.

This council resolves to:

?       Roll out a rapid street-by-street insulation programme, when provided with government funding to do so. Starting with neighbourhoods hardest hit by the crisis and providing it free of charge to areas where people are living on low incomes.”

“Broxtowe Borough Council are dismayed that the Conservative led Nottinghamshire County Council are proposing to end free tram travel for the elderly and disabled.

The tram is a lifeline for many older and disabled people living in Nottinghamshire, particularly for those with mobility scooters. It is positive for their health and well-being to be able to travel safely and easily around the county.

The Chief Medical Officer’s annual report, 'Health In An Ageing Society', devotes an entire section on the importance of accessible public transport for older people, for example attending medical appointments and leisure activities.

The Tram is also a sustainable, green form of transport contributing to a lower carbon and clean air alternative in our communities.

The County Council claim they will save £0.9 million on this cut but they have a budget of £1.3 billion with millions in reserves. The East Midlands mayoral election due to take place in May 2024 will provide access to significant additional funding of which much can and should be allocated to public transport provision. Introducing cuts at this time is short-sighted and unnecessary.

We call upon our Chief Executive Officer to respond to the Tram consultation stating that Broxtowe Borough Council oppose any proposed cuts to elderly and disabled passenger concessions.

We also call upon our Chief Executive Officer, to write to Mark Harper MP (Secretary of State, Transport) calling on the government to provide appropriate funding to public transport infrastructure, identifying the key role that it plays in helping the UK meet its net zero climate commitments.”

“This Council notes that:

·         It is estimated that 50–70% of people will experience or witness a trauma at some point in their life. Around 20% of people who experience a trauma may go on to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (equating to 10% of the general population).

·         4 in 100 people in the UK are expected to have PTSD at any given time (this stat doesn’t include Chronic-PTSD), which equates to 2,612,000 people in the UK.

·         Women aged 16-24 are most likely to screen positive for PTSD (12.6% of the population in this age range). 

·         Age 55-64 is the only age category where men were more likely to screen positive than women for PTSD. 

·         One in 13 young people in the UK will suffer from PTSD at some point during childhood.

·         Trauma occurs when people are exposed to prolonged distressing situations including: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Health Crises and associated caring responsibilities, Poverty, Crime & Antisocial Behaviour, Bereavement, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Accidents, Natural Disasters, Bullying, Discrimination and Victimisation (and others).

·         That activities and processes embedded within this council could exacerbate peoples’ responses and trigger memories of their trauma.

This Council further notes that:

·         There are six principles of trauma-informed practice: safety, trust, choice, collaboration, empowerment and cultural consideration. These principles are also recognised in best practice throughout council work.

·         Becoming trauma-informed is about supporting people such that they feel safe enough in their interactions with services to build trust, and helping people overcome any barriers to an effective supporting relationship.

·         Becoming trauma-informed is not an end state, but a process. The journey to becoming a trauma-informed service can be conceptualised within four stages:

o   Trauma-aware: Staff understand trauma, its effects and survivor adaptations.

o   Trauma-sensitive: The agency integrates some concepts of a trauma-informed approach into operational ethos

o   Trauma-responsive: Individuals and the agency recognise and respond to trauma, enabling changes in behaviour and strengthening resilience and protective factors.

o   Trauma-informed: The culture of the whole system, including all work practices and settings reflects a trauma-informed approach.

This Council Commits to becoming a trauma informed borough by:

o   Reviewing and reflecting upon the emerging evidence regarding trauma informed approaches and Adverse Childhood Experiences, and continuing to define an approach that envisions Broxtowe as a Trauma informed borough.

o   Promoting a “Trauma Informed Broxtowe” approach within communities, agencies and partnership systems through training, presentations and hearing from service users and experts.

o   Working alongside & supporting communities, agencies, and partnership systems in becoming trauma aware and trauma responsive.

o   Promoting a system level response to the Trauma Informed approach and supporting system change as a critical friend.

This Council also seeks to create a trauma informed network of professionals from different agencies, including (but not limited to) the police, NSPCC, Nottinghamshire ICS, Nottinghamshire County Council, schools, charities and Broxtowe Borough Council.”

To receive reports from the Committees and receive questions and answers on the reports.

14 November 2023

Review of Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy 2024 – 2029

The Committee noted the comments received from the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service as part of the consultation period. This comment related to the changing of the phrase “fire precautions” to “fire safety”.

RECOMMENDED to Full Council that the Statement of Licensing Policy be approved for publication by 7 January 2024 and implementation on 7 January 2024 by Full Council on 13 December 2023

27 November 2023

Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places

Members noted the proposed changes to the polling districts and polling places set out in the appendices to the report

RECOMMENDED to Council that the proposed changes to the polling districts in appendix 2 and the designation of polling places set out in appendix 3 to the report be approved.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will give a report to full Council and answer questions on Scrutiny matters.

To seek approval of the Programme of meetings for May 2024 to April 2025.

To make appointments to committees and working groups.

To consider Urgent Business.