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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 14 October 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.

The Mayor gave a résumé of her time in office and expressed thanks to a number of residents, family and employees for their assistance.

There was no report from the Youth Mayor.

No petitions were presented.

The Leader of the Council presented a report in which he urged people to be extremely careful with the number of people they mixed with over Christmas, and under what circumstances. Those who are elderly and living with pre-existing health conditions should be particularly careful.

He stated that the Council’s environmental health officers, COVID information officers and COVID marshals were working extremely hard to enforce the regulations. Three fixed penalty notices had been served. Many businesses were confused and uncertain about the circumstances under which they could operate and this confusion increased every time there is a change in the tiering system. Generally, there was good compliance in the Borough’s shops. There had been an increasing number of complaints about non-wearing of masks. This was enforced by the police, and the environmental health team were working closely with the police to tackle reported problems when they arose.

The Leader expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Chief Executive, Phil Sudlow and his team and all those who had supported them in managing the distribution of business grants to the local business community and expressed his disappointment in saying that he could not tell members whether the country would be leaving the EU with a trade deal or without a deal. This was very unsatisfactory for local businesses for whom certainty was crucial at this already difficult time.

Finally, the Leader thanked all members and officers for their hard work this year. It had been an extraordinary and memorable year that none of us wanted to see the like of again. He wished everyone a very healthy careful safe and happy Christmas and a COVID free and happy new year.

There were no questions from members of the public.

There were no questions from members.

Councillor J M Owen provided an update on issues in relation to Watnall and Nuthall West Ward.

There were no questions on Outside Bodies.

Due to the sad passing of Councillor R H Darby, (a Labour Member), the Labour Group Leader is now required to nominate the vacant seats on the committees listed below in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989: 

·       Community Safety Committee

·       Environment and Climate Change Committee

·       Governance, Audit and Standards Committee

·       Local Joint Consultative Committee (a non-public working group)

·       Licensing and Appeals Committee (as a substitute)

Full Council is asked to approve the nominations. For information, there is no duty to review the political proportionality calculations when a member dies or resigns and Councillor Darby’s seat will remain allocated to Labour under the proportionality rules until the next by-election in May 2021.

RESOLVED that the following members be appointed to the relevant Committees:

·       Community Safety Committee – Councillor L A Lally

·       Environment and Climate Change Committee – Councillor D A Elliott

·       Governance, Audit and Standards Committee – Councillor J C Patrick

·       Local Joint Consultative Committee – Councillor H E Skinner

·       Licensing and Appeals Committee – Councillor C M Tideswell

To note the decisions made by the Council’s Committees.

Members noted the decisions from committee meetings.

To seek approval of the Programme of Meetings for May 2021 to April 2022.

Members considered the proposed programme and were informed that in accordance with the Member Development Charter criteria the programme took account of cultural and faith commitments and had been composed so as to avoid collision with any significant dates.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor D K Watts and seconded by Councillor S J Carr that the Planning Committee dates be amended as to fall on the first Wednesday of every month with an additional meeting in July.

RESOLVED that the amended Programme of Meetings for May 2021 to April 2022, as set out in the appendix to the report, be approved.

No notice of motions were submitted.

Policy and Performance Committee

2 December 2020

The Committee considered the creation of a company, also known as an interim vehicle, to unify the efforts of relevant local authorities in ambitious projects for the development of three major sites, namely Toton and Chilwell centred on the HS2 Hub, Ratcliffe on Soar power station and East Midlands Airport.  The Council would be a minority shareholder in the company, which would be a forerunner of the statutory Development Corporation to be created by Parliament.

It was proposed by Councillor M Radulovic MBE and seconded by Councillor G Marshall that the conditions of the recommendation to Council be amended to include the following:

e) That the Council will look to ensure that the freeport proposition and any development on the Ratcliffe on Soar site is consistent with the Council's net carbon zero climate change strategy ambitions.

f) That the Council will look to ensure that the freeport proposition and any development on the Ratcliffe on Soar site is consistent with the Council's net carbon zero climate change strategy ambitions and contribute to regional resilience and clean growthand that the ambition for the national skills academy in the Broxtowe area be further developed and strengthened.

On being put to the meeting the proposal was carried.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

1. The proposal for the Council to join the interim vehicle and participate in its incorporation be approved.

2. The Council enter into a proposed Members’ agreement and articles of association as outlined in appendix 2 (the final content of these documents being delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the three group leaders).

RECOMMENDED to the Finance and Resources Committee and Council that the expected financial contribution of £500,000 over three financial years funded from the Council’s general fund reserves, with the profile from 21/22, 22/23 and 23/24 to be confirmed subject to the following conditions:

a)     That the funds will not be used in a manner which contravenes state aid rules,

b)     If the government decides not to financially contribute to the interim vehicle the Council, will reserve the right to review its financial commitment;

c)     If government policy changes so that the HS2 hub station does not come to Toton the Council, will reserve the right to review its position

d)     For consensus on a number of key points namely agreement by the council’s representative on the board to the annual business plan; changes to the articles, the process for appointment of independent directors and the decision to move to a statutory development company.

e)     That the Council will look to ensure that the freeport proposition and any development on the Ratcliffe on Soar site is consistent with the Council's net carbon zero climate change strategy ambitions.

f)      That the Council will look to ensure that the freeport proposition and any development on the Ratcliffe on Soar site is consistent with the Council's net carbon zero climate change strategy ambitions and contribute to regional resilience and clean growth and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 55.1

POLICY AND PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE

2 December 2021

Members considered a reference from the Policy and Performance Committee which sought approval for the establishment of an Interim Vehicle, to be known as ‘EM Devco CLG’, to maintain progress prior to a Statutory Development Corporation being created by Parliament. This included approval for the establishment and governing documents for this new company, the approval of a joint agreement between the local authorities and the emerging companies, nomination of a representative from this Council to sit on the Board and contributions from the various councils to finance the initial stages over the next few years prior to handing over to a delivery vehicle to develop and build out the concepts on each of the three sites.

A recorded vote was proposed by Councillor M Radulovic MBE and seconded by at least five other councillors. The voting was as follows:

RESOLVED that:

1.   The proposal for the Council to join the interim vehicle and participate in its incorporation be approved.

2.   The Council enter into a proposed Members’ agreement and articles of association as outlined in appendix 2 (the final content of these documents being delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the three group leaders)

3.   The expected financial contribution of £500k over three financial years funded from the Council’s general fund reserves, with the profile from 21/22, 22/23 and 23/24 to be confirmed.

Subject to the following conditions:

a) that the funds will not be used in a manner which contravenes state aid rules,

b) if the government decides not to financially contribute to the interim vehicle the Council, will reserve the right to review its financial commitment;

c) If government policy changes so that the HS2 hub station does not come to Toton the Council, will reserve the right to review its position

d) for consensus on a number of key points namely agreement by the council’s representative on the board to the annual business plan; changes to the articles, the process for appointment of independent directors and the decision to move to a statutory development company.

4. The appointment of a Director of the Interim Vehicle be approved.