Agenda and minutes

The Leader of the Council proposed that standing orders be suspended to allow Councillors who were attending virtually to speak at the meeting but not vote. The proposal was seconded by Councillor T Hallam.

            RESOLVED that standing orders be suspended to allow Councillors who were attending virtually to speak at the meeting but not vote.

The Councillors that were present at the meeting for voting purposes were as follows:

Councillors LA Ball BEM, M Brown, MJ Crow, E Cubley, S Easom, T Hallam, E Kerry, P Lally, H Land, R D MacRae, G Marshall, S Paterson, D Pringle, M Radulovic MBE, T Roberts-Thomson, H E Skinner, CM Tideswell, I L Tyler and E Williamson.

Councillor J C Patrick was present to receive a floral arrangement presented by the Mayor.

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 M J Crow declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 19 as she knew one of the Independent Persons Minute number 57 refers.

Councillor S Easom declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 13 as he was a Director on the Liberty Leisure board. Minute number 51 refers.

Councillors D Grindell and S Paterson declared a non–pecuniary interest in agenda item 6 as they were both Councillors at Stapleford Town Council. Minute number 44 refers.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Mayor gave a résumé of his engagements since October. He thanked various schools and churches across the Borough who had helped collect food items for distribution across the many food banks.

The Mayor presented Councillor J C Patrick with a plant arrangement for her dedication and support to the Memory Café and Citizens Advice Bureau.  

There were no petitions presented.

The Leader presented his report and stated that prevention of homelessness was the Council’s aim, by ensuring that people were offered support and advice at the earliest opportunity. The Housing Options Team had managed over 370 cases, working with individuals and families who had been threatened with homelessness or were homeless.

The Leader was delighted with the work nearing completion of five flats for veterans at Stapleford. They would provide a welcome addition to the Council’s housing stock for people who had served the Country and often faced difficulties in finding settled accommodation. He was also pleased with the cross party support for the new development scheme in the South of Broxtowe with the aim of 51 new homes for social rent and shared ownership.

It was stated that the Food Clubs that had been up and running across the Borough. Food clubs helped families purchase lower cost good quality fresh food and provided help and support to convert the food into nourishing family meals. He stated that the Council was working with the County Council to help people in need of extra support over winter. Nottinghamshire had been allocated £5.6 million to support households who would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills, or meet essential living costs. At least 50% of the funding was ring-fenced for vulnerable households with children.

The Leader announced that following approval in November of the six core projects from the Stapleford Town Deal Programme, The Town Deal Executive Board had announced the launch of the first project, The Town Centre Recovery Fund. A total of £1 million had been made available for the fund in Stapleford as part of the Towns Fund bid.

The Business Continuity Grant aimed to support business resilience and growth over the long term sustaining occupancy levels within Stapleford Town Centre and support existing businesses that were looking to expand the way they distribute their services.   It was anticipated a maximum of £200,000 would be spent on this. The Building Development Fund would look at creating buildings for the future by improving accessibility, energy efficiency and the look and feel of Stapleford Town Centre. It was anticipated a maximum of £800.000 would be issued.

All Town and Parish Councils had been invited to submit proposals that met the criteria of the ‘Welcome Back Fund’ for initiatives to promote footfall to all of the Town Centres.

The Leader stated residents around Toton, Chilwell, Stapleford and Long Eaton had been asked for their views on a Strategic Masterplan for the development of the area around Toton. The consultation would close on 14 January 2022. The closure of the historic Chetwynd Barracks and the potential of the large and important Toton strategic growth area provided a once in a lifetime opportunity to map out the future for the area, create significant numbers of jobs, cycle pathways, green spaces, new schools, healthcare facilities and modern communities, that would offer affordable and carbon neutral homes. Leaflets had been sent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

There were no public questions.

The following question had been submitted by Councillor D D Pringle for the Chair of the Planning Committee:

“Erewash Borough Council Reference ERE/1221/0002

The former Stanton Ironworks Site has been purchased and is due to be developed by Verdant Regeneration.

The application states that the new development plans will reintroduce the use of the railway line whilst developing a range of units that will total 2 million sq. ft of industrial space. The New Stanton Park rail has a direct link to the midland mainline allowing it to become a key distribution point for materials being imported and exported efficiently throughout the UK and beyond.

The application is very detailed and deserves close scrutiny and attention being paid to it by both Broxtowe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council Planning Departments.

Trowell Parish Council are consultees, in my position as both a Ward Councillor and Parish Councillor I have looked at the Application.

It would appear to be a very good proposal, as it regenerates the Stanton Site, which will result in local Employment Opportunities during both the Construction and Operating phases.

Where it needs to be scrutinised closely is the access and egress for the site, it is in Derbyshire, so logically you would expect them to be using the current access to Junction 25 of the M1 passing through Sandiacre. 

However, it would appear to be proposing that traffic should pass through Broxtowe to access the M1 at Junction 26.

They plan to widen the A6007, at the mini roundabout, Pasture Road, Trowell Road and Ilkeston Road.

Similar widening, with the addition of a traffic light system is proposed for the A6007 double mini roundabout on Ilkeston Road, Hickings Lane and Coventry Lane.

There is a proposal to reinstate the Railway Line which is great, but there will still be substantial amounts of road freight to service the 2 million square foot of warehousing.

The site is adjacent to Quarry Hill Industrial Estate, which already creates substantial HGV traffic through Trowell on the A609, through Stapleford on the A6007 and Moorbridge Lane. Traffic for the Stanton proposal will, as happens now, still use the A609, A6007 and Moorbridge Lane to access the development, which has the potential to further exacerbate the problems currently suffered by Trowell and Stapleford Residents

.

If this proposed access/egress is not challenged, HGV traffic will only be using approximately half a mile of Derbyshire County Council maintained roads, with most of it using roads maintained by Nottinghamshire County Council. As both Derbyshire and Erewash Councils will benefit from the business rates generated, is not therefore logical for them to provide the Road Network needed.

Can I ask, that this application, if it isn’t currently happening, be studied closely by both Nottinghamshire and Broxtowe Planning Departments, and responded to, the closing date is currently 4 of January 2022.”

Councillor D K Watts responded that he was aware of the application and the Council would write a detailed response. He stated that traffic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

Councillor T Roberts-Thomson updated Members on matters in relation to her ward and stated that commuting residents of Attenborough could not return home due to the decision to remove trains from Nottingham to Matlock and vice versa between the hours of 4pm-6pm. In addition, it was requested that East Midlands Railway and the Council work together to encourage safety at the Meadow Lane crossing in Attenborough.

 Councillor H Skinner informed Members that a book called ‘Friends of Toton Fields’ written by a Toton resident had sent a copy to each Councillor.  Members thanked the author for the kind gesture.

There were no questions on outside bodies.

Council is asked to RESOLVE that Councillor I L Tyler be replaced by Councillor B C Carr as Chair of the Leisure & Health Committee, and Councillor B C Carr be replaced by Councillor I L Tyler as Vice Chair of the Housing Committee.

Members were informed of changes to appointments to Committees and Working Groups.

RESOLVED that Councillor I L Tyler be replaced by Councillor B C Carr as Chair of the Leisure & Health Committee, and Councillor B C Carr be replaced by Councillor I L Tyler as Vice Chair of the Housing Committee.

Council is asked to CONSIDER an appointment to the Greater Nottingham Groundwork Trust and RESOLVE accordingly.

Members considered the appointment and recommended that Councillor H Skinner be appointed to the Greater Nottingham Groundwork Trust.

RESOLVED the appointment of Councillor H Skinner to the Greater Nottingham Groundwork Trust.

At its meeting due to be held on 14 December 2021, the Liberty Leisure Board will consider the appointment of Mr Jamie Bennett to the Board of Directors. Members will be updated as to the outcome of the Board meeting at the Full Council meeting.

The Council is asked to CONSIDER amendments to the Directors of the Board of Liberty Leisure Limited and RESOLVE accordingly.

Members were updated of the outcome at the Liberty Leisure Board Meeting held on 14 December 2021 at which it was recommended that -Mr Jamie Bennett be appointed to the Board of Directors.  

RESOLVED the amendments to the Directors of the Board of Liberty Leisure Limited.

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

Members noted the decisions made by the Council’s Committees.

"Broxtowe Borough Council notes with dismay the proposal to fell ten trees on Ilkeston Road in Stapleford for the creation of a new cycle path. These trees are perfectly healthy and this proposed felling is completely unnecessary.  Broxtowe Borough Council calls on Nottinghamshire County Council to ensure that these plans are changed to avoid the felling of these trees."

"Broxtowe Borough Council notes with dismay the proposal to fell ten trees on Ilkeston Road in Stapleford for the creation of a new cycle path. These trees are perfectly healthy and this proposed felling is completely unnecessary.  Broxtowe Borough Council calls on Nottinghamshire County Council to ensure that these plans are changed to avoid the felling of these trees’’

Members debated the proposal to fell ten trees on Ilkeston Road. It was stated that it was unclear as to the reason behind why the trees had been marked. Queries were raised regarding Members being on the Planning Committee and being pre-determined and legal advice was sought.

An amendment to the proposal by Councillor T Hallam and was accepted by Councillor D K Watts. The motion read as follows:

"Broxtowe Borough Council notes with dismay the proposal to fell ten trees on Ilkeston Road in Stapleford for the creation of a new cycle path. These trees are perfectly healthy and this proposed felling is completely unnecessary.  Broxtowe Borough Council calls on all appropriate bodies to take proactive measures to ensure that the trees are preserved”

On being put to the meeting, the motion was passed.

“Following the announcement of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) this Council expresses its concern regarding future funding of the East Midlands Levelling Up agenda.

a)              In the light of the changes announced by the IRP Broxtowe Borough Council calls on the government, through the East Midlands Development Corporation, to fully fund the review of the business case for the Toton Masterplan and the HS2 growth strategy to ensure that:

1.       A clear fully funded connectivity package for Toton to include:

·     tram connectivity to a new station

·     the provision of wider transport improvement connectivity to the areas of Eastwood and Kimberley to ensure level up these areas and connect them to skills and economic growth opportunities

·     wider road infrastructure improvements for Toton including improvements to Bessel Lane and connectivity to the A52 and M1.

2.       The fully funded delivery of the full aspiration of the Toton/Erewash Valley environmental vision of networked green and blue infrastructure.

3.       A national centre for biodiversity at Toton.

4.       A national skills centre at Toton.

5.       The delivery of the full ambition of high quality jobs and economic growth at Toton rather than a watering down of this ambition in favour of more or lower quality housing development.

6.       The delivery of well integrated high quality spacious environmentally sustainable homes in accordance with the original masterplan vision.

7.       Electrification of the Midlands Main Line as an immediate priority.

8.       The revised HS2 east link now infers the line will stop at East Midlands Parkway.

9.       Previous Midlands Connect proposals were that there should be a 'heavy' rail link from Parkway to the airport to facilitate passenger connection, which would be supported. This Council also supports an alternative proposal to run trains out of Nottingham via Ilkeston which will enable a station to be built at Toton. There would have to be a significant review of traffic movement in the Trent Junction area.

b)       Further to the announcement of the HS2 built at Parkway, the line for the HS2 is reserved for potential future development and has reserved the line proposals. This has caused considerable concern in communities across Broxtowe and neighbouring authorities because of the blight that continues because of the reserved line. This Council therefore calls on the government to make a definitive decision on the future of HS2 leg northern link to end the uncertainty and bring to a conclusion any further speculation.”

“Following the announcement of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) this Council expresses its concern regarding future funding of the East Midlands Levelling Up agenda.

a)  In the light of the changes announced by the IRP Broxtowe Borough Council calls on the government, through the East Midlands Development Corporation, to fully fund the review of the business case for the Toton Masterplan and the HS2 growth strategy to ensure:

1.       A clear fully funded connectivity package for Toton to include:

·     tram connectivity to a new station;

·     the provision of wider transport improvement connectivity to the areas of Trowell, Eastwood and Kimberley, Nuthall and beyond to ensure levelling up these areas and to connect them to skills and economic growth opportunities;

·     wider road infrastructure improvements for Toton including improvements to Bessel Lane and connectivity to the A52 and M1.

2.       The fully funded delivery of the full aspiration of the Toton/Erewash Valley environmental vision of networked green and blue infrastructure.

3.       A national centre for biodiversity at Toton.

4.       A national skills centre at Toton.

5.       The delivery of the full ambition of high quality jobs and economic growth at Toton rather than a watering down of this ambition in favour of more or lower quality housing development.

6.      The delivery of well integrated high quality spacious environmentally sustainable homes in accordance with the original masterplan vision.

7.       Electrification of the Midlands Main Line as an immediate priority.

b)  Previous Midlands Connect proposals were that there should be a rail link from Parkway to the airport to facilitate freight and passenger connection, which would be supported. This Council also supports an alternative proposal to run trains out of Nottingham via Ilkeston which will enable a station to be built at Toton. There would have to be a significant review of traffic movement in the Trent Junction area.

c)  Further to the announcement of the HS2 built at Parkway, the line for the HS2 is reserved for potential future development and has reserved the line proposals. This has caused considerable concern in communities across Broxtowe and neighbouring authorities because of the blight that continues because of the reserved line. This Council therefore calls on the government to make a definitive decision on the future of HS2 leg northern link to end the uncertainty and bring to a conclusion any further speculation.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor T Hallam.

Following discussion, it was agreed by Councillor M Radulovic MBE and Councillor T Hallam that the following be removed.

·         Point 8. The revised HS2 east link now infers the line will stop at East Midlands Parkway.

·         Point 9. Previous Midlands Connect proposals were that there should be a ‘heavy’ rail link from parkway to the airport to facilitate passenger connection, which would be supported. This Council also supports an alternative proposal to run trains out of Nottingham via Ilkeston which will enable a station to be built at Toton. There would have to be significant review of traffic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.2

16 November 2021

Review of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles 2022-2024

RECOMMENDED to Full Council that the Statement of Licensing Policy be approved for adoption for publication by 3 January 2022 and implementation on 31 January 2022.

Members considered the Statement of Licensing Policy and commented they would like to see some form of monitoring within local operators to look out for signs of addiction and offer training to the operators to recognise the signs.

RESOLVED that the Statement of Licensing Policy be approved for adoption for publication by 3 January 2022 and implementation on 31 January 2022.

To update Members with the draft Programme of Meetings for May 2022 to April 2023 for Cabinet, Council, Governance, Audit and Standards Committee and Planning Committee and seek resolution on issues in relation to the changes to governance arrangements.

Members noted the draft programme of meetings for May 2022 to April 2023 for Cabinet, Council, Governance, Audit and Standards Committee and Planning Committee and issues in relation to the changes to governance arrangements. Concern was raised about Council being the same week as Cabinet and where possible if meetings could move away from 3 or 4 meetings within a week. It was assured that the new Cabinet structure would meet proportionality of the Council.

RESOLVED that:

1.    A budget of up to £10,000 be approved for the appointment of external support for the necessary amendments to the Constitution.

2.    A working group be formed to consider the necessary arrangements prior to a further report being submitted to Full Council.

To provide the Council with the proposals for appointing the external auditor to the Council for the accounts for the five-year period from 2023/24.

Members welcomed the proposals to appoint the external auditor to the Council for the accounts for the five-year period from 2023/24.

RESOLVED that the Council accepts the Public Sector Audit Appointments’ invitation to opt into the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors to principal Local Government and Police bodies for five financial years from 1 April 2023 be approved.

To enable the Council to appoint two additional Independent Persons pursuant to the provisions in Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011 (‘The Act’) and the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 to serve for a term of four years.

Members were informed of the two Independent Persons appointments for a term of four years in line with the arrangements under Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011 for dealing with Member Code of Conduct complaints. Recruiting at least two Independent Persons would ensure the Council is following best practice recommendations.

RESOLVED that David Halstead and Clare Jordan be appointed to serve as Independent Persons from 12 January 2022 for the terms of four years and the current Independent Person, Lynda Ogilive to remain in post until 31 March 2022.