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 D K Watts declared an interest in item 4 as his daughter plays for a football team that rents a pitch from Broxtowe Borough Council, minute number 53 refers.  Both Councillor DK Watts and Councillor H Land declared an interest in item 6 that they each own an electric car, minute number 55 refers.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 November 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.

To consider proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22; capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24; and proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

The Committee considered proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22, capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24 and proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

The Council’s business and financial planning framework identified key service and spending pressures and prioritised resources accordingly, taking into account national and local priorities. The targeted outcomes from these key issues and the anticipated impact on service performance were set out within the business plans that also included financial information, proposals for reducing business costs and increasing income for the priority area of Environment.

RESOLVED that the Environment Business Plan be approved and RECOMMENDED that the Finance and Resources Committee recommends to Council that the following be approved:

a)    The detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22 (base) including any revenue development submissions.

b)   The capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24

c)    The fees and charges for 2021/22

To seek approval for an Air Quality Action Plan, and for its subsequent inclusion in the Climate Change and Green Futures Action Plan.

Members welcomed the Air Quality Action Plan and its inclusion into the Climate Change and Green Futures Action Plan. Councillors praised the officers for the detailed 40-point action plan that will provide extra measures to improve air quality within Broxtowe. This report will be submitted annually to the Department fro Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

 Discussions ensued around encouraging and promoting people to drive electric cars including taxi drivers, access to charging points including the associated charges and reducing idling traffic including taxis and buses to promote cleaner air. 

RESOLVED that

a)  The Air Quality Action Plan be approved

b)  The inclusion of the Air Quality Action plan into the Quality Strand of the Climate Change and Green Futures Action Plan be approved.

The Committee is asked to note the following reports:

·         Broxtowe Parks Standard

·         Environment Bill Update

·         The Ten point plan for a green industrial revolution

·         Fuel and Transport and Fleet Strategy Strand Update

·         Green Number Plates

·         Climate Change and Green Futures Programme Update

The Committee noted the following reports:

·         Broxtowe Parks Standard

·         Environment Bill Update

·         Fuel and Transport and Fleet Strategy

·         Green Number Plates

·         Climate Change and Green Futures Programme Update.

The Committee noted the Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.

 A recommendation was proposed by Councillor G Marshall and seconded by Councillor D K Watts that Officers should write to the Government to oppose some of the Ten Point Plan. 

It was suggested that the Council should be opposing new coal development and burning of fossil fuels, Support Green Finance Innovation and ethical investments in Local Government Pension Funds.

Further suggestions to this recommendation included ceasing nuclear power and exploring growth within wind and solar energy including On shore wind technology. With the addition of supporting Greener buildings and Green Investment Banks.

As the next Committee is in June it was further recommended to bring the report to the next Policy and Performance Committee.

RESOLVED that a written response to Government be prepared in relation to the Council’s position on:

• Coal and Fossil Fuel Extraction
• Use of Nuclear Fuel
• Onshore Wind Technology
• Greener Housing Infrastructure
• Green Investment Banks
• Ethical Investments in Local Government Pension Funds

and be presented to the Policy and Performance Committee to be approved.

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

The Committee considered the work programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, be approved.