Agenda and draft 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.

Cabinet is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2024.

The minutes were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The purpose of this report is to make Members aware of matters proposed for and undergoing scrutiny. This is in accordance with all of the Council’s priorities.

The work programme for Scrutiny Reviews was noted.

To report the use of the Chief Executive's urgency powers to appoint an additional apprentice to support the House Building Delivery team.

Cabinet noted the exercise of the Chief Executive’s Urgency Powers, including the approval of a budget of £37,450 per annum to appoint an additional Housing Delivery Trainee post in Capital Works (starting at Grade 6) to be funded from the HRA Capital Programme.

To ask Cabinet to recommend the Corporate Plan for approval by Council.

Following the Borough Council election in May 2023, a Borough wide survey was launched seeking the views of local residents about which priorities the Council should pursue in its next corporate plan period. The results of public feedback and public support for the Council’s proposed plan priorities informed a report to Policy Overview Working Group in November 2023.

Cabinet considered the draft Corporate Plan 2024-2029 and it was agreed that future challenges should be included with wording on how the Council will meet those challenges. It was stressed that the Council would work with the new East Midlands Combined Authority at every opportunity. It was also stated that there would be further collaboration with the recently elected Police and Crime Commissioner.

RECOMMENDED to full Council that the Corporate Plan 2024-2029 be adopted following slight amendments to show future challenges and the methods by which they would be addressed.

Reason

This will ensure the Council’s vision remains current and up to date and its objectives are set out clearly in order to guide the prioritisation of activity and allocation of resources.

This report provides information on the monetary (and non-monetary) contributions sought and received from developers for the provision of infrastructure to support development in Broxtowe, and the subsequent use of those contributions by Broxtowe Borough Council. The report covers the financial year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Cabinet noted the Infrastructure Funding Statement which information on the monetary (and non-monetary) contributions sought and received from developers for the provision of infrastructure to support development in Broxtowe, and the subsequent use of those contributions by Broxtowe Borough Council. The report covered the financial year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

To seek Cabinet approval to enter into a funded Eco managed service contract with The Warmfront Team Ltd (WFT) and J&J Crump and Son Ltd, to carry out energy performance improvement works to the Council’s housing stock.

Cabinet was informed that the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) was a government energy-efficiency scheme in Great Britain designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions. ECO was an obligation placed on energy companies to deliver energy efficiency measures to domestic premises. Although ECO was not a grant scheme; it was up to the energy companies to determine which retrofit projects they chose to fund, the level of funding they provided and the Retrofit Coordinator and installers that they choose to work with.

Members considered a request to enter into a funded ECO managed service contract with The Warmfront Team Ltd (WFT) and J&J Crump and Son Ltd, to carry out energy performance improvement works to the Council's housing stock. WFT had carried out site based thermal efficiency reviews of the Council’s housing stock and have identified 583 properties that would likely qualify for ECO4 funding

Cabinet stated that this was a good opportunity to work on the housing stock and received assurances that a Clerk of Works would be employed to make individual inspections.

RESOLVED, that the request to enter into the contractual service agreement with The Warmfront Team Ltd and J&J Crump and Son Ltd, be approved to enable the Council to utilise funding from, the Great British Insulation Scheme and The Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4).

Reason

Whilst this scheme is not a statutory obligation this supports the Government’s aims to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions.

To ask Cabinet to consider making at least one Electric Vehicle (EV) charging bay in Council car parks fully accessible.

Members were informed that he Council signed an agreement in 2018 to maintain a set number of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging spaces with Nottingham City Council, these spaces could not be reduced by reconfiguring parking spaces to accommodate accessibility EV parking spaces.  However, works could be undertaken at each location to meet the accessibility requirements either with currently designated spaces or non-designated spaces, at existing EV charging car park locations retrospectively to help meet the industry standards. Cabinet considered making at least one EV charging bay in Council car parks, where installed, fully accessible.

RESOLVED to make one EV charging bay accessible in the Council’s car parks at Portland Street, Beeston and Victoria Street, Kimberley and two bays at Cliffe Hill Avenue, Stapleford and Victoria Street, Eastwood and to make accessible spaces designated specifically for use by disabled drivers.

Reason

Most of the current charging points have been placed on pedestals/kerb edges set back from the parking space making it difficult for wheelchair users to access the plug connection or read the digital display.

On 13 September 2021, a report on glyphosate usage was taken to the Environment and Climate Change committee. A number of actions were agreed as an outcome of the meeting, along with a recommendation to bring back an update report to Members.

The Council had been exploring a variety of methodologies to support the reduction of glyphosate usage across the Borough. Since 2018, glyphosate usage on parks, green spaces and cemeteries had reduced by 27%. Since 2021, its usage for highway weed control had been reduced by 44%.   These reductions had been achieved by advancements in spraying technology used by contractors on their vehicles and by increasing the dilution levels of glyphosate.

Glyphosate usage has been approved in the UK until at least 2025 and it remained a cost-effective weed control tool for the Council. However, due to public health and environmental concerns, the Council continued to look for ways to reduce its use including exploring the use of other complementary methodologies for weed removal.

Members stated that a balance had to be found which benefitted Council Tax payers who wanted to have weed-free areas but required ecological solutions. It was further stated that biodiversity considerations should be accounted for and residents should remain safe.

RESOLVED that the current methods of treatment be reviewed and that alternatives be actively sought.

Reason

The Council has a duty of care to the public, including ensuring weeds do not pose a hazard. Untreated weeds in hard paved surfaces may create a trip hazard and contribute to accelerated wear and tear of paving and tarmac. Sufficient control of weed growth on the public highway therefore helps to reduce the risk of injury, damage to property, and any related insurance claims.  Additionally, glyphosate a non-selective systematic herbicide remains approved for use in the UK until 2025.

Cabinet is asked to approve its Work Programme, including potential key decisions that will help to achieve the Council’s key priorities and associated objectives.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, including key decisions, be approved, subject to the rearrangement of meetings due to the pre-election period.

Cabinet 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, 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED 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, 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that the offer received in accordance with the information contained within the report, be approved.