Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies and to be notified of the attendance of substitutes.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2025 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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

Councillors R D MacRae and M Radulovic MBE declared other-registerable interests in item number 5.4 as they were members of Stapleford Town Council and Eastwood Town Council respectively, minute number 53.4 refers.

Cabinet is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2025 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Cabinet noted the matters proposed for and undergoing scrutiny.

Members were provided with a summary of complaints made against the Council and noted a report which outlined the performance of the Council in dealing with complaints, at stage one by the service areas, at stage two by the Complaints and Compliments Officer and at stage three when complaints are referred to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or the Housing Ombudsman.

It was stated that the report should be used for positive outcomes with performance indicators used to ensure that recommendations had been dispensed and lessons learned from complaints received by the Council. It was suggested that the number of complaints had risen due to ‘expressions of dissatisfaction’ being treated as complaints in line with advice given by the Housing Ombudsman, however, it was expected that complaints numbers would decrease due to interventions recently introduced.

It was requested that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee consider Anti-Social Behaviour policies across the Council as there were no protocols in place with other agencies.

To give an update report on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Members noted the report on Local Government reorganisation and stated that the result of the consultation regarding the matter would be debated at an extraordinary Full Council meeting on 26 February prior to a Cabinet decision on 27 November. It was further stated that the Council would not act until the results of the consultation were known.

To consider requests for grant aid in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy.

Cabinet considered a request for grant aid in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy.

RESOLVED that the 5^th Stapleford Scout Group be awarded £5,750.

Reason

The Council is empowered to make grants to voluntary organisations by virtue of Section 48 Local Government Act 1985 (as well as other Legislation). Having an approved process in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Grant Aid Policy would ensure the Council’s compliance with its legal duties.

Cabinet considered requests for grant assistance within the protocol for the consideration of grant aid to Parish and Town Councils. Nuthall Parish Council had requested a grant of up to £2,350 towards the cost of traffic management for its Remembrance Sunday Parade, two requests were made from Kimberley Town Council of up to £2,640 towards the cost of traffic management for its Remembrance Sunday Event and up to £3,485 towards the cost of traffic management and security for its Christmas Market, and a request from Stapleford Town Council for £2,170 towards the cost of traffic management and security for its Remembrance Sunday Event. Eastwood Town Council had requested up to  £3,207 towards the cost its Remembrance Sunday Event and up to  £975 towards cost of specialist cleaning of the memorial and surrounding stone areas on Plumptre Way.

RESOLVED that:

1.               Eastwood Town Council be awarded the Grant Aid requests of £3,207 and £975 accordingly.

2.               The requests from Kimberley and Stapleford Town Councils, and Nuthall Parish Council be approached to supply a percentage of the requested funding and Nottinghamshire County Council also be approached to supply a percentage of the funding with Broxtowe Borough Council covering any potential shortfall.

Reason

Consideration was given in respect of awarding grants. As part of the Protocol, Grant Aid would only be given in support of specific projects or services and not as a general grant towards the services provided by a Parish/Town Council. There was no budgetary provision for Capital grants to Parish Councils. The grant aid requests were in line with the current Corporate Plan aims for supporting people to live well and provide a safe place for everyone.

(Councillors R D MacRae, J W McGrath and M Radulovic MBE, having declared other-registerable interests, left the meeting without voting or discussion thereon. Councillor G Marshall took the chair for the item.)

To advise on the budget consultation process for 2026/27 and to set out the proposed timetable and budget scrutiny process. This is in accordance with all the Council’s priorities.

Cabinet considered the report on the budget timetable and budget consultation 2026/27. The budget consultation process proposed was similar to previous years, using a web-based survey that was publicised through social media. Promotional activity would include social media messages, ‘email me’ bulletins, press releases, website promotion and direct engagement with groups, organisations, and individuals on the Council’s stakeholder map.

RESOLVED that the budget-setting process for 2026/27 and the Budget Consultation questionnaire, be approved.

Reason

Section 65 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 places a duty upon local authorities to consult representatives of non-domestic rate payers before setting the budget. There is no specific statutory requirement to consult with residents, local authorities were placed under a general duty to inform, consult and involve representatives of local people when exercising their functions by Local Democracy.

To provide detailed analysis of workforce and applicant data relating to a number of key reporting areas.

Members noted the Workforce Profile 2023/24 and were informed that the increase in accidents was due to better reporting procedures. A lack of facilities for Members and Officers with disabilities was also considered and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be requested to undertake a review of facilities in Council buildings.

To gain Cabinet endorsement of a major project at Walker Street in Eastwood as the key regeneration priority for the Borough; to agree compacts with key partners and to ensure the project is promoted to potential funders including the EMCCA capital pipeline.

Cabinet considered a major project at Walker Street in Eastwood as a key regeneration priority for the Borough in addition to compacts with key partners and to ensure the project is promoted to potential funders including the EMCCA capital pipeline.

RESOLVED unanimously that:

1.               That the development of a Healthy Lifestyle Centre be endorsed as the most important regeneration priority for Broxtowe Borough Council be approved.

2.               That the findings of the high-level Strategic Outline Business Case be accepted as the basis for moving this project forward.

3.               To seek out compacts and agreement with partners to garner their support for the project.

4.               To lobby and promote the project to funding agencies, including a request to EMCCA, to place the Healthy Lifestyles Centre at Walker Street, Eastwood on their Investment Board Project Pipeline.

5.               To work to secure Memorandum of Understanding with all interested partners in the project.

Reason

This would be a major regeneration project for the Council and would represent a significant capital investment. There is value to be gained from the scheme, as highlighted in the report, and it is vital that external funding is secured in order to unlock its full potential and support the development of a full financial business case.

Members to receive a short report from the Assistant Director of Asset Management on fire safety in Council housing.

Members noted a report regarding a formal update of the Council’s position in terms of its statutory fire safety obligations, in line with the Social Housing Regulatory Reform Act 2023.

To seek approval on the refreshed Repairs Policy in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Priority of Housing – a good quality home for everyone. The refreshed Policy has been considered by the Policy Overview Working Group and the Housing Influence Panel.

The upcoming launch of the new Asset Management and Repair Scheduling Solution would give the Housing Repairs Team a more robust system. It was prudent to refresh the Repairs Policy in preparation for the implementation of the new system, to ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities, definitions and the relationship between Housing Repairs and Asset Management.

RESOLVED that the updated Repairs Policy be approved.

Reason

This is in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Priority of Housing: a good quality home for all.

To seek approval to endorse EMCC's Local Retrofit Strategy.

The East Midlands Combined Counties (EMCC) Local Retrofit Strategy, developed through the Local Area Retrofit Accelerator (LARA) pilot, aims to reduce fuel poverty, improve housing quality, and support environmental sustainability.

Retrofit refers to the process of upgrading existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency, comfort, and performance. This typically includes measures such as insulation, improved ventilation, low-carbon heating, and renewable energy generation systems (solar panels).

Between February and July 2025, over 58 organisations including the Council, contributed to the design process of the strategy. This collaboration produced a shared vision, agreed principles, and a coordinated set of goals and actions to drive retrofit activity across the EMCC area.

RESOLVED that the EMCC Local Retrofit Strategy, be approved.

Reason

The Strategy outlines how the region can improve the energy efficiency of heating and cooling in homes, while also supporting health outcomes, economic growth, and the creation of skilled employment. It promotes a balanced approach to economic, social, and environmental priorities.

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.

Members were informed the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 2 December 2025 would be moved forward to 27 November in order to consider a recommendation from an Extraordinary Council meeting on 26 November on Local Government Reorganisation.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.

Reason

This is in accordance with all of the Council’s Corporate Priorities.

The Committee 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 paragraph 3 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 paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Outline of groundworks required at Kimberley Depot, cost and request that Cabinet agree to the works and proposed budget.

RESOLVED that:

1.               The appointment of the preferred provider to undertake the groundwork investigations at Kimberley Depot be approved.

2.               A revenue budget for the groundwork investigation works, including contingency, be approved to be funded from General Fund Reserves in 2025/26.

Reason

This is to assess the operational implications of undertaking works at Kimberley Depot.