Agenda and draft minutes

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

An apology for absence was received from Councillor E Williamson.

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 T A Cullen and M Radulovic MBE declared other-registerable interests in item 5.6, minute number 76.6 refers. Councillor R D MacRae and J W McGrath declared an other-registerable interests in item 5.7, minute number 76.7 refers.

Cabinet is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2025 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.

Cabinet noted the matters proposed for and undergoing scrutiny.

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

Members considered the recommendation from full Council at its meeting on 26 November 2025, in relation to Local Government Reorganisation. The recommendation was as follows:

1. RECOMMENDED to Cabinet that Proposals 1b, 1e and Bii (Nottingham City expanded boundaries) be rejected.
2. RECOMMENDED to Cabinet that the Impact Assessment Report be submitted to the Secretary of State by Broxtowe Borough Council as part of this process.

Cabinet was informed that the Impact Assessment Report considered by full Council and reconsidered at this meeting related to the areas of Nottingham City and Broxtowe.  Discussion ensued and Members stated that they were not opposed to Local Government Reorganisation, although the current form was unsatisfactory. There had been a failure of the wider area to reach a consensus, the government’s white paper had restricted the Council’s options to submit its own proposals and guidance from the District Councils’ Network supported this Council’s position.

It was further requested that the two Members of Parliament representing the Broxtowe area be informed of the Council’s position and the Secretary of State be written to in order to request that the process be halted and reviewed, to ensure that service delivery was paramount in the reorganisation of local government.

RESOLVED unanimously that:

1.            Proposals 1b, 1e and Bii (Nottingham City expanded boundaries) be rejected.

2.            The Impact Assessment Report be submitted to the Secretary of State by Broxtowe Borough Council as part of this process.

3.            Delegation be given to the Interim Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, to write to the Secretary of State to reflect the Council’s position.

Reason

The resolution will enable the Council to submit the Council’s response as required on 28 November 2025.

To approve the Council Tax Base for the year 2025/26.

Members considered the Council Tax Base for the year 2025/26. The Council tax base had been calculated on the estimated full year equivalent number of chargeable dwellings expressed as the equivalent number of band D dwellings in the Council’s area after allowing for dwelling demolitions and completions during the year.

RESOLVED that based on the number of Band D equivalent properties and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, Broxtowe Borough Council calculates its Council Tax Base for the year 2026/27 as follows:

1.               For the whole of its area 36,201.43

2.       In respect of Parish Precepts and Special Expenses for those parts of its area mentioned in the table below, the amounts specified therein:

Part of Council’s Area     Area Council Tax Base

Awsworth                                            629.48

Brinsley                                               786.40

Cossall                                                237.99

Eastwood                                            3,183.61

Greasley                                              3,807.97

Kimberley                                            1,918.98

Nuthall                                                 2,284.63

Stapleford                                            4,378.60

Strelley                                                176.23

Trowell                                                849.81

Special Expenses Area

Beeston Area                                       17,947.93

Total                                                    36,201.43

Reason

The calculation of the tax base was a legal requirement and an essential part of the tax setting process. The tax base calculations for a particular financial year must comply with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012 and be determined by no later than 31 January in the preceding financial year. These regulations had been made under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (LGFA 1992) and The Local Government Finance Act 2012 (LGFA 2012) includes several amendments to the LGFA 1992 that affect the calculation of the Council Tax base. These amendments require the Council to operate a Council Tax Support Scheme.

To seek approval for arrangements to operate in 2026/27 in respect of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTSS). This is in accordance with all of the Council’s corporate policies.

Members considered the arrangements to operate the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27.

RECOMMENDED to Council that the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme remains in place for 2026/27.

Reason

Under section 13A (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council as billing authority must make a localised Council Tax Reduction Scheme in accordance with Schedule 1A to the Act. Each financial year the Council must consider whether to revise its scheme, or to replace it with another scheme.

To seek approval for the continuation of the War Pension Disregard in respect of Housing Benefit claims in 2026/27. This is in accordance with the Council value of having a strong, caring focus on the needs of all communities.

Members considered a report which stated that the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (War Pensions Disregards) regulations 2007 allowed for local authorities to develop a local scheme that could disregard War Pension income from the calculation of Housing Benefit.

RESOLVED that the continuation of the current Local Scheme Disregarding War Pensions for Housing Benefit Applications in 2026/27, be approved.

Reason

The Regulations providing for this are the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 paragraph 40(2) and schedule 5, and Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 paragraph 33(9). Sections 134 and 139 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 provide the Council withthe discretion to modify the Housing Benefit scheme by disregarding a further amount, or all, of specified war disablement pensions and payments.

To seek Cabinet approval for the adoption of the 'Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence' Policy, which provides a governance framework for the ethical and secure use of GenAI tools such as Co-Pilot or virtual agents by council employees.

Members were informed that the Policy was developed in response to the increasing use of GenAI tools across local government and the need for clear guidance on their responsible use. The Policy draws on the LGA template and incorporates feedback from internal stakeholders including ICT, Legal, and Information Governance teams. Members were keen that the Policy be reviewed every six months due to the changing nature of the technology.

RESOLVED to:

1.               Approve the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy.

2.               Authorise its publication on the Council’s intranet and integration into the Information Security Policy Centre.

3.               Endorse the policy’s inclusion in the broader ICT governance framework and its alignment with existing data protection and ethical standards.

4.               Approve to review this policy every six-months to ensure the latest developments in AI technology is continually reviewed and included,

Reason

The Policy ensures compliance with relevant legislation including GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and aligns with the Council’s information governance framework.

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

RESOLVED that the grant aid requests be approved accordingly:

2^nd Beeston Sea Scouts                                           £2,150

Stapleford Community Association                         £3,000

Beeston Film Festival                                              £3,000

Bramcote Cricket Club                                            £1,000                   

Eastwood People’s Initiative                                   £2,500

Phoenix Community Foundation                             £13,000

Toton Coronation Hall Community Association      £7,000

Broxtowe Women’s Project                                     £13,000

Age Concern Eastwood                                          £9,000

Hope Nottingham                                                   £12,000

The Helpful Bureau                                                  £18,124

Beeston Rylands Community Association              £10,000

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.

(Having declared an other-registerable interests in the item, Councillors T A Cullen and  M Radulovic MBE left the meeting without discussion or voting thereon in their specific items of interest.)

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

Members considered an application for Capital Grant Aid for Broxtowe Youth Homelessness for the installation of an updated CCTV system at its premises at Church Walk Stapleford.

RESOLVED that the grant requests to Broxtowe Youth Homelessness of £1,643 be approved.

(Having declared an other-registerable interest in the item, Councillor R D MacRae left the meeting without discussion or voting thereon.)

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.

Members noted the use of the Chief Executive’s Urgency Powers to invoke three hours free car parking across most of the Council’s car parks from 8 December to 31 December 2025.

To report progress against outcome targets linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives and to provide an update as to the latest financial performance as measured against the budget. This is in accordance with all of the Council’s Corporate Priorities.

Members noted the progress made in achieving the Corporate Plan priorities and financial performance for the quarter ended 30 September 2025.

Cabinet considered The Events Programme for 2025/26 which included events that ranged from large public events such as the Hemlock Happening, Play Days, Christmas Light Switch On events and Green Festivals. The programme, in addition covered civic events including Remembrance Sunday and Holocaust Memorial Day. Small community events aimed at specific groups such as housing tenants, businesses and special interest groups was also included.  Events aimed to target areas of relative deprivation, as well as being inclusive. They also reflected the diversity of the population of the Borough by taking into account factors such as age, gender, ethnic background, religious beliefs, disabilities and the needs of other groups.

RESOLVED that the Council’s Events Programme for 2026,27 be approved, with associated costs and funding being included in the budget setting process for 2026/27.

Reason

The Events Programme supports the Corporate priorities and objectives by promoting active and healthy lifestyles in every area of Broxtowe.

Members were updated with the proposals to increase the subscription for the collection service of garden waste for 2026/27. Consideration of a direct debit system for residents would be given for the collection service for future years.

RESOLVED that:

1.      The subscription fee for the first garden waste bin remains at £45.

2.      The subscription fee for each additional garden waste bin be increased by £2 to £28.

3.      From 1 October 2026, the subscription fee for the first garden waste bin be reduced to £27 and any other additional bins be discounted by 50%.

Reason

The Council was the waste collection authority for the Borough with a duty to collect specified forms of waste. Section 45(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 stated “no charge shall be made for the collection of household waste except in cases prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State”. Section 4 of Schedule 1 of the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 stated that charges may be made for the collection of household garden waste. Additionally, Section 45(3) (b) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 required that collection authorities made a reasonable charge for the collection of household garden waste.

To update Cabinet on developments relating to Simpler Recycling and weekly food waste collections. It also seeks approval for the implementation of a food waste trial round, commencing in September 2026.

In November 2023, a report was presented to Cabinet outlining the Council’s position on Simpler Recycling and the status of mandated food waste collections. At that time, a transactional agreement had been agreed, confirming October 2027 as the rollout date for mandatory weekly food waste collections across Nottinghamshire. Since that initial report, the Policy landscape has progressed, and the Council is now preparing for Borough-wide delivery of food waste services.

Cabinet considered a pilot food waste collection round from September 2026. The pilot will provide invaluable insights into service design, operational logistics, and resident engagement

RESOLVED that:

1.      the implementation of a pilot food waste round, commending September 2026, be approved.

2.     The pilot rollout of food waste collections proceeds without Council provision of liners, be approved.

Reason

This will assist with the Council’s Corporate Priority for Environment – ‘Protect the Environment for the future.’

To provide Cabinet with an interim update on the Council’s progress toward carbon neutrality.

Members noted a report which gave an interim update on the Council’s progress toward carbon neutrality.

To provide an update on the Citizen Visioning resident engagement project completed in July 2025.

Members noted the report of the Broxtowe Citizen’s Climate Panel and received an outline of the proposed next steps for integrating its recommendations in the Council’s Climate Change and Green Futures Strategy.

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 be approved.

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 items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

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 paragraphs 1, 2, and 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 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

A report which outlines the remedial work actions that are required to the Council's Foster Avenue Head Offices, as per the outcomes of the Fire Risk Assessment that was completed to the building in 2023.

RESOLVED that the proposed fire safety works at the Council Offices in Beeston be approved with immediate effect.