Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T A Cullen and 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.

Further information can be found at: Member Code of Conduct of Broxtowe Borough Council

Councillor J W McGrath declared a non-disclosable pecuniary interest in item 10 due to a family member being employed by Liberty Leisure Ltd, minute number 9 refers.

Cabinet is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2026 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 provide Members with an update on the ongoing preparatory work being undertaken across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in relation to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

Cabinet noted the update on the Local Government Reorganisation. It was stated that an announcement was expected before the government recess and the Chief Executive was to provide a response that had been requested that did not  preclude the Authority from participation in the future.

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

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

RESOLVED that the grant application from Attenborough Cricket Club for 25% of the total scheme costs up to a maximum of £20,000 be approved.

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.

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

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

RESOLVED that:

1.       The Grant Aid requests be granted as follows:

New Stapleford Community Association          £4,000

5^th Stapleford Scout Group                               £7,000

MishMash Productions                                     £3,500

Friends of Bennerley Viaduct                            £3,000

2.     The application from the Pythian Club be deferred to a future meeting.

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.

To consider requests for grant assistance in accordance with the protocol for the consideration of grant aid to parish and town councils.

Members considered a request from Kimberley Town Council for a grant of up to £2,773 towards the cost of traffic management, crowd management and first aid provision for the Kimberley Food Festival and a request from Nuthall Parish Council for up to £8,535 to replace the children’s slide at the Basil Russell Park in Nuthall.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The grant aid request from Kimberley Town Council of up to £2,733 be approved.

2.       The grant aid request from Nuthall Parish Council of up to £8,535 be approved.

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.

For Cabinet to acknowledge the positive outcome of the Homes England compliance audit in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Priority of Housing – a good quality home for everyone.

Cabinet noted the positive outcome of the Homes England compliance audit report 2025/26 and stated that Broxtowe was a good place to do business with. Officers were commended for their work.

The purpose of the report is to provide an update to Cabinet, on progress to date with 4 development sites.

Cabinet noted the update on progress at the development sites at Church Street, Lawrence Avenue and Cross Street, Eastwood.

To provide Cabinet with an update on the Housing Service Improvement Plan following the recent judgement from the Regulator of Social Housing.

Cabinet noted the report and the key activities aligned to the revised Housing Service Improvement Plan and was informed that the Council continues to implement actions within the refreshed Plan following the inspection from the Regulator for Social Housing in October 2025.

To seek approval for three updated policies relating to Income Management.

Members were informed that the purpose of the Financial Inclusion Policy was to support tenants and applicants to have access to affordable financial products and services that meet their needs, and to reduce their outgoings. The Income Collection Policy set out the approach to the management and collection of rent for properties and garages. The Rent Setting Policy outlined how the Council would calculate rent for the housing stock that it owned and managed within the Housing Revenue Account.

RESOLVED that the Financial Inclusion Policy, the Income Collection Policy and the Rent Setting Policy, be approved.

Reason

These policies outline how the Council will continue to be effective in its income collection arrangements for the HRA, which is essential for the sustainable provision of Housing services and ongoing investment in the Council’s Housing portfolio.

To seek approval to adopt the updated Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). This is in accordance with the Council's Corporate Priority of Housing – a good quality home for everyone.

Members considered the updated Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The existing SPD was adopted in July 2022 and applies to all planning applications in relation to HMO, including those outside of the existing Article 4 area. However, it was considered that the SPD required updating with a number of key changes being made. It was stated that the document gave local people and elected members the opportunity to comment and allowed for openness and transparency. The document was described as a huge step forward for the Council, which gave greater representation to local people.

RESOLVED that the updated Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document for June 2026 be adopted.

Reason

The Council as Planning Authority has a power to adopt Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) which add more detail and guidance in relation to Local Plan policies and which then become material planning considerations when planning applications are determined. This is in accordance with the Council's Corporate Priority of Housing – a good quality home for everyone.

To seek approval to give notice that the Council intends to start producing the new Broxtowe Local Plan and to begin scoping work. The new Broxtowe Local Plan will be in accordance with all of the Council's corporate priorities, particularly providing a good quality home for everyone.

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act introduced a new plan?making framework, replacing the former system with a streamlined 30?month plan preparation process, structured around defined ‘gateways’. Under this new system, local planning authorities must give notice of their intention to commence plan?making before starting the 30?month process. This is a statutory requirement intended to ensure transparency, early engagement and readiness prior to Gateway 1. Gateway 1 then comprises a self-assessment to ensure that the authority is ready to start the 30-month process of producing the plan.

Cabinet considered the report which sought approval to give notice that the Council intended to start producing the new Broxtowe Local Plan and to begin scoping work.

It was stressed that the Council had to ensure the was a Broxtowe Local Plan in place should Local Government Reform not take place.

RESOLVED that:

1.       Formal notice be given to commence preparation of a new Broxtowe Local Plan in June 2026 in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

2.       Delegated authority be given to the Interim Director of Planning and Economic Development, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, to agree and publish the local plan timetable in accordance with the government template and agree subsequent updates to the Broxtowe Local Plan timetable when necessary.

3.       Delegated authority be given to the Interim Director of Planning and Economic Development to undertake necessary scoping work and evidence gathering to support the new Broxtowe Local Plan.

Reason

The new Broxtowe Local Plan will be in accordance with all of the Council's corporate priorities, particularly providing a good quality home for everyone.

To advise Members of the key provisions of the Renters Rights Act 2025 and the implications for Council services, landlords and tenants, setting out the additional statutory duties placed on the Council and seek approval for a separate Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy, a Civil Penalties Policy update and to update Officer Authorisations under the legislation. This is in accordance with the priorities/objectives for Housing - 'a good quality home for everyone' by regulating housing effectively and responding to housing needs and contributing to the Council's vision to create 'a greener, safer, healthier Borough, where everyone prospers'.

Cabinet noted that the Head of Environmental Health, Licensing and Private Sector Housing be delegated to deal with Housing functions which include the new responsibilities under The Renters Rights Act 2025 and the authorisation of Officers as necessary.

It was agreed that the Act was a step in the right direction despite there being a number of concerns and what were described as inherent weaknesses in the legislation. It was stated the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be requested to monitor the progress and implementation of the Policy and receive regular updates.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy incorporating the Renters Rights Act 2025 provisions be approved.

2.       The updated Housing Civil Penalties Policy be approved.

3.       Delegation be granted to the Head of Environmental Health, Licensing and Private Sector Housing to carry out minor policy changes and updates including the addition of new offences as they are enacted.

4.       The Overview & Scrutiny Committee be requested to conduct regular reviews of the progress and implementation of the Policy.

Reason

This is in accordance with the priorities/objectives for Housing - 'a good quality home for everyone' by regulating housing effectively and responding to housing needs and contributing to the Council's vision to create 'a greener, safer, healthier Borough, where everyone prospers'.

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 considered the Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Work Programme, 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 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.

RESOLVED 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.

RESOLVED that the capital budget to fund the construction stage of the new replacement Bramcote Leisure Centre project be increased by £1.1 million and added to the Capital Programme accordingly.

Reason

This is in accordance with the Council's vision for a greener, safer, healthier Broxtowe, where everyone prospers and its key priority for Health with ‘healthy and supported communities’ and a commitment to promote active and healthy lifestyles in every area of Broxtowe; and to develop plans to renew our leisure facilities in Broxtowe.

(Councillor J W McGrath, having declared non-registerable interests, left the meeting without voting or discussion thereon.)

RESOLVED that the application for voluntary redundancy request approved.

Reason

The Voluntary Redundancy would provide the Council with revenue savings.

RESOLVED that the aids and adaptations works outlined in appendices 1 and 2, be approved.

Reason

These works comply with the legal and statutory requirements as per the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the provision of disabled adaptations and good practice guidance, including ‘Delivering Housing Adaptations for Disabled People’.