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 J W McGrath declared an other-registerable interest in item 5.2 as he is a member of Stapleford Town Council, minute number 51.2 refers. Councillor T A Cullen declared an other-registerable interest in item 5.3 as she the Chair of Trustees at the Beeston Rylands Community Association, minute number 51.3 refers.

Cabinet is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2024 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Cabinet noted the matters proposed for and undergoing scrutiny.

To advise on the budget consultation process for 2025/26 and to set out the proposed timetable and budget scrutiny process.

Cabinet considered the report on the budget timetable and budget consultation 2025/26. 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.

On consideration, Members suggested minor amendments question 1 to separate the diverse list, to question 5 to give residents the opportunity to add reasons for their answers, to question 12 to give consideration to the frequency of access to Council services, and to question 16 to add Watnall to the list of locations.

RESOLVED that the budget-setting process for 2025/26 and the Budget Consultation questionnaire, as amended, 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 consider requests for grant assistance in accordance with the protocol for the consideration of grant aid to Parish and Town Councils.

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 £1,996 towards the cost of traffic management for its Remembrance Sunday Event and £1,500 towards the cost of traffic management and security for its Christmas Market, and a request from Stapleford Town Council for £2,505 towards the cost of traffic management for its Remembrance Sunday Event.

RESOLVED that the grants requests be approved accordingly:

1.          Kimberley Town Council – £1,996 and £1,500

2.          Stapleford Town Council – £2,505

3.          Nuthall Parish Council – £2,350

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.

(Councillor J W McGrath, having delated an other-registerable interest, left the meeting without voting or discussion thereon.)

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

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

RESOLVED that the grants be made as follows:

   £

Beeston Rylands Community Association              12,000

Rushcliffe Community and Voluntary Service         7,000

Jo Cox Foundation                                                  500

Eastwood and District Darts and Dominoes            500

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 interest Councillor T A Cullen left the meeting before discussion or voting thereon during consideration of the award of a grant to the Beeston Rylands Community Association.)

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

An application for capital grant funding had been received from the Royal British Legion (Beeston).This was considered in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy. 

RESOLVED that the application for capital grant funding of £6,500 be approved.

Reason

The funding will assist the Royal British Legion to continue to respond to the changing needs of the Armed Forces community, providing small interventions to life-changing and sometimes lifesaving support.

To seek approval to undertake a consultation on the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan Publication Version (Regulation 19).

Strategic policies for the Greater Nottingham area are currently set out in the adopted Core Strategies for the Greater Nottingham authorities (Broxtowe Borough, Gedling Borough and Nottingham City Councils, adopted in September 2014; the adopted Core Strategy for Erewash Borough Council, adopted in March 2014; and the adopted Core Strategy for Rushcliffe Borough Council, adopted in December 2014). Collectively these are referred to as the Aligned Core Strategies and they provide a consistent and coherent strategic spatial planning framework for the Nottingham Core (Greater Nottingham) Housing Market Area.

The Aligned Core Strategy was adopted in September 2014 and forms Part 1 of the Broxtowe Local Plan, providing the strategic context for the Part 2 Local Planning Document which was subsequently adopted in 2019.

Cabinet considered the report and a number of reassurances were sought from Opposition Members who were given permission to ask questions in relation to flooding, cabling and access and egress from the A610 and Shilo Way regarding the development at Bennerley.

It was confirmed that six-weeks was the statutory period for consultation and that gyspy and traveler requirements met those of the national policy. 

RESOLVED that:

1.         The Publication Draft Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan and supporting documents be approved in so far as it relates to Broxtowe Borough, to allow a period of public representations.

2.         Authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Economic Development to make any minor editing changes such as typographical, formatting or changes to imagery necessary to the Publication Draft Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan.

Reason

There is a legal requirement to review local plans every five years. Broxtowe is preparing the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan with Gedling Borough, Nottingham City and Rushcliffe Borough Councils. The next stage of plan preparation is to undertake a consultation on the Publication Version of the Strategic Plan. The Regulation 19 representation period is the last stage of public engagement before submitting the draft plan to the Inspectorate for examination. Once adopted, the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan will replace the Aligned Core Strategy.

To inform Cabinet of the current progress of planned maintenance works and procurement of services to enable the Council to meet the Decent Homes Standard and the new Consumer Standards relating to the Safety and Quality Standard.

Cabinet noted the Council’s efforts in delivering planned maintenance works to meet the Decent Homes Standard and the new Consumer Standards and that the Council was currently re-procuring its planned maintenance services to commence from April 2025. Members were informed that the current level of Decent Homes was 98%.

To update Members on current AED and potential trauma bleed control kit provision across the Borough and evaluate proposals for next steps, to enhance accessibility and improve emergency response.

On 16 July 2024, Cabinet requested that consideration be given to the installation of trauma bleed control kits, alongside any Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) following recommendations from the Nottinghamshire Coroner. Members considered a report which detailed the 46 Council owned sites that were assessed regarding their suitability for the installation of AEDs and were informed that there were currently 123 known AEDs across the Borough. These had either been installed by local businesses, sports clubs or through grant funding schemes by the Council’s Capital Works team.

The options in the report were considered and it was thought that option three should be favoured as it proposed the installation of AEDs along with trauma bleed control kits at sites that already have a sports pavilion and suitable electrical infrastructure, whilst addressing the recommendations of the Coroner. This initiative could be developed in partnership with various sports clubs throughout the Borough, where the clubs become the guardians and undertake the weekly checks and maintenance of the equipment. Members stated that a review should be undertaken that involved Councillors, in conjunction with officers, to examine potential sites in detail and recognise what the potential needs were.

Members were reminded that each one of the appliances has to be maintained to be fit for purpose. It was important that third parties were responsible for kits that they owned.

RESOLVED that:

1.      Option 3 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

2.      A Task and Finish Group be formed to consider a mapping exercise of provision and sites in the Borough.

Reasons

1.      Given the Coroner’s report and the fact that the 14 pavilions already possess the necessary infrastructure for AEDs and trauma bleed control kits; it is prudent to recommend option 3 as an initial way forward. This will be undertaken as a phased delivery to be completed in two phases; the first phase by 31 March 2025 and the second phase 31 March 2026. During phase two, the Council will explore in collaboration with key stakeholder’s, other high priority areas, such as town centres, to help enhance community safety.

2.      A Task and Finish Group will allow for Member involvement in the process.

Options Considered and Rejected

Option 1 – As the provision of AEDs is not a mandatory requirement, the Council could have maintained the current provision of AEDs managed by the various clubs and organisations in the Borough.

Option 2 – This involved a phased installation programme for AEDs across 30 Parks and Open Spaces sites.

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.

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 items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 7 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, 3 and 7 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that the arrears in excess of £7,500 on national non-domestic rates, council tax, rents, housing and council tax benefit overpayment and sundry debtors as set out in the report be written off and to note the exercise of the Deputy Chief Executive’s delegated authority under Financial Procedure Rule 5.9.

Reason

This will assist with the Council’s aim to deliver cost effectiveness.

RESOLVED that the design costs to undertake an options appraisal on the Kimberley Depot be approved, with the one-off revenue development of £25,000 being funded from General Fund Reserves in 2024/25.

Reason

This will allow for agreement on the best approach for the redevelopment of the depot.

RESOLVED that the request to enter into a negotiated tender process to develop four houses to social rent be approved.

Reason

This will assist with the corporate priority of Housing – a good quality home for everyone.