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.

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

Councillor J W McGrath a declared a non-registerable interest in item 5.5 due to being a member of Stapleford Community Group, minute number 111.5, refers.

Councillor H Skinner declared a non-registerable interest in item 5.5 due to being a member of Chilwell Community Group, minute number 111.5 refers.

Councillor J W McGrath a declared a non-registerable interest in item 12 due to having a family member employed by Liberty Leisure Ltd, minute number 118, refers.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 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.

Cabinet noted the update on the Local Government Reorganisation.

Local Government Reorganisation in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has progressed through a defined sequence of statutory and policy milestones, beginning with the Government’s invitation to develop proposals before submission in November 2025. The process was designed to develop and implement proposals to move from the current two-tier local government system to unitary authorities in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Shadow elections were expected to take place in May 2027 to establish the first cohort of elected Members for the new unitary authorities created through Local Government Reorganisation in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Cabinet noted the progress made in achieving the Corporate Plan priorities and financial performance for the quarter ended 31 December 2025. Discussion centred on occupancy rates in the Borough’s town centres and how these can be improved.

Cabinet considered the proposed establishment of a discretionary Council Tax Relief Scheme to support households facing the hardship of living with a terminally ill family member when in receipt of Local Council Tax Support.

During 2024, Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, published a report that explored poverty and fuel poverty at the end of life in the UK. The report identified that in 2023, 111,000 people died in poverty, more than one in six deaths registered in England, Scotland and Wales.

Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, provides councils with discretionary powers to reduce the amount of council tax payable for individuals, or for specific classes of council taxpayers who find themselves in similar ‘exceptional’ circumstances. Where the powers detailed above are invoked, it includes the power to reduce an amount to nil. The Council had already invoked this power in establishing a ‘care leavers reduction scheme’ providing a reduction in council tax to those people in the district defined as care leavers.

Any decision made under Section 13A(1)(c) is funded locally from the general fund and cannot be passed to other council tax preceptors through the collection fund. In this respect, any decision made must be funded by Broxtowe Borough residents and be budgeted for fully in the Councils accounts.

RESOLVED that the following be approved:

1. That the Policy to provide additional support to recipients of Local Council Tax Support who are terminally ill be implemented with effect from 1 April 2026.

2. Delegate to the Assistant Director Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services the ability to decide upon the award of Terminally Ill Discretionary Support Scheme.

3. The Policy Working Group work with the Assistant Director Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services to extend the proposed policy to support Terminally Ill residents that fall outside of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

4. That the Council considers including the proposed policy within the Local Council Tax Support Scheme from April 2027.

Reason

Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, provides Councils with a discretionary power to reduce the amount of council tax payable by individuals and to allow a further reduction to those already benefitting from the council tax reduction scheme.

Members noted the tensions in the Middle East, with reported breaches of international law and the worsening humanitarian situation in Palestine.

It was proposed that the Leader of the Council makes representations to the Nottinghamshire Local Government Pension Fund to express concerns regarding potential investment exposures to environmental, social and governance (ESG) and human rights matters and request that the administering authority review such investments in accordance with its own statutory fiduciary duties to divest any funds from companies complicit in Israel's crimes against Palestinians.

It was further considered as to whether to review the Council's Treasury Management Strategy and Procurement Strategy and to do this through the appropriate constitutional decision-making route where any amendment to the Policy Framework documents is required.

RESOLVED to approve to:

1.         Express concern and urge representatives on the Nottinghamshire County Council Pension Fund Committee and the Local Pension Board to request that they divest any funds from companies complicit in Israel’s crimes against Palestinians. This includes companies producing weapons and military technology used by Israel in its attacks on Palestinians; financial institutions providing investment and loans to these arms companies; and companies conducting business activity in the occupied Palestinian territories which benefit the occupier, to ensure that any funds invested are consistent with their fiduciary duties and responsible investment policies.

2.         Request that the Leader of the Council meets with the Chair of the Nottinghamshire Pension Fund Committee and LGPS Central Limited senior leadership, to convey Cabinet’s concerns and urge them to:

a.    Extend investment exclusions and restrictions to the prescribed activities and implement an escalation-to-exclusion protocol where engagement fails, consistent with the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories to end financial flows to the ‘economy of concern’.

b.    Request that managers (LGPS Central Limited and other external parties) divest, in an orderly and financially prudent manner, from entities known to be involved in illegal occupation, with transparent timelines, milestones, and reporting.

c.    Publish an annual pool-level human-rights risk report identifying exposures to illegal occupation, with engagement outcomes and any divestments.

d.    Codify a timebound escalation-to-exclusion pathway for severe international-law breaches, with annual public reporting of exposures, engagements, and divestments.

3.         Commit to consult with the Council’s trade unions and employees with pensions held with the Nottinghamshire Pension Fund on their views on the investment of their pension contributions potentially including arms companies and present the results of the consultation to the Nottinghamshire Pension Fund.

4.         Commit that the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources and Personnel Policy will bring forward to the relevant Committee, as soon as practically possible, a review of the Treasury Management Strategy and the Procurement Strategy to incorporate, wherever possible and in line with applicable legislation, the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) for the selection of suppliers, investments, financial institutions, and counterparties.

5.         Continue to monitor that the provider of the Council’s banking services and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.4

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

RESOLVED that:

1.    2nd Kimberley Scout Group be awarded £7,000.

2.    Kimberley Swimming Club be awarded £2,000.

3.    Chilwell Community Association be awarded £3,150.

4.    Stapleford Community Group be awarded £11,200.

5.    DH Lawrence Music Festival £2,500.

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.

(Councillors J W McGrath and H Skinner, having declared other-registerable interests, left the meeting without voting or discussion thereon.)

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

RESOLVED that the Royal British Legion (Beeston) Social Club be awarded £2,000.

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.

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

RESOLVED that the Stapleford Combined Services Club be awarded £2,000.

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.

Members considered a joint request from Awsworth and Cossall Parish Councils for a grant of up to £1,764 as a 50% contribution towards the cost of installing three Village Gateway signs following the recent boundary review.

RESOLVED that Awsworth and Cossall Parish Councils be awarded a combined total grant of £1,764.

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.

The Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code promotes the progressive use of complaints, providing a high-level framework to support effective handling and prevention alongside learning and development. The Code aims to enable landlords to resolve complaints raised by tenants quickly and to use the learning from complaints to drive service improvements. The Ombudsman requires landlords to carry out regular self-assessments and take appropriate action to ensure compliance with the Code.

There is a requirement to publish the Self-Assessment Form annually. The form has been published since 2024 with the introduction of the Code and there was a requirement to self-assess against the Code to ensure that it was being complied with. The Form has been published on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED that the Housing Ombudsman’s Self-Assessment form be approved.

Reason

Publishing the Self-Assessment Form would ensure compliance with the requirements of the Housing Ombudsman in relation to the Code.

In accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 5.9, members noted the debts to the Council that have been written off since the previous report to Cabinet on 2 September 2025.

In each case all necessary enquiries have been made and all reasonable steps taken to recover the sums outstanding within the limits of resources available.

Members further noted that an exercise to ensure an accurate reflection of the write-offs of Penalty Charge Notices. This exercise was conducted following a recent review and had identified cases dating back to 2014/15 that are now classified as untraceable within the car parking management system. In each case, all appropriate investigations have been conducted, and every reasonable effort was made to recover the amount.

Cabinet considered the proposed expansion to the existing Beeston Article 4 area and to create three additional Article 4 areas in Eastwood, Kimberley and Stapleford which will mean planning permission is required for the change of use from C3 (dwellinghouse) to C4 (used for between 3-6 residents).

Concerns were raised about the increasing numbers of HMOs in other areas. These concerns include the impact on the local character, antisocial behaviour, and the strain on local services and infrastructure.

However, it was noted that HMOs also provide an important source of housing for a range of people including young professionals.

RESOLVED that:

1. Directions under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Rights) (England) Order 2015 are issued, together with relevant notices, to remove permitted development rights to convert dwellinghouses to homes in multiple occupancy for 3 to 6 people in the areas depicted in Appendix 1;

2. Consultation on the proposed Article 4 areas is carried out for six weeks.

3. Consultation on the updated Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is carried out for six weeks.

Reasons

This is in accordance with the Council's Corporate Priority of Housing – a good quality home for everyone.

Cabinet were informed of the groundwork investigations and allied reports required at the Kimberley Brewery site (Phase 3) and to the associated for the works.

Two companies were invited to submit quotations for undertaking investigative surveys at the Old Brewery Site at Kimberley.

The first was requested to provide a quote for estimating the cost of works listed in the Planning Condition for the site, with specific attention to the remedial works for repair of the malt kilns (Building 5), which is a listed building.

These remedial works must be completed prior to the Planning Condition being discharged.

A further operator was requested to provide an estimate based on the following brief,  a detailed report to cover ground conditions, access rights, and the locations of any underground services within Phase 3 of the site, especially those that link to either or both of the earlier phases of the scheme.

RESOLVED that:

1. The appointment of suitably qualified and experienced companies to undertake groundwork and building investigations at Kimberley Brewery site be approved.

2. A budget of £18,000 for the initial survey works, which includes the two quoted sums plus an estimated £10,000 for the additional GPR PAS 128 survey be approved and funded from Revenue Contingencies in 2025/26.

3. If the survey merited further work, the preparation of a bid to purchase the site, subject to budget approval, contract and independent valuation, for presentation to the Administrator/Receiver be approved.

Reason

This is in accordance with the Council's Corporate Priority of Housing – a good quality home for everyone.

Cabinet noted the update on the Housing Service Improvement Plan following the recent judgement from the Regulator of Social Housing.

Cabinet considered the potential development option for Bramcote Hills Park, specifically proposals for enhanced visitor amenities including a café, toilets and a meeting space.

RESOLVED that a budget of £4,000 for the commissioning of concept drawings and initial capital cost estimates for the proposed visitor facilities at Bramcote Hills Park be approved and funded from Revenue Contingencies in 2025/26.

Reason

Public consultation has repeatedly identified the lack of toilet facilities and supporting amenities as a major constraint on the visitor experience.

Members reviewed the proposed renewal of the Hate Crime Pledge 2026/29.

A Hate Crime Pledge is a public commitment by individuals and/or organisations to combat prejudice, support victims, and promote respect. It supports the Council’s Hate Crime Strategy, Policy and Action Plan which focuses on actions to improve reporting pathways, raise awareness, support those targeted, and foster community understanding.

RESOLVED that the Hate Crime Pledge 2026/29 be approved.

Reason

This is in accordance with The Councils vision of a greener, safer, healthier Broxtowe, where everyone prospers and its Community Safety priority of a safe place for everyone.

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 and added an update on the Local Government Reorganisation to the meeting held April 2026.

RESOLVED, that the Cabinet 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 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 paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Council engages with its identified partners to commission the construction and delivery of the new replacement Bramcote Leisure Centre (RIBA Stages 5 and 6); and

2. A capital budget of £20.3 million to fund the construction stage of the project, as set out, be approved and added to the Capital Programme in 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28 (budget profile to be determined). The scheme is to be funded by a mix of General Fund capital receipts, any available capital grants and/or other external funding contributions and prudential borrowing, with delegated authority being given to the Interim Deput Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer to determine the most appropriate method of capital financing for the scheme.

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.

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

Cabinet noted the report.