Agenda and draft minutes

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

There were no apologies for absence.

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 T A Cullen declared a non-disclosable interest in item 5.1, minute number 124.1 refers.

Councillor R D MacRae declared a non-disclosable interest in items 5.1 and 12, minute numbers 124.1 and 132 refer.

Councillor H E Skinner declared a non-disclosable interest in item 13, minute number 133 refers.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 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.

Discretionary Non-Domestic Rate Relief provides the Council with the ability to offer targeted financial support to businesses, charities, and community organisations where this delivers a wider economic or social benefit to the Borough. The proposed Policy brought together all discretionary relief arrangements into a single framework, providing clarity on how applications would be assessed, how decisions would be made and how relief would be administered in a consistent and transparent manner.

RESOLVED that the updated Discretionary Non-Domestic Rate Relief Policy be approved.

Reason

The implementation of a formal policy ensures that discretionary decisions are aligned with the Council’s priorities and applied fairly across all applicants.

(Having declared non-registerable interests Councillors T A Cullen and R D MacRae left the meeting before discussion or voting thereon.)

Cabinet noted the update on the Local Government Reorganisation. It was queried whether there were any timelines on potential judicial review cases that were happening elsewhere and whether there were any statements that had been made which allowed other areas to depart from guidance. It was stated that these issues would be discussed amongst the group of Nottinghamshire Chief Executives.

Cabinet considered the request for grant aid from Canalside Heritage Centre Trust in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy. Members considered whether a Service Level Agreement was needed to support an award, but officers confirmed that as this was mainly in respect of a capital grant, one was not necessary required by the Grant Aid Policy.

RESOLVED that Canalside Heritage Centre Trust be awarded a grant of up to £6,200.

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 report on the proposed Electoral Services and Land Charges restructure, which included the creation of a new permanent Electoral Services and Land Charges Support Officer part-time role.

RESOLVED that the creation of a new Electoral Services and Land Charges Support Officer post (part-time at 25 hours per week) at Grade 5 be approved, with the additional cost of up to £25,500 being met from General Fund Reserves.

Reason

The introduction of the proposed new post and revising current post responsibilities would make the team more resilient and enable the more junior roles to support with the increase in service demand.

Members noted 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.

Cabinet was provided with an update on the Housing Service Improvement Plan following the recent judgement from the Regulator of Social Housing. It was stated that the Council continues to implement actions within the refreshed Housing and Asset Management Service Improvement Plan following the inspection from the Regulator for Social Housing in October 2025. Members noted the report and the key activities aligned to the revised Housing Service Improvement Plan.

Members considered a report which sought approval for the creation of a permanent Project Surveyor post within the Asset Management and Development service to provide technical surveying support, project management and quality assurance across the Capital Works and Development teams, including responsibility for managing the 12-month defects liability period for all new-build schemes.

RESOLVED that the creation of a permanent Project Surveyor (Capital Works) post in Asset Management and Development at Grade 8 be approved. The maximum cost of the Grade 8 post at £46,500 will be funded through capital salaries.

Reason

Without strengthening internal capacity, the Council faces increased operational, safety and statutory risk.

Members noted the approach taken by the Council to include relevant planning condition to cover issues of site drainage, during the construction phase in addition to the inclusion of a relevant policy in the forthcoming Broxtowe Local Plan. It was stated that the Council was taking strong and decisive action for the benefit of people in the Borough.

Members were informed of of the proposed pipeline of schemes intended to be put forward in 2026 for Homes England funding under the 2026-2036 Social and Affordable Homes Programme and to seek approval for submitting all bids. Options around the Community Centre in Toton were discussed and it was agreed that the site be referred back to Asset Management for further consideration.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The site at Community Centre, Toton, be removed from the list for further consideration.

2.     The submission of the proposed Housing Delivery development pipeline funding bids, as amended, be approved.

Reason

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

Members received an update on progress to date with food waste implementation, an outline of the requirement for additional budget to purchase food waste collection vehicles and received an update on potential delays to the delivery of the new fleet. Members stated that there was a responsibility to support these measures as the Council addressed recycling rates.

RESOLVED that an additional capital budget of £241,000 for the increased cost of purchasing food waste vehicles be approved. The budget uplift will be added to the Capital Programme in 2026/27 and funded by an additional New Burdens funding allocation and/or prudential borrowing with delegation given to the Interim Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective way of financing the scheme.

Reason

The Environment Act 2021 introduced a package of statutory measures designed to improve resource efficiency and increase recycling performance nationally. A key outcome of the Act is the implementation of Simpler Recycling, which requires all local authorities in England to provide weekly, separate food waste collections to households.

Options considered and rejected

1.     Short?term rental of food waste vehicles. While feasible, this would introduce unbudgeted revenue expenditure. Officers consider it inappropriate for the Council to incur rental costs when the statutory New Burdens funding provided is insufficient to meet national policy requirements.

2.     Exploration of alternative vehicle makes and models that may be available sooner or at lower cost. However, the specialist nature of food waste collection vehicles limits opportunities for meaningful savings or faster availability without compromising service delivery.

Cabinet noted a report which stated that Blue infrastructure was an important part of the Borough’s natural environment, helping to manage surface water, support biodiversity and contribute to climate resilience. Each year, the Environment team undertook audits of the six main brooks to review their condition identify any emerging issues and, where necessary, remind riparian owners of their responsibilities or address matters affecting Council?owned land.

Prior to consideration of the item in the excluded section of the agenda, Members were informed that the report brings forward the work that has been produced to develop a RIBA Stage 1 Design for a multi-agency hub including health, leisure and library facilities. The work also included a business case which promoted how the project could be funded and requests further funding to take the project through to planning.

The health inequalities suffered by residents of Eastwood were listed and it was stated that the report would set in context the health community projects from communicating with medical professionals for the proposals for a new medical facility.

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 removed the duplicate report on the Blue Infrastructure Audit listed for the meeting to be held on 2 June 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 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 request for additional funding for this Disabled Facilities Grant funded scheme be approved.

Reason

This is in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Priority for Housing – ‘a good quality home for everyone and responding to housing need by facilitating adaptations to the homes of disabled people living in the private sector’.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The completion of necessary repair works and surveys at Stapleford House be approved, with a budget of £55,000 being added to the Capital Programme 2026/27 and funded from prudential borrowing.

2.       The ongoing lease negotiations with Conquer Learning for their potential occupation of Stapleford House be approved, subject to the confirmation of due diligence being undertaken.

Reason

The Council is obligated to ensure its listed buildings are maintained appropriately.

(Having declared a non-registerable interest Councillor R D MacRae left the meeting for the item before discussion or voting thereon.)

RESOLVED that the lease be granted on the terms outlined within the report with the ongoing annual cost of the management fee and other associated maintenance costs being funded from General Fund Reserves, subject to legal assurance.

Reason

The Council is obligated to ensure its listed buildings are maintained appropriately.

(Having declared a non-registerable interest Councillor H E Skinner left the meeting for the item before discussion or voting thereon.)

RESOLVED that:

1.       The Council’s interest in acquiring the former Co-op site and associated land and buildings on Nottingham Road in Eastwood be approved and registered with its current owners and to seek to enter a period of exclusivity on undertaking negotiations for the purchase. Any acquisition would be subject to a full business case, financial approvals and capital budget being approved at a future Cabinet.

2.       A budget for the cost of the feasibility study and site option analysis to support the business case be approved.

Reason

This is in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Priority of Business Growth to invest in our towns and people.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The work presented in the report be noted and approved as the basis for the design and business case for the DH Lawrence Healthy Living Hub in Eastwood, with Option 3a being taken forward as the proposed scheme for the project for budgeting and design purposes.

2.       Subject to the results of the outstanding ground investigations proving favourable, a provisional additional capital budget of £300,000 be allocated towards the next steps in the development process, with delegated authority given to the Interim Chief Executive and the Interim Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, to arrange the budget and its associated financing and to ensure the provision of a satisfactory, procurement compliant solution for the award of the contract.

Reason

The Council’s Corporate Plan gives a commitment to tackling health inequalities in the Borough.

Members noted the update on the new housing developments in Eastwood.