Agenda and minutes

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

An apology for absence was received by Councillor R D MacRae.

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 M Radulovic MBE declared that he was pre-determined in item 5, minute number 86, refers.

Councillor J W McGrath declared a non-registerable interest in item 5 as he owns a number of cemetery plots, minute number 86 refers.

Cabinet is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 27 November 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 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.

This report gives the findings of the Cemetery Memorials Task and Finish Group and the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to Cabinet on the matter.

The report asks Cabinet to consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding cemetery memorials and approve accordingly.

Members considered the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee following its review of Cemetery Memorials. It was stated that an equalities impact assessment would be necessary to consider the item further.

RESOLVED that the item be deferred to a future meeting, and the formation of an equalities impact assessment be delegated to the Interim Chief Executive in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council prior to the report’s resubmission to Cabinet.

(Having declared that he was predetermined Councillor M Radulovic MBE left the meeting before discussion or voting thereon. Councillor G Marshall took the Chair for the item. Having declared that a non-registerable interest Councillor J W McGrath left the meeting before discussion or voting thereon.)

This report seeks approval from Cabinet to recommend to Full Council that the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan is submitted to the Secretary of State for Public Examination. The Strategic Plan is in accordance with all of the Council's corporate priorities, particularly providing a good quality home for everyone. Detail is contained within the report as to the reasons for this item being exempt from the call-in process.

Members considered a report which sought approval from Cabinet and Full Council that the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for Public Examination.

The Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan is a statutory development plan document and part of the Council’s Policy Framework and comprises strategic planning policies and strategic site allocations. The Plan was prepared with Nottingham City and Rushcliffe Borough Councils; separate approvals were simultaneously being sought for the partner authorities

The submission of the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan required approval from Full Council. A call-in period prevented this approval being sought. The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in accordance with the Constitution, had given permission for the item to be excluded from call-in based on the reasons stated. A notice was published on 26 November 2025.

RECOMMENDED to Council:

1.               The Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan and accompanying Submission documents be submitted to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination.

2.               To confirm that the Council considers that the revised Publication version of the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan (March 2025) has substantially the same effect on its area as the November 2024 Publication version (which included Gedling Borough Council as a partnering authority).

3.               To grant delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Planning and Economic Development, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any necessary minor editing amendments to the Submission draft Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan if required.

4.               To request the Planning Examination Inspector(s) to consider the proposed modifications, including supporting the creation of a DH Lawrence County Park north of Eastwood, and recommend any modifications which are necessary to make the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan sound, under section 20(7C) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).

5.               The updated Local Development Scheme (with effect from December 2025) be adopted.

Reason

The Strategic Plan is in accordance with all of the Council's corporate priorities, particularly providing a good quality home for everyone.

To provide an update in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation and options for extending the Article 4 area.

Members noted a report which stated that this Council’s approach to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) is largely based on the Article 4 Direction, which came into force in March 2022, and the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which was adopted in July 2022. The Council was now undertaking a review of HMOs across the Borough to identify further concentrations of HMOs and to identify emerging trends since the introduction of the existing Article 4. This review would inform recommendations in respect of expanding the Article 4 area and whether changes are required to the adopted SPD.

To seek Cabinet approval for the appointment of a new permanent Quantity Surveyor into the establishment for Asset Management and Development. 

Cabinet considered the appointment of a new permanent Quantity Surveyor into the establishment for Asset Management and Development. The Council has previously externalised the Quantity Surveyor function, which is key in ensuring that these various projects are delivered in line with contractual commitments, both in terms of quality and budget.

RESOLVED that the Quantity Surveyor post is added to the permanent establishment of the Asset Management and Development team to reduce the current reliance on external consultants and support the delivery of the HRA Capital Programme and Asset Management Strategy.

Reason

The approach responds to the challenges of local authorities have recruited for a specialist role of this nature, in a competitive employment market.

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 stated their frustration at not being in a position to consider the report on Cemetery Memorials and gave apologies on behalf of the Council to those who had been involved in the review. It was requested that the report be reconsidered at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for February 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 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:

1.       The further development of the Walker Street 'Healthy Living Hub' Regeneration Project to RIBA Stage 4 be approved, with the estimated cost being added to the Capital Programme 2025/26 and funded from a mixture of UKPSF grants, funding from external partners and the Council’s own resources with an allocation from General Fund Capital Receipts.

2.       A Waiver of Contract Procedure Rules is approved as the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules (Contracts) would normally require a competitive tendering process for Medium Value contracts.

3.       If required, delegated authority be given to the Interim Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition, to identify a procurement compliant solution for the award of these contracts.

Reason

This will ensure that suitably qualified experts are in place to significantly advance the project during this financial year

RESOLVED that the purchase as detailed in the report be approved and, once acquired, to proceed with the remodelling project to produce one bungalow and four flats within the existing building. The proposed scheme will be subject to receiving the required level of capital grant funding and the necessary Planning consent.

Reason

This is in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Priority of Housing – ‘a good quality home for all.’