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.

Councillors T Hallam, R D MacRae and J W McGrath declared other registerable interests in agenda item 5.1 due to their roles as members of the Stapleford Executive Board, minute number 84.1 refers.

Councillor H E Skinner declared a non-registerable interest in agenda item 6 due to being a member of the Toton and Chetwyn Neighbourhood Forum, minute number 85 refers.

Councillor R D MacRae declared a non-registerable interest in agenda item 10 due to his close association with the Chayah Project, minute number 89 refers.

The purpose of this report is to make Members aware of matters proposed for and undergoing scrutiny. This is in accordance with all of the Council’s priorities.

Cabinet noted the Scrutiny Work programme provided by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To approve the Council Tax Base for the year 2023/24.

Members considered the Council Tax Base for the year 2023/24. The Council tax base had been calculated on the estimated full year equivalent number of chargeable dwellings expressed as the equivalent number of band D dwellings in the Council’s area after allowing for dwelling demolitions and completions during the year.

RESOLVED that based on the number of Band D equivalent properties and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, Broxtowe Borough Council calculates its Council Tax Base for the year 2023/24 as follows:

1.               For the whole of its area 34,861.86

2.         In respect of Parish Precepts and Special Expenses for those parts

of its area mentioned in the table below, the amounts specified

there in:

Reason

The calculation of the tax base was a legal requirement and an essential part of the tax setting process. The tax base calculations for a particular financial year must comply with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012 and be determined by no later than 31st January in the preceding financial year. These regulations had been made under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (LGFA 1992) and The Local Government Finance Act 2012 (LGFA 2012) includes several amendments to the LGFA 1992 that affect the calculation of the Council Tax base. These amendments require the Council to operate a Council Tax Support Scheme.

To seek approval for arrangements to operate in 2023/24 in respect of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

Members considered the arrangements to operate the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2023/24. The level of Local Council Tax Support Scheme had risen slightly in 2020/21 as a result of the pandemic. However, the last and current year was showing a reducing spend. It was noted that any alterations to the scheme would have to go through a formal consultation process. The scheme was incorporated within the Council Tax Base calculation.

RECOMMENDED to Council that the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme remains in place for 2023/24.

Reason

Under section 13A (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council as billing authority must make a localised Council Tax Reduction Scheme in accordance with Schedule 1A to the Act. Each financial year the Council must consider whether to revise its scheme, or to replace it with another scheme.

The purpose of this report is to give formal endorsement to a procurement and budget decision made by both the Stapleford Town Deal Executive Board and the Town Deal Delivery Board.  Broxtowe Borough Council needs to ratify this decision as overall Accountable Body for the programme.

Cabinet considered the report to give formal endorsement to a procurement and budget decision made by both the Stapleford Town Deal Executive Board and the Town Deal Delivery Board. The Council was the accountable body for the programme. The Stapleford Town Deal Executive Board had agreed a revised Local Assurance Framework that effectively formed a Town Deal Constitution and regulatory protocol.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Stapleford Town Deal’s Executive and Delivery Boards’ decisions to appoint VIA EM to design the whole town highway improvement scheme; provide detailed designs and construct the replacement car park on Derby Road be endorsed.

2.  An exemption to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules be approved to allow   for The contract to be awarded without a full tender process being carried out.

Reason

The provision of the new car park is vital to facilitate the creation of the next stage of the Victoria Street Enterprise Hub and the commission of VIA EM would enable the construction of the car park once the design had attained planning permission.  

(Councillors T Hallam, R D MacRae and J W McGrath, having declared other registerable interests in the item left the room prior to discussion or voting thereon.)

To provide an update regarding the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan Preferred Approach consultation following an amendment made relating to Gedling Borough Council.

On 8 December 2022 Cabinet resolved to approve the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan Preferred in relation to Broxtowe, for public consultation. Members noted an update regarding the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan Preferred Approach consultation following an amendment made relating to Gedling Borough Council. Gedling Borough, Nottingham City and Rushcliffe Borough Councils have also approved the consultation. However, Gedling’s Cabinet resolution required the removal of the proposed site at Teal Close for 360 dwellings. This site would have required land to be removed from the Green Belt.

(Councillor H E Skinner, having declared a non-registerable interest in the item left the room prior to discussion thereon.)

To inform Members about the delivery outcomes of the Housing Delivery Plan.  It recommends that an updated Housing Delivery Plan be brought to Cabinet for approval in 2023.

An audit of the Housing Delivery Plan was undertaken in 2021.  The audit concluded that the Housing Delivery Plan should be refreshed and updated to fully reflect the current aspirations and potential of the project and that an updated report would be presented to members of approval.  Cabinet received pre-curser to this and members noted progress with the delivery outcomes of the Housing Delivery Plan.  It recommended that an updated Housing Delivery Plan be brought to Cabinet for approval in 2023.

RESOLVED that:

1.        An updated Housing Delivery Plan be prepared and brought to Cabinet for approval in 2023; and

2.         An additional capital budget of £30,000 for assessing the feasibility options for three sites owned by the Council be approved, to be contained within the existing New Build Housing Feasibility Costs budget within the 2022/23 Capital Programme.

Reason

This will assist with the Council’s corporate priority of Housing and the aim of providing a good quality home for everyone.

To seek approval to enter into a shared charging point agreement and to approve the funding for the installation of four electric vehicle charging points at Kimberley Depot.

The Department for Transport has awarded Nottingham City Council a grant as part of the Future Transport Zones funding to develop and operate an electric vehicle (EV) charging network across the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) region.  Approval was sought to enter into a shared charging point agreement and to approve the funding for the installation of four electric vehicle charging points at Kimberley Depot.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The Council enters into an agreement until June 2024 for shared electric vehicle charging points; and

2.    A budget of £25,000, is added to the Capital Programme 2022/23 for the installation and set up costs of four electrical vehicle charging points at Kimberley Depot be approved, to be financed from capital grants received.

Reason

This will create a network of public sector organisations who agree to share EV charge points so delivering collective efficiencies in EV operations and overcoming barriers to charge point deployment. The shared network will provide employees from the member organisations with a series of charging points to use for charging Council operated fleet across the region.  This will improve the charging network for fleet users, home starts and employees frequently on the move as part of their daily work. The electricity used for charging will be paid for by the organisation whose vehicle is being charged.

To inform Members of an updated policy in respect of anti-social behaviour case reviews requested under the provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Part 6 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 came into force on 13 May 2014.  The Act contains provisions which give victims of persistent anti-social behaviour the ability to demand a formal case review where the locally defined threshold is met. In Broxtowe, this has been set at the statutory maximum of three qualifying complaints of anti-social behaviour in a six-month period.

RESOLVED that the Anti–Social Behaviour Case Review (Community Trigger) Policy and Procedure be approved

Reason

The Policy required updates following the retirement of the Head of Public Protection and changes to the coordination and chairing of the service.

To invite Councillors to comment on a proposed survey about how safe people feel in Broxtowe, to inform community safety responses; and the proposed targeted audience for the survey.

Members considered a proposed survey about how safe people feel in Broxtowe which would inform community safety responses and the proposed targeted audience for the survey. It was considered whether schools should be consulted during the process, however, it was agreed that there was a possibility that the consultation could make young children feel unsafe. The Children and Young People’s Partnership could be consulted on the item.

RESOLVED that the proposed survey and the audience for the survey be approved.

Reason

The survey would complement an earlier strategy, in which an action was identified to conduct a survey to find out more specific information about how safe people feel in Broxtowe.

To report the use of the Chief Executive’s urgency powers.

Members noted the use of the Chief Executive’s urgency powers in relation to a direct award for CCTV Monitoring and Maintenance Contracts, an additional revenue budget award for the delivery of work by Chayah to address anti-social behaviour in Beeston and an increase to the establishment for the Environmental Health service.

(Having declared a non-registerable interest in the item Councillor R D MacRae left the meeting before discussion relating to the subject of addressing anti-social behaviour in Beeston.)

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.

Cabinet considered the Work Programme, including potential key decisions that would help to achieve the Council’s key priorities and associated objectives.

RESOLVED that the work programme, including key decisions be approved.

Reason

The items included in the work programme would help to achieve the Council’s key priorities and associated objectives.

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 4 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 paragraphs1, 2, 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Cabinet noted the appendix from agenda item 7.1.

Cabinet noted the appendix from agenda item 5.1.

Cabinet noted the appendix from agenda item 10.