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.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2023, were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

A verbal update will be provided at the meeting of the Markets Review recommendations at the 3 October 2023 Cabinet Meeting.

The Committee noted the update of the Markets review report that was considered at the 3 October 2023 Cabinet meeting. Members requested a six-month review to be added to the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme to ensure the recommendations from the report had been implemented.

To receive the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group’s report on the review of D.H. Lawrence Museum which is contained within the agenda.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is asked to CONSIDER the recommendations contained within the report and RECOMMEND to Cabinet accordingly.

The Committee welcomed the report from the D.H. Lawrence Museum Working Group. The outcome of the scoping form was to review the marketing of the venue and potential improvements following the reported visitor figures at a previous Overview and Scrutiny Meeting. Discussions ensued with suggestions that the local bus service, Trent Barton put the Museum destination as a departure point on both bus stops in each direction within its communications to passengers, Use the museum as a wedding venue and to consider applying for a Blue Plaque for the museum. Concern was raised with the financial information reported for subsidy per head of £32.62. The end of year figures was expected to be less than reported for the end of 2023-2024. Members would like to see a costings review in six months’ time after the recommendations had been implemented and a request for a Blue Plaque to be added to the recommendations to Cabinet.

RECOMMENDED to Cabinet:

1.                      To produce new leaflets to advertise the D.H. Lawrence Museum in Nottinghamshire Places of Interest and Tourist Centres.

2.       To request that Eastwood Town Council add an item on their agenda for updates from the Museum and events.

3.       To identify external funding opportunities to support appropriate projects within the D.H. Lawrence Museum.

4.       To consider the feasibility of Sunday opening hours and the associated costs.

5.       To review the current entrance prices to the D.H. Lawrence Museum, including the consideration of subsidies for those on low incomes.

6.       To identify funding to support re-establishment of the Blue Line           Trail and consider options for enhancing the offer digitally.

7.       To liaise with partners such as Nottinghamshire County Council and Eastwood Town Council to improve signage around Eastwood to promote the D.H. Lawrence Museum.

8.       To suggest to Trent Barton that the Museum be added as a departure point at the bus stop for Alexandra Street, Eastwood within their communications to passengers.

9.       To review the D.H. Lawrence action plan and financial data in 6 to 12 months’ time to allow for a full twelve months of data and for recommendations from the Arts Council to be made available as part of the Museum re-accreditation process.

10.     To consider obtaining a blue plaque.

11.     To carry out a review of costs six months after any implementation of the recommendations

To provide this Committee with an early opportunity to scrutinise and input into the Council’s annual budget setting process, in particular with regards to the approach to the setting of fees and charges for 2024/25.

Members welcomed the early opportunity to scrutinise and input into the Council’s annual budget setting process, in particular to the approach to the setting of fees and charges for 2024/25. Members noted the garden waste impacts with increasing charges including potential problems with fly tipping, and the decline of garden bins if residents stopped using the service.  The Committee would like to see further details of income figures for Parking Services as there was concern with the recent changes to car park charges across the Borough and the impact this may have on businesses within the Town Centres. The Houses in Multiple Occupation fees could be increased and savings should be considered within the annual budget setting process.

To consider any matter referred to the Committee for a decision in relation to the call in of a decision.

Members were informed that no call-ins had been received.

To inform the Committee of items on the Cabinet’s work programme, from which items for scrutiny may be identified.

The Committee noted the work programme.

To review a suggestion from a Councillor to add a topic to the Scrutiny Work Programme.

This item was deferred as Councillor R Bullock had sent his apologies.  

Committee is asked to approve its Work Programme, including identifying topics for scrutiny, that will help to achieve the Council’s key priorities and associated objectives.

The Committee resolved that the work programme with the D.H Lawrence Museum to be reviewed in six months be approved.

          RESOLVED that the work programme be approved.