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 S Paterson and D Grindell declared disclosble registerable interests in agenda item 4, minute number 44 refers as there were Members on the Liberty Leisure Board threfore they did not vote on this item.

Councillors E Kerry declared other registerable interest as he was Chair on the Notts County Council Pension Board.

To consider proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24; capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26; and proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

This item was moved at the discretion from the Chair

Members considered proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24, capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26 and proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

Allowances for the pay award and inflationary pressures, cost of energy and fuel had impacted the budgets. These allowances were guided by the best indications available at the time.

      Comments included the following:

·       That it was essential to provide detailed budgets to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to allow for an effective scrutiny on them. Members felt there was a lot of data missing.             

·         An explanation of an inactive adult was provided to the Committee and how the random survey was conducted. Sports England defined an inactive adult to be someone who did less than 30 minutes of exercise a week

·         Concern was raised with the costs of repairs and maintenance of Bramcote Leisure Centre and no short or medium term costs of the leisure Centre re build and impact on the budgets. A confidential report would be presented at the 7 February 2023 Cabinet meeting.

·             The Delivery of the Culture and Events Strategy and the reason for transferring the service back in house to allow Liberty leisure to focus on leisure services.

·             The Risks associated with agency staff and the failure to recruit to Senior Environmental Health posts. It was recognised that there was a country wide problem with recruitment currently.

·             Query why licensing fees had not increased and if Broxtowe was subsiding businesses with fees and charges. It was confirmed to Members that fees are adhered to by National Code of Practices and we had to charge to be cost neutral.

·             Members were advised to check the Council’s website for times of swimming and associated costs.

·             The exercise referral scheme had 229 referrals from the Primary Care Network. Good relations had been made with the Network. The referrals had resulted in 139 Memberships being created. 

·             The ongoing delivery of the Get Action Plan was discussed, to provide opportunities for potentially inactive people to become more active.

·             The replacement of gym equipment across the leisure centres raised concern with the costs associated. An audit of all equipment would be undertaken with options of leasing, purchasing or returning the equipment and managing the equipment across each site with usage, wear and tear.

·             Concern was raised with the direct budget costs associated with potentially delivering changes to the existing management agreement between Liberty Leisure Limited and Broxtowe Borough Council. Work was to be explored with Active4today to look at efficiencies. Liberty leisure Limited would in addition be reviewing payment schedules, updating the scope of the service, agreeing a reserve policy, managing the repairs and renewals, and Governance of the Company.

·             The subsidy of visitors to the DH Lawrence Museum and plans to increase footfall in the next year was discussed. A new forward plan and strategy would be produced with the service being transferred under the Communications, Cultural and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

To consider proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24; and proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

Members considered proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/23 and proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 I respect of the Councils priority areas.

Comments included the following:

·       Knife crime was low in Broxtowe. Media published data that gave the impression knife crime involved young people this was not always the case. Older people carry knives and are involved in incidents. The crimes are just not reported in the same way in the media.

·       Queries were raised with the Licensing fees and how they were set, in particular the Houses in Multiple Occupation and Dangerous Wild Animals fees. Increasing fees cannot be applied as an act to deter applying for a licence. DEFRA set definitions how the Licence fees could be applied for with Local Authorities.

·       Safer Streets Action Plan for Eastwood that funding was matched by external partnerships

·       Concern was raised that anti-social behaviour targets were not ambitious enough.

·       An explanation of the Sanctuary Scheme was provided to the Members. Support was provided to assist the homeowner by offering door locks, additional lighting and camera door bells to allow the resident to remain in their own home.

RECOMMENDED that:

1.       Cabinet approved the Community Safety Business Plan

2.       Cabinet recommends to Council that the following be approved:

          a) The detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24 (base)

b) The fees and charges for 2023/24

To consider proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24; capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26; and proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

A ten-minute comfort break was put to the committee and when put to the vote this was agreed

Members considered proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24, capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26 and proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 in respect of the Councils priority areas.

An update was provided at the meeting that appendix 2C Environment and Climate Change Review of Fees, Charges and Allowances had some slight amendments to the fees and charges.

Comments were as follows:

·       The Committee noted that the Climate Change Strategy would be presented to Cabinet in March 2023 after a query was raised with the plan to achieve the targets set.

·       Members noted an update on the success of the Green Rewards Scheme.

·       A query was raised with regards to the garden waste subscription. The £1.00 increase was to help cover the costs of inflation, energy, fuel and the pay award and maintaining service delivery.

·       Household waste collection per head would be reduced with a reduction in plastics and how manufacturers are changing their packaging on goods. There is an aspiration to reduce residual waste. Concern was raised that currently all residual waste goes to the incinerator that produces steam for Nottingham this was confirmed that multiple organisations transfer waste to the incinerator.

·       Members were pleased to see the number of electric vehicles target for 2022/23 had been exceeded as there were now nine electric vehicles. There was some concern that there were inadequate charging points across the country and that currently the cost to power the cars was more than diesel. It was agreed that electric cars were only a small part of the solution. Other options would need to researched when feasible options become available.

·       The Committee asked for further clarification with the structure review within Bereavement Services. A new marketing strategy to grow the crematorium as a business and improve service resilience would require a new structure to facilitate the changes. Engagement with Funeral Directors and other establishments to provide bespoke services and be competitive with other providers within the area. Providing Woodland burials would contribute towards the Council tree planting targets and carbon off setting implications.

·       An increase in charges for major events was to cover potential restorative works to the ground after the event, litter picks and the costs incurred due to inflation and the pay award.

RECOMMENDED that:

1.     Cabinet approves the Environmental Business Plan and the Bereavement Services Business Plan.

2.     Cabinet recommends to Council with the slight amendments in appendix 2C that the following be approved:

a)    The detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24 (base)

b)    The capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26

c)    The fees and charges for 2023/24

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.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee resolved that the work programme be approved.

            RESOLVED that the work programme be approved.