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 M Radulovic MBE declared an other-registerable interest in item 6.6 as he is a member of Eastwood Town Council, minute number 19.6 refers.

Councillor C Carr declared an other-registerable interest in item 6.1 as he is a member of the Kimberley Means Board, minute number 19.1 refers.

Councillor J W McGrath declared an other-registerable interest in item 6.1 as he is a member of the Stapleford Town Board, minute number 19.1 refers.

Councillor R D MacRae declared other-registerable interests in items 6.1, 8.2 and 8.3 as he is a member of the Stapleford Town Board, resides in a Council property and has a Council garage, minute numbers 19.1, 21.2 and 21.3 refer respectively.

Cabinet is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2025 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To report the latest position on Local Government Reorganisation in accordance with the requirement of Government to submit a final business case for local government reorganisation in Nottinghamshire.

Members received a report the latest position on Local Government Reorganisation in accordance with the requirement of Government to submit a final business case for local government reorganisation in Nottinghamshire. A number of queries were raised which included dismay at proposals to join with Nottinghamshire City Council, the lack of needs-based assessments within the proposals and disagreement with any statements that suggested the reorganisation would save money. The recommendation was widened to include substitutes for the sub group should the group leaders be unable to attend.

RESOLVED to create a sub group of all group leaders, or their nominated representatives, to discuss and develop any proposals relating to public engagement should that become necessary in between ordinary scheduled Cabinet meetings.

Reason

This is in accordance with the requirement of Government to submit a final business case for local government reorganisation in Nottinghamshire.

Cabinet noted the matters proposed for and undergoing scrutiny.

To report on the revenue and capital outturn position for 2024/25, provide an update on progress with the preparation of the draft annual Statement of Accounts for 2024/25 and approve the revenue and capital carry forward requests to the 2025/26 financial year. This is in accordance with all of the Council’s objectives and key priorities.

Cabinet was updated on the revenue and capital outturn position for 2024/25, and provided with an update on progress with the preparation of the draft annual statement of accounts for 2024/25.

The accounts for 2024/25 had been finalised, subject to audit, and showed an underspending on the General Fund revenue account of £1.402m and an underspending on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) of £534k when compared to the revised estimates. There was praise for the officers who had prepared the report and it was highlighted that despite the excellent figures these were difficult times for local government finances.

RESOLVED that the:

1.   Accounts summary for the financial year ended 31 March 2025, subject to audit, be approved.

2.   Revenue budget carry forward requests outlined in the report be approved and included as supplementary revenue estimates in the 2025/26 budget.

3.   Capital budget carry forward requests outlined in the report be approved and included as supplementary capital estimates in the 2025/26 budget.

Reason

To be accountable for all activities and actions and to ensure that the Council conforms to all financial regulations. The report summarises the Council’s finances at the end of each financial year.

(Having declared other registerable interests Councillors C Carr, R D MacRae and J W McGrath, left the meeting before discussion or voting thereon.)

To inform Members of the treasury management activity and the actual prudential indicators for 2024/25. This is in accordance with all of the Council’s objectives and key priorities.

Cabinet noted the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2025. The report met the requirements of both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities.  The Council was required to comply with both Codes through regulations issued under the Local Government Act 2003.

To present the Business Plan Performance Report for 2024/25 detailing progress against outcome targets linked to the Corporate Plan priorities and objectives.

Cabinet noted a report which outlined progress against outcome targets linked to Corporate Plan priorities and received an update as to the latest financial performance as measured against the budget.  Areas of concern were highlighted, and it was stated that there were ambitious targets within the report.

Members were provided with 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 Ombudsman or Housing Ombudsman.

To make amendments to the Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy.  This is in accordance with our aim to invest in our towns and people.

The Council has been working closely with HMP Ranby, exploring initiatives on the employability of ex-offenders and reintegrating them into society and the workplace.

It was stated that the Council understood its role within the County as a large employer and its duty to work with other agencies and Government departments to play a part in proactively engaging with ex-offenders who may have appropriate skills that could be utilised across the workforce. The Recruitment and Selection Policy was to be amended to include a paragraph outlining that the Council reserved the right to explore employment initiatives to target particular groups who may experience barriers during recruitment processes.

RESOLVED that the Recruitment and Selection Policy be amended to include paragraphs outlining initiatives to target particular groups who may experience barriers during recruitment processes, explanation of the process for the recruitment of Assistant Directors and above and clarification regarding starting salary for roles.

Reason

This is in accordance with the Council’s aim to invest in our towns and people.

To consider a request for grant assistance in accordance with the protocol for the consideration of grant aid to parish and town councils.

Cabinet considered the request for grant assistance within the protocol for the consideration of grant aid to Parish and Town Councils. Eastwood Town Council had requested a grant of £4,149 towards the cost of security, first aid, hire of stage and sound equipment for the ‘Bloomin Marvellous’ Festival 2025.

RESOLVED that grant aid assistance of £4,149 be awarded to Eastwood Town Council.

Reason

As part of the Protocol, Grant Aid would only be given in support of specific projects or services and not as a general grant towards the services provided by a Parish/Town Council. There was no budgetary provision for Capital grants to Parish Councils. The grant aid request was in line with the current Corporate Plan aims for supporting people to live well and provide a safe place for everyone.

(Having declared an other-registerable interest Councillor M Radulovic MBE, left the meeting before discussion or voting thereon. Councillor G Marshall took the Chair for the item.)

To seek approval to adopt the Reduction in Carbon in New Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The SPD seeks to contribute to the Council's Environment Objective of reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) are documents which add further detail to the policies in the Local Plan. They can be used to provide further guidance for development on specific sites, or on specific issues. SPDs are a material consideration in planning decisions but are not part of the statutory development plan.

The Reduction in Carbon in New Development SPD is a joint document produced in collaboration with Nottingham City Council and provides detailed guidance on reducing carbon emissions in new developments, supporting policies in the Greater Nottingham Aligned Core Strategies and the Part 2 Local Plans. Nottingham City Council adopted the SPD on 17 June.

It was requested that case studies from Broxtowe be included in future versions of the document in addition to consideration of circadian rhythms.

RESOLVED that the Reduction of Carbon in New Development as a Supplementary Planning Document, be adopted.

Reason

The SPD seeks to contribute to the Council's Environment Objective of reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.

Cabinet noted the Tenant Satisfaction Measures survey results which the Regulator of Social Housing use to assess how well social housing landlords were performing. The results were reported to the Regulator and would provide information to tenants and others so that they can compare the performance of their landlord with others and see where their landlord needs to improve. It was stated that work had taken place with the Complaints Team to improve the service and learn from the experiences of residents and tenants.

RESOLVED that the associated action plan be approved.

Reason

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

Amendments have been made to the recharges policy following a review of the recharges processes and procedures in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Priority of Housing – a good quality home for everyone.

Members were informed that one of the actions within the Housing Business Plan is to increase recharges. It was stated that the revised Policy set out the refreshed criteria under which the Council may recharge the tenant or the leaseholder when remedial work was carried out, which had arisen following a breach of the Tenancy or Leaseholder Agreement.

RESOLVED that the changes to the Recharges Policy be approved.

Reason

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

(Having declared an other-registerable interest in the item Councillor R D MacRae left the meeting before discussion or voting thereon.)

To seek Cabinet’s comments on an updated Garage Management Policy.

The Council owns 789 garages on various sites throughout the Borough, these are let via a licence for a monthly fee. The Policy outlines the rights and responsibilities of garage licensees and how the Council will allocate and manage garages. This includes how garages will be repaired and maintained. Amendments had been made to the Policy for matters relating to decants and insurance. Other minor amendments have been made for clarity and to update the policy with new job titles.

RESOLVED that the updated Garage Management Policy be approved.

(Having declared an other-registerable interest in the item Councillor R D MacRae left the meeting before discussion or voting thereon.)

In 2019, the Council made an ambitious commitment to become carbon neutral by 31 December 2027. There were 913 days remaining, as of 1 July 2025, to achieve this target. In 2020, the Council created its Climate Change and Green Futures Programme with supporting Carbon Management Action Plan (CMAP) to provide strategic direction with regards to achieving this target. This was revised and adopted in July 2023. Due to the rapidly evolving nature of this subject, a full review and refresh of both documents was completed and adopted in March 2024.

It was stated that this was one of the flagship policies that the Council should be proud of.

          RESOLVED that the revised Carbon Management Action Plan for 2025/26 be approved.

Reason

This is in accordance with the Council's corporate priority of 'Protecting the environment for the future'

To seek approval to conduct a public consultation on the revised Blue/Green Infrastructure Strategy in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Plan Environment Objective: ‘Protect the environment for the future’.

The creation of the Council’s first Green Infrastructure Strategy 2015-2030 was to provide a clear strategic pathway for the management and enhancement of the Borough’s Green Infrastructure. It was also to be used to inform planning decisions, identify opportunities to improve the green corridors and to provide information on how the Borough’s network contributed to the local, regional and national picture. The revised Strategy’s structure is based on the principles outlined within Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework.

RESOLVED that the public consultation on the Blue/Green Infrastructure Strategy be approved.

Reason

This is in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Plan Environment Objective: ‘Protect the environment for the future’.

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 documents.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, including key decisions, be approved.

Reason

The items included in the Work Programme will help to achieve the Council’s key priorities and associated objectives.

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 paragraph 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 item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that the public consultation on the Blue/Green Infrastructure Strategy be approved.