Decisions

The Chair had agreed that under S100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the following report be considered on the grounds that the matter needed to be determined urgently for the benefit of the Council.

RESOLVED to declare the land surplus to the Crematorium’s requirements and approve that the executives of both constituent authorities that delegated authority be given to Broxtowe’s Deputy Chief Executive and s.151 officer, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of this Committee and Erewash’s s.151 officer, the initial negotiations with the prospective land purchaser, subject to appropriate buffering arrangements between the Crematorium and the proposes housing developments.

It was agreed that information regarding the Stapleford Town Bid be added to the Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.

The Committee noted a report which provided information on progress against outcome targets linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives in addition to an update as to the latest financial performance as measured against the budget.

The Committee noted an update on progress on The Square Phase 2 Beeston and members were informed that the majority of suppliers and sub-contractors involved with the site were from the local area.

RESOLVED to continue to delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive all key approvals, in consultation with the cross-party Project Board, and subject to the overall project cost remaining within the financial limits already set for subsequently changed by the Finance and Resources Committee and/or Full Council as appropriate.

The Committee considered the Corporate Plan 2020-24 prior to its submission to Full Council and suggested that the Plan was a progressive document that was realistic yet ambitious. A number of minor amendments were suggested to alter the tone of the document, however, the Plan was positively received.

RECOMMENDED to Council that the Corporate Plan 2020-24 be approved.

Members considered a proposal from British Telecommunications to remove seven public payphones from locations around the Borough. It was suggested that the Carwood Road box be adopted to house a defribillator.

RESOLVED that an objection be raised to the proposed removal of 6 of the 7 payphones in the Borough (not being that on Carwood Road, Beeston), with a request being made to British Telecommunications that these boxes are adopted by the Council.

Members considered amendments to the terms of reference to committees and suggested that there should be increased concentration on decision making rather than noting reports submitted to meetings. It was further suggested that there was concern over the number of committees appointed to.

It was proposed by Councillor S J Carr and seconded by Councillor G Marshall that an amendment be made to the terms of reference to Full Council to state that members note the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel before the adoption or amendment of the Councillor’s allowance scheme, furthermore the addition of the inclusion of responsibilities for food hygiene and the Health and Safety Policy in the terms of reference for the Community Safety Committee. On being put to the meeting, the proposals were carried.

RECOMMENDED to Council that the Terms of Reference be approved, as amended above, and the consequential changes to the Constitution be made.

Members were informed that the Workforce Profile was an annual report which was produced by the Pay and Job Evaluation team and covered areas such as recruitment, the workforce, employment issues and health and safety. It provided an opportunity for the Council to compare with previous years to see how the Council progressed.

It was suggested that the recruitment of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) applicants could be considered in more detail by the Committee. It was agreed that the information would be submitted to a future meeting.

It was agreed that an update on Supporting Employees with Long Term Mental Health Conditions, Employee Engagement Satisfaction, BAME Employment Issues, Employee Reskilling and Coaching and Mentoring be added to the Committee Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.

Members noted a report which provided an update on the support offered by the Council to employees with long-term mental health conditions. It was queried whether the age profile of the workforce was considered. The Committee was informed that reskilling was in place amongst the workforce but there was an opportunity to discover further options around the issue.

The Committee considered the Work Programme and agreed that a review of performance management information be added to a future meeting.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.

The committee was informed that car park charges were re-introduced to the majority of Broxtowe’s town centre car parks in 2010. Members considered the options and it was stated that the use of electric charging points would be incentivised, however, it was also suggested that further options should have been suggested for consideration.

It was proposed by Councillor M Radulovic MBE and seconded by Councillor S J Carr that option 3 be the Council’s preferred option and that this be reviewed after a year.

RECOMMENDED to Council that option 3 as included in the appendix to the report be approved the decision be reviewed one year after its implementation.

The Committee noted a report which provided information on the legal requirement to include a statement regarding how the Council would handle personal data under the General Data Protection Regulation which is included when calling the Council’s main switchboard.

The Committee considered the proposals for business palms, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2020/21 capital programme for 2020/21 to 2022/23 and proposed fees and charges for 2020/21 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

RESOLVED that the attached Business Plans be approved.

        RECOMMENDED to Council that the following be approved:

a)         The detailed revenue budget estimates for 2020/21 (base) including any revenue development submissions.

b)         The capital programme for 2020/21 to 2022/23

c)         The fees and charges for 2020/21.

Section 12 of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 provided local authorities the power to levy extra council tax of 50% on domestic properties which have been vacant for more than two years, The Council has used this power since April 2013. Members considered a request to approve the alterations of council tax levied on properties in the Borough of Broxtowe which had been vacant for a period of two years or more.

RESOLVED that the increase in the Council Tax Empty Property Levy be as follows:

1.         Adopt an empty property levy at 100% for dwellings that have been vacant for more than two years from 1 April 2020.

2.         Adopt an empty property levy at 200% for dwellings that have been vacant for a period of five or more years from 1April 2020.

3.         Adopt an empty property levy of 300% for dwellings that have been vacant for ten or more years from 1April 2021.

Members considered two requests for grant aid from Brinsley Parish Council, firstly one for £1,000 towards the cost of a festive lighting display, and secondly for £1,225 towards its VE Day celebrations.

RESOLVED that Brinsley Parish Council be awarded £1,000 towards the cost of a festive lighting display and £1,225 towards its VE Day celebrations.

The Committee considered requests for grant aid in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy and noted the grants awarded under delegated authority.

                  RESOLVED that the applications be dealt with as follows:

The Committee considered a grant aid request from the Canalside Heritage Centre and it was queried whether the organisation had applied to other bodies for grants. It was further queried as to the Centre’s use of volunteers and whether these had been used judiciously. It was suggested that any grant would be accompanied by a service level agreement which would also consider historical issues such as staffing numbers and the size of the organisation’s volunteer base.

A recorded vote was requested by Councillor M Radulovic MBE and seconded by Councillor S J Carr. The voting was as follows:

RESOLVED that a capital grant of £10,000 be awarded to funded from 2020/21 Capital Contingencies. Plus, a further £5,000 Revenue Grant in 2019/20 with a commitment to award a further £5,000 Revenue Grant in 2020/21 conditional on progress following the first tranche of funding.

The Committee considered the budget proposals and associated strategies with particular reference to notional capital charges and the amounts being drawn from reserves. The following comments were amongst those made:

·       There should be less volatility around business rates.

·       Changes to the staffing budget would be a result of the evaluation of a number of posts.

·       Should there be any movement on tram compensation this should be reported to members.

·       There was no budget provision for legal costs in the 2020/21 budget.

·       It was noted that in line with the Rent Setting Policy approved by Housing Committee on 18 September 2019 the Formula rent would be used to set rents for all new tenancies. Where there was a large difference between the previous rent charged and the new rent level the increase would be limited to 10%.

RESOLVED that the business plans for the Council’s corporate priorities and support functions, subject to amendment as a result of any budget decisions still to be taken by Council recommended by the relevant policy committees.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

1.       The Housing Revenue Account budget as submitted be approved (appendix 2).

2.       The General Fund revenue budgets as submitted be approved (appendix 3).

3.       The capital submissions and priorities within them be approved (appendix 4).

4.       The Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to arrange the financing of the capital programme as necessary (appendix 4).

5.       An amount of £25,000 be provided for a General Contingency in 2020/21 (appendix 3).

6.       The council tax requirement for 2020/21 including special expenses (but excluding local precepting requirements) be £5,704,431 (appendix 3).

7.       An amount of £1,167,316 be withdrawn from the General Fund reserve in 2020/21 (appendix 3).

8.       An amount of £30,000 be added to the General Fund earmarked reserves in 2020/21 (appendix 3).

9.       The Capital Strategy 2020/21 to 2022/23 be approved (appendix 5)

10.     The Minimum Revenue Provision policy as set out be approved (appendix 6).

11.     The treasury management strategy statement 2020/21 to 2022/23 be approved (appendix 6).

12.     The investments strategy 2020/21 to 2022/23 be approved (appendix 7).

13.     The General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 to 2023/24 be approved (appendix 8).

Councillor R D MacRae, the Council’s representative on the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel, updated members on the work of the Panel.

The Chair informed the Committee that this item would be moved forward in the agenda. Members received a presentation from the Pythian Club and were informed that the aim of the Club was to inspire positivity in young people.

Members received a written update from Inspector Simon Riley on policing matters.

Members considered the Work Programme and it was agreed that a standing item be added in relation to Updates on the Police and Crime Commissioner Panel in addition to the results of the consultation for toilet provision in premises selling food and drink.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.

The Committee considered proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2020/21 and proposed fees and charges for 2020/21 in respect of the Council’s priority areas. Additional information showing proposed fees and charges in respect of dog control was circulated.

RESOLVED that the Community Safety Business Plan be approved.

        RECOMMENDED that the Finance and Resources Committee recommends to Council that the following be approved:

a)       The detailed revenue budget estimates for 2020/21 (base) including any revenue development submissions.

b)       The fees and charges for 2020/21.

Section 20 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (the Act) empowers local authorities to require sanitary facilities to be made available for the use of the public in “relevant places” defined under the Act including “places used for the sale of food and drink to members of the public for consumption at the place”. The Act gives the local authority the power to require the owner/occupier to provide sanitary accommodation of specific kinds and number, in a specified time. 

The Council currently does not have an approved policy on this matter. As such, officers of the Environmental Health Section can only recommend good practice where they find a food business where seating is provided and there are no toilets. Very few complaints are received from the public about this issue but it is felt that the situation in Broxtowe should be regularised, even if that means simply maintaining the current position of officers just giving “best practice” advice.

The Committee considered a number of options with regard to toilet provision and agreed that initial consultation would allow for members to reach a more informed decision.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor P Lally and seconded by Councillor R D MacRae that consultation be undertaken prior to a decision. On being put to the meeting, the amendment was carried.

RESOLVED that consultation take place with existing food and drink premises and the public prior to further consideration by the Committee.

Members were informed that the Military Covenant, or Armed Forces Covenant, was a term introduced in 2000 to refer to the mutual obligations between the nation and its Armed Forces. It was an informal understanding, rather than a legally enforceable deal, but was nevertheless treated with great seriousness within the services. Organisations which signed up to the Covenant pledge acknowledged and understood that those who served or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

RESOLVED that the Armed Forces Community Covenant Action Plan 2018/20 be approved.