Decisions

Members had previously requested that a regular governance dashboard report be provided to Committee on major projects, such as the Beeston Square Development, Stapleford Town Fund and Housing Delivery Programme.  As a consequence of the Covid 19 lockdown, it was agreed to defer these governance reviews to a future meeting. Members were updated on the work done by the Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services team to deter fraud with the Covid 19 Business Grant process. 

Councillors requested that the grants process during the pandemic be scrutinised both internally and externally.

Councillors received an update on the Scale Fee.

Members discussed the Council’s accounting policies in relation to the production of the 2019/2020 financial statements. It is considered good practice that Members are given the opportunity to discuss and comment on the accounting policies to be used in the production of the financial statements.

RESOLVED that the Accounting Policies for 2019/2020 be approved.

To Committee considered the assumptions made by the pension fund actuary in calculating the IAS 19 (International Accounting Standard 19 - Employee Benefits) figures to be reported in the 2019/2020 Statement of Accounts. Employee Benefits is one of the financial reporting standards with which the Council must comply when producing its annual Statement of Accounts. The basic requirement of IAS 19 is that an organisation should account for retirement benefits when it is committed to give them, irrespective of when they are paid out.

The Committee received an update on the Procurement Management Framework. Further updates would be brought to the July meeting of this committee.

The Committee noted the new approach to carrying out the annual canvass to be introduced this year. The success of the online registration service haddemonstrated a clear public acceptance of moving to a more digital approach.

Councillors were updated on The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) decision of finding an injustice regarding the lack of repairs undertaken to a garage site.

The minutes were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no apologies for absence.

The Committee noted the report and was updated on progress made. Town centre vacancies in the north of the borough were the main concern. It was confirmed that the Climate Change Motion applied to the entire borough of Broxtowe. The Chief Executive proposed the reconvening of the Environmental Task Group, with councillors leading on the initiative.

All departments were thanked for their efforts in keeping costs down throughout the council.

Members noted the report and received an update of activity and outcomes in respect of the Council’s equality and diversity work. As the Community Celebration Group was to be disbanded, Councillors expressed their gratitude and discussed ways to thank the group members. It was discussed how events could be organised in the future.

Employment ratios and pay equality were considered to be good as was the retention rate for disabled staff. Mental Health issues needed be incorporated more going forward, however and be embedded in all policies.

The Committee noted the report and was informed that it was lack of income from parental employment that makes it hard to break free from poverty. Other contributing factors included long-term worklessness, low parental qualifications, parental ill health, family instability, family size and drug/alcohol dependency.

Councillors discussed disparities across the borough and ways in which the Council could help reduce the number of households in poverty. Since being established, Stapleford Food Project had organised youth clubs throughout the summer and collected clothing/school shoes to distribute. It was proposed that this be replicated in other areas. Job Clubs in all 4 towns would to be held in 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2019 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

 RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

The council had previously engaged with the local Youth Council to produce a Youth action plan. A budget of £10,000 had been set aside for this purpose. Councillors considered the report and agreed that terms of reference would be established once it had been ascertained what young people wanted. Climate Change was considered to be a subject most would want to engage with.

Members discussed child poverty in the borough and queried how it was measured. It was noted that area action plans were crucial to tackling child poverty within parts of the borough and that child poverty was not solely based on financial circumstances but opportunity, skills and life chances. A pack was in progress for Councillors containing figures regarding each area.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

        The Committee noted the progress made in achieving the Corporate Plan priorities and received an update as to the latest financial performance as measured against the budget. Members acknowledged that town centres continued to pose a challenge and while some areas of the borough were performing well, other areas needed extra attention. Stapleford was one of the 100 towns, however, selected to bid for government money. The bid would be discussed at the Jobs and Economy Committee. It was agreed that the new Corporate Plan would have new performance indictors and new areas of focus.

The Customer Services Strategy 2019-2021 detailed the actions that would be taken to develop Customer Services throughout the Council. The whole Council would be required to embrace the strategy. The committee noted the Strategy but queried the impact of the Digital Strategy. It was confirmed that adaptions would be made for customers needing it.

It was proposed and seconded that an amendment to the strategy be made.

RESOLVED to accept the amendment and carry out an Equality Impact Assessment.

        The report highlighted that the Council had not had a peer challenge for over five years. The Local Government Association manage the sector-led improvement reviews with an aim to generate external perspectives and insights.

RESOLVED to invite the LGA to conduct a peer challenge of Broxtowe Borough Council.

The report outlined how the Council would act as a lead authority in the procurement of a piece of vital evidence required on behalf of the Greater Nottingham Housing Market Area to progress the Aligned Core Strategy Review. Benefits would include maintaining control over development and maintaining partnership arrangements which would lead to financial benefits. Members discussed the importance of the report in regards to the Local Plan. It was suggested that roadshows should be held to involve communities and parish councils. It was noted that this report was the basis for policy - not policy in itself and all future decisions would come to either the Jobs and Economy Committee or Full Council.

RESOLVED that the Council act as lead authority on behalf of the Greater Nottingham Councils in the procurement of a Greater Nottingham Growth Options Study and the Section 151 Officer be given delegated authority to accept the tender and sign the tender contract on behalf of the Council once appointment is made.

18 September 2019

Housing Options Restructure

It was confirmed that the Housing Options Restructure should be discussed at this Policy and Performance Committee due to the fact it was scheduled prior to the next Housing Committee, as per the constitution.

 RESOLVED that the Housing Options Team structure, including the posts of Housing Options Manager, Housing Options Officer and Domestic Abuse and Private Sector Coordinator be approved with the deletion of the existing posts.

    Members received an update on progress made with regard to The Square  Phase 2 in Beeston. It was noted that the Christmas 2020 opening was on target.  Contracts had been exchanged with The Arc cinema and the overall project was  proceeding well. The Committee was informed by the Deputy Chief Executive that the item would be discussed in more depth later in the agenda as there were exempt items to be considered.

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 or subsequently changed by the Finance and Resources Committee and/or Full Council as appropriate.

The Rent Setting Policy outlined how the Council would calculate rent for the housing stock that it owned and managed within the Housing Revenue Account. The purpose of the Policy was to ensure the rents would be set in accordance with the relevant statutory and regulatory obligations.

The policies were discussed. It was confirmed that new tenancies would be more expensive but would be capped at a 10% increase. The change to the rent free period was queried. It was clarified that this was largely administrative and now reflected the system used by most Housing Associations. Informal feedback had shown that the change was popular.

RESOLVED that the Rent Setting Policy, Income Collection Policy and Financial Inclusion Policy be approved.

The Council had reviewed its tenancy arrangements in 2017-2018 and an independent legal options review was undertaken.

In January 2018 the Housing Committee had resolved a recommendation that included the introduction of introductory tenancies, which for general needs tenancies, became five year fixed term tenancies after the initial 12-month introductory tenancy period. The Committee debated the merits of fixed term tenancies but the government’s change in emphasis noted.

A recorded vote was proposed by Councillor S J Carr and seconded by Councillor T Hallam. The voting was as follows:

RESOLVED that the statutory process of consultation to end Fixed Term Tenancies be commenced with affected tenants and that Fixed Term Tenancies no longer be offered to new tenants of the Council.

The aim of the Policy was to set out the Council’s approach to acquiring property and land. This is to ensure the Council fulfils its objectives set out in the Housing Delivery Plan. The Policy was debated and members stated that new Council owned social housing was needed.

RESOLVED that the Acquisitions Policy be approved.

In February 2012 the Council approved a 30 year HRA business plan with the financial model being updated and approved by Council each financial year. The Committee noted the capacity within the financial model for the provision of new housing.

RECOMMENDED to Council that the financial model for the Housing Revenue Account be approved.

The Committee noted that the Regulator of Social Housing sets out the regulatory framework for social housing in England. This Framework is a number of standards that registered providers are expected to meet, including local authorities.

The report was discussed and it was considered that processes had been put in place which had improved the customer experience. The Council staff were thanked for their efforts.

RESOLVED that the Housing Service Annual Report 2018/2019 be approved.

The Committee expressed its gratitude to the employees of the Council. The hard work was reflected in the full Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

The Committee noted the report on the progress against outcome targets identified in the Housing Business Plan.

The issue of no storage for mobility scooters in the dementia friendly bungalows was raised. It was confirmed that this issue was being considered going forward and would hopefully be discussed at a future meeting.

The Committee was updated on actions taken since the last report in September 2018. It was expected that that the Grenfell Inquiry would result in significant suggestions for local authorities but the delay in the publishing of the report was a concern. As a result, the Council was acting in advance of such measures becoming law. Further measures would be brought to Committee in due course. The Committee noted the work already taken.

RESOLVED that the Chair of the Housing Committee write to the Secretary of State regarding the need for guidance on Fire door standards.

The Committee received an update on the outcome of the latest consultation and site assessments relating to the Broxtowe Parks Standard. It was noted that two sites were failing the standard and works had been scheduled to improve these sites.

The Committee received an update on the Clean and Green Initiative. It was noted that the bulky waste collection was popular with residents. The budget allocation for 2019/20 for Waste Days/Free Bulky Waste collections was £15,500.  The expenditure incurred on the provision of these services throughout the year would be met within the existing budget.

The Committee received an update on the Pride in Parks initiative. It was noted funding had been allocated to undertake improvements to the Borough owned play areas that had been identified as high priority sites in the Play Strategy and to the Town and Parish Councils that maintain their own parks and outdoor recreational facilities to enable improvement and renovation works to be undertaken at these sites.

The Committee consider the proposals for business plans, 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.

1.       RESOLVED that the Environment Business Plan be approved.

2.       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 capital programme for 2020/21 to 2022/23.

          c)         The fees and charges for 2020/21.

The Committee were informed of the latest Air Quality Status Report. DEFRA requires all local authorities in England to produce an Annual Status Report in respect of air quality. It was noted that further monitoring of troubled areas was required. However, there had been an overall reduction in air pollution.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.

            RESOLVED that the work programme be approved.

The Committee received an update on Housing Need work, in so far as it relates to clusters of student accommodation in Beeston and to recommend the appropriate response to this issue.

RESOLVED that delegated authority is given to the Chair of Jobs and Economy in consultation with the Head of Planning and Economic Development and the Head of Legal Services, to arrange for the work to be undertaken outlined in appendix 4 and shown in appendix 5 to create an Article 4 Direction in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation.

The Committee were updated on the Midlands Engine Development Corporation programme.

It was noted that the Midlands Engine development corporation programme was asked to consider three geographical areas in the East Midlands including Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station and Toton and Chetwynd Barracks in Nottinghamshire, and East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire.

It was noted that the proposals in relation to Toton and Chetwynd Barracks include a mix of housing and employment, including the potential to deliver around 4,500 homes

The Committee RESOLVED that:

1.   Endorse the statement of intent.

2.   Support the Council’s continued role in the establishment of the development corporation and the required interim arrangements.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.

            RESOLVED that the work programme be approved.

The Committee was informed of the progress made on key sites. It was noted that the Moults Yard site was undergoing treatment for Japanese Knotweed and works were scheduled to start once this had been completed.

It was reported that the proposed development site at Cossall was to be considered by a future Planning Committee.

The Committee consider the the proposals for business plans, 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.

1.       The Committee RESOLVED that the Business Growth Business Plan be approved.

2.       The Committee 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 capital programme for 2020/21 to 2022/23.

          c)         The fees and charges for 2020/21.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.

            RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

The Committee considered the proposed Location Specific Regeneration Strategies and Town Investment Plans. It was proposed to replicate the approach undertaken with the Stapleford Town Funds Board. However, it was noted that further consideration was required in relation to the membership of the boards.

RESOLVED that Town Investment Plans are the best method for implementing Economic Growth Plans in the different areas of the Borough

The Committee received a presentation from Ken Harrison in relation to the Development Corporation.