Decisions

The former BIFFA sand quarry and landfill site at Bramcote was legally adopted by the Council in July 2025. Section 106 funds had been received from BIFFA for the improvement and maintenance of the restored quarry. Following the cessation of quarrying and landfill operations the site was capped and restored by BIFFA. It now comprised of a mixture of young woodland, naturalistic grassland and crushed stone paths. There was also a small car parking area with gated access. At present the gates were kept locked and only pedestrian access was possible, as keeping the gates open would make the site vulnerable to fly-tipping and unauthorised encampments.

Crushed stone paths on site had suffered erosion and wash-out in heavy rain and were not accessible. With a large-scale residential development currently taking place on the Coventry Lane, the footfall to this site was likely to increase. Members were informed that the proposed improvements included upgrading the car park and access track and incorporating a height restriction barrier at the entrance to the site to prevent unauthorised encampments. The area surrounding the car park would be more formally maintained and made more visible to discourage fly-tipping.

RESOLVED that:

1.     That the proposed improvement works at the former Bramcote Quarry and Landfill site be approved and added to the Capital Programme in 2026/27, with the cost of £107,000 to be funded by the relevant Section 106 Contributions be approved.

2.     That the draft management plan for the Bramcote Quarry site be submitted for public consultation and comment be approved.

3.     A public consultation exercise be undertaken to name the open space be approved.

4.     To undertake the necessary steps to designate the site Local Nature Reserve be approved.

Reason

The proposed designation and management of the site as a Local Nature Reserve will deliver positive climate benefits by enhancing carbon sequestration through habitat restoration and tree planting, while supporting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. These improvements contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation objectives, aligning with the Council’s Climate Change and Green Futures Strategy.

Cabinet considered recommending to Council the capital and revenue budgets proposals together with the Capital Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy and General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy. The service and financial plans were considered as an integral part of the budget setting process by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 19 and 20 January 2026.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The Business Plans for the Council’s corporate priorities and support service functions, subject to amendment as a result of any budget decisions still to be taken by Council as recommended by Cabinet

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

2.     The Housing Revenue Account budgets as submitted be approved.

3.     The General Fund revenue budgets as submitted be approved.

4.     The capital submissions and priorities within them be approved and that the Interim Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer be authorised to arrange the financing of the Capital Programme as necessary.

5.     The Council Tax Requirement for 2026/27 including special expenses (but excluding local precepting requirements) be £7,216,416.

6.     An amount of £760,309 be withdrawn from the General Fund Reserve and an amount of £439,883 be taken from the General Fund earmarked reserves in 2026/27.

7.     The Capital Strategy 2026/27 to 2028/29 be approved.

8.     The Minimum Revenue Provision policy, as set out, be approved.

9.     The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2026/27 to 2028/29 be approved.

10.The Investments Strategy 2026/27 to 2028/29 be approved.

11.The General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2029/30 be approved.

Reason

The proposals were in accordance with the relevant legislation, Council policy and procedures, and the Council’s statutory and fiduciary powers.

As part of the Regulator of Social Housing’s Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard, there is an expectation that Registered Providers of Social Housing provide meaningful opportunities for tenants to scrutinise their landlord’s strategies, policies and services.

A decision was made by the Housing Influence Panel (HIP) to create a Housing Scrutiny Group to conduct scrutiny exercises, and report back their findings and recommendations to the HIP for them to monitor. In April 2024, scrutiny training was delivered to members of the HIP to ensure that they knew how to effectively review Housing services, improve standards and to hold the Council to account through structured analysis, understanding co-regulation and developing effective recommendations.

RESOLVED that the recommendations in Appendix 1 of the report and the Lettable Standard in Appendix 2 of the report, be approved.

Reason

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

Members noted a report on the requirements of the new Competence and Conduct Standard as part of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023. Officers stated that as part of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, the government was implementing a new Competence and Conduct Standard for those who worked in housing services. This was in addition to the four existing Consumer Standards that the Council had to demonstrate compliance against. All Registered Providers of social housing would need to ensure that “all staff involved in the provision of services in connection with the management of social housing have the skills, knowledge and experience to exhibit the behaviours needed to deliver a good quality service”. The Regulator of Social Housing would need to be provided with assurances that the Council was meeting the expectations set out in the standard.

Cabinet considered the Pay Policy for 2026/27 prior to its submission to full Council. The pay policy statement for 2026/27 set out the Council’s policies relating to the remuneration of its senior officers, the remuneration of its lowest paid employees. Each Local Authority had a statutory obligation to publish an annual Pay Policy Statement.

RECOMMENDED to Council that the Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 be approved.

Reason

Each Local Authority had a statutory obligation to publish an annual Pay Policy Statement.

The Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) completed a thorough inspection of Broxtowe Borough Council in October 2025, in relation to the Regulator’s Consumer Standards. During the inspection, the Regulator met with tenants, officers and elected Members and reviewed a wide range of documents and data. Following the inspection, the Council received a C3 rating from RSH, meaning that the Council was not meeting the Regulator’s requirements and must work to improve its position. This was the first time that the Council had been assessed in this way following the introduction of new regulations as part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. Members noted a report which gave information on the judgement from the RSH and welcomed the report that led to the judgement.

It was stated that the repairs service had undergone wholesale improvements which would be of benefit to the residents. It was further stated that there was much context to the report and that fire safety was extremely important and the issue had been addressed fully over approximately the last year which was evidenced by full reviews of fire risk assessments, there were an estimated 6,000 actions 3,117 actions all of which were medium and low risk and a management plan was being worked through. Members were informed that over the next twelve months the situation would be hugely advanced.

Members considered a report which sought approval for the renewal of the pre-existing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) for alcohol control, vehicle control, dog control and footpath gating in order to continue to deter and control issues of ASB in public spaces. It was stated that a number of cases relating to ASB had recently been recognised in Beeston Town Centre which lay just outside of the designated area. Members agreed that the designated spots be amended to include the affected areas.

RESOLVED that:

1.            Beeston Town Centre Alcohol Control PSPO be approved.

2.            Beeston North Alcohol Control PSPO be approved.

3.            Stapleford Town Centre Alcohol Control PSPO be approved.

4.            Eastwood Town Centre Alcohol Control PSPO be approved.

5.            Kimberley Town Centre Alcohol Control PSPO be approved.

6.            Manor Park Alcohol Control PSPO be approved.

7.            Eastwood Vehicle Control PSPO be approved.

8.            Chilwell Vehicle Control PSPO (including extension) be approved.

9.            Basil Russell Playing Fields Dog Control PSPO be approved.

10.         Malthouse Close to Knapp Avenue Footpath Gating PSPO be approved.

11.         An additional budget of £1,500, if required, be set aside from General Fund Revenue Contingencies for this purpose.

12.         Consideration be given to the extension of the area in resolution 1 in relation to cases of ASB that have emerged in recent weeks, and if necessary, a delegation be granted to the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety in consultation with the Head of Communities and Community Safety.

Reason

A PSPO allows action to be taken where that behaviour causes ASB.

Members considered the Work Programme and added updates on the Housing Regulator to the meetings to be held in March and June, in addition to information on Bramcote Leisure Centre to the March meeting.

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

Reason

This is in accordance with all of the Council’s Corporate Priorities.

Members considered the capital budget variations for 2025/26. The Capital Programme for 2025/26 to 2027/28 was approved by Council on 5 March 2025. The total value of the original Capital Programme for 2025/26 was £34.966m (£32.484m excluding ‘reserve items’). Several capital schemes required amendments to the budgets to more accurately reflect expectations in the current financial year. In all cases the capital financing would not be adversely affected with schemes either being funded by capital grants or through previously agreed prudential borrowing which will be adjusted accordingly to match spends.

These schemes included elements of the Housing Delivery Programme, an element of Economic Regeneration Projects relating to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and other General Fund capital schemes.

RESOLVED that the capital budget variations for 2025/26, as set out in the report, be approved.

Reason

To be accountable for all activities and actions and to ensure that the Council conforms to all financial regulations.

Members considered the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee following its review of Cemetery Memorials. An equalities impact assessment had been included which allowed for further consideration of the item. The Friends of Broxtowe Cemeteries Group were thanked for their dignity and perseverance throughout the review and additional recommendations were proposed to be added in relation to reopened graves not being required to revert to the one-metre rule, consultation on memorial days and new memorials complying with the one-metre rule.

RESOLVED that the following be approved:

1.     To recognise the confusion caused to some local residents and thank them for their contributions, while also commending the work of Council Officers, acknowledging the difficult work they undertake in an often-conflicting environment and also thanking them for their contributions to the work of the task and finish group.

2.     To allow the construction and maintenance of cemetery memorials and memorial gardens on leased grave plots in Borough cemeteries, up to a maximum length of one metre from the headstone plinth and of the equivalent width as the headstone at its base. These must be bounded by a kerbset installed by a registered stonemason (or an agreed alternative, if signed off by the Officers deemed appropriate by Cabinet), and subject to agreement on the materials used, the absence of any prohibited items, and an agreed plan of action should any issues arise. The outside of the kerbset should be in alignment with the headstone at its base.

3.     To therefore permit the installation of kerbsets on grave plots in Borough cemeteries, subject either to official installation by Council staff, or a suitable standard of installation and maintenance that does not unduly interfere in grounds maintenance. It is advisable that any kerbing fitted to a grave should bound the outer limit within which memorial items are permitted, up to a limit of one metre, with the width being the same as that of the headstone at its base. Any kerbset that is not officially installed must be signed off by the relevant Council Officers.

4.     To instruct Legal Services to review (and draft where required) any revisions to the existing Cemetery Rules and Regulations and internment forms that may be required. This will ensure compliance by the grave owners of the terms and conditions and to ensure the Council complies with their statutory obligations.

5.     All new graves (plots leased or dug since new Rules and Regulations take effect) should be permitted to maintain a memorial of up to one metre as stipulated in recommendations above, while older graves will be permitted to maintain memorials of more than one metre and up to a maximum length of the length of the grave plot, where these are already in place. When such older graves are reopened, they must then revert to ‘the one metre rule’, only maintaining memorials of up to one metre after this reopening. Any such memorials over one metre in length must still be at or below the width of the headstone at its base and bounded by an appropriate and agreed upon kerbset.

6.     The owners of any graveside memorials outside of those allowed under these new rules (i.e. where older graves with pre-existing memorials do not revert to 1m in length following a reopening, are too wide, or feature prohibited items, or where new graves have memorials of >1m, etc.) should be offered time and assistance to reorganise their memorials, after which time their memorials should be removed inaccordance with the new regulations. Support may include notification of the grave owners that their memorial items may need to be cleared and storage of such items for a specified period of time.

7.     The list of items prohibited on graveside memorials is to be reviewed and agreed, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including the Friends of Broxtowe Cemeteries and other cemetery users and bereaved families. The list should then be strictly adhered to by all grave owners and clearly enforced by grounds staff to safeguard against health and safety concerns. An exception should be made for a small amount of additional decoration on birthdays (for 14 days after the deceased’s birth date) and Christmas (until 4 January).

8.     Planted flowers, trees or shrubs should not be permitted in graveside memorials, due to the unsettling effects that roots can have on headstones and other features. Where planted vegetation is present, grave owners should be contacted and asked to pot them. If this is not done within an agreed timespan, any such planted features should be removed.

9.     To consider, in consultation with any Officers, the Friends of Broxtowe Cemeteries, and any other stakeholders as appropriate, new messaging to grave owners and cemetery visitors informing them of the changes to Cemeteries Rules and Regulations and how this may affect them, such as in relation to adjacent burials, among other areas. Consideration should be given to communications stating that the Council wishes to work with visitors to manage any new health and safety and accessibility dynamics that may arise from new regulations and that visitors are duly informed of these by entering any Borough cemetery. Input should be sought from Communications, Bereavement Services and Health and Safety to ensure accuracy and consistency.

10. Grave owners should be given a copy (paper or electronic) of the Council’s Cemeteries Rules and Regulations upon signing their interment form, where this is not already the case.

11. To consider making available any additional funding necessary to implement changes to cemetery management and grounds maintenance procedures which are required to work around any memorials that will remain under the new rules, i.e. changes to shift patterns, procurement of different grass-cutting, soil boxes or other equipment, etc. This would need to be subject to specific approval by Cabinet where there would be budget implications. Use of the Council’s apprenticeship scheme should be considered if it is deemed necessary to take on additional staff.

12. The feasibility of implementing a ‘cooling period’ of seven days or more before the signing of the interment form by grave owners should be evaluated. This would be a period in which grave owners are able to contact the Council, enquire about and potentially reconsider whether they would like to sign their interment forms assenting to the Rules and Regulations, allowing them time to properly comprehend all of the conditions while in a state of grief, though this must of course occur before and not delay interment. This may also function as an improved accessibility measure for mourners with dyslexia, ADHD etc., who may struggle to digest the form in full when they are first presented with it.

13. Grave owners should be contacted again before they are able to commission an official memorial – such as a headstone – to ensure that they are still cognisant of the Rules and Regulations and appreciate what they may and may not construct. The possibility of having them sign a document again at this stage to reiterate this should also be investigated.

14. The Council should investigate alternative possibilities to facilitate residents’ mourning at Borough cemeteries, such as the creation of designated memorial gardens where more significant, personalised memorials are permitted, or augmented reality/VR offers, such as has been implemented at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, especially where this would be helpful in managing accessibility or health and safety concerns.

15. The Council should investigate the possibility of helping to offer or signpost cemetery visitors to bereavement counselling services as part of its communications with residents on this issue.

16. To consider requesting that Bereavement Services should work closely with local funeral directors to understand their processes and procedures, if it would not duplicate work and as and when resources allow. The Council’s Cemeteries Team should also consider the creation of a working group or bi-monthly catch-up meeting between themselves and local funeral directors to discuss any issues regarding communications with grave owners. This may help improve co-ordination and understanding of the Rules and Regulations and allowable memorial features among grave owners.

17. To consider, in consultation with Officers as appropriate, investigating the coordination of forms of funding for those that cannot afford funeral costs, such as helping those who cannot afford one to purchase a headstone. Monies from metals extracted during cremation should also be considered for this purpose, in collaboration with the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), as required.

18. The formation of a working group, composed of Members, Officers, and any other stakeholders as considered appropriate, that will work to implement all new measures arising from any Cabinet resolutions on these recommendations, in a robust and compliant manner.

19. Any reopened graves would not be required to revert to the one metre stipulation.

20. To undertake consultation with concerned individuals and groups regarding the number of celebration/memorial days.

21. New memorials to comply with the one-metre rule.

Reason

The resolutions, while acknowledging the potential memorials to present a risk to cemetery visitors, the public and Council employees if not subject to adequate controls, find solutions to the concerns raised and subject these risks to adequate controls, while also serving residents and their desire to be permitted more means to express their grief through graveside memorialisation.

(Having declared that he was predetermined Councillor M Radulovic MBE left the meeting before discussion or voting thereon. Councillor G Marshall took the Chair for the item. Having declared that a non-registerable interest Councillor J W McGrath left the meeting before discussion or voting thereon.)

In September 2024, Cabinet approved the appointment of a third-party environmental enforcement contract to support the work of the Neighbourhood Wardens. The contract was intended to complement local enforcement activities and enhance the Council’s ability to enforce environmental regulations for littering, fly tipping and dog fouling (the latter when there is a PSPO in place). The arrangement was proposed as an initial 12-month trial.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The contract with the third-party Environmental Enforcement contractor be extended for one further year be approved.

2.     The subject be considered by the Policy Overview Working Group.

Reason

To provide a proactive environmental enforcement service.

Cabinet noted the matters proposed for and undergoing scrutiny.

Cabinet noted the results of the 2026/27 budget consultation exercise that took place during 2025. It was stated that it was important that the Council demonstrated that it listened to residents. There was evidence that the Council maintained services in addition to enhancing elements that it delivered. The Council would continue to make the improvements that were a result of listening to residents.

Cabinet noted the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25. The report provided information on the monetary (and non-monetary) contributions sought and received from developers for the provision of infrastructure to support development in Broxtowe, and the subsequent use of those contributions by the Council. The report covered the financial year from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. It was stated that the Council would support a move to the Community Infrastructure Levy rather that the system of Section 106 contributions as a change in system would provide more flexibility.

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

Members were informed of the matters proposed for and undergoing scrutiny.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2025 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Cabinet considered a report which sought approval for Section 106 contributions to be used to fund improvements to Parks and Open Spaces for the capital schemes to be included in the capital programme for the relevant years. Section 106 developer contribution funds had been received in relation to the land at Halls Lane, Giltbrook.

RESOLVED that the parks and open spaces improvement scheme for Smithurst Road Open Space and Local Nature Reserve in Giltbrook be approved and added to the Capital Programme for 2025/26 with the cost of £141,700 being funded by an allocation from Section 106 contributions.

Reason

Once completed, these improvements will enhance the Borough’s open spaces and play areas for all users and support the priorities set out in the Play Strategy.

Approval was sought for the creation of a new Senior Environmental Development Officer position within the Parks and Open Spaces team and for the deletion of the Sign Fabricator, Painter and Decorator post. The Sign Fabricator, Painter and Decorator position had been vacant since June 2024. While a potential restructure was considered at that time, the team had managed the workload and found it more cost-effective to outsource sign fabrication to external contractors rather than retain the role in-house. Since then, the duties previously undertaken by this post had been absorbed by the two Environmental Development Officers and the Conservation and Green Spaces Development Manager, supplemented by external contractors where necessary.

RESOLVED that the creation of a new Senior Environmental Development Officer post, at a projected Grade 9, be approved. The new post would be partially funded by the deletion of the Sign Fabricator, Painter and Decorator post (T20) from the establishment, with the net cost of up to £22,650 being met from the General Fund Reserve balances.

Resolved

This new position will provide the necessary capacity and expertise to support delivery of the Council’s environmental and climate objectives.

Members noted the mid-year update on the treasury management activity and the prudential indicators for 2025/26. Details of all borrowing and investment transactions undertaken in 2025/26 up to 30 September 2025 had been provided. There had been no issues of non-compliance with the current practices that required reporting. It was confirmed that decisions taken had not exposed the Council to risk and that policy would continue.

Cabinet noted the progress to date and the results of the 2025 parks consultation. Members were informed that the Council was in the process of refreshing its Play Strategy into a broader Play and Parks Strategy. A consultant had been identified to undertake this work, and procurement details were being considered. Officers would return to Cabinet to seek approval to undertake a public consultation on the refreshed Strategy and then ultimately, its adoption. It was anticipated that this piece of work would be finalised and returned to Cabinet for adoption in autumn 2026. The refreshed Strategy would also inform a wider Pride in Parks programme, aligning asset management inspections to prioritise necessary works such as paths, fences, gates, and seating, which were not included in the current Play Strategy and therefore received less focused investment.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2026 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.