Decisions

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 paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Committee noted the minutes of the Housing Performance Group held on 2 November 2021.  

Members considered the proposal to introduce new services for communal areas, including block cleaning and window cleaning.

Currently General Needs tenants were not charged for services provided, such as grounds maintenance and communal lighting. These are paid from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). There are also services which were not currently provided, which many landlords would routinely provide. This includes block cleaning and window cleaning. Currently tenants were jointly responsible for cleaning communal areas on their schemes. This leads to variations on the standard of the blocks and an unfair expectation on tenants.

All services that are proposed as part of the service charge will be eligible for Housing Benefit and the rent element of Universal Credit.

RESOLVED that communal block and window cleaning is introduced in General Needs Accommodation.

Councillors D Grindell, E Kerry, H Khaled MBE J W McGrath, J M Owen, P J Owen, J P T Parker, D Pringle and C Tideswell wished to have their votes of abstention recorded.

The Committee noted the performance and progress made in achieving the actions in the Housing Business Plan 2021-2024.

The Committee considered the Decant Policy.

The Council makes all reasonable attempts to allow tenants to remain in their homes while repairs or routine maintenance takes place in properties.  On rare occasions, it is not possible and it is necessary to move tenants out of their properties, usually temporarily, while necessary repairs or maintenance takes place.

The Council aims to avoid tenants from incurring unnecessary household costs as a result of decants and the policy details the assistance that the Council was able to provide in accordance with its statutory responsibilities.

RESOLVED that the amended Decant Policy be approved.

The Committee considered proposed amendments to the Allocations Policy.  

The Allocations Policy outlines the method in which housing applicants on the waiting list are assessed, who is eligible, how they are prioritised and how properties are allocated.  

RESOLVED that the proposed changes to the Council’s Allocations Policy be approved.

Members considered the Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

The Committee considered the proposed changes to the gas servicing and electrical safety policies.

The gas policy sets out how Broxtowe Borough Council would manage its gas servicing requirements and comply with the regulatory framework. The electrical policy identifies how electrical installations would be tested to meet current statutory requirements. Both policies have been reviewed by Morgan Lambert, the Council’s external auditors for gas and electrical work.

RESOLVED that the revised Gas and Electrical Policies be approved.

The Committee noted the work to deliver the Housing Delivery Plan.

The Committee reviewed one of three options for the HRA owned site at 51 Ilkeston Road, Bramcote (also known as Fishpond Cottage).

An extensive consultation exercise was undertaken in late 2020 on a proposal to build 9 new homes including the demolition of the cottage.  Following comments received from the consultation exercise, the layout plans and the initial proposal to demolish the cottage were revised.   A planning application was submitted in February 2021 which kept the cottage and proposed 5 new build homes on the site consisting of 2 houses, 2 flats and an adapted ‘wheelchair’ house.        

The planning application was approved by planning committee in June 2021.  Ward members have subsequently approached the Council seeking revisions to the approved scheme due to the level of objections received from the local community. 

An amendment to recommendation option 3, for a new application to be submitted for 2 adapted houses and 1 adapted bungalow was proposed by Councillor S Carr and seconded by Councillor  Land. A recorded vote was proposed Councillor Carr and seconded by Councillor Land.

For                         Against                    Abstention

D Grindell                T Cullen

H Land                    E Kerry

E Williamson           H G Khaled MBE

                               J W McGrath

                               J M Owen

                               P J Owen

                               J P T Parker

                               D Pringle

                               H E Skinner

                               C Tideswell

On being put to the meeting the amendment was defeated.

Option 1 was proposed by Councillor T Cullen and seconded by Councillor H Skinner. A recorded vote was proposed Councillor T Cullen and seconded by Councillor H Skinner.

For                          Against                    Abstention

T Cullen                  D Grindell

E Kerry                   H Land

H G Khaled MBE     E Williamson

J W McGrath

J M Owen

P J Owen

J P T Parker

D Pringle

H E Skinner

C Tideswell

RESOLVED to proceed as per the current planning approval.

Members considered the additional Facilities Co-ordinator post to be created in the Compliance team within Housing Repairs. The additional post would support the need for ensuring the safety of the Council’s less vulnerable tenants located in the 180 general needs communal areas and the 28 non-fire panel schemes. It was recognised that post Grenfell to have clear accountability and record-keeping in relation to fire safety and emergency lighting checks. such checks.

RESOLVED that the creation of an additional Facilities Co-ordinator post be approved.

Councillors considered the Energy Procurement Strategy 2021-2025. The updated Energy Procurement Strategy aimed to establish the parameters for the Council’s gas and electricity procurement process for the next four years. The evaluation process was required to ensure the Council was achieving value for money in its procurement of energy supplies and also business continuity ensuring the continuation of the energy supply.

RESOLVED that the Strategy and the four strategic principles set out within be adopted.

The Committee was updated with the latest progress on the Bramcote site options and the latest position on negotiations with East midlands Education trust regarding the Kimberley school joint use agreement. Members would be updated regularly on any further developments with negotiations.

Members welcomed the application to be made to dedicate green space land at Redwood Crescent as Village Green.

The development consisting of four new homes were built and subsequently an application for a pocket park was made to Government by the residents. This was successful. As the legal owner of the land the Council had been approached to make an application to Nottinghamshire County Council to  register and dedicate the green space as village green in order that its status can be protected for the future.

RESOLVED that an application to the County Council be made to register the open space at Redwood Crescent identified in red on the plan in appendix 1 as village green.

Committee noted the progress in creating a proposal for devolution for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in the form of a County Deal.

The Economic Prosperity Committee, Leaders of Districts, the City and Council Councils in Nottinghamshire agreed a proposition on 29 October to be forwarded to government for consideration that would form the basis of a County Deal for our area.

Opportunities for Broxtowe to benefit from a County Deal included creating a national skills academy to support areas in Broxtowe where skills levels are lower, Development of the Chetwynd barracks site and the Toton area of strategic growth that required significant investment in infrastructure, ambitions for carbon reduction and working collaboratively to engage local communities. Improvements to Town Centres to develop, diversify and thrive was more possible within structures which were collaborative and were more likely to be funded from government. Connectivity was important to achieve the ambition to ensure access to job opportunities and skill progression was available for residents living in the northern parts of Broxtowe.

 Collaborating in a County deal with a strong leadership model would hopefully attract the step change in government investment for Broxtowe and help realise the potential of the vison for job creation and next generation sustainable living.

Members were updated on progress on the Square Phase 2 in Beeston. Key updates included leases for units, 2,3 and 6 had now been completed and fitting-out works had commenced. Strong interest in unit 5, agents were undertaking negotiations and due diligence prior to making recommendations to the board. Tenders for the Argos Block upgrade would be advertised and a report would be going to Finance and Resources Committee on 9 December as the tendering costs had been significantly higher than anticipated. The project board would continue to provide governance over the additional work to bring the Argos Block up to a suitable standard now additional investment had been approved.

Queries were raised over what evidence the current footfall of Beeston was especially since the Cinema had opened and if the illuminated light sign that was approved at Planning Committee be an illuminated projector board instead. It was discussed that the sign was for an event in January 2022 and maybe too late to change the idea and evidence would be provided to the Committee on footfall figures within Beeston and Town Centres.

A further verbal update was provided in Exclusion of Public and Press.

1.            NOTED the report and any further verbal updated provided.

2.         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.

Committee was updated with the progress against outcome targets linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives and to provide an update as to the latest financial performance as measured against the budget.

The Committee considered the work programme.

RESOLVED that the work programme was approved.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2021 were approved and signed as a correct record.

Display illuminated neon sign.

Side of Explore Learning, 33 - 34 The Square, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, NG9 2JJ

This application was heard by the Planning Committee as the building on which the proposed illuminated neon sign was to be mounted on was owned by the Council.

There were no late items and no public speakers with relation to the application.

The Committee debated the item and it was noted that the permission was with regard to the size and luminance of the sign. 

Construct single storey rear extension.

98 Church Lane, Cossall, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2RW

The application had been called to Planning Committee by Councillor M Radulovic MBE.

There were no late items and no public speakers.

The Committee considered that the application would not have an impact on the openness or amenity of the Green Belt.

RESOLVED that planning permission be approved, with the precise wording of the approval and conditions to be delegated to the Chair of Planning Committee in agreement with the Head of Planning and Economic Development.

Approval wording and conditions

That planning permission be approved, subject to the following conditions:

1.  The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

2.  The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the site location, block plan, proposed elevation and floor plan Drw No 21/8BAC/02C received by the Local Planning Authority on 13 August 2021.

3.  The extension shall be constructed using bricks and tiles of a type, texture and colour so as to match those of the existing building.

4.  Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification), no further extensions or outbuildings within the curtilage of the dwelling shall be constructed without the prior approval of an application by the local planning authority.

Reasons:

1.  To comply with S91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by S51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.  For the avoidance of doubt.

3.  To ensure the development presents a satisfactory standard of external appearance, in accordance with the aims of Policy 17 of the Broxtowe Part 2 Local Plan (2019) and Policy 10 of the Aligned Core Strategy (2014).

4.  To prevent any incremental incursion of additional development into the Green Belt, in accordance with the aims of Policy 3 of Greater Nottingham Aligned Core Strategies Part 1 Local Plan 2014 and Policy 17 of the Broxtowe Draft Part 2 Local Plan (2018).

Notes to applicant:

1.  The Council has acted positively and proactively in the determination of this application by working to determine it within the agreed determination timescale.

Change of use of the existing residential property (Class C3) to a seven bedroomed House in Multiple Occupation

150 Queens Road, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, NG9 2FF

It was requested that this proposal be considered by Planning Committee by Councillor L A Lally. 

There were no late items for the Committee to note.

Councillor P Lally, Ward Member addressed the Committee prior to the general debate.

The Committee considered the application with particular reference to neighbour amenity negative impact on the community, increased traffic and impact on car parking.

RESOLVED that planning permission be refused, with the precise wording of the refusal to be delegated to the Chair of Planning Committee in agreement with the Head of Planning and Economic Development.

Refusal wording

The change of use would lead to an intensification of the site due to the number of residents occupying the dwelling which would have a detrimental impact on surrounding neighbours, the character of the area and result in parking problems. 

Reason

This would be contrary to the aims of Policy 17 of the Part 2 Local Plan (2019) and Policy 10 of the Broxtowe Aligned Core (2014) and the NPPF (2021).

Construct 22 dwellings

Land south of 50 Pinfold Road, Newthorpe, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2FT

This application was called before Committee by Councillor M Handley.

The Committee considered the late item comprised of an email regarding flooding.

Keith Baker, objecting and Clive Bennetts, objecting, addressed the Committee prior to the general debate.

The Committee gave consideration to all representations and the debate that followed focused on the increase in the existing planning permission for 15 dwelling to 22 in the proposal being too much for the site.  There was also concern regarding the impact on neighbour amenity on Baldwin Street as these properties were bungalows.

The debate progressed to the concerns raised by the highway authority regarding the roads on the development not be of a standard to be adopted.  There was a discussion about the safety of pedestrians, the installation and maintenance of street lighting and the issues with management companies.  There were also concerns about the layout of the proposed development.

RESOLVED, unanimously, that planning permission be refused, with the precise wording of the refusal to be delegated to the Chair of Planning Committee in agreement with the Head of Planning and Economic Development.

Refusal wording

The proposal constitutes an over intensive development of the site and by virtue of the close proximity and single storey nature of the dwellings located on Baldwin Street, the proposal would lead to overbearing, overshadowing and overlooking issues upon the immediate neighbouring properties located on Baldwin Street, to the detriment of their residential amenity. Furthermore, due to the internal roads being private, the proposed development would have a detrimental impact upon the residential amenity of future occupiers of the proposed dwelling through future maintenance of the roads.

Reasons

Accordingly, the proposal is contrary to the aims of Policy 10 of the Broxtowe Aligned Core Strategy (2014) and Policy 17 of the Part 2 Local Plan (2019), and there are no other material considerations that justify treating this proposal as an exception to these policies.

Outline planning application with all matters reserved to construct up to 110 dwellings with access from Lynncroft

Former site of Lynncroft Primary School, Garden Road, Eastwood NG16 3FZ

The application was brought before Committee because it was a major development.

There were a number of late items considered by the Committee including emails opposing the application because of flooding and comments from the Parks and Green Spaces Manager regarding the use of management companies to maintain the green spaces for the proposed development.

Neil Gamble, on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee prior to the general debate.

The Committee debated the proposal, specifically the promise that all homes on the would have off street parking, which some did not, the problems with flooding in the area and the access to the site.  It was also noted that this development should be seen as an opportunity to have all homes on Garden Road connected to the mains water.

The Committee went on to discuss the high volume of traffic that would be caused to go along Lynncroft.  This was a concern as the road was heavily double parked.

The minutes of the meeting on 6 October 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Committee RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, and 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Committee noted the performance made in achieving the actions for Human Resources within the Resources Business plan for 2021-2024.

Members were updated with the results from the recent Employee Survey to gather feedback on what it was like to work for the Council and ways to improve as an employer.

Concern was raised around GMT Leadership, Communication of clear priorities and staff not feeling valued.

Members considered the amended Evaluation and Re-evaluation of Posts Policy reflecting feedback from the senior management team, unions and a review of the policy by project HR working with East Midlands Councils.

Discussions ensued with regards to the job evaluation panel and Union representatives to be a member of the decision making panel.

RESOLVED that the amended Evaluation and Re-evaluation of Posts policy be approved and that there be a review of the two tier pay scheme.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.  

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 involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Committee noted the progress made in achieving the Business Plan for Business Growth and the outturn performance indicators for 2020/2021.

The Committee noted the Update on Key Sites.  It was agreed that the Beeston Town Centre residential development should be added to the report.

The Committee was updated on the Welcome Back Fund, which was to be used by Councils to encourage visitors to high streets following the lifting of restrictions I place to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was noted that part of the funding was to be used to continue the role of the COVID-19 Marshals, so that they could continue to offer advice and support to the community throughout re-opening and if restrictions were re-imposed. 

It was proposed by Councillor T Hallam and seconded by Councillor L A Lally that a vote of thanks be given to the COVID-19 Marshals.  On being put to the meeting the motion was carried.

The debate continued to include the suggestions of free parking, reservations regarding encouraging gatherings of people, the establishment of a COVID-19 accreditation scheme and the provision of more welcoming signage in town centres. 

The Committee noted that the Welcome Back Fund had to be spent on high street businesses and that the purpose of it was to attract visitors to town centres.  It was further stated that events that had been cancelled because of the pandemic could not be supported by the fund, which was for new, one off events that would not normally happen. 

RESOLVED that a vote of thanks be given to the COVID-19 Marshals in recognition of their hard work and dedication. 

RESOLVED that support be given to the Welcome Back Fund as highlighted in the report.

The Committee considered the opportunities that were currently available to them for their input into the creation of planning policy documents, as well as a proposed task and finish group that could look at drafts of specific documents prior to their submission to Committee.

It was requested that a work item on Section 106 monies be added to the work programme for the task and finish group. 

RESOLVED that when appropriate, decisions on membership and frequency of meetings for the task and finish group be approved.

The Committee discussed the Toton and Chetwynd Barracks Strategic Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document, with particular reference to concerns about the bus plug on the Bessell Lane access to the HS2 site.

The debate centred on trying to balance the concerns of the Committee regarding the access on Bessell Lane, whilst not inhibiting the progress of the document which was essential to attracting major investment and development to the area.

It was proposed by Councillor T Hallam and seconded by Councillor L A Lally that an amendment be made to the wording of the resolution as follows;

that delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Economic Development in consultation with the Chair of the Jobs and Economy Committee to finalise the material, including amendments to the wording in relation to access to the development at Bessell Lane, and arrangements for consultation be approved. 

On being put to the meeting the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that:

1.  The Toton and Chetwynd Barracks Strategic Masterplan Supplementary Planning   Document (as included as appendix 1) for public consultation be approved.

2.  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Economic Development in consultation with the Chair of the Jobs and Economy Committee to finalise the material, including amendments to the wording in relation to access to the development at Bessell Lane, and arrangements for consultation be approved.

The Committee considered the update on the Eastwood Jobs Club and the potential for holding other jobs clubs in the Borough.

It was noted that support could be given to organisations already providing jobs clubs in the area and that access to computers was essential, as one of the main barriers to work was online application processes.  It was suggested that Parish and Town Councils may be able to offer accommodation to jobs clubs. 

Debate progressed on to the need for Jobs Fairs and it was considered that these could be a good way of connecting employers with new recruits to fill vacancies in the hospitality sector. 

RESOLVED that a second jobs club be approved in the area with the highest need identified following the ending of COVID -19 restrictions.

The Committee noted the report.

It was noted that the report on the assessment of the local economic landscape post COVID-19, due to go to Committee on 2 September 2021, would include figures on footfall on the Borough’s high streets.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

The minutes of the meeting on 25 March were confirmed and signed as a correct record.