Decisions

The Committee noted a report on the progress against outcome targets identified in the Business Plans for support services areas, linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives. It was agreed that data relating to previous financial years should be removed as they related to the previous Corporate Plan. It was confirmed that there would be a review of the information reported. There had been an increase in the amount of people registered to vote. A full written answer would be provided outlining the reasons why.

The Committee considered the Work Programme and agreed that a Review of the Voluntary and Community Organisations Grants Policy be submitted to a future meeting.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee discussed the latest estimates of the financial impact of Covid-19 on the Councils 2020/21 financial position, and the impact on the Council’s medium term financial strategy. Financial estimates were being revised on a monthly basis, to reflect the various advice and guidance being issued by the government. The Government had provided a grant of £1,187,365 to provide support to various community groups and to help offset the significant shortfalls in income to the Council. More money was needed, however as the loss of income was far higher.

Leisure Centre’s had lost the most income. Councillors agreed it was good news that they had been given the go ahead by Government to re-open. More clarity on proposals for recovery and funding were requested for the next committee meeting.

Members were updated on treasury management activity and the actual prudential indicators for 2019/20. During 2019/20 the minimum reporting requirements were that an annual treasury management strategy be approved in advance of the year, a mid year report and finally an annual report be produced following the year describing the activity compared to the strategy.

The accounts for 2019/20 had been finalised, subject to audit, and showed an

underspend on the General Fund revenue account of £362,388 and an underspending on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) of £898,758 when compared to the revised estimates. It was hoped that the final, audited 2019/20 accounts would be presented forapproval to the Governance, Audit and Standards Committee on 21 September 2020. Members discussed the various reserves budgets. The reserve budget in respect of Noise Pollution Equipment replacement, was queried as new apps were now available

which were admissible in court and would reduce costs. Environmental Health would look at this matter and report back to this Committee. Further information regarding Central support charges (CSCs) to Civic Affairs was requested as was clarification on the transport study. A written answer would be provided.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The accounts summary for the financial year ended 31 March 2020 subject to audit, be approved.

2.     The revenue carry forward requests outlined in section 2 of appendix 1 be approved and included as supplementary revenue estimates in the 2020/21budget.

3.     The capital carry forward requests outlined in appendix 2b be approved and included as supplementary capital estimates in the 2020/21 budget.

The Committee was updated of progress on the capital scheme to provide additional industrial units at Mushroom Farm. The LEP have indicated that, based on the projected cost of £270,000, they would be prepared to increase their contribution towards the scheme from £124,000 to £160,000 if the Council’s contribution were to increase by £15,000 from £95,000 to £110,000. As previously agreed, the cost of the Council’s contribution would be financed by borrowing. The site had been a success with businesses on a waiting list for units.

RESOLVED that the 2020/21 capital programme be amended such that the budget for additional industrial units at Mushroom Farm be increased from £219,000 to £270,000 with financing as set out in the report.

The Committee considered the requests for grant aid in accordance with the

provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy. Members praised the groups for the work that they do, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was confirmed that the Grant Aid Policy would be reviewed as it currently discounted animal charities. An all party working group would look at this.

It was queried if The Helpful Bureau needed its full £10,000 bid as it had recently received funding through Nottinghamshire County Council.

The following amendment was proposed by Councillor S J Carr and seconded by Councillor T Hallam:

To match the £5,000 grant received last year instead of the proposed £10,000. Further information would be sought as to why the bid was higher than the previous year. The charity could submit another bid for the outstanding amount when the information was provided. The issue would then be discussed at the next Finance and Resources Committee meeting.

Upon being put to the meeting the amendment was carried.

RESOLVED to approve the request in appendix 1 of the report subject to the above amendment.

The Committee consider the Devolution and Local Government structure reform report.

It was noted that District Councils and Nottingham City Council had request, to the Secretary of State, that a unitary authority not be the only option considered for the Devolution and Local Government Reform.

1.    RECOMMENDED to the Finance and Resources Committee that a supplementary estimate of up to £30,000, if necessary, be established for the commissioning of work required in connection with a review of local government structures in Nottinghamshire.

2.     RESOLVED to Write to the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Leaders of Rushcliffe and Gedling Borough Councils stating the objection of any encroachment of the Nottingham City Council’s boundaries into the surrounding districts.

The following reports were noted:

·     Review of Corporate Plan Progress

·     Use of Urgency Powers

·     Child Poverty Action Plan

·     Annual Health and Safety Progress Report

·     Covid-19 Response and Recovery Plan

The Committee considered the Leisure Facilities Strategy produced by Continuum, the Council’s external leisure consultant.

It was proposed by Councillor M Radulovic MBE and Councillor S J Carr that a cross-party Task and Finish Group be formed to consider the Leisure Facilities Strategy in order to submit feedback to the Policy and Performance Committee.

RESOLVED that:

1.  Professional external financial advice be procured to assess the financial implications and risks associated with the two Bramcote site options for a new leisure centre in the south of Broxtowe, and to RECOMMEND to the Finance and Resources Committee that the expenditure of £30,000 to complete this work be approved.

2.   That the Council continues to work with Chilwell School to assess the leisure facilities options at the School and reports back to a future meeting.

That a cross-party Task and Finish Group be formed to consider options regarding sites in the north and south of the Borough to examine the outline and financial business case contained within the Leisure Facilities Strategy in order to submit feedback to the Policy and Performance Committee.

Members were updated on the progress made on The Square Phase 2 in Beeston.

It was noted that the residential sale was due to be completed by 2 November 2020 and that Arc Cinema remain committed to delivering the development by 2021/22.

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 Committee considered the work programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

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.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Work programme be approved, subject to the inclusion of a Governance report for Discretionary Grant Aid and Council Tax Support scheme in relation to Covid-19 response.

Members considered the draft model code and the associated draft response.

It was requested that the Code be amended to include the declarations of properties, land holdings, corporate tenancies, tenancies, easement, servitude, interest or right in or over land as appropriate for individual members. Additionally, members requested that the Code be amended to include a declaration on the beneficial or negative interest in land which is in the area of the Council. It was suggested that the Code of Conduct should be applied to Councillors outside their Council duties as well.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The Council’s response to the Consultation on the Draft Model Code of Conduct, as amended, be approved.

2.    The best practice guidance be approved

The Committee was informed of the proposed arrangements for the Community Governance Review. Members were presented with an amended recommendation to grant the Chief Executive delegated authority to postpone to CGR until October 2021.  The amended recommendation was proposed and seconded by Councillor E Williamson and Councillor I L Tyler.  An additional amendment was suggested to amend the date to June 2021.  This amendment was proposed and seconded by Councillor P D Simpson and Councillor J M Owen and when put the vote was carried.

            RESOLVED that the Community Governance review be postponed until June 2021.

The Committee was updated with an overview of Freedom of Information requests made to the Council in 2019/20

Members were updated with a summary of complaints made against the Council 2019/20. Housing complaints were noted to have seen an increase following the extreme weather conditions and the Covid-19 pandemic. It was agreed to follow up recommendations suggested to departments after stage two and report these to Committee and to recommend to departments who are responsible for stage one complaints to be more proactive and suggest improving communications and training to prevent the complaint in the first instance.

Members noted the progress in producing the Council’s accounts for 2019/20 two months ahead of the revised statutory deadline due to Covid-19. The audit of the accounts were currently taking place with the Council’s external auditors (Mazars) and the final, audited accounts will be presented for approval at the next committee.

The Committee was updated with the Governance Dashboard report relating to the Council’s major and key projects. Internal Audit confirmed an established appropriate framework for the governance, administration and processing of emergency grants were provided to ensure compliance and fairness with all the government schemes relating to Covid-19. The officers involved were thanked with all the work carried out especially under the current restrictions.

Members were updated with the recent work completed by Internal Audit.  Many of the audit reports have taken place during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and the audit process adapted accordingly to enable it to be completed successfully. 

The Committee was informed of the recent work completed by the Council’s Internal Audit function in 2019/20.

It was agreed to include a Governance Statement of Compliance and a Grants Process Review to the work programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

Councillors were updated on the Internal Audit Plan for 2020/21. The Public Sector Internal Audit Standards requires the Chief Audit and Control Officer to prepare an annual risk based audit plan. The Internal Audit Plan governs the activity for the year. An audit report is produced at the completion of each assignment with recommendations for improvement. Regular progress reports covering all internal audit activities are submitted to this Committee for scrutiny. The impact of employees working from home was discussed, with no negative consequences so far.

RESOLVED that the Internal Audit Plan for 2020/21 be approved.

To Committee discussed the actions taken to develop and comply with statutory

obligations regarding corporate governance. The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 require authorities to conduct a review of the effectiveness of its system of internal control and to include an Annual Governance Statement report on the review with its statement of accounts.

RESOLVED that:

1.  The draft Annual Governance Statement as shown in appendix 3 be approved in principle for inclusion in the Council’s Statement of Accounts.

2. Responsibility be delegated to the Chief Executive and the Chair of this    Committee to make any further amendments deemed necessary.

An update was received on the External Audit Plan for 2019/20. It was agreed that the terms of reference would be shared with members in advance of the LG Peer Review.

Members noted the amendments to the Accounts and Audit Regulations (2015) which had been introduced following the coronavirus outbreak and how the Council intended to comply with these when producing the Statement of Accounts 2019/20. It was confirmed that audit fee charges were broadly the same as those in previous years.

The Committee was updated on the Environment Business Plan. An extra team had been allocated to the garden waste collection service. The number of subscriptions to the scheme had exceeded expectations. The issue of difficult waste such as tyres was discussed.

During the week commencing 23 March 2020 an additional litter pick took place between the IKEA roundabout and the M1 roundabout.  Both sides of the road received a full cleanse and sweep. Waste Days had been restricted due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Members discussed the volume of litter parks since the re-opening of fast food outlets. Literature would be prepared to highlight the issue with the fast food chains. It was confirmed that litter picks could go ahead and support would be given to residents wanting to be involved. Further to the issue the Strategic Director presented information regarding Carbon Footprints.

In 2018 funding had been allocated to undertake improvements to the Borough owned play areas that were 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. Members noted the improvements made. A colleague within the Environment department had recently achieved the 35-year service award. It was confirmed that the Human Resources department would send a long service letter to the employee.

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 considered the Knife Crime Action Plan.

It was noted that knife crime had deceased in the Nottinghamshire area.

RESOLVED that the Knife Crime Action Plan be approved.

The Committee considered the work programme. It was requested that a report on bonfire enforcement, a PSPO update, a CCTV update and a further report on knife crime education be added to the work programme.

            RESOLVED that the work programme, as amended be approved.

Members noted the progress made in achieving the Business Plan for Community Safety and Health in addition to the current key performance indicators for 2020/21.

The Committee were updated on the use of CCTV and its effectiveness.

The Committee noted the need for CCTV. However, it was reported that further savings could be made within the service and that some CCTV cameras were nearing the end of their lifespan.

            RESOLVED that the Council undertake an internal review of the effectiveness and value for money of Broxtowe’s town centre CCTV.

The Committee were updated on the use of the Chief Executive’s executive powers to renew the existing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in order to continue helping to control issues around public consumption of alcohol. 

The Committee discuss extending the area of the PSPO in Beeston North.

            RESOLVED that a consultation be undertaken in Beeston North to extend the PSPO area, with the exact area to be provided by Ward Members, and that the responses to the consultation be reported to a future Community Safety Committee.

The Committee received an update on the Police and Commissioner Panel’s recent work.

The Committee received an update on neighbourhood policing.

The Committee considered the revisions to the Food Service Plan.

The plan describes how the service is discharged and details the numbers, types and priority ratings of the borough’s food premises, the frequencies of planned interventions, sampling programmes, health promotion activities, reactive work, including responding to food complaints, food hazard warnings and investigating cases of infectious disease.

RESOLVED that the Food Service Plan 2020-21 be approved.