Meeting documents

Cabinet
Thursday 6 December 2012 12.30 pm

Date:

Thursday, 6th December, 2012

Time:

12.30pm

Place:

Reception Room, Civic Centre, Arnot Hill Park, Arnold

Attendance Details

Item	Description	Resolution
61	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Business for item 61
62	TO APPROVE, AS A CORRECT RECORD, THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8 NOVEMBER 2012. (Attachment: 1)Minutes 8 November 2012	RESOLVED: That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.
63	DECLARATION OF INTERESTS. Business for item 63
64	NOTTINGHAMSHIRE GROWTH PLAN Business for item 64	RESOLVED: To request that the Chief Executive respond formally to the draft County Growth Plan:- • expressing support for the suggested objectives and actions contained within the plan; • suggesting that the Plan would be strengthened with the addition of clear measures of success and timescales for achieving these; • bringing to the attention of the County Council Gedling's top priorities for assistance with infra-structure improvements, namely, (i) funding to release development of Gedling Colliery and to improve transport connectivity around Netherfield, Colwick and Gedling areas; (ii) public transport improvements along the A60 corridor to improve access to City employment and to open up development opportunities; (iii) public realm investment in local shopping centres, including Arnold Market; and • seeking an assurance about Gedling's involvement in the implementation of the Plan, to avoid duplication between proposed actions and current activity and to make best use of local knowledge and contacts. Councillor Clarke and Councillor Creamer left the meeting. Councillor Payne took the chair.
65	AIR QUALITY ACTION PLAN (Attachment: 2)Report of Scientific Officer, Public Protection (Attachment: 3)Appendix 1 Business for item 65	RESOLVED: To formally adopt the Air Quality Action Plan.
66	USE OF PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING FOR HOMELESS HOUSEHOLDS (Attachment: 4)Report of Service Manager, Localities and Housing (Attachment: 5)Background Paper Business for item 66	RESOLVED: To approve the policy position of the Council as set out in the proposal of the report in discharging its homelessness duties by means of a private rented sector offer where appropriate.
67	ADOPTION OF THE JOINT TENANCY STRATEGY (Attachment: 6)Report of Service Manager, Housing and Localities Business for item 67	RESOLVED: To endorse the Joint Tenancy Strategy for Broxtowe, Gedling and Nottingham and refer it to Council for approval and adoption.
68	LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE REFORM- COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION SCHEME (Attachment: 7)Report of Service Manager, Revenue Services (Attachment: 8)Appendix A (Attachment: 9)Appendix B (Attachment: 10)Appendix C Business for item 68	RESOLVED to: 1. Endorse the proposals set out in the report; 2. Recommend that Council adopt the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) as specified in Appendix B for all potential claimants for the financial year 2013/14. The main points for inclusion in the new scheme for Working Age claimants should be: • No entitlement to CTRS where claimants have in excess of £6,000 in capital. • A flat rate deduction from a claimants CTRS entitlement of £7.50 per week be made for each non-dependant in the claimants household irrespective of the non-dependants financial circumstances or status. • That a Second Adult Rebate Scheme does not form part of the proposed CTRS. • Where a claimant applies for their CTRS entitlement to be back-dated there is no requirement to show "good cause" (provided their financial circumstances remain the same) and the maximum period for back-dating is three months. • That entitlement to extended payments is increased from the current four week limit to 12 weeks. • The Council creates a hardship fund of £25,000 for the CTRS. • That those claimants who would be on 100 per cent support under current council tax benefit arrangements at 31st March 2013 pay between zero and no more than 8.5 per cent of their council tax liability. 3. Recommend that Council approves the application for the CTRS transitional grant for 2013/14 when regulations allow. 4. Authorise the Corporate Director and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any drafting or other minor editing changes to the scheme to aid administration; and 5. To thank the Chief Financial Officer, Council Solicitor and Monitoring Officer and their staff for their work.
69	LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE REFORM - COUNCIL TAX TECHNICAL REFORMS (Attachment: 11)Report of Revenue Services Manager (Attachment: 12)Appendix A Business for item 69	RESOLVED to: 1. Endorse the proposals set out in the report; and 2. Recommend that the Council implement the Council Tax Technical Reforms: • For uninhabitable properties - a discount of 25% for a 12 month period. • For properties unoccupied and unfurnished for less than one month - a 100% discount. • For properties unoccupied and unfurnished more than one month but less that 6 months - a 25% discount. • For Second Homes - a 10% discount • For properties unoccupied and unfurnished more than 6 months (long-term empties) - no discount. • For properties unoccupied and unfurnished for more than 2 years - no discount plus a 50% supplement (giving a 150% charge).
70	FORWARD PLAN (Attachment: 13)Report of Service Manager, Elections and Members' Services (Attachment: 14)Forward Plan January 2013 - April 2013 Business for item 70	RESOLVED: To note the information.
71	PROGRESS REPORTS FROM PORTFOLIO HOLDERS Business for item 71	RESOLVED: To note the information.
72	MEMBERS' QUESTIONS TO PORTFOLIO HOLDERS Business for item 72
73	ANY OTHER ITEMS WHICH THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT. Business for item 73

Attendance Details

Present:

W J Clarke (Chair), M R Payne (Vice Chair), S M Creamer, K Fox, J Hollingsworth, D E Pulk

Observers:

C P Barnfather, P A Hughes

Business

**Business**
Item	Business
61	No apologies for absence were submitted.
63	None.
64	Matt Lockley and Geoff George, Nottinghamshire County Council, gave a presentation on the draft Nottinghamshire Grorth Plan, its key features, issues arising and feedback from consultation workshops.
65	Brendan Cox, Scientific Officer gave a presentation and spoke to a report seeking approval for the proposals contained within the Air Quality Action Plan, which has been produced as a result of excessive air pollution levels along the A60 Mansfield Road.
66	Alison Bennett, Service Manager, Housing and Localities, presented a report, which had been previously circulated, seeking approval to use the new power introduced in the Localism Act to discharge its homelessness duties by securing offers of private rented accommodation.
67	Alison Bennett, Service Manager, Housing and Localities, presented a report, which had been previously circulated, seeking comments and endorsement from Cabinet for the Joint Tenancy Strategy for Broxtowe, Gedling and Nottingham.
68	Mark Kimberley, Corporate Director, presented a report of the Service Manager, Revenue Services, which had been previously circulated, detailing the results of the recently completed Council Tax Reduction Scheme consultation and proposing recommendations for the final scheme structure and their financial implications.
69	Mark Kimberley, Corporate Director, presented a report of the Service Manager, Revenue Services, which had been previously circulated, detailing proposed amendments to Council Tax discounts and exemptions under the new Technical Reforms and their financial implications.
70	Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager, Elections and Members' Services, presenting the Executive's draft Forward Plan for the next four month period.
71	Councillor Kathryn Fox (Portfolio Holder for Community Development) •Feedback from the Gedling Conversation events has now been passed to Ward Members, Service Managers and the County Council for action. • The Council successfully delivered its part of the recent Police and Crime Commissioner Elections. Thanks to the Elections and Members' Services Team and all staff involved in the election. • Successful locality launches recently took place in Netherfield and Newstead. Thanks to Locality Co-ordinators and all staff involved in the launches. Councillor Jim Creamer (Portfolio Holder for Environment) •Smarter driver training was recently delivered to 20 Gedling Borough Council employees, to help them drive efficiently and safely. Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth (Portfolio Holder for Health and Housing) • The Allocations Policy and Homelessness Strategy will be seen by Cabinet in January and will go to Council in February. • The Council's Cold Weather policy came into force for the first time last night due to the freezing temperatures. • Thanks to Corporate Director, David Wakelin and his team for the work they have been doing on the Council's Health and Wellbeing delivery plan. Councillor Darrell Pulk (Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Development) • The partnership with Central College (previously South Nottinghamshire College) is very successful and IT, maths and English courses are now available. • 14 Apprentices have now been placed, 11 of which live the Gedling Borough area, the others living just outside of the Borough. • An enterprise club has now been started at Central College, with 8 attendees who have been referred from Job Centre+. • The Enterprise and Skills Group met recently and a number of road shows will be held around the Borough, organised by Job Centre+. • Corporate Director, Paula Darlington, is working with a number of secondary schools/ Academies to target and prevent youth unemployment. • The latest version of the Aligned Core Strategy is due to be considered by the Policy Scrutiny Committee. • Planning Applications for a 5.5KW Solar Farm on the Gedling Colliery site and an Aldi on the Daybrook Laundry site have been received and will be considered by Planning Committee in the New Year. • The Mayor, Councillors Creamer and Wheeler and Corporate Directors Paula Darlington and David Wakelin attended an excellent sports award event at Carlton Academy in November. • Councillor Pulk attended the Gedling Leadership Academy at Gedling School with Jayne Cox, Service Manager Leisure and Culture. • Since 2009, Sports Development at Gedling Borough Council have accessed in the region of £75,000 of Sports England funding, a great achievement. • Discussions are taking place with Nottingham Forest FC about future partnership opportunities, particularly the potential to expand a recent project in Netherfield focussing on childhood obesity. • Arnold Leisure Centre has been nominated for an APSE award for most improved leisure facility. • An event will take place at the Richard Herrod Centre in January aimed at helping local voluntary and community groups access funding. Councillor Michael Payne (Portfolio Holder for Communications and Public Protection) • Feedback from the Gedling Conversation has now been provided to Ward Members. Many Thanks to Esther Storer, Customer Insight Officer, for a series of excellent reports. Councillor Michael Payne and Corporate Director, Mark Kimberley on behalf of Councillor John Clarke (Portfolio Holder for Finance and Performance) • The Clinical Commissioning Group will occupy their offices at the Civic Centre from Friday 7th of December. • Information on the settlement from central government is expected on the 19th of December and a report will be sent to Cabinet soon after. • The former site of the Druids Tavern will be available as a temporary, free, car park over the Christmas and New Year period. • MMI, the Council's previous insurers, went into insolvency some time ago and there is a potential liability to the Council as a result, although this is not expected. • Gedling's investment portfolio returns are some of the best in the Country, which is a big credit to the Corporate Director and his staff.
72	None.
73	None.