Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barnfather and Hughes (observers).

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

None.

Report of the Council Solicitor and Monitoring Officer.

The Council Solicitor and Monitoring Officer introduced a report, which had been previously circulated, informing Cabinet of a decision of the Local Government Ombudsman.

RESOLVED to

1)    Note the Local Government Ombudsman’s findings and endorses the steps already taken by Officers by way of offering a remedy;

2)    Agree that no further action needs to be taken in relation to the matter set out in this report; and

3)    Note that a copy of this Cabinet report has been circulated to all members of the Council.

Report of Service Manager Parks and Street Care.

Dave Wakelin, Corporate Director, presented a report seeking approval to grant Local Nature Reserve status for The Hobbucks and to endorse an action plan for the site.

RESOLVED to

1)    Designate the Hobbucks open space, which is in in the Council’s ownership, as a Local Nature Reserve.

2)    Authorise the Corporate Director and the Council’s Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, in conjunction with the Service Manager, Parks and Street Care to proceed with the declaration; and

3)    Adopt the 5 year site Management Plan of produced by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

Report of the Service Manager, Public Protection.

Dave Wakelin, Corporate Director, introduced a report, which had been previously circulated, seeking authority to adopt an animal welfare charter.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Adopt the animal welfare charter as attached at appendix one of the report; and

2)    Request a further report to a future meeting on how the strategy is being implemented across the work of the Council.

Councillor Peter Barnes (Environment)

·       A very well attended press event for Gedling Country park was held and all staff involved were thanked.

Councillor Henry Wheeler (Health and Housing)

·       A launch event for the designation of Gelding play areas as smoke free was recently held

·       The long awaited Men in Sheds facility was launched recently and was well received.

·       A breast feeding friendly launch event was held and was well supported.

·       The Robert Mellors School was soon to become dementia friendly – the first school in the area.

·       Gedling Youth Council would be submitting a question on bullying to the next meeting of Council.

·       There would be a press event to promote the redevelopment of the Grove pub site.

Councillor Darrell Pulk (Leisure and Development)

·       An external review of the planning department would be undertaken shortly.

·       A well-attended meeting on planning issues was recently held in Woodborough.

Councillor Michael Payne (Public Protection and Communications)

·       The press preview event at Gedling Country Park was very well attended thanks to the excellent work of the communications team.

·       Further funding towards help with tackling domestic violence had been announced.

Councillor John Clarke (Finance, Performance and Economic Development)

·       It was hoped that the new refreshments kiosk in Arnot Hill Park would open in July and a new pump had been installed in the lake.

·       New screens and equipment should be in place at Bonington Theatre very soon.

·       A challenge to the Aligned Core Strategy had been recently heard in court and a judgement is to be delivered in in due course.

·       A well-attended women’s day event was held recently at the Civic Centre.

None.

None.