Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hollingsworth.

RESOLVED:

That:

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

None.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

Consideration was given to a report of the Democratic Services Manager, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, detailing the Executive’s draft Forward Plan for the next six-month period.

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    Cabinet noted the report.

Report of the Assistant Director of Communities, Leisure & Wellbeing

The Assistant Director of Communities, Leisure & Wellbeing introduced a report which had been circulated prior to the meeting to provide Cabinet with a structured programme update on the Carlton Active Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Centre project following the Cabinet decision of 25 September 2025 that agreed a business plan for the new facility.

This includes an update on the consideration of the inclusion of bowls provision following the petition debated by Council on the 12 November 2025. The report presents the outputs of RIBA Stage 2 design work, including the emerging design proposals, indicative capital cost position and key programme, affordability, equality and environmental considerations.

The report seeks Cabinet direction on the proposed next steps for the project, namely progression into pre-construction through RIBA Stages 3 and 4, to be delivered via the UK Leisure Framework, subject to affordability, statutory requirements and budget approval. No decision is sought at this stage, on construction commencement or entry into irreversible contractual commitments however information is provided on prospective construction timetable and indicative final scheme costs.

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    Cabinet noted and agreed the outputs of the RIBA Stage 2 design work for the Carlton Active Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Centre, including the emerging design proposals, business case position and indicative RIBA Stage 2 cost plan, recognising that these remain subject to further development and refinement and having regard to the evidence set out within the report in respect of indoor bowls provision.

2)    Subject to budget approval, Cabinet approved progression of the project into pre-construction, specifically RIBA Stage 3 (Spatial Coordination) and RIBA Stage 4 (Technical Design), to be delivered through the UK Leisure Framework.

3)    Cabinet agreed the closure of the Richard Herrod Centre with effect from 1st May 2026, to enable the redevelopment of the site as the Carlton Active Centre, noting that the closure date aligns with the agreed programme for pre-construction and redevelopment.

4)    Cabinet agreed to withdraw from the Carlton Forum Leisure Centre joint use agreement and authorised the serving of notice by the Chief Executive, in the consultation with the Leader of the Council, at the appropriate time in accordance with the terms of the agreement, in order to enable an orderly transition of leisure provision in Carlton. 5. Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in the consultation with the Leader of the Council, to seek all necessary approvals relating to final design and the progression of the scheme through the planning and statutory approvals process, including planning applications, building control and building regulations matters, where such decisions are required to facilitate the approved progression of the project.

5)    Each equalities impact assessment at each RIBA stage be disseminated to cabinet.

6)    A report be brought to cabinet regarding the rehousing of the bowls club within the borough.

Report of the Assistant Director of Housing and Resettlement

The Assistant Director of Housing and Resettlement introduced a report which had been circulated prior to the meeting to consider options available to the Council to best utilise Section 106 commuted sum monies with the aim of delivering urgently needed, good quality affordable housing in the Borough.

Cllr Paling left the meeting at 14:26

Returned to the meeting at 14:30

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    Cabinet approved that the Council works in partnership with relevant Registered Providers of social housing to either build or acquire affordable units within the Borough.

Report of the Assistant Director – Digital, Data and Technology

The Assistant Director of Digital, Data and Technology introduced a report which had been circulated prior to the meeting to inform Cabinet in summary of the position against Performance Indicators and Annual Delivery Plan Actions in Quarter 3 of 2025/26.

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    The progress against Improvement Performance Indicators for quarter 3 of 2025/26 be noted.

2)    More information be brought back to cabinet on the cause of planning application delays.

Report of the Director of Transformation

The Assistant Director of Digital, Data and Technology introduced a report which had been circulated prior to the meeting to consider and endorse the Council Plan for the period 2026-2028 before it is submitted to Full Council for approval.

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    Cabinet members endorsed the Council Plan (Gedling’s Legacy Plan), 2026 – 2028 and recommended it for approval to Full Council.

2)    The creation of accessible state of the art play equipment in parks be added to point 1.2 before the report is presented to council.

3)    Information regarding the improvement of air quality within Gedling be added to point 1.5 before the report is presented to council.

Report of the Principal Finance Business Partner

The Principal Finance Business Partner introduced a report which had been circulated prior to the meeting to present for Members’ approval the Council’s Prudential Code Indicators and Treasury Strategy for 2026/27, for referral to Full Council on 4 March 2026.

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    Cabinet approved the Prudential and Treasury Indicators and Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) 2026/27, which includes the key elements below, and referred it to Full Council on 4 March 2026 for approval as required by the Regulations:

A.    The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement (2.2);

B.    The Borrowing Strategy (2.3.4).

C.    The Annual Investment Strategy (2.3.8), including 2.3.8 (a) increasing the Money Market Fund Limits from £4m to £5m

D.    Capital Affordability Prudential Indicators for 2026/27 through to 2027/28 (Appendix 1).

E.    Treasury Indicators including affordability limits to borrowing for 2026/27 through to 2028/29 (Appendix 1).

2)    Noted the indicative Prudential Indicators for 2029/30 and 2030/31 (Appendix 1)

3)    Approved the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices (Combined Principles & Schedules) as set out in Appendix 5.

Report of the Finance Business Partner

The Principal Finance Business Partner introduced a report which had been circulated prior to the meeting to present for Members’ approval:

1)    The proposed Capital Investment Strategy for 2026/27 to 2030/31.

2)    The proposed Capital Programme for 2026/27 through to 2028/29 for approval, and the indicative Capital Programme for 2029/30 and 2030/31, in light of the Council’s priorities and the resources available; and

3)    The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy 2026/27.

The Capital Investment Strategy, the Capital Programme and the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy determined by Cabinet at this meeting will be referred to Full Council on 4 March 2026 for final approval. The detailed capital programme proposals are shown in Appendix 2 to this report.

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    Cabinet agreed the estimated capital financing available for 2026/27 through to 2030/31.

2)    Agreed the Capital Investment Strategy 2026/27 through to 2030/31 detailed at Appendix 1 and refer it to Full Council for approval on 4 March 2026. 

3)    Agreed the Capital Programme for 2026/27 through to 2028/29 detailed at Appendix 2 and refer it to Full Council for approval on 4 March 2026.

4)    Noted the indicative Capital Programme for 2029/30 and 2030/31.

5)    Agreed the Flexible Use of Capital Receipt Strategy in Appendix 3 and refer to Full Council for approval on 4 March 2026.

Report of the Finance Business Partner

The Principal Finance Business Partner and Interim Deputy Section 151 Officer introduced a report which had been circulated prior to the meeting to inform Cabinet of the revenue budget which aligns to the Gedling Plan priorities, objectives and priority actions for the Council for the forthcoming year.

RESOLVED:

That:

Cabinet recommends to Council on 4 March 2026:

1)    That the financial threshold of £0.5m which decisions be regarded as Key Decisions be set at £0.5m for 2026/27.

2)    A provisional Council Tax increase of 2.998% (£5.82) which balances the financing of a Net Council Tax Requirement of £8,064,108 in 2026/27.

3)    The detailed budget for 2026/27, as detailed in Appendix 1 be approved.

None.