Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Barnfather (Observer).

RESOLVED:

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

Councillor Clarke left the meeting and Councillor Payne took the Chair

None.

Presentation of the Economic Development Officer

Corporate Director, Paula Darlington, introduced Economic Development Officer, James Mann, and partners from Central College Nottingham and Job Centre Plus, who gave a presentation on the Gedling Employment and Skills Partnership action plan.

Members thanked officers and representatives for their work with the Partnership and asked that their thanks be extended to those who could not be present at the meeting.

Report of the Planning Policy Manager

The Service Manager, Planning and Economic Development presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, seeking Cabinet approval to bring the revised Local Development Scheme attached to the report into effect from 7th June 2013.

RESOLVED:

To approve the revised Local Development Scheme and agree that it shall come into effect on 7th June 2013.

Report of the Service Manager, Customer Services and IT.

Corporate Director, Mark Kimberley, presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, setting out proposals to share accommodation at the Civic Centre, Arnold with the Department of Work and Pensions.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Authorise Officers to progress arrangements to allow the DWP (Arnold Job Centre Plus) to share accommodation at the Civic Centre;

2)    Note the potential for a net reduction in net expenditure arising from these proposals;

3)    Note that, subject to satisfactory progress, changes to both Capital and Revenue Budgets will be subject to further decisions of the Council; and

4)    Note that the approval of the lease will be subject to a separate report to the Portfolio Holder in due course.

Report of the Senior Leadership Team.

Corporate Director, Mark Kimberley, presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, informing Members of the Council Plan and Budget Outturn and Budget Carry Forwards for 2012/13.

RESOLVED:

1)    To note the Council Plan Performance and Budget Outturn figures for 2012/13;

2)    To note the revenue carry forwards approved by the Chief Financial Officer of £24,300 included in Appendix 2, being amounts not in excess of £10,000;

3)    To note the capital carry forwards approved by the Chief Financial Officer of £735,500 included in Appendix 2, being amounts not in excess of £50,000 and committed schemes above £50,000;

4)    To agree the proposed changes to Improvement Actions as set out in Section 4;

5)    To refer to Council for approval:

i)             The revenue carry forward of £90,000 for the Superfast Broadband Scheme being a non-committed scheme in excess of £10,000;

ii)            The capital carry forward of £103,300 for the Disabled Facilities Grants Scheme being a non-committed scheme in excess of £50,000;

iii)           The overall method of financing of the 2012/13 capital expenditure as set out in Appendix 7 of the report;

iv)           The capital determinations in Section 3.4.

Report of the Senior Leadership Team.

Corporate Director, Mark Kimberley, presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, informing Members of the outturn in respect of the 2012/13 Prudential Code Indicators, and advising Members of the outturn on treasury activity, both as required by the Treasury Management Strategy.

RESOLVED:

To note the Annual Treasury Activity Report for 2012/13 together with the appendices, and refer it to Council for approval.

Report of the Corporate Director.

Corporate Director, Stephen Bray, presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, updating Members on the progress towards a Peer Challenge review of the Council later this year and seeking views of Members on the scope of the review.

RESOLVED:

To note the latest position in progressing towards a Peer Challenge for  Gedling Borough Council.

Report of Corporate Director (Stephen Bray).

Corporate Director, Stephen Bray, presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, informing Members of the final recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) on future electoral arrangements for the Gedling Borough Council.

RESOLVED:

To note the LGBCE’s final recommendations on the new electoral arrangements for Gedling Borough Council.

Report of the Service Manager, Elections and Members' Services.

Corporate Director, Stephen Bray, presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, outlining the upcoming changes to Electoral Registration that will be introduced by 2015.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

Report of the Service Manager, Elections and Members' Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager, Elections and Members’ Services, which has been circulated prior to the meeting, presenting the Executive’s Draft Forward Plan for the next four month period.

RESOLVED:

To note the Forward Plan.

Councillor Hollingsworth (Health and Wellbeing)

• A Private Landlord’s Forum was recently held and well received
• The Housing Needs service had recently seen a fall in applications for accommodation. There had also been further improvements in case management times for benefits applications.
• There had been a number of discretionary housing benefit payments made as a result of national welfare reforms.
• Age UK’s Campaign To End Loneliness continues as does support from the Council.
• Gedling Homes would shortly be installing cavity wall insulation to a number of their properties in the Borough.

Councillor Fox (Community Development)

• Arnold Carnival will take place on 15 and 16 June.
• National Armed Forces week will take place at the end of June with an event at the Civic Centre on the 24th.
• Netherfield Rail Heritage group had been receiving support from other local groups.
• Newstead Parish Plan was recently published at a successful launch event.

Councillor Pulk (Leisure and Development)

• Arnold Leisure Centre will completely close on 18 August until the end of September to allow work on a new reception area. Between November and February the pool will be closed to allow maintenance and new changing facilities to be built.
• Express Yourself art project for children with learning difficulties will launch very soon.
• A small grant has been awarded to allow an art exhibition to take place in Arnold Bowls Pavilion. Art work (available for sale) from local artists also continues to be displayed in the Reception Room at the Civic Centre.
• The contract for bar provision at the Richard Herrod Centre has been extended recently. Officers are looking at how they might increase income from the centre.

Councillor Barnes (Environment)

• Work on the Country Park is progressing nicely.
• The Council’s first electric car has recently arrived.
• Approved acquisition of a small parcel of land to extend the car park on the former Druid’s Tavern site.
• A young apprentice has recently started work at Direct Services.

Councillor Payne (Public Protection and Communication)

• There has been a 16% reduction in reported crime across Gedling. This is positive news although some types of crime have not reduced.
• There have been a number of incidents of graffiti across Gedling in the wake of the recent terror attack in London. Staff from the Parks and Street Care Team were thanked for dealing with the incidents quickly.
• An inauguration event for special constables was recently held at the Civic Centre.
• The troubled families initiative is now working in the Council area.
• The Communications Department has recently published a new look contact magazine and redesigned intranet. Both have been well received.

None.

None.