Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Chris Barnfather (Observer).

RESOLVED:

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

None.

Report of Corporate Director (Chief Financial Officer).

Corporate Director Mark Kimberley presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, giving information about the finance settlement for the next financial year.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement;

2)    Approve in principle the payment of £28,400 grant funding to the Parish Councils to offset the taxbase reductions following implementation of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme as detailed in paragraph 2.1.5 of the report;

3)    Approve a 3% income inflation increase for the individual portfolios as shown in the table at paragraph 2.3 of the report; and

4)    Approve the draft letter attached at Appendix B to the report for circulation to a selection of Business Ratepayers.

Report of the Service Manager Housing and Localities.

The Service Manger Housing and Localities presented a report, which had been previously circulated, giving information on the Council’s approach to affordable housing.

RESOLVED:

To note and support the approach for the delivery of affordable housing set out in the report.

Stephen Bray Corporate Director presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, seeking agreement to the draft travel plan.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Agree the Gedling Borough Council Travel Plan; and

2)    Request that a further report is submitted to a future meeting giving an update on progress.

Report of the Service Manager Elections and Members’ Services.

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

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

Councillor Fox (Community Development)

·         A Chinese New Year event would be held on 1 February.

·         An event to launch community working in Killisick would be held on 27 January.

·         A meeting was recently held with Arnold food bank to discuss ideas to make the bank more sustainable long term.

Councillor Hollingsworth (Health and Wellbeing)

·         Bandings for the choice based lettings scheme has recently changed resulting in the bottom band being deleted.

·         Only one unit of temporary accommodation was currently available.

·         The severe weather policy had not needed to be used so far this season thanks to the mild weather.

·         A consultation on the refresh of the joint strategic needs assessment was currently in progress.

·         The next Landlords’ Forum was being planned for May

·         A community warden, seconded to Gedling Homes, with responsibility for bringing empty properties back into use was proving useful.

Councillor Pulk (Leisure and Development)

·         A response to the planning inspector concerning comments received on the core strategy submission was sent before the Christmas break and further correspondence is expected by the end of January.

·         A new art display is on show in the Reception Room.

·         An unannounced inspection of the Richard Herrod Centre has given Gedling Leisure Centres a “good” QUEST rating.

·         A “soft” opening of the new Arnold Leisure Centre would be taking place on 12 May.

·         The Express Yourself arts project would be celebrating its 5^th anniversary on 22 January.

·         Sports clubs in Netherfield and Killisick had been awarded funding to organise “doorstep” clubs.

·         New caterers were now in place at the Richard Herrod Centre.

Councillor Barnes (Environment)

·         The first members’ forum for the Gedling Country Park was recently held.

·         A recent case of fly tipping was discussed with an emphasis on reporting cases to the Council highlighted.

Councillor Payne (Communications and Public Protection)

·         Crime figures across the Borough had shown a slight reduction.

·         A communications campaign on the community protection policy was currently underway with new posters and cards being circulated.

Councillor Clarke (Finance and Performance)

·         An appeal lodged in respect of a crematorium planning application in the Borough would be resolved soon.

·         Thanks were given to frontline staff in particular those who deal with sometimes abusive customers.

Councillor Clarke invited the Cabinet’s policy advisors to give an update on their areas of work:

Councillor Wheeler (Young People)

·         Recent meeting held with the Clinical Commissioning Group to plan a young person’s health fair

·         Meeting held to discuss funding for Gedling Youth Centre and a meeting is planned with Gedling Pay Forum on 20 January

·         Plans for a Youth Council election in Gedling are now well advanced

·         Promotion was given to a scheme to place young out of work people in an apprenticeship scheme on social media.

Councillor Roxanne Ellis (Older People)

·         Dementia Friendly training would take place before the next council meeting and a motion promoting this would be put to Council.

·         A long term older persons plan was currently in development.

None.

None.