Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barnes, Fox and Payne.

RESOLVED:

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

None.

Report of the Food, Health and Housing Manager.

The Food, Health and Housing Manager presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, seeking approval to increase the 2016/17 capital programme budget for Disabled Facilities Grants and to outline headline proposals to utilise the increased Disabled Facilities Grant / Better Care Fund budget.

RESOLVED to:

1)     Authorise the increase in the DFG/Better Care Fund capital programme budget for 2016/17 to £820,000 to be fully funded by Government Grant by approval of the virement as detailed at paragraph 2.1; and

2)     Note the headline proposals to be explored to utilise the increased DFG budget and provide an enhanced service to local disabled residents.

Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group.

Councillor Gregory introduced a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, informing Cabinet members and relevant Portfolio Holders of the findings and recommendations of the Bonington Theatre Scrutiny Working Group.

RESOLVED to:

1)     Consider the report of the working group and make appropriate comments; and

2)     Refer the report to the appropriate Cabinet Member in order for a response to be made to the Overview Scrutiny Committee at the next meeting on 27 June.

Councillor Henry Wheeler (Housing, Health and Well-being)

·       Discussions with Gedling Homes are ongoing regarding temporary accommodation due to an increase in homelessness.  Further support is also being sought from The Salvation Army, Lottery Fund and The Royal British Legion.

·       The Council had recently recruited a temporary Housing Officer to assist with complex housing and homelessness cases.

·       A new leisure centre app is now available to download for Android and IOS smartphones.

·       There has been a positive increase in leisure centre annual performance, specifically at Arnold Leisure Centre and the Richard Herrod Centre.

·       Leisure Centres were running a promotion of one month’s free membership to assist with recruitment to the DNA scheme.

·       New signage has been installed at Bonington Theatre, charity events and the new cinema programme leaflets have been well received.

·       The Council has appointed a Project Community Co-ordinator for the Bestwood area.

·       Dementia Friends training had been delivered to the Youth Council and sessions were also available for Members and staff over the course of Dementia Awareness Week.

Councillor David Ellis (Public Protection)

·       There has been a reduction in the end of year crime figures within the Borough.

·       Paddy Tipping has been elected as Police and Crime Commissioner.

·       Thanks were given to the Local Returning Officer and the Members’ Services Team for their work on the PCC election.

·       The taxi drivers’ tests being delivered have been well received and praise was given to the licensing inspectors on the way they were conducting their business.

·       An increase in fly tipping rates has prompted a high profile summer campaign to tackle the issue.  The Council are in the process of adopting new regulations which had come into force to impose fixed penalty notices for fly tipping.

Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth (Growth and Regeneration)

·       A presentation on the Five Year Plan was in the process of being arranged for Members.  A Member update on the CIL is also planned.

·       The Local Planning Document Consultation is open on the Council’s website until 4th July.  A time limited cross party working group will be appointed in July to discuss the responses.

·       A job fair will be held on 21^st September.

·       Councillor Hollingsworth had received a presentation from Urban Delivery on the possible regeneration of Carlton Square.

Councillor John Clarke on behalf of Councillor Michael Payne (Resources and Reputation)

·       Discussions are being held to provide face to face customer services with Gedling Homes and Notts County Council.

·       Face to face taxi licensing services are currently operating from the vacated Gedling Homes reception.

·       There has been a significant increase in subscriptions to the ‘Keep Me Posted’ email service which has helped to reduce postage charges within the Council tax department.

Councillor John Clarke (Leader of the Council)

·       The Council’s sickness absence levels had continued on a downward trend and were now the lowest in the County. 

·       The Council has appointed a new Deputy Chief Executive and a new Planning Delivery Manager.

·       A member of staff was currently in South Africa competing for Team GB in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

None.

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