Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barnes, Hollingsworth and Payne and Councillor Barnfather (observor).

The Leader paid tribute to the work being done locally to mark International Women’s Day, in particularly the commemorative quilt project that Councillor Roxanne Ellis had been involved in.

RESOLVED:

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

None

Report of the Revenues Manager.

The Chief Executive introduced a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, which proposed a new category of council tax exemption for care leavers. He explained that this was being introduced in the whole of Nottinghamshire and that this would apply to people up to the age of 25 who had left the care system. The Revenues Manager explained the logistics of how the policy would be achieved and that cooperation from the County Council and other care providers would be needed to identify care leavers in order to arrange the exemption.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the Council’s guidance, at Appendix 1 to the report, for determining an application for a reduction in council tax for persons leaving care and living in the Borough of Gedling; and

2)    Delegate to the Director responsible for Revenues and Welfare Support Services the authority to determine applications for discretionary reduction in council tax under section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in relation to persons leaving care and living in the Borough of Gedling in line with the guidance at Appendix 1 to the report.

Report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive introduced a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, seeking Cabinet’s endorsement of the Derby-Nottingham Metropolitan Strategy and the Leader’s involvement in the Metro Delivery Board.

RESOLVED:

To endorse the Derby-Nottingham Metro Strategy and agree to be represented by the Leader (or his alternative) in governance arrangements associated with the development and implementation of the strategy.

Report of the Food, Health and Housing Manager.

The Food Health and Housing Manager introduced a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, seeking approval to approve the designation of the Netherfield Ward as a selective licensing area following the required public consultation.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the designation of the Netherfield Ward, shown outlined in red at Appendix 1 to this report, as being subject to Selective Licensing with effect from 1 October 2018;

2)    Approve the licence conditions to be attached to licences issued under the Selective Licensing Scheme as set out at Appendix 2 to this report;

3)    Authorise the Director of Health and Community Wellbeing to publish a Notice of Designation in accordance with the Housing Act 2004;

4)    Approve the licensing fees as set out in Table 1 of paragraph 4.2 of this report;

5)    Authorise a review of the scheme in 18 months, the outcome of the review will be reported back to Cabinet;

6)    Note the financial and staffing implications associated with the Selective Licensing scheme; and

7)    Request a progress report to Cabinet on the scheme’s implementation six months after its start.

Report of the Service Manager Democratic 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 Gary Gregory (Community Development)

·         The Heritage Project is moving forward with lots of work ongoing and a report would be coming to Cabinet shortly.

·         Community asset transfer is still progressing and recent training with potential future operators took place. 

·         The Chinese New Year event was fully booked and enjoyed by all attendees.

·         The Youth Council and Seniors Council are still hopeful of holding a joint meeting in the near future subject to the impending youth council elections.

Councillor Henry Wheeler (Housing, Health and Wellbeing)

·         Homelessness services continue to be under pressure. Two temporary Homelessness Officers are in post and it is hoped these appointments will make a positive difference. A scheme to notify the Housing Needs department of potential evictions is being explored to hopefully allow swifter intervention. It is also hoped to work with Nottingham Credit Union to introduce financial assistance scheme via a loan or grant.

·         Thanks to leisure team for keeping all facilities open during recent bad weather.

·         Disabled access accreditation has been awarded to all five of the Council’s leisure centres.

·         Dementia friendly swimming sessions would be starting at swimming pools in the near future.

Councillor David Ellis (Public Protection)

·         Reports from residents about anti-social behaviour in Arnold Town Centre have risen so there has been an increase of CCTV monitoring and police officers deployed to the area. A dispersal order for groups of three or more has additionally been put in place.

·         A recent visit to the winter homeless shelter in the Meadows was held recently which revealed an especially large increase in the numbers of women using such services.  It was hoped that links between Gedling’s homelessness team and voluntary groups could be improved. It was discovered that an increasing proportion of rough sleepers are sleeping during the day to avoid feeling unsafe at night which as led to homeless charities targeting resources to the early morning rather than late night period.

·         All disabled Facilities Grant funding has been committed for this year helping more residents than ever.

·         The Local Government Association’s Modern Slavery Conference was held in Nottingham this week. This was an eye opening event and officers and members would be considering what action needs to be taken as a result of what was learnt.

Councillor John Clarke (Leader of the Council)

·         Around 900 people signed up for bin alerts during bad weather via the Keep Me Posted alerts. Very positive feedback received about communication to residents and the high level of service from our refuse crews during the disruption.

·         Thanks to all council staff for keeping things running so effectively during the bad weather.

·         The ERASMUS scheme has recently been the subject of a peer review which was very positive thanks to the efforts of our economic development staff.

·         Had a recent meeting at East Midlands Airport and learnt about the prospect of many more job opportunities in the future.

·         New seating that commemorates miners at Gedling Country Park has been installed and been well received by park users.

None reveived.

None.