Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Robinson-Payne.

RESOLVED:

That 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:

1)    To note the report.

Report of the Community Protection and Pollution Control Manager

The Director of Place presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, to seek approval to extend, for a further three years, the existing Public Spaces Protection Order for dog fouling (Gedling Borough Council) which is due to expire on 20 October 2026.

The following actions were raised in response to questions and comments during the meeting:

1.     For consultation to be undertaken requiring pet owners to have the means to pick up after their pets.

2.     To add ways to contact the council regarding dog fouling on signs in parks.

3.     For reels to be created educating residents on dog fouling and its environmental impact.

4.     For officers to consider the installation of biodegradable dog bag dispensers on dog waste bins, initially at Gedling Country Park as a trial.

5.     For officers to give consideration to raising awareness around the health impacts of dog mess for the public and children.

6.     That the Director of Place would bring a comprehensive progress report on WISE back to Cabinet, in terms of the full range of environmental offences and fixed penalty notices the council is enforcing.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve a further three-year extension of the current Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for dog fouling at Appendix 1 in accordance with Section 72 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

2)    Approve that the fixed penalty level for breaches of the PSPO remain set at £100, payable within 14 days

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

The Chief Executive presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, to present the report and recommendations of the working group that considered the issues surrounding Fly Tipping, Litter and Waste Management across the borough.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment Services made the following comments:

1. Contamination rates have gone down due to the introduction of more recycling facilities.
2. It was noted that the introduction of flexible plastics has had to be postponed due to the government not being able to find companies who can recycle plastic bags, but foil and some tetra paks can now be recycled.
3. It was noted that due to the pressures of work in the department that the pilot for food waste recycling had been put on hold, favouring the commencement of a borough wide implementation of a food waste recycling on October 27^th.
4. It was noted within the report, litter picking groups had to be put on hold due to pressures within the department, but they would like to see work to be undertaken to increase the number of those groups.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Parks and Environmental Health made the following comments:

1. Volunteer litter pickers are a huge help to the council and their communities.
2. Encouraged councillors to organise litter picking groups within their own communities and to promote the initiative in Full Council.

The Portfolio Holder for Lifestyles, Health and Wellbeing made the following comments:

1. Encouraging councillors to be proactive in keeping their communities being clean and tidy by organising litter picking groups.
2. Wanted to increase education around litter and in being responsible with their waste.

The Portfolio Holder for Life Chances and Vulnerability made comment:

1. Thanking the working group for the comprehensive report and recognised that officers noted that improvements need to be made in improving the reporting system around waste.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Consider the report and recommendations of the working group making comments where appropriate; and

2)    Provide a written response to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee within 28 days of receipt of the report.

Report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, to update Cabinet on the actions and activities that the remaining Policy Advisor has undertaken since the last report to Cabinet in September 2025.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the content of the report, and the actions and activities undertaken by the remaining Policy Advisor since September 2025.

Report of the Assistant Director for Housing and Resettlement

The Assistant Director of Housing and Resettlement presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, to seek Cabinet approval to enter into arrangements with two Registered Provider partners to deliver urgently needed, good-quality affordable housing in the Borough using Section 106 affordable housing commuted sum contributions.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the Council entering into agreements with two Registered Providers to deliver affordable housing in the Borough using available Section 106 affordable housing commuted sum contributions.

2)    Delegate authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer, to finalise and enter into all agreements required to implement the approved arrangements.

None.