Agenda and minutes

A minute’s silence was held in remembrance of ex councillor Bob Tate who had recently passed away.

The Mayor’s Chaplain, Father Philipp Ziomek, addressed council and gave a reading.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adams, Bestwick, Brown, Elliott, Feeney, Fox, Greensmith, Payne, Pickering, Robinson-Payne, Scroggie, M Smith, S Smith and Walker.

The Mayor noted he had attended several community events over the last few months, the first being the Foxhill Community Centre tea and cake afternoon, which had raised £500 for his charity, Parkinsons UK. He thanked the Good Shepperd Church for hosting his civic service where he also raised £500 for his charity.

RESOLVED:

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

None.

None.

Question 1 – received from Matthew Francis

At the budget meeting of full council on 6 March 2024, the deputy leader of the council, Councillor Micheal Payne, stated clearly that the administration at Nottinghamshire County Council had increased council tax by the maximum level permitted every year, since 2017. He was given the opportunity to provide clarification and/or correction, numerous times by Councillor Adams and also on one occasion by Councillor Sam Smith, but it would appear he failed to do so. Contrary to Councillor Payne's assertions, it has subsequently been ascertained by myself, through an information request to Nottinghamshire County Council and a full review of the budget reports, which are all a matter of public record, that the conservative leadership at Nottinghamshire County Council have for almost every financial year since 2017/2018, increased the main council tax precept levy by less than the maximum permitted amount, saving the residents of Nottinghamshire in that period, millions of pounds in council tax charges. When challenged on his assertion, Councillor Payne stated in writing that, and I quote: 'There is an element of subjectivity to the word maximum.'

Based on this information, and in the interests of honesty, integrity and accountability, does the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Member of Parliament for Gedling, wish to correct the record so that the residents of Gedling Borough, are in full possession of the facts?

Question 2

Does the Council think the symbolism of spending large sums of money at Gedling Country Park while letting parks in Carlton and the Carlton Valley decay show that this council prioritises what looks good in political leaflets and in their connect magazine rather than providing some of our most deprived communities with the services and respect they deserve?

Two questions were received, and one questioner was in attendance to ask their question. The questions and answers are as follows:

Question 1 – Asked by Matthew Francis

At the budget meeting of full council on 6 March 2024, the deputy leader of the council, Councillor Micheal Payne, stated clearly that the administration at Nottinghamshire County Council had increased council tax by the maximum level permitted every year, since 2017. He was given the opportunity to provide clarification and/or correction, numerous times by Councillor Adams and also on one occasion by Councillor Sam Smith, but it would appear he failed to do so. Contrary to Councillor Payne's assertions, it has subsequently been ascertained by myself, through an information request to Nottinghamshire County Council and a full review of the budget reports, which are all a matter of public record, that the conservative leadership at Nottinghamshire County Council have for almost every financial year since 2017/2018, increased the main council tax precept levy by less than the maximum permitted amount, saving the residents of Nottinghamshire in that period, millions of pounds in council tax charges. When challenged on his assertion, Councillor Payne stated in writing that, and I quote: 'There is an element of subjectivity to the word maximum.'

Based on this information, and in the interests of honesty, integrity and accountability, does the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Member of Parliament for Gedling, wish to correct the record so that the residents of Gedling Borough, are in full possession of the facts?

Answer 1 – Given by the Mayor, Councillor Ron McCrossen

Councillor Payne has considered the question and has decided there is nothing further to add from what he said at the meeting.

Question 2 – Read by the Chief Executive on behalf of the questioner

Does the Council think the symbolism of spending large sums of money at Gedling Country Park while letting parks in Carlton and the Carlton Valley decay show that this council prioritises what looks good in political leaflets and in their connect magazine rather than providing some of our most deprived communities with the services and respect they deserve?

Answer 2 – Given by Councillor Clarke

Gedling Country Park was developed on the former Gedling colliery site.  It is our flagship visitor attraction and a significant “green lung” in the borough of Gedling.

The topography of the park offers considerable views over Nottinghamshire, and has established itself as a wildlife haven, having been granted Local Nature Reserve status in 2018.

In terms of the park’s development, we have a children’s playground, café 1899, and two viewing platforms, some of which were funded through external grants. For anyone listening who hasn’t been to the site, I would certainly recommend a visit.

In terms of Carlton, you will be aware of our two most recent announcements.

Firstly, our proposal for a multi-million pound investment into a new Carlton Leisure and Community Wellbeing Centre with state-of-the-art facilities. This will benefit all residents of the borough,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Question from Cllr Whiting to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy:

-        Will Gedling Borough Council consider allowing the generation of electricity through onshore wind on land owned by the Council, in light of the lifting of the de facto ban by the government?

Question from Cllr Whiting to the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection:

-        There have been a number of reports of anti-social on and around Colwick Rec over a long period of time, including suspected drug dealing, anti-social car cruising amongst other activities. Can we please have CCTV installed to cover the car park of the Rec and deter such behaviour?

A question was asked of the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy by Councillor Whiting as follows:

“Will Gedling Borough Council consider allowing the generation of electricity through onshore wind on land owned by the Council, in light of the lifting of the de facto ban by the government?”

Response from Councillor Hollingworth:

Thank you, Mr Mayor, and thank you Councillor Whiting for the question.

I am sure like me you will welcome the new Labour governments launch of “Great British Energy” this week which puts renewable energy, carbon reduction and energy security at the heart of government. Gedling Borough Council is committed to finding opportunities for renewable energy including wind and utilizing our assets. We have an excellent track record for doing so and in the first term of this labour administration solar panels were installed at the civic centre and other council buildings. The solar panel installation at our green flag award winning county park, which produces energy or around 1500 homes is another key example.

Future projects would align with our carbon management strategy and the emerging Greater Nottingham strategic plan which will promote and encourage low energy. Proposals for onshore wind and other forms of renewable energy generation will still be subject to planning permission to carefully consider the impacts unless they are small scale and benefit from permitted development.

Finally, Mr Mayor, I would direct Councillor Whiting to the council’s carbon management strategy and in particular section 4.3 which looks at expanding local low carbon energy generation in the borough including the investigation of wind generated energy.

A question was asked of the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection by Councillor Whiting as follows:

“There have been a number of reports of anti-social on and around Colwick Rec over a long period of time, including suspected drug dealing, anti-social car cruising amongst other activities. Can we please have CCTV installed to cover the car park of the Rec and deter such behaviour?”

Response by Councillor David Ellis:

Thank you, Mr Mayor.

Before I reply can I just say that I’m pleased that Cllr Whiting’s son has been discharged from hospital this week and is back to his normal self. 

Turning to the question.

Members will recall that a Public Space Protection Order has been in place since June 2023 to address nuisance car cruising in Trent Valley. The area covered by the order includes Colwick Recreation Ground and the roads nearby. The PSPO prohibits a range of anti-social behaviours and includes penalties for breaches. Operation Triplefin is the police operation to enforce the PSPO and tackle anti-social behaviour. Since the order was introduced a variety of offences have been prosecuted and everything I have said suggests that it has been a successful initiative.

On CCTV. Last week Cabinet received the report on the annual review of CCTV and approved changes to the CCTV policy. The Council has to have regard to the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice published by the Surveillance Camera Commissioner. Recognising that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Report of the Senior Leadership Team

RESOLVED that:

Council approves and adopts the flexible use of capital receipts strategy 2024/25

Report of the Senior Leadership Team

Councillor Clarke confirmed there was an amendment on page 57 at paragraph 2.5.1, as follows:

The wording currently states:

The Council also made provision to alleviate the impact of some of the pressures for the most financially vulnerable residents and delivered £107,400 of Hardship relief to council taxpayers who are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) support and an additional £214,700 to care leavers.

The wording should state

The Council also made provision to alleviate the impact of some of the pressures for the most financially vulnerable residents and delivered support of £107,400 to care leavers, and £214,700 of Hardship relief to council taxpayers who are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS).

RESOLVED that:

Council approves the method of financing the 2023/24 capital expenditure which includes making the determinations required for the minimum revenue provision

Report of the Senior Leadership Team

RESOLVED that:

Council approves the annual treasury activity report for 2023/24

Report of the Chief Executive

RESOLVED that:

Council notes the Council’s productivity plan

Report of the Monitoring Officer

RESOLVED that Council:

1)    Agrees that Jonathan Causton be co-opted onto the Audit Committee as an Independent Member; and

2)    Authorises the Monitoring Officer to make the relevant changes to the constitution to reflect the co-option

Report of the Monitoring Officer

RESOLVED that Council:

1)    Agrees that David Walsh be appointed as Independent Person under the Localism Act 2011 for two years; and

2)    Agrees that John Baggaley be appointed as reserve Independent Person under the Localism Act 2011 for two years

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

Consideration was given to a report of the Democratic Services Manager which sought approval of the appointment of Mark Chowdhury as a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

RESOLVED that:

Council approves the appointment of Mark Chowdhury as a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer

Consideration was given to a report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer which sought approval to amend the constitution to reflect the new management arrangements following the senior management restructure.

RESOLVED that:

1)    Council approves the amendments to the Constitution and any policy or procedure approved by Council as set out in this report to reflect new management arrangements following the restructure; and

2)    Council authorises the Monitoring Officer to amend any policy or procedures approved by Council to reflect changes brought about by the restructure

No comments were made.

Motion 1:

That this Council notes:

•                Since the conflict started more than 37,000 people have been killed – with more than 50% estimated to be women and children. With thousands more buried under the rubble.

•                A letter in The Lancet Journal estimates that the true death toll may be as high as 186,000.

•                The words of Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP on July 7 2024 when talking about Gaza: “We want to see a cease-fire. We want to see those hostages out”

•                That then Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron on Thursday 11 January in describing the situation in Gaza as ‘heartbreaking’ ‘desperate’ and how ‘death and despair haunt’ the lives of Gaza’s children and his statement on March 25 that The UK has long been calling for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life, as the fastest way to get hostages out and aid in.

•                That on 2 April Sir Ed Davey MP said  “This violence has to stop. Now. We need an immediate bilateral ceasefire – a real ceasefire that finally sets us on the path to a lasting peace.

•                In February 2024 the UK Parliament voted unanimously in favour of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

•                Record its deep concern for the severe reverberations of this crisis felt within Gedling borough and across the UK, with Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian communities all fearing and grieving;

•                Thank community leaders in this borough for the role they are playing in reducing tensions at this sensitive and difficult time;

•                Thank members of the public throughout the Borough who have donated or provided assistance to the humanitarian response to the crisis in Gaza;

•                Support any forthcoming Government proposals for resettlement support for Palestinians seeking sanctuary here in the UK, as with the war in Ukraine;

•                Commit to identify ways in which the events can be remembered in the future, in this borough;

•                Offer appropriate support and assistance to the diverse communities within Gedling who have been impacted by, or who face emerging issues as a result of this crisis.

•                Request that the Chief executive write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs affirming the support of Gedling Borough Council for any and all efforts to bring about a bilateral cessation of hostilities leading to a lasting peace arrangement

Proposer: Councillor Russell Whiting

Seconded: Councillor Paul Hughes

Councillor Whiting, seconded by Councillor Hughes, proposed a motion in the following terms:

That this Council notes:

•           Since the conflict started more than 37,000 people have been killed – with more than 50% estimated to be women and children. With thousands more buried under the rubble.

•           A letter in The Lancet Journal estimates that the true death toll may be as high as 186,000.

•           The words of Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP on July 7 2024 when talking about Gaza: “We want to see a cease-fire. We want to see those hostages out”

•           That then Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron on Thursday 11 January in describing the situation in Gaza as ‘heartbreaking’ ‘desperate’ and how ‘death and despair haunt’ the lives of Gaza’s children and his statement on March 25 that The UK has long been calling for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life, as the fastest way to get hostages out and aid in.

•           That on 2 April Sir Ed Davey MP said “This violence has to stop. Now. We need an immediate bilateral ceasefire – a real ceasefire that finally sets us on the path to a lasting peace.

•           In February 2024 the UK Parliament voted unanimously in favour of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

•         Record its deep concern for the severe reverberations of this crisis felt within Gedling borough and across the UK, with Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian communities all fearing and grieving;

•         Thank community leaders in this borough for the role they are playing in reducing tensions at this sensitive and difficult time;

•         Thank members of the public throughout the Borough who have donated or provided assistance to the humanitarian response to the crisis in Gaza;

•         Support any forthcoming Government proposals for resettlement support for Palestinians seeking sanctuary here in the UK, as with the war in Ukraine;

•         Commit to identify ways in which the events can be remembered in the future, in this borough;

•         Offer appropriate support and assistance to the diverse communities within Gedling who have been impacted by, or who face emerging issues as a result of this crisis.

•         Request that the Chief executive write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs affirming the support of Gedling Borough Council for any and all efforts to bring about a bilateral cessation of hostilities leading to a lasting peace arrangement

Proposer: Councillor Russell Whiting

Seconded: Councillor Paul Hughes

An amended motion was proposed by Councillor Roxanne Ellis and seconded by Councillor Wilkinson, in the following terms:

That this Council notes:

• The thousands of people killed and displaced since the Israel-Hamas conflict started on the 7th of October 2023
• The commitment of the new Labour government towards playing “its full diplomatic role in securing a ceasefire deal and creating the space for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.