Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain Reverend Ogle delivered opening prayers.

Council stood in silent tribute for Councillor Denis Beeston MBE who had passed away on 16 January.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R Ellis, Feeney, Greensmith, Powell and Scroggie.

The Mayor expressed her sadness at the passing away of Councillor Denis Beeston MBE.

Members paid tribute to Councillor Beeston on his commitment to the people of Gedling and Bestwood Village and his long service to the community. Councillor Beeston was a loyal, respected and excellent servant of the Borough and a great supporter of many local causes and will be fondly remembered and missed by members.

The Mayor informed Council that James O’Riordan, former Borough and County Councillor, had suffered a severe stroke before Christmas. She had sent him good wishes on behalf of all members.

RESOLVED:

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

Vote: 35 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Councillor Allan declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Item 10 as the owner of an empty property within the Borough.

None.

Question from John Flynn

On the Gedling Borough Council website, I saw that in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan for Rail Services at Sections 4.6 and 4.7, it stated that there were 4 rail stations in Gedling Borough and these were at Burton Joyce, Carlton, Hucknall and Newstead. There are 4 rail stations in Gedling Borough, but the list does not name all 4 stations in Gedling Borough. The station at Netherfield, although an operational train station, appears to have been omitted, and the station at Hucknall is outside Gedling in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

I am worried that this failure to recognise Netherfield train station could affect the accuracy and validity of the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Certainly, the station at Netherfield is much neglected with very few trains actually stopping there. This is similar to the situation at Burton Joyce train station where a number of trains pass through, but few trains actually stop there. Is it possible to give some reassurance that Netherfield station has not been completely forgotten in the Infrastructure Plan, and, given the projected housing developments in the area around Burton Joyce, Stoke Bardolph, and Carlton, is there any plan to improve services and facilities at Netherfield and Burton Joyce stations?

Question from Sebastian Soar

I would like to know how many people were fined in Gedling Borough in the last year for failing to clear up after their dogs. I would like to know how often the councils 'mobile surveillance units' (reference to dog fouling posters in Gedling) have been deployed and how many people they caught in the last year. Does the council regard the answers to these questions to a be a success? And what other measures is the council doing to tackle this issue for local residents?

Question from John Flynn.

Mr Flynn did not attend and therefore the question was not dealt with.

Question from Sebastian Soar.

I would like to know how many people were fined in Gedling Borough in the last year for failing to clear up after their dogs. I would like to know how often the councils 'mobile surveillance units' (reference to dog fouling posters in Gedling) have been deployed and how many people they caught in the last year. Does the council regard the answers to these questions to a be a success? And what other measures is the council doing to tackle this issue for local residents?

Response from Councillor David Ellis

It's important to be clear from the outset when tackling dog fouling that it is the owner's responsibility to clear up after their dogs.  Most dog owners in Gedling are responsible and do clear up.  I would applaud those who act responsibly.

However, we all know that there are some irresponsible owners who do not ‘pick up’ and allow their dogs to damage the environment for others.  Dog fouling is not just unpleasant it can be dangerous.

The first approach we take is prevention. Our aim is to encourage owners to take responsibility and clean up after their dogs. The Communications Team at the Council uses a variety of media to get the message across - you may have seen the messages on the side of refuse freighters.  The neighbourhood wardens engage directly with dog owners both on a casual basis and at planned events such as Arnold Carnival. These prevention approaches are all designed to reduce dog fouling. 

We have also made it easier for owners to dispose of poo bags by introducing dual purpose waste bins across the whole borough area.

Where there are complaints of dog fouling in an area, we work with dog owners to make them aware of the offence and encourage reporting in order to identify those responsible.  As appropriate we distribute leaflets to local residents, use banners (especially outside schools and parks), or signs on lampposts, and signs painted on footpaths.  We find that this sort of reminder does work and reduces the problem.

The Council’s second approach, on which the question focuses, is enforcement.

Our Warden Service takes the lead on this.  They are all well trained on gathering and using evidence for enforcement. 

The operational tactics they can deploy are varied, ranging from overt patrols in uniform through to more covert ‘plain clothed’ approaches depending on the time of day and the location where dog fouling is happening.  Last year the wardens undertook 15 of these operations, the majority of which were carried out very early in the morning when dog walkers are likely to be out.

Over the last year, 5 people were issued with fixed penalty notices for failing to clear up after their dogs. The owners admitted their guilt, accepted the notice and paid their fine of £50.

The council would not undertake any form of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Report of the Service Manager Democratic Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager Democratic Services which sought approval to appoint Councillor Sandra Barnes as a second Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Gedling with immediate effect for the remainder of the 2018/19 municipal year.

RESOLVED:

To appoint Councillor Sandra Barnes as a second Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Gedling with immediate effect for the remainder of the 2018/19 municipal year.

Vote: 33 For, 0 Against, 2 Abstentions.

Report of the Service Manager Democratic Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager Democratic Services to inform Council of the latest report from the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), relating to member remuneration for 2019/20, and invite Council to consider the recommendations made by the Panel.

An amendment was moved in the following terms by Councillor Michael Payne and seconded by Councillor Clarke:

To accept the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel subject to the inclusion of allowances to Party Business Managers to be paid at the current rate of 25% of the Leader’s allowance with the 2% uplift in line with the pay award to senior officers.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and accept the recommendations subject to the inclusion of allowances to Party Business Managers to be paid at the current rate of 25% of the Leader’s allowance with the 2% uplift in line with the pay award to senior officers;

2)    Agree the schedule of members’ allowances for 2019/20 as attached at Appendix 2 to this report which will have been uplifted by 2% in line with the pay award to Senior Officers with the inclusion of the allowance to be paid to Party Business Managers;

3)    Agree that the size of the Panel shall reduce from 5 to three members with immediate effect; and

4)    Authorise the Monitoring Officer to make appropriate amendments to Part 6 of the Constitution to reflect any changes to members’ allowances agreed.

Vote: 34 For, 45 Against, 0 Abstentions

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance.

Councillor Allan left the meeting.

Consideration was given to a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance to seek permission to change the amounts of council tax levied on properties in the Borough of Gedling which have been vacant for a period of two years or more.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Adopt an empty property levy of 100% with effect from 1^st April 2019 for dwellings which have been vacant for a period of two years or more,

2)    Adopt an empty property levy of 200% with effect from 1^st April 2020 for dwellings which have been vacant for a period of five years or more; and

3)    Adopt an empty property levy of 300% with effect from 1^st April 2021 for dwellings which have been vacant for a period of ten years or more.

Vote: 34 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Councillor Allan re-joined the meeting.

Report of the Service Manager Democratic Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager Democratic Services which sought approval to amendments to the published scheme of polling places, polling districts and polling stations for Gedling Borough.

RESOLVED:

To approve the polling place for polling districts GA3 and SB1 as detailed in the table at paragraph 2.1 of the report.

Vote: For 35, Against 0, Abstentions 0.

Report of the Director of Community Health and Wellbeing.

Council is recommended to approve the amended Gedling Gambling Statement of Policy at Appendix 1 to the report which includes the amendments approved for consultation on 21st September 2018 and amendments following the consultation.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Community Health and Wellbeing, which had been referred to Council by Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

To approve the amended Gedling Gambling Statement of Policy at Appendix 1 to the report which includes the amendments approved for consultation on 21st September 2018 and amendments following the consultation.

Vote: For 34, Against 0, Abstention 0

Report of the Service Manager, Organisational Development.

Council is recommended to adopt the Pay Policy Statement for publication on the Council’s website.

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Organisational Development, which had been referred to Council from the Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee.

RESOLVED:

To adopt the Pay Policy Statement for publication on the Council’s website.

Vote: For 35, Against 0, Abstentions 0.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance.

Council is recommended to receive and note the KPMG Annual Audit Letter 2017/19.

Consideration was given to a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance which had been referred to Council by Audit Committee.

RESOLVED:

To receive and note the KPMG Annual Audit Letter 2017/18.

Vote: For 35, Against 0, Abstentions 0.

None received.

In accordance with Standing Order 11.1, a number of comments were made and responded to by the appropriate Cabinet Member or Committee Chair.

None received.

None received.