Agenda and draft minutes

The Deputy Mayor confirmed that the council had received notification of the sad passing of former Councillor Gillian Fullwood and asked that the room stay standing for a minute’s silence.

The Mayors chaplain then delivered a thought about the values of sharing and serving the common good.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brown, Fox, R McCrossen, V McCrossen, Payne, Pearson, Scroggie, M Smith, Towsey-Hinton and Welsh.

The Deputy Mayor highlighted the recent events that had taken place since the last meeting and gave special thanks to the Good Shepherd Church for hosting the Mayors Christmas Carol Concert which raised significant funds for the Mayors’ charity, Parkinsons UK. The Deputy Mayor noted the visit from delegates from the council’s twinned town in France, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy. He gave details on the events that the Mayor hosted for the guests and thanked all those involved in their organisation.

RESOLVED:

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

None.

None received.

Question 1 – Received by Matthew Francis

“Gedling Borough Council’s annual financial budget is approximately £12.6 million. In a cost of living crisis, where residents of Gedling Borough are being asked to pay more and more council tax every year, and you will also now be charging residents and other visitors to park at Gedling Country Park, the allocation of salaries of the Senior Leadership Team, which includes executives, directors and assistant directors, accounts for approximately £1 million of that financial budget.

Would the chairman of the Audit Committee please take the time to explain to residents, why such a state of affairs, exhibits a sense of fiduciary responsibility?”

Question 2

“Given the importance the GREATER CARLTON TOWN BOARD will have in bringing economic growth to the wider Carlton Area. And given the Chair of the Board (according the minutes from Tuesday 22 October 2024, 17.00) is reported to have "stressed the importance of Members’ attendance at the meeting."

Will the Leader of Council write to the MP for Gedling noting the following:

Encouraging the MP to attend more of the meetings of this board and stress the importance of the board in delivering for Carlton residents.

Express the council's dissatisfaction the MP has only attended 1 of the 5 meetings, and the one he did attend he was late too. (this is correct as of the publicly available minutes as of 9/12/2024)”

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:

“Gedling Borough Council’s annual financial budget is approximately £12.6 million. In a cost of living crisis, where residents of Gedling Borough are being asked to pay more and more council tax every year, and you will also now be charging residents and other visitors to park at Gedling Country Park, the allocation of salaries of the Senior Leadership Team, which includes executives, directors and assistant directors, accounts for approximately £1 million of that financial budget.

Would the chairman of the Audit Committee please take the time to explain to residents, why such a state of affairs, exhibits a sense of fiduciary responsibility?”

Answered by Councillor Robinson-Payne

Thank you for the question.

All successful businesses require senior managers who can provide leadership at a strategic level to steer the organisation into meeting its agreed targets, aims and objectives. 

In these difficult financial times for local government, all councils require the skills of professional leaders to not only meet the challenges ahead, but also to continue to push the Council in improving public services. Gedling Borough Council is no exception.

The gross budget for 2024/25 is actually £44.1 million, and not the £12.6 million you quote, and organisations of this size require appropriate management at a senior level.

The audit committee is committed to carrying out its role of scrutinising the councils’ finances, ensuring value for money, and holding the organisation to account. The committee will continue to review areas of expenditure to assure public funds are spent responsibly and in the best interests of the residents of Gedling borough.

During my time as the chair of the audit committee, the audit committee and I have overseen the recruitment of an independent member to the committee, who is separate to the councillors, to add an extra layer of scrutiny. Not all councils have adopted this approach, but we welcome transparency and openness.

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

“Given the importance the GREATER CARLTON TOWN BOARD will have in bringing economic growth to the wider Carlton Area. And given the Chair of the Board (according the minutes from Tuesday 22 October 2024, 17.00) is reported to have "stressed the importance of Members’ attendance at the meeting."

Will the Leader of Council write to the MP for Gedling noting the following:

Encouraging the MP to attend more of the meetings of this board and stress the importance of the board in delivering for Carlton residents.

Express the council's dissatisfaction the MP has only attended 1 of the 5 meetings, and the one he did attend he was late too. (this is correct as of the publicly available minutes as of 9/12/2024)”

Answered by Councillor Clarke

Thank you for the question.

I know from discussions myself and the Chief Executive had with the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gedling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

Question 1 – From Cllr Ellwood to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy

“In view of the removal of hedgerows in March 2023 at the boundary of the Chase Farm Development on Arnold Lane opposite Stanhope Road (in contravention of Condition 4 of Planning Application 2021/ 1294); what actions have the Planning Department at the Borough Council taken to ensure that the removed hedgerows are replaced?

Question 2 – From Cllr Hughes to the Leader of the Council

“The Government published its Devolution White Paper in December, proposing that a system of Unitary Authorities be established across the whole of England.

Can the Leader let us know what stance the Council will adopt in response to the possible abolition of Gedling Borough Council if the top-down local government reorganisation outlined in the white paper is enacted?”

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

“In view of the removal of hedgerows in March 2023 at the boundary of the Chase Farm Development on Arnold Lane opposite Stanhope Road (in contravention of Condition 4 of Planning Application 2021/ 1294); what actions have the Planning Department at the Borough Council taken to ensure that the removed hedgerows are replaced?

Response from Councillor Hollingsworth

Thanks for the question, Councillor Ellwood.

I am very grateful to Planning Officers who visited the site to assess the extent of hedgerow removal, and ensured the removed sections correspond with the approved access points which serve the development. Condition 4 of reserved matters approval reference 2021/1294 does require the submission of approval of a scheme of landscaping and these details have been considered through a discharge of condition application (under reference 2022/1046DOC) which has been approved. The hedgerow removals were approved to facilitate development, and therefore no replacement planting is required.

Mr Deputy Mayor, if Councillor Ellwood would like further information, I know that officers would be very happy to provide that.

A question was asked of the Leader of the Council by Councillor Hughes, as follows:

“The Government published its Devolution White Paper in December, proposing that a system of Unitary Authorities be established across the whole of England.

Can the Leader let us know what stance the Council will adopt in response to the possible abolition of Gedling Borough Council if the top-down local government reorganisation outlined in the white paper is enacted?”

Response from Councillor Clarke

Thanks to Councillor Hughes for your question.

The Government’s White Paper on Devolution was published on 16 December 2024 - this invited all authorities in two-tier areas and small neighbouring unitary councils to work together to submit plans for reorganisation.

For most areas, this will mean creating councils with a population of 500,000 or more.

Interim plans must be submitted by March 2025, and these will include a number of options that will be worked upon further during the summer.

It is important to note that the Secretary of State has powers to determine a solution irrespective of whether any individual council objects to the White Paper proposals.

The approach by all Nottinghamshire Leaders is to discuss and agree core values and principles to guide how we work together. This means that over the next nine weeks to the end of March, all Leaders need to get “viable options” on the table which are not necessarily “preferred options”.

I will always stand up for Gedling Borough Council to remain as it currently is, and when consultation is launched, I would encourage all residents to respond and share their views.

However, if that is not possible under legislation, then I would rather be part of the solution as opposed to being forced to accept a new structure under Secretary of State powers.

Councillor Hughes asked a supplementary question to ask if the Leader would be committed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

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

Report of the Assistant Director of Workforce

RESOLVED to:

·         Approve the proposed Pay Policy Statement and associated pay arrangements as approved by the Appointments & Conditions of Service Committee; and

·         Approve the subsequent publication on the Council’s website

Report of the Chief Finance Officer

RESOLVED to:

·         Approve Prudential Borrowing of £105,000 to fund a new Food Freighter within the capital programme

Report of the Chief Finance Officer

RESOLVED to:

·         Note the report, together with the Treasury Activity Report 2024/25 for the period ended 30 November 2024; and

·         Note the Prudential and Treasury Indicator Monitoring 2024/25 for the period ended 30 November 2024

Report of the Assistant Director – Governance and Democracy

RESOLVED to:

·         Approve the new version of the Contract and Procurement Rules contained within Appendix 1 for implementation into the Constitution upon the date which the Procurement Act 2023 comes into force, the provisional date being 24 February 2025

Report of the Assistant Director – Housing and resettlement

RESOLVED that:

·         The Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) 2025/26, to apply from 1 April 2025, be approved and adopted by full Council, and

·         There are no changes to the CTRS for working aged people as described in Section 2 of this report, except for the annual uprating and amendments of allowances and premiums in line with Housing Benefit levels; and

·         There are no changes to CTRS for pension age people except for those contained within the annual Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Amendment) (England) Regulations.

Report of the Parks and Street Care Manager

RESOLVED to:

·         Approve to carry out community consultation on the revised draft byelaws for parks and open spaces within Gedling Borough and revocation of the existing 1996 byelaws

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

Councillor Clarke proposed an amended recommendation in the following terms:

That this Council:

• Thanks the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work

• Accepts in part, recommendation 1 of the Independent Remuneration Panel report which aligns with the commitment made last year to increase basic allowance in line with Chief Officer pay award.

• Agrees to continue to apply the Chief Officer pay award as a form of indexation to Special Responsibility Allowances as agreed in previous years.

• Accepts recommendation 2 of the Independent Remuneration Panel Report.

• Does not accept the Independent remuneration panel’s recommendation number 3 as contained in this report.

• Agrees the scheduled allowances for 2025/26 as attached at appendix 2 to this report be uprated in accordance with Chief Officer pay Award as agreed.

• Authorise the Monitoring Officer to make appropriate amendments to section 29 of the Constitution to reflect any changes to the Members Allowance Scheme agreed.

RESOLVED that the Council:

• Thanks the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work

• Accepts in part, recommendation 1 of the Independent Remuneration Panel report which aligns with the commitment made last year to increase basic allowance in line with Chief Officer pay award.

• Agrees to continue to apply the Chief Officer pay award as a form of indexation to Special Responsibility Allowances as agreed in previous years.

• Accepts recommendation 2 of the Independent Remuneration Panel Report.

• Does not accept the Independent remuneration panel’s recommendation number 3 as contained in this report.

• Agrees the scheduled allowances for 2025/26 as attached at appendix 2 to this report be uprated in accordance with Chief Officer pay Award as agreed.

• Authorise the Monitoring Officer to make appropriate amendments to section 29 of the Constitution to reflect any changes to the Members Allowance Scheme agreed.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

RESOLVED to:

·         Approve the updated list of representatives on outside bodies for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year as set out in Appendix 1

No comments or questions were received on any set of minutes or decision record.

We the Council recognise that the safety of staff, fellow councillors and residents alike currently is not completely represented within this chamber.

As a result of this we would like to see all of the 2023-2027 intake of councillors and all in the future to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

The councillors will be required to present the DBS information to the Monitoring Officer and Business Manager of their group, as applicable, within 72 days of this motion and for future councils within 72 days of their election to this council.

The cost will be met by the council.

This will not only ensure better transparency but also ensure that any risk of harm or untoward behaviour is minimised.

Proposer: Cllr Michael Adams

Seconder: Cllr Sam Smith

Councillor Adams, seconded by Councillor Elliott, proposed a motion in the following terms:

We the Council recognise that the safety of staff, fellow councillors and residents alike currently is not completely represented within this chamber.

As a result of this we would like to see all of the 2023-2027 intake of councillors and all in the future to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

The councillors will be required to present the DBS information to the Monitoring Officer and Business Manager of their group, as applicable, within 72 days of this motion and for future councils within 72 days of their election to this council.

The cost will be met by the council.

This will not only ensure better transparency but also ensure that any risk of harm or untoward behaviour is minimised.

Proposer: Councillor Michael Adams

Seconder: Councillor Sam Smith

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

We the Council recognise that the safety of staff, fellow councillors and residents alike currently is not completely represented within this chamber.

As a result of this we would like to see all of the 2023-2027 intake of councillors and all in the future to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

The cost will be met by the council.

This will not only ensure better transparency but also ensure that any risk of harm or untoward behaviour is minimised.

In light of the independent Bailey Review of the Disclosure and Barring Regime and the subsequent letter from the then Minister for Local Government to council leaders of 18th January 2024, Council refers the matter to the Standards Committee to give consideration to the policy and procedural issues raised and report back to Council.

An adjournment was proposed, seconded and agreed to allow members to discuss the amendment. The meeting was adjourned at 18:50 and resumed at 19:00.

On being put to vote, the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion. The new substantive motion was put to a vote and was carried.

RESOLVED that:

We the Council recognise that the safety of staff, fellow councillors and residents alike currently is not completely represented within this chamber.

As a result of this we would like to see all of the 2023-2027 intake of councillors and all in the future to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

The cost will be met by the council.

This will not only ensure better transparency but also ensure that any risk of harm or untoward behaviour is minimised.

In light of the independent Bailey Review of the Disclosure and Barring Regime and the subsequent letter from the then Minister for Local Government to council leaders of 18th January 2024, Council refers the matter to the Standards Committee to give consideration to the policy and procedural issues raised and report back to Council.

Proposer: Councillor David Ellis

Seconder: Councillor Rachael Ellis