Agenda and draft minutes

The Mayor’s chaplain read an extract from the ancient book of Ecclesiastes, which centred the idea of giving to those less fortunate.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adams, Barnes, Greensmith and Payne.

The Mayor spoke about the recent community events he had attended across the borough, noting his particular pleasure to have hosted a quiz night for his charity which had raised over £4,000. He gave several thanks to those who had helped to make the event such a success.

He also noted that he had recently joined the UK delegation visit to Auschwitz to commentate the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass.

RESOLVED:

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

Councillor Maltby declared as interest in relation to a member question at item 9 as he was a veteran that could potentially receive support from the council.

Representatives of the Youth Council gave a presentation to members about domestic abuse from a youth perspective, how members could help and what White Ribbon Day was.

They explained that White Ribbon Day was an international day of action to end violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on men and boys to be allies by making the ‘White Ribbon promise”. It was noted that 25 November began the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The Mayor welcomed the petitioners to present the petition to the council, which had been signed by 1021 residents of the borough and related to the leisure transformation programme and how this impacted the indoor bowls facility at the Richard Herrod Centre.

After the petition had been presented, the Mayor confirmed that it had been accepted, the requested action being as follows:

“This petition is submitted with a request that the Council reconsider its plans as part of their Leisure Transformation Programme impacting the Indoor Bowls facility at the Richard Herrod Centre. The signatories to the petition call on Gedling Borough Council to:

1.    Reinstate, retain and protect indoor bowling as part of its facility mix within the proposed redevelopment of the Richard Herrod Centre

2.    Recognise that by working with the Directors of Gedling Indoor Bowls Centre Limited and the English Indoor Bowls Association a financially viable and sustainable model with the inclusion of indoor bowls can be achieved

3.    Pro-actively recognise and promote the proven mental and physical wellbeing benefits of indoor bowling”

Members debated the motion and on being put to a vote, it was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED that:

Council have debated and accepted the petition actions.

Question 1 – to the Leader of the Council

Greater Carlton Neighbourhood Board is overseeing the delivery of £20 million in government funding to improve Carlton and surrounding areas. It goes without saying this a huge opportunity for Gedling - local involvement and insights from local residents will be crucial to make it a success.  

At the June meeting of the Board it  was discussed that there will be some promotion done in the summer (2025) to raise the Board’s profile.

Given the next meeting minutes mention their engagement had 'not had a significant response rate' is the Leader worried on behalf of Gedling residents that the board is failing to engage residents well?

One question was received from a member of the public, who was unable to attend to ask their question.

The question and answer were as follows:

1)    Question to the Leader of the Council

Greater Carlton Neighbourhood Board is overseeing the delivery of £20 million in government funding to improve Carlton and surrounding areas. It goes without saying this a huge opportunity for Gedling - local involvement and insights from local residents will be crucial to make it a success.  

At the June meeting of the Board, it was discussed that there will be some promotion done in the summer (2025) to raise the Board’s profile.

Given the next meeting minutes mention their engagement had 'not had a significant response rate' is the Leader worried on behalf of Gedling residents that the board is failing to engage residents well?

Response from Councillor Clarke:

Thank you for your question.

The Greater Carlton Town Neighbourhood Board is community led and comprises of 16 Members including Michael Payne MP and David Stewart, who is the Chairperson. I also sit on the Board and I’m grateful for the temporary cover provided by Cllr Creamer. The other Board Members include of a range of key stakeholders and volunteer representatives from the local community and business.

The Regeneration Plan and 4 Year Investment Plan was approved at the last Board meeting, and our Cabinet will be asked to do the same next week, as the Council is the accountable body. The Board under the leadership of David Stewart has listened closely to the voices of our communities and businesses. I have no concern about engagement - through extensive consultation, including surveys, workshops with young people, and direct engagement with local organisations, the Board has gained a deep understanding of both the barriers and the aspirations that shape the Greater Carlton area.

I know that each member of the Board feels a profound responsibility to create the conditions which enable Greater Carlton to thrive. The 10-year vision is clear: to make Greater Carlton a place where everyone can live well, dream big, and shape their own future.

Communication and promotion will be an ongoing priority for the Board as it prepares to delivery from April 2026. The Board are excited about working with partners to ensure that residents and stakeholders have opportunities to hear about progress. The Board has plans to continually review our engagement with the community and explore ways to extend the reach of the programme.

Question from Cllr Stuart Bestwick to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy

Further to the Cabinet’s report regarding the implementation of Article 4 on HMO conversions in December 2022 which stated 'There is still currently insufficient evidence to demonstrate an Article 4 direction is necessary to protect local amenities or the wellbeing of the Netherfield ward.' And 'The situation should, however, be monitored to ensure that a proliferation of HMOs does not emerge. [This is] in any particular locality or the Netherfield ward as a whole, which might then justify further that consideration of an Article 4 direction is required.' Could the Cabinet Member advise what monitoring has been undertook and do they agree with me that, as a result of a large increase in HMOs across our Borough, now is the time to introduce Article 4 to provide this Council, its Planning Committee and our residents with greater control over decisions relating to HMO conversions?

Question from Cllr Sam Smith to the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat

Further to our Overview & Scrutiny meeting in October, could you please update council on the results of the audit and implementation of measures, such as bunds, to help mitigate vehicle and caravan access to the play parks and fields across Gedling Borough, particularly at Burton Road’s Jubilee Park and Carlton’s Richard Herrod Centre field?

Question from Cllr Darren Maltby to the Leader of the Council

Following a recent motion submitted by the Conservative Group and given that there are approximately 832 veterans residing in Gedling who could benefit from the Council’s recent update to exclude Armed Forces Disability Payments, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Discretionary Housing Payments and Disabled Facilities Grants, from income assessments for local welfare benefits, can the Leader of the Council confirm how many veterans have actually benefited from this policy change to date and  outline what steps are being taken to ensure that all eligible veterans and their families are made aware of, and able to access, the additional support now available to them?

A question was asked of the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy by Cllr Stuart Bestwick, as follows:

Further to the Cabinet’s report regarding the implementation of Article 4 on HMO conversions in December 2022 which stated, 'There is still currently insufficient evidence to demonstrate an Article 4 direction is necessary to protect local amenities or the wellbeing of the Netherfield ward.' And 'The situation should, however, be monitored to ensure that a proliferation of HMOs does not emerge. [This is] in any particular locality or the Netherfield ward as a whole, which might then justify further that consideration of an Article 4 direction is required.' Could the Cabinet Member advise what monitoring has been undertook and do they agree with me that, as a result of a large increase in HMOs across our Borough, now is the time to introduce Article 4 to provide this Council, its Planning Committee and our residents with greater control over decisions relating to HMO conversions?

Response by Cllr Hollingsworth:

Following the report to Cabinet in December 2022 a further report setting out an updated position was presented to Cabinet on 4 September 2025. The assessment of the composition of the housing stock in Netherfield undertaken at that time identified that only 0.44%, a total of 14 properties out of 3120, are HMOs. The report therefore concluded that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that an Article 4 direction or any other measure is necessary to protect local amenity or the well-being of the Netherfield Ward.

It was resolved that Cabinet:  

(1) Agreed that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that an Article 4 direction or any other measure be necessary to protect local amenity or the well-being of the Netherfield Ward.

(2) Agreed that the overall number of HMOs in the Netherfield Ward should be monitored.

(3) Agreed that a new boroughwide report for HMOs be brought before the committee within the next three months.

The Boroughwide report is currently being progressed by officers and is on the Forward Plan for consideration by Cabinet in January 2026.

A question was asked of the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat by Cllr Sam Smith, as follows:

Further to our Overview & Scrutiny meeting in October, could you please update council on the results of the audit and implementation of measures, such as bunds, to help mitigate vehicle and caravan access to the play parks and fields across Gedling Borough, particularly at Burton Road’s Jubilee Park and Carlton’s Richard Herrod Centre field?

Response by Cllr Viv McCrossen:

It goes without saying that we take this very seriously in terms of our open spaces and our parks. We know that our open spaces are open for everybody, and we know how worrying and how disruptive the devastation that's often left if we do get an encampment. We are blessed in the borough because we have 52 open spaces, 32 parks, and that equates to 708 hectares of land. We are very  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

None.

Report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer and Assistant Director – Governance & Democracy

RESOLVED that:

The updates to the Contract and Procurement Rules for implementation into the Constitution, be approved.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

RESOLVED that:

The following changes to representation on committees, be approved:

1)    Remove Councillor Roxanne Ellis from Environment & Licensing Committee

2)    Remove Councillor Roxanne Ellis from Licensing Act Committee

3)    Remove Councillor Roxanne Ellis from Joint Consultative & Safety Committee

4)    Remove Councillor Roxanne Ellis from Appeals & Retirement Committee

5)    Add Councillor Rachael Ellis to Joint Consultative & Safety Committee

6)    Add Councillor Creamer to Environment & Licensing Committee

7)    Add Councillor Creamer to Licensing Act Panel

8)    Add Councillor Sam Smith to Appeals & Retirement Committee

Members raised a question about the link to see details of delegated decisions – it was noted this would be resolved shorty.

None.