Agenda and minutes

A minute’s silence was held following the sad passing of Alderman, and former Leader of the Council, Ivan Gollop. Members paid tribute to Alderman Gollop’s strength and bravery in dealing with his illness. Members noted Alderman Gollop’s passion for environmental issues, including his creation and chairmanship of the Gedling Climate Change group, and felt that it was fitting to pay tribute to Alderman Gollop and debate the issue of single use plastic on the same evening.

Councillor Lawrence also paid tribute to local activist Martin Lloyd- Penny and Pastor Barry Drake who had also recently passed.

The Mayor’s Chaplain delivered opening prayers.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bailey Jay, Sandra Barnes, Clarke, Collis, Fox, Pepper, Truscott and Wheeler.

The Mayor remarked that the Borough had looked stunning in December and congratulated everyone who had been involved in installing the Christmas decorations. The Mayor also commented that the Arnold Christmas market had been superb. Westdale Junior School had visited the Civic Centre to sing carols and had been amazing.

The Mayor noted that she was always impressed by the level of volunteering in the Borough and encouraged Councillors to submit nominations for Pride of Gedling Awards, particularly in the “Young Achiever” and “Best Neighbour” categories.

The Christmas Pantomime, in which the Mayor had starred as Dick Whittington, had been a sell out and raised £1500.

The Mayor reminded Members that the Civic Dinner would be taking place at Bestwood Lodge Hotel on the 24^th of March and that it would soon be sold out.

The Mayor recognised the work of Economic Development Officer, Julie Beresford, in securing training opportunities around the Borough. The Mayor also informed Members that Lee Drury of local business Drury Joinery Services had won the European Alliance Award in the micro organisation category in Brussels for his work with apprentices. Councillors Clarke and Weisz had presented Lee with an award at the Council.

The Mayor informed Members that the motions proposed in relation to single-use plastic, would be considered at the beginning of the meeting, following declarations of interest.

RESOLVED:

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

None.

Councillor Greensmith entered the meeting.

The Mayor invited Amy and Ella Meeks of Kids Against Plastic to present to Council on their work to increase awareness of the environmental impact of single use plastic and reduce its use.

Upon a notice of motion received in the name of Councillor Adams, a proposition was moved by Councillor Adams and seconded by Councillor Barnfather in the following terms:

“That this Council will become a “single-use plastic free” Council by phasing out the use of “single use plastic” (SUP) products such as bottles, cups, cutlery and drinking straws in council activities, where it is reasonable to do so, by April 2018 and to encourage our facilities’ users, local businesses and other local public agencies to do the same, by championing alternatives, such as reusable water bottles”

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Payne and seconded by Councillor Hollingsworth in the following terms:

“Preamble to amendment

Since the beginning of the 20^th century plastic has become the most commonly used material and modern life is unthinkable without it. Unfortunately, what makes it so useful, such as its durability, light weight and low cost, also makes it problematic when it comes to its end of life phase.

The world’s annual consumption of plastic materials has increased from around 5 million tonnes in the 1950s to nearly 300 million tonnes today.¹ The amount of plastic waste generated annually in the UK is estimated to be nearly 5 million tonnes.² Most families throw away about 40kg of plastic per year, which could otherwise be recycled.

According to recent scientific research, eight million metric tons of plastic waste makes its way into the world’s oceans each year.³ The same report predicts that the amount of plastic debris is likely to increase greatly over the next decade unless nations take strong measures to dispose of their litter responsibly.

The consequences of plastic pollution on the marine environment are severe. Once in the ocean, plastic waste injures and kills fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species and 43% of all marine mammal species. The impacts include fatalities as a result of ingestion, starvation, suffocation, infection, drowning, and entanglement.⁴

Moreover, plastic is not inert and chemical additives, some of them endocrine disruptors, can migrate into body tissue and enter the food chain ultimately ending up on our plates.

The massive pollution of world oceans with plastic debris has therefore emerged as a global challenge that requires both global and local response. Gedling should be a showcase for how to build a coherent strategy to optimize plastic waste policy.

Residents, independent groups and organisations in the borough are already taking direct action to prevent existing plastic litter and use of single-use plastics. However the amount of litter is increasing and clear action is needed to stop this pollution at source.

Single-use plastics, or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

None received.

None received.

None received.

Report of the Service Manager, Public Protection.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager, Public Protection, seeking approval to delegate taxi licensing enforcement powers to other authorities across Nottinghamshire and approval of delegations to the Director of Health and Community Wellbeing to appoint authorised Officers to undertaken enforcement activity on behalf of other authorities as set out in the report and appendices.

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the delegation of taxi-licensing enforcement functions under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 1976, as set out to those licensing authorities listed, subject to those authorities accepting the delegation;
2. Accept reciprocal delegations as set out from those licensing authorities listed once those delegations have been given;

3.    Authorise the Director of Health and Community Wellbeing to appoint   authorised officers to carry out enforcement functions under the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976, transferred to this authority by the authorities listed subject to those authorities delegating those functions to Gedling Borough Council;

4.    Authorise the Director of Health and Community Wellbeing in consultation with the Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services to finalise and sign the Protocol; and

5.    Authorise the Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services to make the necessary changes to the Constitution to reflect the approved delegations.

Report of the Service Manager Democratic Services.

Councillor Bissett left the meeting.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager, Democratic Services, informing Council of the latest report and recommendations from the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), relating to member remuneration for 2018/19.

RESOLVED:

1.    To agree the schedule of members’ allowances for 2018/19, which will be subject to the pay award applied for senior management, once agreed; and

2.    To authorise the Monitoring Officer to make appropriate amendments to Part 6 of the Constitution to reflect changes to the Members’ Allowances Scheme.

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 a report of the Service Manager, Organisational Development, which had been referred to Council by the Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee.

RESOLVED:

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

Report of the Service Manager Planning Policy.

Council is recommended to:

1.    Make the appended Calverton Neighbourhood Plan and associated Policies Map in accordance with the 2012 regulations;

2.    Authorise the Planning Policy Service Manager to publicise the decision made by Council and the Calverton Neighbourhood Plan document in accordance with the 2012 regulations – confirming that the neighbourhood plan has been made; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Planning Policy Service Manager to make any minor typographical or formatting amendments to the Calverton Neighbourhood Plan as appropriate, prior to publication.

Councillor Bissett entered the meeting.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager, Planning Policy, which was referred to Council by Cabinet.

RESOLVED to:

1.    Make the appended Calverton Neighbourhood Plan and associated Policies Map in accordance with the 2012 regulations;

2.    Authorise the Planning Policy Service Manager to publicise the decision made by Council and the Calverton Neighbourhood Plan document in accordance with the 2012 regulations – confirming that the neighbourhood plan has been made; and

3.    Delegate authority to the Planning Policy Service Manager to make any minor typographical or formatting amendments to the Calverton Neighbourhood Plan as appropriate, prior to publication.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance.

Council is recommended to note the contents of the Annual Audit Letter.

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

RESOLVED:

To note the contents of the Annual Audit Letter.

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.

Motion One

“That this Council will become a “single-use plastic free” Council by phasing out the use of “single use plastic” (SUP) products such as bottles, cups, cutlery and drinking straws in council activities, where it is reasonable to do so, by April 2018 and to encourage our facilities’ users, local businesses and other local public agencies to do the same, by championing alternatives, such as reusable water bottles”

Proposer: Councillor Adams

Seconder: Councillor Barnfather

Motion Two

“In future, all meetings of the Council to which the public are entitled to attend should be recorded and provision be made for such in the Council 2018/19 budget.”

Proposer: Councillor Powell

Seconder: Councillor Adams

Motion Three

“Preamble

Since the beginning of the 20^th century plastic has become the most commonly used material and modern life is unthinkable without it. Unfortunately, what makes it so useful, such as its durability, light weight and low cost, also makes it problematic when it comes to its end of life phase.

The world’s annual consumption of plastic materials has increased from around 5 million tonnes in the 1950s to nearly 300 million tonnes today.¹ The amount of plastic waste generated annually in the UK is estimated to be nearly 5 million tonnes.² Most families throw away about 40kg of plastic per year, which could otherwise be recycled.

According to recent scientific research, eight million metric tons of plastic waste makes its way into the world’s oceans each year.³ The same report predicts that the amount of plastic debris is likely to increase greatly over the next decade unless nations take strong measures to dispose of their litter responsibly.

The consequences of plastic pollution on the marine environment are severe. Once in the ocean, plastic waste injures and kills fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species and 43% of all marine mammal species. The impacts include fatalities as a result of ingestion, starvation, suffocation, infection, drowning, and entanglement.⁴

Moreover, plastic is not inert and chemical additives, some of them endocrine disruptors, can migrate into body tissue and enter the food chain ultimately ending up on our plates.

The massive pollution of world oceans with plastic debris has therefore emerged as a global challenge that requires both global and local response. Gedling should be a showcase for how to build a coherent strategy to optimize plastic waste policy.

Residents, independent groups and organisations in the Borough are already taking direct action to prevent existing plastic litter and use of single-use plastics. However, the amount of litter is increasing and clear action is needed to stop this pollution at source.

Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These items are things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging. 

All Members of Council will no doubt be aware  ...  view the full agenda text for item 63.

Upon a notice of motion received in the name of Councillor Powell, a proposition was moved by Councillor Powell, seconded by Councillor Adams, in the following terms:

“In future, all meetings of the Council to which the public are entitled to attend should be recorded and provision be made for such in the Council 2018/19 budget”

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Payne and seconded by Councillor David Ellis in the following terms:

“That Council:

1.    Notes that Cabinet has specifically asked the Scrutiny Working Group set up to explore options for promoting the openness of the Council to consider recording of meetings and as part of that work to consult all Members;

2.    Requests that the Scrutiny Working Group specifically considers whether, in future, all meetings of the Council to which the public are entitled to attend should be recorded and provision be made for such in the Council 2018/19 budget; and

3.    Urges all Members of council to engage in this cross-party process in order that their views can be taken into account when Scrutiny Committee makes a recommendation to Cabinet on this issue. “

Councillor Barnfather moved a motion to adjourn the meeting for a period of five minutes to allow consideration of the proposed amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Payne and upon being put to the vote was carried.

The meeting adjourned at 7.35pm and recommenced at 7.40pm.

The Mayor put the amended motion to the vote and it was carried and was

RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Notes that Cabinet has specifically asked the Scrutiny Working Group set up to explore options for promoting the openness of the Council to consider recording of meetings and as part of that work to consult all Members;

2.    Requests that the Scrutiny Working Group specifically considers whether, in future, all meetings of the Council to which the public are entitled to attend should be recorded and provision be made for such in the Council 2018/19 budget; and

3.    Urges all Members of council to engage in this cross-party process in order that their views can be taken into account when Scrutiny Committee makes a recommendation to Cabinet on this issue. “