Agenda and minutes

Reverend Ogle, the Mayor’s Chaplian, had sent his apologies.  Members observed a minute of silence in respect of former Councillor and former Mayor of Gedling Arthur Woodward who had sadly passed away.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Allan, Andrews, Bailey Jay, Beeston, Hollingsworth and Truscott.

The Mayor congratulated the legal team who had been ‘highly commended’ at the Lawyers in Local Government Awards event in London. She also congratulated 3 members of staff who had successfully completed the Masters in Public Administration qualification at Birmingham University. The Mayor informed the Council she had attended Arthur Woodward’s funeral and invited Members to say a few words in remembrance of him. She informed Members of the recent death of Mick Lloyd a member of the Calverton branch of the Royal British Legion. 

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record subject to including Councillor Fox as being present at the meeting held on 19 September.

Vote: 34 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Councillor Wheeler declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 9 as a family member of Councillor Denis Beeston MBE.

Question from Alan Dawson

It is noted that the Air Quality Annual Status Report (2018) it is noted that we exceed the levels of pollution (from the AQMA figures in 2017) and that one of the Action Points is to develop the delivery of EV Charging Points.

It is noted that The Contacts Magazine (Winter 2017) announced plans for EV Charging sites in Carlton, Netherfield and Mapperley.

It is noted that Air Quality Planning Guidance states that developers are encouraged to install mitigation into their planning applications.

In furtherance of this my question for Council is:

How many EV Charging Points are/will be installed across the Gedling Borough?

a) In GBC Car Parks

b) In recent building developments

Question from Sebastian Soar

Could the relevant member please inform us as to why Air Quality Data for key locations in Gedling has not been published on the DEFRA website since 2016, despite the current Gedling Borough webpage stating that it is being published. (https://www.gedling.gov.uk/resident/environmentalhealth/airpollutionmonitoringandreporting/)

Could they also inform us how important that data is when making planning decisions and local policy decisions particularly affecting younger and older people?

Question from Alan Dawson.

Mr Dawson did not attend therefore the question was not dealt with.

Question from Sebastian Soar

Could the relevant member please inform us as to why Air Quality Data for key locations in Gedling has not been published on the DEFRA website since 2016, despite the current Gedling Borough webpage stating that it is being published. (https://www.gedling.gov.uk/resident/environmentalhealth/airpollutionmonitoringandreporting/)

Could they also inform us how important that data is when making planning decisions and local policy decisions particularly affecting younger and older people?

Response from Councillor Clarke

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs website is a national site where local authorities can voluntarily upload air quality data relating to their area, which is publicly accessible. Every year Gedling Borough Council has uploaded air quality data relating to the previous year. It has been identified that air quality figures for 2016 were not uploaded to the DEFRA website; this data has now been uploaded. The data is extremely important and provides the justification for requesting air quality mitigation measures and attaching future requirements to planning permissions.

None received.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Health and Community Wellbeing which presented the responses to the consultation on the Authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy and sought Member approval of the amended policy.

RESOLVED:

To approve the revised Statement of Licensing Policy for publication in January 2019.

Vote:  31 For, 0 Against, 3 Abstentions.

Report of the Service Manager Democratic Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager Democratic Services which sought approval for ill health as the reason for the non-attendance of Councillor Dennis Beeston MBE to avoid forfeiture of office.

Vote:  33 For, 0 Against, 1 Abstention.

RESOLVED:

To accept ill health as the reason for non-attendance for Councillor Beeston MBE to avoid forfeiture of office.

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.

This Council

1)    Notes the conclusion of the Home Affairs Select Committee that “Policing is struggling to cope in the face of changing and rising crimes” and its recommendation that policing funding should be prioritised in the Budget and forthcoming spending review.

2)    Notes that since 2010, police numbers have fallen significantly both nationally and locally as a result of Government cuts.

3)    Notes that cuts to other services through austerity increases the demand on the police which often acts as the “public service of last resort”

4)    Recognises that many residents in Gedling are concerned that the cuts mean that Nottinghamshire Police is no longer visible in our communities, no longer has the capacity to respond on community safety, and that consequently the fear of crime is rising.

5)    Endorses the Council’s policy of working in partnership with the police to respond to community safety concerns.

6)    Condemns the Conservative Government’s continuing policy of reducing the resources available to the police and transferring the cost to the Council taxpayer which is particularly unfair on more disadvantaged areas such as Nottinghamshire.

7)    Agrees that all members of the Council should be invited to sign the letter being sent by the Leader of the Council, alongside Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, to the Home Secretary calling on the Conservative Government to use the police grant announcement for 2019/20 to begin to reverse the damaging cuts to Policing in Nottinghamshire and make an immediate investment in making our communities safer.

Proposer: Councillor David Ellis

Seconder: Councillor Michael Payne

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

The Council

1)        Notes the conclusion of the Home Affairs Select Committee that “Policing is struggling to cope in the face of changing and rising crimes” and its recommendation that policing funding should be prioritised in the Budget and forthcoming spending review.

2)    Notes that since 2010, police numbers have fallen significantly both nationally and locally as a result of Government cuts.

3)    Notes that cuts to other services through austerity increases the demand on the police which often acts as the “public service of last resort”

4)    Recognises that many residents in Gedling are concerned that the cuts mean that Nottinghamshire Police is no longer visible in our communities, no longer has the capacity to respond on community safety, and that consequently the fear of crime is rising.

5)    Endorses the Council’s policy of working in partnership with the police to respond to community safety concerns.

6)    Condemns the Conservative Government’s continuing policy of reducing the resources available to the police and transferring the cost to the Council taxpayer which is particularly unfair on more disadvantaged areas such as Nottinghamshire.

7)    Agrees that all members of the Council should be invited to sign the letter being sent by the Leader of the Council, alongside Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, to the Home Secretary calling on the Conservative Government to use the police grant announcement for 2019/20 to begin to reverse the damaging cuts to Policing in Nottinghamshire and make an immediate investment in making our communities safer.

An amendment to the motion was proposed in the name of Councillor Barnfather and seconded by Councillor Doyle in the following terms:

The Council

1)          Notes the conclusion of the Home Affairs Select Committee that “Policing is struggling to cope in the face of changing and rising crimes” and its recommendation that policing funding should be prioritised in the Budget and forthcoming spending review.

2)        Notes that since 2010, police numbers have fallen significantly both nationally and locally as a result of Governments austerity measures.

3)    Notes that cuts to other services through austerity increases the demand on the police which often acts as the “public service of last resort”

4)    Recognises that many residents in Gedling are concerned that Nottinghamshire Police is no longer visible in our communities, no longer has the capacity to respond on community safety, and that consequently the fear of crime is rising.

5)    Endorses the Council’s policy of working in partnership with the police to respond to community safety concerns.

6)     Disagrees with the Government’s continuing policy of reducing the resources available to the police and transferring the cost to the Council taxpayer which is particularly unfair on more disadvantaged areas such as Nottinghamshire.

7)     Agrees that all members of the Council should support a letter being sent by the Leader of the Council, alongside Nottinghamshire’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.