Agenda

Question 1 – received from Matthew Francis

At the budget meeting of full council on 6 March 2024, the deputy leader of the council, Councillor Micheal Payne, stated clearly that the administration at Nottinghamshire County Council had increased council tax by the maximum level permitted every year, since 2017. He was given the opportunity to provide clarification and/or correction, numerous times by Councillor Adams and also on one occasion by Councillor Sam Smith, but it would appear he failed to do so. Contrary to Councillor Payne's assertions, it has subsequently been ascertained by myself, through an information request to Nottinghamshire County Council and a full review of the budget reports, which are all a matter of public record, that the conservative leadership at Nottinghamshire County Council have for almost every financial year since 2017/2018, increased the main council tax precept levy by less than the maximum permitted amount, saving the residents of Nottinghamshire in that period, millions of pounds in council tax charges. When challenged on his assertion, Councillor Payne stated in writing that, and I quote: 'There is an element of subjectivity to the word maximum.'

Based on this information, and in the interests of honesty, integrity and accountability, does the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Member of Parliament for Gedling, wish to correct the record so that the residents of Gedling Borough, are in full possession of the facts?

Question 2

Does the Council think the symbolism of spending large sums of money at Gedling Country Park while letting parks in Carlton and the Carlton Valley decay show that this council prioritises what looks good in political leaflets and in their connect magazine rather than providing some of our most deprived communities with the services and respect they deserve?

Question from Cllr Whiting to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy:

-        Will Gedling Borough Council consider allowing the generation of electricity through onshore wind on land owned by the Council, in light of the lifting of the de facto ban by the government?

Question from Cllr Whiting to the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection:

-        There have been a number of reports of anti-social on and around Colwick Rec over a long period of time, including suspected drug dealing, anti-social car cruising amongst other activities. Can we please have CCTV installed to cover the car park of the Rec and deter such behaviour?

Report of the Senior Leadership Team

Report of the Senior Leadership Team

Report of the Senior Leadership Team

Report of the Chief Executive

Report of the Monitoring Officer

Report of the Monitoring Officer

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

Report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer

Motion 1:

That this Council notes:

•                Since the conflict started more than 37,000 people have been killed – with more than 50% estimated to be women and children. With thousands more buried under the rubble.

•                A letter in The Lancet Journal estimates that the true death toll may be as high as 186,000.

•                The words of Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP on July 7 2024 when talking about Gaza: “We want to see a cease-fire. We want to see those hostages out”

•                That then Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron on Thursday 11 January in describing the situation in Gaza as ‘heartbreaking’ ‘desperate’ and how ‘death and despair haunt’ the lives of Gaza’s children and his statement on March 25 that The UK has long been calling for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life, as the fastest way to get hostages out and aid in.

•                That on 2 April Sir Ed Davey MP said  “This violence has to stop. Now. We need an immediate bilateral ceasefire – a real ceasefire that finally sets us on the path to a lasting peace.

•                In February 2024 the UK Parliament voted unanimously in favour of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

•                Record its deep concern for the severe reverberations of this crisis felt within Gedling borough and across the UK, with Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian communities all fearing and grieving;

•                Thank community leaders in this borough for the role they are playing in reducing tensions at this sensitive and difficult time;

•                Thank members of the public throughout the Borough who have donated or provided assistance to the humanitarian response to the crisis in Gaza;

•                Support any forthcoming Government proposals for resettlement support for Palestinians seeking sanctuary here in the UK, as with the war in Ukraine;

•                Commit to identify ways in which the events can be remembered in the future, in this borough;

•                Offer appropriate support and assistance to the diverse communities within Gedling who have been impacted by, or who face emerging issues as a result of this crisis.

•                Request that the Chief executive write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs affirming the support of Gedling Borough Council for any and all efforts to bring about a bilateral cessation of hostilities leading to a lasting peace arrangement

Proposer: Councillor Russell Whiting

Seconded: Councillor Paul Hughes