Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adams, Brocklebank, and Roxanne Ellis.

RESOLVED:

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

Nione.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Chair welcomed Jules Sebelin (CEO) and Nikyla Manners, Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator for the Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service (CVS) to the committee as part of the Council’s partnership review programme. Nikyla gave an overview on the key areas of their work with Gedling Community Action Network (GCAN), highlights of which were as follows:

Representatives provided an overview of the Gedling Community Action Network (GCAN), explaining that the project had been established to strengthen and support the voluntary and community sector across the Borough following the closure of the former local CVS. It was noted that the network had been developed through a co-produced approach involving local community organisations and had focused on volunteering, organisational development, partnership working and improving connectivity between local groups.

Members heard that the project had helped community groups access new opportunities, share expertise and increase applications for external funding. Examples were provided of organisations that had benefited from involvement in the network, including Gedling Play Forum and Work ‘N’ Diversity, both of which had used the network to establish partnerships and access support. It was also noted that community organisations within the Borough had become increasingly ambitious in pursuing funding opportunities and collaborative projects.

Representatives advised that although UK Shared Prosperity Fund funding had now concluded, Nottingham CVS remained committed to supporting the network and maintaining relationships with organisations across the Borough. Members heard that work was ongoing to strengthen relationships across Nottinghamshire and support community organisations through future changes arising from Local Government Reorganisation.

The Chair then gave Members the opportunity to ask questions.

Members queried how Gedling CAN was preparing for Local Government Reorganisation and how existing partnerships would be protected going forward.

Representatives advised that maintaining relationships and local connections remained a key priority and confirmed that support would continue through a combination of local engagement and wider partnership working across Nottinghamshire.

Members asked how councillors could direct community groups to access support from Gedling CAN.

Representatives agreed to share contact details and presentation materials with Members following the meeting.

RESOLVED:

To thank the representatives from Gedling Community Action Network for attending the meeting and the information provided.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

Members welcomed Councillor John Clarke MBE, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, Communications and Engagement to the meeting to examine his portfolios.

Councillor Clarke delivered a presentation providing an update on key areas within his portfolio, including communications, engagement, community safety and public protection.

It was noted that significant changes had been made to the Council’s communications arrangements, including the creation of a single Communications and Engagement Team, the launch of Gedling Borough Council News and improvements to both resident and staff communications. Members also heard that engagement with the Council’s digital channels had increased significantly and that usage of the Council’s website had risen substantially following the launch of the new website.

Members heard that marketing activity had contributed to increased participation in Council services, including leisure centre memberships, swimming lessons and the garden waste subscription service. It was noted that these activities had supported both resident engagement and income generation.

The presentation also provided updates on community safety and public protection matters, including local policing priorities, anti-social behaviour, safeguarding, modern slavery, environmental enforcement and licensing activity. Members noted the ongoing work being undertaken in partnership with other agencies to address these issues.

Members also discussed the implications of Local Government Reorganisation. Councillor Clarke highlighted concerns regarding staffing capacity, timescales for implementation and the importance of maintaining service delivery throughout the transition period.

The Chair then gave Members the opportunity to ask questions.

Members queried how the success of the Council’s communications campaigns was measured.

Councillor Clarke advised that additional information would be obtained from the relevant officers and circulated to Members following the meeting.

Members welcomed the increase in swimming lesson sign-ups and highlighted the importance of promoting water safety and swimming opportunities for residents.

Members asked whether the Garden Waste service generated a financial surplus.

Councillor Clarke advised that the service currently generated a surplus and agreed that detailed figures would be circulated following the meeting.

Members queried the effectiveness of Public Space Protection Orders and the evidence used to support their extension.

Officers advised that evidence had been considered through the Cabinet process and agreed that further information could be provided to Members following the meeting.

Members also discussed taxi licensing arrangements, including complaints against licensed drivers and the operation of the licensing system across different authorities.

Officers explained that complaints involving drivers licensed by another authority would be considered by the authority that issued the licence and noted ongoing discussions regarding the future of taxi licensing arrangements nationally.

During discussion, Members requested further information relating to social media demographic data, Garden Waste service income, Public Space Protection Orders, taxi licensing complaint data, scrap metal licensing arrangements, website analytics and council tax collection targets. Officers agreed to circulate responses to Members following the meeting.

RESOLVED:

To thank Councillor Clarke for the information provided.

Report of the Chief Digital and Customer Officer

The Director of Place introduced the report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, providing an update on performance against the Gedling Plan for Quarter 4 of 2025/26.

Members heard that performance continued to be monitored against the Council’s annual delivery plan and that progress remained strong across a number of key areas. It was noted that a number of key milestones had been achieved during the reporting period, including the launch of the Council's new website, the introduction of additional financial support for households living with a terminally ill family member through the discretionary council tax reduction scheme, the successful implementation of a new online garden waste subscription system linked to the Council's CRM and waste management systems, and continued progress relating to the Greater Carlton regeneration programme. Members heard that the new garden waste subscription process formed part of wider service improvements and digital transformation work being undertaken across the Council.

Members noted that a number of performance indicators had either met or exceeded their targets during the reporting period, including performance relating to planning applications, housing standards and leisure services. Officers advised that actions were also being taken to address areas where performance had fallen below target, including housing benefits processing times and sickness absence.

Members discussed website usage statistics and the significant increase in website visits following the launch of the new website. Questions were raised regarding how website traffic was measured, the potential impact of artificial intelligence on future website usage and whether increased website traffic alone could be used as a measure of success. Officers advised that resident feedback on the new website had been positive and agreed to seek further clarification regarding how website visits generated through artificial intelligence searches were recorded.

Members discussed the Council's Building Control service following its transfer to the Erewash Building Control Partnership. Officers advised that a recent audit of the service had produced a positive outcome and confirmed that the audit report would be considered through the appropriate committee process. Members were also advised that a further update regarding the operation of the partnership could be provided.

Members raised concerns regarding the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation on staffing capacity and future service delivery. Officers acknowledged the risks associated with staff attrition and advised that work was ongoing to consider how such risks could be managed throughout the transition period.

Questions were also raised regarding council tax collection targets and business rate collection targets. Officers advised that further information explaining the basis of the performance targets would be obtained and circulated to Members following the meeting.

RESOLVED to:

Note the report.

Report of the Chief Finance and Section 151 Officer

The Director of Place introduced the report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, providing an overview of the Council’s Corporate Risk Register for Quarter 4 of 2025/26.

Members heard that there had been no significant changes to the number of corporate risks during the quarter. However, it was noted that the health and safety risk score had increased slightly, reflecting departmental concerns relating to engagement with occupational health clinics, the reporting of near misses and investigations into accidents. It was further noted that the risk relating to contractual partnerships had increased as a result of capacity pressures within the procurement function. Officers advised that mitigation measures were being implemented, including recruitment to a newly created post.

The Chair then gave Members the opportunity to ask questions.

Members queried whether the increase in health and safety risks included emerging risks associated with higher temperatures and changing environmental conditions. Members also queried whether there was an increased risk of fire incidents arising from such changes.

Officers advised that environmental changes were a matter that would need to be considered going forward and noted that there was a growing risk of fire incidents, particularly in relation to climate change.

RESOLVED to:

Note the report.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Democratic Services Manager introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, presenting the final report and recommendations of the Fly Tipping, Litter and Waste Management working group, and to seek approval for its submission to Cabinet in September.

Members were advised that the report reflected the evidence gathered throughout the review and that the recommendations had been considered by the relevant officers to ensure that they were practical and deliverable. It was noted that the report before Members was the version intended for submission to Cabinet, should the Committee approve its recommendations.

The Chair then gave Members the opportunity to comment on the report.

Members welcomed the report and agreed that it reflected the evidence gathered throughout the review. During discussion, Members noted that dog fouling had been raised on a number of occasions during the review process and suggested that the communications recommendation should include a specific reference to dog fouling.

Members also discussed the recommendation relating to enforcement tools and CCTV. It was suggested that where recurring fly tipping hotspots were identified through repeated reports, a review should be undertaken to consider whether CCTV or other enforcement measures may be appropriate. Members acknowledged the operational, legal and financial constraints associated with CCTV deployment and noted that any review would need to be undertaken in accordance with the Council's existing processes.

The Chair placed on record her thanks to all officers, external partners and Members who had contributed to the review. Particular thanks were extended to the officers supporting the working group for facilitating the meetings, preparing the report and recommendations, and managing the hybrid meeting arrangements throughout the review.

It was proposed and seconded that the report be approved subject to:

·       the inclusion of a specific reference to dog fouling within Recommendation 1 (Communications); and

·       the inclusion of wording within Recommendation 9 (Enforcement Tools/CCTV) relating to the review of recurring fly tipping hotspots for potential CCTV consideration through existing Council processes.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the report and recommendations of the Fly Tipping, Litter and Waste Management Working Group, subject to the above amendments; and

2)    Refer the report to Cabinet for consideration.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Democratic Services Manager introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, providing an update on the Committee's Scrutiny Work Programme.

Members noted the items currently scheduled for future meetings, including updates relating to Local Government Reorganisation, future Portfolio Holder Performance reviews and the Partnership Review Programme. It was also noted that the work programme now included details of when portfolio holders and partner organisations had last attended the Committee, providing Members with a helpful overview of previous scrutiny activity.

Members discussed whether the proposed review of hybrid working arrangements should remain a priority in light of the significant amount of work anticipated as part of Local Government Reorganisation. It was suggested that the item could be deprioritised at the present time.

Discussion also took place regarding the Committee's future role in relation to Local Government Reorganisation. Members expressed a desire to better understand how scrutiny would contribute to the transition process and requested that future updates help identify where key risks and workstreams would be considered by Members.

A number of potential future scrutiny topics were suggested by Members, including community and voluntary sector organisations, food banks, youth initiatives and the operation of car parking arrangements at Gedling Country Park. Members also requested that, where appropriate, future reports relating to Local Government Reorganisation provide clarity on the implications for Council services and residents.

RESOLVED to:

Note the report.

None.