Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Welsh, Councillor Creamer attended as substitute.

RESOLVED:

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

Councillors Rachel Ellis and Roxanne Ellis declared an interest in Item 4 to the agenda as members of the Gedling Play Forum.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

Members welcomed Councillor Lynda Pearson, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Place to the meeting to examine her portfolio. Councillor Pearson gave an update to members on some key happenings within her portfolio.

No questions were received from Members in advance of the meeting, so Councillor Pearson delivered an update on the various areas of responsibility within her portfolio. She gave the following updates:

It was noted that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund had given the council the opportunity to review the Council’s heritage strategy. The full strategy could be viewed on the council’s website which included plans to support visitor economy, review the Heritage Way walking and cycling route, celebrate 50 years of Gedling and mark that 200 years had passed since Byron’s death through event planning and community projects.

It was noted that many changes implemented since Covid-19 had affected the way in which the council had been supporting Community Events and Play. Much of the work had been co-produced with partners and improved community engagement whilst reflecting GBC priorities.

Members noted the upcoming events for 2024/25 which included a Voluntary and Community Sector Pride Event, the Arnold Summer Fair, Nottinghamshire Day, Remembrance Parade, Apprenticeship and jobs fair, the Bonnington Theatre Programme, Pop up Town Centre Events and more.

It was noted that the council had not yet adopted a community and voluntary service (CVS) programme, but tenders had been accepted and a decision would be made in due course. It was highlighted that a CVS programme would help commissioned Health & Wellbeing providers to deliver sustainable, neighbourhood-based services to individuals with recognised barriers to entry such as health/mental health issues, IT requirements and more.

Councillor Pearson delivered an update on the work undertaken and currently ongoing regarding rural affairs, communities and economic growth. This included an adopted outdoor play and pitch strategy, strength in communities programme, working with business advice surgeries, Hill Crest business park expansion in Calverton and more.

The Chair gave members the opportunity to ask questions.

Members asked what plans were in place to commemorate the 200 years since the passing of Lord Byron and how the Council planned to celebrate 50 years of Gedling.

Councillor Pearson agreed to distribute a copy of the full plan to Members.

Councillors asked whether the council planned to commemorate 80 years since the D-day landings in conjunction with the Royal British Legion (RBL).

Councillor Pearson confirmed that the council would liaise with the RBL to support them in commemorating the D-day landings where possible.

Members sought feedback on how well the CVS in Rushcliffe had been functioning in Gedling since spreading their remit across multiple areas.

Councillor Pearson agreed that a local CVS would have a better understanding on local needs and a framework was being implemented for a service similar to the CVS and tenders were ongoing.

Members queried whether feedback was available following community work with shopping centres across the borough.

Councillor Pearson confirmed that feedback had been received and would be included within a future report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Report of the Senior Leadership Team.

Consideration was given to a report of the Senior Leadership Team, which was circulated in advance of the meeting, informing Members in summary of the position against Improvement Actions and Performance Indicators in the 2023-27 Gedling Plan at the end of Quarter 3.

Members queried how the targets were set for leisure facilities across the borough.

It was noted that KPIs were benchmarked against other authorities and some targets were set through consultations. It was highlighted that targets were monitored by SLT and reviewed regularly. It was agreed that specific data regarding theatre targets would be circulated to members.

Members queried job fair attendance, noting that the report did not include information as to where the attendees resided and queried whether another location would be useful to have greater reach.

The Monitoring Officer agreed to enquire about the geography of attendees to see if another location would be of use and circulate the information to members.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

Report of the Health Development Officer.

Consideration was given to a report of the Health Development Officer, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, updating members of the transition from the warm spaces programme into the wider welcome and warm spaces programme.

Members queried whether there were any plans to expand participating venues in the future and if so, how it would be done.

It was noted that although the Council highlights warm spaces across the borough and assists them where possible, recent feedback showed that the council was unaware of some voluntary groups which could benefit from the council’s efforts to promote them going forward.

Members expressed an interest in inviting the Health Development Officer to a future meeting to ask further questions.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

Consideration was given to a report of the Democratic Services Manager, which had been circulated in advance on the meeting, updating Members on the scrutiny work programme.

Members asked for a review of the contacts magazine to review its cost, outreach methods and whether digitalisation would impact those who prefer a paper copy.

It was agreed to invite the Communications Manager to a future meeting.

Members expressed an interest in whether to invite the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to attend a future meeting and to ask Councillor Wheeler to provide an update on the access to dentistry within the borough.

It was agreed to ask the ICB to attend a future meeting.

Members expressed an interest in asking Gedling Play Forum to attend a future meeting.

It was agreed to ask the Gedling Play Forum to attend a future meeting.

Members expressed an interest in inviting Jigsaw Homes and Nottingham City Council’s housing department to a future meeting.

It was agreed to ask Jigsaw Homes and Nottingham City Council’s housing department to attend a future meeting.

RESOLVED to:

Note the report.

None.