Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adams, Maltby, McCrossen and Whiting. Councillors Meads and Martin Smith attended as substitute.

RESOLVED:

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

None.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

It was noted that the Department for Work and Pensions had sent their apologies as they could not attend the meeting and had asked to attend the next meeting in November.

RESOLVED:

To defer the item until the meeting in November.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

Members welcomed Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat to the meeting to examine her portfolio. Councillor McCrossen delivered an update on the various areas of responsibility within her portfolio. She gave the following updates:

It was noted that the Council’s Carbon footprint for 2023-2024 saw a 45% decrease in CO2 emissions when compared to 2019/20. The decrease primarily in relation to vehicle and electricity emissions.

Members noted that bicycle lockers had been installed at the Civic Centre and various leisure centres across the borough, enabling staff and public to cycle with confidence that their property would be secure.

Government funding of £287K had been secured through the Fast Followers Competition funded by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero Innovation UK. The funding would aim to deliver efficiencies and a scalable route to Net Zero for the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). The bid was submitted in collaboration with Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Rushcliffe Council, Broxtowe Borough Council and Gedling Borough Council.

It was noted that Devolution retrofit funding schemes funded by the EMCCA delivered £578,000 on installations of home energy efficiency measures within lower income households with low energy performance ratings within the borough.

Members noted that a funding bid for £100k to improve the Jackie Bells Park, in partnership with the Friends of Jackie Bells Park, had been successful. Various other funding bids are due to be submitted, working in partnership with the following groups:

·       Friends of Church Lane

·       Friends of Onchan Park

·       Newstead Parish Council

The Chair then gave Members the opportunity to ask questions of Councillor McCrossen’s portfolio.

Members asked what the Council had been doing to protect Gedling parks from traveller encampments.

It was noted that the Council had been looking at access points to parks and conducting an audit to safeguard them from traveller encampments.

Members asked what the Council had been doing to provide activities for young people when considering improvements for Gedling parks.

It was noted that Gedling Borough Council had been praised on its use of park infrastructure to enable skateboarding and other activities for young people.

Members queried whether there had been any consideration towards on street electric vehicle charging points via street lighting and other means.

The Council had been in consultation with Nottinghamshire County Council to provide the infrastructure to facilitate on street charging and potential sites were being identified.

Members asked whether data had been collected on the use of Gedling Country Park and queried whether the council had seen a decrease in visits since the introduction of the parking charge.

It was noted that although the Council itself doesn’t conduct footfall figures, the ‘park run’ conducts footfall figures for their various events and hadn’t seen a decrease. It was also noted that the café had not reported a decrease in footfall.

Members queried whether the annual fee for parking could benefit from a quarterly offering to help residents with affordability.

It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Report of the Assistant Director for Economic Growth and Regeneration.

The Assistant Director for Economic Growth and Regeneration introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, providing an update on progress activity within the Greater Carlton Plan for Neighbourhoods programme.

Members queried whether the website had been updated for the Carlton Neighbourhood Board, highlighting that the minutes of some recent meetings had not been published.

It was agreed to review website and ensure the minutes were published.

Members expressed concern towards the boundary extension, querying why the boundary had been extended so far beyond Carlton.

It was noted that the Greater Carlton Town Board had agreed that the boundary would be extended to include the entirety of the Mapperley local centre and open space areas to maximise opportunities to deliver projects in accordance with the plan for neighbourhoods’ guidance. The decision made by the board had been community led, with Gedling Borough Council acting as the responsible body, ensuring the guidance was followed correctly.

It was noted that this item would come back to Committee in January.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

Report of the Assistant Director for Environmental Services (Operations).

The Assistant Director of Environmental Services (Operations) introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, advising Members of the current situation in terms of fly tipping, litter management and waste management across the borough. The report also suggested that the committee forms a working group to review the approach to litter and waste management operations.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the current situation in terms of fly tipping, litter management across the borough; and

2)    Form a working group to complete a more thorough review of fly tipping, litter and waste management.

Report of the Chief Finance and Section 151 Officer.

The Deputy Chief Executive introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, updating Members of the Committee on the current level of assurance that can be provided against each corporate risk.

RESOLVED:

To note the current risk level and actions identified within the Corporate Risk Register.

Report of the Senior Leadership Team.

The Assistant Director for Digital, Data & Technology, introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing Members in summary of the position against Performance Indicators and Annual Delivery Plan Actions in Quarter 1 of 2025/26.

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 of the meeting, updating Members on the scrutiny work programme.

It was agreed that the Department for Work and Pensions would attend the next meeting in November, along with the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Members expressed an interest in hearing an update on the AI Policy in 6 months’ time.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

None.