Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Pauline Allan, Roy Allan, Creamer, McCrossen and Whiting. Councillors Hunt, Najuk, Meads, Strong and Wilkinson attended as substitute.

RESOLVED:

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

None.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer

The Assistant Director for Governance and Democracy introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, seeking the Committee’s views on the call-in of Cabinet’s decision on 19 February 2026 regarding the Carlton Active project. The Assistant Director for Leisure and Wellbeing outlined the rationale for the decision, stating that it had been made lawfully, based on the available evidence, and in the best interests of the Council.

The Chair invited public questions.

A Member of the public stated that the Equality impact Assessment (EQIA) had not fully assessed the impact on protected groups, particularly the three-year gap in provision for indoor bowls users and the lack of identified mitigation or consideration of alternative options. They questioned how Cabinet could have met its duties under the Equality Act without these assessments.

Officers responded that the EQIA had considered the impacts on the bowls community and that consultation had been undertaken to explore alternative interim provision.

Another member of the public raised concerns about the financial implications cited by Cabinet, including the estimated £2 million repair cost at Carlton Forum and the overall £29.9 million project cost for Carlton Active. They questioned whether this represented the best use of public money and asked whether a revised options appraisal, including a four-rink bowls facility, should be undertaken.

The Chair advised that funding issues were outside the scope of the call-in.

Officers then provided additional context on the condition of Carlton Forum, explaining that the 56-year-old building required ongoing major repairs and that failure of the drainage system could lead to closure, affecting over 4,000 regular leisure club users.

The Chair invited Member questions.

Members referred to point 4 of the call-in (reasonable alternatives), expressing concern that Cabinet may not have fully explored alternative options and should have paused its decision to do so after receiving a petition. The Chair reminded Members that the call-in related specifically to alternatives to indoor bowls provision.

Members queried the estimated £2-3 million cost of providing indoor bowls elsewhere and raised concerns about the Bowls Club being expected to vacate the premises immediately after their final booking.

Officers stated that a range of alternative locations had been explored but all had financial implications; the Council was also limited in its ability to subsidise a private Limited Company.

A motion was moved and seconded to refer the decision to full Council.

Members noted that the call-in process tested whether decisions were lawful and evidence-based, not whether Members agreed with Cabinet’s chosen direction. They acknowledged that Cabinet’s earlier decision in September 2025, based on consultation responses, had not been called in. Members clarified that the current decision was only to progress from RIBA stage two to stages three and four to produce detailed design and a full business case. They were advised that indoor bowls had been reconsidered during stage two, including three, four and six-rink options, but the inclusion significantly affected size, cost and viability. Discussions with the Bowls Club were ongoing.

Members recognised strong  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

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.

Some questions were received from Members in advance of the meeting, so Councillor Pearson delivered a presentation to provide an update on the various areas of responsibility within her portfolio, and to answer questions.

Members noted the list of events under Councillor Pearson’s area if responsibility. It was highlighted that the number of events had reduced in recent years due to the absence of a dedicated budget and the significant financial impact such events would have on the council. Events that had taken place between April 2025 and March 2026 included:

·       Arnold Summer Fair

·       Arnold Remembrance

·       Gedling and Mapperley Remembrance

·       Gedling Country Park 10-Year Anniversary

·       Arnold Christmas Lights Switch-On

·       School Games Event at Arnot Hill Park

·       Pride of Gedling Awards

Members then received information on various projects under Councillor Pearson’s portfolio, including:

·       UKSPF Gedling Community Action Network

·       Gedling Parish Conference

·       Violence Against Women and Girls White Ribbon Day

·       UKSPF Digital Inclusion Project

·       Intergenerational Digital Inclusion Discovery Project

It was noted that council-wide teamwork in delivering events, together with strong community and partner engagement, had been integral to the success of the work undertaken. Through this work, some success had also been achieved in securing sponsorships to offset event costs.

Members also heard about challenges affecting the portfolio, along with areas being targets for improvement. Challenges included a tight fiscal environment for discretionary services, limited core revenue funding, high administrative requirements to ensure events remained safe and lawful, and rising costs associated with security, equipment, and insurance. It was noted that improvements were being considered to support funding sustainability for key events and projects, such as enhanced tools to measure value, impact assessments, and improved communication.

The Chair then invited Members to ask questions regarding Councillor Pearson’s portfolio.

A Member noted that Rural Affairs fell under Councillor Pearson’s responsibilities and queried how much of her time was dedicated to this area.

Councillor Pearson confirmed that she received information from the Rural Community Action Group regarding progress on rural matters and agreed to speak with the Member outside the meeting to explore what further support could be provided within their constituency.

RESOLVED:

To thank Councillor Pearson for the information provided.

Report of the Assistant Director – Digital, Data and Technology

The Chief Finance and Section 151 Officer 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 3 of 2025/26.

Members noted the increase in compliments received and queried the reason for the rise. It was reported that many of the compliments related to leisure services and the Bonnington Theatre.

Members also noted the increase in MP letters received by the Council and asked whether there had been any common themes. It was agreed that this would be investigated and reported back to Members following the meeting.

Members queried whether the Council knew who the site on Burton Road had been sold to and whether any planning applications had been submitted for the site. It was noted that the site had been sold at auction and that Members could view ownership details via the land registry database. Regarding planning applications, it was agreed that officers would make enquiries with the planning department and report back to Members following the meeting.

Members queried how the Council measured its performance in cleaning and maintaining Gedling parks and recreation grounds. It was noted that maintenance was carried out across all parks on a weekly basis and that an independent surveyor inspected them annually. The Council had also identified issues with the quantity of checks being undertaken, and this was being addressed.

RESOLVED to:

Note the position against Performance Indicators and Annual Delivery Plan Actions in Quarter 3 of 2025/26.

Report of the Chief Finance and Section 151 Officer

The Chief Finance and Section 151 Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, updating Members on the current level of assurance that could be provided against each corporate risk.

Members noted that the communications plan for Garden Waste was due to be launched in 2026 and queried whether they had missed it or whether it was still to begin. It was reported that email reminders to re-subscribe had been sent out, and many responses had already been received. Members were advised to check their junk inboxes or confirm whether the department held the correct email address for them.

Members queried whether the medium-term financial plan would be scrapped once the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) had been officially agreed. It was reported that the Council would continue with its existing plan to ensure financial sustainability while progressing towards LGR, with the aim of leaving the Council in a stronger financial position for the succeeding council or authority.

RESOLVED to:

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

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Democratic Services Manager introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, providing and update on the scrutiny work programme.

Members expressed an interest in inviting the Friends of Gedling Country Park group to the following meeting.

Members also expressed an interest in receiving a report on the consultation regarding Member’s Allowances before the report was submitted to Cabinet.

Members further expressed an interest in having a standard LGR progress report included as a regular item.

RESOLVED to:

Note the report.

None.