Question from Cllr Stuart Bestwick to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy:
“Gedling Borough Council was provided with £2,866,555 of Shared Prosperity Funding from the previous Conservative Government. These funds were to boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector; spread opportunities, improve public services and restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging as well as empowering local leaders and communities.
Can the Cabinet Member update Council on the mechanism for agreeing where the funds should be spent, where it has been spent so far and on what projects?”
Question from Cllr Mike Adams to the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance:
“News reports suggest Gedling Borough Council donated taxpayers’ money towards the casting of a statue which will be displayed in Nottingham City.
How much of Gedling Borough taxpayers’ money was donated and what consultation was carried out with Borough residents for the approval of using their money on a project outside of the Borough?”
Question from Cllr Robinson-Payne to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy
“Will the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy join me in congratulating the team at Stenhouse Medical Centre (Daybrook) and the Integrated Care Board on working closely with Gedling Borough Council to successfully deliver improvements funded through Section 106 contributions, which have expanded the centre's capacity to meet growing demand and provide enhanced services for our community?”
Question from Cllr Whiting to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy
“How many pet shops are licensed within Gedling Borough, how many are rated below 3 out of 5, and what specific animal welfare training enforcement officers have had?”
Question from Cllr Whiting to the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat
“What steps is Gedling borough Council taking to prepare for possible flooding events in the borough ahead of the coming autumn and winter?”
Minutes:
A question from Cllr Stuart Bestwick was asked to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy, as follows:
“Gedling Borough Council was provided with £2,866,555 of Shared Prosperity Funding from the previous Conservative Government. These funds were to boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector; spread opportunities, improve public services and restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging as well as empowering local leaders and communities.
Can the Cabinet Member update Council on the mechanism for agreeing where the funds should be spent, where it has been spent so far and on what projects?”
Response from Cllr Hollingsworth:
Thank you for the question, Councillor Bestwick. For the benefit of people watching who may not know much about the Shared Prosperity Fund, I am going to start with an overview of what it is and the governance that ensures delivery and compliance.
In 2022, Gedling Borough Council were awarded a 3 year allocation for UKSPF of £2,866,555. The allocation was split across the 3 themes of Communities and Place, People and Skills and Supporting Local Businesses. A 3 year UKSPF Investment Plan was submitted on 1st August 2022 following an analysis of data and surveys, and consultation with key stakeholders to support understanding of the needs in Gedling.
To meet the requirements of the UK SPF programme, a local partnership group was established and convened on y7 July 2022 – the group represented a diverse range of regional and local stakeholders, including the previous MPs for Gedling and Sherwood Forest. I would like to thank Tom Randall for attending all meetings and for his engagement and participation. The group was consulted on the investment plans and provided a consensus on the proposed interventions to meet the needs of Gedling.
In terms of governance, Gedling Borough Council was the accountable body, the local partnership group was the advisory group to the accountable body and the UKSPF group of officers ensure compliance. The UK SPF program is managed by the councils Housing, Growth and Regeneration service and reports periodically to the senior leadership team.
The investment plan 2022 provides a framework for developing and funding projects during the term of the program subject to approvals as per the constitution. All of the UKSPF projects meet one of more of the intervention priorities established in the investment plan.
Councillor Bestwick asks how these funds have been spent and on what projects and these are as follows:
Community & place
· Multiple project being delivered to improve Arnold and local centres – these will improve the physical appearance of the area and attract more people in
· A number of events have taken place across the borough, and more are planned for year 3. I believe the Ravenshead Christmas tree lighting will be supported by the SPF.
· A scope has been prepared to bring in a consultant to develop the heritage strategy with a focus on the visitor economy
· A virtual CVS model for the borough is being developed by Nottingham CVS
· New CCTV cameras and upgrades and improvements have been rolled out. Funds have also been given to install security fencing at Nottingham Road pavilion
· Funding provided to improve sports facilities at Lambley lane and for four other sports projects
Supporting local business
· The AMP enterprise centre works are not completed so the office spaces will be marketed
· Construction of business units at Hillcrest has commenced and will be completed during 2025
· Retail advisors have engaged with 120 business and are working 72 businesses to develop action plans
· Advisors have worked with a number of businesses on decarbonisations plans offering energy audits and grants to improve energy efficiency
· First tranche of small business grants have been awarded with a further round of applications being considered this week
· Business support network meetings have been well attended with positive feedback
· The skills quest has been commissioned and a report prepared
People & skills
· 30 places have been funded to offer HGV skills boot camps for class 2 driver learning
· Officers are now working on the same offer for forklift training and qualifications
· Learners have been booked a variety of courses for careers advice, digital and language skills, CV writing and interview preparation
A full breakdown of spend can be made available to councillors for further review if required.
I’d like to finish by thanking our officers and partner organisations, business and communities for the work and enthusiasm and skills they have brought to deliver the projects so far.
A question from Cllr Mike Adams was asked to the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance, as follows:
“News reports suggest Gedling Borough Council donated taxpayers’ money towards the casting of a statue which will be displayed in Nottingham City.
How much of Gedling Borough taxpayers’ money was donated and what consultation was carried out with Borough residents for the approval of using their money on a project outside of the Borough?”
Response from Cllr Clarke:
Can I thank Councillor Adams for his question although it is disappointing to see that he is pursuing this despite having already received a full written response from officers on this matter.
As just set out by Councillor Hollingsworth in response to the previous question, the Shared Prosperity Fund was a half-hearted attempt by the previous Conservative government to replace funds lost from Europe because of the Brexit decision, and just to be clear, this money came from central government and not specifically the taxpayers of Gedling Borough Council. Consultation took place with key stakeholders back in 2022 when the funding was announced.
Turning to the sculpture itself named “Standing in This Place”, it aims to promote the under-represented; and give voice and recognition to the contributions of thousands of unnamed women who were the driving force behind the East Midlands cotton textile industry during industrialisation.
The statue will make Nottingham and its boroughs, including Gedling, a regional, national and global leader in acknowledging the significant contribution women have made to the British economy and society, in both their roles as enslaved workers in the Americas and Caribbean, and as factory workers in industrial Britain.
The Council pledged a £5,000 donation from the Heritage and Culture workstream of the Shared Prosperity Fund to fund the sculpture that depicts two female textile workers – one indigenous British and one African Caribbean – dancing together, to reflect the global input from women during the industrial age.
The Gedling Caribbean Elders Group also donated towards the sculpture using funds raised from a funeral collection for Mrs Anderson, a long-standing Caribbean Elders Group member.
Mrs Anderson herself was honoured with a tree planting in Arnot Hill Park for her outstanding contribution to the Council and partners’ key priorities in Gedling. A memorial ceremony was held for her at this year’s Arnold Summer Fair which attracted a high turnout from her friends and supporters.
Mrs Anderson brought the project to the Council’s attention in the six-months prior to her passing, and one of the figures depicted in the sculpture is a Mrs Louise Garvey, a renowned poet and member of the Gedling Caribbean Elders Group.
Mr Mayor, it is unclear to me why Councillor Adams felt the need to ask about this worthwhile and much needed memorial project, but we on this side of the Chamber are very proud of our diverse heritage, and I would urge all councillors to view our display downstairs in honour of Black History Month.
A question from Cllr Robinson-Payne was asked to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy, as follows:
“Will the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy join me in congratulating the team at Stenhouse Medical Centre (Daybrook) and the Integrated Care Board on working closely with Gedling Borough Council to successfully deliver improvements funded through Section 106 contributions, which have expanded the centre's capacity to meet growing demand and provide enhanced services for our community?”
Response from Cllr Hollingsworth:
Thank you for the question, Councillor Robinson-Payne. It really highlights the vital contribution from developers to local infrastructure to support housing and population growth.
A contribution of £366,500 was secured by the Council, as part of the planning permission for the Stockings Farm housing development, Calverton Road, Arnold to mitigate the impact of housing growth on GP health services provided in the Arnold area. The integrated Care Board assessed the Stenhouse Medical Centre building as fit for purpose but requiring further clinical capacity to meet the demand of the growing population. This Council works collaboratively with the Integrated Care Board and other key stakeholders to ensure that new housing development provides the necessary infrastructure to support growth. This is in accordance with local and national planning policies and our Place and Community Gedling Plan objectives.
I’m really sorry I was not able to accept the invitation to visit the surgery to see the new improvements but most grateful to the Deputy Mayor for attending on the council’s behalf. I’m delighted to hear that the clinical capacity of the medical centre has been increased and I would also like to thank the team at the Stenhouse Medical Centre, the integrated Care Board, the housing developer and our planning teams for the part they have each played in delivering enhanced health care services for our local community.
A question from Cllr Whiting was asked to the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, as follows:
“How many pet shops are licensed within Gedling Borough, how many are rated below 3 out of 5, and what specific animal welfare training enforcement officers have had?”
Response from Cllr David Ellis:
I will be answering this question as it related to the regularly function which sits under my portfolio.
Selling animals as pets is one the activities licensed under the Animal Welfare Regulations, which came into effect in 2018. Information on the scheme is published on the council’s website which includes the list of the five licensed pet shops in the borough – all of which are rated 5 stars. In answer to your question – there are no pets shops rated below 3.
The council employs 2 qualified animal licensing inspectors who both achieved the BTEC level 3 certificate for animal inspectors, which is the required standard. Where appropriate, we also get support from vets. Customers and potential customers can check the rating of pet shops in the borough on our website – we are one of the few to provide access to animal welfare ratings.
A question from Cllr Whiting was asked to the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat, as follows:
“What steps is Gedling borough Council taking to prepare for possible flooding events in the borough ahead of the coming autumn and winter?”
Response from Cllr Viv McCrossen:
Thanks for the question, Councillor Whiting. I think we would all agree in the chamber that flooding is everyone’s nightmare as we have had some challenges in the borough. Gedling takes its responsibilities very seriously and has learnt from where things have not quite gone to plan. It is important that we keep working in partnerships.
Gedling Borough Council are a Category 1 Responder and participate as part of the Local Resilience Forum (LRF). Here, local flood plans are prepared, maintained and updated with a generic response and a Gedling specific response provided. The Environment Agency monitor for effectiveness of these plans. The Gedling plan was updated last year to include the Teal Close development. In a flood event, Gedling participate in regular meetings with other Category 1 responders, receiving advice and guidance from amongst others the EA, the Met Office and Emergency Services to receive and feedback information likely to affect communities.
A current Property Flood Resilience scheme is underway to survey properties flooded during Storms Babet and Henk with a view to installing flood resilience measures to previously flooded properties.
We receive information from the EA to deploy a pump to the Ouse Dyke at Colwick Road Industrial Estate when the river levels are at a particular point, but we aim to respond before this level is reached. The pump is key to preventing overflowing of the Ouse Dyke and flooding on the industrial estate and nearby Vale Road. There have been some issues with the operation of the penstock gate which controls water flow between the Ouse Dyke and the Trent, but we have been liaising with the EA to rectify this issue. Consideration is currently being given to the provision of a permanent pumping station in this location.
As a matter of routine and when a period of severe weather is forecast, PASC teams visit watercourses in the Borough to ensure they are free flowing and arrange the clearance of any debris, including from trash grids. Although all possible efforts are made to keep these watercourses free flowing, the volume of water can mean they become overwhelmed and over flow.
PASC maintain a stock of sandbags which can be provided to affected households in line with the LRF Sandbag Policy. The GBC website is used to promote “how to prepare for flooding” guidance so that householders can increase their personal resilience.
Bentwell Lagoon, a Gedling flood alleviation scheme, has recently been dredged to enable water to flow through it and away more efficiently. Severn Trent are currently installing a floodwater storage tank under the car park at Richard Herrod to alleviate parts of the Carlton area.
In Lambley, residents have worked with the Parish Councillor and a local farmer to have a trench dug in the local fields to prevent rainwater run-off from affecting houses in the village.
The Council has also offered funding to all parish councils to set up their own flood resilience stores.
Following a flood, GBC will deploy mechanical sweepers to the area to remove mud and debris from the roads. The Street Cleansing team only have one large sweeper and as such their capacity to respond is limited so responses are prioritised by the degree of disruption caused.
At weekends, Gedling has an agreement in place with Nottinghamshire County Council to provide a flood response service.
I would like to personally thanks all at Gedling Borough Council for their continued hard work to keep our residents and properties safe.