Minutes:
Councillor Henry Wheeler (Housing, Health and Well-being)
· A decision will shortly be made relating to the Christmas opening hours of the Borough’s Leisure Centres. The Richard Herrod Centre’s opening hours would be different to other centres to take into account the bar facilities at the venue.
· A festive cinema program is planned for the Bonington Theatre and it is hoped that this will include the new James Bond film.
· The reception screens at the Civic Centre are currently showing various healthy living campaigns, including smoking cessation, the “stay well” campaign and information about flu jabs.
· A cross party, County wide, tobacco group has been relaunched to reduce the impact of smoking.
· New Leaf will no longer be providing smoking cessation services in Nottinghamshire and this will be transferred to a new company.
· The Council’s dementia and loneliness plans will be refreshed to broaden their impact to include local business.
· It is now possible to self- refer to DNA Health for all residents ages over 16 with a health condition.
· The Health and Wellbeing Board recently adopted a Young People’s Strategy and a new website will be rolled out.
· There has been an increase in homelessness applications, with 13 received in September. Work will be done at looking at managing this increased demand.
· The Council took part in Homeless Watch to identify rough sleepers.
· A Housing Needs Officer with the Council recently represented Great Britain at an international power lifting competition.
· The Severe Weather Policy will be in place shortly ready for the Winter season.
Councillor Kathryn Fox (Community Development)
· Gedling CVS closed on the 16th of October, following a failed merger with Newark and Sherwood and Rushcliffe CVS’. The transport scheme for Gedling remains and voluntary advice will now be provided by Newark and Sherwood CVS in the North of the Borough and Rushcliffe CVS in the South of the Borough. A discussion is ongoing regarding assessing the impact of the closure and the future for advice provision to Gedling based groups.
· Debz4Coffee, a local group providing help for children with SEN and their families. Work will be carried out to identify support for clients going forward. Gedling Play Forum and the Borough Council will now provide SEN support at Gedling Borough Council’s events in the place of Debz4Coffee.
· A Mineral Line feasibility study has been completed by Nottinghamshire County Council. The implications of this are being considered and will be discussed at the Netherfield Steering Group. A report will be seen by the Senior Leadership Team and Cabinet in the new year and a briefing for Members will follow.
· A Halloween Arts and Crafts event will be held on Saturday, 24th October at the Civic Centre.
Councillor David Ellis (Public Protection)
· Took part in a South Nottinghamshire Crime Safety Partnership (CSP) Away Day.
· Gedling is currently the best performing Borough in our CSP family of 15 District/Borough areas.
· Crime was down 8% in the first 6 months of 2015 and anti social behaviour, in particular, was down 4%.
· The nature of crime is changing and there is now an emphasis on organised and digital crime. The Police and Crime Commissioner is working on this and the Borough and considering what we can do as partners to combat this.
· Safeguarding training will become mandatory for all taxi drivers licensed by Gedling Borough, giving drivers the skills to identify young people at risk of exploitation.
· Large scale integrated enforcement action has been undertaken in Nottingham and at East Midlands Airport resulting in the revocation of 3 taxi licenses due to inappropriate behaviours.
· The Borough’s neighbourhood wardens recently reunited two dogs stolen from Skegness and found stray in the Borough with their owners. The video has now gone viral on the internet.
Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth (Growth and Regeneration)
· The Community Infrastructure Levy charging began on the 16th of October.
· Contracts have been exchanged on land north of Papplewick Lane and a large commuted sum has been agreed for the provision of affordable housing.
· Congratulations to the Service Manager, Housing, Alison Bennett, who has now successfully negotiated over £1 million in contributions for social housing in the Borough.
· The employability framework has been rolled out in schools and has been well received.
· A petition was received from Councillor Ellwood regarding 72/74 Westdale Lane. A Section 215 notice was served in March and further action will now be taken to enforce this.
· Housing Zone status has been received for land at Teal Close and the Gedling Colliery site. This will be used to employ a Planning Officer to speed up the development process of these sites.
· A visit is planned to the Larkhill Extra Care Village in Clifton with a view to looking at the potential for such a development within the Borough.
· The Grove development is now well underway and will hopefully be occupied in the New Year.
Councillor Peter Barnes (Environment)
· Following a discussion at a recent APSE conference, Members of Mansfield District Council recently visited the Civic Centre to look at the co- location of the Citizens Advice Bureau and Department of Work and Pensions within the building to consider whether a similar arrangement could work in Mansfield.
· The temporary car park at Gedling Country Park is now in place, as is the hardstanding for a snack van. Temporary toilet facilities will be in place shortly.
· There is a hope that the design of the visitors centre will stay in house thanks to links to a Nottingham based PHD student who is looking at issues of eco-design.
· Gedling Country Park has been entered for a Green Flag award.
· A “Keep Gedling Green for the Queen” week will be held during the week of the Queen’s 90th birthday.
Councillor John Clarke (Leader of the Council)
· Business rates will soon be handed over to Local Authorities. More details in relation to this are expected from Central Government on the 25th of November, although it is anticipated that this will be fiscally neutral.
· There is a frustration with the situation that is ongoing relating to Carlton and Arnold police stations which Officers will be progressing the Police partners.
· Our devolution, combined authority bid is progressing and will bring potential economic benefits to the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire area. A full report to Council will follow in due course.
Councillor Michael Payne (Resources and Reputation)
In his absence, Councillor Payne requested that the Service Manager, Communications updated members of the Cabinet on a new email communication system which is being rolled out called “Keep Me Posted”. The system is designed to drive channel shift and reduce avoidable contact with the Council by proactively providing information to people signed up to the system. The system will be promoted in the upcoming Contacts magazine, the Council’s public website and Social Media. Users currently signed up for updates from partner organisations, such as Nottinghamshire County Council, will also have the opportunity to sign up for Gedling Borough updates.