Decisions

The Gedling Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) outlines the measures that Gedling Borough Council propose to put in place in order to mitigate the effects of cold weather on rough sleepers. It is a DCLG requirement for all local Authorities to have a specific plan to address rough sleeping during periods of exceptionally severe weather.
The trigger for the Government’s SWEP to be activated is when the Met Office forecasts three nights, or more, of weather at a minimum temperature of zero degrees Centigrade or below.
It is proposed, however, that, in Gedling, the trigger will be when the temperature falls to zero degrees centigrade or below on any given night or when the area is affected by exceptionally severe weather conditions such as snow, high winds, wind chill or flooding. Accommodation will be provided for as long as the severe weather occurs.
The purpose of this report is to seek approval to implement the Gedling SWEP to enable the Council to respond to the additional hardships faced by rough sleepers during the winter, and to incorporate the guidance issued by the DCLG.
The Gedling Severe Weather Emergency Protocol is proposed to be in place each year from the 1st December of any year to the 31st March of the following year. The SWEP will remain in place for each financial year.

1.That the Portfolio Holder approves the Gedling Severe Weather Emergency Protocol commencing December 2017.

To authorise the approval of a discretionary Housing Assistance Grant to an elderly couple and their disabled son whose household income exceeds £16,000.

Due to the circumstances of the case, the Portfolio Holder is recommended to authorise the award of a Housing Assistance Grant to pay for the cost of installing a new boiler and central heating system.

(a) To seek approval to request that Nottingham City Council release the covenant on four plots of open space at Bestwood (the Land) shown hatched blue on the plan (Appendix 1).
(b) Following this, to seek approval for the sale of one of these plots of open space (the Site) adjoining 11 Pennine Close, Bestwood shown hatched pink on the plan (Appendix 2).

THAT:
(a) That permission is granted to apply to the City to release the covenant on the Land hatched blue at Appendix 1.
(b) Approval is given to sell the Site, as shown hatched pink in Appendix 2, to the Purchaser for £2,000 for use as garden land with the Purchaser being responsible for all of the Council’s costs in relation to this matter.

Improving Carlton Square shopping centre is a priority in the Gedling Plan. To facilitate comprehensive development, Rose Cottage (see attached plan), a dilapidated building within the main parking area was acquired by the Council in 2016.
Whilst options to bring forward a workable scheme for Carlton Square are under discussion with Waypoint (the owners of the shopping centre), the condition of the derelict cottage continues to deteriorate. Although the cottage is boarded and fenced, it has been subject to numerous incidents of vandalism and forced entry.
To prevent further incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour at the cottage, and to ensure any impacts arising from the current condition of the cottage on neighbouring properties is minimised, it is proposed to demolish the cottage.
The Service Manager for Property will appoint specialist contractors to undertake demolition following disconnection of services to the property. Electricity supply has already been removed and Severn Trent has confirmed that water services will be disconnected on 18 January 2018.
The works will include removal of any materials containing asbestos, demolition, removal of rubble, levelling the site and securing with tamper proof fencing until the plans for the wider modernisation planned for Carlton Square are ready to progress.
The cost of the work is anticipated to be below £10,000 and can be contained within the Carlton Square capital budget of £100,000.
An indicative timetable for completion of key tasks is set out in appendix 1.

That the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Reputation:
1) approves the demolition of 10 Burton Road;
2) delegates securing the necessary consents and approvals for the demolition of the property to officers.

To seek approval for the transfer of the freehold interest in the open space at the Spring Lane Development (Lime Tree Gardens), Mapperley, as shown edged red in the plan at Appendix 1, from Taylor Wimpey (the Developer) to the Council.

THAT:
Approval is granted to accept the transfer of the freehold in the open space at the Lime Tree Gardens as shown outline in red at Appendix 1 for the Council to maintain going forward.

To seek approval for the Council’s guidance for determining an application for discretionary pubs relief.
To delegate to the Director responsible for Revenues Services the authority to determine applications for discretionary relief under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 in relation to pubs relief in the Borough of Gedling.

THAT:
The Council’s guidance for determining an application for discretionary pubs relief at Appendix 1 is approved.
The determination of applications for discretionary pubs relief in the first instance is delegated to the Director responsible for Revenues Services.

To seek approval to sell Cornerstone House, 32 Tilford Road (the Property) shown edged red on the plan in Appendix 1

THAT:
(a)The Property is sold for £49,500 directly to CAST without following the tender procedure set out in the Council’s Standing Orders for Dealing with Land