Agenda and minutes

Prior to the transaction of business, the Council stood in silence in memory of Steven Adams who worked in Economic Growth & Visitor Economy.

The Chair advised the Council that the meeting was being recorded and streamed online in accordance with usual practice.

Councillor J Hall declared an Other Registrable Interest in Agenda Item No. 6 – Petitions – given she had received a petition in her role as Council Chair prior to the meeting in respect of Lowfield Lane.  She advised the Council that she had been involved with the action group behind the petition.

The Council noted the interests previously declared by Members in Agenda Item No. 10 – Minutes for Noting.

AGREED      that minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 21 May 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair informed Members of the D-Day celebrations and remembrance services she had attended on behalf of the Council, including the sunset service at the Victoria Embankment, Nottingham.

The Chair also thanked all officers that had worked tirelessly on the General Election.

The Leader of the Council offered his condolences to Steven Adam’s family stating that he would be sadly missed. 

The Leader of the Council extended his congratulations to Michelle Welsh and Robert Jenrick on being elected as the Members of Parliament for the Sherwood Forest and Newark constituencies.  He hoped that the Council could work in partnership with both MP’s in representing residents in the District.  He also congratulated Keir Starmer on his appointment as Prime Minister.

The Leader also referred to correspondence he had received from the new Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, Angela Rayner, giving an assurance to put local government at the top of her agenda, which he welcomed.

The Leader of the Council also thanked Officers that had worked hard and efficiently on 4 July General Election.

Councillor R Cozens also thanked Officers for their hard work on the General Election and extended her congratulations to Michelle Welsh and Robert Jenrick for their election success.  She added that it was a good time to recommit to working in a cooperative and diverse way across all parties.

The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection & Community Relations commented upon an inaccurate posting on social media by a Member of the opposition regarding data relating to Anti-Social behaviour, the posting had also asked for his resignation.  He considered that to be a breach of the Nolan principles.

The Portfolio Holder for Biodiversity & Environmental Services congratulated Officers as the Council had secured all five green park flags in the District for the ensuing year.  She also announced the work to be undertaken on the Sherwood Avenue play area.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing informed the Council that the Housing Development team had been nominated and short listed for the Inside Housing Best Rural and Suburban Development team, the award ceremony would take place 27 September 2024 and wished the team well in securing the award.

No petitions were presented or debated, however the Chair notified the meeting that she had received a petition in relation to a planning application at Lowfield Lane which would be referred to the Council’s Planning Team.

The Council considered the report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Services which sought to approve changes to dates of three meetings of the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee in the 2024/25 meeting schedule and to put in a date for a future Member training session.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the changes in the dates of the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee as set out in paragraph 1.3 of the report be approved and a future Member training date of 19 November 2024 be noted.

Out of Hours Medical Care in Newark

In accordance with the Rule No. 3.4.3, Councillor S Crosby will move and Councillor M Spoors, will second a motion to the following effect:

“The difficulty in accessing out of hours medical care is an increasing concern for people in Newark and its surrounding area.

NHS Nottinghamshire discontinued its Accident and Emergency service in Newark Hospital in 2010. At that time, a specific commitment was made that NHS 24-hour urgent treatment would be available at Newark Hospital so that urgent cases of a lower severity could be treated locally, including at night, without the need for patients to travel outside the town for care^1.

Between 2011 and 2021, the population of Newark grew by 9.8%. This is greater than the District or National increase, and this population growth is projected to continue².

In October 2023, the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) review of the Urgent Treatment Centre in Newark resulted in a plan to close the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at night. During this 2023 Engagement Exercise over 70% of people in Newark and the surrounding area were opposed to closing the UTC at night. Such a change is against the wishes of the population and contrary to commitments made to the people of Newark in 2010.

Newark and Sherwood District Council supports the view that provision of NHS urgent medical care and urgent treatment, 24 hours a day, free at the point of need, should be made available in Newark, based on the criteria of accessibility, patient safety, and clinical effectiveness.

This Council calls on the ICB to continue to work with the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder at Newark and Sherwood District Council, alongside other stakeholders, to ensure that NHS capability and capacity for urgent treatment is maintained in Newark, with due regard to the needs of the people of Newark and its surrounding area”.

1.          “Retaining A&E is not possible (see page 2). But the PCT has commissioned a 24/7replacement. As a result, up to 85% of patients will still be treated at Newark, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the first time, there will be a GP presence at Newark Hospital through the night. This means people will no longer have to travel outside the town to see a doctor.”

Newark’s Healthcare Review 2010.

2.          Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Local data Profile for Newark on Trent, March 2024.

Flood Mitigation

In accordance with the Rule No. 3.4.3, Councillor P Taylor will move and Councillor E Oldham will second a motion to the following effect:

“It is almost a year since Newark and Sherwood residents suffered a services of devastating flooding events including Storm Babet and Storm Henk. We are rapidly approaching the next flood season.

As a Council we are committed to not going back to business as usual until we resolve the flooding issues, as flooding is devastating so many of Newark and Sherwood  ...  view the full agenda text for item 21.

Out of Hours Medical Care in Newark

In accordance with Rule No. 3.4.3, Councillor S Crosby moved and Councillor M Spoors, seconded a motion to the following effect:

“The difficulty in accessing out of hours medical care is an increasing concern for people in Newark and its surrounding area.

NHS Nottinghamshire discontinued its Accident and Emergency service in Newark Hospital in 2010. At that time, a specific commitment was made that NHS 24-hour urgent treatment would be available at Newark Hospital so that urgent cases of a lower severity could be treated locally, including at night, without the need for patients to travel outside the town for care^1.

Between 2011 and 2021, the population of Newark grew by 9.8%. This is greater than the District or National increase, and this population growth is projected to continue².

In October 2023, the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) review of the Urgent Treatment Centre in Newark resulted in a plan to close the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at night. During this 2023 Engagement Exercise over 70% of people in Newark and the surrounding area were opposed to closing the UTC at night. Such a change is against the wishes of the population and contrary to commitments made to the people of Newark in 2010.

Newark and Sherwood District Council supports the view that provision of NHS urgent medical care and urgent treatment, 24 hours a day, free at the point of need, should be made available in Newark, based on the criteria of accessibility, patient safety, and clinical effectiveness.

This Council calls on the ICB to continue to work with the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder at Newark and Sherwood District Council, alongside other stakeholders, to ensure that NHS capability and capacity for urgent treatment is maintained in Newark, with due regard to the needs of the people of Newark and its surrounding area”.

1.         “Retaining A&E is not possible (see page 2). But the PCT has commissioned a 24/7replacement. As a result, up to 85% of patients will still be treated at Newark, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the first time, there will be a GP presence at Newark Hospital through the night. This means people will no longer have to travel outside the town to see a doctor.”

Newark’s Healthcare Review 2010.

2.         Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Local data Profile for Newark on Trent, March 2024.

The motion, on being put to the vote, was agreed unanimously.

(Councillor M Shakeshaft left the meeting at this point).

Flood Mitigation

In accordance with Rule No. 3.4.3, Councillor P Taylor moved and Councillor E Oldham seconded a motion to the following effect:

“It is almost a year since Newark and Sherwood residents suffered a services of devastating flooding events including Storm Babet and Storm Henk. We are rapidly approaching the next flood season.

As a Council we are committed to not going back to business as usual until we  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Minute No. 134 – Southwell Leisure Centre Update

Councillor P Harris asked the date the information referred to was received by the Council. The Leader of the Council confirmed that he would clarify that date in writing. 

Minute No. 8 – Presentation By Councillor L Brazier – Portfolio Holder For Housing

Councillor P Harris stated that the ‘Tenant Times’ had not been distributed to the community rooms in Southwell to date and asked when that would be undertaken.

Councillor P Harris also sought clarification regarding how long it took to address issues raised at walk-abouts. He referred to one issue in his Ward that had been raised but not responded to and suggested that a clear timetable was required to address matters raised at walk-abouts.

Minute No. 14 – Outcomes of Information Sharing with Elected Councillors Working Group

Councillor P Harris sought clarification as to what Power BI system was and commented that the response from the Working Group was not effective and he would like them to consider how Ward Members were engaged in the future.

Councillor M Pringle commented that the Working Group Chaired by Councillor J Kellas considered the Power BI system had been well received.  Councillor K Kellas commented that a training session had been provided for Officers and Members which had been recorded and was available to view.

(Councillors I Brown and S Saddington left the meeting at this point).