Agenda and minutes

The Chair advised the Council that the meeting was being recorded and streamed

online in accordance with usual practice.

Councillor J Lee advised that he would be recording parts of the meeting.

The interests previously declared by Members in Agenda Item No. 17 – Minutes for Noting – were noted.

AGREED   that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair (Councillor J Lee abstained from voting).

The Chair thanked everyone that had attended her Civic Service last month which had been a great success and informed the Council of her plans for the ‘Shine a light on the District’ event in which she would embark on a challenge to travel to every corner of the District on foot and by bike to raise monies for her chosen charities.

The Vice-Chair informed Members that she had represented the Council at the Nottinghamshire County Council ‘Day of Reflection’, to remember those that had lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Leader of the Council provided an update on Local Government Reorganisation following a meeting he had attended by all Nottinghamshire Council Leaders, Chief Executives, and PWC who had been commissioned to provide independent analysis of what reorganisation could look like, based on local evidence in line with the government’s criteria for the creation of unitary authorities. It had been agreed that all the Nottinghamshire local authorities would continue to work together in line with the interests of residents and keep three options open as to how unitary authorities could be configured.  Those options would form the debate at the Extraordinary Council meeting which had been convened for 19 March 2025.  The Chief Executive added that he would arrange two briefing sessions for Members on 10 and 11 March 2025 to update further on the latest position.

The Leader also informed Council that Newark, including Balderton, had been selected by the government to develop plans for up to £20m in funding to help drive growth over a ten-year period.  The ‘Plan for Neighbourhoods’ scheme was a £1.5 billion government investment in 75 local areas across the country.  He reported that plans for an initial four years of investment would need to be submitted to the government by the winter this year, with delivery funding to commence in April 2026. He confirmed that more details would be made available to Members in due course.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing informed the Council that the Housing Community Chest had been rebranded and renamed and officially launched as “Grant for Local Opportunities and Wellbeing” “GLOW”.  The grant scheme ran in the same way as the Community Chest and was available to Members and Community Groups throughout the year. More details regarding this could be obtained from the Tenant Engagement Team.  The Portfolio Holder also congratulated the ICT Business Unit, who were finalists for the Housing Technologist Awards, for their work on housing project management. 

In accordance with Rule No. 3.3.3 the following question has been submitted to the Council from Councillor Johno Lee:

“Given that we are moving towards a unitary system where services will likely be amalgamated rather than separated, is now really the right time to be relocating the camera system hub? Has there been any communication with other councils either by yourself or by Councillor Paul Peacock about whether this is a financially wise decision in the context of future service integration?”

In accordance with Rule No. 3.3.2 the following question was submitted to the Council by Mr. Laurence Goff.

Emily Blagg 90^th Anniversary of Her Death On 7^th April 1935 – 2025

Is it time to now recognise, acknowledge an exceptional intellectual woman of her life work in and around Newark? Would you agree it is time that Mrs Emily Blagg can be remembered with a Blue Plaque that can be on display at Newark Palace Theatre, Blagg and Johnson, Newark Cemetery, the two house she lived in: The Lodge 23 London Road around the corner from Lime Grove; 2 The Park Newark; and where she lived the rest of her life at 131 Lime Grove. 

Her contribution had a profound impact and has transformed Newark with her life work and story having been told on TV programmes like Bargain Hunt, with many repeats also at Newark Advertiser, Blagg and Johnson, Newark Library, Newark Palace Theatre and on the internet.

A wonderful and incredible woman, her legacy must live on for what she done for Newark and putting us on the world's map of history marking. As part of International Women’s Day on Saturday 8^th March 2025, let us now put this tribute right so other woman can be inspired by her achievements.

Would you agree that this wonderful and incredible woman’s legacy must live on for what she done for Newark?  As part of International Women’s Day, let us now put this tribute right so other woman can be inspired by her achievements. 

In accordance with Rule Numbers 3.3.2 and 3.3.3, two questions had been submitted to the Council, one by a member of the public and one by Councillor J Lee.  Details of the questions put forward and the response given by Councillors R Cozens and Councillor P Taylor are attached as Appendix A to the minutes. 

The Council considered the report of the Leader of the Council relating to the Revenue Budget and Council Tax Setting for 2025/26.

The report indicated that, in setting the level of Council Tax for 2025/2026, it was necessary to consider the requirements of the Council Tax Collection Fund for 2025/2026.  This incorporated the District Council’s Council Tax Requirement, Parish Council Precepts and the Council Tax requirements of Nottinghamshire County Council, the Nottinghamshire Police & Crime Commissioner and the Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service.

The Cabinet, at its meeting held on 18 February 2025, recommended that the District Council’s Net Budget Requirement for 2025/26, should be £20,900,860.

It was reported that all Parish Council precepts had been received and totalled £4,091,219.49.  The individual Parish Council precepts were set out in the report.

Nottinghamshire County Council had set a precept on Newark & Sherwood District Council’s Collection fund for 2025/2026 of £80,936,000. The Nottinghamshire Police & Crime Commissioner had set a precept on Newark & Sherwood District Council's Collection fund for 2025/2026 of £12,649,587.43 and the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service had proposed a precept on Newark & Sherwood District Council’s Collection fund for 2025/2026 of £4,152,875.36.

In accordance with Rule 3.4.3 (b) written notice had been received that an amendment would be proposed and seconded. Councillor J Kellas accordingly proposed and Councillor S Michael seconded that:

“As outlined in Section 3 of the report, that the revenue estimates for 2025/26 and schedule of fees and charges, as submitted in the Council’s Budget book be approved subject to the following changes as outlined below:

1.0         Council reduces the proposed increase in council tax from the maximum increase allowable of 2.99%, to a lower and more conservative increase of 1.94%, whereby:

1.1         Proposal 3(g) will change to £8,484,323 being the amount at 3(c) less the amount at 3(d) plus the amount at 3(e) less the amount at 3(f) calculated by the Council as the net Council Tax requirement for the year.

1.2         Proposal 3(h) will change to £198.60 being the amount at 3(g) above divided by the amount at 2(a), calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those part of its area which no special item relates.

1.3         Proposal 3(j) will change to £294.37 being the amount at 3(g) above plus the amount at 3(i) divided by the amount at 2(a) calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.

1.4         Proposal 3(f) will change to £316,301 being the original proposal for 3(f) less the difference between the original proposal for 3(g) and the amended 3(g) as above.

2.0         The revenue estimates for 2025/2026 and schedule of fees and charges, as submitted in the Council's Budget book be approved subject to removing the requested funding of £45,000 at row 6 of paragraph 3.23 of the Budget Book to ‘support the action  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive / Director – Resources and Section 151 Officer which set out the proposed the General Fund Capital Programme for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29.  Following the Cabinet’s consideration of the Capital Programme at its meeting on 18 February 2025 and in accordance with Financial Regulation 6.2.3, the final programme was recommended to Council for approval.  Attached as Appendix 1 to the report was the report submitted to the Cabinet on 18 February 2025 which detailed the resources available, the Council’s existing committed programme and the priority schemes identified.

The General Fund Capital Programme for 2025/26 to 2028/29 proposed investment of £51.240m over the 4-year programme. The major schemes in the programme were set out in the report.

AGREED      (with 33 votes for and 1 vote against, Councillor K Melton being absent for the vote) that:

a)            the General Fund schemes shown in Appendix A to the report be approved as committed expenditure in the Capital Programme;

b)            the Capital Programme be managed in accordance with Financial Regulation 6.2.3;

c)             in accordance with the delegation to the Section 151 Officer in the Council’s Constitution to arrange financing of the Council’s Capital Programme, the Capital Programme for the financial years 2025/26 to 2028/29 be financed to maximise the resources available, having regard to the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and subsequent legislation; and

d)            any changes above the limit delegated to the Section 151 Officer (i.e. £10,000), either in funding or the total cost of the capital scheme, be reported to the Cabinet for consideration.

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive / Director – Resources and Section 151 Officer which sought approval for the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for the four financial years between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2029 (2025/26 to 2028/29).  The main aims of the MTFP were to deliver the Council’s Community Plan objectives, clearly present the Council’s current predictions of its financial position, and to enable Members to make decisions which ensured the Council’s financial sustainability. Updating the MTFP was an essential pre-requisite to the annual budget setting process.

The MTFP showed that the Council was able to set a balanced budget for 2025/26 but would need to reduce expenditure and/or increase income in order to mitigate future anticipated shortfalls in funding.  The Council would need to continually consider how best to manage demand for its services, as well as continually monitoring and reviewing how best to deliver services.

In accordance with Rule 3.4.3 (b) written notice had been received that an amendment would be proposed and seconded. Councillor J Kellas accordingly proposed, and Councillor S Michael seconded that:

 “Council approves the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for the four financial years between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2029 (2025/26 to 2028/29) subject to an amended annual increase of 1.94%, hence replacing the 2.99% annual increase proposed within the original report with a 1.94% annual increase as per previous iterations of the MTFP”.

Given the debate and subsequent decision on the revenue budget, Cuncillor Peacock indicated his support for the amendment, which on being put to the meeting was declared carried with 34 votes for and 1 against.

In accordance with Rule 3.4.3 (b) written notice had been received that a further amendment would be proposed and seconded. Councillor J Lee accordingly proposed, and Councillor M Spoors seconded that:

“Council approves the MTFP for 2025/26 to 2028/29, subject to the addition of £19,500 in 2026/27 for a Councillor Community Fund”.

On being put to the meeting this amendment was declared lost with 2 votes for, 31 against and 2 abstentions.

The Council considered the substantive motion proposed by Councillor P Peacock and seconded by Councillor R Cozens, as amended, and it was AGREED (with 33 votes for and 1 against - Councillor A Brazier not being present at the time of the vote) that Council approves the MTFP for the four financial years between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2029 (2025-26 to 2028-29) subject to an amended annual increase of 1.94%, hence replacing the 2.99% annual increase proposed within the original report with a 1.94% annual increase as per previous iterations of the MTFP.

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive / Director - Resources and Section 151 Officer which sought approval for the Treasury Management Strategy, which incorporated the Borrowing Strategy, Investment Strategy and Treasury Prudential Indicators, which had all been updated in accordance with latest guidance and in line with legislative requirements.  The strategies were attached as Appendix A to the report. The Audit & Governance Committee had considered all of the strategies at their meeting held on 18 February 2025 and recommended these to Full Council for approval.

Councillor P Harris raised a concern around the increase maturity structure of borrowing by 10% given the high interest period. As Chair of the Audit & Governance Committee, Councillor R Holloway advised she would respond to those concerns.

AGREED      (with 34 votes for and 1 against) that Council approves:

a)            the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26, incorporating the Borrowing Strategy and the Annual Investment Strategy, contained within Appendix A to the report;

b)            the Treasury Prudential Indicators and Limits, contained within Appendix A to the report; and

c)            the Authorised Limit Treasury Prudential Indicator contained within Appendix A to the report.

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive / Director – Resources & Section 151 Officer which sought approval for the Capital Strategy 2025/26 which incorporated the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and Capital Prudential Indicators, updated in accordance with latest guidance and with legislative requirements.  The strategies were attached as appendices to the report.  The Audit & Governance Committee had considered the proposed Capital Strategy 2025/26 at their meeting held on 18 February 2025 and recommended it to Full Council for approval.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Council approves:

a)            the Capital Strategy 2025/26 contained at Appendix A to the report;

b)            the Capital Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2025/26, contained within Appendix A to the report;

c)             the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement as contained within Appendix C to the report, which set out the Council’s policy on MRP; and

d)            the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy, contained within Appendix D to the report.

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive / Director – Resources & Section 151 Officer which sought approval for the Investment Strategy 2025/26 which met the requirements of statutory guidance issued by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities. The Audit & Governance Committee had considered the proposed Investment Strategy 2025/26 at their meeting held on 18 February 2025 and recommended it to Full Council for approval.

Councillor P Harris asked what were the risks associated with equity investment and how that would be monitored and sustained. Councillor R Hollway agreed to provide a written response.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Council approve:

a)            the Non-Treasury Investment Strategy 2025/26 attached as Appendix A to the report; and

b)            the Investment Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2025/26, contained within Appendix A to the report.

The Council considered the report of the Director – Customer Services & Organisational Development which sought approval of the Pay Policy Statement (attached as Appendix A to the report) for 2025/26.  In accordance with Section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011, the Council was required to produce a Pay Policy Statement for each financial year. The Cabinet, at their meeting held on 18 February 2025, recommended the Pay Policy Statement to the Council for adoption.

It was noted that the pay award for 2025/26 was still to be finalised but once agrees the Pay Policy Statement would be revised to reflect new pay rates. In addition to issues on pay, the report also refereed to ongoing challenges around recruitment and retention.

AGREED           (unanimously) that the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 be approved.

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive / Director – Resources & Section 151 Officer which provided an update on the current position relating to second homes in the District and enabled Members to consider options to charge a premium on these properties. It also enabled Council to consider changing the discount available for short-term empty properties.

In a report to Cabinet on 6 December 2012, it was agreed to implement a local discount of 100% for vacant (empty and unfurnished) properties for a maximum period of up to four weeks and thereafter no discount.  It was also agreed to remove the 10% discount for second homes and levy the full 100% charge. As of 1 December 2024, the Council was levying second home charges for 183 properties in respect of the 2024/25 charge period.

The proposal was to apply a 100% second home premium (the maximum permitted level) with effect from 1 April 2026.  The proposal would best support Council and Government policy in helping to reduce the number of empty homes by giving the highest incentive to owners to bring the properties back in to use, by either selling or renting the property.

Members referred to the Council still being able to apply some discretion in terms of these charges given there would always be exceptional circumstances to consider.   

AGREED           (unanimously) that:

(a)          the position in relation to second homes and short-term     empty properties be noted;

(b)               approve a levy on second homes with effect from 1 April 2026, in line with recent legislative changes and to amend the discount for short-term empty properties from 1 April 2025.

During the debate of this item, the Chair indicated that the meeting duration had expired. Therefore, in accordance with Rule 2.7.2 a motion to continue for a further hour was put to the Meeting and agreed.

Warmer Homes in Newark and Sherwood

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

Council notes that:

1. The incoming Labour Government has announced a plan to ensure it can …  “lift over one million households out of fuel poverty by consulting on boosting minimum energy efficiency standards for all renters by 2030, delivering warmer homes and cheaper bills.”   Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh – November 2024
2. In October 2024 … “The National Wealth Fund (NWF), Barclays, and the Lloyds Banking Group partnered to provide loans for social housing energy efficiency projects. The loans are intended to help housing associations meet their net zero targets and improve the quality of life for residents.”
3. The MCS* Foundation, whose vision is to “Make every home in the UK Carbon free…” is working with our East Midlands Regional organisation N2D2 and the regional mayor, Claire Ward, to help establish decarbonisation projects in the East Midlands.
4. Newark and Sherwood District Council has initiated a few small-scale grant-aided projects to decarbonize some social homes. However, a date has not yet been set for the decarbonization and insulation of the majority of our 5500 social homes.

Council reaffirms its commitment to using the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a guide, and roadmap, for generating Local Action that works towards achieving the UN SDGs.

In view of the accelerating speed of global over-heating and the consequent impact of extreme weather events (e.g. very cold winters), plus the availability of funding streams which mean decarbonisation and insulation work should now be undertaken without all capital expenditure responsibility falling to a Local Authority, this Council now resolves:-

1. To instruct the Director of Housing Health and Wellbeing to investigate incorporating and accelerating decarbonisation of NSDC housing stock.
2. To instruct the Director of Housing Health and Wellbeing to explore available funding options to fulfil objective A as soon as possible.
3. To investigate the implications of all NSDC new build social housing in the District being built to net zero carbon standards.

(*MCS = Microgeneration Certification Scheme)

Warmer Homes in Newark and Sherwood

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

Council notes that:

1. The incoming Labour Government has announced a plan to ensure it

can … “

lift over one million households out of fuel poverty by

consulting on boosting minimum energy efficiency standards for all

renters by 2030, delivering warmer homes and cheaper bills.”

Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh – November 2024

2. In October 2024 … “The National Wealth Fund (NWF), Barclays, and

the Lloyds Banking Group partnered to provide loans for social

housing energy efficiency projects. The loans are intended to help

housing associations meet their net zero targets and improve the

quality of life for residents.”

3. The MCS* Foundation, whose vision is to “Make every home in the UK Carbon free

…” is working with our East Midlands Regional organisation N2D2 and the regional mayor, Claire Ward, to help establish decarbonisation projects in the East Midlands.

4. Newark and Sherwood District Council has initiated a few small-scale grant-aided projects to decarbonize some social homes. However, a date has not yet been set for the decarbonization and insulation of the majority of our 5500 social homes.

Council reaffirms its commitment to using the UN Sustainable Development

Goals as a guide, and roadmap, for generating Local Action that works towards

achieving the UN SDGs.

In view of the accelerating speed of global over-heating and the consequent

impact of extreme weather events (e.g. very cold winters), plus the availability of funding streams which mean decarbonisation and insulation

work should now be undertaken without all capital expenditure responsibility falling to a Local Authority, this Council now resolves:-

A.  To instruct the Director of Housing Health and Wellbeing to

      investigate accelerating decarbonisation of NSDC

      housing stock and incorporating decarbonisation of NSDC housing stock into the Council’s decarbonisation objectives across the District.

B.  To instruct the Director of Housing Health and Wellbeing to explore

      available funding options to fulfil objective A as soon as possible.

C.   To investigate the implications of all NSDC new build social housing

       in the District being built to net zero carbon standards.

(*MCS = Microgeneration Certification Scheme)

In accordance with Rule 4.6.1 Councillor P Peacock moved and Councillor J Kellas seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

“That this Council now resolves to:

A.  To continue to investigate accelerating decarbonisation of NSDC housing stock and incorporating decarbonisation of NSDC housing stock into the Council’s decarbonisation objectives across the District.

B.  To continue to explore available funding options to fulfil objective A as soon as possible.

C.  To investigate the implications of all NSDC new build social housing

      in the District being built to net zero carbon standards.

D. To establish a Policy & Performance Improvement Committee working group to assess progress on A, B and C and receive findings from the ongoing work of the Carbon Trust and to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.