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 notified the Council that he would be recording parts of the meeting.

The Council noted the interests previously declared by Members in Agenda Item No. 14 – Minutes for Noting.

AGREED      that the minutes from the meeting held on 15 July 2025 were approved by 32 Councillors with 1 abstention, as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair invited Councillor S Forde to provide a ‘moment of reflection’ for the Council.

The Chair asked the Council to remember the anniversary of the Aberfan disaster and gave an update on recent events she had attended on behalf of the Council including the Cromwell Lock, the Airbridge and the Community Awards.

The Chair also invited the Council to celebrate the success achieved at the East Midlands in Bloom Awards. Newark won the ‘Least Litter in the East Midlands’ award as well as the runner-up in the large town category being awarded a Silver Gilt. Two Silver Gilt awards were also given to Collingham and Edwinstowe in the Large Village and Small-Town category. The Chair thanked everyone involved and made a small presentation to some of the staff behind the Council’s success.

The Leader of the Council provided a brief update on the Ollerton regeneration project following approval of the business case but did express his disappointment that the County Council had chosen not to support the project. 

The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection & Community Relations reported to the Council local issues which were having a negative impact on community cohesion and were stirring up racial hatred.

In accordance with Rule No. 3.3.2 the following questions have been submitted to the Council from a member of the public, Laurence Goff:

Empty Properties – Why did it take so long?

“For many years Newark and Sherwood has had empty buildings not being protected, empty properties, often commercial buildings.

Work is set to take place to transform the historic 300-year-old Ollerton Hall that has stood vacant for 50 years. It now has planning permission to turn them into apartments. The Robin Hood Hotel in Newark, a landmark building, stood derelict for over two decades after its closure in 1999 before being transformed into a Travelodge hotel.

The Lilley and Stone School, Newark has stood empty for 9 years; Woods Court former care home is empty; the Oaks and Little Oaks Care Home, 172 London Road, Balderton, Newark is also standing empty. The Corner Exchange, Newark stood empty for years which is now a night club, located in the town Centre.

The question is why they did not have someone to live in to safeguard the properties in the first place? It would be good to setup a Guardianship to safeguard our properties across the District.

An empty property guardianship offers the best solution where an individual lives in and protects vacant properties, at a lower cost than traditional renting, while the property owner benefits from security and reduced risks. Guardians secure the property, preventing issues like squatters, anti-social behaviour and vandalism, and often enjoy more affordable, flexible living arrangements. Not only do property owners benefit from having their vacant buildings protected, but guardians pay lower rent than market rates in exchange for maintaining the property and ensuring its security.”

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

“The Leader is our representative to the East Midlands Combined Authority Mayor. What influence does the East Midlands Mayor have at the Government for improving rail services in our area?”

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

“During the last election, the Independents for Newark & District set out a number of manifesto commitments.  Residents reasonably expect clarity on whether those commitments are being delivered within the current term.

For example:

1.       Housing and Green Space – The Council’s Housing Allocation Scheme consultation (Sept 2024) confirmed that demand for homes continues to outstrip supply. In addition, 142 homes were approved on Lowfield Lane, Balderton, land that residents had previously understood would be protected. ([Newark Advertiser, 2024]).

2.       Climate Change – The Council has reported a 26% reduction in carbon emissions from its own buildings and operations ([Newark Advertiser, Sept 2025]), but there is no published timetable showing how the wider district will move towards the pledged 2035 net zero target.

3.       Health and Wellbeing – While community events have been delivered, there is no published evidence demonstrating improvements in life expectancy or reduced health inequalities.

4.       Crime and Anti-Social  ...  view the full agenda text for item 32.

In accordance with Rule No. 3.3.2, one question had been submitted to the Council by a member of the public, Laurence Goff.

In accordance with Rule No. 3.3.3, three questions had been submitted by Councillors. The first question from Councillor P Harris was deferred to the next meeting of the Council given his absence through illness. A second question had been submitted by Councillor J Lee and a third from Councillor N Alllen.

Details of the questions put forward, and the response given by the appropriate Portfolio Holders are attached as Appendix A to the Minutes.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive which proposed the appointment of Francesca Whyley as the Council’s Monitoring Officer and the Director – Resources and Section 151 Officer, Sanjiv Kohli as Senior Responsible Officer (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA)).

The appointment was required following the former Monitoring Officer leaving the authority. Usually, the post would be filled on a like for like basis, however with LGR pending, agreement had been reached with Gedling to share the Monitoring Officer role. In addition, short term locum support had been sourced to ensure continuity of service and to sustain the current level of resource required o Code of Conduct issues.

Following the appointment, minor amendments would be required to the Constitution to reflect the change and given delegations to the role of Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Services given that would no longer exist. In addition, the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Services held the role of Senior Responsible Officer (RIPA).

AGREED     (unanimously) that Council:

a)           approve the appointment of Francesca Whyley as the Council’s Monitoring Officer with immediate effect;

b)          approve the appointment of Sanjiv Kohli as Senior Responsible Officer (RIPA) with immediate effect; and

c)           give delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to make minor consequential amendments to the Constitution given references to the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Services.

The Council considered the report of the Business Manager - Elections & Democratic Services and Deputy Monitoring Officer concerning the convening of an Independent Remuneration Panel to consider Members’ Special Responsibility Allowances given the recent changes in Committees.

At the last meeting of the Council a resolution was made to convene the same Panel who last undertook the review of Special Responsibility Allowances, but unfortunately, the Chair of the Panel was unable to help. Following various enquiries, a new Chair, Mr Declan Hall, who acts as an ‘remuneration consultant’ was approached and agreed to assist. Given the information provided by Mr Hall in terms of time frame and expenses, a larger cost envelope for the review was required.

AGREED      (with 30 votes for, 1 against and 2 abstentions) that Council:

a)           approve the convening of the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out in the report to undertake a full review of the Special Responsibility Allowances; and;

b)          approve a cost envelope of £4,500 for the purposes of the review.

The Council considered the report of the Business Manager - Financial Services to update Members on the Treasury Management activity and confirmed that the Council had complied with its Prudential Indicators for 2024/25. The activity report was reported to the Audit & Governance Committee at their meeting held on 2 July 2025

AGREED     (unanimously) that Council note:

a)           the Treasury Management Outturn 2024/25; and

b)          that in 2024/25 the Council complied with its Prudential Indicators which were approved by Full Council on 7 March 2024.

The Council considered the report of the Business Manager - Planning Policy & Infrastructure which sought Council approval to call the referendum for the Winthorpe with Langford Neighbourhood Plan. Following its Examination, the Independent Examiner had concluded that the Winthorpe with Langford Neighbourhood Plan met the Basic Conditions and other relevant regulatory requirements. It was therefore recommended that the Plan proceed onto referendum.

AGREED     (unanimously) that Council:

a)           note the report; and

b)          authorise the Chief Executive, acting as Returning Officer, to arrange the referendum for the Winthorpe with Langford Neighbourhood Plan.

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Monitoring Officers which conveyed the decision to Council of the outcome of the Code of Conduct Hearing held on 10 October 2025 in relation to the conduct of Councillor J Lee. The Panel considered two complaints where it was found that there had been breaches of the Code of Conduct. The decision notice was attached as an appendix to the report. The two sanctions imposed were that Councillor J Lee should attend training in relation to the Code of Conduct which should include training on the use of social media and confidentiality, as well as the decision being reported to the Council.

AGREED     (with 27 votes for and 6 abstentions) that the report be noted.

In accordance with the Rule No. 3.4.3, the following motions are to be considered:

Motion 1 - Consideration of the introduction of Article 4 Directions within urban areas of Newark and Sherwood (Under the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015)
Motion 2 – Marie Curie Campaign for a Council Tax Exemption for Terminally Ill

Motion One – Consideration of the introduction of Article 4 Directions within urban areas of Newark and Sherwood (Under the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015)

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

“This Council resolves to:

a)             Establish a working group through the Policy Performance & Improvement Committee to assess the current and future impact of the permitted development allowing change of use from a dwelling house (C3) to a House of Multiple Occupation (C4) at all conurbations across our district.

b)             The working group should consider the impact of HMOs on our communities including (but not limited to) housing affordability, community balance, infrastructure and planning enforcement.

c)             The working group should present through the Policy Performance & Improvement Committee to Cabinet recommendations regarding the principles of issuing Article 4 Directions.

d)             Subject to any view of Cabinet any Article 4 Directions be referred to the Planning Committee for progression”.

The motion, on being put to the vote, was agreed (with 32 votes for and 1 abstention).

Motion Two – Marie Curie Campaign for a Council Tax Exemption for Terminally Ill

In accordance with Rule No. 3.4.3 Councillor J Hall moved and Councillor P Peacock seconded a motion to the following effect:

“Newark & Sherwood District Council resolves to:

a)             Support the Marie Curie campaign for a Council Tax Exemption for the Terminally Ill.

b)             Congratulate Manchester City Council on becoming the first council to implement such a scheme for their local residents.

c)             Establish a PPIC working group to consider the development of an appropriate policy for Council Tax Exemption for those with a terminal illness, or a partner or family member within the same household, as part of the local tax reduction scheme.  PPIC to make recommendations to Cabinet to adopt a formal policy if appropriate.

d)             Write to other Nottinghamshire Local Authorities to ask that they support the Marie Curie campaign for a Council Tax Exemption for the terminally ill”.

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