Agenda and minutes

AGREED             that that minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2020 be                                          approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest and the Council noted the interests previously

declared by Members in Agenda Item No. 13 – Minutes for Noting.

Other than the Council recording in accordance with usual practice, there were no

declarations of intention to record the meeting and the Chairman advised that the

meeting was being streamed live.

The Council considered the joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive, Director – Resources and Section 151 Officer and Director – Housing, Health & Wellbeing which sought approval of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for the 2021/22 financial year and proposed changes in rent levels and service charge levels for 2021/22.

The Policy & Finance Committee, at their meeting held on 21 January 2021,

recommended approval of the HRA budget for 2021/2022, financial plan to 2024/25

and proposed changes in rent and service charge levels for 2021/22. These were detailed in Appendix A to the report.

Councillor T Wendels, as Chairman of the Homes & Communities Committee, confirmed his support for the recommendation of an increase of 1.5% (Consumer Price Index (CPI) + 1%) in the 2021/22 rents of all properties in the HRA.  The proposed increase would provide funds to build new homes and fulfil the needs of the current and future tenants. He added that the district wide housing need survey had identified a need of 243 new homes per year, over the next four years.

AGREED             (unanimously) that:

(a)                the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2021/22, as set                out in Appendix A1 to the report, be approved;

(b)                an increase of 1.5% (Consumer Price Index (CPI) + 1%) in the                           2021/22 rents of all properties in the HRA as at 31 March 2021, be approved;

(c)                 an increase of 1.5% (CPI + 1%) in all 2021/22 service charges,                except for the television (TV) licence costs payable by tenants                        of Gladstone House, be approved; and

(d)                that the TV licence costs payable by tenants of Gladstone House                           in 2021/22 remain at £0.21 per week.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive which proposed a change to the membership of the Homes & Communities Committee.

AGREED             (unanimously) that Councillor Robert Crowe replace Councillor Mrs S.                         Saddington on the Homes & Communities Committee.

The Council considered the report of the Director – Resources, Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer which set out proposed amendments to a number of financial policies and procedures which formed part of the Council’s Constitution.

A number of financial policies and procedures were due for review and a report was presented to the Councillors Commission at their meeting held on 11 January 2021, which recommended updates to the various documents detailed below.  The Commission recommended all of these changes to the Full Council for approval. 

The policies concerned were the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy; Anti-Money Laundering Policy; Guidance for Dealing with Irregularities; Financial Procedure Rules; and Contract Procedure Rules.

AGREED             (unanimously) that the refreshed policies and procedures as detailed in the report, as    recommended by the Councillors’ Commission, be            approved and updated in the Council’s Constitution.

Councillor L Brailsford joined the meeting during consideration of this item.

Minute No. 180 – E-Newsletters

Councillor P. Harris stated that despite making savings by introducing E-Newsletters, the Council needed to recognise that not everyone had access to electronic devices. He asked how many households in the District had no access to electronic equipment. 

Councillor D. Lloyd advised that the proposed introduction of E-Newsletters had been considered by both the Homes & Communities and Policy & Finance Committees and provision could be made for hard copies to tenants and residents if required. A review of the implementation of the scheme would also be undertaken.  

Councillor B Laughton added that all residents can access electronic devices in public libraries.

Minute No. 99 – Update on the delivery of the Safer Streets Initiative

Councillor L Goff welcomed the progress being made in respect of the targeted hardening at Chatham Court Estate and the proposal for a Community Hub.

Councillor T Wendels welcomed these comments and added that this was a fantastic initiative.  He thanked the local Ward Members who had been involved in the development of this project, and the officers for implementing.

Minute No. 91 – Southwell Leisure Centre Trust Update

Councillor P Harris stated that there was no exempt information contained in the report considered by the Committee and advised that the information had in fact been made public as part of budget information. He added that the only reason for exemption was because the Trust had requested this be debated in private.

Councillor R Jackson advised that information relating to the Trust would be considered in open session when appropriate to do so.

Minute No. 294 – 14 Chatham Court, Newark (20/02000/FUL)

Councillor L. Goff, on behalf of the tenants of Chatham Court, thanked the Planning Committee for approving this application for the Community Hub, stating that the hub would be a success for residents.

Councillor R. Blaney confirmed that the Committee decision had been unanimous.