Agenda and minutes

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

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

Councillors P Harris, P Rainbow, M Shakeshaft and T Wendels declared other registerable interests in relation to Agenda Item No. 6 – the debating of the ‘Stop the Closure of Southwell Swimming Pool’ as  Trustees of Southwell Leisure Centre.

Councillors S Forde, A Freeman and M Pringle declared other registerable interests in the same item as Directors of Active4Today.

AGREED      that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Portfolio Holder for Biodiversity & Environmental Services informed the Council that it was World Book Day and took the opportunity to align how many aspects of Council services contributed to shaping children’s experience of the day.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing informed the Council that Alexander Lodge, the Council’s new temporary accommodation, had reached practical completion and that it would soon be receiving its first occupants.  In addition, the Lodge had been shortlisted for an EEM Building Communities Carbon Reduction Project of the Year Award. 

The Portfolio Holder also reported that the Council had been shortlisted for two more awards: a Refurbishment Project of the Year Award for the Eton Avenue Shops Refurbishment; and an Employee Development Award.  He also referred to the Big Newark Sleepout 2024, the proceeds from which would go to the YMCA and Emmaus Trust.  Finally, the Portfolio Holder advised Members of the recycling of old IT equipment to local schools, community groups and charities.

The Chair advised the Council that a petition entitled “Stop the Closure of Southwell Swimming Pool” with 2370 signatures, had been submitted on 6 March 2024.  Given this was outside the requisite timeframe for submission of petitions, the Chair advised that she was minded to accept the petition given the strong local interest, and running the Council in an open and transparent manner. 

The Leader of the Council opened the debate on the petition. In opening the debate he referred to the large amount of misinformation being communicated and he set out in full the Council’s position and commitment to build a new pool. 

Following his introduction, the Leader moved that the Council confirm the position already taken by the Cabinet on 19 December 2023, to replace and not repair the swimming pool.  This motion was seconded by Councillor L Brazier.

Following the debate of the petition, the motion proposed, on being put to the Council, was agreed with 31 votes for, 1 against and 4 abstentions. 

In accordance with Rule No. 3.3.2 the following question has been submitted to the Council from a member of the public, Mathew Skinner:

“Why is it that not all trees and open spaces in Beacon Ward matter to Newark & Sherwood District Council?

Land East of Newark – known locally as the area around ‘Clay Lane’ continues to be included and allocated for housing development with no justification. As local residents, we feel that this area is not suitable for development due to unsuitability of the designated access roads and the enormous negative impact it would have environmentally. And at a time when we see large amounts of housing being delivered in other areas of the town, we see no reason why this area continues to be included in the Council’s Allocations and Development Management DPD.

In recent weeks a significant number of trees on Sherwood Avenue Play Park have been removed without the prior consent of the landowner (Newark Town Council controlled by Independents for Newark) by Newark and Sherwood District Council after being appointed as the contractor for the park redevelopments. The site is within the conservation area for Newark. Why was it decided that its ok for these trees to be removed?”

In accordance with Rule No. 3.3.2 one question had been submitted by a member of the public to the Council.  Details of the question put forward and the response given by Councillors E Oldham and M Spoors are attached as Appendix to the minutes.

The Council considered the report of the Leader of the Council relating to the Revenue Budget and Council Tax Setting for 2024/25.

The report indicated that, in setting the level of Council Tax for 2024/2025, it was necessary to consider the requirements of the Council Tax Collection Fund for 2024/2025.  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 20 February 2024, recommended that the District Council’s Council Tax Requirement for 2024/25, excluding Parish Council precepts, should be £19,878.850 as detailed in the Council’s Budget Book for 2024/2025.

It was reported that all Parish Council precepts had been received.  Parish precepts totalled £3,880,857.65.

Nottinghamshire County Council had set a precept on Newark & Sherwood District Council’s Collection fund for 2024/2025 of £76,858,275. The Nottinghamshire Police & Crime Commissioner had set a precept on Newark & Sherwood District Council's Collection fund for 2024/2025 of £12,000,333 and the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service had proposed a precept on Newark & Sherwood District Council’s Collection fund for 2024/2025 of £3,921,861.

In accordance with Rule 3.4.3 (b) written notice had been received that an amendment would be proposed and seconded. Councillor R Holloway accordingly proposed and Councillor J Kellas seconded that “Council approves:

1)        As outlined in 3.1 of the proposals that the revenue estimates for 2024/25 and schedule of fees and charges, as submitted in the Council’s budget book are approved subject to the following changes as outlined below:-

a)   Council Tax bands be set at an increase of 1.94% on 2023/24 values;

b)   Paragraph 3.27 of the budget book - “Music and Art” extra budget request be reduced from £95,000 to £15,000 hence a reduction in budget of £80,000; and

c)    Paragraph 3.27 of the budget book – “Other changes” extra budget request be reduced from £40,308 to £35,678 hence a reduction in budget of £4,630.

A saving of £84,630 as required for the reduced Council Tax of 1.94%.

2)        Proposal (g) will change to £8,201,400 being the amount of 3 (c) less the amount 3(d) plus the amount at 3 (e) less the amount of 3 (f) calculated by the Council as its net Council Tax requirement for the year;

3)        Proposal (h) will change to £192.83 being the amount at 3 (g) 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 parts of its area to which no special item relates; and

4)        Proposal (j) will change to £284.08 being the amount at 3 (g) above plus the amount at 3 (i) above divided by the amount at 2 (a) above calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31B (1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.”

Members debated the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive / Director – Resources and Section 151 Officer which set out the proposed Capital Programme for the period 2024/25 to 2027/28.  Following the Cabinet’s consideration of the Capital Programme at its meeting on 20 February 2024 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 20 February 2024 which detailed the resources available, the Council’s existing committed programme and the priority schemes identified.

The Capital Programme for 2024/25 to 2027/28 proposed investment of £149.328m over the 4-year programme. This comprised of General Fund projects of £64.401m and HRA projects of £84.927m (made up of Property Investment and the New Build Programme).  The expenditure was financed by a combination of Government Grants, Third Party Contributions, Capital Receipts, Revenue Support (through the HRA Major Repairs Reserve, General Fund reserves) and borrowing.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

a)             the General Fund schemes shown in Appendix A to the report and the Housing Revenue Account schemes shown in Appendix B 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 2024/25 to 2027/28 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.

(Councillor J Lee was absent from the meeting during this item and did not vote).

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 2024 and 31 March 2028 (2024/25 to 2027/28).  A copy of the Plan was attached as an Appendix to the report. The MTFP aimed to provide both Members and officers with a clear financial framework for delivering the Council’s Community Plan objectives over the next four years.  Updating the MTFP was an essential pre-requisite to the annual budget setting for future years.

The MTFP showed that the Council was able to set a balanced budget for 2024/25, 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.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2024/25 to 2027/28 be approved.

(Councillors J Kellas and J Lee were absent from the meeting for this item and did not vote).

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 appendices to the report. The Audit & Governance Committee had considered all of the strategies at their meeting held on 21 February 2024 and recommended these to Full Council for approval.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Council approves:

a)             the Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25, 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.

(Councillors N Allen, J Kellas and J Lee were absent from the meeting during this item and did not vote).

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive / Director – Resources & Section 151 Officer which sought approval for the Capital Strategy 2024/25 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 2024/25 at their meeting held on 21 February 2024 and recommended it to Full Council for approval.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Council approves:

a)             the Capital Strategy 2023/24 contained within Appendix A to the report;

b)             the Capital Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2023/24, contained within Appendix A to the report;

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

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

(Councillor J Lee was absent from the meeting during this item and did not vote).

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive / Director – Resources & Section 151 Officer which sought approval for the Investment Strategy 2024/25 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 2024/25 at their meeting held on 21 February 2024 and recommended it to Full Council for approval.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Council approve:

a)             the Non-Treasury Investment Strategy 2024/25 attached as Appendix A to the report; and

b)             the Investment Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2024/25, 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 2024/25.  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 Pay Policy Statement set out the authority’s policies for the financial year relating to:

•   the remuneration of the authority’s lowest-paid employees (together with a definition of “lowest-paid employees”) and the reasons for adopting that definition;

•   the relationship between remuneration of Chief Officers and that of other officers (pay multiples); and

•   the remuneration of Chief Officers.

The Cabinet, at their meeting held on 20 February 2024, recommended the Pay Policy Statement to the Council for adoption.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25 be approved.

The Council considered the report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Services which sought approval for a final scheme for Polling Districts and Polling Places following a review undertaken and public consultation considered by the General Purposes Committee at their meeting held on 29 February 2024.

In considering the proposed scheme, a number of Members commented on specific Wards making suggestions as to possible alternative polling places which could be explored by the Council’s Returning Officer.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Council approve:

a)             the proposed scheme, as set out in the appendix to the report; and

b)             delegated authority being given to the Returning Officer to make subsequent amendments to the scheme going forward following consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the General Purposes Committee and appropriate local Ward Members.

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

“Newark and Sherwood District Council has serious concerns about the provision of NHS services in Newark. NHS staff are doing an amazing job in the most challenging of circumstances.

The recent NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board consultation about the opening hours of the Urgent Treatment Centre has revealed itself to be a fait accompli, with no option to provide 24-hour cover. This was a question of resources, not need.

Newark Hospital has been under resourced for too many years, leading to the loss of its Accident and Emergency service in the summer of 2010.

Newark and Sherwood District Council supports the vision of NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, which is;

Our neighbourhoods, places and system will seamlessly integrate to provide joined up care. Every citizen will enjoy their best possible health and wellbeing.

Newark and Sherwood District Council will engage with the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board to work towards a consistency of care across Nottinghamshire and will support the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board to lobby Government for more resources so that Newark Hospital can increase its services for the people living right across our district”.

The Chair informed the Council that the Motion submitted in accordance with Rule No. 3.4.3 concerning a provision of NHS Services in Newark had been withdrawn and would therefore not be debated.

Minute No. 102 – Southwell Leisure Centre

Councillor P Harris sought clarity on what the alternative proposal would be should the Charity Commission not approve of the freehold transfer of the land, and asked if that was the case, would a long lease be considered. 

Councillor P Peacock reported that legal advice which had been obtained suggested that there were no obvious reasons why the Charity Commission would not approve of the transfer of land. He added that if the freehold transfer did not come about, this would put the Trust at risk of not being able to provide any leisure provision.