Agenda and minutes

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

online in accordance with usual practice.

Councillor R Cozens moved and Councillor S Crosby seconded that Councillor J Hall be elected Chair of Newark & Sherwood District Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Councillor J Hall be elected Chair of Newark & Sherwood District Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillor J Hall signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and received the Chain of Office from the Retiring Chair.

Councillor J Hall presented the past Chair’s badge to Councillor C Brooks. 

(As the newly elected Chair, Councillor J Hall took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.)

Councillor P Peacock moved and Councillor L Brazier seconded that Councillor L Tift be elected Vice-Chair of Newark & Sherwood District Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Councillor L Tift be elected Vice-Chair of Newark & Sherwood District Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillor L Tift signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and received the Vice-Chair’s Chain of Office.

There were no declarations of interest from Members and Officers and the Council noted the interests previously declared by Members in Agenda Item No. 16 – Minutes for noting.

AGREED      that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Leader of the Council advised that following her election as the Combined Authority Mayor for the East Midlands on 2 May 2024, Claire Ward’s first official visit was to Newark. The Leader also informed the Council that the first Combined Authority Meeting would take place on 17 June 2024, and he would feedback to the Council on the operation of the authority on a regular basis.

The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection & Community Relations referred to a question from Councillor S Haynes in relation to flooding which had not been submitted in time to be included on the agenda. However, Councillor P Taylor provided an update and advised that he would share minutes from appropriate meetings and confirmed that an update report would be presented to the July meeting of the Cabinet.

The Portfolio Holder for Biodiversity & Environmental Services informed the Council that it had been six months since the ‘Motion for the Ocean’ was agreed, and she updated on the activities that had taken place since that date, including the dedicated stand at the Nottinghamshire County Show.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing informed the Council that the Boughton Hub had opened as from 25 May 2024. In addition, the Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture & the Arts updated the Council on the Castle Gatehouse project. 

In accordance with Rule No. 3.3.3 the following question was submitted to the Council from Councillor P Harris:

“Up until recently the District Council provided some co-ordination on Speedwatch, and Community Safety Groups. The previous Police & Crime Commissioner appears to have directed that this should not happen. So, this support appears to have ended. Why is this?

What proposals will the Council now make to reinforce and support community run groups of Speedwatch and Safety Partnerships?”

In accordance with Rule No. 3.3.3 one question had been submitted by Ccouncillor P Harris to the Council.  Details of the question put forward and the full written response given by Councillor P Taylor are attached as Appendix A to the minutes.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive which sought to consider the political composition of the Council and proposals for the allocation of seats on Committees to Political Groups, as required by Council Procedure Rule No. 1.1.2.

Section 15 of the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 required the Council to consider the political composition of the Council.  This Act, together with the Local Government (Committees & Political Groups) Regulations 1990, required the Council to allocate seats on committees on a proportional basis in accordance with the number of seats held on the Council by each political group.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the allocation of seats to Political Groups (as set out in Appendix B to these minutes) be approved.

The Council were circulated with a proposed schedule of appointments to the Council’s Committees, including the positions of Chairs and Vice-Chairs and substitute Members.

AGREED     (unanimously) that the appointments of the Chairs and Vice-Chairs on Committees and the appointment of other Members to Committee etc. as set out in the schedule attached as Appendix C to the minutes, be approved.

Commitment of Section 106 Off-Site Sports and Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace

Newark Castle Gatehouse

Appointment of Representatives to Southwell Leisure Centre Trust

NOTED        the record of urgent decisions taken in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution.

In accordance with Rule No. 3.4.3, Councillor R Jackson will move and Councillor L Dales will second a motion to the following effect:

“After the recent flooding events throughout our district, this Council will put in place a policy making sure all new builds in our district have a comprehensive flood alleviation scheme where needed in their planning application, and that flood alleviation and drainage is one of the first things the developer has to do when they move onto site, and ensure that a proper costed scheme is in place for future long term maintenance of all the new drainage infrastructure that is built”.

In accordance with Rule 3.4.3, Councillor R Jackson moved and Councillor L Dales seconded a motion to the following effect:

“After the recent flooding events throughout our district, this Council will put in place a policy making sure all new builds in our district have a comprehensive flood alleviation scheme where needed in their planning application, and that flood alleviation and drainage is one of the first things the developer has to do when they move onto site, and ensure that a proper costed scheme is in place for future long term maintenance of all the new drainage infrastructure that is built”.

In accordance with Rule 4.6.1 Councillor A Freeman moved and Councillor D Moore seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

“After the recent flooding events throughout our district, this Council notes that the Amended Allocations and Development Management DPD, currently awaiting public examination, requires site-specific Flood Risk Assessments and details of measures to mitigate the potential for on-site surface water flooding risk and management ensuring that flood risk is not increased elsewhere.

This is in line with Core Policy 9 in the Amended Core Strategy adopted in 2019, relating to sustainable design which requires developers to pro-actively manage surface water including the use of sustainable drainage systems. Core Policy 9 also provides for developments to prove to be resilient in the long term, taking into account the potential impacts of climate change.

This Council is concerned that given current legislation and national planning policy, we, as the Local Planning Authority, cannot always insist that any works regarding flood alleviation and surface water management are commenced early in any development. Also, we do not have any power to demand that any such schemes are properly costed. As such, this Council will raise these concerns with the Local Government Association and the Government as a matter of urgency”.

The amendment to the original motion was accepted by Councillor R Jackson as the mover. This therefore became an alteration to the motion in accordance with Rule 4.7.3 and was debated by the Council.

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

Minute No. 115 – Update on Jubilee Bridge Maintenance Costs

Councillor P Harris sought an update on the maintenance of the Jubilee Bridge and future adoption by the County Council.

Councillor P Peacock advised that a further report would be presented to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

Minute No. 83 – Information Sharing with Members Working Group Update

Councillor P Peacock thanked Councillor J Kellas on the work and outcomes that would be produced arising from the Information Sharing Working Group.

Minute No. 26 – Department of Transport Taxi & Private Hire Best Practice Guidance

Councillor P Harris referred to a previous decision of the Council to have signage on the rear of the front passenger seat in taxi and private hire vehicles which would give vehicle and operator details. This would make it easier for customers to raise issues with enforcement in the event of complaints. Councillor Harris asked when this change would be affected.

The Chair, in her capacity as Chair of the General Purposes Committee agreed to provide a written response.