Agenda and minutes

Full Council - Tuesday, 11th February, 2020 6.00 pm

Venue: Civic Suite, Castle House, Great North Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1BY

Contact: Nigel Hill Tel: 01636 655243 Email:  Nigel.hill@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

55.

Minutes from the meeting held on 17 December 2019 pdf icon PDF 253 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Prior to the transaction of business the Council stood in silence in memory of former Councillor Thomas Bickley.

 

AGREED      that that minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

56.

Declarations of Interest by Members and Officers and as to the Party Whip

Minutes:

NOTED       (a)     the interests declared as shown in the schedule circulated at the meeting; and

 

(b)     the additional interests which were declared at the meeting as follows:

 

Councillor B. Laughton – Agenda Item No. 11 – Minutes for Noting - Policy & Finance Cdommitte – 23 January 2020 - Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as the Vice-Chairman of Newark and Sherwood Homes.

 

Councillor Mrs R. Holloway – Agenda Item No. 11 – Minutes for Noting - Policy & Finance Cdommitte – 23 January 2020 - Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as a Director of Newark and Sherwood Homes.

57.

Declarations of any Intentions to Record the Meeting

All Members to note the meeting is to be live streamed by the Council.

Minutes:

Other than the Council recording in accordance with usual practice, there were no declarations of intention to record the meeting.  The Chairman advised that the meeting was being streamed live.

58.

Communications which the Chairman or the Chief Executive may wish to lay before the Council

Minutes:

The Chairman advised the Council of the winners of the ‘Serving People – Improving Lives’ Awards for staff in 2019:

 

Employee of the Year                         Kate Marshall (Policy & Projects Officer)

Manager of the Year                           Nick Wilson (BM – Financial Services)

Team of the Year                                Democratic Services

Councillors’ Award                              Lynn Preece (Digital Communications Officer)

Apprentice of the Year                       Callum Scrimshaw (Waste Management)

Star Award                                          Marie Stone (Contract Cleaner)

 

The Council congratulated all of the award winners.

 

The Chairman also welcomed Julian Paine, the Interim Director – Housing, Health & Wellbeing to the meeting.

59.

Communications which the Leader of the Council and Committee Chairmen may wish to lay before the Council

Minutes:

Councillor T. Wendels, as Chairman of the Homes & Communities Committee, advised Members of the completion of the transfer back to the Council of the Housing Management Service on 3 February 2020.  He expressed his thanks to the Board of Newark and Sherwood Homes and the Council’s Project Team and welcomed all the staff of the Company into the Council.

 

Councillor Mrs S. Michael, as Chairman of the Audit & Accounts Committee, advised Members that Assurance Lincolnshire were to carry out a health check around the Council’s cultures and values.  She stated that a survey would be circulated to all Members in early March, with a report due on the findings expected by July 2020.

60.

2020/21 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget and Rent Setting pdf icon PDF 350 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the joint report of the Directors – Governance & Organisational Development and Deputy Chief Executive/Resources in relation to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget 2020/21 and proposed changes in rent levels and service charge levels for 2020/21. 

 

The Policy & Finance Committee, at their meeting held on 23 January 2020, recommended approval of the HRA budget for 2020/2021, financial plan to 2023/24 and proposed changes in rent and service charge levels for 2020/21.  The Policy & Finance Committee also considered a report relating to 25 properties owned by Newark and Sherwood Homes and recommended to the Board of Newark and Sherwood Homes that they be transferred into the ownership of the Council’s HRA.  It was noted that the Board approved the transfer and a 2020/21 rent increase of 1.7% for these properties. These homes were currently let on ‘affordable rents’ and would become secure tenancies of the Council upon transfer.  It was reported that the Policy & Finance Committee would be asked to give consideration to converging the rents of these homes with those of secure tenants over the coming years. The transfer was expected to take place in mid-February following the ongoing consultation with tenants.  

 

In noting the proposals contained within the report to increase rents of all properties in the HRA by 2.7% (Consumer Price Index + 1%) Councillor P. Peacock stated that he did not support the proposed increase and proposed, with Councillor N. Mitchell seconding, that the recommendations be amended to reflect that the increase be reduced to 1.7% in the recommendations.

 

Members debated the proposed amendment and on being put to the vote, it was lost with9 votes for, 24 against and 1 abstention.

 

AGREED      (with 25 votes for, 7 against and 2 abstentions) that:

 

(a)     the Council approves:

 

i)       the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2020/21, as set out in Appendix A1;

 

ii)      an increase of 2.7% (Consumer Price Index (CPI) + 1%) in the 2020/21 rents of all properties in the HRA as at 31 March 2020, except for the 25 properties owned by Newark and Sherwood Homes (NSH) which the Board of NSH at its meeting on 30 January 2020 approved be transferred into the Council’s HRA;

 

iii)     an increase of 2.7% (CPI + 1%) in all 2020/21 service charges, except for the television (TV) licence costs payable by tenants of Gladstone House; and

 

iv)      that the TV licence costs payable by tenants of Gladstone House in 2020/21 remain at £0.21 per week; and

 

(b)     the Council notes:

 

i)       an increase of 1.7% (CPI) in the 2020/21 rents of the 25 properties owned by NSH (at the time of writing) which the Board of NSH at its meeting on 30 January 2020 approved be transferred into the Council’s HRA.

 

61.

Notices of Motion

(i)                    Hunting

 

In accordance with Rule No. 13.1, Councillor Mrs G. Dawn will move and Councillor P. Peacock, will second a motion to the following effect:

 

“This Council notes that the hunting of wild animals with dogs is illegal under the terms of the Hunting Act 2004, except where an exemption applies.

 

This Council therefore calls for the immediate cessation of trail hunting, exempt hunting, exercising of packs of hounds and any gatherings that support these activities on Newark and Sherwood District Council land”.

 

(ii)                  Anti-Semitism

 

In accordance with Rule No. 13.1, Councillor D. Lloyd will move and Councillor P. Peacock, will second a motion to the following effect:

 

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has written to all local authorities encouraging them to formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism as a clear message that anti-Semitic behaviour will not be tolerated.

 

Last year, Community Security Trust released their report on antisemitic incidents in the first six months of 2019. It showed the highest total on record over a six-month period, and an increase of 10% on the same period in 2018, with over 100 incidents per month for the third year running. Similarly, the annual figures for 2018 showed the highest number of antisemitic incidents on record.

 

The Council notes that the IHRA definition is already used in guidance for the Police and Crown Prosecution Service, providing examples of the kinds of behaviours which, depending on the circumstances, could constitute antisemitism.   It also recognises that the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief also recently released a report which agreed that “the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism can offer valuable guidance for identifying antisemitism in its various forms” and encouraged its use in “education, awareness-raising and for monitoring and responding to manifestations of antisemitism”.

 

 The definition is not designed to be legally binding, but it is an invaluable tool for public bodies to understand how antisemitism manifests itself in the 21st century. It demonstrates a commitment to engaging with the experiences of Jewish communities and supporting them against the contemporary challenges they face.

 

The Council is opposed to all forms of hate crime and prejudice and is recommended to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which is:

 

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

 

The Council is further recommended to request the Director - Governance and Organisational Development, as the Council’s Lead Officer for Equalities, to consider how best to raise awareness of this definition and its application within the Council

 

Minutes:

(i)         Hunting

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13.1, Councillor Mrs G. Dawn moved and Councillor P. Peacock seconded a motion to the following effect:

 

“This Council notes that the hunting of wild animals with dogs is illegal under the terms of the Hunting Act 2004, except where an exemption applies.  This Council therefore calls for the immediate cessation of trail hunting, exempt hunting, exercising of packs of hounds and any gatherings that support these activities on Newark and Sherwood District Council land”.

 

The motion, on being put to the vote, was declared lost with 9 votes for, 24 against and 1 abstention. 

 

(ii)        Anti-Semitism

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13.1, Councillor D. Lloyd moved and Councillor P. Peacock seconded a revised motion to the following effect:

 

“The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government has written to all local authorities encouraging them to formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism as a clear message that anti-Semitic behaviour will not be tolerated.

 

Last year, Community Security Trust released their report on antisemitic incidents in the first six months of 2019. It showed the highest total on record over a six-month period, and an increase of 10% on the same period in 2018, with over 100 incidents per month for the third year running. Similarly, the annual figures for 2018 showed the highest number of antisemitic incidents on record.

 

The Council notes that the IHRA definition is already used in guidance for the Police and Crown Prosecution Service, providing examples of the kinds of behaviours which, depending on the circumstances, could constitute antisemitism.   It also recognises that the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief also recently released a report which agreed that “the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism can offer valuable guidance for identifying antisemitism in its various forms” and encouraged its use in “education, awareness-raising and for monitoring and responding to manifestations of antisemitism”.

 

The definition is not designed to be legally binding, but it is an invaluable tool for public bodies to understand how antisemitism manifests itself in the 21st century. It demonstrates a commitment to engaging with the experiences of Jewish communities and supporting them against the contemporary challenges they face.

 

The Council is opposed to all forms of hate crime and prejudice and is recommended to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which is:

 

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

 

The Council also notes that the Gypsy and Traveller Community, has also endured a history of genocide, oppression, persecution, forced adoption and discrimination.  In line with its opposition to all forms of hate crime and prejudice, the Council is recommended to adopt the Alliance Against Anti-Gypsyism (AAAG) definition of anti-gypsyism, which is:

 

“Anti-gypsyism is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

62.

Minutes for Noting

62a

Policy & Finance Committee - 23 January 2020 pdf icon PDF 244 KB

Additional documents:

62b

Economic Development Committee - 15 January 2020 pdf icon PDF 235 KB

Minutes:

Minute No. 51 - Council Policy for the Management of Open Space

 

Councillor P. Harris asked if the Council had received a response from the Government Minister.

 

Councillor K. Girling advised that a response was still awaited, but he would ensure all Members would be circulated with any reply received.

 

62c

Homes & Communities Committee - 20 January 2020 pdf icon PDF 238 KB

Minutes:

(i)                              Minute No. 44 – Public Space CCTV

 

Councillor P. Harris asked when the options report for CCTV would be available for consideration.

 

Councillor T. Wendels confirmed this would be brought back to the Committee as soon as practicable.

 

(ii)                            Minute No. 45 – Empty Homes Update

 

Councillor L. Goff requested an update on homes which had been empty for over two years.

 

Councillor T. Wendels advised that 154 properties in the District had stood empty for over two years and the relevant Business Unit were addressing the issue and the Committee would continue to monitor the work to reduce the numbers of empty properties.   

62d

Leisure & Environment Committee - 21 January 2020 pdf icon PDF 258 KB

Minutes:

Minute No. 48 – Garden Waste Update

 

Councillor P. Harris asked if the Council had made any progress with negotiating a revised contract with Veolia for recycling which would be more understandable for residents.  

 

Councillor R. Jackson confirmed that the Council were continuing to push the Government to publish a new waste policy, in addition to working with the County Council to secure contract revisions with Veolia.

 

62e

Planning Committee - 14 January 2020 pdf icon PDF 228 KB

62f

Shareholder Committee - 22 January 2020 pdf icon PDF 212 KB

Additional documents: