Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor T Wendels and Sanjiv Kohli – Director - Resources and Deputy Chief Executive declared Other Registerable Interests in Agenda Item No. 6 – Update on Disposal of Land at The Green, Rolleston to Arkwood Developments Limited, as Directors of Arkwood.

The Leader advised that the proceedings were being audio recorded and live streamed by the Council.

The minutes from the meeting held on 6 December 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Leader advised that as part of the consultation on devolution and the creation of the combined Mayoral Authority for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, he had  provided a response on behalf of the Council to reiterate our support and to welcome the benefits which it could potentially bring to the area.

The Leader also reported that the Council had been unsuccessful in a bid for £1m funding for providing designated sites and accommodation for the Gypsy and Traveller community. Subsequently, he had now written to the Secretary of State detailing the successes of Newark and Sherwood District Council in housing and caring for different areas of the community, including refugees and described the difficulty the Council would face in absorbing the cost of delivering a national target which was not shared equally amongst other authorities across the Country.

AGREED that Cabinet:

(a)    consider the objections to the proposed land sale and development of the land at The Greenaway, Rolleston; and

(b)   given on balance no issues are raised of sufficient significance to change the Cabinet’s previous decision, that the disposal to Arkwood Developments Ltd proceed, subject to full planning permission being granted.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance & Finance presented a report which updated the Cabinet following objections received in response to the statutory consultation process regarding the proposed disposal of a plot of land at the Greenaway, Rolleston to Arkwood Developments Limited. This disposal was to enable the delivery of three market sale residential units adjacent to a HRA development of five affordable units. It was reported that as part of the statutory consultation process which was required as part of the land formed public open space, three objections from local residents were received as well as an objection from Rolleston Village Hall Management Committee. The report summarised the nature of the objections and the Council’s response. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that Cabinet:

(a)          consider the objections to the proposed land sale and development of the land at The Greenaway, Rolleston; and

(b)          given on balance no issues are raised of sufficient significance to change the Cabinet’s previous decision, that the disposal to Arkwood Developments Ltd proceed, subject to full planning permission being granted.

Reasons for Decision

The redevelopment of the land will contribute to the Council’s Community Plan objective to create more and better quality homes through our role as landlord and developer.

Options Considered

Cabinet could decide not to proceed with the sale in light of the objections received, but this is not considered necessary in the circumstances.

(Having declared an interest Councillor Tim Wendels did not vote on this item).

AGREED that the adoption and wider communication of the Cyber Security Strategy be approved.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Organisational Development & Governance presented a report which set out the proposed Cyber Security Strategy for adoption by the Council. Implementation of the Strategy would ensure that the Council delivered a vision and plan to manage cyber security threats whilst reducing risk, protecting residents and stakeholder data from misuse and cyber threats. It was noted that the Cyber Security Implementation Plan was not a public facing document given its sensitive content and was therefore attached as an exempt appendix to the report. The Cabinet welcomed the proposed strategy and highlighted the importance of cyber security.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the adoption and wider communication of the Cyber Security Strategy be approved.

Reasons for Decision

To raise awareness of the Cyber Security agenda and obtain buy-in to the implementation plan, providing assurance to our residents, businesses, and external stakeholders.

Options Considered

Not to adopt a cyber security strategy, but this would be contrary to best practice.

AGREED that Cabinet:

a)        formally approves the Activity Plan, Investment Principles Plan and Budget for year 1; and

b)        agrees that in years 2 and 3, responsibility for considering the Plans will sit with the National Portfolio Organisation Board, with authority for approval being delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Visitors who will also be a member of the Board.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Visitors presented a report which sought approval for the Activity Plan, Investment Principles Plan and budget for year one of Newark & Sherwood District Council’s National Portfolio Organisation funding as a requirement of the Arts Council England’s funding agreement.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)            formally approves the Activity Plan, Investment Principles Plan and budget for year 1; and

b)            agrees that in years 2 and 3, responsibility for considering the Plans will sit with the National Portfolio Organisation Board, with authority for approval being delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Visitors who will also be a member of the Board.

Reasons for Decision

The proposals will contribute to the creation of vibrant and self-sufficient local communities, working directly with communities and disadvantaged groups to create cultural value. This will help improve the health and wellbeing of local residents through targeted participatory activity, and the plans will support the Heritage & Culture Business Unit to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic growth as it further cements its position as a cultural destination and hub for the town and district.

Options Considered

The approval of the plans is a requirement of the Arts Council England’s funding agreement.

AGREED that Cabinet recommend to Council at its meeting on 7 February 2023:

a)          the HRA budget for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A1 to this report be approved;

b)         an increase of 5% in the 2022/23 rents of all properties in the HRA as at 31 March 2023 be applied from 1 April 2023;

c)         a rent increase for all relets of 11.1%;

d)         the 2023/24 service charges, as set out in Appendix C, to this report be approved; and

e)         that a fund of £300,000 be created, funded by the Newark and Sherwood Homes Transfer Reserve to fund initiatives to support tenants impacted by the increased charges including a tenant welfare fund.

The Portfolio Holder for Homes & Health presented a report which detailed the proposed Housing Revenue Account budget for 2023/24 and charges in rent and service charge levels as from 1 April 2023 for recommendation to the Full Council at the meeting to be held on 7 February 2023 for approval.

The report examined the proposed income and expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account for 2023/24 in accordance with Section 76 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and provided indicative figures of income and expenditure for the financial years 2024/25 to 2026/27. The report also made recommendations to set rent levels and service charges for 2023/24.

The setting of the Housing Revenue Account budget and the approval of rent levels would be presented to the Full Council Meeting in February 2023, which would allow the required time to notify tenants of proposed changes to rents in accordance with the legislation. 

AGREED      (with 5 for and 1 against) that Cabinet recommend to Council at its meeting on 7 February 2023:

a)            the HRA budget for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A1 to this report be approved;

b)            an increase of 5% in the 2022/23 rents of all properties in the HRA as at 31 March 2023 be applied from 1 April 2023;

c)             a rent increase for all relets of 11.1%;

d)            the 2023/24 service charges, as set out in Appendix C, to this report be approved; and

e)            that a fund of £300,000 be created, funded by the Newark and Sherwood Homes Transfer Reserve to fund initiatives to support tenants impacted by the increased charges including a tenant welfare fund.

Reasons for Decision

To advise Members of the proposed HRA budget and charges in rent and service charge levels for 2023/24 and for these to be recommended to Council at its meeting on 7th February 2023.

Options Considered

Various modelling was undertaken to assess the impact of different rent levels on the viability of the HRA 30-year business plan to arrive at the recommendations in the report.

Consideration was also given to varying the increases between general needs and supported (sheltered and extra care) accommodation but no rationale was found to support this, alongside the equitable nature of any decision to do so.

AGREED that:

(a)    final approval be given for the Council to procure environmental enforcement services in relation to the management of fixed penalty notices for littering and dog fouling for a 3-year period;

(b)   delegated authority be given, following oversight by the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee, to the Director Communities & Environment to agree terms for the contractual arrangement in consultation with the Assistant Director Legal & Democratic Services; and

(c)    the current pilot be extended for a further five months to allow procurement of a suitable contractor.

The Portfolio Holder - Cleaner, Safer, Greener presented a report concerning the future provision of enviro-crime enforcement using a via third party enforcement company.  In September 2021, the Leisure & Environment Committee agreed to a one-year Enviro-crime enforcement pilot with a third-party company, Waste Investigations, Support and Enforcement (WISE).  A three-month extension to the original 12 month contract was agreed by the Cabinet in July 2022 which extended this to 25 January 2023. Since the start of the contract and up to 31 December 2022, there had been 3,713 fixed penalty notices issued and there had been a corresponding increase in awareness of environmental enforcement. It was proposed that this contract be extended to cover the period while the Council sought a tender exercise for the future provision of the service. It was noted that the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee had requested oversight of the detail of the arrangements prior to contracts being entered into.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)          final approval be given for the Council to procure environmental enforcement services in relation to the management of fixed penalty notices for littering and dog fouling for a 3-year period;

(b)          delegated authority be given, following oversight by the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee, to the Director - Communities & Environment to agree terms for the contractual arrangement in consultation with the Assistant Director Legal & Democratic Services; and

(c)          the current pilot be extended for a further five months to allow procurement of a suitable contractor.

Reasons for Decision

To enable effective dog fouling and litter enforcement to be introduced into the District and to support the Community Plan objectives.

Options Considered

The service could be provided in-house but this was rejected due to the need for Community Protection Officers to undertake a wider range of duties.

To consider resolving that, under section 100A (4) of the Local Government

Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items

of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt

information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

None.

AGREED      (unanimously) that, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1,3,5 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Exempt Item.

The Cabinet considered the exempt report in relation to a Land at Old Hall Farm, Edingley.

(Summary provided in accordance with Section 100C(2) of the Local Government Act 1972).