Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

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

Councillor P Taylor declared an Other Registerable Interest in Agenda Item No. 12 – Management and Maintenance of Public Open Space on New Residential Developments as Chair of the Castle Brewery Management Company.

The minutes from the meeting held on 10 June 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

In referring to the Government’s commitment of funding for the dualling of the A46, the Chair welcomed the good news adding that it was hoped there would be an announcement in the next few days about the A614 Improvement Scheme. 

The Chair also referred to the meeting of Cabinet on 15 July, immediately following the meeting of full Council which was being held to confirm the decision of Council in relation to the preferred Option for Local Government Reorganisation. 

That:

(a)    the final outturn of revenue and capital spending for 2024/25 be noted;

(b)    the capital financing proposals as set out in table 5 at paragraph 1.19 of the report, be noted;

(c)   the Capital Programme reprofiling of £7.817m carried forward into 2025/26, as per appendices E and F to the report, be noted;

(d)   the movement in Provisions and Impaired Estimates on Debtors be noted;

(e)   the creation of the new reserve, as outlined in paragraph 1.28 of the report, be approved; and

the individual contributions to, and withdrawals from, the revenue and capital Usable Reserves be noted.

The Business Manager – Financial Services, was in attendance to present the provisional 2024/25 financial outturn position on the Council’s revenue and capital budgets, including: General Fund Revenue; Housing Revenue Account; Capital Programme; Provisions and Impaired Estimates on Debtors; Usable Reserves; and Collection Fund.

The report detailed a summary of actual income and expenditure compared to the revised budget and how any surpluses/deficits have been allocated to/from reserves.  Members considered the report and welcomed the Council’s financial position.

AGREED     (unanimously) that:

a)               the final outturn of revenue and capital spending for 2024/25 be noted;

b)               the capital financing proposals as set out in table 5 at paragraph 1.19 of the report, be noted;

c)                the Capital Programme reprofiling of £7.817m carried forward into 2025/26, as per appendices E and F to the report, be noted;

d)               the movement in Provisions and Impaired Estimates on Debtors be noted;

e)                the creation of the new reserve, as outlined in paragraph 1.28 of the report, be approved; and

f)                  the individual contributions to, and withdrawals from, the revenue and capital Usable Reserves be noted.

That Cabinet:

(a)   review the Community Plan Performance Report attached as Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)   review the compliance report attached as Appendix 2 to the report; and

(c)   consider the Council’s performance against its objectives highlighting any areas of high performance and identifying areas for improvement.

The Senior Transformation & Service Improvement Officer was in attendance to present the Community Plan Performance for Quarter 4 2024/25.  The comprehensive report provided a wide range of information, which included: customer feedback; implementation of Health & Wellbeing Strategy; pollution prevention; ongoing work to increase the supply, choice and standard of housing; creation of employment opportunities; and tackling ASB.

In considering the report, Members raised the increase of an increase rent arrears.  In response, the Portfolio Holder – Housing and the Director -Housing, Health & Wellbeing advised that the implementation of Universal Credit had greatly impacted this but were confident that an improvement would be seen in Q1. 

AGREED     (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)               review the Community Plan Performance Report attached as Appendix 1 to the report;

b)               review the compliance report attached as Appendix 2 to the report; and

c)                consider the Council’s performance against its objectives highlighting any areas of high performance and identifying areas for improvement.

That Cabinet note:

a)        the exceptions to performance of the housing service compliance functions; and

b)       the new format for performance for Quarter 4 2024.25 onwards.

The Director – Housing, Health & Wellbeing was in attendance to present the position as of 31 March 2025 (Quarter 4) with regard to compliance including actions to rectify identified issues.

It was reported that the slight reduction in gas servicing compliance was due to a dip in contractor performance.  This was now being address following the contractor appointing a manager to oversee the implementation of the Action Plan.  Additional engineers had also been appointed to reduce the number of properties out of compliance.  In total there were 4 homes where the oil service and solid fuel service had not been completed with work ongoing to contact the tenants.  In relation to EICR electrical certification compliance, work was ongoing towards being 100% compliant and being 6 months in advance of renewal of certification.  It was reported that there had been recruitment issues to key posts to fulfil fire safety checks and this had now been resolved with internal and external resource now in place.

AGREED     (unanimously) that Cabinet note:

a)               the exceptions to performance of the housing service compliance functions; and

b)               the new format for performance for Quarter 4 2024.25 onwards.

That Cabinet:

a)        approve the overall General Fund, Capital & HRA Budget Strategy for 2026/27;

b)       note the consultation process with Members;

c)        note that Budget Officers continue work on the assessment of various budget proposals affecting services for consideration in setting the Council's budget;

d)       note that Budget Managers work with Finance Officers in identifying further efficiency savings, increasing income from fees and charges and in identifying new sources of income; and

to review thepolicies and principles on Budgeting, Council Tax, Reserves and Provisions, Charging, Value for Money and make any recommendations to Council.

The Business Manager – Financial Services was in attendance to present the report which set out the General Fund, Capital & HRA Budget Strategy for 2026/27.  

AGREED     (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)               approve the overall General Fund, Capital & HRA Budget Strategy for 2026/27;

b)               note the consultation process with Members;

c)                note that Budget Officers continue work on the assessment of various budget proposals affecting services for consideration in setting the Council's budget;

d)               note that Budget Managers work with Finance Officers in identifying further efficiency savings, increasing income from fees and charges and in identifying new sources of income; and

e)                review the policies and principles on Budgeting, Council Tax, Reserves and Provisions, Charging, Value for Money and make any recommendations to Council.

That Cabinet note:

(a)     the Corporate Planning, Performance Management and Assurance Framework at Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)     the refreshed performance indicators at Appendix 2 to the report; and

(c)     the findings of the recent Assurance Review of Performance Management at Appendix 3 to the report.

The Transformation & Service Improvement Manager was in attendance to present the Cabinet with an update on the Performance Framework and indicator that would be used to monitor and measure the Council’s performance against the refreshed Community Plan.  The report also provided the Cabinet with the results of the recent Assurance Review of Performance Management.  The Framework provided details of Corporate Planning, Performance Management, Assurance and Data Quality. 

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet note:

a)            theCorporate Planning, Performance Management and Assurance Framework at Appendix 1 to the report;

b)            the refreshed performance indicators at Appendix 2 to the report; and

c)            the findings of the recent Assurance Review of Performance Management at Appendix 3 to the report.

That the exclusive sale of the Hollies, Barnby Road, Newark, to Hope House School be approved.

The Asset Manager presented a report which sought the Cabinet’s consideration of a proposal that the current tenant, Hope House School, purchase the freehold titles for The Hollies.  It was reported that an initial offer from the school had been made in 2023 of £220,000 to purchase the property.  Following a Red Book Valuation carried out by Richard Watkinson on behalf of the Council this was considered to be too low with the site being valued at £950,000.  Following discussions with the School, a revised formal offer was made in line with the valuation of £950,000, subject to contract and survey.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the exclusive sale of the Hollies, Barnby Road, Newark, to Hope House School be approved.

That Cabinet:

a)        note that Management Companies are a lawful and legitimate model for the ongoing management and maintenance of Public Open Space which can continue to be promoted by developers;

b)       endorse the recommendation of the Planning Policy Board to produce guidance on Public Open Space Management Company Best Practice to cover instances where a Management Company is promoted by the developer;

c)        endorse the recommendation of the Planning Policy Board to continue to promote the Council managing and maintaining Public Open Space on Strategic Urban Extension (SUE) sites in the first instance; and

d)       endorse the recommendation of the Planning Policy Board to continue to promote for all non-SUE residential housing developments the principle of public ownership of Public Open Space, either via the District Council alongside an appropriate commuted payment to cover 20 years maintenance or via the host Town or Parish Council whey they have the appetite, capacity and capability to do so. Should the developer insist on a Management Company, it shall accord with the guidance detailed at b) above.

The Director – Planning & Growth presented to the Cabinet a report providing background information into some of the challenges with regard to the different models for securing the appropriate long-term management and maintenance of Public Open Space within new residential developments and to provide recommendations for future stated preferences.  Details of the Council’ current approach were reported, noting that the establishment of a ManCo was lawful and within a developer’s gift, noting there was no national regulation.  The proposal within the report was that the Council’s current position be extended to welcome taking on open space on all major residential developments in addition to the Strategic Urban Expansion sites, subject to securing an appropriate 20-year maintenance contribution.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)            note that Management Companies are a lawful and legitimate model for the ongoing management and maintenance of Public Open Space which can continue to be promoted by developers;

b)            endorse the recommendation of the Planning Policy Board to produce guidance on Public Open Space Management Company Best Practice to cover instances where a Management Company is promoted by the developer;

c)            endorse the recommendation of the Planning Policy Board to continue to promote the Council managing and maintaining Public Open Space on Strategic Urban Extension (SUE) sites in the first instance; and

d)            endorse the recommendation of the Planning Policy Board to continue to promote for all non-SUE residential housing developments the principle of public ownership of Public Open Space, either via the District Council alongside an appropriate commuted payment to cover 20 years maintenance or via the host Town or Parish Council whey they have the appetite, capacity and capability to do so. Should the developer insist on a Management Company, it shall accord with the guidance detailed at b) above.