Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

Councillor L Brazier declared an Other Registerable Interest in Agenda Item No. 6 – Levelling Up 3 - Programme Update – as a Member of Ollerton & Boughton Town Council.

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The minutes from the meeting held on 11 March 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

That Cabinet:

a)         notes the updates associated with the LUF 3 Programme, including the recent execution of the Government Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and the initial payment of LUF 3 grant to the Council, as detailed in paragraph 1.2 of the report.

Ollerton Town Centre Regeneration Scheme

b)         approves the reallocation of £450,000 of the capital budget of £500,000 approved by Cabinet on 10 December 2024, to revenue budget, as detailed in paragraph 2.5 of the report, funded by the LUF 3 grant;

c)          approves the addition of £68,000 within the Capital Programme, financed by grant, as detailed in paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6 of the report; and

d)         approves the addition of a £322,000 revenue budget, financed by grant, as detailed in paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6 of the report.

Clipstone Regeneration Scheme

e)         approves the reallocation of the capital budget of £200,000 approved by Cabinet on 10 December 2024, to revenue budget, as detailed in paragraph 2.6 of the report, funded by the LUF 3 grant; and

f)           notes the additional £40,000 revenue budget, funded by Government granted LUF 3 capacity funding, as detailed in paragraph 1.13 of the report.

The Director – Planning & Growth presented a report which provided Cabinet with an update on the Levelling Up Fund 3 (LUF 3) programme and proposed key recommendations to the Cabinet regarding the delivery of the Ollerton and Clipstone regeneration projects. Following the update report presented to the Cabinet in December 2024, officers had continued to discuss the developments associated with the ’Shaping Sherwood’s Revival Scheme’ with the government and had continued to seek the necessary extension of the LUF 3 funding period to March 2028, following a pause of the national programme in 2024, and the prolonged confirmation of the £20m grant for the local scheme.

It was reported that in January 2025, the Council and government successfully formalised the £20m LUF 3 commitment to Sherwood through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU provided further assurance relating to the future funding in addition to the release of an initial draw down of LUF 3 grant of £1,264,211. However, it was noted that the essential deadline extension to March 2028 remained unconfirmed by the government at the current time.

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)         notes the updates associated with the LUF 3 Programme, including the recent execution of the Government Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and the initial payment of LUF 3 grant to the Council, as detailed in paragraph 1.2 of the report.

Ollerton Town Centre Regeneration Scheme

b)         approves the reallocation of £450,000 of the capital budget of £500,000 approved by Cabinet on 10 December 2024, to revenue budget, as detailed in paragraph 2.5 of the report, funded by the LUF 3 grant;

c)          approves the addition of £68,000 within the Capital Programme, financed by grant, as detailed in paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6 of the report; and

d)         approves the addition of a £322,000 revenue budget, financed by grant, as detailed in paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6 of the report.

Clipstone Regeneration Scheme

e)         approves the reallocation of the capital budget of £200,000 approved by Cabinet on 10 December 2024, to revenue budget, as detailed in paragraph 2.6 of the report, funded by the LUF 3 grant; and

f)           notes the additional £40,000 revenue budget, funded by Government granted LUF 3 capacity funding, as detailed in paragraph 1.13 of the report.

Reasons for Decision:

The recommendations within the report aim to prevent further delays of both Ollerton and Clipstone projects, supporting the scheme to meet an anticipated March 2028 LUF 3 spend deadline. Without the provision of additional funding to progress key workstreams, the ability to meet a March 2028 spend deadline is further compromised and would present a subsequent risk regarding potential loss of funding.

Options Considered:

Consideration has been given as to whether both Ollerton and Clipstone should be placed into a secondary paused status, until the outstanding risks and matters noted in this report are resolved. This approach is not recommended at this stage, as by pausing both projects again, it is unlikely that either scheme will be able to defray the LUF 3 funds by March  ...  view the full minutes text for item 261.

That Cabinet approve:

a)      the proposed contents of the Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability (SHELAA) Assessment Methodology at Appendix 1 to the report; and

b)      undertaking the public consultation for a period of six weeks with relevant stakeholders on the proposed Methodology.

The Business Manager – Planning Policy & Infrastructure presented a report which presented the draft Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) methodology and sought approval of the document for public consultation. The National Planning Policy Framework required all local authorities to prepare a SHELAA to identify a sufficient mix of sites for housing and employment. In order to assess each site, it was necessary for a methodology document to be prepared. This was attached as Appendix 1 to the report. The draft methodology document had been considered by the Planning Policy Board in February who had recommended it to the Cabinet for approval.

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet approve:

a)      the proposed contents of the Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability (SHELAA) Assessment Methodology at Appendix 1 to the report; and

b)      undertaking the public consultation for a period of six weeks with relevant stakeholders on the proposed Methodology.

Reasons for Decision:

To allow the District Council to consult on the draft SHELAA Methodology.

Options Considered:

There is no formal requirement to consult on SHELAA methodology, but it is considered that by doing so it will ensure the site assessment process is robust.

That Cabinet approve the adoption of the new Community Safety Strategy.

The Business Manager – Public Protection presented a report which sought approval for a new Bassetlaw and Newark & Sherwood Community Safety Partnership Strategy.  Each Community Safety Partnership (CSP) was required to have in place a Strategy and a delivery plan setting out key themes within the CSP. The Bassetlaw and Newark & Sherwood CSP was attached as Appendix 1 to the report, with the delivery plan at Appendix 2. The key themes in the Strategy were: serious violence against women and girls and domestic abuse; anti-social behaviour; vulnerability and contextual safeguarding; community cohesion; and neighbourhood crime. It was noted that the Strategy had been formally adopted by Bassetlaw District Council.  

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet approve the adoption of the new Community Safety Strategy.

Reasons for Decision:

To ensure Newark and Sherwood District Council meet the requirement from the Community Safety Partnership by adopting the strategy. This directly links to the reduction of Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Objective from the Community Plan.

Options Considered:

Community Safety Partnerships are required to have a strategy in place. This document has been adopted by Bassetlaw. There are no other alternative options.

That:

a)      approval be given for a four-week period public consultation for the draft Domestic Abuse Policy; and

b)      delegated authority be given to the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection & Community Relations in consultation with the Director - Communities & Environment to approve any amendments resulting from the consultation.

The Business Manager – Public Protection presented a report which sought approval for a four-week public consultation period on a draft Domestic Abuse Policy, prior to formal approval. It was noted that every local authority in Nottinghamshire had committed to seek accreditation through the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance which was being supported and funded by Nottinghamshire County Council. The draft policy was attached as Appendix 1 to the report and this set out what people could expect when contacting the Council and how the Council would support those impacted by domestic abuse. The draft policy would be shared with the Tenant Engagement Board, Engaged Tenants and key stakeholders, alongside the proposed public consultation.

AGREED (unanimously) that:

a)      approval be given for a four-week period public consultation for the draft Domestic Abuse Policy; and

b)      delegated authority be given to the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection & Community Relations in consultation with the Director - Communities & Environment to approve any amendments resulting from the consultation.

Reasons for Decision:

·       To ensure compliance with the requirements of the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance Accreditation;

·       To continue to seek improvements for those facing Domestic Abuse; and

·       The recommendations link directly to the Community Plan Objectives of Reducing Crime ad Anti-Social Behaviour.

Options Considered:

A Domestic Abuse Policy is required to be in place in order to ensure compliance with the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance Accreditation, there are no alternative options.

That:

a)        the refreshed Community Plan 2023-2027 be referred to Full Council for approval and adoption;

b)        the £45,000 budget that was allocated towards activities for Motion for the Ocean as part of the 2025/26 revenue budget setting, be re-allocated into the Flooding Defence Reserve to fund a further Community Resilience Grant Scheme in 2025/26; and

c)        the transfer of £10,000 from the Cleaner, Safer, Greener reserve to Environmental Services to allow the organisation of day-to-day activities around the commitment to grow ocean literacy (Motion for the Ocean) be approved.

The Transformation and Service Improvement Officer presented a report which proposed a refreshed Community Plan for 2023-27 for recommendation to Full Council. The Community Plan was the key direction setting document used to outline the priorities and vision of the Council for a four-year term. The current Plan had been in place formally since December 2023 and senior Members and Portfolio Holders had been reviewing progress against the Plan and challenging what was outstanding as a priority and account for any emerging priorities which had arisen since the development of the Plan.  The refreshed Community Plan was attached as Appendix 1 to the report, with the changes being highlighted in Appendix 2.

As part of the refresh, it was proposed to adapt and broaden out the action which described the Motion for the Ocean, to instead to outline the Council’s ambition to work in conjunction with statutory authorities to promote good river and waterway health. The refreshed Community Plan had been presented to the Policy and Performance Improvement Committee at their meeting held on 10 March 2025, at which they recommended approval.

AGREED (with 6 votes for and 1 abstention) that:

a)        the refreshed Community Plan 2023-2027 be referred to Full Council for approval and adoption;

b)        the £45,000 budget that was allocated towards activities for Motion for the Ocean as part of the 2025/26 revenue budget setting, be re-allocated into the Flooding Defence Reserve to fund a further Community Resilience Grant Scheme in 2025/26; and

c)        the transfer of £10,000 from the Cleaner, Safer, Greener reserve to Environmental Services to allow the organisation of day-to-day activities around the commitment to grow ocean literacy (Motion for the Ocean) be approved.

Reasons for Decision:

The Community Plan 2023-2027 is the key document which will set the vision and direction of the Council during a four-year term. As such it is necessary that this document is refreshed throughout the four year term, to ensure the plan reflects the projects and initiatives which are ongoing or yet to be delivered.

Options Considered:

To not refresh the Community Plan for 2023-2027.

That Cabinet approve:

a)       Option C the high level refurbishment of Mansfield Crematorium as detailed in Exempt Appendix A to the report, and commencement of the refurbishment project;

b)       the allocation of the Usable Reserves to partially cover the VAT liability on the development, limiting the financial impact on each authority area for the refurbishment programme, as set out in Annex A within Exempt Appendix A to the report;

c)        the remaining total contribution by the Council, to pay the remaining VAT liability and year one deficit, as set out in paragraphs 2.45, 2.46 and Annex A within Exempt Appendix A to the report; and

d)       an increase to the Capital Programme by £211,900, funded by the Change Management Reserve, to fund the Council’s contribution towards the high-level refurbishment works as suggested in Option C.

The Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Services presented a report which sought approval of the resolution by the Mansfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee (of which the Council is a constituent member) to redevelop Mansfield Crematorium and to approve the financial arrangements for the Council’s contribution to the cost of redevelopment.

The Crematorium required either significant refurbishment or replacement, as was detailed in the exempt appendix to the report. The Joint Committee had carefully considered the available options and on 24 February 2025 unanimously resolved to endorse refurbishment, subject to approval by each constituent authority. It was reported that both Mansfield and Ashfield District Council’s had resolved to endorse refurbishment and approve the applicable capital expenditure arrangements.

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet approve:

a)       Option C the high level refurbishment of Mansfield Crematorium as detailed in Exempt Appendix A to the report, and commencement of the refurbishment project;

b)       the allocation of the Usable Reserves to partially cover the VAT liability on the development, limiting the financial impact on each authority area for the refurbishment programme, as set out in Annex A within Exempt Appendix A to the report;

c)        the remaining total contribution by the Council, to pay the remaining VAT liability and year one deficit, as set out in paragraphs 2.45, 2.46 and Annex A within Exempt Appendix A to the report; and

d)       an increase to the Capital Programme by £211,900, funded by the Change Management Reserve, to fund the Council’s contribution towards the high-level refurbishment works as suggested in Option C.

Reasons for Decision:

To ensure ongoing performance, viability and reputation of the Mansfield Crematorium.

Options Considered:

The Mansfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee has considered alternatives including new build, sale, closure and a lower-level refurbishment. These are all explored in detail in the exempt appendix to the report.