Agenda and decisions

That Cabinet approve:

a)      the introduction of spray-free weed management zones across 34 council-owned playgrounds, including housing playground areas;

b)      the continuation of glyphosate use in targeted operational areas where alternative methods are not viable or would pose safety risks;

c)       the adoption of mechanical and manual weed control methods, including the use of NoMix Dual applicator systems where herbicide use is still required; and

d)      a review of the operational and financial impacts, including any additional labour costs, herbicide savings and site condition assessments, to enable a decision to be made about whether the approach becomes business as usual from April 2027.

That Cabinet:

a)       approve the adoption of the updated Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy, incorporating duties placed on the Council under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 for inclusion in the Councils existing Enforcement Policy;

b)       approve the adoption of the Civil Financial Penalties Policy and associated penalty matrix to enable the Council to impose civil penalties for breaches under the new legislative framework; and

c)        delegate authority to the Director - Communities & Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing to make minor operational amendments to the policies to reflect future updates to statutory guidance.

That Cabinet:

a)       approve the proposed recognition and incentivisation scheme set out in Section Two of Appendix A to the report; and

b)       note that proposed changes to the Tenant Engagement structure are to be presented to the Governance, General Purposes & LGR Committee on 16 April 2026, with the requisite changes to the Constitution being considered by the Full Council on 19 May 2026.

That Cabinet:

a)      agree to refocus Chatham Court Hub to continue providing a base for the community but increase strategic partnership working in and around Newark Town Centre, specifically on high ASB hot spot housing and communal areas;

b)      agree to rename the facility “Newark Partnership Hub”;

c)       approve funding for 24 months as a pilot under its new remit and allow an application to the Pride of Place scheme; and

d)      note the continuation of HRA financial support of £11,000 per annum from existing budgets.

That Cabinet:

a)       approve the refurbishment of Wellow Green as the preferred option and add £536,000 to the Capital Programme in 2026/27 financed by the Homelessness reserve; and

b)       as part of LGR transition work, request the Director - Housing, Health & Wellbeing impresses on future partner Councils this Council’s priority to identify a suitable site for new temporary accommodation and report back on progress to Cabinet.

That Cabinet:

a)       approve acceptance of £2,428,408 grant from the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) programme in line with paragraph 3.5 of this report, to improve the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of the Council’s housing stock;

b)       approve the increase in capital programme of £1.4m for 2027-28 financed by £700,000 grant funding from DESNZ and £700,000 from the Major Repairs Reserve, taking the total budget for 2027-28 to £2,990,680;

c)        note the Portfolio Holder decision taken on 13 April 2026 to accept an additional £500,000 grant funding, match funded with £500,000 from a favourable variance in the Capital programme for 2025-26 to extend the WH:SHF programme for the current year, taking the total budget for 2026-27 to £2,551,880;

d)       approve acceptance of £1,056,000 grant from DESNZ the Warm Homes:Local Grant (WH:LG) programme targeting homes in the private rented sector to be administered in conjunction with Nottinghamshire County Council;

e)       appove the addition of £960,000 to the Capital Programme as per paragraph 3.6, financed fully by the grant; and

f)         delegate authority to the Director - Housing Health & Wellbeing in consultation with the S151 Officer and Portfolio Holder for Housing to enter into a contract for both schemes following a compliant procurement process.

The Committee will be invited to resolve:-

‘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.

Categories of “Exempt Information”

Under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended

1. Information relating to any individual.

2. Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

4. Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising

between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

5. Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

6. Information which reveals that the authority proposes –

(a) to give under any enactment a notice under or by  virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person : or

(b) to make an order or direction under any enactment.

7. Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.