Agenda and minutes

The Chair advised that the meeting was being recorded and live streamed from Castle House.

There were no declarations of interest.

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

The Committee considered the presentation jointly delivered by the Business Manager and Strategy Manager – Economic Growth & Visitor Economy and the Senior Planner, Planning Policy which sought to update Members on the Newark Masterplan and Design Code. 

The presentation set out the timeline of the Masterplan to-date and provided a summary of the results of the survey which had been undertaken.  The structure of the Masterplan was outlined and the six key themes therein, namely: a market town; a skilled and creative town; a riverside town; a thriving town; an active and accessible town; and a town of discovery.  Within the town there were nine characters areas listed as: The Medieval Core; Friary; Barnby Gate; the College Quarter; North Gate Station Quarter; North Gate; Mill Gate and Sconce; Riverside; and London Road.

A summary of the design code was noted as a set of simple, concise and illustrated design requirements and that it provided clear rules and standards for new development in each of the aforementioned character areas.  It was also noted that the code was mandatory and struck a balance between providing clear rules but not restricting high quality creative design.  The code was supplemented by looser ‘guidance’ should coding not be possible.  The design code would be taken forward as a supplementary planning document and would be a material consideration in planning decisions.

Stage 2 was a consultation of the Masterplan and the Design Code which would run for a period of 6 weeks in May and June 2025.  There would also be an exhibition, explaining how the Masterplan had been developed together with an explanation of the Design Code process.  The next steps after Stage 2 would be to finalise the documents in the summer of 2025 with reports being presented to the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee and Cabinet in September 2025 with implementation by the end of the year.

The Chair of the Committee thanked the Officers for their presentation noting the importance of maximising tourist provision in the town. 

AGREED     that the presentation be noted.

The Committee considered the report of the Transformation & Improvement Officer which sought Members approval for the change in approach for Portfolio Holders when attending Committee.  A summary of the attendance by Portfolio Holders during the 2024/2025 municipal year was detailed in the report with paragraph 2 listing the proposed change in approach and the timetable for Portfolio Holders attendance. 

In considering the report, the Chair asked Members of the Committee to put forward any areas they would wish to particularly scrutinise within the portfolio areas so that these could be communicated with the Portfolio Holder, enabling them to prepare a presentation for their attendance at Committee.

AGREED     (unanimously) that:

a)               the changes to the approach that Portfolio Holders take when attending Committee be approved; and

b)               the proposed schedule of attendance by Portfolio Holders, subject to their availability, be noted.

The Committee considered the joint report of the Transformation & Service Improvement Manager and the Senior Transformation & Service Improvement Officer which sought to provide Members with an update on the Performance Framework and indicators that would be used to monitor and measure performance against the refreshed Community Plan.  The report also shared the results of the recent Assurance Review of Performance Management, which were attached at Appendix 3 to the report.

AGREED     (unanimously) that:

a)               the Corporate Planning, Performance Management and Assurance Framework and the refreshed performance indicators be noted; and

b)               the findings of the recent assurance review of performance management be noted.

The Committee considered the report of the Democratic Services Officer which sought to provide Members with an outline of the Committee’s Work Programme for the 2025/2026 Municipal Year. 

Details of the topics discussed at the Committee’s workshop held on 10 March 2025 and which had been put forward for inclusion in the work programme were listed at paragraph 1.2 of the report.  The current work programme was appended to the report with a proposal that the items detailed in paragraph 1.2 be included.  Members were also requested to consider any further topics they may wish to discuss at a future meeting. 

In presenting the report, the Director – Customer Services & Organisational Development suggested that an invitation be extended to the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) to attend a future meeting of the Committee to enable Members to better understand the DWP’s decision in relation to provision in the Ollerton area.

AGREED     (unanimously) that:

a)               the topics listed for inclusion in the Work Programme, as listed in paragraph 1.2 of the report, be approved; and

b)               an invitation to attend a future meeting of the Committee be extended to the Department for Work & Pensions, as detailed above.

NOTED        the Forward Plan of the Cabinet for the period April to July 2025.

NOTED        the Minutes of the Cabinet (Performance) meeting held on 11 March 2025.

Provisional Financial Outturn Report to 31 March 2025

Yorke Drive Development Update

Bassetlaw and Newark & Sherwood CSP – Progress and Performance

Annual Compliance Update – Corporate Estate

Annual Homelessness Prevention & Rough Sleepers Strategy

Social Value Charter

UKSP/REPF

Appointment of Members to: Tenant Engagement Board; and Planning Policy Board

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Attendance at Committee by Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance & Finance

NOTED        the provisional items for future meetings of the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee.