Agenda and draft 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 1 Setpember 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Councillor Debbie Darby be appointed onto the Planning Policy Board, replacing Councillor Karen Roberts.

The Director - Housing, Health & Wellbeing and the Housing Regulatory Compliance Manager were in attendance to present the results of the annual Tenant Satisfaction Measures survey for 2024/25. Landlords with more than 1,000 properties were required to carry out the survey annually and submit their results to the Regulator for Social Housing. The results were included in the appendix to the report for Members.

The report summarised the latest year performance, the previous year performance (2023/24) and the direction of travel and percentage change between 2024/25 and 2023/24.  Whilst some measures have declined, it was pleasing to see that many had increased, with a marked increase in satisfaction with complaints, contribution to the neighbourhood and communal areas. 

Regarding the reduction in satisfaction with repairs, Members heard details of actions being taken to improve satisfaction levels, including additional resources for the team, reviewing the repair policy, appointing contractors and reviewing the business unit following recruitment of a business manager. Members noted that the benchmarking was undertaken both nationally and locally.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee note:

a)            the content of the report; and

b)            that this report has been presented to SLT and the Tenant Engagement Board.

The Senior Health Improvement Officer and the Senior Community Relations Officer were in attendance to give a presentation on delivery within the Health Improvement & Community Development Teams during 2024-25. The presentation outlined key projects undertaken, including grant schemes, response to the cost of living, work with under-represented groups and delivery of various events including the Newark and Sherwood Community and Sports Awards and Volunteer Thank You week.

In response to questions, the Committee heard that all primary schools within the District had been given the opportunity to apply to the school uniform scheme, with 37 ultimately applying and taking part. Volunteer Thank You week was advertised across a number of platforms, but officers would take details of any to be included from Councillors and let Councillors know the timetable for the week, usually held in June. Members welcomed the activities and support in place for veterans.

The Director- Housing, Health and Wellbeing explained that the Council were in process of mapping defibrillator machines across the District, to rationalise provision.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the report and presentation be noted.

The Business Manager – Healthy Places and Senior Housing Strategy & Development Officer were in attendance to provide the Committee with details of affordable housing delivery across the district for the financial year 2024/25, including progress on the 5-year Housing Revenue Account Development Programme.

In discussion, the Officer confirmed that the affordable housing was designed in partnership with Planning Officers to ensure that proposed designs and subsequent developments would be acceptable and desirable to live in. An Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document was in development to inform the design and planning process. Members also heard that the Council was now entitled to keep 100% of the receipt.

Members then considered the S106 agreement process, noting that whilst this was sometimes difficult to achieve, often due to viability, the potential benefits it could bring to a community were significant.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee note the affordable housing delivery and progress with the Council’s five-year HRA development Programme, making any observations as appropriate.

The Business Manager – Planning Policy & Infrastructure, and the Ecology & Biodiversity Lead Officer were in attendance to update Members on the production and consultation on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy by Nottinghamshire Council and to endorse the District Council’s proposed response at the final consultation stage prior to publication of the strategy. Members noted that the Strategy would be considered by the Cabinet on 14 October 2025 and the report contents was outlined in the report before the Committee tonight. No objections to the publication of the Strategy had been raised.

Members welcomed the report, noting the positive impact the Team were having in the District and across the County. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that Policy & Performance Improvement Committee consider the proposed recommendations and forward to Cabinet for approval as the Council’s response to the final consultation prior to publication of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

The Business Manager - Economic Growth & Visitor Economy, the Economic Development Grants & Programmes Manager and the Economic Growth Officer were in attendance to give a presentation to the Committee on the delivery, progress and future of the UK Shared (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) programme.

The presentation outlined the different types of projects undertaken, including grant funding and business support, and their locations across the District.  The focus had been to develop schemes that would be sustainable once the initial funding had been used. It was noted that the scheme would end in March 2026, with remaining function and funds, if any, transferred to EMCCA.

Members welcomed the report and requested data on which projects had been supported that were green/eco projects.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee note:

a)            the updates regarding the local approach to UKSPF/REPF programme delivery and the achievements to date, as detailed throughout this report; and

b)            the opportunities presented in relation to potential future UKSPF/REPF investment, noting the current uncertainty of programme funding, beyond March 2026, as detailed throughout this report.

The delivery of UKSPF and REPF is an identified activity outlined within the Community Plan, linking back to several key economic and regeneration related objectives.

The Transformation & Service Improvement Officer was in attendance to present the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee’s Annual Report for 2024-25, for approval and publication. The report detailed the work of the Committee over the previous 12 months, including: working groups; shaping policy and strategy; driving service improvement; and scrutinising performance.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee approve the report content and structure for publication.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate & the Environment was in attendance to report on specific areas within his portfolio.  The Portfolio Holder addressed 6 questions which had been submitted to him prior to the meeting:

1.      To what extent is the Climate Change Action Plan reaching and succeeding in its goals and milestones?”;

Councillor Forde listed a number of projects the Council had undertaken to achieve the goals in the Climate Change Action Plan, including solar panels on Council owned properties across multiple sites, air source heat pumps at Blidworth Leisure Centre, electric vehicles and electric gardening equipment.

2.      What do you see as priorities for next year as we move into the budget setting process?;

Councillor Forde stated that the priority areas were bin collections and green spaces. With regard to bin collections, he felt that the service was working very well in general. Work would soon begin on identifying areas of the District which would benefit from increased green spaces and play areas. Funding would be sought for this, as well as £10k for environmental education. It was also noted that a report due to be taken to Cabinet on 14 October sought approval for biodiverse greening of the entrances to communities throughout the District.

Members noted that income from kerbside glass collection was higher than anticipated, and the uptake of the garden waste recycling service had been extremely popular.

3.      Are we on track for the rollout of domestic food waste collections from 2027?;

The requisite building works on Brunel Drive had received permission and were progressing on time and within budget. It was proposed to undertake a pilot scheme, one group with biodegradable liners for the bins and another without, to see which was most popular with residents.

4.      Biodiversity and tree planting is a key strand of the Council’s Community Plan – how are we delivering?;

Over 20 thousand trees had been planted since 2020/21. A report had been commissioned to investigate the impact of the drought over summer on saplings. Biodiverse green planting at the entrance to communities was to be considered by the Cabinet, and it was hoped that five communities per year could be included in the scheme if approved. The Council also undertook ‘no mow May’ where possible and was open to extending the initiative.

5.      Reducing the Council’s carbon footprint is a key objective of the Council.  How is the Council progressing to this goal?;

Councillor Forde explained that the Council had already reduced the carbon footprint by one quarter of the ten year target set by the Carbon Trust. Further work would be undertaken where possible, but noting the move to LGR in 2028, he felt that it would be up to the new Authority to pursue.

6.      What opportunities exists as a result of LGR?

Councillor Forde believed that LGR could potentially reduce the split of responsibilities across different authorities, and may be beneficial for co-ordinated public transport across the area. He also suggested that local area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 160.

The Chair of the Out of Remit Activities Working Group, Councillor Rhona Holloway, gave an update to the Committee on progress so far.  It was anticipated that the final report would be submitted to the Committee in December.  Members also noted that Officers from Planning would attend the Committees meeting in January.

NOTED       the Forward Plan of the Cabinet for the period September to December 2025.

NOTED       the minutes from the Cabinet meetings held on 15 July and 9 September 2025.

·     Review of HRA Business Plan Assumptions

·     Customer Satisfaction Half Yearly Report

·     Q2 Financial Forecast Outturn Performance 23025/2026 – General Fund, HRA & Capital Budget

·     Q2 Community Plan Performance Report

·     Customer Feedback Report – Half One

·     Attendance at Committee by Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development

·     Attendance at Committee by Environment Agency

·     Life Chances for Girls Working Group – Recommendations

·     Newark Town Centre Masterplan & Design Code

·     Annual Review – Grant Funding Outturn

• Review of HRA Business Plan Assumptions
• Customer Satisfaction Half Yearly Report
• Q2 Financial Forecast Outturn Performance 23025/2026 – General Fund, HRA & Capital Budget
• Q2 Community Plan Performance Report
• Customer Feedback Report – Half One
• Attendance at Committee by Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development
• Attendance at Committee by Environment Agency
• Life Chances for Girls Working Group – Recommendations
• Newark Town Centre Masterplan & Design Code
• Annual Review – Grant Funding Outturn