Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

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

The minutes from the meeting held on 14 April 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair advised the Committee that he had amended the running order of the Agenda to bring forward Agenda Item No. 7 – Presentation by Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance & Finance to Agenda Item No. 5 following which the Agenda running order would resume as published.

The Committee considered the report of the Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance & Finance which sought to provide Members with an update on the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan and three of the Council’s Capital Projects: 32 Stodman Street; Ollerton and Clipstone Regeneration; and Newark Town Centre Masterplan.

Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan

It was reported that the Action Plan had been developed by a cross-party working group and had been designed to deliver on the peer team’s observations.  This had resulted in a review of the Council’s Community Plan which had been presented to full Council on 20 May 2025.  Progress of the Action Plan was to be monitored by the Senior Leadership Team. 

32 Stodman Street

The report set out the background to the project, including the rationale for the purchase of the building and how the project had been funded to-date, together with details of the reasons for the delay in completion and the need for additional grant monies. 

Levelling Up Fund 2 – Ollerton & Clipstone Regeneration Projects

The report set out the background to the project, providing details of the funding and the delays and changes experienced since it was identified by the Council and key partners as a local strategic priority in 2021/2022.  Further specific details in relation to the two regeneration project areas were provided in paragraphs 4.8 to 4.10.

Newark Town Centre Masterplan

It was reported that an in-depth update on the Masterplan had been provided at the previous meeting.  It was reported that it would provide a long-term vision for the Town, offering confidence on what would be supported and resisted together with the identification of opportunity areas for future interventions and managing physical or spatial change.  It would also inform landowner and investor decisions and could inform future interventions of the Council or potentially future grant-funding opportunities.  It was also noted that the design code would be the first of its type in a historic setting.

In considering the report and presentation, Members raised a number of queries which the Portfolio Holder responded to directly.

In closing the debate, the Chair requested regular updates in relation to the Stodman Street retail units and also what support the Council may expect going forward in relation to Local Government Reorganisation.

AGREED     that the report and presentation be noted.

The Committee considered the report of the Business Manager – Planning Policy & Infrastructure and the Ecology & Biodiversity Lead Officer which provided Members with details of the production and consultation on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) and which also sought endorsement of the Council’s proposed response to the consultation. 

The report provided the background to the establishment of the LNRS advising that NCC had been appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs on 26 June 2023 as the Responsible Authority for its preparation, publication, reviewing and re-publication.  NSDC, along with other local authorities in Nottinghamshire, the East Midlands Combined County Authority and Natural England being identified as supporting authorities.  The report noted that the LNRS must be evidence based, locally led and collaborative with details of what it must include being provided at paragraph 1.3 of the report.  The report set out the work undertaken to produce a draft LNRs together with the process for its adoption. 

In considering the report and the Council’s proposed response Members made reference to a number of issues arising therefrom. 

In relation to paragraph 5.1 of the consultation response, it was suggested that additional areas be mapped at the southern buffer zone on Lowfield Lane.  The Business Manager advised that there were 2 local wildlife sites near to that area and an assessment would be made as to whether a grassland site could also be included.

A Member queried what, if any, safeguards were in place to maintain the mapped areas within the strategy, noting that many were in private ownership.  The Ecology & Biodiversity Lead Officer advised that there was no obligation to maintain the mapping and that the landowners could request that their land be removed.  The Business Manager advised that protected areas would remain unchanged and that wildlife sites would continue to be protected locally.

A Member queried whether consideration had been given to the purchase of land to further enhance biodiversity in the district.  The Business Manager advised that a review of the Council’s landholdings in this regard was to be undertaken with a possibility of specific purchases being made in the future for such development. 

In closing the debate, the Chair requested that the Committee be kept informed as to the progression of the consultation and formal adoption of the Strategy.

AGREED     that Appendix B to the report, be recommended to Cabinet for approval as the Council’s consultation response. 

The Committee considered the report and presentation of the Business Manager – Regeneration & Housing Strategy.  The Business Manager and the Senior Regeneration Officer provided Members with details on the following: the Yorke Drive Neighbourhood Study; accelerated construction funding 2017; outline planning approval 2019; developer procurement; reserved matters – challenges and outcomes; and reserved matters approval – January 2025.  In considering the presentation Members raised a number of queries.

In relation to the impact on the population figures, a Member queried whether this would affect local schools.  The Business Manager advised that an increase was expected but that Section 106 monies would mitigate that.

In response to a query raised about the anticipated final completion date of Winter 2031, the Business Manager advised that the predominant reason for the length of time to complete the project was due to the undertaking given to residents that they would only be required to move once. 

A Member queried how confident Officers were in relation to adhering to the dates of each of the phases.  The Business Manager advised that all the necessary permissions and funding were now in place so there should be no obstacles to hinder progress. 

In closing the debate, the Chair referred to the numerous mentions of the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation, noting that the Council needed to be aware of the delivery status of all of their capital projects.  He thanked Officers for their continued efforts in ensuring that the project was achievable and requested that the Committee receive updates as to its progress.

AGREED     that the progress of the York Drive Regeneration Scheme be noted.

Councillor Jack Kellas, Leader of the Conservative Group and Cabinet Member without Portfolio will be in attendance at the next meeting of the Committee on 30 June 2025.  Members are requested to put forward any specific topic they would like Councillor Kellas to address in his report.

The Chair advised Members that the Cabinet Member without Portfolio, Councillor J Kellas, was due to attend the next meeting of the Committee on 30 June 2025.  He requested that Members forward any questions prior to the meeting in order that he could prepare his presentation accordingly.

a)          Tenant Engagement Board (three Members required)

2024/2025 Members were:

Councillors: Alice Brazier; Penny Rainbow; and Neil Ross

The Tenant Engagement Board is the forum through which the Council’s tenants can hold the Council to account for the quality of their homes and the services they received from the Council.

b)          Planning Policy Board (four* Members required)

2024/2025 Members were:

Councillors: Linda Dales; Mike Pringle; and Karen Roberts

To provide a detailed oversight and advise on the process of the Local Development Framework production.

*Previously only 3 representatives had been appointed but this was increased to 4 at Annual Council on 20.05.25.  PPIC can appoint representatives from the whole of the Council.

AGREED     that the following Members be appointed to:

a)               Tenant Engagement Board

Councillors: Alice Brazier; Penny Rainbow; and Neil Ross

b)               Planning Policy Board

Councillors: Linda Dales; Mike Pringle; Karen Roberts; and Tom Smith

NOTED        the verbal update of the Chair of the Life Chances for Girls Working Group, Councillor Karen Roberts.

NOTED        the Forward Plan of the Cabinet for the period May to August 2025.

NOTED        the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 April 2025.

Newark & Sherwood Community Lottery Annual Update

Health & Community Development Annual Update

Budget Strategy 2026/2027

Provisional Financial Outturn Report to 31 March 2025

Changes to National Recycling Policies Update

Q4 Community Plan Performance Report

Attendance at Committee by Cabinet Member without Portfolio

Attendance at Committee by Representatives of DWP

Annual Update Report on Compliance – Corporate Estate

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