Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor A Freeman declared an Other Registerable Interest in Agenda Item No. 8 – Life Chances for Girls - Final Report and Recommendations as a Chair of the Board of Directors for Active4Today.

The minutes from the meeting held on 1 December 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Transformation & Service Improvement which sought to update Members on the progress made through the review of the Council’s Equality, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EEDI) Strategy with the revised Strategy being attached as Appendix A to the report.

It was reported that the Council must maintain a current EEDI Strategy in order to comply with legal duties under the Equality Act 2010; to demonstrate its commitment to fairness and inclusion.  Following a recent audit of how the Council delivered services in alignment with the Equality Act 2010, it was noted that whilst meeting statutory requirements and all appropriate activities taking place, there were gaps documenting this with the appropriate policies and procedures.  A targeted action plan was produced with an overview of this being attached as Appendix B to the report, noting that the actions within the plan had been completed.

In considering the action plan, a Member sought further information in relation to Recommendation 5 – Review the Council’s buildings and assess their accessibility against good practice; and Recommendation 6 – Review toilet facilities across the estate following the supreme court ruling.  In response the Business Manager advised that all Council assets were accessible except for older buildings, citing the Palace Theatre.  This, however, provided access to lifts to enable accessibility.  In relation to toilet facilities, all signage was now compliant following the supreme court ruling.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

a)            the changes made to the Council’s EEDI approach be noted; and

b)            the revised Strategy be endorsed and recommended to Cabinet for approval.

Councillor S Hayes entered the meeting shortly after the presentation of the above item began and therefore did not take part in the debate or voting thereon.

The Committee considered the report jointly presented by the Business Manager – Customer Services and the Senior Transformation & Service Improvement Officer which sought to provided Members with a summary of customer feedback in order to better understand how the customer was receiving the services delivered.

The report set out an overview of all types of customer feedback received between April and September 2025, including complaints, suggestions and compliments.

In considering the report, a Member noted that the majority of complaints were in relation to housing maintenance works.  Officers advised that the newly appointed Business Manager was aware of the issues and had restructured his team in order to closely monitor the situation. 

In relation to complaints received within Housing & Estates Management, it was noted that the most frequent category of complaints was poor quality work/service/ repair.  In acknowledging this a Member queried whether this was due to the works being outsourced.  Officers advised that they would provide a written response.

Members noted that the Ombudsman had widely promoted the way in which complaints could be made and that this had likely led to an increase in the numbers lodged.

In summarising the debate, the Chair requested that further information be provided to a future meeting of the Committee in relation to the progression of complaints from Stage 1 to Stage 2.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

a)            the Customer Feedback Half Year 1 report be noted; and

b)            reports to a future meeting of the Committee be provided in relation to:

i)          progression of complaints from Stage 1 to Stage 2; and

ii)         further detail behind the most frequent complaint category of poor-quality work/service/repairs.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development, Councillor Claire Penny. 

As detailed in the report, the Portfolio Holder had been invited to attend Committee to respond verbally to six specific queries as at paragraph 2.2.

In relation to how the Council ensured that our area was prioritised for investment and resources to deliver economic growth, Councillor Penny advised that the Council had assisted in developing the framework for growth by providing evidence.  Work had also been undertaken to ensure that the Council’s strategy matched that of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, which included those areas which had been previously overlooked.  The Council were proactive at applying for funding pots and had submitted three bids.  Two of the bids had been successful with funding being granted of £4.25m.  It was also hoped that a third would also be supported.

In relation to what the Council were doing to support town centres, Councillor Penny acknowledged the challenges recently faced citing the cost-of-living crisis and the covid pandemic.  She noted that there had been a change in approach to how town centres were assisted with a move away from a retail only focus to now include leisure provision, open spaces, community led projects together with residential and hospitality.  She advised that the Council provided free planning advice for key town centre sites, there was provision of discretionary rate relief to support new retailers and also charitable and community organisations.  A number of capital projects had been instigated across the district and campaigns to promote retailers were also undertaken.  Grant funding was also provided to restore historical shop fronts.  There were active business forums within the district and an improved way in which to measure footfall had been launched all of which were done to support the district’s town centres and high streets.

In relation to how the Council promoted the district to attract visitors, Councillor Penny noted that the area had a strong tourism offer.  A project entitled the Rebel Rangers Tour had been instigated by Newark & Sherwood and involved other local authorities throughout the county.  The tour enabled a person to visit a variety of locations and would promote the district as a whole rather than visiting a single point of interest in isolation.  Work was also ongoing with the improvement and promotion of the district’s green spaces and work was continuing with the Castle Gatehouse Project.  She also advised that there had been a Happy Families promotion to encourage visitors and noted the continuing work of the Tourism Action Group, which included the promotion of the district both regionally and nationally.  Councillor Penny also referred to the success of the shopper’s gift card.

In relation to how the Council were supporting people with health issues into employment or training, Councillor Penny advised that much of this work was undertaken by partner organisations with the Council’s role being that of influencing the project’s direction, of supporting the projects and of providing funding.  The work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 182.

Councillor P. Rainbow left the meeting during discussion of the previous item and therefore did not take part in the vote thereon.

The Committee considered the report presented by Councillor K. Roberts, Chair of the Life Chances for Girls Working Group, which sought to provide Members with an update and the findings of the work of the group. 

The report provided a comprehensive overview of the work undertaken and those Members and Officers who had contributed.  The remit and three key aims of the group were detailed at paragraph 1.1 of the report with Appendix 3 listing the 20 recommendations together with a narrative as to the reasoning behind them. 

In considering the report, the Chair thanked all those who participated, noting that the group had generated a great deal of conversation from both Members and Officers.

Members of the group spoke of what they had taken from their work.  It was acknowledged that every effort must be made to promote feelings of self-worth in children and that this should be done at an early age; and that misogyny in all its forms must be ‘called out’ on a daily basis, with Members agreeing that attitudes towards women and girls must change.

AGREED     (unanimously) that:

a)           the findings and recommendations of the Working Group be noted; and

b)          the recommendations as outlined in Appendix 3 to the report be endorsed.

NOTED       the Forward Plan of the Cabinet for the period December 2025 to March 2026.

a)   11 November 2025

b)   26 November 2025

NOTED       the Cabinet Minutes from the meetings held on:

                   11 November 2025; and

                   26 November 2025

·     General Fund Capital Programme 2026/2027-2029/2030

·     General Fund Medium Term Financial Plan 2026/2027-2029/2030

·     General Fund Revenue Budget 2026/2027

·     Q3 Community Plan Performance Report

·     Presentation by Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing & Leisure

·     Planning Infrastructure – Overview of Projects and Commitments

·     Newark Town Centre Masterplan and Design Code

·     Q3 Housing Compliance Performance Report

• General Fund Capital Programme 2026/2027-2029/2030
• General Fund Medium Term Financial Plan 2026/2027-2029/2030
• General Fund Revenue Budget 2026/2027
• Q3 Community Plan Performance Report
• Presentation by Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing & Leisure
• Planning Infrastructure – Overview of Projects and Commitments
• Newark Town Centre Masterplan and Design Code
• Q3 Housing Compliance Performance Report