Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 11 October 2022, were declared a true record and signed by the Chairman.

To answer questions submitted by Opposition Group Leaders on items on the agenda.

There were no citizens’ questions.

To answer questions submitted by citizens on the Council or its services.

There were no Opposition Group Leaders’ questions.

The report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth is attached.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)               approves the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan Preferred Approach, in so far as it relates to Rushcliffe Borough, for public consultation; and

b)               delegates authority to the Director of Development and Economic Growth to approve any minor changes required to the Planed Approach document and the evidence base prior to consultation.  

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, Councillor Upton presented the report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth outlining the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan – Preferred Options document.

Councillor Upton advised that the new Plan, prepared in collaboration with Broxtowe, Gedling and Nottingham City Councils would cover the period up to 2038.  If approved by all four Councils, Councillor Upton confirmed that the Preferred Approach document would be put out to consultation, with a final draft published during summer 2023, and then onto Government inspection later in 2023.  Cabinet noted that this Preferred Approach focused on housing and employment, although the full range of topics, detailed in paragraph 4.4 of the report would be included in the final Plan, which would go to public consultation.  Councillor Upton advised that this Preferred Approach had been scrutinised and approved by the Local Development Framework (LDF) Group

Councillor Upton confirmed that each Council would meet its own housing need, as determined by the Government’s standard method, with the exception of Nottingham City, which would meet as much as it could, and it was not proposed that the City’s unmet need would be met elsewhere in Greater Nottingham, as had previously occurred.  Cabinet was advised that Rushcliffe already had enough allocated housing sites to meet its requirement, including a significant buffer, and whilst several potential sites had been put forward by developers and landowners, Councillor Upton confirmed that there was no requirement for the allocation of any new strategic housing sites within Rushcliffe.  The anticipated housing supply in Rushcliffe from 2022 and 2038 was around 14,300 dwellings, which significantly exceeded Government targets and provided Rushcliffe with protection against any potential future housing under supply.

In respect of economic development and employment, Councillor Upton stated that an independent Employment Land Needs Study had been undertaken, with details of the estimated requirements outlined in paragraph 4.21 of the report.  It was considered that Rushcliffe already had enough sites identified in the current Local Plan, and Cabinet noted that although potential sites had been put forward, there was no justification at this time to identify any new strategic employment sites.

In conclusion, Councillor Upton referred to the importance of housing and employment issues, especially given the current national situation and stated that Rushcliffe took its responsibilities extremely seriously, hence the importance of this report.  Cabinet noted that between April 2021 and March 2022, 1,110 new homes had been built, many of which were affordable, and the current Housing Land Supply figure stood at a very healthy 8.9 years.  Councillor Upton thanked the Planning Policy Manager and his team for their hard work in delivering this significant and complex piece of work in a timely and appropriate manner.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Edyvean noted the Council’s role in developing this document and stressed the importance of also ensuring that it was for the benefit of residents in Rushcliffe.  Of significant importance was that Rushcliffe would not be required to look for any additional housing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)               endorses the work that has been successfully undertaken to insource the Streetwise operations; and

b)               monitors the delivery of savings achieved via the Transformation Strategy within the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy over the next three years.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Councillor Inglis presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods providing an update on the insourcing of Streetwise.

Councillor Inglis advised that this was a progress report following Cabinet’s decision earlier this year to the insourcing of services of Streetwise under the umbrella of Streetwise Environmental Limited and Streetwise Environmental (trading) Limited, which took effect from 1 September.  Cabinet noted that whilst still being in the early days of transition, the project had been delivered smoothly, without any loss of services and already quality had been improved in some areas with the adopted contracts.  Councillor Inglis stated that there were still legal steps to be taken to complete the process as detailed in paragraphs 4.3 and 7.2 of the report, which were anticipated to be completed in 2023.

Cabinet noted that the Business Plan to the insourcing was based on projected cost savings within the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy over three years, and Councillor Inglis referred to the pressures of the recent high rises in inflation, energy, fuel and pay, but advised that those increased costs would have still been present had Streetwise not been insourced.  The financial progress would continue to be monitored and Councillor Inglis hoped that the current development of a chargeable discretionary service would enhance further income.

Councillor Inglis referred to the open and regular communication with staff, including the creation of a Staff Working Group, which had proved very successful, and it would continue, with all positive feedback being shared to encourage the drive towards even greater service quality.

Cabinet noted that assets have been reviewed and negotiated and where appropriate disposals had been made in the streamlining process, for example the leased secondary depot at Sproxton.

In conclusion Councillor Inglis considered that the insourcing process was working effectively and on track to meet all of the Council’s Corporate Priorities and thanked officers for their hard work during the transition period.  Whilst visiting the depot and liaising with staff, Councillor Inglis was pleased to note that the move had been welcomed and supported by them.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Moore referred to the considerable discussions on this issue and considered that the correct decision had been made to bring Streetwise operations in house and it was pleasing to note that the operation was running smoothly.  Councillor Moore reiterated the thanks given by Councillor Inglis and asked for those thanks to be passed on to the team.  Councillor Moore noted the financial comments detailed in paragraph 7.1 of the report and referred to current financial pressures, which he agreed were not due to Streetwise being insourced.  Councillor Moore sought clarification on Recommendation B and asked how the financial monitoring would take place.

The Director – Finance and Corporate Services confirmed that processes were in place to comprehensively record both performance and the budget going forward.  Streetwise would be included in the quarterly Budget Monitoring reports, in the Medium Term Financial Strategy, which would be considered by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet endorsed:

a)               the recommended alterations to the directorship of Rushcliffe Enterprises Ltd (REL);

b)               the recommendation to remove the current company secretary; and

c)               the recommendation not to appoint another company secretary until such time as this became necessary

The Leader, Councillor Robinson, presented the report of the Chief Executive outlining proposals to simplify the structure of Rushcliffe Enterprises Ltd (REL).

Councillor Robinson stated that this item followed on from the previous item, and advised that REL currently had four directors, which included three members, plus the Chief Executive and a company secretary.  Cabinet noted that it was the sole shareholder of both the Streetwise trading companies, and it was now sensible to make this company dormant and to release the legal obligations.  Councillor Robinson advised that if needed, the company could be made live again and used as a trading entity and so it was sensible to leave it dormant.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Edyvean reiterated that this was a procedural matter linked to the previous item and agreed that it was prudent to leave REL dormant.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet endorsed:

a)               the recommended alterations to the directorship of Rushcliffe Enterprises Ltd (REL);

b)               the recommendation to remove the current company secretary; and

c)               the recommendation not to appoint another company secretary until such time as this became necessary

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)               acknowledges the need for an additional local community venue for hire within the Sharphill Woods SUE to serve the emerging community following an internal review of community provision; and

b)               approves the allocation of £0.5m in the Capital Programme for 2023/24 to develop a local community venue for hire within the Sharphill Woods SUE to meet the future needs of the area.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change, Councillor Brennan, presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods outlining proposals for a new Edwalton Community Building.

Councillor Brennan advised that the report provided an update on the Sharphill Woods Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) and provision of local community spaces for hire within the development to meet the needs of new residents and to compliment the wider community space for hire. 

Councillor Brennan stated that the SUE, which was currently being developed comprised around 1,500 dwellings, employment land, local amenities, and a primary school with integrated community facilities.  There were two primary schools within the SUE, Edwalton Primary and the new Rosecliffe Primary School, with the latter containing a joint use community element to meet the needs of the emerging community. 

Cabinet was advised that to meet the educational needs of the school and to safeguard the children, it would not be possible for local groups to use this shared community space during the day and therefore a review of available community venues had been undertaken, and it was concluded that there was a need for a smaller hall for daytime use to cater for groups up to 40 people.  In consultation with the developer, Councillor Brennan confirmed that a site had been identified for an accessible community facility, with pedestrian links to Sharphill Woods and other local amenities.  Reference was made to the key requirements for the new facility highlighted in Paragraphs 4.14 and 4.15 of the report, including a commitment that the facility should align with the Council’s carbon reduction targets, and Cabinet was advised that the indicative plans appended to the report showed that the facility would essentially be carbon net zero.

In respect of the ownership and management of the site, Councillor Brennan confirmed that Cabinet was being asked to make provision for the building costs of £0.5m, the developers would construct the building and then donate it to the Council for ongoing maintenance and management, as detailed in paragraphs 4.16 and 7 of the report. 

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Upton referred to the size of the SUE and the importance of having a local community building.  Councillor Upton stated that it was unfortunate that the joint use community agreement for the facilities at the new school prevented community use during school hours due to safeguarding issues, which was understandable; however, the proposed community building should provide a first class facility for all local residents.  Councillor Upton welcomed the proposed location, liked the indicative building design, and concluded by stating that becoming carbon neutral by 2030 would be a challenge but considered it to be achievable.

Councillor Robinson stressed the need for this building and confirmed that the proposed design had been considered at four meetings of the Sharphill Stakeholder Group and welcomed the positive local input, including the Friends of Sharphill.  Councillor Robinson advised that plans had been amended to meet community requirements and it was noted that the large school hall would still  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.