Agenda, decisions and minutes

Link to further information in the Council’s Constitution

There were no declarations of interest made.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 11 July 2023 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

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

There were no citizens’ questions.

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

Question from Councillor J Walker to Councillor Upton

“Why was the Strategic Distribution and Logistics Preferred Approach not part of the original consultation in January 2023 and how much will with this new consultation cost the Council?”

Councillor Upton thanked Councillor Walker for her question and responded by stating that strategic distribution was never intended to be included as part of the January consultation, as the logistics study was only completed in August 2022, and officers then needed to undertake a significant amount of sites assessment work, which was always going to go beyond January 2023.  There was therefore a benefit in going out to consultation in January, without the strategic distribution and logistics, rather than wait, to keep the overall Plan preparation timetable, and that had proved to be the case.  The new proposed consultation, which was subject to approval by Cabinet this evening would not incur any additional costs to the Council, beyond those already budgeted for.

Councillor Walker asked a supplementary question to Councillor Upton.

“Was this always the intention to come through this way or was it decided after January to undertake the second consultation?”

Councillor Upton responded by stating that the review of the Local Development Plan was an extremely long process, so a timeline had been set, and he considered that to try and consult on everything in one consultation would be too complicated and was content with the process that was being followed. 

Question from Councillor Birch to Councillor Inglis

“Could you please inform residents how many times the Conservative Party have ever brought motions to Council with regards to Bingham's parking?”

Councillor Inglis responded by stating that as the leading Group, the Conservative Group would not bring a motion, it would bring a report on such a matter, as it had in particular on the agenda this evening, and he confirmed that no motions had been brought to Council on this issue.

Councillor Birch asked a supplementary question to Councillor Inglis

“Given that in 2019, the Conservative Party, including the Rushcliffe Conservative Party held the majority on Rushcliffe Borough Council, Bingham Town Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council, in other words, all four councils that could conceivably be necessary to help build a new car park, why did the Rushcliffe Conservatives not seek a solution to the car parking crisis in Bingham when it had the chance?”   

Councillor Inglis responded by stating that there was considerable history related to the provision of this car park and the feasibility of it all.  Councillor Inglis confirmed that Bingham Town Council had taken full ownership of, and Rushcliffe Borough Council had not been invited to get involved.

The report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

It was RESOLVED that the report be approved, and that:

a)               the expected revenue budget efficiency for the year of £0.55m and proposals to earmark the for cost pressure (paragraph 4.1of the report) be noted;

b)               the capital budget efficiencies of £6,457m be noted; and

c)                the expected outturn position for Special Expenses to be £6.5k over budget (paragraph 4.5 of the report) be noted.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Virdi presented the report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services, which set out the budget position for revenue and capital as at 30 June 2023.

Councillor Virdi stated that given the various financial challenges faced by the Council, the overall position was relatively positive, and it was noted that the report had been considered by the Corporate Overview Group, with no significant issues arising.

In respect of revenue, Councillor Virdi confirmed that there was an overall revenue budget efficiency of £0.55m, with the key issues relating to that highlighted in Table 1 of the report.  Cabinet was advised that whilst there were some adverse variances, in particular as a result of a one off legal property dispute, Streetwise operations and the Crematorium, action was being taken to ensure that the financial profile for those improved.  In respect of Streetwise, reducing vehicle hire charges was being investigated, and at the Crematorium ways to increase usage and revisiting charges also were being looked at.  Councillor Virdi referred to Paragraphs 4.9 and 4.10 of the report, which detailed the pay and inflationary pressures faced by the Council, together with the cost of living crisis, which would affect the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy and budgetary planning process going forward.  However, Cabinet noted that on a more positive note, Business Rate income was higher than budgeted, which had helped to offset some of the variances.

In respect of capital, Councillor Virdi referred to the key variances in relation to the Capital Programme, with an estimated underspend of £6.457m, with details of those particular areas highlighted in Paragraph 4.7 of the report.   

Councillor Virdi referred to Paragraph 4.5 of the report and to Appendix E, relating to the Special Expenses budget, which showed a £6.5k variance, which had primarily been in relation to costs incurred from a traveller encampment.   

Councillor Virdi concluded by reminding Cabinet that this was early in the financial year, with the Council continuing to face many risks and challenges, and it was imperative that it continued to keep a tight control on finances, remain resilient and manage its sustainability.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor J Wheeler referred to the importance of properly scrutinising finances and referred to the difficult position being faced by many other councils, and it was pleasing that Rushcliffe was in a strong financial position.  It was acknowledged that changes occurred, with projects moving during the year and it was reassuring that the report detailed how those projects would be delivered going forward.

It was RESOLVED that the report be approved, and that:

a)               the expected revenue budget efficiency for the year of £0.55m and proposals to earmark the for cost pressure (paragraph 4.1of the report) be noted;

b)               the capital budget efficiencies of £6,457m be noted; and

c)                the expected outturn position for Special Expenses to be £6.5k over budget (paragraph 4.5 of the report) be noted.

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

It is was RESOLVED that:

a)               the Greater Nottingham Strategic Distribution and Logistics Preferred Approach, be approved, in so far as it relates to Rushcliffe Borough, for public consultation; and

b)               the Director for Development and Economic Growth be granted delegated authority to approve any minor changes required to the Preferred 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, which outlined the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan: Strategic Distribution and Logistics Preferred Approach.

Councillor Upton advised that Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe Borough Councils, together with Nottingham City Council were preparing a revised Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan (GNSP), which, when adopted for Rushcliffe, would replace the Local Plan Part 1: Core Strategy.  Cabinet was advised that in January all four councils undertook a preferred approach consultation, which focused on housing and employment need, with the results still being analysed.  The councils were now seeking approval to undertake an additional six week consultation to focus on strategic distribution and logistics.

As previously stated this evening, Councillor Upton advised that it had not been considered appropriate to combine the strategic distribution and logistics consultation with the earlier one, as the report from the specialist consultant had not been received until August 2022, and officers had needed significant time to undertake site assessments before the consultation. Cabinet noted that if both consultations had been combined, it would have delayed the Plan preparation timetable.

Councillor Upton advised that the consultants’ report had concluded that there was a residual need of 131-147 hectares of strategic logistics land required across the wider study area, and a Call for Sites exercise was undertaken, with 10 sites identified in Rushcliffe, details of which were highlighted in Appendix 2 of the report.  A two stage assessment was undertaken, and Councillor Upton advised that two sites were considered possible within Rushcliffe, the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station site and the Nottingham Gateway site.  Following further detailed assessment, it was proposed that two sites should be allocated; the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station site for up to 180,000 sq.m, and the former Bennerley Coal Disposal Point within Broxtowe Borough. Cabinet was reminder that the Power Station site already had planning consent following the adoption of the Local Development Order (LDO), which included up to 180,000 sq.m of storage and distribution.

Councillor Upton concluded by advising that subject to approval by all four councils, the consultation would take place in late September or early October 2023, and the responses would be included in the preparation of the final draft of the revised Strategic Plan.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Inglis referred to the emotive issue of strategic distribution and logistics location and their effect on the surrounding landscape; nevertheless, he considered that a modern economy needed those facilities, and the review of the Local Plan Part 1 had included strategic distribution and logistics within it.  Councillor Inglis referred to the conclusions of the specialist consultants that there was a need for more provision in the GNSP area, and noted the two sites, which had been identified and put forward.  Councillor Inglis supported the inclusion of the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station site, as it was part of the Freeport and it had recently been granted an LDO and he hoped going forward  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

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

It was RESOLVED that:

a)               work completed to date to support Bingham Town Council’s ambition for a new long-stay car park for the town be recognised;  

b)               the challenges presented by Network Rail’s current lack of support for the scheme and the delay this presents to delivering a long-stay car park at the preferred site be recognised;

c)               the next steps as outlined in the report (paragraph 4.32), as a short-term solution to improve town centre parking, which could become a long-term solution if successful be supported;

d)               concurrently to c), the Director for Development and Economic Growth be asked to work with Bingham Town Council to progress an outline business case for a long-stay car park at the Butt Field site, subject to the caveats set out in paragraph 4.36 of the report, the outcome to be brought back to Cabinet; and

e)               a Bingham Car Park Strategy Group be set up to comprise membership from Rushcliffe Borough Council, Bingham Town Council and Nottinghamshire County Council as set out in the Terms of Reference in paragraph 4.40 of the report.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Councillor Inglis presented the report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth, which provided an update on car parking in Bingham.

Councillor Inglis thanked the Director – Development and Economic Growth and the Corporate and Commercial Properties Officer for the excellent report, which provided a very detailed and comprehensive overview of the history and current position of car parking in Bingham.

Councillor Inglis advised that parking provision was a statutory responsibility of the Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) and stated that Bingham Town Council (BTC) had full ownership of their long-term car park, with Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) owning and operating three public, town centre car parks, with 165 spaces, operated by NCC.  Cabinet was advised that BTC had approached RBC in July 2022 requesting some project support to help its long-term ambition, arising from its 2015 Parking Strategy and the 2018 Bingham Masterplan to a perceived need for addition car parking for Bingham on a potential site owned by it.  RBC had agreed to help with £25k funding and officer support, and the partnership work had been ongoing since then.

Councillor Inglis stated that significant challenges with key stakeholders needed to be overcome, especially Network Rail, which would be a key factor to gaining its support for a new long-stay car park and for a Business Plan to support the viability of such a project when, surprisingly, and also appreciating the car parking issues, the data suggested in Paragraph 4.4 of the report that Bingham already had twice as many parking spaces per resident than West Bridgford and more than Cotgrave, Radcliffe and Keyworth.

The recommendation to establish a Strategy Group was welcomed by Councillor Inglis as a way forward in consolidating NCC, RBC and BTC working together to find both short and longer term solutions, and to maximise the parking provision for everyone across the whole town. 

Councillor Inglis concluded by referring to the work already undertaken by BTC and in particular the Town Clerk, Jo Riddle, and all that she had done so far.  Cabinet was reminded that there were no easy solutions or answers, with many hurdles to overcome, and it was hoped that by accepting this report the project would be taken further.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Brennan reiterated previous comments, thanked officers and reminded Cabinet that at a previous meeting she had referred to the complexity of this issue, and the need for positive engagement with a number of partners.  Councillor Brennan stated that the report clearly showed that a great deal of work had already taken place, and this was now an era of positive cooperation with all stakeholders, which was welcomed.  It was acknowledged that problems remained with some key partners, and it was a complex issue, with no easy solutions; however, the report set out some very positive ways forward, with clear action points to agree.

Councillor Clarke referred to the many hurdles to be overcome and stated that he was very  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To move “That under Regulation 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972”.

It was resolved that under Regulation 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that the contents of the report, which includes a financial impact to the Council, which is reported in the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2023/24 – Financial Update Quarter 1 report be noted.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Virdi presented the report of the Chief Executive, which provided an update on a property transaction 

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Virdi and seconded by Councillor Brennan.

It was RESOLVED that the contents of the report, which includes a financial impact to the Council, which is reported in the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2023/24 – Financial Update Quarter 1 report be noted.