Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 13 March 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  

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

Question from Councillor A MacInnes to Councillor S Robinson

“What plans are being made for training on commercialism for backbench members who have a general interest in the subject but particularly for the benefit of members of the Corporate Governance Group who have an increasing responsibility for the scrutiny of newly acquired investment properties and the management of the Asset Investment Strategy?”  

Councillor Robinson responded by stating that the Member Development Group at its next meeting would consider training and development needs for the year 2018/19. Councillor Robinson also stated that any additional needs that had arisen from the Corporate Peer Challenge were incorporated in the action plan and therefore would be considered so that appropriate training could be arranged.

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

There were no citizens’ questions.

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

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the Council’s guidance, as set out at Appendix 1 of the officer’s report, for determining applications for a reduction in council tax for persons leaving care and living in the Borough be approved an implemented with  effect from 1 April 2018.

b)    authority be delegated to the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services, to determine applications for discretionary reduction in council tax under section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in relation to persons leaving care and living in the Borough of Rushcliffe in accordance with the guidance as set out at Appendix 1 of the officer’s report.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services which proposed to introduce a discretionary Care Leavers’ Council Tax Reduction Scheme to supplement the Council’s existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

It was proposed that the Care Leavers’ Council Tax Reduction Scheme would provide a reduction up to 100% where a care leaver had liability for council tax within the Borough which would remain in place until the care leaver turned 21.

The Portfolio Holder explained that The Children and Social Work Act 2017 confirmed the “corporate parent” statutory role of the Council and therefore believed that the Council had a duty to offer this proposed support to a recognised group of vulnerable people. 

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Upton stated that the introduction of the Care Leavers’ Council Tax Reduction Scheme would help a vulnerable group of people who were currently going through a difficult transition from being financially supported by the County Council to living independently. 

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the Council’s guidance, as set out at Appendix 1 of the officer’s report, for determining applications for a reduction in council tax for persons leaving care and living in the Borough be approved and implemented with  effect from 1 April 2018.

b)    authority be delegated to the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services, to determine applications for discretionary reduction in council tax under section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in relation to persons leaving care and living in the Borough of Rushcliffe in accordance with the guidance as set out at Appendix 1 of the officer’s report.

Reason for decisions

The Council has a corporate parenting responsibility and it is considered that this reduction in council tax contributes to the fulfilment of this role.

The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the draft Off Street Car Parking Strategy, as detailed at Appendix B of the officer’s report be approved.

b)    the Executive Manager - Neighbourhoods be delegated authority to make minor amendments to the strategy, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to ensure the technical and legal accuracy of the document during its lifespan.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community and Leisure presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods. The Deputy Leader advised that an off street car parking strategy had been developed in order to contribute to the economic prosperity of the Borough. It was also noted that the strategy had been developed through a comprehensive analysis of the off street parking supply and demand in Rushcliffe as well as the parking experience of local residents, businesses and visitors to the Borough’s towns and rural areas.  It was noted that the Draft Off Street Parking Strategy had previously been presented to Community Development Group in February 2017 and that the strategy had been changed where applicable to reflect their input in the consultation process. The Portfolio Holder was pleased to note that provision had been made for electric and hybrid vehicles and motorcycles.

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Moore advised that it was important to note that the strategy would be ‘a living document’ and therefore would be flexible and adaptable to change, especially with the future implementation of the Local Plan Part 2 which would increase the demand of off street parking in the villages within the Borough.

Councillor Robinson was pleased to note that the Council was committed to reducing the environmental impact of travel across the Borough including reducing CO2 emissions, Nitrogen oxide air pollution and lowering levels of congestion, while encouraging active travel for shorter car journeys and improving residents’ health and well-being.

Councillor Upton was pleased to see that the off street car parking strategy covered all aspects of parking, and included a review of parking for electric and hybrid vehicles and the role of mobile and contactless payment systems. Councillor Upton also noted that payment on exit could be a future option for residents which would encourage longer shopping trips and greater spend.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the draft Off Street Car Parking Strategy, as detailed at Appendix B of the officer’s report be approved.

b)    the Executive Manager - Neighbourhoods be delegated authority to make minor amendments to the strategy, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to ensure the technical and legal accuracy of the document during its lifespan.

Reason for decisions

To enable the Council to be able to continue to deliver effective and efficient off street car parking provision.

The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    subject to the agreement and completion of appropriate legal documentation to safeguard the Council’s position, the proposal made by Parkwood Leisure Ltd to subcontract the delivery of leisure service to Lex Leisure CIC be approved.

b)    the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods and the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Leisure, be delegated authority to finalise the required legal variations to effect this change.

c)     Lex Leisure CIC brings a report to an appropriate Scrutiny Committee of the Council within the first six months of its operation in respect of both financial and community outcomes and benefits.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community and Leisure presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods. The Deputy Leader explained that the Council had agreed to permit Parkwood Leisure Limited to sub-contract the delivery of leisure services to Parkwood Community Leisure, a non-profit distributing organisation. It was noted that the Council had since received a proposal from Parkwood Leisure Ltd to vary the contract to replace the non-profit distributing organisation with a Community Interest Company operating model. It was noted that if approved by Cabinet, Parkwood Leisure Limited would end their sub contract arrangements with the non-profit distributing organisation and transfer staff and undertakings under a new sub-contract with Lex Leisure CIC.

The Deputy Leader noted that the advantages of a Community Interest Company included the ability for profits being reinvested into the community. It was also noted that Lex Leisure were particularly keen to provide activities for those with physical and mental health disabilities who currently faced difficulties that limited their ability to access leisure, physical activities and sporting opportunities.  The Deputy Leader noted that Parkwood Leisure Ltd had offered the Council an incentive of up to £70,000 in year one and £120,000 per year thereafter to ensure that the Council would be able to deliver its leisure strategy objectives.

The Deputy Leader proposed an additional recommendation to those included in the officer’s report which proposed that an appropriate scrutiny committee should scrutinise the work of Lex Leisure in terms of financial and community outcomes within the first six months of operation. The Deputy Leader believed that this would make the Council more transparent in its decision making.

In seconding the recommendation Councillor Edyvean noted that even though there were concerns raised by Councillors that Community Interest Companies were VAT exempt he was reassured that this exemption meant that these types of companies could reinvest their profits into facilities and to reach out to those who may currently struggle to access suitable leisure facilities.

Councillor Robinson reiterated the importance of empowering scrutiny to analyse the financial and community outcomes of Lex Leisure and stated that it was important to note that the Council’s primary contract arrangement would remain with Parkwood Leisure Ltd and that they would retain all liability for the delivery of the contract and the actions of the proposed sub-contractor.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    subject to the agreement and completion of appropriate legal documentation to safeguard the Council’s position, the proposal made by Parkwood Leisure Ltd to subcontract the delivery of leisure services to Lex Leisure CIC be approved.

b)    the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods and the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Leisure, be delegated authority to finalise the required legal variations to effect this change.

c)    Lex Leisure CIC brings a report to an appropriate Scrutiny Committee of the Council within the first six months of its operation in respect of both financial and community outcomes and benefits.

Reason for decision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the Corporate Peer Challenged as detailed at Appendix 1 of the officer’s report be noted.

b)    the Corporate Peer Challenge report be utilised as a key document to drive forward the future priorities, resource utilisation and culture of Rushcliffe Borough Council.

c)     the Action Plan as detailed at Appendix 2 of the officer’s report be approved.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership presented the report of the Chief Executive. The report presented the final report from the Corporate Peer Challenge that had been conducted from 31 January – 2 February 2018.

The Leader was keen to express that the aim of the Corporate Peer Challenge was to add improvement and value to the Council. The Leader explained that the Corporate Peer Challenge Team had consisted of peers who had used their experience and knowledge of local government to reflect on the information presented by the staff and councillors that they met, the practices that had been seen and the material that they had read. It was noted that over the period of three days the peers spoke to 90 participants including Rushcliffe Borough Council staff, Councillors and external partners and stakeholders.  

The Leader noted that the attached action plan to the report outlined methods to address the recommendations made by the Corporate Peer Challenge Team. The Leader stated that the action plan included actions to improve engagement with Nottinghamshire County Council and to review pay, reward and progression packages.

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Mason stated that she was appreciative of the open process of the Corporate Peer Challenge and that it was important for the Council to take advantage of the positive experience of the Corporate Peer Challenge.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the Corporate Peer Challenged as detailed at Appendix 1 of the officer’s report be noted.

b)    the Corporate Peer Challenge report be utilised as a key document to drive forward the future priorities, resource utilisation and culture of Rushcliffe Borough Council.

c)    the Action Plan as detailed at Appendix 2 of the officer’s report be approved.

Reason for decisions

To ensure that the Council continues to act in the best interests of its residents whilst utilising and building out capacity, to maximise the outcomes stated within the corporate plan, working towards becoming sustainable, whilst also delivering significant growth with a clear and exciting vision for the Borough.