Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10 July 2018 were declared a true record and were signed by the Chairman.

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

There were no questions.

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

There were no questions.

It was RESOLVED that:  

a)    officers undertake the necessary work to submit an outline planning application for housing on the Abbey Road site, accompanied by a design code.

b)    dependent on an appropriate planning permission for the site being secured, the Deputy Chief Executive be delegated authority to undertake a marketing exercise for the disposal of the site with the benefit of a planning permission for housing.

c)     a report on the results of the marketing exercise and detailing any other options for the Council to consider with regards the future development of the site be submitted to a future meeting of Cabinet.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Economic Growth presented the report of the Executive Manager – Transformation which provided information on the work undertaken by officers to vacate the Council’s Abbey Road site in West Bridgford in order that it could made be available for potential housing development to assist with the supply of housing within the Borough. The report did not seek approval to dispose the site but sought approval for officers to put together a scheme for a potential housing development which could then be marketed, with the results of the marketing exercise considered by Cabinet at a future date. It was noted that delivery of housing on the Abbey Road site would assist with the five year housing land supply and would also provide a capital receipt for the Council that would assist in the costs to provide the depot services from alternative sites. It was also noted that the Abbey Road site was designated as a brownfield site and as such was not included in the Local Plan Part 2.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Business in moving the recommendations was pleased to note that the Council had secured £300,000 of Homes England Land Release Funding for the Abbey Road site and that the funding allocated to the Council could be used to prepare the Abbey Road site for disposal or development.

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Mason noted that a vision was now being created for the Abbey Road site. Councillor Mason was pleased that the development of housing on the site would assist with the Council’s 5 year housing supply and that the redevelopment of the Abbey Road site would also help deliver further economic growth within the Borough and therefore would help the Council achieve its corporate priorities.   

Councillor Robinson noted that the funding secured from Homes England was specifically allocated to local authorities who were in a position to release land for housing by March 2020 and so it was vital that officers were given the permission to undertake the necessary work to submit an outline planning application otherwise the funding could be lost. It was also noted that as the site was listed on the Council’s brownfield register, it was already deemed to be a developable and suitable site for housing. 

It was RESOLVED that: 

a)    officers undertake the necessary work to submit an outline planning application for housing on the Abbey Road site, accompanied by a design code.

b)    dependent on an appropriate planning permission for the site being secured, the Deputy Chief Executive be delegated authority to undertake a marketing exercise for the disposal of the site with the benefit of a planning permission for housing.

c)     a report on the results of the marketing exercise and detailing any other options for the Council to consider with regards the future development of the site be submitted to a future meeting of Cabinet.

REASON FOR DECISION

To enable officers to explore the feasibility of the Abbey Road site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Report to follow.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    in accordance with the motion passed at Council on 27 September 2018, the Chief Executive facilitates the ongoing lobbying of Central Government in order to raise the impact of the lack of delivery of key strategic sites is having on Rushcliffe communities and the Council’s ability to achieve the Local Plan Part 1.

b)    the Chief Executive takes the necessary actions to facilitate delivery the Gamston Strategic Allocation in whole or part.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Waste Management presented the report of the Executive Manager – Communities which provided wan update on the current 5 year housing supply position in Rushcliffe and the reasoning and impacts of that current position following the motion that was agreed at Full Council on 27 September 2018 (Council Minute No. 28 2018/19).

The report noted that there had been difficulties and obstacles in accelerating the delivery of housing sites in order to meet the current projected five-year housing supply. Due to these circumstances the report sought Cabinet’s endorsement for a review of Rushcliffe’s current housing target to take place through appropriate channels for work to continue in order to accelerate  and progress the Gamston strategic allocation.

It in moving the recommendations the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Waste Management noted that there was a number of reasons why the development of the site at Gamston had been delayed including that Nottinghamshire County Council had not formally engaged with other private landowners in order to bring forward an outline planning application for consideration. It was also noted that delivery of housing on the Gamston site was critical for in order for the Borough to achieve its overall housing target and to establish its 5-year housing supply that would strengthen the Council’s position in resisting speculative residential developments in other parts of the Borough.

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Edyvean advised that if landowners and developers did not build on allocated sites then the Council should not be held fully responsible for dealing with consequences of this inactivity by having to allocate further housing sites.  

Councillor Mason noted that the development of the site at Gamston was crucial for residents and for the Council to attain a five-year housing supply. Councillor Robinson highlighted that a consequence of the Council not having a five-year housing supply was that the Council had received a number of large scale  housing development applications in areas where development was not sustainable due to lack of infrastructure, such as in East Leake. Councillor Robinson noted that despite the Council trying to resist these developments, a number of planning appeals had been lost on the basis that the Council could not demonstrate a 5-year housing supply.  Councillor Moore reiagreed with the comments of Councillor Robinson and noted that the facilities in the village of East Leake were not able to keep up with the amount of unplanned growth. Councillor Moore stated that it was therefore, essential for the Council to take the necessary steps to progress the Gamston Strategic Allocation.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    in accordance with the motion passed at Council on 27 September 2018, the Chief Executive facilitates the ongoing lobbying of Central Government in order to raise the impact of the lack of delivery of key strategic sites is having on Rushcliffe communities and the Council’s ability to achieve the Local Plan Part 1.

b)    the Chief Executive takes the necessary actions to facilitate delivery the Gamston  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

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

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the projected revenue position for the year,  with a minor 0.6% variation (£63,000) in the revenue position (due to the expected business rates position), be noted.

b)    the capital underspend of £10,237,000 as a result of capital scheme re-phasing and projected savings, be noted.

The Portfolio Holder for finance presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services which provided the Council’s budget position for revenue and capital as of 31 July 2018. It was noted that the report was considered by the Corporate Governance Group on 20 September 2018 with no significant issues raised.

The report noted that the financial position of the Council was relatively stable with revenue efficiencies and additional grant income of £98,000 offset by a slightly worse than anticipated business rates position of £161,000. It was also noted that the Council had a net position of £63,000 that represented a 0.6% variation against the net expenditure budget.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance in moving the recommendations, noted that Streetwise had incurred costs of £56,000 that was primarily due to the increase of fly tipping, that planning applications had generated £75,000 of income, and the green waste bin scheme had generated £40,000 of income. The Portfolio Holder praised the finance team thanked the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services for ensuring that the financial position of the Council was stable.

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Mason praised the Council’s budget position for revenue and capital and believed that the Council was in a good position to deal with challenges in the future.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the projected revenue position for the year,  with a minor 0.6% variation (£63,000) in the revenue position (due to the expected business rates position), be noted.

b)    the capital underspend of £10,237,000 as a result of capital scheme re-phasing and projected savings, be noted.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

To demonstrate good governance in terms of scrutinising the Council’s ongoing financial position and compliance with Council Financial Regulations.

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

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the agreement entered into with the seven Nottinghamshire District/Borough Councils, Nottingham City Council and the Nottinghamshire and City of Nottingham Fire and Rescue Authority, to progress the bid to become a Business Rates Retention Pilot for 2019/20, be supported

b)    the Chief Executive and Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services be delegated authority to progress the final proposal if the application is successful.

c)     the progress regarding the bid is reported via the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to all Councillors.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services which provided information regarding an agreement between the Nottinghamshire district/borough Council’s, Nottingham City Council and the Nottinghamshire and City of Nottingham Fire and Rescue authority to submit an application to become a Business Rates Pilot area for 2019/20.

The report advised that central government had invited local authorities in England to apply to become 75% business rates retention pilots in 2019/20 and with potential transition to the proposed new scheme in 2020/21. It was noted that the deadline for applications had been 25 September 2018, and in order of the Council to meet the deadline, the Portfolio Holder for Finance had, under delegated authority, with the Council’s Section 151 officer, approved the principals of the bid. It was noted that approximately 30 applications had been submitted from other local authorities and that only 10 would be successful to take part in the pilot scheme.

In moving the recommendations, the Portfolio Holder for Finance advised that if the bid was successful, progress would be reported to all Councillors through the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20.

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Upton noted that it was beneficial for the Council to take part in the Business Rates Pilot Scheme as across the County area the potential gain could be up to £10 million during the length of the pilot scheme. Councillor Upton noted that if the application was successful, it would allow Nottinghamshire local authorities to influence the future development of local government funding.  

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the agreement entered into with the seven Nottinghamshire District/Borough Councils, Nottingham City Council and the Nottinghamshire and City of Nottingham Fire and Rescue Authority, to progress the bid to become a Business Rates Retention Pilot for 2019/20, be supported

b)    the Chief Executive and Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services be delegated authority to progress the final proposal if the application is successful.

c)     the progress regarding the bid is reported via the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to all Councillors.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

To demonstrate good governance in terms of scrutinising the Council’s ongoing financial position and delivering a sustainable Medium Term Financial Strategy.