Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 9 October 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.

The Report of the Executive Manager – Transformation.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the principle of the provision of a new crematorium in be supported and that officers be authorised to finalise options for the identified site.

b)    the identified location for a new crematorium as identified in Appendix B be supported, subject to consideration of the Planning Committee and all the relevant consultation.

c)    the provision for the purchase of the land and delivery of a crematorium in the 2019/20 capital programme be endorsed, subject to planning and

approval by Cabinet via a further detailed business case in mid 2019.

d)    A further report be presented to Cabinet in mid 2019 with an update on the planning outcome, a detailed business case and proposed route to procurement and delivery of the crematorium (which could be either by RBC or by a third party).

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership presented the report of the Executive Manager – Transformation which asked for Cabinet’s support for the provision of a new crematorium in Rushcliffe. It was noted that an opportunity had been identified for the Council to assess the feasibility of development and operation of an additional crematorium within Rushcliffe. It was demonstrated that there was a geographical gap in Rushcliffe which was not currently served by a crematorium within a 35 – 40 minute drive time.  The Portfolio Holder explained that Mercia Crematoria Ltd, an independent development company identified a site within the Borough at Stragglethorpe, Cotgrave and that they had developed plans for a crematorium scheme to go on the identified site and would submit  a planning application in December 2018.

It was noted that if the planning application was approved by the Planning Committee, a business plan would be submitted to Cabinet in mid-2019 for consideration.

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Moore stated that due to significant population growth there was a need for an additional crematorium within the Borough.

Councillor Upton noted that delays at Wilford Hill were causing concerns for residents and so there was a demand for an additional crematorium in Rushcliffe. The Portfolio Holder explained that the development of a new crematorium in Rushcliffe would provide economic growth within the Borough and that the location of Stragglethorpe, Cotgrave was an ideal location for growth. 

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the principle of the provision of a new crematorium in be supported and that officers be authorised to finalise options for the identified site.

b)    the identified location for a new crematorium as identified in Appendix B be supported, subject to consideration of the Planning Committee and all the relevant consultation.

c)    the provision for the purchase of the land and delivery of a crematorium in the 2019/20 capital programme be endorsed, subject to planning and

approval by Cabinet via a further detailed business case in mid 2019.

d)    A further report be presented to Cabinet in mid 2019 with an update on the planning outcome, a detailed business case and proposed route to procurement and delivery of the crematorium (which could be either by RBC or by a third party).

Reason for decisions

To allow Rushcliffe Borough Council to facilitate the provision of community infrastructure within the Borough.

The Report of the Chief Executive.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    A Cabinet-led cross-party task and finish working group be formed to

consider the potential reorganisation of Local Government in

Nottinghamshire in line with the Terms of Reference as set out in

Appendix 1.

b)    the task and finish working group report its progress and findings

back to Cabinet by no later than April 2019.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership presented the report of the Chief Executive which recommended the formation of a cross party working group which would scrutinise and evaluate any recommendations or business case shared by Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council in regards to the potential reorganisation of local government in Nottinghamshire. The Portfolio Holder noted that in December 2017 a resolution had been adopted which welcomed full engagement with Upper Tier Authorities on the reorganisation of local government. (Minute No. 37 2017/18) It was noted that in July 2018 Nottinghamshire County Council resolved for officers to develop a business plan to demonstrate the advantages of a of a unitary status for the County and that in response Nottingham City Council had indicated that if a bid was submitted to the Secretary of State they would request consideration to be given to the widening of the City boundaries both of which would have an impact on Rushcliffe Borough Council, its residents and its businesses.

It was noted that although no official governance arrangements had been made, it was expected that the progress and further recommendations would be presented to Nottinghamshire County Council’s Policy Committee and Full Council in November and December 2018. The Portfolio Holder explained that it was essential for the Council to be engaged, informed and responsive to any future dialogue about the reorganisation of local government. He suggested that a cross party task and finish group be formed in order to investigate the impact upon the Borough and its residents and any financial implications which may occur. It was noted that the findings and the recommendations would be presented to Cabinet before consideration at Full Council. The Portfolio Holder advised that the formation of a working group was pragmatic and timely.  

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Mason explained that the formation of a task and finish working group would enable all aspects of an outcome of reorganisation of local government in Nottinghamshire to be investigated.

Councillor Moore noted that the impact of Brexit and the local government elections in May 2019 could affect the outcomes and recommendations of the task and finish working group and so asked officers to consider the time scale of when the findings and recommendations would be presented to Cabinet and Full Council.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    A Cabinet-led cross-party task and finish working group be formed to

consider the potential reorganisation of Local Government in

Nottinghamshire in line with the Terms of Reference as set out in

Appendix 1.

b)    the task and finish working group report its progress and findings

back to Cabinet by April 2019.

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 I 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 involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 –on the grounds that they contained information relating to consultations or negotiations in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority and employees of the authority and information regarding financial or business affairs.

The Report of the Executive Manager – Transformation.

It was RESOLVED that

a)            an investment in Phase 2 of the Cotgrave town centreregeneration scheme, in order to deliver four new units of approximately4000 sq ft, 1200 sq ft, 1500 sq ft and 1600 sq ft be approved subject to a pre-letbeing agreed for the largest unit at a market rate price and minimumlength of ten years.

b)            Provision be made in the 2019/20 capital programme to support the delivery of phase 2 to be funded in accordance with the S151 officer’s recommendation.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Business presented the report of the Executive Manager – Transformation which provided Cabinet with an update on the Cotgrave Regeneration Project and recommended that phase 2 of the scheme proceed which would complete the successful delivery of the regeneration of Cotgrave Town Centre. The Portfolio Holder was pleased to note the recent opening of the Cotgrave Hub, the multi-service centre which housed the health centre, a police station, a library and a contact centre for Rushcliffe Borough Council.    

It was noted that the recommendation of the implementation of four new units in Cotgrave Town Centre would provide the Council with the best financial outcome in the shortest time as it would generate £103,000 if all units were fully let. The Portfolio Holder also noted that he had recently attended an innovation seminar with Bill Grimsey as a guest speaker who encouraged the regeneration of community facilities and the diversification of the High Street in his publication ‘The Grimsey Report 2’ The Portfolio Holder concluded that it was essential for phase 2 of the regeneration of Cotgrave Town Centre to proceed which would ultimately complete the project and provide an opportunity for a revenue return to the Council which would support the Council’s continued investment in Cotgrave.

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Upton praised the investment undertaken to regenerate Cotgrave Town Centre and was pleased that 470 new homes had been built with 30% affordable housing.

Councillor Robinson also praised the milestone of the opening of the Cotgrave Hub and was pleased that there had already been significant interest in the refurbished units during phase one of the regeneration project.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    an investment in Phase 2 of the Cotgrave town centre regeneration scheme, in order to deliver four new units of approximately 4000 sq ft, 1200 sq ft, 1500 sq ft and 1600 sq ft be approved subject to a pre-let being agreed for the largest unit at a market rate price and minimum length of ten years.

b)    Provision be made in the 2019/20 capital programme to support the delivery of phase 2 to be funded in accordance with the S151 officer’s recommendation.

Reason for decisions

The delivery of Phase 2 of the Cotgrave town centre regeneration scheme will complete the successful delivery of the project and will provide an opportunity for a revenue return to the Council which supports the Council’s continued investment in Cotgrave.

The Report of the Executive Manager – Transformation.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    A loan facility up to a value of £2.5 million be created if required by the developer (CWC) at Fairham Pastures to accelerate the delivery of the development and that delegated authority be granted for the S151 Officer to negotiate the final terms of any loan, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

b)    £1.15m be invested from the Asset Investment Strategy, alongside 2.5m of LEP Growth Deal funding to bring forward the development of the industrial units at Fairham Pastures which will be owned and managed by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

c)    Financial implications be included within the 2019/20 Medium Term Financial Strategy (both revenue and capital implications.)  

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Business presented the report of the Executive Manager – Transformation which provided the Cabinet with an update on the business case to the Local Enterprise Partnership to secure £2.5 million of growth deal funding to bring forward the development of industrial units at the Fairham Pastures development and to seek the approval for the allocation of Council resources to accelerate the delivery of housing on this key strategic site.

It was noted that in 2015 the Council had secured £6.25m of Local Growth Funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and that although £3.25 million had been allocated to Land North of Bingham and RAF Newton, funding was no longer required for these sites. The Portfolio Holder explained that in November 2017 it was reported to Cabinet that £2.5 million of the £3.25 million would be allocated to the Fairham Pastures development as this site met the requirements for LEP funding. It was also noted that an additional £3.65 million would be provided by Rushcliffe Borough Council made up of a 2.5 million loan which would be repaid by CWC over two years and a £1.15 million investment.

The Portfolio Holder noted that the loan, investment and the LEP Growth Deal Funding would accelerate the delivery of housing and employment land on the Fairham Pastures development and would aid the Council to meet is 5 year housing supply.  

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Mason stated that if the delivery of the development was not accelerated in order for the Council to meet its five year housing supply then developments in unallocated areas could continue to occur which were contrary to the Council’s policy and would not be welcome.

Councillor Robinson stated that it was the Council’s responsibility to provide assistance to developers so that appropriate and affordable housing could be built.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    A loan facility up to a value of £2.5 million be created if required by the developer (CWC) at Fairham Pastures to accelerate the delivery of the development and that delegated authority be granted for the S151 Officer to negotiate the final terms of any loan, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

b)    £1.15m be invested from the Asset Investment Strategy, alongside 2.5m of LEP Growth Deal funding to bring forward the development of the industrial units at Fairham Pastures which will be owned and managed by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

c)    Financial implications be included within the 2019/20 Medium Term Financial Strategy (both revenue and capital implications.) 

Reason for decisions

The loan of up to £2.5 million of Council resources will accelerate delivery of housing and employment land allowing for delivery across the whole site rather than in phases. The allocation of 1.15m funding from the Asset Investment Strategy will unlock a further 2.5 million of LEP Local Growth Funding. The Fairham Pastures development will deliver 3000 homes and 20 ha of employment land and therefore will play a critical role in working towards meeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

The Report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    The relocation of the whole Recycling2Go service to operate from Nottingham City Eastcroft depot for an initial license term of five years be approved.

b)    The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods be authorised to negotiate the final details of the license agreement with Nottingham City Council.

c)    The payment of the workplace parking levy for staff affected by the move be approved.

d)    Streetwise Environmental Ltd remain on the Abbey Road Site until October 2019 in order to support their endeavours to find an alternative site of which an outcome will be reported back to Cabinet.

e)    The Council’s continued support to Streetwise Environmental Ltd to find an alternative operated base be endorsed.

f)     The cost pressures identified within the report be noted and be included within the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Waste Management presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods which proposed to relocate all Recycling2Go services to Nottingham City Council’s Eastcroft Depot. The Portfolio Holder explained that following Cabinet’s approval for the land at Chapel Lane, Bingham in February 2018 to be leased to Streetwise Environmental and part of R2Go as their new depot site (Minute No. 47 2017/18), Streetwise advised that it was no longer an ideal location for them as property and operating costs would increase and that there would be a loss in productivity due to the distance from their main client and staff base. It was therefore, recommended that the whole of the Council’s Recycling2Go service be relocated to Nottingham City Council’s Eastcroft depot site while Streetwise be provided with further time to source an alternative operating base.  

The Portfolio Holder noted that the Council had secured £300,000 of Homes England Land Release Funding for the Abbey Road site which could only be granted if the land was available to release for housing by March 2020. The Portfolio Holder stated that it was therefore, essential that the Abbey Road depot site be vacated by November 2019 in order for the Council to secure the funding to develop housing on the site. It was noted that Streetwise Environmental Ltd had stated that they were committed to find an alternative location to operate from and that they have expressed that the depot should be based within the greater West Bridgford area in order to minimise loss of productivity arising from travel times to their main client base which the Council acknowledged and supported. 

It seconding the recommendations Councillor Edyvean noted that the Council already worked successfully in partnership with Nottingham City Council as they maintained both the Council’s fleet and vehicles owned by Streetwise Environmental Ltd under a cooperation agreement. 

Councillor Robinson noted that this agreement would provide an excellent example of partnerships between public sectors and that if the Recyclying2Go facilities were moved to the East Croft depot it would aid the achievement of the Corporate Strategic Task of to relocate the Council’s depot by March 2020 to enable the site to be used for residential housing.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    The relocation of the whole Recycling2Go service to operate from Nottingham City Eastcroft depot for an initial license term of five years be approved.

b)    The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods be authorised to negotiate the final details of the license agreement with Nottingham City Council.

c)    The payment of the workplace parking levy for staff affected by the move be approved.

d)    Streetwise Environmental Ltd remain on the Abbey Road Site until October 2019 in order to support their endeavours to find an alternative site of which an outcome will be reported back to Cabinet.

e)    The Council’s continued support to Streetwise Environmental Ltd to find an alternative operated base be endorsed.

f)     The cost pressures identified within the report be noted and be included within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.