Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Inglis declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 10 Leisure Contracts and advised that he would leave the room during the debate on this item.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 11 February 2020 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 questions.

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

There were no questions.

The report of the Executive Manager - Transformation is attached.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    subject to agreement of detailed lease terms and due diligence, entering into a lease agreement with a community organisation to manage Lutterell Hall be approved, with either:

a.    one of the shortlisted community groups who submitted an Expression of Interest, or

b.    a combination of the two via an appropriate management company;

b)    the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation, be granted delegated authority to determine the most suitable community organisation or combination and negotiate and complete the terms of the lease, including wider community use that will continue to be provided.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation presented the report of the Executive Manager – Transformation outlining the options for future ownership and management of Lutterell Hall.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation advised that the report proposed the best way forward to manage the Hall. In recent years both usage of the Hall and income had fallen, there were significant maintenance costs associated with the building and Nottinghamshire Police had put its adjacent Police station up for sale. All of those factors had led the Council to consider future options for the site and in June 2019, Cabinet had resolved to invite expressions of interest from third parties. Following an extensive process of information gathering and public consultation, officers had undertaken an assessment of those expressions of interest and had concluded that retaining ownership and entering into a lease agreement with a community organisation would best achieve the Council’s objectives. Since the agenda had been published, one of the three shortlisted community groups had withdrawn its interest as it had secured a new lease with its existing premises provider. The Scout group was thanked for its interest. The Friends of Lutterell Hall were advised that although its document had been submitted after the closing date for expressions of interest, the document had been read thoroughly and the Group would have the opportunity, if it wished to be involved in the future use of the Hall. On balance, the proposed recommendation was the best option as it scored the highest on the option appraisal matrix.  

Councillor Edyvean proposed the recommendation, subject to an amendment to change the number of community groups from three to two. 

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Mason reiterated the comments made by Councillor Edyvean and advised that the Hall was one of many Council assets that had to be regularly reviewed to ensure that it was properly managed and was providing services as cost effectively as possible.

Councillor Robinson acknowledged and thanked the Scout group for its interest and wished the group well in the future. He reiterated the importance of considering all options to ensure the most appropriate use of the Hall that provided best value for money for local residents, as the council did with all its assets. The building was a Listed Building and it was important to retain it in good condition structurally. The Council had listened and acted upon feedback and the proposal was prudent.   

It was RESOLVED that

a)    subject to agreement of detailed lease terms and due diligence, entering into a lease agreement with a community organisation to manage Lutterell Hall be approved, with either:

a.    one of the shortlisted community groups who submitted an Expression of Interest, or

b.    a combination of the two via an appropriate management company;

b)    the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation, be granted delegated authority to determine the most suitable community organisation or combination and negotiate and complete the terms of the lease, including  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    a target date for the Council’s direct operations to become carbon neutral by 2030 be approved;

b)    the Carbon Management Action Plan be noted; and

c)    the Communities Scrutiny Group be granted delegated authority to annually scrutinise the delivery and update of the Plan.  

The Portfolio Holder for Community and Sustainability presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods providing an update on the Council’s Carbon Management Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Community and Sustainability referred to the motion passed by the Council in March 2019, requesting a review of the Council’s Carbon Management Plan by a relevant scrutiny group before being brought to Cabinet by no later than March 2020. The Communities Scrutiny Group was thanked for its hard work and its recommendation to set a target date for the Council to be carbon neutral by 2030. The target date was both aspirational and challenging, changes had to made; however, that would also come at a financial cost and to offset that, a climate change action reserve of £1m had been agreed by Council as part of the Budget and Financial Strategy 2020/21. The Council would be at the forefront of change, working collaboratively and the Plan had been developed to integrate with the overarching D2N2 Energy Strategy to support cross boundary initiatives. 

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Upton referred to the considerable work required to develop a new Carbon Management Plan in less than a year and thanked officers for their hard work and excellent report. The target date was challenging; however, the detailed Action Plan provided realistic, achievable targets and the £1m would be invaluable to support it. This Council had made a significant financial commitment, unlike the majority of other Councils.

Councillor Moore stated the importance of carbon management in all projects, and referred to the increased cost of £300k that had been agreed for additional carbon reduction measures for the new Bingham Leisure Centre development.  This was an example of another large project in Rushcliffe and how committed the Council was to becoming carbon neutral.

Councillor Robinson referred to the main source of emissions from the Council’s own operations being from leisure centres and fleet vehicles at 67% and 25% respectively. A programme of replacement vehicles would be extremely costly and was only one measure, and the £1m had been approved to ensure that the Council was focused on making a tangible and measurable difference to its operations.  

It was RESOLVED that

a)    a target date for the Council’s direct operations to become carbon neutral by 2030 be approved;

b)    the Carbon Management Action Plan be noted; and

c)    the Communities Scrutiny Group be granted delegated authority to annually scrutinise the delivery and update of the Plan.  

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

It was RESOLVED that

a)    the projected revenue position for the year with £0.906m budget efficiencies be noted; and

b)     the capital underspend of £17.807m as a result of both projects no longer proceeding and planned programme slippage be noted; and

c)    The Special Expenses Quarter 3 financial position be noted.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Contracts presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services outlining the budget position for revenue and capital at 30 December 2019 as part of the Financial Update for Quarter 3.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Contracts confirmed that the Corporate Overview Group at its meeting on 25 February 2020 had considered the report and it had forwarded no observations to Cabinet. The financial position for the year remained positive, with an overall revenue efficiency position of £906k. The financial position to date reflected a number of positive variances; including additional income from business rates, planning applications, treasury investment income and staffing efficiencies.  It was hoped that following the Budget, the uncertainty over the future of business rates would be addressed. The considerable uncertainty regarding the Coronavirus and its impact on business and finance had to be considered and the Council would continue to monitor the situation. Looking to the future, it was anticipated that there would be a carry forward of £100k to support the work of the Development Corporation, with an earmarked reserve being created. The Members Community Grants scheme would be underspent by £17k and that had would be made available to support a new initiative being launched by Councillor Robinson, to combat loneliness in the Borough. In respect of Capital Monitoring, the crematorium and the new units at Cotgrave had been subject to short planning delays. Overall, whilst external financial pressures remained, the financial position remained positive thanks to prudent management by the Council.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Inglis referred to the importance of maintaining due diligence and welcomed the continuing positive financial outlook for the Council.

Councillor Robinson referred to the uncertainty regarding the coronavirus and the implications it could have. He thanked the Executive Manager for Finance and Corporate Services and his team, and looked forward to delivering the ambitious capital community projects outlined and noted that such projects were only possible due to careful, prudent financial planning.   

It was RESOLVED that

a)    the projected revenue position for the year with £0.906m budget efficiencies be noted; and

b)     the capital underspend of £17.807m as a result of projects no longer proceeding and planned programme slippage be noted; and

c)    the Special Expenses Quarter 3 financial position be noted.  

The report of the Executive Manager – Transformation is attached.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet supports the Asset Management Strategy and recommends it to Council for approval.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation presented the report of the Executive Manager – Transformation providing an update on the Council’s Asset Management Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation stated the importance of ensuring that the Council maintained an extensive and diverse range of assets. The Asset Management Strategy sought to align the asset portfolio with the requirements of the organisation, for the benefit of the community. The Governance Scrutiny Group had considered the Asset Management Strategy at its meeting in December 2019, and it would be submitted to Council in July for approval.  

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Moore referred to the importance of managing and protecting assets on behalf of the community and thanked the Executive Manager – Transformation and her team for the report.

Councillor Robinson noted the diversity of the Council’s assets and the challenges faced to maintain them. It was vital that the Council’s assets were fit for purpose and delivered value for money. The Council’s sound financial planning allowed for investment in both newly acquired assets and the Council’s own assets.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet supports the Asset Management Strategy and recommends it to Council for approval.

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 Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that the Chief Executive be authorised to agree a variation and extension to the Parkwood Leisure Contract to 2027. The variation to include a new leisure facility in Bingham and amendments to the existing Edwalton Golf Course Contract in line with the best and final offer.

It was RESOLVED that the Chief Executive be authorised to agree a variation and extension to the Parkwood Leisure Contract to 2027. The variation to include a new leisure facility in Bingham and amendments to the existing Edwalton Golf Course Contract in line with the best and final offer.