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Council and Democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford

Contact: Helen Tambini  0115 9148320

Items
No. Item

18.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

19.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 July 2021 pdf icon PDF 327 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 13 July 2021, were declared a true record and signed by the Vice-Chairman.

20.

Citizens' Questions

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

Minutes:

There were no questions.

21.

Opposition Group Leaders' Questions

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

Minutes:

Question from Councillor J Walker to Councillor Edyvean

 

“Are you able to give a simple summary of how the Council is preparing for the expected drop of Business Rates in just over two years when we see the closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal power station?”

 

Councillor Edyvean responded by stating that the Council had always been aware of this risk and it was exemplified in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.  The Council had budgeted at what was known as the ‘safety net’ position, which was effectively a floor from which the Council’s retained business rates could not go below, and that was there to give some protection to reductions in business rates that the Council might incur.  The scenario of the power station closure was contained within the last budget, which had been approved by Council and was constantly reviewed, and members would continue to be updated through the usual channels, such as the Budget Workshops.

22.

Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2021/22 - Financial Update Quarter 1 pdf icon PDF 659 KB

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

Decision:

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

 

a)     the expected revenue budget efficiency for the year of £0.880m;

 

b)     the capital budget efficiencies of £2.837m;

 

c)     the expected outturn position for Special Expenses of £5k deficit; and

 

d)     the planned use of reserves at paragraph 4.3 of the report, primarily to meet the Collection Fund deficit, as a result of business rates reliefs and the grants received in the General Fund to fund the deficit.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Economic Growth, Councillor Edyvean presented the report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services outlining the budget position for revenue and capital as of 30 June 2021.

 

Councillor Edyvean advised that despite the ongoing issues and continuing risks associated with the pandemic, the Council continued to manage its finances extremely effectively.  Cabinet was advised that the Council continued to provide excellent services, whilst reporting a positive position on the 2021/22 budget.  The projected revenue budget efficiency for the year of £880k was noted, the reasons for which were highlighted in the report, together with details of the key revenue variances.     

 

Councillor Edyvean referred to the additional pressures that had been identified, details of which were highlighted in the report and the need for those budget efficiencies.  A payment of £1,000 had been made to each refuse HGV driver, which had been driven by the demand for such drivers, and Cabinet was reminded that throughout the pandemic the Council’s refuse collections had continued, which was a considerable achievement.  

 

Details of the projected position on the Council’s Capital Programme were highlighted in the report, and it was noted that there would be an underspend of £2.837m. 

 

Cabinet was advised that in respect of the Special Expenses budget for West Bridgford, despite the impact of Covid, and with the help of Government grants, there was a manageable budget deficit of £5k.

 

In respect of Covid related issues, Cabinet noted that despite the many challenges faced by local residents and businesses, collection rates for both Council Tax and Business Rates were positive, and that was a great testament to everyone.

 

In conclusion, Councillor Edyvean stated that the report depicted a healthy financial position; however, it was important to note the challenges that remained and would continue, and the importance of maintaining sufficient reserves was paramount.  Reference was made to the future Government spending review, which would impact on local government, together with other significant Government policy issues highlighted in the report, which would also have an impact.  Cabinet was reminded of the great local opportunities and challenges that lay ahead with the development of the Freeport and Development Corporation.

 

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Brennan reiterated previous comments regarding the continued uncertainty and challenges that lay ahead and thanked the Director – Finance and Corporate Services and his team for their continued hard work.   

 

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

 

a)     the expected revenue budget efficiency for the year of £0.880m;

 

b)     the capital budget efficiencies of £2.837m;

 

c)     the expected outturn position for Special Expenses of £5k deficit; and

 

d)     the planned use of reserves at paragraph 4.3 of the report, primarily to meet the Collection Fund deficit, as a result of business rates reliefs and the grants received in the General Fund to fund the deficit.

23.

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Compact pdf icon PDF 169 KB

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

Additional documents:

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that the adoption of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Compact be approved.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change, Councillor Brennan presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods outlining the new Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Compact, which had been developed by the Local Resilience Forum and Nottinghamshire County Council for adoption by relevant public authorities to build on the successful response by the voluntary and community sectors during the Covid-19 pandemic.    

 

Councillor Brennan referred to the superb work undertaken by a range of voluntary and community sectors during this difficult period, with new and stronger relationships forged between those sectors and public bodies, and it seemed appropriate that this was now built upon through this public Compact.  Cabinet noted that the Compact set out the shared values and principles, and supported the long term effort to effective working relationships.

 

Councillor Brennan confirmed that the Compact had been developed in collaboration with the sector, led and approved by Nottinghamshire County Council, and now all Councils across the county were being invited to approve the Compact.

 

In conclusion, Councillor Brennan reiterated the importance of local, voluntary and community groups in delivering support and services to local residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, and Cabinet was advised that the Compact accorded well with the work undertaken by the Council, details of which were highlighted in the report. 

 

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Inglis stated that the Compact effectively set out its values and principles, to provide guidance and best practice to help strengthen partnership working between public sector organisations and community groups.  Cabinet noted that it was timely to positively reflect on the fantastic work and collaboration that had taken place during the pandemic, particularly to help the most vulnerable in the Borough.     

 

Councillor Edyvean supported the previous comments and referred to the positive track record the Council had in supporting local, voluntary groups and stated that it was prudent for the Council to align itself with this Compact document.

 

It was RESOLVED that the adoption of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Compact be approved.

24.

Exclusion of Public

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”.

 

Minutes:

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.

 

25.

Freeport Update Report

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that:

 

a)     the work of the Freeport Board be endorsed; and

 

b)     the submission of the Outline Business Case be recognised as part of the ongoing Freeport Board work.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Economic Growth, Councillor Edyvean presented the report of the Chief Executive providing an update on the East Midlands Freeport process.

 

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

 

It was RESOLVED that:

 

a)     the work of the Freeport Board be endorsed; and

 

b)     the submission of the Outline Business Case be recognised as part of the ongoing Freeport Board work.