Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Thursday, 3 March 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 3 March 2022 were proposed by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Edyvean and were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

Councillor S Mallender, Mayor of Rushcliffe 2020/22, explained that the Council had been unable to thank Councillor Mrs Jeffreys properly for her service to the Borough as Mayor during 2019/20 at the close of her Mayoral year due to the impact of the pandemic.  She commended Councillor Mrs Jeffreys for the service she had given to the Borough and acknowledged the challenging period in which she had been Mayor and the impact that Covid-19 had had.

Councillor Mrs Jeffreys said that she was thrilled to receive such honour and recognition.  She highlighted her admiration for the Borough of Rushcliffe and how humbled she had been when asked to be Mayor. It had been a great honour for her and she had met many people throughout Rushcliffe, who had been so welcoming.  She commended Councillor colleagues and officers who had supported her in the Mayoral role.

Councillor S Mallender thanked everyone who had supported her during her two years as Mayor in 2020/22, in particular the Chief Executive; members of the Council; her Chaplain, the Reverend Dr Jonathan Mole; the Monitoring Officer; the Deputy Mayor; the Democratic Services Team; and the Media and IT teams. 

Councillor S Mallender referred to the many engagements that she had been fortunate to attend and the wonderful people she had met.  She added that although the number of events she had attended had been less than for previous Mayors due to the impact of the pandemic, there had been many Borough Council organised events, including the Multi-faith Civic Service; Civic Dinner, with an environmental theme; Proms in the Park; The Rushcliffe Community Awards; The Christmas Lights Switch-on and the Carol Service.  She highlighted that her first event, opening the Lady Bay Open Front Gardens in July 2020, had been particularly special, as had her last event at Ash Lea Special School in Cotgrave, attended earlier that day, which had been a marvellous finale to her time as Mayor.  She referred to her three charities, Music Works; Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and the Trent District Community First Response and the important work that they each carried out. She added that she had not been able to hold the fundraising events she had hoped to due to the impact of the pandemic and thanked Councillor Moore and his wife, and also Councillor Gray for their support in organising events to raise funds for the charities as well as everyone that had donated to the fund raising.  She highlighted that in 2021, she had walked around the Borough boundary, a distance of over 100 miles, accompanied by her husband and consort Councillor R Mallender and her daughter. Councillor S Mallender highlighted that her term as Mayor had been conducted zero waste and carbon neutral, traveling by foot, bike, and public transport.  She thanked her husband and consort, Councillor Richard Mallender, for his support over the last two years.

Councillor S Mallender highlighted that she had started a ‘moment of reflection’ at the start of Council meetings during her time  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Councillor Robinson proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor and commended her unique approach to the role of Mayor, particularly the introduction of the Multi-faith ‘Moment of Reflection’ at the start of Council meetings.  He referred to the retiring Mayor’s commitment to the Borough and what a fine ambassador she had been for the Council, and thanked Councillor R Mallender for his support as Consort.  He highlighted that Councillor S Mallender had been unique in the fact that she was the only Mayor who had served two consecutive years, during such a challenging time. He ended by commending her for her choice of the three charities and the support that she had given them and, on behalf of the Council, thanked her for the incredible work she had undertaken.

Councillor Walker, on behalf of the Labour Group, echoed the comments made and thanked the retiring Mayor for all her work throughout the last two years. She added that she appreciated the ‘Moments of Reflection’ and commended her on the work undertaken with the charities.

Councillor Jones, on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group, echoed the comments made, and thanked Councillor S Mallender for her commitment to the role and commended for her unique approach to the role of Mayor, particularly walking around the Borough and the introduction of the ‘Moments of Reflection’ which he had found enriching.

Councillor R Mallender, on behalf of the Green Group, said that it had been an amazing two years in his role as Consort.  He thanked the retiring Mayor for everything that she had done and highlighted that, in addition to the role of Mayor, she had continued working in her role in Museums and Galleries and as a Trade Union Officer.

Councillor Thomas, on behalf of the Independent Group, added to the vote of thanks and highlighted that Councillor S Mallender had set an excellent example for sustainable travel options in carrying out the Mayoral role. She thanked Councillor R Mallender for his support as the Mayor’s Consort.

To consider nominations for the appointment of Mayor of the Borough of Rushcliffe for the 2022/23 Civic Year.

After the vote on the election of Mayor has been carried, the new Mayor, upon making the declaration of acceptance of office, will take the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor Upton that Councillor Combellack be elected Mayor of the Borough of Rushcliffe for the civic year 2022/23.

Councillor Upton referred to the many years of service that Councillor Combellack had given since being elected to the Council in 2009.  He highlighted her role as a Magistrate and her great knowledge of both the Council and Rushcliffe Borough, her passion for rural affairs and the rural economy, and her support of the Grantham Canal Trust. He added that she had given great commitment to Hickling, as Chair of Hickling Parish Council and the Neighbourhood Plan and her involvement in many organisations in the local community.  He welcomed her appointment as Mayor saying that she would be a good ambassador for the Council and local communities.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Butler referred to her skills as a Councillor and adding that the appointment was well deserved.

There being no further nominations, it was RESOLVED that Councillor Combellack be elected Mayor of the Borough of Rushcliffe for the civic year 2022/23.

Councillor Combellack then read and signed the declaration of acceptance of

office and after thanking her proposer, seconder, and fellow councillors, took the Chair and was invested with the Chain of Office.

The Mayor said that she was extremely honoured and proud to be Mayor.  She thanked Councillors for electing her and commended Councillor S Mallender for her role as Mayor.  She recognised the impact that Covid-19 had had on the fundraising activities for her chosen charities and added that she hoped to be able to continue raising awareness of these charities.

The Mayor spoke of her journey to becoming Mayor, saying that having been elected to the Borough Council in 2009, she had followed in her father’s footsteps, who had also been on the Borough Council. She informed Council that she would invite a variety of readers to Council meetings to lead the ‘Moment of Refection’ at the start of the meeting, the first being the Deaf Society at the Council meeting in July, and also the Dyslexia Association.  The Mayor announced that her Chaplain would be the Area Dean Reverend Stephen Hippisley-Cox and added that Councillor Clarke would be her Consort.

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke that Councillor Mason be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Rushcliffe for the civic year 2022/23.

Councillor Clarke reminded Council that Councillor Mason had been a Councillor since 1999 and was Chairman of the Environment Scrutiny Group before becoming a Cabinet member for the next 18 years with her portfolio including the environment, housing, communities, Health and Safety. She was Deputy Leader for several years before standing down from the Cabinet in 2020. He supported her for the role of Deputy Mayor in 2022/23.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Inglis stated that, having worked with Councillor Mason, he fully endorsed the comments made.  He praised her for her dedication as a Ward Member and as a member of the Cabinet.  He stated that she would be a great ambassador for and support to the Mayor.

It was RESOLVED that Councillor Mason be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Rushcliffe for the civic year 2022/23.

Councillor Mason then read and signed the declaration of acceptance of office and after thanking her proposer, seconder, and fellow councillors, was invested with her Chain of Office by the Mayor.

The Mayor started by thanking officers for their support to her as Chairman of the Corporate Overview Scrutiny Group and congratulated Councillor Mason on her appointment as Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor announced that her chosen charities for this year were the Grantham Canal Water Restoration Group which aimed to reduce water loss in the Hickling Basin and Kinoulton, and also the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Air Ambulance.

Councillor Robinson congratulated both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointments and hoped that they had a successful and positive year ahead.

Councillor Robinson advised that his Cabinet appointments for the municipal

year 2022/23 would be as follows:

Portfolio Holder for Business and Economic Growth / Deputy Leader – Councillor Edyvean

Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change – Councillor Brennan

Portfolio Holder for Finance and Customer Access – Councillor Moore

Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety – Councillor Inglis

Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing – Councillor Upton

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

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership, Councillor Robinson presented the report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services, outlining the nominations for the appointment to committees and member groups for 2022/23.

It was proposed by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Edyvean and RESOLVED that the nominations to committees and member groups for 2022/23 be approved as follows:

A. Scrutiny Groups

Corporate Overview Group

Councillors J Wheeler (Chairman), N Clarke, J Cottee, P Gowland, J Murray, D Virdi and G Williams

Governance Scrutiny Group

Councillors D Virdi (Chairman), P Gowland (Vice Chairman), R Adair, K Beardsall, L Howitt, K Shaw, D Simms, J Stockwood and Mrs M Stockwood

Growth and Development Scrutiny Group

Councillors N Clarke (Chairman), J Cottee (Vice Chairman), M Barney, R Butler, M Gaunt, A Phillips, V Price, J Stockwood and L Way

Communities Scrutiny Group

Councillors G Williams (Chairman), J Murray (Vice Chairman), G Dickman, L Healy, C Jeffreys, R Jones, R Mallender, F Purdue-Horan and R Walker

B. Committees

Licensing Committee

Councillors L Healy (Chairman), R Adair, S Bailey, B Bansal, K Beardsall, N Begum, B Buschman, G Dickman, L Howitt, R Mallender, D Simms, J Stockwood, J Walker, G Wheeler and G Williams

Planning Committee

Councillors R Butler (Chairman), Mrs M Stockwood (Vice Chairman), S Bailey, B Bansal, N Clarke, L Healy, D Mason, V Price, F Purdue-Horan, C Thomas and J Walker                                         

Employment Appeals Committee

Councillors S Robinson (Chairman), N Begum, A Edyvean, V Price and R Walker  

Interviewing Committee

Councillors S Robinson (Chairman), N Begum, A Edyvean, R Walker and L Way

Standards Committee

Councillors R Walker (Chairman), K Beardsall, B Gray, S Mallender, D Mason and A Phillips

C. Member Groups

Local Development Framework Group

Councillors R Upton (Chairman), S Bailey, M Barney, R Butler, J Cottee, B Gray, V Price, F Purdue-Horan, S Mallender, D Simms, Mrs M Stockwood, C Thomas, J Walker, R Walker and G Wheeler

Member Development Group

Councillors R Mallender (Chairman), B Buschman, G Dickman, M Gaunt, C Jeffreys, A Phillips, K Shaw, J Wheeler and G Williams                                   

Rushcliffe Strategic Growth Board

Councillors S Robinson (Chairman), A Brennan, A Edyvean, P Gowland, R Inglis, R Jones, G Moore, R Upton and L Way

Civic Hospitality Panel

Councillors T Combellack (Chairman), B Bansal, A Edyvean, D Mason, S Robinson and K Shaw

Development Corporation and Freeport Member Working Group

Councillors A Edyvean (Chairman), M Barney, A Brennan, P Gowland, C Thomas, R Upton, D Virdi, J Walker and R Walker

West Bridgford Special Expenses and Community Infrastructure Levy

Advisory Group

Councillors G Moore (Chairman), B Buschman, P Gowland, R Jones, R Mallender, S Robinson, D Virdi, G Wheeler and J Wheeler                     

Bingham Chapel Lane and Crematorium Member Working Group

Councillors A Edyvean (Chairman), J Cottee, B Gray, L Healy, L Howitt, G Moore, D Simms, C Thomas and G Williams   

Upper Saxondale Community Governance Review Task and Finish Group

Councillors R Inglis (Chairman), A Brennan, N Clarke, P Gowland, C Jeffreys,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership, Councillor Robinson, presented the report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services setting out the schedule of Council and Committee meetings for the Municipal year 2022/23.

It was proposed by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Inglis and RESOLVED that the schedule of meetings for the municipal year 2022/23, as attached at Appendix A of the officer’s report, be approved.

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

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership, Councillor Robinson, presented the report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services setting out the appointments to Outside Bodies for the municipal year 2022/23.

There was one contested appointment for Item 12 – Rural Community Action for Nottinghamshire. Nominations were Councillor S Bailey and Councillor S Mallender.

One vote would be taken for all of the nominations expect Item 12 - Rural Community Action for Nottinghamshire which would be subject to a separate vote.

It was proposed by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Moore and RESOLVED that the appointments to Outside Bodies (with the exception of Item 12) for the municipal year 2022/23 be as follows:

City of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Economic Prosperity Committee

Leader

Deputy Leader (Substitute)

East Midlands Councils (including other representative roles within this appointment)

Leader

Deputy Leader (Substitute)

Greater Nottingham Joint Planning Advisory Board

Cabinet Member – Housing and Planning

Local Government Association - General Assembly (including other representative roles within this appointment)

Leader

Deputy Leader (Substitute)

Nottingham East Midlands Airport Independent Consultative Committee

Cabinet Member – Business and Economic Growth

Health and Well Being Board

Cabinet Member – Community and Environment

D2N2 Joint Leaders Board

Leader

Deputy Leader (Substitute)

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel

Cabinet Member – Neighbourhoods

Development Corporation Board

Leader

Nottinghamshire Waste Management Board

Cabinet Member – Neighbourhoods

Freeport Board

Leader

Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park

Councillor R Adair

Local Area Forum - West Bridgford

Councillors P Gowland (Abbey ward), A Philips (Compton Acres ward), D Virdi (Gamston South ward), R Mallender (Lady Bay ward), B Gray (Lutterell

Ward), R Jones (Musters ward) and J Murray (Trent Bridge ward)

Trent Valley Internal Drainage Board

Councillors G Dickman, C Jeffreys, C Thomas and J Walker

Rural Community Action for Nottinghamshire

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a vote was taken for the appointment for Item 12 – Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire.

It was RESOLVED that the appointment to Rural Community Action for Nottinghamshire be Councillor Bailey.

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership, Councillor Robinson, presented the report of the Chief Executive concerning the appointment of the Monitoring Officer.

Councillor Robinson commended the outgoing Monitoring Officer, Mrs Sanjit Sull, praising her particularly for her support with the governance of the Freeport and Development Corporation. He welcomed Mrs Gemma Dennis as the proposed new Monitoring Officer and asked the Council to support the recommendation in the report.

Councillor Edyvean seconded the recommendation in the report and reserved the right to speak.

The comments made by Councillor Robinson were echoed by Councillor Walker, on behalf of the Labour Group; Councillor Jones, on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group; Councillor R Mallender on behalf of the Green Group and Councillor Thomas on behalf of the Leake Independent Group.

It was RESOLVED that Mrs Gemma Dennis be appointed and designated as the Council’s Monitoring Officer from 27 May 2022.

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership, Councillor Robinson, presented the report of the Chief Executive concerning the Borough Council’s role in the East Midlands Freeport.

Councillor Robinson summarised that the Government had allowed the East Midlands to proceed to Freeport status in March 2021, the outline business case had been submitted in September 2021 with the full Business Case submitted in March 2022.  The Cabinet had received a report in February 2022 which gave a commitment to report to the Council seeking approval to appoint a Director of the Borough Council to the Freeport Board. 

In moving the recommendation, Councillor Robinson reminded Councillors that the Freeport was a very important vehicle to attract high quality new jobs into the area, which would also regenerate the Power Station which was due to close in 2024 and would attract innovative new businesses to the Borough, with a particular focus on green energy.  It would also offer significant opportunity to work with universities to conduct research into new technologies.  The site was uniquely located by the River Trent, East Midlands Airport, the M1 and the HS2 route. 

Councillor Edyvean seconded the recommendation in the report and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Walker, on behalf of the Labour Group, said that she supported the recommendations in the report but remained deeply concerned about the Freeport’s ability to deliver on the promises made, especially the creation of 61,000 new jobs.  She added that she was concerned that the entire project was ideologically based which had the potential to fall short of the promises made and impact adversely on the wealth of local communities. She drew attention to the community wealth building model which sought to invest in the communities and businesses already operating in the Borough and employing local people, rather than attracting multinational corporations that continued to pay zero tax in the places in which they operated. She ended by saying that the Labour Group would continue to push for good quality employment for local communities.

Councillor Jones recognised the level and complexity of work done to reach this stage and supported the recommendations in the report with the following caveats and reservations.  He said that he was sceptical about the practicalities of the Freeport which was located on three disconnected sites. He recognised that the Development Corporation was the most important element and agreed that the power station site needed development.  However, he added that he hoped that engineering and production operations would start on the sites so as to reduce the Country’s dependence on China.

Councillor R Mallender explained that his concerns for the Freeport related to the potential for tax free status for businesses, the misuse of Freeports in other parts of the world and the potential harm to wildlife/ trafficking of animals.  However, despite the reservations, he did note that it was important that the Borough Council had a seat at the Freeport Company so would support the recommendations in the report.

Councillor Thomas said that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.