Agenda and minutes

The Meeting was led in prayer by the Mayor's Chaplain, Canon Alan Haydock.

Julian Crowle and Sanjit Sull declared an interest in agenda item 9, Arrangements for the Monitoring Officer Role.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 26 July 2018.

The Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 26 July 2018 (subject to an amendment to the text of Minute No18 proposed by Councillor Jones) were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Walker to his first Council meeting after being elected to represent the Gotham ward.

The Mayor also referred to the following engagements:

·       Attending a wide range of produce shows over the summer.

·       Judging the entries at the Hicking Scarecrow Festival.

·       Attending many Council run events including Lark in the Park.

The Mayor also advised what a great event the Tour of Britain Cycle race had been and how much she had enjoyed seeing the fantastic welcome that local residents had given the riders.

The Leader welcomed Councillor Walker to his first meeting of Council after being elected. The Leader also thanked all those involved in making the Tour of Britain cycle race such a success and noted what a fantastic event it had been for the entire Borough as well as noting the positive feedback that the event had received from both residents and visitors. The Leader also referred to the partnership work that was carried out by the Council and noted the record attendance at the recent Town and Parish Forum event and the success of the Rushcliffe Business Partnership as well as the upcoming Digital Growth Programme Rushcliffe Showcase Event. The Leader also noted that Rushcliffe had again ben placed highly in the Office of National Statistics Resident Satisfaction Survey.

The Chief Executive noted the work of Nottingham Trent University and their outreach work in supporting students from Rushcliffe achieve their potential academically and in the local jobs market. The Chief Executive also advised that an electronic voting system was being currently being trialled and tested in advance of being introduced for use in council meetings. 

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

“The Cabinet’s approval of the creation of an LLP between RBC Enterprises Ltd and PSP Facilities Ltd will influence decisions relating to the future of Council-purchased and other land, local infrastructure and the economy across the borough. Taking into account that the LLP will effectively be a commercial enterprise and not subject to all of the transparency required for local government governance, will the Council give a public assurance that any considerations of the LLP that affect or apply to parts of the borough will be the subject of notification and consultation to the local established Town/ Parish/Meeting bodies, or where such a body does not currently exist, direct consultation with the public or some other body for this purpose?”

Alan R Harvey

The following question was submitted by Alan R Harvey.

“The Cabinet’s approval of the creation of an LLP between RBC Enterprises Ltd and PSP Facilities Ltd will influence decisions relating to the future of Council-purchased and other land, local infrastructure and the economy across the borough. Taking into account that the LLP will effectively be a commercial enterprise and not subject to all of the transparency required for local government governance, will the Council give a public assurance that any considerations of the LLP that affect or apply to parts of the borough will be the subject of notification and consultation to the local established Town/ Parish/Meeting bodies, or where such a body does not currently exist, direct consultation with the public or some other body for this purpose?”

In Mr Harvey’s absence the question was read out by the Mayor.

Councillor Edyvean provided the following response.

“Any projects undertaken by the LLP will be subject to sign off by Cabinet. The Council can give public assurance that it will continue to make decisions in line with the Council’s constitution which includes consultation with relevant bodies as appropriate.”

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

Councillor Robinson presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services that provided a review of the work undertaken by the Council’s four scrutiny committees during 2017/18. After the report had been seconded by Councillor Mason, Councillor Robinson invited the scrutiny committee chairmen to deliver a brief summary of the work of their committee over the last year.

The Chairman of the Community Development Group, Councillor Combellack, thanked the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Thurman and members of the committee, as well as officers for their work and support over the past year. Councillor Combellack outlined the work of the committee including a review of the delivery of the YouNG initiative that had resulted in a delivery partnership with the Trent Bridge Community Trust, tree protection and promotion that had resulted informed the introduction of the Council’s free tree scheme as well as reviewing the use of single use plastics across Council sites. Councillor Combellack also referred to the reviews of rural broadband provision and the Councils off-street car parking strategy.

The Chairman of the Corporate Governance Group, Councillor Beardsall, thanked the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Davidson, members of the committee and officers for their support as well as Councillor MacInnes for standing in as Vice-Chairman at times during the year. Councillor Beardsall noted the working group that had been set up by the committee to review the Council’s Constitution and of the positive impact that the review had had with the introduction of public speaking at Cabinet and Council meetings. Councillor Beardsall also referred to the current Centre for Public Scrutiny review of scrutiny at Rushcliffe and advised he was looking forward to seeing their report.

The Chairman of the Partnership Delivery Group during 2017/18, Councillor Mrs Smith, outlined the work of the committee throughout the year including reviews of Positive Futures the Cooperation Agreement for Fleet Maintenance and Garage Services with Nottingham City Council and the partnership with Metropolitan Housing. Councillor Mrs Smith thanked the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Greenwood, members of the committee and officer for their support.

The Chairman of the Performance Management Board during 2017/18, Councillor G Wheeler, thanked the Vice-Chairman Councillor Chewings, members of the committee and officers for their support and work during the year.

Councillor Chewings thanked all the different delivery partners for attending the meetings of the Partnership Delivery Group during the year and for all the work they did in providing excellent services to Rushcliffe residents. Councillor Richard Mallender advised that he welcomed the current Centre for Public Scrutiny review of scrutiny and that he looked forward to seeing their recommendations for how scrutiny could be delivered in the future at Rushcliffe.

It was RESOLVED that the work carried out by the Council’s scrutiny committees during 2017/18, be endorsed.

Julian Crowle and Sanjit Sull who had declared an interest in the following item left the room at this point.

The report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive submitted a report seeking approval for Sanjit Sull to be appointed as the Council’s Monitoring Officer from 1 October 2018.

The report was moved by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Mason. Councillor MacInnes noted his support for the recommendation and wished the current Monitoring Officer all the best for the future.

It was RESOLVED that Sanjit Sull be appointed and designated as the Council’s Monitoring Officer from 1 October 2018.

Julian Crowle and Sanjit Sull returned to the room at this point.

To receive Notices of Motion submitted under Standing Order No.12

“Despite building more houses, including social housing, within the Greater Nottingham Housing Market Area, than any other District over the last 7 years, Rushcliffe is being unfairly penalised under current Government Planning Policy.

This Council would like to express to the Government, in the strongest terms, its frustrations in the delays of developers and landowners in progressing housing sites that have been allocated since December 2014 in our core strategy. This is having an unacceptable impact on the Council’s five year land supply, resulting in approvals being given on appeal on housing allocations that it does not support.

The current housing land supply is 3.1 years due to a lack of delivery by landowners and developers on the major allocated housing sites. The soon to be adopted Local Plan Part 2 will provide Rushcliffe once again with 5 years of housing land supply, but this could quickly be put at risk again through continued inaction by the landowners and developers on the major allocated housing sites.

This Council is calling for government to step up its support in both:

1.     Ensuring that developers and landowners progress the developments on these strategic sites and,

2.     Increasing the protection for areas outside the core city area, by preventing speculative developments which are not allocated within the Local Plan or the Emerging Local Plan Part 2.”

Councillor S J Robinson

In advance of the motion being moved, the Mayor read the following statement from the Borough Solicitor.

“Councillors are reminded that the local plan is to be considered for adoption by full Council following the conclusion of the Public Inquiry and that any discussion on the motion this evening will be a matter of public record. Therefore, Councillors should be mindful of the need to avoid any discussion that may give the appearance of bias or of having predetermined view before taking a decision on planning policy.”

The following motion was moved by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Upton.

“Despite building more houses, including social housing, within the Greater Nottingham Housing Market Area, than any other District over the last 7 years, Rushcliffe is being unfairly penalised under current Government Planning Policy.

“This Council would like to express to the Government, in the strongest terms, its frustrations in the delays of developers and landowners in progressing housing sites that have been allocated since December 2014 in our core strategy. This is having an unacceptable impact on the Council’s five year land supply, resulting in approvals being given on appeal on housing allocations that it does not support.

The current housing land supply is 3.1 years due to a lack of delivery by landowners and developers on the major allocated housing sites. The soon to be adopted Local Plan Part 2 will provide Rushcliffe once again with 5 years of housing land supply, but this could quickly be put at risk again through continued inaction by the landowners and developers on the major allocated housing sites.

This Council is calling for government to step up its support in both:

1.     Ensuring that developers and landowners progress the developments on these strategic sites and,

2.     Increasing the protection for areas outside the core city area, by preventing speculative developments which are not allocated within the Local Plan or the Emerging Local Plan Part 2.”

In moving the motion, Councillor Robinson advised that this motion had been brought to Council to highlight the unfairness of Government housing policy and the negative impact that it was having on the Borough and its residents. Councillor Robinson advised that while the preparation of the Local Plan Part 1 had been challenging in identifying the number of housing sites required, it was a challenge that the Council had successfully met. I having met this challenge it was now frustrating to see that many of the sites identified for housing, and having extant planning permissions in place, were not being delivered. Councillor Robinson noted that both developers and landowners were responsible for the slow pace of development of identified housing sites.

Councillor Robinson noted the frustration of many communities in the Borough, particularly in East Leake, due to planning appeals being lost on speculative applications for unsuitable and unstainable development, due the fact that the Council was unable to demonstrate a five-year housing supply. Councillor Robinson advised that in order to stop unsustainable and unsuitable development it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

To answer questions submitted by Councillors under Standing Order No. 11(2)

a)    Question from Councillor Richard Mallender to Councillor Upton.

“Following councillors' recent visit to the Materials Recovery Facility at Mansfield it became clear that current guidelines issued to residents are insufficient to provide clear direction on the type and nature of materials that can be recycled. Will the councillor undertake to improve and clarify the information Rushcliffe Borough Council provides to residents such that our recycling rates can be substantially improved?”

In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated that the Council had recently been working with all the other Nottinghamshire districts, the County Council and Veolia to support the development of enhanced information and guidance on materials that could be recycled linked to the input specification of Material Recycling Facility and noted that this information would be used in any future engagement work.

Supplementary question

Councillor Richard Mallender asked that as the end of the Nottinghamshire County Council contract with Veolia was not until 2032 would the Council be working with other districts to try and get the input specification changed or to seek additional recycling provision.

Councillor Upton advised that a letter had been sent to Nottinghamshire County Council this week regarding the matter.

b)    Question from Councillor Sue Mallender to Councillor Upton.

“Will the councillor please update council on the progress made to date on reducing single use plastic within the borough council and by our partner organisations?”

In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated that an updated report and action plan on the successful work of the Single Plastic Working Group had been provided to the Community Development Scrutiny Group on 18 September 2018.

Supplementary question

Councillor Sue Mallender asked as there were very few places in Rushcliffe included on the refill app could the Council work with local businesses to encourage them to sign up to such apps, and also whether a ban on non-biodegradable confetti on Council property could be considered.

In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated that these areas of concern were currently being considered.

c)     Question from Councillor Sue Mallender to Councillor Upton.

“In view of the need to increase recycling rates within the borough will the councillor commit to seeking new locations for bring-sites for glass recycling?”

In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated the Council was always open to working with key stakeholders to develop bring sites in appropriate and sustainable locations and that currently the Council were exploring an option for the Hook Car Park in Lady Bay.

There was no supplementary question.

d)    Question from Councillor Hull to Councillor Upton.

“In view of what we learnt at the MRF, will the Council make representations to the Government to bring about legislation requiring manufacturers to simplify the number of types of food packaging that is recyclable?”

In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated that in March this year the Council coordinated a combined response from the Nottinghamshire Joint Waste Management Committee to the Governments consultation on ‘’tackling the plastic problem’. This included specific  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.