Agenda and minutes

The Mayor invited declarations of interest.

Two Councillors declared an interest in Item 10 Ratcliffe on Soar Local Development Order as follows:

Councillor R Walker stated that he was a director of the Strawberry Wood Gotham Community Interest Company, which was seeking to acquire an area of woodland for the benefit of the community.  There was a possibility of sourcing funding for the purchase and/or future management of the woodland via biodiversity net gain obligations arising from the development and whilst that would not result in any financial gain to him personally, he would leave the room during the debate.

Councillor Barney stated that the company he worked for had expressed an interest in Freeports nationally, and although he could not see any direct relationship to this site, he would leave the room during the debate.

Councillor Parekh declared an interest in Item 13 a) Motion as she was the team manager at Nottinghamshire County Council in Children’s Services and believed that she would not have an open mind, as she had fixed notions about what should happen and had pre-conceived ideas and would leave the room during the debate.

Councillor Williams declared an interest in Item 9 Business from the last Council meeting – the Soil Motion, due to the company that he worked for and would leave the room during the debate.  

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Thursday, 25 May 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 25 May 2023, were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor made the first announcements of her Civic year and informed Council that she had been very busy over the last few weeks.  She specifically mentioned a 100th birthday party, a flag raising to honour the Armed Forces, the outstanding Proms in the Park concert that was particularly well attended this year, and a small ceremony to commemorate one hundred years since Bridgford Park was opened.  The Mayor also recalled the thrilling Red Devils performing at the DMRC, a very windy morning at the Mercian War Memorial in Crich, and a damp, in weather but not in spirit, carnival in Radcliffe.  The Mayor invited members of the Council to join her at her Civic Service on 15 October and promoted the Taste of Rushcliffe food festival in West Bridgford next weekend.

The Leader referred to the national Municipal Journal Awards held in London a few weeks ago, with the Council shortlisted for the highest award, Council of the Year, competing against five unitary authorities.  Whilst the Council had not been successful, it was the only district council to be shortlisted and, therefore, he felt it was perfectly justified for the Council to claim Rushcliffe was District Council of the Year.  This accolade was testament to the hard work of officers in delivering Councillors’ ambitions and making the Borough a great place to live.

Secondly, the Leader mentioned that Saville’s, the estate agent, recently announced West Bridgford as the 13th best town to live in, which was also the only place in the East Midlands in the top 50.

The Chief Executive made no announcements.

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

The Mayor invited Ms Jejna to read her Citizen’s Question as submitted:

“Why has Rushcliffe Borough Council signed up for 20 minute neighbourhoods in the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan, without fully informing constituents what they are, how they will work and how it will affect and impact on day to day life?”

Councillor Upton thanked Ms Jejna for her question and clarified that the Council had not signed up to a 20-minute neighbourhood concept and it might not do so.  The Greater Nottinghamshire Strategic Plan was a joint document across four local authorities and although reference was made to 20-minute neighbourhoods in the draft, further consideration would be given as to whether it should be retained in the Plan, especially in light of the predominately rural nature of the Borough. The 20-minute neighbourhood was a concept that might achieve more sustainable development, but it needed a lot more debate, and a final draft of the Greater Nottinghamshire Strategic Plan was expected to be ready for further consultation in early 2024.

No petitions had been submitted.

Notices of Motion

To receive Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Thomas under Standing Order No.12

Council recognises the importance of soil health in food production, combatting climate change, storing carbon, regulating water flow and quality, and as the basis for biodiversity. However, soil in Rushcliffe as elsewhere is under multiple threats* including the ever-expanding built environment, flooding, contamination, industrial farming methods, and climate change.

Council will:  

·        Seek to strengthen policies that protect soil in the next round of the Local Plan, (in line with current National Planning Policy) including measures to minimise impermeable surfaces in development.  Council will also call on the government to strengthen protection for soil in future planning policy and legislation.  

·        Review Rushcliffe’s own operations with determination to further improve soil health on the Council’s own land and land it manages in line with our Environmental Policy and planning policies and guidance. 

·        Where possible include soil health improvement as one of the criteria used to evaluate bids when distributing relevant external grants to Rushcliffe’s businesses and community groups.   

·        Within resource constraints, e.g. using social media and Rushcliffe Reports, engage and educate residents to promote small scale improvements in soil health in residential gardens e.g. using organic and permaculture techniques. Council will include nitrogen fixing plants in future free plant schemes.

* See reference material

CPRE 2018, Back to the land: rethinking our approach to soil 

https://www.cpre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/CPRE_FF3_Soil_26Nov_web.pdf  

Environment Agency 2019, The state of the environment: soil 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/805926/State_of_the_environment_soil_report.pdf  

Questions from Councillors

To answer a question submitted by Councillor Sue Mallender under Standing Order No.11(2)

In the spring, I received my "Rushcliffe Gardener" magazine and although there are some messages about climate change and the free tree scheme etc., I was disappointed to see suggestions to residents in the seasonal jobs section, which are not supportive of the Council's environmental policies, such as using weedkiller, artificial fertiliser, and frequent mowing, instead of no mow. Why were these suggestions allowed to be printed? 

Councillor Williams left the room for consideration of the item.

The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor C Thomas and was seconded by Councillor S Mallender.

“Council recognises the importance of soil health in food production, combatting climate change, storing carbon, regulating water flow and quality, and as the basis for biodiversity. However, soil in Rushcliffe as elsewhere is under multiple threats* including the ever-expanding built environment, flooding, contamination, industrial farming methods, and climate change.

Council will:

·                  Seek to strengthen policies that protect soil in the next round of the Local Plan, (in line with current National Planning Policy) including measures to minimise impermeable surfaces in development. Council will also call on the government to strengthen protection for soil in future planning policy and legislation.

·                  Review Rushcliffe’s own operations with determination to further improve soil health on the Council’s own land and land it manages in line with our Environmental Policy and planning policies and guidance.

·                  Where possible include soil health improvement as one of the criteria used to evaluate bids when distributing relevant external grants to Rushcliffe’s businesses and community groups.

·                  Within resource constraints, e.g. using social media and Rushcliffe Reports, engage and educate residents to promote small scale improvements in soil health in residential gardens e.g. using organic and permaculture techniques. Council will include nitrogen fixing plants in future free plant schemes.”

In moving the motion, Councillor Thomas stated that soil was the very stuff of life, a mixture of physical, chemical, and biological elements including minerals from rocks, organic matter from dead plants and animals, living organisms, air, and water.  Councillor Thomas advised that soil held three times as much carbon as the atmosphere, it reduced the risk of flooding by absorbing water and it delivered 95% of global food supplies; however, it was a limited resource under pressure from many factors. 

Councillor Thomas referred to a 2019 report by the Environment Agency, which had highlighted that soil currently stored about ten billion tonnes of carbon, which was approximately equal to eighty years of annual UK greenhouse gas emissions. Councillor Thomas stated that intensive agriculture had caused arable soils to lose about 40% to 60% of their organic carbon, and in England and Wales almost four million hectares of soil was at risk of compaction, over two million hectares of soil was at risk of erosion and the spread of some materials could give rise to 300,000 hectares being contaminated in the UK.

Councillor Thomas outlined the four actions set out in the motion and confirmed that the motion asked the Council to collectively recognise the

importance of soil, the threat that it was under and to identify actions that could be taken.

Councillor Inglis stated that the Council had a strong record of promoting the protection of soil health and this motion helped to ensure, where possible and within Council resources, that practices were embedded within the relevant Council policies and operational activities, whilst also promoting soil health to local residents and land  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

The report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth is attached.

Councillors Barney and R Walker left the meeting for consideration of the item.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, Councillor Upton presented the report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth, which outlined the Ratcliffe on Soar Local Development Order (LDO) and sought Council’s approval to adopt the LDO.

Councillor Upton advised that this major decision would affect future generations and asked Councillors to make an open and objective decision, with no pre-determinations. Councillors were thanked for their engagement with this very detailed report and officers for their hard work in preparing it.

Councillor Upton reminded Council that Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station would be closing in September 2024 and so far going forward, the only approved use would be for the Emerge Waste to Energy Project.  This was a unique, strategic site of national importance, with excellent transport links, excellent connectivity to the National Grid and was a highly visible gateway to Rushcliffe and Nottingham.  The site was close to the urban conurbations of Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, and Loughborough, with their associated universities and high tech industries, with most of the site being within the East Midlands Freeport boundary, which came into operation in March 2023.  Councillor Upton stated that the Government clearly expected this site to be rapidly developed, as part of its levelling up agenda, and hopefully attracting international investment into the region.  Council noted that the Freeport Business Case focused upon advanced manufacturing, decarbonised technology and renewable and low carbon energy generation and there was an urgency to get new businesses established by September 2026, being the final date to qualify for full Freeport benefits.  Councillor Upton stated that any investors required clarity and certainty, and the current lack of any planning approval was a major issue, which the LDO would resolve.  Council was reminded that the Freeport would generate significant income from retained Business Rates to invest into local projects.

Councillor Upton referred to the Cabinet decision in 2021 to prepare an LDO and to work collaboratively with Uniper, and since then detailed work had been ongoing to prepare this final draft.  Council was advised that extensive consultation had taken place as detailed in the Statement of Community Involvement, it had been scrutinised numerous times by the cross party Local Development Forum (LDF) Group, and at its meeting in June, it had recommended adoption of the LDO.  Councillor Upton stated that an LDO was an efficient planning application process, whereby proposals could be assessed against a specific set of criteria, giving the Council planning control over the redevelopment of the whole site.  The use of LDOs was recommended in the National Planning Policy Guidance for simplifying and streamlining the planning process for large sites.  The LDO would be valid for 25 years and could create certainty for investors, reduce risk and speed up the planning process, which Council was reminded would be needed to meet the tight three year deadline of September  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The report of the Monitoring Officer is attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough-wide Leadership, Councillor Clarke presented the report of the Monitoring Officer

outlining proposed revisions to the Council’s Constitution.

Councillor Clarke explained that this was an administrative item proposing updates relating to changes within the Council following the May 2023 elections, staffing changes and other procedural amendments, which had been proposed to further clarify the Council’s operating procedures.  The Leader highlighted that the Constitution was a living document that was reviewed annually by Governance Scrutiny Group and changes were constantly being made to reflect changes in legislation, operation procedures and best practice.

Council noted that this year’s changes had been considered by the Governance Scrutiny Group at its meeting on 29 June 2023, and Councillor Clarke thanked the Group for their deliberations.  Whilst many of the proposed changes had been discussed and agreed, it was clear from the meeting that more time was required to consider detailed changes to the way Planning Committee operated, particularly the rules around the closure of that meeting.  Therefore, a further opportunity would be taken to review those changes in more detail at the September Governance Scrutiny Group meeting before an additional report was brought back to Council.

Councillor Brennan seconded the item and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor J Walker thanked officers for the work they had undertaken on updating this complex document and welcomed the return of Planning Committee to the evening as this made it easier for both Councillors and members of the public to attend. Councillor Walker also welcomed the use of more modern, inclusive language giving Councillors the choice of Chair or Chairman when undertaking this role.

Councillor Calvert brought Council’s attention to paragraph 3.3 of the report, which highlighted the intention to take changes proposed to the way Planning Committee operated back to the next Governance Scrutiny Group in September.  He asked if an additional matter could be considered by the Group relating to the circumstances under which an application was considered by the Planning Committee. Councillor Calvert went on to appraise Council of an application in Keyworth recently approved under delegated powers in which the community had put forward significant objections but, as Ward Councillors had agreed with the planning officer recommendation, the opportunity for members of the public to outline their concerns to the Committee had been removed.  Councillor Calvert called this a democratic deficit and a fundamental flaw in the arrangements for Planning Committee, which gave the impression that the application had not been considered openly or transparently.

Councillor Butler outlined, for the benefit of new Councillors, the reasons behind moving Planning Committee to its current afternoon slot but said that he was very supportive of a move back to 6pm.  He also commented on the change of language in the Constitution and, whilst he was happy to be called Chairman, he appreciated that people now had a choice of language to use.

Councillor R Mallender thanked officers for putting forward such an extensive set of proposals  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

The report of the Monitoring Officer is attached.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Leisure, and Wellbeing, Councillor J Wheeler, presented the report of the Monitoring Officer outlining the importance of the LGA Debate Not Hate campaign.

He went on to call upon Council to support the campaign, highlighting the unfortunate reality that too many Councillors received abuse whilst simply doing their job and acknowledged that everyone was entitled to their own views but recognised that those could be shared respectfully.  He reminded Council about what happened if hate went unchecked and referred to the tragic deaths of MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess.

Councillor Inglis seconded the recommendation and informed Council that hate included everything from murder to snide comments in person or on social media.  Derogatory comments could have a significant impact on an individual’s mental well-being and the LGA campaign was an excellent step forward in addressing unacceptable behaviour. Councillor Inglis called upon Councillors to take care when carrying out their duties especially if they were doing so alone.

Councillor Chaplain noted that Rushcliffe residents were predominately well mannered and respectful, but that this did not mean that the campaign was any less important here.  She recognised that the debate in the Chamber this evening had covered very wide ranging views, but everyone had participated respectfully, and she encouraged her fellow Councillors to report any abuse experienced and get support.

Councillor S Mallender thanked the Monitoring Officer for bringing the campaign to Council’s attention and hoped that all Councillors would support the recommendation to show that the abuse seen elsewhere had no place in Rushcliffe.

Councillor J Wheeler thanked Councillors for their support and reiterated that Councillors should be able to speak in the Chamber without fear and  concluded by stressing that the Council was signing up to the campaign in support of Councillors here and across the country to show that hate would not be tolerated.

Councillor Brennan requested that a recorded vote be taken.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken for this item as follows:

FOR: Councillors M Barney, J Billin, T Birch, R Bird, A Brennan, A Brown, R Butler, S Calvert, J Chaplain, K Chewings, N Clarke, T Combellack, J Cottee, S Dellar, A Edyvean, S Ellis, G Fletcher, M Gaunt, E Georgiou, P Gowland, C Grocock, R Inglis, R Mallender, S Mallender, D Mason, P Matthews, H Om, H Parekh, A Phillips, L Plant, D Polenta, N Regan, D Simms, D Soloman, C Thomas, R Upton, D Virdi, J Walker, R Walker, L Way, T Wells, G Wheeler, J Wheeler, and G Williams

It was RESOLVED that the LGA campaign be endorsed and supported by signing the online Debate not Hate public statement.

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

a)               Rushcliffe Borough Council acknowledges that Care experienced people face significant barriers that can impact them throughout their lives. 

Despite the resilience of many care experienced people, society too often does not take their needs into account.  Care experienced people often face discrimination and stigma across housing, health, education, relationships, employment and in the criminal justice system.

Care experienced people often face a postcode lottery of support.  As corporate parents, councillors have a collective responsibility for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by us as an authority.  All corporate parents should commit to acting as mentors, hearing the voices of looked after children and care experienced people and to consider their needs in any aspect of council work. Councillors should be champions of care experienced people and challenge the negative attitudes and prejudice that exists in all aspects of society.

The Public Sector Equality Duty requires public bodies, such as councils, to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimisation of people with protected characteristics. Rushcliffe Borough Council acknowledges that Children entering the care system are often split from their siblings and placed outside their home Local Authority Area. That they don't choose to enter the care system, that they don't choose to be split up from their siblings and don't choose to be placed outside their local area.

The Council therefore resolves to:

·         Re-affirm our responsibilities as a corporate parent to children and care experienced people

·         Undertake a review of the impact of the Council’s Care Leaver Offer and identify potential improvements/developments to improve the quality of life of Care Experienced People

·         Agree to include people with care experience as a category within our Equalities Impact Assessment Process, and treat them as if they had a Protected Characteristic

·         Include people with care experience in general engagement exercises and discussions on new policy so they have opportunities to shape and influence what we do

·         Call on our partners to adopt the corporate parenting principles and to treat care experienced people as if they had a protected characteristic.

Councillor Gowland

b)               We propose that Rushcliffe Borough Council commits to implementing a comprehensive feasibility study into kerbside glass collection program for the residents of Rushcliffe Borough. This motion aims to promote environmental sustainability, reduce landfill waste, and encourage responsible waste management practices.

Rushcliffe Borough Council resolves to:

Evaluate the practical needs, expenses, and potential effects of introducing kerbside glass collection in Rushcliffe. This will be undertaken by a feasibility study overseen by the relevant Scrutiny group. The feasibility study has a target to present its findings to Cabinet by December 2023 for a decision to be made in time for the 2024/2025 budget. 

The feasibility study in its entirety will be shared with the full council on being completed.

Councillor Chewings

The Mayor announced that unless the meeting was extended, there would not be enough time for the motion, and she suggested that the meeting moved to Item 14 Questions from Councillors.

Councillor Gaunt proposed that a vote to be taken to decide if the meeting should be extended and that was seconded by Councillor J Walker.

It was RESOLVED that the meeting be extended and would finish no later than 10.30pm.

The Mayor advised that in the interest of trying to complete this item, she considered it appropriate to reduce the time for speeches from 10 minutes to five minutes for the mover of the motion, and three minutes for all other speeches.

The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor Chewings and seconded by Councillor Birch.

“We propose that Rushcliffe Borough Council commits to implementing a comprehensive feasibility study into kerbside glass collection program for the residents of Rushcliffe Borough. This motion aims to promote environmental sustainability, reduce landfill waste, and encourage responsible waste management practices.

Rushcliffe Borough Council resolves to:

Evaluate the practical needs, expenses, and potential effects of introducing kerbside glass collection in Rushcliffe. This will be undertaken by a feasibility study overseen by the relevant Scrutiny group. The feasibility study has a target to present its findings to Cabinet by December 2023 for a decision to be made in time for the 2024/2025 budget. 

The feasibility study in its entirety will be shared with the full council on being completed.”

In moving the motion, Councillor Chewings informed Council that this was an important issue, integral to the welfare of the Borough and society’s environmental future, as it embraced a more sustainable approach to life, and until now the urgent issue of introducing kerbside glass collection was waiting for Rushcliffe to address.  Councillor Chewings called for change and demanded transparency moving forward, with glass often treated as a disposable entity, which was unacceptable.  He stated that the current system, which merged glass waste and general household refuse was not just wasteful but an unfulfilled opportunity and questioned how burying or incinerating such a precious resource could be allowed, when that squandered natural resources and placed an undue strain on waste facilities.  Councillor Chewings referred to the benefits of kerbside collection, including; promoting environmental sustainability, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, allowing glass to be effectively recycled into new products, the further growth of the recycling industry, together with potential long term financial savings with the reduction of waste management costs, and finally encouraging community engagement and empowering individuals to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Councillor Chewings referred to comments made by the previous Leader of the Council at the Council meeting in March committing Rushcliffe to remaining the number one authority for recycling in the county and questioned how this authority could claim to be the best when it was failing to collect and recycle such a common material, and that it was time to act and make a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The Mayor announced that as it was nearly 10.30pm, the meeting would conclude, and the remaining item would be carried forward to the next meeting of Council in September 2023.  She thanked Councillors for their attention through such a long evening.

It was RESOLVED that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Mayor closed the meeting at 10.27pm and the remaining item was adjourned to the next Council meeting in September 2023.