Agenda and minutes

The Meeting was led in prayer by the Mayor's Chaplain, Reverend Andrew Stewart. 

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 7 December, 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 7 December were received as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that he had attended 21 interesting and varied events since the last meeting of Council. The most memorable of these had been reading to classes 3 and 4 at Edward Campion Primary School during National Book Week, attending an event to celebrate the retirement of Ruddington Brownies Brown Owl, and the speech given by the Mayoress at Women’s World Day of Prayer Service on the use, and misuse, of plastics.

The Leader advised that that The MJ had released an analysis of a recent Grant Thornton study into the Vibrancy of the Local Economy which had placed Rushcliffe in first place in the East Midlands for dynamism and opportunity; and in eleventh place nationally. The Leader congratulated the Mayor on hosting a very successful Civic Dinner last month and thanked officers for their cooperation with the Peer Review Challenge Team, the process of which had provided an opportunity for reflection and improvement. The Leader also advised that he was in advanced negotiations to bring the Tour of Britain to the Borough in September.

The Chief Executive thanked both Councillors and members of the public for their understanding and cooperation during the period of bad weather last week.

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

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services that outlined the Council’s Budget for 2017/18.  The Leader noted the projects that had successfully been completed in the last financial year including the refurbishment and re-opening of Bridgford Hall, which was now producing £120,000 of income annually and the implementation of 15 employment units in Cotgrave that would provide £100,000 income annually. The Leader advised that the future presented several challenges and uncertainties to be dealt with such as Brexit, the reduction in government funding, the lack of clarity with regard of small business rate relief and the closure of Ratcliffe-On-Soar power station in 2025.

The Leader advised that it was critical that the Council had, and maintained the resources to protect itself in case of unforeseen events and was pleased to report that the Council currently had £3.25 million in reserves. He was also pleased to report that the Council’s financial gap had reduced from £1 million to £0.29 million and that the Council was on track to becoming self-sufficient.   The Leader advised that Rushcliffe had been given the highest new housing target in Nottinghamshire outside of the City. He hoped however, that the successful housing infrastructure grant of £9.9m  that had been received from a central government to fund a new main road through the recently approved Fairham Pastures development could potentially accelerate the delivery of its proposed 3,000 homes, subject to financial negotiations. It was also noted that if approved by Council, long term empty homes would receive a premium rate of 200% of standard council tax.

The Leader advised that that the new Capital Programme would enable the development of sites at Chapel Lane Bingham, Abbey Road West Bridgford and the refurbishment of Bingham Leisure Centre. It was also noted that the tree protection and promotion project, and the skate park improvement fund would provide positive benefits for the communities of Rushcliffe. The Leader advised that despite the report recommending an increase in Council Tax, he was pleased to report that the increase would still place the Council lowest within the County and in the lowest quartile nationwide for its level of Council Tax.

In seconding the recommendations, Councillor Moore thanked all Councillors for their attendance and input at the budget consultation workshops and hoped that they could see the ideas that they put forward reflected in the proposed Budget. Councillor Moore also thanked the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services and the Council’s Finance Team for their efforts over the last few months to deliver a balanced budget for the Council.

Councillor MacInnes noted that this was the most demanding and challenging Budget that the Council had had to deliver. However, he felt confident that the Council was entering the new financial year in a strong financial position mainly due to the creation of new income streams, enabling the Council to strengthen its reserves whilst continuing to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

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

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services that set out the statutory Council Tax Resolution for 2018/19. It was noted that the resolution was a statutory requirement for billing authorities to approve prior to the billing and collection of Council Tax for the forthcoming financial year.

The resolution consolidated the precepts of Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Nottinghamshire Fire Authority, Rushcliffe Borough Council and individual Town and Parish Councils. The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Moore.

It was RESOLVED that it be noted that the Council calculated the following amounts for the year 2018/19 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended (the “Act”);

a)    Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Council Tax Base for 2018/19 has been calculated as 42,610.1 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government finance Act 1992 as amended by Section 74 of the Localism Act 2011 (the “Act”)];

b)    For dwellings in those parts of the Borough to which a Parish Precept relates as detailed in Appendix A (ii);

c)     The Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2018/19 (excluding Parish Precepts) is £5,660,325;

d)    That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2018/19 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended by Section 74 of the Localism Act 2011;

                           i.          39,451,381 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31 A (2)(a) to (f) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils. (Gross expenditure, parish and special expenses, any contingencies, any provisions for reserves);

                          ii.          £31,012,302 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31 (A) (3) (a) to (d) of the Act. (Gross income, any use of reserves);

                        iii.          £8,439,079 being the amount by which the aggregate at (d)(i) above exceeds the aggregate of (d) (ii) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A (4) of the Act, as its Council Tax Requirement. [Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act] (Expenditure less income);

                        iv.          £198.05 being the amount at (d) (iii) above [Item R], all divided by Item T (a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B (1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year (including parish precepts and special expenses);

                         v.          £2,778,754 being the aggregate amount of the Parish Precepts and Special Expenses referred to in Section 34 (3) of the Act. (Total amount of parish precepts as per Appendix A(ii);

                        vi.          £132.84 being the amount at (d) (iii) above less (d) (v) above dividing the result by item T ((1) (a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 34 (2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

The report of the Monitoring Officer is attached.

Pursuant to Cabinet Minute No.43 (2017/18), the Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the report of the Monitoring Officer to provide information on the outcome of the review of, and to seek approval for proposed revisions to the Council’s Constitution. It was noted that Cabinet and Council had approved a full review of the Council’s Constitution that had led to the formation of a Task and Finish Group. The Task and Finish Group in its work had considered all parts of the current Constitution with the objective to making changes that would change the Constitution from being a large static document to one, which would bring relevant material to the immediate attention of Councillors, Officers and members of the public. The Portfolio Holder advised that Cabinet had already approved the Task and Finish Group’s recommended changes to the Constitution in respect of executive matters (Cabinet Minute No.43, 2017/18).

The Portfolio Holder advised that the review of the Constitution had been conducted in a practical manner over a challenging timescale of one year but was pleased to note that the review had been completed on time and had created a document fit for the 21st Century. The Portfolio Holder thanked the Monitoring Officer and the members of the Task and Finish Group for their work in reviewing the Constitution.

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Beardsall, who had been the lead member of the Task and Finish Group, advised that the main changes being proposed to the Constitution included the deletion of the Articles, with relevant information from them being transferred to other parts of the Constitution, and the use of electronic links to make the constitution more accessible on electronic devices. Workshops, which had been open to all Councillors, had also been held where the proposed changes to the Constitution been shared and discussed. It was noted that the feedback received from the workshops had shown broad support for the proposed model for Public Questions at Council and Cabinet, for Opposition Groups to ask questions at Cabinet and for a definition of the leader of the opposition to be included in a revised Constitution. Councillor Beardsall noted the contribution of Councillors and Officers in the review and thanked them for their hard work and cooperation in assisting with the production of the revised Constitution.

Councillor MacInnes was pleased to report that the review of the constitution had been completed on time and thanked the Monitoring Officer for his effort in helping to produce the revised document. Councillors Davidson, R Mallender and Jones noted their full support for the recommendations contained within the report on the changes to update the Constitution that would make it a more user-friendly document and welcomed the implementation of public and opposition questions at Cabinet and Council. 

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the proposed revisions to the Council’s Constitution be approved.

b)    the model scheme for public questions at Council, as set out at Appendix A of the officer’s report, be approved for an initial twelve month trial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

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

1. Notice of Motion to be put to Council by Councillor Edwards

          “This meeting of the Council:

·       recognises the hard work already undertaken by Portfolio Holders and the Chief Executive to develop the key strategic sites in the Rushcliffe Local Plan Part 1 to reach the target of building over 13,000 new houses by 2028;

·       is concerned that the Local Plan’s vision that up to 30% of the target being affordable homes – including homes for social rent – is not likely to be achieved on the basis of experience so far at Fairham Pastures (Land south of Clifton) given the growing shortfall of genuinely affordable housing to buy and social housing to rent in the Borough; and

·       calls upon the Council to publish clarification that we reasonably expect developers and applicants to come forward with schemes that are viable with a minimum of 20% of affordable homes – including homes for social rent – towards the target of 30%.”

2. Notice of Motion to be put to Council by Councillor Robinson

“This Council recognises the importance of neighbourhood plans in facilitating and enabling local communities to communicate their preferences and needs to accommodate growth. However it calls upon the Government to ensure local communities are not placed at risk of unwanted development due to a lack of delivery of a five year land supply especially where the land supply is calculated for the benefit of areas outside the Borough Council boundary.”

3. Notice of Motion to be put to Council by Councillor Robinson

“Following the recent announcement that this Authority is to benefit from the support of £9.9 million housing infrastructure and £300,000 Land release funding, this Council endorses and supports the work of members and officers to maximise income opportunities to support the delivery of housing and growth in the Borough.”

a) The following motion was moved by Councillor Edwards and seconded by Councillor Plant.

“This meeting of the Council:

·       recognises the hard work already undertaken by Portfolio Holders and the Chief Executive to develop the key strategic sites in the Rushcliffe Local Plan Part 1 to reach the target of building over 13,000 new houses by 2028;

·       is concerned that the Local Plan’s vision that up to 30% of the target being affordable homes – including homes for social rent – is not likely to be achieved on the basis of experience so far at Fairham Pastures (Land south of Clifton) given the growing shortfall of genuinely affordable housing to buy and social housing to rent in the Borough;

and

·       calls upon the Council to publish clarification that we reasonably expect developers and applicants to come forward with schemes that are viable with a minimum of 20% of affordable homes – including homes for social rent – towards the target of 30%.”

Councillor Edwards in proposing the motion asked for the Council to adhere to the principles set out in the Local Plan Part 1 with regard to affordable housing. Councillor Plant in seconding the motion reiterated that the motion was not asking for anything that had not already been agreed  and was asking for the Council to publish clarification of our expectations of the percentage of affordable homes, including social houses to rent. Councillor Plant noted the severe problem of affordability of housing for those on average and below average wages in the Borough and the difficulties that this created for families and communities.  Councillor Plant noted that many people would never be able to afford to buy a house in Rushcliffe but that they deserved a decent house with affordable rent. Councillor Plant noted that a good mix of affordable housing solutions would create better and more cohesive communities across the Borough and urged the Council to adhere to the vision outlined in the Local Plan Part 1, of the 30% of target being of new houses being affordable homes

Councillor Robinson acknowledged that there was a housing crisis in terms of affordability in Rushcliffe and agreed with the first two points raised by Councillor Edwards. Councillor Robinson noted that with the additional £9.9 million infrastructure funding recently awarded to the Council, he felt confident that the percentage of affordable homes delivered in the Borough would increase. Councillor Robinson disagreed with the final point of the motion, which was why he would be unable to support it and advised that Rushcliffe was more successful in delivering affordable housing on new developments than other neighbouring authorities and that the evidence confirmed that the Council was already delivering where others were not on affordable housing provision.

Councillor Upton praised the work of officers to deliver on the Council’s affordable housing target but noted that not all sites were appropriate for 30% affordable housing. Councillor Upton noted that the Council had delivered 430 affordable homes between 2009 and 2017 and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

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

a) Question from Councillor S Mallender to Councillor Combellack

“Would the Chairman of the Community Development Group agree that, as part of their current work on reducing single use plastics, they include looking how Rushcliffe Borough Council, working with local partners, may encourage local businesses and other organisations in the borough to make available a network of community refill points for drinking water and to publicise these to the public?”        

Councillor Combellack responded by stating that the Community Development Group had agreed to request an update on the reduction of single use plastics in six months at which point there would be an opportunity for the group to consider this request.

Supplementary question

Councillor S Mallender asked Councillor Combellack whether water fountains could be made available in Rushcliffe Borough Council public buildings.

Councillor Combellack responded by stating that this request would also be discussed at the Community Development Group meeting.

b) Question from Councillor R Mallender to Councillor Robinson

“What is Rushcliffe administration's view of the latest moves by the County Council to become a unitary authority?”

Councillor Robinson referred Councillor Mallender to the notes of the last Council meeting where a similar point had been raised.

Supplementary Question

Councillor R Mallender asked Councillor Robinson whether he felt that any expansion of the City boundary would be counter to economic growth in the Borough.

Councillor Robinson stated that the Council would objectively consider any reorganisation plans that were submitted in the future.

c) Question from Councillor Plant to Councillor Upton

"Could the Portfolio Holder tell me how many inspections of privately rented property in the Borough have been carried out in the past year?"

Councillor Upton responded by stating that 261 privately rented properties had been inspected last year.

Supplementary Question

Councillor Plant asked Councillor Upton if there had been any prosecutions as a result of those inspections.

Councillor Upton responded by stating that 31 properties had raised some concern however, all issues had been resolved by negotiation with no further action being required.