Agenda and draft minutes

Link to further information in the Council’s Constitution

Councillor R Walker declared a potential pecuniary interest in Item 15d Notices of Motion and advised that he would leave the room and take no part in the debate.

Councillor Birch declared an interest in Item 15d Notices of Motion.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Thursday, 26 September 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 26 September 2024 were approved as a true record and signed by the Mayor.

Councillor Birch questioned the accuracy of the minutes and asked that his vote against them be recorded.

The Mayor stated that he remained very busy, attending numerous events, including the 40th anniversary celebrations for Rushcliffe’s CVS, spending an informative day with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, and at the Samarpan Retreat Centre, planting the first of one million trees to be planted around the world. The Mayor referred to Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day and thanked all Councillors who had laid a wreath and said that he had enjoyed  presenting awards to the winners at the Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards, and  thanked officers for organising this fantastic event.  The Mayor stated that despite the inclement weather, the West Bridgford Christmas Lights Switch On had successfully taken place and officers were again thanked for their hard work. The Mayor concluded by thanking Councillors for their continued support with his various charity fundraising events.

The Leader advised that the Council had been re-awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Employers Scheme Gold Award, which recognised employers who actively supported the armed forces community. The Leader thanked the Team Manager Community Development and her team for their hard work on behalf of the armed forces. The Leader echoed the Mayor’s comments regarding the excellent Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards evening, congratulated the winners and thanked all those who had arranged the event.

There were no Chief Executive’s Announcements.

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

No citizens’ questions were received for this meeting.

No petitions were presented at this meeting.

The report of the Monitoring Officer and Head of Chief Executive’s Department is attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough-wide Leadership, Councillor Clarke MBE presented the report of the Monitoring Officer and Head of Chief Executive’s Department regarding the recruitment and appointment of a new Chief Executive.

Before moving the recommendation, the Leader thanked Kath Marriott for her hard work as Chief Executive, a role which she had performed extremely well over the past five years. The Leader referred to her compassion and empathy for all and thanked her for her support to both himself and the previous Leader of the Council. The Leader wished Kath well in her new role as Chief Executive at North Kesteven District Council. 

The Director – Finance and Corporate Services and the Director – Neighbourhoods left the meeting during consideration of this item.

In moving the recommendation, the Leader referred to the comprehensive interview process, thanked members of the Interviewing Committee for their hard work and the excellent candidates that had applied. After a rigorous two-day process, the Leader confirmed that Mr Adam Hill, the current Chief Executive at Mansfield District Council was offered the post. The Leader referred to paragraph 4.10 in the report and stated that it was proposed that if necessary, the Director – Neighbourhoods be appointed as the interim Head of Paid Service and the Director – Finance and Corporate Service be appointed as the interim Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer.

Councillor Brennan seconded the recommendation, reserved the right to speak and thanked Kath for her help and support since becoming a Councillor, and wished her well.

Councillor J Walker welcomed and congratulated Mr Hill on his appointment and thanked Kath on behalf of the Labour Group for all she had done for the Borough and referred to the recent unprecedented times that the country and Borough had faced and how well Kath had led the Council through that. She thanked Kath for her time and support and felt that through her leadership, minority Councillors had been able to make an impact, and she wished Kath well in her new role.

Councillor S Mallender thanked Kath for her support during the pandemic when she was Mayor and wished her luck in her new role.

Councillor Thomas thanked Kath for her help and support over the years to the Leake Independent Group.

Councillor Birch welcomed Mr Hill and stated that he had been impressed since becoming a Councillor on how well the Council was run and thanked Kath for her help and assistance and wished her luck.

Councillor Upton personally thanked Kath for her help and support over the years and wished her good luck.

Councillor Combellack stated that Kath was valued by all Councillors and had a great knowledge and understanding of the Borough and would be greatly missed and wished her luck in her new role. 

It was RESOLVED that:

a)           the appointment of Adam Hill to the position of Chief Executive, including designation as Head of Paid Service, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer be approved; and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

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

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, Councillor Upton presented the report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth outlining the Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan.

In moving the recommendation, Councillor Upton referred to the Council’s statutory obligations and the requirement to assess if a plan met the ‘Basic Conditions’ and legal requirements and referred to the number of plans already adopted by the Council. Council noted that on 10 September 2024, Cabinet had agreed to accept all but three of the Examiner’s recommended modifications, as they were not considered to be necessary to meet the ‘Basic Conditions’. The decision had been subject to a public consultation, with five responses received, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report. If agreed this evening, Councillor Upton advised that a referendum would be held, and if over 50% voted in favour, then the Borough Council would be required to adopt the Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan as part of its Development Plan for Rushcliffe.

Councillor Wells seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Gaunt stated that the Labour Group was fully supportive of this going forward to a referendum, and acknowledged the work undertaken by many in Ruddington to produce its own plan, which had proved very useful.

Councillor Polenta fully supported having a referendum as it enhanced local democracy and the democratic decision making process, by dispersing powers to local residents, allowing them to shape the decisions that affected their lives.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Wells referred to the importance of neighbourhood plans in allowing local residents to shape their own future and community.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)           the decision not to accept the Examiner’s recommended modifications 5, 6 and 20 to the Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan be confirmed;

b)           the Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan Revised Decision Statement and its publication be approved;

c)           the holding of a referendum for the Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan, with the area for the referendum being the Parish of Tollerton be approved;

d)           the Director – Development and Economic Growth be granted delegated authority to make any necessary final minor textual, graphical and presentational changes required to the referendum version of the Tollerton Parish Neighbourhood Plan;

e)           subject to a majority vote from the referendum, the Council ‘makes’ (adopts) the Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan; and

f)             the Director – Development and Economic Growth be granted delegated authority to issue a statement setting out this decision as soon as possible following the referendum.

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance, Transformation and Governance, Councillor Virdi presented the report of the Chief Executive outlining the Barton in Fabis Community Governance Review (CGR).

In moving the recommendation, Councillor Virdi advised that Bartin in Fabis would be very different to Fairham, and without the separation the current Council would oversee two very different communities. Councillor Virdi outlined the key objectives of the CGR, the stages of the review process to be followed, with a draft timetable, including the establishment of a Task and Finish Group, as detailed in the report. Councillor Virdi advised that any costs incurred would be met from existing budgets.

Councillor R Walker seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Calvert advised that the Labour Group accepted the validity of the petition and acknowledged the reasons put forward for the creation of a new parish at Fairham, as detailed in the report. However, he questioned the timing of the CGR and stated that it would be sensible to undertake it once the majority of houses at Fairham had been occupied, to allow those residents to have a say, with the timings considered by the Task and Finish Group.

In supporting the referendum, Councillor R Mallender agreed that it would be important to consider how this was taken forward, and the Leader advised that this would be a lengthy process and a compromise had to be struck to allow sufficient opinions to be sought.

Councillor Thomas suggested that the Terms of Reference should take into account the ability to change the timetable, and to allow the Task and Finish Group to consider the timelines. The Monitoring Officer clarified that as a valid petition had been received, the Council had a statutory timetable to comply with, and it would be within the remit of the Task and Finish Group to amend the current proposed timetable, as appropriate.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor R Walker passed on Barton in Fabis Parish Council’s support for this report and confirmed its willingness to help in anyway going forward.

Councillor Virdi confirmed that the remit of the Task and Finish Group would be to look at the consultation process and potential options going forward.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)           the process involved for the delivery of a Community Governance Review and the proposed timetable be noted;

b)           the Terms of Reference for the Community Governance Review (Appendix Two of the report) be approved;

c)           a cross party Task and Finish Group  be established to consider the Council’s position in response to the consultation to be undertaken as part of the Review; and

d)           the Task and Finish Group Terms of Reference (Appendix Three of the Report) be approved.

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Councillor Inglis presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods outlining the Gambling Act 2005 – Draft Statement of Licensing Principles.

In moving the recommendation, Councillor Inglis advised that it was a legal requirement to have a Statement of Principles in place, and that there were no real changes from the previous Statement, which had been approved in 2021. This document had to be reviewed every three years, and if approved would come into effect on 31 January 2025. Councillor Inglis confirmed that it had been subject to public consultation and considered by the Licensing Committee on 14 October 2025.

Councillor Phillips seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

In suppoorting the recommendation, Councillor Chaplain stated that it was more important than ever to have an effective and enforceable policy, given the increased access to gambling via various platforms and the Government’s review of the gambling regime was required to make it fit for the digital age and to prevent harm to vulnerable groups. Councillor Chaplain thanked officers, particularly the Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer for their hard work.

In supporting the recommendation, Councillor Chewings confirmed that the Licensing Committee had looked at this document in depth, and was pleased to see that a Government review was taking place and thanked officers.

It was RESOLVED that the draft Statement of Licensing principles be approved.

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Councillor Inglis presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods outlining the Street Trading Policy 2025-2030.

In moving the recommendation, Councillor Inglis advised that the Council had adopted a Street Trading Policy in 2019, which was due to expire in January 2025. Prior to the adoption of the Policy, trading was unregulated, apart from an area confined around Nottingham Forest Football Club, and the Policy had brought other traders under regulatory control. Councillor Inglis confirmed that it had been subject to public consultation and considered by the Licensing Committee on 14 October 2025. The Committee had asked for the draft Policy to be amended, details of which were highlighted in Paragraph 1.2 and Appendix H of the report.

Councillor Mason seconded the recommendation.

Councillor Grocock thanked officers, confirmed that the Labour Group was happy to support this important Policy and referred to the important oversight undertaken by the Licensing Committee.

It was RESOLVED that the revised Street Trading Policy attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough-wide Leadership, Councillor Clarke MBE presented the report of the Chief Executive outlining the review of polling districts and polling places.

In moving the recommendation, the Leader stated that this was a regular review to reflect changing communities, with Paragraph 4.3 in the report detailing the main changes.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Brennan reminded Council that members had been consulted and hoped it would ensure that everyone had reasonable access to accessible polling stations.

Councillor Plant confirmed that the Labour Group supported the recommendation and felt that a regular review was reasonable, given housing growth, and she wondered if it would be better to run a consultation following an election. She referred to the importance of ensuring that all polling stations were accessible and questioned how information on accessibility was passed on.

Councillor R Mallender agreed with the importance of ensuring polling stations were accessible and was happy with the minor change to Lady Bay.

The Leader agreed with the comments made and advised that he believed that all polling stations In Rushcliffe were accessible.  

It was RESOLVED that:

a)           Council approved:

(i)           proposals setting out changes to polling districts and polling places; and

(ii)         the revised schedule of polling districts and polling places as set out in Appendix 2 to the report;

b)           the Chief Executive be requested to formally publish the notice of the conclusion of the review and its findings; and

c)           the (Acting) Returning Officer be given authority to select an appropriate alternative polling place (if required). Formal retrospective approval to be sought by Council following an election, if appropriate.

To receive Notices of Motion

a)               Councillor Inglis

The Borough of Rushcliffe, along with other parts of the County, is often affected by what are commonly known as "Car Meets" or "Cruisers" which are a cause of significant concern to many residents across the Borough, constitute Anti-Social Behaviour and are a risk to public safety.

Current Road Traffic Laws cover some aspects of this but are not sufficient in prevention.

The aim of this motion is to ensure that gatherings/meetings are pre notified and approved, and therefore authorised by the Police and stakeholder Partnerships, with appropriate tools for authorities to tackle any breaches thus providing a simple means of deterrent, dispersal and prosecution. 

This Council resolves:

To write to the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to request that the Government instigates new legislation surrounding car cruising meetings/gatherings to implement a legal requirement for organisers to pre-notify the relevant authorities as to when and where such a meeting is planned, and that a failure to do so will result in any attendee being liable to prosecution/dispersion.

b)               Councillor Chewings

Council notes that:

a.   The poor state of many roads in Rushcliffe is of significant concern to road users resulting in complaints to Councillors

b.   Poor road surface conditions can lead to physical damage to vehicles.

c.   The Local Government Association (LGA) has noted that, because of inflation and materials shortages, the cost of repairing a pothole has increased by 22 per cent.

d.   The LGA has reported that councils in the UK face a £16.3 Billion road repair backlog.

e.   The additional £500Million allocated in the Autumn budget for potholes. Council believes that the Government’s ‘pothole fund’ is a totally inadequate response to this situation. The additional £500Million goes nowhere near the £16.3 Billion road repaid backlog as reported by the LGA on the 12th August 2024.

Council therefore resolves to:

·     Write to our two MPs to express our concerns regarding the inadequate funding for road repairs and its significant impact on residents. Request that they urgently lobby the Government to provide sufficient funding to address this issue.

·     Write to the Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP, Secretary of State for Transport, urging the immediate allocation of funds to improve the condition of countryside roads.

·     Write to Nottinghamshire County Council to raise the Council’s concerns about the deteriorating condition of roads within Rushcliffe. Request a comprehensive response detailing the underlying causes of this issue, a clear plan to address the disrepair, and an explanation of any barriers hindering progress.

c)               Councillor Birch

This Council recognizes the invaluable contributions that farmers make to Rushcliffe borough. This motion affirms our unwavering support for Rushcliffe's farming community. We are grateful for their hard work and expertise.

This Council notes that:

1.   Farmers provide essential services in food production, land stewardship, and conservation.

2.   Farming is a challenging industry, facing increasing pressures from rising operational costs, volatile markets, changing weather, and evolving regulations.

3.   Farmers contribute significantly to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 46.

a)           The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor Inglis and seconded by Councillor Parekh.

“This Council resolves to:

Write to the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to request that the Government instigates new legislation surrounding car cruising meetings/gatherings to implement a legal requirement for organisers to pre-notify the relevant authorities as to when and where such a meeting is planned, and that a failure to do so will result in any attendee being liable to prosecution/dispersion.”

In moving the motion, Councillor Inglis stated that many residents in the Borough were suffering because of car cruising, and this problem was not unique to Rushcliffe. Councillor Inglis referred to his own personal experiences as a former Traffic Policeman of dealing with fatalities and serious injuries due to dangerous driving and it was noted that car cruising had been taking place for many years, with a new approach needed to tackle it. Councillor Inglis stated that work was being undertaken with partners, including the Police to look at other options, which would not face legal challenge. Council noted the significant risk to young, male drivers aged 17 to 24, who were four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than those over 25. Councillor Inglis stated that this proposal would fill in the gap of existing policing and legislative powers and help to improve residents’ quality of life and reduce demand on the Police. He would welcome the establishment of a Member Working Group and advised that James Naish MP had confirmed that there were no requests sitting with the Government to address this issue.     

In seconding the recommendation Councillor Parekh reiterated the seriousness of this issue, which was a blight and consistent concern to so many residents. Whilst acknowledging that the Police did take action, she was concerned that an accident could happen before the Police arrived.  Councillor Parekh believed that the risks were so great, it was now time to take action and this proposal would provide a practical solution, whilst acting as a deterrent, with legislation to ensure that public spaces remained safe and reflecting the Council’s commitment to safeguarding residents.

Councillor Gowland agreed that car cruising was a nuisance and believed that Police already had powers to tackle it, although it was acknowledged that resources were limited and she felt that the motion should have been asking the Police and Crime Commissioner to make this a priority and to engage with people to choose safe locations, and she advised that the Labour Group would not be supporting the motion.     

Councillor Birch supported the motion, which was designed to improve public safety and empower the Police and it was noted that this issue caused other problems, not just safety concerns, with current legislation needing to be strengthened, and the deterrent effect of this would make it worthwhile.

Councillor Om reiterated comments made regarding the problems for local residents and the strong reasons why the motion should be supported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To answer questions submitted by Councillors

The questions from Councillors were carried over to the next Council meeting.