Agenda and draft minutes

Link to further information in the Council’s Constitution

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2025 were approved as a true record of the meeting and were signed by the Chair.

It was noted the Group had been provided with an update on banking services that were available across the Borough, which had been circulated to members. Councillor Way raised her concerns at the lack of banking opportunities and requested further information on Post Office services and ATM machines. The Economic Growth and Corporate Project Officer advised that more research is being done which will be reported to the Group at a future meeting.

The Leader of the Council added that he had written letters to both the Local Government Association (LGA) and District Council’s Network (DCN) requesting their engagement with this matter. 

Report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth

The Director – Development and Economic Growth provided an overview of the scrutiny objective and its progress since it was last discussed at the meeting of Growth and Development Scrutiny Group in January 2024. The Group were reminded of the Cabinet decision in May 2024 which reaffirmed the position of the Council not to adopt open spaces, but to support a Good Practice Guide, support the work of the Scrutiny Group and to continue lobbying Government.

The Director – Development and Economic Growth referred to the action plan at Appendix A of the report which provided an update on work completed and work in progress over the last twelve months. The Director – Development and Economic Growth highlighted the following actions:

·       Developer Contribution Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) – a draft SPD to be presented to the Local Development Framework Group in April

·       Good Practice Guide – outlining the Council’s expectations of service on behalf of residents

·       Community Development Boards – Management Companies to be invited to join Developments Boards – examples of this happening at Fairham and Newton

·       The Council to act as convener between stakeholders where there are significant disputes

·       Liaise with other agencies regarding their role – for example Flood and Water management Act 2010 - not yet implemented

·       Lobbied Government – three letters sent to Government by the Leader with the aim to provide legislation to an area that is currently unregulated.

The Head of Service - Planning advised the Group that a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has been drafted for Developer Contributions, including a section on Management of Open Spaces that will cover landscaping schemes and management plans for the maintenance of open spaces. The SPD would also reference the Good Practice guide and the Borough Council’s expectations, but is cannot be a mandatory requirement. The Group noted that the Developer Contributions SPD would be considered by the Local Development Framework Group on the 22 April.

The Director – Development and Economic Growth continued and presented the Group with the draft Good Practice Guide and advised the Group that the guide is closely aligned with the New Homes Quality Code and is designed to represent a reasonable achievable commitment from developers and management companies, in the interest of achieving the best quality service for residents. However, she emphasised this was only a guide to encourage developers to provide good practice, but it was not mandatory or enforceable in any way.

The Group were informed that the Leader of the Council, Councillor Neil Clarke held a roundtable meeting in July 2024 which brought together cross-party Councillors, developers, management companies and residents to have conversations around the four Good Practice themes:

·       Service

·       Fairness

·       Transparency

·       Community

The Group noted that the guide closely aligned with existing practices outlined in the New Homes Quality Code (NHQC) and outlines the Council’s expectations of management companies.

The Director – Development and Economic Growth in concluding informed the Group that whilst the Good Practice guide was not mandatory the overwhelming response from developers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

Report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services

The Chair advised the Group that no further scrutiny items had been submitted for consideration by the Corporate Overview Group and reminded Councillors of the process.

The Chair thanked officers for their continued support in the scrutiny process and for the leadership and commitment they provide in making Rushcliffe an exemplary Borough Council.

It was RESOLVED that the Group agree a work Programme for 2025-2026.