Minutes:
a) Question from Councillor Grocock to Councillor Upton
“Considering the findings of the Environment Agency’s Adaptive Investment for Growth July 2023 prospectus, presented to Growth and Development Scrutiny Committee on 6th March 2024, has there been any analysis of the factors behind Rushcliffe's low score for some of the report's Environmental Inequality Themes, particularly “Plants and Wildlife” for which Rushcliffe is ranked 295, the worst of all councils across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire?”
Councillor Inglis summarised what the document covered and advised that it ranked Rushcliffe third for overall environmental quality across the county; however, the Council was very aware of the findings, which were based on historical data and had been discussed with the Environment Agency. Rushcliffe comprised largely of good to very good agricultural land, which had been intensively farmed, resulting in ecologically poor land and lower levels of biodiversity compared to other areas. However, the Council had a strong track record in encouraging wider biodiversity across the Borough and advised that Rushcliffe scored 219 for its air quality.
The Mayor asked Councillor Grocock if he had a supplementary question.
“Can the Council commit to developing a strategy with associated actual objectives to address our low score on plants and wildlife and other themes where we ranked relatively poorly with the report?”
Councillor Inglis advised that the Council could.
b) Question from Councillor Way to Councillor J Wheeler
“Residents of estates that have ‘open space’ management fees are raising concerns about the possible consequences of the current play park survey. How will the Council reassure these residents that any outcomes from the survey will not result in obligatory changes to the facilities on their estates resulting in subsequent increases in their management fees?”
Councillor J Wheeler advised that the survey related to future play parks rather than current ones.
The Mayor asked Councillor Way if she had a supplementary question.
“Apart from financial considerations, what barriers are there preventing Borough or parish councils adopting these play areas?”
Councillor Wheeler advised that the Leader had taken the issue of management of open spaces up with Government ministers and currently, apart from the parks it had responsibility for, the Council had no legal ability to take on any others.
c) Question from Councillor Plant to the Leader, Councillor Clarke MBE
“At the recent Corporate Overview Group the Quarter 1 position for 2024/5 was reported on. There is a predicted net revenue efficiency of £1.106M for 2024/5. £500,000 of the projected underspend is to be put into a new "West Bridgford town centre reserve" towards the pedestrianisation of WBTC i.e. Central Avenue. Can the Leader of the Council tell me has the decision to pedestrianise Central Avenue been made?”
The Leader advised that this was a complex issue, involving many partners and stakeholders, who would need to be involved, together with public consultation, and although pedestrianisation was not directly within the Borough’s gift, the overarching desire was to ensure the economic prosperity of that area, and the consultation would show if it was wanted.
The Mayor asked Councillor Plant if she had a supplementary question.
“Will residents, businesses and local West Bridgford Councillors be consulted on this important issue before a decision was actually made?”
The Leader stated that as it was a public consultation then anyone could comment.