Agenda and minutes

Councillor Audrey Dinnall – personal

Councillor Helen Kalsi - unwell

Councillor Kirsty L Jones – leave

Councillor Farzanna Mahmood – personal

Councillor Georgia Power - personal

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Display of Religious Symbols

A citizen asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture:What is Nottingham City Council’s policy on the permanent display of religious symbols on publicly owned land?

Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis replied as follows:

The policy was agreed by the Council’s Executive Board and is available online within the Committee Reports section of the Council’s website. The title of this policy is “New Statues, Monuments and Public Artworks in Parks and the Public Realm Owned by Nottingham City Council”. It is important to note that the policy does not cover commemorative trees and benches, nor does it cover temporary installations, murals, plaques, or any installations on private land, although those may require planning permission.  The policy provides an extra layer of nuance and due diligence, looking at considerations such as location, local history, funding, maintenance of structures that are proposed, quality of materials, community support, etc. When the policy went through the Portfolio, I did ask for a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion – considerations to ensure that future monuments and installations express the full diversity of lived experiences in our city. We looked at areas such as the representative function of space for people from diverse ethnic and gender backgrounds. There is still a way to go in terms of achieving equality of representation in our public spaces, but this policy, as well as the new street naming policy which was brought forward last year, is a positive way forward in making space more representative, and space more accommodating to all of our diverse communities.  It should be noted, lastly, that the statues and monuments policy does not replace the traditionally known planning process. Planning is a statutory function and anyone who proposes any installation which is of a certain scale will need to go through planning processes, depending of course on their application and the size of the proposed installation. The statues policy is an extra layer of consideration for issues related to culture which takes place before the planning process in most cases. That means that approval can be given by the Portfolio Holder responsibility for culture on a specific installation, but in most cases that will require a further approval which is given in relation to planning considerations, and that will be given either by a Planning Officer or by the Planning Committee depending on the scale of development. I hope that answers your question, thank you.

Playgrounds

A citizen asked the following questionof the Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Waste Services and Parks:What is the Council’s current spending commitment to maintain, repair, improve and expand the provision of playgrounds in Nottingham? How does this commitment compare to patterns of spending over the past decade?

Councillor Corall Jenkins replied as follows:

With regards to the delay in replacing the swings in Ruddington Lane Recreation Ground, may I first apologise for the disappointment caused by the delay in the replacement. The old swing unit was removed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

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The minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2023 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

The Chief Executive made the following announcements:

I’m pleased to report that the Council has received 15 Green Flag Awards, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. 15 sites, including the Arboretum, Collett Country Park, Victoria Embankment, Highfields Park, Wollaton Park, Woodthorpe Grange, and two cemeteries – Highwood and Wilford Hill – have been accredited. The awards are testament to the hard work and dedication of Council staff and volunteers who make the city’s parks and green spaces such great places for everyone to enjoy.

The Council has also been shortlisted in two other national awards. The Local Government Chronical Awards - this, in respect of our Public Health Team and our Change Academy where staff, many from under-represented groups, have been supported to develop their skills in Business Analysis and Project Management, and working on our improvement programmes – and also the Association for Public Service Excellence Awards for our frontline services. This covers our parks and our horticultural and our best climate action plan for decarbonisation.

I’ve got three sad announcements. Firstly, Phil Saunders, an officer in our Housing Management Division, died peacefully at home at the beginning of September. This was within a few days of taking retirement after 41 years of public service.

Secondly, we join Nottinghamshire Police in mourning the sad loss of Sergeant Graham Saville who tragically died after being hit by a train while trying to help a distressed man.  And thirdly, we also mark the passing of Valentine Nkoyo, and remember her for her work with the Mojatu Foundation which empowers and supports communities in Nottingham at risk from ongoing prejudice.  Our thoughts are with the family and friends of all those we have lost.

Councillors David Mellen and Andrew Rule spoke in tribute to Graham Saville, and Councillor AJ Matsiko and Councillor Sarita-Marie Rehman Wall spoke in tribute to Valentine Nkoyo and Phil Saunders respectively.

A minute’s silence was held.

None

Homelessness and Housing Funding

Councillor Sam Harris asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Housing:  Does the Portfolio Holder for Housing share with me my shock and utter despair at the reports in July that Michael Gove returned nearly £2 billion back to the Treasury? And could the Portfolio Holder tell me how this money would ease the homelessness and housing crisis in Nottingham?

Councillor Jay Hayes replied as follows:

Yes, I do share your concerns about this matter. Funding like this would have been valuable to help us tackle the homelessness and housing crisis in Nottingham and I’m sure a number of councillors up and down the country would have been able to use this money to do the same. The Chartered Institute for Housing stated that such a sum would have bought five thousand affordable homes into use. Five thousand families could have had a decent, long-term secure home with this funding.

To give a sense of the scale of the problems many families in Nottingham are facing, we have over nine thousand households on the waiting list needing support through social housing in the city. We have 761 of those households in temporary accommodation, including B&Bs and hotels, and every day new households are seeking advice and support from the Council’s Housing Aid Service.  Many of those are seeking help because of rising rents across the city and in the private sector which have outstripped the levels of the local housing allowance because this benefit has not kept up with the inflation in the rental market. More and more people who are relying on the housing allowance are actually in work and need this because of low pay.  They need this money to support paying their rent or support their rent – and this is even before we consider the number of households who learned about their mortgages going up or that will go up in the next few months through the interest rate increase.  That is because of the failure of the Conservative Government under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, who have failed to take any action to support people with mortgages or in private rented accommodation. Funds like this handed back to the Treasury could and should have been used to provide more low cost social housing, which is in such urgent demand. It could have been used to help to replace homes sold under the Right to Buy scheme with one-to-one replacements in Nottingham. Over the past seven years we have lost 1,750 council houses to the right-to-buy scheme and we have not been able to get the full money to replace them.

The Government offers funds in ways which make it hard for us to accept because they come with strings attached. Much of the funding we have to find or borrow from other resources, and with the borrowing caps and the financial difficulties we face, and that many other councils face across the country, it has been impossible for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health

Councillor Linda Woodings, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, proposed the report about the state of oral health in the City and opportunities to improve oral health, including through water fluoridation.  The report was seconded by Councillor Samina Riaz.

Resolved to:

1)  note the evidence that demonstrates children in Nottingham experience worse dental health than many other parts of England;

2)  note the evidence that water fluoridation is shown by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities to benefit children and adults throughout their lives and is a safe and effective tool to improve oral health and reduce some of the health inequalities felt by communities;

3)  reaffirm the Council’s commitment to improving dental health including advocating for a local water fluoridation scheme for Nottingham City; and

4)  delegate to the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health and the Director of Public Health to work with other local councils, the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and ask the Secretary of State for Health and Care to conduct a more detailed exploration of a water fluoridation scheme that benefits Nottingham City residents.

Report of the Leader of the Council

Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the Council, presented the report detailing urgent decisions that the Council is required to note, which had been taken under provisions within the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules and Access to Information Rules.  The report was seconded by Councillor Audra Wynter.

Resolved to note:

(1)  the following decisions taken under the Call-in and Urgency provisions of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules:

(2)  that there were no decisions taken under the Special Urgency provisions of the Access to Information Procedure Rules since the last report to Council.

Council resolves to adopt the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Charter, which sets out the care and support that local people living with MND and their carers deserve and should expect.

The MND Charter is made up of 5 points:

1. The right to an early diagnosis and information

2. The right to access quality care and treatments

3. The right to be treated as individuals and with dignity and respect

4. The right to maximise their quality of life

5. Carers of people with MND have the right to be valued, respected, listened to and well-supported.

By adopting the MND Charter, this council agrees to promote the Charter and make it available to all councillors, council staff, partner organisations and health and social care professionals who deliver services for the council.

We will raise awareness of MND and what good care looks like for those living with this devastating disease, as stated in the Charter, and do everything we can as a council to positively influence the quality of life for local people with MND, their families and their carers living in our community.

Councillor Nayab Patel moved the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Linda Woodings:

Council resolves to adopt the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Charter, which sets out the care and support that local people living with MND and their carers deserve and should expect.

The MND Charter is made up of 5 points:

1.  The right to an early diagnosis and information

2.  The right to access quality care and treatments

3.  The right to be treated as individuals and with dignity and respect

4.  The right to maximise their quality of life

5.  Carers of people with MND have the right to be valued, respected, listened to and well-supported.

By adopting the MND Charter, this Council agrees to promote the Charter and make it available to all councillors, council staff, partner organisations and health and social care professionals who deliver services for the Council.

We will raise awareness of MND and what good care looks like for those living with this devastating disease, as stated in the Charter, and do everything we can as a council to positively influence the quality of life for local people with MND, their families and their carers living in our community.

Resolved to carry the motion.

Council notes with dismay the news that the Department for Transport and the 13 train operating companies it manages have announced plans to close almost all staffed ticket offices in England, totalling nearly 1000, following changes to the Government’s guidance relating to ticket office opening hours and operation. Statutory Consultations began on 5th July and finished on 1st September.

Council believes that ticket offices provide a vital service to residents in Nottingham and support passenger safety, security and accessibility. Having a central place in the station for people requiring advice and assistance provides certainty and confidence for customers who may struggle to otherwise locate station staff and also acts as a point of safety for passengers. At many stations, access to facilities such as toilets and waiting rooms is reliant on ticket office staff.

Not all residents are able to use ticket vending machines or online ticketing platforms. Many journeys require human assistance to ensure customers purchase the most appropriate and cheapest tickets, and do not incur penalties from mis-booked tickets. Ticket office staff have a wealth of knowledge which ensures that customers get appropriate advice for their whole journey.

Council is concerned that the closure of ticket offices will disproportionately affect disabled, Deaf and older residents in Nottingham – as well as those with poor literacy and IT skills or on lower incomes. Council also notes the possible implications for current station staff and believes that the closure of ticket offices could lead to a de-staffing of rail stations.

Council therefore resolves to:

•  request that the Leader writes to the Secretary of State for Transport, expressing Council’s opposition to the possible closure of staffed rail ticket offices – and in particular the offices at local stations, and;

•  request that the Leader writes to East Midlands Railway expressing the Council’s opposition to any plans to close the staffed ticket offices at local stations.

Councillor David Mellen moved the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Angela Kandola:

Council notes with dismay the news that the Department for Transport and the 13 train operating companies it manages have announced plans to close almost all staffed ticket offices in England, totalling nearly 1000, following changes to the Government’s guidance relating to ticket office opening hours and operation. Statutory Consultations began on 5th July and finished on 1st September.  Council believes that ticket offices provide a vital service to residents in Nottingham and support passenger safety, security and accessibility. Having a central place in the station for people requiring advice and assistance provides certainty and confidence for customers who may struggle to otherwise locate station staff and also acts as a point of safety for passengers. At many stations, access to facilities such as toilets and waiting rooms is reliant on ticket office staff.  Not all residents are able to use ticket vending machines or online ticketing platforms. Many journeys require human assistance to ensure customers purchase the most appropriate and cheapest tickets, and do not incur penalties from mis-booked tickets. Ticket office staff have a wealth of knowledge which ensures that customers get appropriate advice for their whole journey.  Council is concerned that the closure of ticket offices will disproportionately affect disabled, Deaf and older residents in Nottingham – as well as those with poor literacy and IT skills or on lower incomes. Council also notes the possible implications for current station staff and believes that the closure of ticket offices could lead to a de-staffing of rail stations.

Council therefore resolves to:

·  request that the Leader writes to the Secretary of State for Transport, expressing Council’s opposition to the possible closure of staffed rail ticket offices – and in particular the offices at local stations, and;

·  request that the Leader writes to East Midlands Railway expressing the Council’s opposition to any plans to close the staffed ticket offices at local stations.

Councillor Michael Edwards proposed an amendment to the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Eunice Regan to insert a new 4th paragraph: “Council notes the proposal to reduce the number of ticket office windows at Nottingham station from 3 to 1.” And after the words "expressing Council’s opposition to the possible" insert the words "reduction of ticket office windows at larger stations and"

Resolved to pass the amendment.

Councillors debated the amended motion.

Resolved to carry the amended motion.

To note the following changes to committee membership:

a)  Councillors Farzanna Mahmood and Eunice Regan have replaced Councillors Sam Lux and Matt Shannon as members of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

b)  Councillor Sam Lux has replaced Councillor Eunice Regan as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board

c)  Councillor Matt Shannon has replaced Councillor Farzanna Mahmood as a member of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee

d)  Councillor Angela Kandola has replaced Councillor Matt Shannon as a member of the Greater Nottingham Light Rapid Transit Committee

The following changes to committee membership were noted:

1)  Councillors Farzanna Mahmood and Eunice Regan had replaced Councillors Sam Lux and Matt Shannon as members of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

2)  Councillor Sam Lux had replaced Councillor Eunice Regan as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board

3)  Councillor Matt Shannon had replaced Councillor Farzanna Mahmood as a member of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee

4)  Councillor Angela Kandola had replaced Councillor Matt Shannon as a member of the Greater Nottingham Light Rapid Transit Committee

To agree to hold an Extraordinary Council meeting on 13 November 2023 at the rising of the Ordinary Council meeting on that day to appoint Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen.

Resolved to hold an Extraordinary Council meeting on 13 November 2023 at the rising of the Ordinary Council meeting on that day to appoint Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen.