Agenda and minutes

Councillor Nadia Farhat – personal

Councillor Sarita-Marie Rehman-Wall - personal

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Bus livery

A citizen asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Planning:  Can we have a public vote of Nottingham City residents regarding the return of traditional green and cream Nottingham City buses?

Councillor Angela Kandola replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor.  While I appreciate and respect the issue as much as the questioner I do not think that this is something that we will be prioritising any time soon.  For background, Nottingham City Transport moved away from the green and cream liveries on their vehicles in 2001, and adopted a coloured route branding instead, along the lines of the London tube map, to make it easier for customers to identify bus services which would be convenient for them to use. Decisions on marketing and branding of bus routes are taken on a commercial basis by Nottingham City Transport Ltd. who are operated as an arm’s length company independently from Nottingham City Council.  I think what is more important to people is having an affordable and reliable service.  Over the past two decades, there has been growth in bus use as a part of our successful public transport network. Currently, Nottingham has the second highest level of bus use in the UK outside of London with the ease of use of the network with different coloured lines serving distinct areas of the city a key part of this success story.  Public ownership has enabled us to go above and beyond on the concessionary passes for people in our city and that is particularly important as we go through a cost of living crisis.  We also continue to invest in our bus fleet through more electric and biogas buses, with useful features such as USB charging ports, supporting our Carbon Neutral 2028 ambition.  I am also pleased with the recent development of the Bulwell Bus Station, with the area much improved as a result.  Nottingham City Transport’s quality is recognised nationally – in 2022 Top National Driver, in 2021 Environmental Improvement Award, in 2019 UK Bus Operator of the Year, City Operator of the Year and Top National Driver, Unsung Hero Award and Services to the Bus Industry.  With a record such as this, is it any wonder that Labour Metro Mayors around the country are using their own new-found powers to bring an end to failed Conservative bus privatisation.

Victoria Market

A citizen asked the following questionof the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture: The market traders at Victoria Market have been waiting 18 months for a decision on the future of their livelihoods.  During this period no new traders have been allowed in, strangling the market and £25,000 has been spent on consultants.  When is a decision being made?

Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor and can I thank the member of public for the question.  The Council has been heavily subsidising the operation of the Victoria Market for many years and, as it seeks to ensure best  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

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The minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2023 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

The Chief Executive made the following announcements:

I am pleased to report that the Council was Highly Commended in the Innovation in Delivering Sustainability and Social Value category at the MJ Awards in June for its work to improve the energy efficiency of buildings across the City through the Greener HousiNG scheme.  The Council was also Highly Commended for a collaboration project with other Nottinghamshire local authorities in the Innovation in Partnerships category for work to deliver the Green Rewards programme which is helping residents to reduce their carbon footprints.

This year, Windrush Day marked the 75^th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush in Britain.  On 22 June a Civic Service was held at the Council House to recognise the contribution of the Windrush generation to Nottingham.

I would like to note the passing of Dr Rose Thompson and Leonie Meikle - two people who made an important contribution to our city. Dr Thompson devoted her career to the NHS and was a champion of health equality and cancer support services. Leonie Meikle worked in education and was formerly the City Council's Head of the School Governors Service.

Following the events in the City on 13 June which resulted in the tragic deaths of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates as well as injuries to others, the city came together at vigils at St Peters Church, the University of Nottingham campus and the Old Market Square to mourn their loss.

Councillor David Mellen spoke in tribute to those who lost their lives in the City on 13 June, Councillor Audra Wynter spoke in tribute to Dr Rose Thompson and Councillor AJ Matsiko spoke in tribute to Leonie Meikle.

A minute’s silence was held.

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Safety on the Tram Network

Councillor Kevin Clarke asked the following question of the Leader of the Council:  Would the Leader of the Council agree with our Group that with the increase in knife crime in our city and the recent tragic death on the tram network, the time has come to introduce inspectors on all journeys to reassure the public it is safe to travel on the network?

Councillor David Mellen replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor and thank you to Councillor Clarke for this question.  The recent incident on the tram between Bulwell and Highbury Vale was indeed a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with those affected by the day’s events.  The tram operator has been doing all it can to assist the Police with their ongoing inquiries, which are not yet complete.  The operation of the tram is contracted out to Tramlink Nottingham and their sub-contractor, and they are responsible for the Safety Plan for the system. It should be noted that well over 6000journeys are operated on the system each week, and the overwhelming majority of these pass off without incident. Given the number of journeys it is not possible to have safety inspectors on every journey, indeed not covering every journey is standard industry practice across all rail and light rail journeys.  The operator does however have a robust and dynamic Safety Plan in place which aims to optimise the level of security provided to travellers and operations staff. It seeks to minimise crime and the fear of crime on the network, provide an effective deterrent against anti-social behaviour. The Plan sets down a series of measures, which include:

·  CCTV provision on all trams, and across the system, with a control centre monitoring activity during operational hours;

·  emergency help points on trams and at platforms, which connect immediately into the control centre;

·  provision of Travel Officers to ensure a presence across the system during all service hours to provide reassurance to customers. The Officers have training in conflict resolution and personal safety;

·  a process to review all incidents on the system to ensure effective deployment of Travel Officers; and

·  regular engagement with Nottinghamshire Police, British Transport Police, Community Policing, City Centre management, universities, and other transport operators. A forum has been set up to share data and intelligence on anti-social behaviour trends across the city, and allow for more effective responses.

It is also important to note that the operator constantly reviews its safety approach, and has increased patrols on the system in the evenings in recent months in response to some incidents of increased anti-social behaviour across the network. They will also increase patrols in specific areas based on police intelligence. The operator is also in discussion with the Department for Transport (DfT) over developing a national light rail security plan, similar to that adopted in the heavy rail network, with a DfT inspector recently visiting Nottingham on a fact finding mission. 

The incident on 26 Junewas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Report of the Leader of the Council

Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the Council, presented the report informing Council that since the last report to Council in May 2023 there have been no decisions taken under urgency provisions within the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (Article 11) and Access to Information Procedure Rules (Article 13) of the Constitution.  The report was seconded by Councillor Audra Wynter.

Resolved to note that no decisions had been taken under urgency provisions within the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (Article 11) and/or Access to Information Procedure Rules (Article 13) of the Constitution since the last report to Council in May 2023.

Report of the Leader of the Council

Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the Council, presented the report notifying Council of Constitutional amendments necessitated by changes he had made to Executive delegation arrangements.  The report was seconded by Councillor Audra Wynter.

Resolved to note that Article 10 (Executive Arrangements) and Article 13 (Access to Information) of the Constitution will be amended to reflect the following changes to Executive delegations as agreed by the Leader of the Council:

(1)  raise the financial limit on decisions that can be taken by officers to £300,000; and

(2)  raise the value of a decision that requires publication via a delegated decision form to £100,000.  This excludes policy decisions taken by Portfolio Holders which will continue to require publication.

Report of the Chair of the Standards and Governance Committee

Councillor Kirsty L Jones, Chair of the Standards and Governance Committee, proposed the report asking Council to approve changes to Articles 9 (Non-Executive Functions and Committees), 15 (Councillor Code of Conduct) and 18 (Contract Procedure Rules) of the Constitution.  The proposed changes had been considered by the Standards and Governance Committee at its meeting on 22 June 2023 and were recommended to Council for approval.  The report was seconded by Councillor Angela Kandola.

Resolved to:

(1)  amend Article 9 (Non-Executive Functions and Committees) of the Constitution to add the Terms of Reference for the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Committee, as set out in Appendix A to the report;

(2)  amend Article 15 (Councillor Code of Conduct) of the Constitution to replace the Corporate Director of People with the Chief Executive as the individual who can designate training as mandatory; and

(3)  approve a revised Article 18 (Contract Procedure Rules) of the Constitution, as set out in Appendix B to the report.

Report of the Chair of Licensing Committee

Councillor Audrey Dinnall, Chair of the Licensing Committee, proposed the report informing Council that, under the Licensing Act 2003, a new Statement of Licensing Policy is required to come into force from 7 January 2024 and asking Council to approve a draft Statement for release for public consultation.  The outcome of the consultation and any proposed amendments to the Statement will be reported to Council at its meeting in November 2023 when Council will be asked to consider and approve the Statement of Licensing Policy.  The report was seconded by Councillor Sajid Mohammed.

Resolved to approve the release of the draft Statement of Licensing Policy, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, for public consultation.

Nottingham is a diverse, multi-cultural City in which, according to latest pupil statistics, 49% are from the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic community, 48.8% from the White Community and 2.1% are unclassified.

This Council notes that Black and Dual Heritage children are three times more likely to be permanently excluded and are over-represented in most stages of the youth justice system and more likely to be convicted or cautioned.

Nottingham City Council commits to encouraging a diverse and inclusive City where different cultures are valued and recognised.

Nottingham City Council resolves to: 

• work with schools to create a diverse and anti-racist curriculum that recognises the contribution of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals and educates children and young people on Britain’s role in upholding systemic racism;
• work with partners in our schools, academies, universities and teacher training institutions to encourage a teaching workforce and governing bodies that reflect the make-up of our City and reduce disproportionality in exclusions;
• better reflect Nottingham’s diversity in books held in our libraries, our communications and our cultural events;
• continue our work with the police and justice system to reduce disproportionality in outcomes for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic young people.

Councillor Cheryl Barnard moved the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Sam Gardiner:

Nottingham is a diverse, multi-cultural City in which, according to latest pupil statistics, 49% are from the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic community, 48.8% from the White Community and 2.1% are unclassified.

This Council notes that Black and Dual Heritage children are three times more likely to be permanently excluded and are over-represented in most stages of the youth justice system and more likely to be convicted or cautioned.

Nottingham City Council commits to encouraging a diverse and inclusive City where different cultures are valued and recognised.

Nottingham City Council resolves to: 

• work with schools to create a diverse and anti-racist curriculum that recognises the contribution of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals and educates children and young people on Britain’s role in upholding systemic racism;
• work with partners in our schools, academies, universities and teacher training institutions to encourage a teaching workforce and governing bodies that reflect the make-up of our City and reduce disproportionality in exclusions;
• better reflect Nottingham’s diversity in books held in our libraries, our communications and our cultural events;
• continue our work with the police and justice system to reduce disproportionality in outcomes for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic young people.

Resolved to carry the motion.

To note that the following changes have been made Committee membership:

a)  Councillor Sajid Mohammed has been appointed to a vacant seat on the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel

b)  Councillor Zafran Khan has been appointed to a vacant seat on the Licensing Committee

c)  Councillor Audra Wynter has been appointed to a vacant seat on the Regulatory and Appeals Committee

d)  Councillor Gul Khan has been appointed to a vacant seat on the Regulatory and Appeals Committee

e)  Councillor Michael Edwards has replaced Councillor Georgia Power as a member of the Joint Committee on Strategic Planning and Transport

f)  Councillor AJ Matsiko has been appointed to a vacant seat on the Housing and City Development Scrutiny Committee

g)  Councillor AJ Matsiko has been appointed as a named substitute for the Standards and Governance Committee

h)  Councillor AJ Matsiko has been appointed as a named substitute for the Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee

The following changes to committee membership were noted:

(1)  Councillor Sajid Mohammed had been appointed to a vacant seat on the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel

(2)  Councillor Zafran Khan had been appointed to a vacant seat on the Licensing Committee

(3)  Councillor Audra Wynter had been appointed to a vacant seat on the Regulatory and Appeals Committee

(4)  Councillor Gul Khan had been appointed to a vacant seat on the Regulatory and Appeals Committee

(5)  Councillor Michael Edwards had replaced Councillor Georgia Power as a member of the Joint Committee on Strategic Planning and Transport

(6)  Councillor AJ Matsiko had been appointed to a vacant seat on the Housing and City Development Scrutiny Committee

(7)  Councillor AJ Matsiko had been appointed as a named substitute for the Standards and Governance Committee

(8)  Councillor AJ Matsiko had been appointed as a named substitute for the Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee