Agenda and minutes

Councillor Azad Choudhry (personal)

Councillor Sam Gardiner (unwell)

Councillor Sue Johnson (personal)

Councillor Nicola Heaton (work)

Councillor Phil Jackson (unwell)

Councillor Angela Kandola (personal)

Councillor Jawaid Khalil (personal)

Councillor Carole McCulloch (unwell)

Councillor Sajid Mohammed (personal)

Councillor Georgia Power (personal)

Councillor Cate Woodward (unwell)

 

None

Clifton Bridge

 

JC asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Local Transport:

 

Can the Portfolio Holder declare what action they have taken in relation to the recent closure of parts of the A52 Clifton Bridge, what contact they have had with Highways England regarding the repair of said bridge and can they provide an estimate of the damage that is likely to be done to the City of Nottingham’s GDP as a result of the closure.  Finally does the Portfolio Holder see the merits now of a third bridge for vehicles between Clifton and Trent Bridge?

 

Councillor Adele Williams replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor.

 

So I want to start by thanking our officers and the questioner for their question.  It’s obviously a very important issue and I’d like to thank our officers and partners for their willingness to work countless extra hours, using all of their expertise on an incredibly difficult situation that’s affecting lots of our citizens.

 

Every day that the bridge isn’t fully open is costing our citizens, our families, public services and businesses in our City time and money.  When Highways England put in the unannounced southbound closure of the A52 at Clifton Bridge on 6 February 2020, we began putting in a range of measures to mitigate the impact on Nottingham and our citizens.  It’s the busiest section of the road in our City, carrying 80,000 vehicles each day two-way, and in the first week after the closure 15,000 extra southbound vehicles were going over the two remaining crossings – Trent Bridge and Lady Bay Bridge.  So obviously that’s going to place enormous pressure on our road infrastructure and we’ve been using all the tools at our disposal to deal with that and make things better for Nottingham.

 

So we have our colleagues in the Traffic Room Network Management in Loxley House, who have been monitoring the situation visually and making adjustments to signal timings across the City to keep traffic flowing as much as possible. We worked with Nottinghamshire Police on the ground to keep traffic flowing in the early stages, particularly around trams and buses, and introduced some selective closure points that were really effective in discouraging ‘rat-running’ and also in freeing up public transport so that it remained a good choice for people to take.  A key point of our strategy was, as always, encouraging people to use public transport when they can, including Park and Ride for journeys when possible.  I think the closure of Clifton Bridge really showed our strategy on public transport coming into its own. We had a 21% increase in tram journeys during that period, and I hope that those people will have found that a really positive experience and that people will realise it is economical, convenient and a better way to travel, as well as being sustainable.

 

In the early stages, to deal with the immediate situation as it was, we suspended all but emergency roadworks in the City,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

None

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 13 January 2020 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

Ian Curryer, Chief Executive, reported the following:

 

Light Night

This year’s Light Night was held on 7 and 8 February in partnership with Nottingham Business Improvement District and funding from the Arts Council England.  Visitors to the City enjoyed a wide range of commissions including large scale projections on the Council House and an augmented reality trail involving businesses in the City.

International Women’s Day

 

In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March the Council hosted a range of activities and events.  A new plaque on the Council House exterior was unveiled, celebrating notable Nottingham women of the past one hundred years including the first women elected to Nottingham City Council, Helena Dowson and Caroline Harper in 1920, the first Black and Minority Ethnic woman councillor, Eunice Campbell-Clark in 1989 and the first woman MP in Nottingham City, Lilian Greenwood MP in 2010.

Nottingham women also gathered at the Council House for a variety of activities, panels, and talks. Visitors had the chance to learn about a wide range of services on offer for women as well as sharing their opinions and ideas on key issues affecting women in Nottingham today.

Dr Stewart Adams Bridge

 

A new cycling and pedestrian bridge connecting Boots’ Beeston Headquarters with University Boulevard has been opened.  The bridge is named after ibuprofen inventor Dr Stewart Adams.

 

 

Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the Council, reported the following:

 

Departure of the Chief Executive

 

Ian Curryer, Chief Executive, will be leaving the Council at the end of April after many years’ service at the Authority in a range of different roles.

None

Clifton Bridge

 

Councillor Maria Watson asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Local Transport:

 

I am sure it is no surprise that we begin our Councillor questions with the ongoing issue of the damage and subsequent lane closures of Clifton Bridge. While the situation is far from resolved, and the estimated timeframe of the end of the year is troubling for all Nottingham residents, may I start by thanking those who are working night and day, especially considering the recent winds and rain, to get the roads open as quickly as possible.

 

The issues with the A52 have exposed the very real shortcomings of Nottingham’s road networks, with TomTom’s Traffic Index Scale at one point identifying Nottingham as the world’s most congested city. During rush hour, a 30 minute journey can take up to three hours, schools have been forced to cancel after-school activities and the economic effect on businesses and the City has been significant.  It is evident that in the event of closure or major disruption to any of the City’s three traffic bridges, the remaining two cannot cope with the growing level of traffic that Nottingham generates. It is especially concerning considering the upcoming housing development of 3,000 homes, currently to be built just south of Clifton, in the Fairham Pastures Development, which will no doubt greatly increase the amount of traffic flowing over Clifton Bridge.

 

The level of traffic that this City deals with is only going to increase over time so being proactive and making necessary changes now will benefit the whole City going forward. While we recognise that it is too late for it to have an impact on the current situation, does the Portfolio Holder not agree with us that a fourth bridge across the Trent is, at the very least, a sensible approach to preventing this situation happening again in the future?

 

Councillor Adele Williams replied as follows:

 

Thank you Councillor Watson for your question.  As I’ve mentioned already, and I will try not to repeat myself, the closure has caused a lot of disruption and we’ve all experienced that ourselves, certainly those that live in the City, and it did contribute to TomTom reporting Nottingham as the most congested city.  We also, in those early days, experienced high winds and snow that added to that disruption and there were also a number of accidents on the M1 that added to our woes.

 

On the issue of a fourth Trent road crossing, as I mentioned earlier, a number of studies have been carried out by the County Council and the conclusion of these was that any road crossing should sit outside the city boundary, over towards Radcliffe-on-Trent. That would help to avoid an increase in additional general traffic in the city centre.  Our favoured approach though has been towards encouraging use of sustainable forms of transport, like public transport, walking and cycling, instead of providing additional road capacity for cars. This has been given an added emphasis  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

Report of the Leader of the Council

The Leader of the Council, presented the report detailing decisions taken under procedures that include exemption from the Overview and Scrutiny Call In Procedure Rules and Special Urgency Access to Information Rules.

 

Resolved to note

 

(1)  the urgent decisions (exempt from call in)

 

Decision Reference Number	Date of Decision	Subject	Value of Decision	Reason for Urgency
3792	17 February 2020	Financing Arrangements	Exempt	To enable a wholly owned company to take advantage of favourable market opportunities

 

 

(2)  the Key Decisions taken under Special Urgency Procedure

 

Decision Reference Number	Date of Decision	Subject	Value of Decision	Reason for Special Urgency
3792	17 February 2020	Financing Arrangements	Exempt	To enable a wholly owned company to take advantage of favourable market opportunities
Executive Board Minute Reference: 85	18 February 2020	Medium Term Financial Plan	£111,431,000	The Medium Term Financial Plan required approval by Full Council in order to set the Council Tax for 2020/21.  It is a legal requirement that the level of Council Tax is set by 11 March 2020

 

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre presented the report outlining the key stages involved in the renewal of the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) and seeking approval to delegate authority to receive and consider BID renewal proposals; to authorise entering into an Operating Agreement with the BID Company and nominating the Portfolio Holder to hold the proxy vote on behalf of the Council.

 

Resolved to:

 

(1)  authorise the Corporate Director of Development and Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre, to:

  i.  receive the renewal proposals from Nottingham BID Company on behalf of the City Council;

  ii.  consider the renewal proposals ensuing that they do not conflict with Council policy;

  iii.  approve the Nottingham BID Business Plan; and

  iv.  enter into an Operating Agreement under which the Council will collect the levies due on behalf of the Nottingham BID

 

(2)  nominate the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre to hold the proxy vote on behalf of the Council as an eligible levy payer in the BID ballot.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre presented a report seeking approval for a series of strategies relating to treasury management and capital investment in 2020/21.

 

Resolved to:

 

(1)  approve the 2020/21 Treasury Management Strategy, including the Strategy for Debt Repayment and the Investment Strategy, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

 

(2)  approve the Prudential Indicators and Limits from 2020/21 to 2022/23, as detailed in Section 5.1 of Appendix 1 to the report;

 

(3)  adopt the current Treasury Management Policy Statement, as detailed in Section 5.3 of Appendix 1 to the report; and

 

(4)  approve the 2020/21 Capital and Investment Strategy, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre presented a report setting out proposals for the 2020/21 budget.

 

 

Councillor Andrew Rule proposed an amendment to the budget as follows:

 

“subject to the following:

 

Section 1    Net

  2020/21

  £

 

Proceeds from the sale of shares in wholly owned companies  -3,000,000

 

Ring-fence resources for the following areas:    +3,000,000

·  Children’s Services – Early Years Intervention:

o  Additional support for Supporting Families

Programme (expansion of Government’s Troubled

Families Programme)

o  Funding programme expansion for voluntary and

Community sector

o  Additional back office support for social workers

 

Income from Solar Panel Investment Scheme    -37,500

Reinvested in Energy Improvement Initiatives    +37,500

 

Fleet sponsorship of Council vehicles    -70,000

 

Lamp post commercial advertising    -127,900

 

Reduction in the number of Special Responsibility Positions  -86,190

 

Voluntary Garden Waste – offer citizens a two month extension    -224,548

service to the current garden waste collection scheme for £8.50

 

Reduction in payments to Trade Unions    -49,710

 

Abandon Arrow Communication and cancellation of Neighbourhood  -129,000

Newsletters

 

Bulky waste – citizens offered two free collections per annum, charges  -66,942

of £15 apply for further collections to fund council tax reductions for all

citizens

 

Release uncommitted Area Capital reserves (one off)  -1,046,000

 

Total Net Financial Impact  -1,800,290

 

Section 2

 

It is recommended that reviews of the following area be undertaken:

·  Review of impact on the City Council in the event the Tram Operator fails

·  Review of alternative financing methods to Work Place Parking Levy

·  Audit of availability payments made to operate accurately reflect operational performance

·  Urgent review of waste disposal strategy post 2030

·  Review of parking and traffic enforcement exemptions – NHS City Care staff, Council employed carers, first responders and on duty emergency personnel

·  Assessment of inefficiencies arising from internal charging within City Council

·  Urgent review of parking charges on economy of city centre

·  Review of voluntary and third sector access to youth centres to improve utilisation

·  Review of membership of Companies Governance Committee

·  Review of commercialisation opportunities within Tree Services

·  Area Capital allocation formula

·  Develop a strategy for increasing the mix of affordable homes as a means of increasing the City Council’s Council Tax Base

·  Identify and pursue commercialisation opportunities with other local authorities”

 

In recommendation 2.1 (2) add after “the capital programme to 2024/25”

 

“subject to the following:

 

That a new scheme is added for Solar Panel Investment Scheme (£1.500m in 2020/21 to be funded from borrowing)”

 

It is recommended that a review of the existing capital programme be undertaken to:

·  Reprioritise resources to create additional funds to improve pavements.  Councillors who use Area Capital Fund to improve pavements on main thoroughfares could seek match funding from this fund.

·  Reprioritise to fund repairs to roads across the City.”

 

And amend the following recommendations as indicated:

·  In recommendation 2.1(3) substitute £121,807,454 for £120,007,164

·  In recommendation 2.1(3)(a) substitute £978,080,189 for £977,008,663

·  In recommendation 2.1(3)(b) substitute £856,272,735 for £857,001,499

·  In recommendation 2.1(3)(c) substitute £121,807,454 for £120,007,164

·  In recommendation 2.1(4) substitute £1,808.31 for £1,781.58

 

And amend the following sections as indicated:

·  In section 5.2 substitute  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

Joint report of the Chair of the Audit Committee and the Chair of the Standards Committee

The Chair of the Standards Committee presented the joint report proposing a number of amendments to non-executive aspects of the Constitution which were recommended by either the Standards Committee or the Audit Committee.

 

Resolved to:

 

(1)  adopt a revised Contract Procedure Rules, as detailed in Appendix A to the report, and to amend the Constitution accordingly;

 

(2)  amend the Councillors’ and Co-opted Members’ Code of Conduct, as detailed in Appendix B to the report, and to amend the Constitution accordingly;

 

(3)  amend the Constitution to reflect the Health and Wellbeing Board’s decision to add the Portfolio Holder with a remit covering adult social care as a voting member of the Health and Wellbeing Board Commissioning Sub Committee; and

 

(4)  note the establishment of the Companies Governance Executive Sub Committee and that this executive amendment will be reflected in the next published version of the Constitution.

 

 

Report of the Chair of the Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee

The Chair of the Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee presented a report seeking approval for the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21.

 

Resolved to:

 

(1)  approve and endorse the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2020 to 2021; and

 

(2)  note that the Statement may need to be amended in-year for any necessary changes the Council may wish to adopt.  Any such changes will be presented to Full Council for approval.

To note that:

 

a)  Councillor Angharad Roberts has replaced Councillor Sue Johnson as a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

b)  Councillor Toby Neal has replaced Councillor Cheryl Barnard as a member of the Planning Committee

c)  Councillor Azad Choudhry has resigned as a member of the Trusts and Charities Committee

 

 

 

 

The following committee membership changes were noted:

 

(1)  Councillor Angharad Roberts had been appointed to replace Councillor Sue Johnson as a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

 

(2)  Councillor Toby Neal had been appointed to replace Councillor Cheryl Barnard as a member of the Planning Committee; and

 

(3)  Councillor Azad Choudhry had resigned as a member of the Trusts and Charities Committee.

 

 

 

  

1)  To agree to hold the Annual General Meeting on Monday 18 May 2020 at 2pm at the Council House

2)  To note the proposal to meet at 2pm on the following Mondays:

·  13 July 2020

·  14 September 2020

·  9 November 2020

·  11 January 2021

·  8 March 2021

Resolved to:

 

(1)  hold the Annual General Meeting on Monday 18 May 2020 at 2pm at the Council House; and

 

(2)  note the proposal to meet at 2pm on the following Mondays:

·  13 July 2020

·  14 September 2020

·  9 November 2020

·  11 January 2021

·  8 March 2021