Agenda and minutes

Councillor Graham Chapman – leave

Councillor Azad Choudhry - personal

Councillor Dave Liversidge – personal

Councillor Salma Mumtaz – personal

Councillor Mohammed Saghir – unwell

Councillor Sam Webster – leave

Councillor Cate Woodward – personal

Councillor Audra Wynter - leave

None

Resolved to:

(1)  elect Councillor Wendy Smith as the Lord Mayor until the next annual meeting of Council, as nominated by Councillor Rebecca Langton and seconded by Councillor David Mellen; and

(2)  appoint Councillor Nicola Heaton as the Sheriff until the next annual meeting of Council, as nominated by Councillor Michael Edwards and seconded by Councillor Linda Woodings.

The appointment of Rev. Peter Shaw as the Lord Mayor’s Chaplain for 2022/23 was noted.

Emergency Planning

BC asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Waste Services:

The threat of a nuclear war is greater than ever because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and potential for NATO countries, including the UK to become involved. President Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons in which case NATO would almost certainly strike back. Weapons much more powerful than those used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki would be involved resulting in immediate death, injury and destruction of buildings including hospitals. The after-effects include radiation poisoning, burns and cancers. Public services like water, power and sewerage would be destroyed and transport impossible.  What emergency plans does Nottingham City Council have in preparation for a nuclear warhead explosion in the vicinity of Nottingham?

Councillor Sally Longford replied as follows:

Can I thank the citizen for this timely question and say that I do share their concerns about heightened tensions in the world, we are in troubled times.  I’ve been responsible for emergency planning for last three years and can tell you that Nottingham City Council has responsibility to prepare for civil emergencies, not those related to war or nuclear attack. The Council takes its responsibilities for dealing with civil emergencies seriously and has a team that works with partners to write, train and exercise plans to cover those civil emergencies contained in the National Risk Register. As citizens would expect, they have been working very closely with a variety of agencies in recent years to help to keep people safe during the pandemic. I’d like to pay tribute to their hard work and dedication over this period of time. Whilst the National Risk Register includes references to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents, an attack on Nottingham by nuclear weapons is outside of the scope of the Risk Register and of the civil contingency duties on the Council. The Council has not been asked, or is required to have plans for such an incident. The plans we have are based the likely level of risk and impact. The Government could take powers under Part 2 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 which would allow it to make special temporary legislation to deal with the most serious of emergencies.  If ‘Part 2’ powers were implemented, Government would appoint a Regional Coordinator who would act as the focal point for co-ordination of response efforts. The Council, through the Local Resilience Forum, has many generic and specific plans, which would be used to address any response to the human and environmental issues caused by exposure to nuclear material but does not have plans for a nuclear strike on Nottingham.  Central Government is responsible for such planning, rather than local authorities, and can I suggest that the citizen puts his/ her question to their local MP who will be able to seek answers from the Government. Thank you.

Libraries

DC asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Schools:

Following the recent announcement to consult  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Councillor Jay Hayes presented a petition on behalf of residents living on Beckhampton Road about problems with parking, especially during school times.  The residents in the area have collectively agreed to meet the costs of creating shared access to enable their vehicles to be parked directly outside their properties and were asking the Council to confirm that it is happy for them to appoint and pay a separate contractor and outline in detail stages of legal elements of the process.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2022 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

The Chief Executive reported the following:

We look forward as a City to celebrating and marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this June.  The City and its partners are planning a number of special events and installations to mark this unique and special occasion, which will include:

·  four of our neighbourhoods staging community-led beacon lighting events

·  the opportunity to reminisce and discover the times over the past 70 years that the Queen has visited our City

·  enabling our residents to shut neighbourhood streets for street parties and make use of our parks and public open spaces for Jubilee events

·  enhanced city centre dressing and floral displays to ensure that the City looks its best; and

·  a number of other events and festivals happening around the City, with the chance for residents and visitors to enjoy and celebrate the City in style over the 4-day bank holiday weekend.

None

Libraries

Councillor Kevin Clarke asked the following question of the Leader of the Council:

Will the Leader of the Council join me in congratulating the “Save the Libraries” campaign who, over the past few months, have worked tirelessly to bring to attention the necessity of retaining Nottingham’s local libraries? 

Councillor David Mellen replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor.  Can I thank Councillor Clarke for his question.  I would be happy to pay tribute to those involved in the “Save the Libraries” campaign as well as to thank all those who expressed their view on the proposals put forward by the Council as part of our consultation, brought about by the necessary duty to balance our Council budgets. Their efforts helped contribute towards achieving one of the largest consultation responses the Council has received to date on proposals for the transformation of our City’s library service and, in particular, discussion around three potential library closures.  This work complemented the work that the Library Service undertook in partnership with the Research, Engagement and Consultation Team to ensure we received a wide range of engagement from our citizens and key stakeholders.  This work included:

·  creating a dedicated web page on the library for the consultation, that saw over 5,500 visits;

·  undertaking Facebook and Twitter posts about the consultation, which had a reach of 18,709 people;

·  including the consultation in the Libraries ‘Stay Connected News’ emails, that went to over 28,000 subscribers;

·  writing to all schools in the City and holding discussion with youth groups;

·  leaflet drops in local areas where library closures are being proposed; and

·  printing out and having papers copies of the survey and background documents at every library.

The consultation on the proposals for the libraries closed on 24 April.  We received, as Councillor Campbell-Clark has already reported to Council, 2,887 individual submissions, plus responses from five public engagement sessions that saw 220 attend, plus a number of letters from key stakeholders such as Arts Council England, National Save Libraries Campaign and others.  We are now carefully looking at the responses received, and analysing proposals made, prior to bringing a report back to Council later this year before any final decision around changes or closure of any sites will be made.  It is important when we are looking to make key strategic decisions that we do listen and hear a wide range of views and opinions.  This type of engagement is essential for the City and helps us all make better decisions on what is important and prioritise the way we use our public funds and resources to deliver the services that the city needs. Thank you. 

Fly-tipping

Councillor Maria Watson asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Cleansing Services:

With the introduction of the charge for bulky waste having come into effect at the end of April, we are aware of the fears within the City of a knock-on impact on fly-tipping.

Can the Portfolio Holder provide any information about the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Report of the Lord Mayor/ Chair of Council

The Lord Mayor and Chair of Council, Councillor Wendy Smith, presented the report setting out proposed terms of reference, first meeting dates and memberships of Council committees and joint bodies for 2022/23.  The report was seconded by Councillor Nicola Heaton.

Resolved to

(1)  agree the terms of reference for Council committees and joint bodies for 2022/23, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

(2)  agree the first meeting dates for Council committees and joint bodies for 2022/23, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report;

(3)  agree the membership and substitutes, where applicable, for Council committees and the City Council membership and substitutes, where applicable, for joint bodies for 2022/23, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report;

(4)  appoint the committee chairs and vice chairs for 2022/23 for committees that Council is responsible for appointing to, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report; and

(5)  amend the Constitution to reflect the agreed terms of reference of Council committees and joint bodies for 2022/23.

Report of the Leader of the Council

Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the Council, presented the report setting out his appointment of Portfolio Holders and Executive Assistants and establishment of Executive committees for 2022/23.  The report was seconded by Councillor Sally Longford.

Resolved to

(1)  note the appointment of Portfolio Holders and their areas of responsibility, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

(2)  note the appointment of Executive Assistants and the remits of those roles, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report;

(3)  note the terms of reference and first meeting dates of Executive committees, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report;

(4)  note the appointments (including substitutes where applicable) to and chairing arrangements for Executive committees, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report;

(5)  note that the Constitution will be amended to reflect these appointments, delegations of responsibility and roles; and

(6)  note that all other Executive delegations, as set out in the Executive Scheme of Delegation in the Constitution, are confirmed.

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 have been taken under provisions within the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules and Access to Information Rules.  The report was seconded by Councillor Adele Williams.

Resolved to note

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

(2)  the following Key Decision taken under the Special Urgency provisions of the Access to Information Procedure Rules:

The Home Office’s failure to keep detailed records of the arrivals in the UK created an issue for the ‘Windrush Generation’ who were unable to evidence their lawful status when facing immigration checks to continue working, access services or even to remain in the UK.

This Council notes:

·  The enormous contribution of members of the Windrush Generation to British society following the Second World War.

·  That the many thousands of members of the Windrush Generation who made their homes in this country to build a better life and contribute to our society were granted indefinite leave to remain in 1971.

·  That members of the Windrush Generation residing in Nottingham may have suffered loss and unfair treatment with regard to their immigration status, including threat of deportation due to the failure of the Home Office to maintain records of their lawful right to remain in the UK.

·  The ongoing implications of this treatment for many people and their families.

·  That the Council holds an annual civic event to commemorate the Windrush Generation on 22 June.

This Council therefore resolves:

·  To continue to mark Windrush Day on 22 June in the City of Nottingham annually as a civic celebration to recognise and honour the enormous contribution of those who arrived between 1948 and 1973.

·  To call upon the Government to support advice agencies in their work to achieve support, advocacy and justice for all Nottingham residents affected by the Windrush scandal; not to cap compensation amounts payable to victims under its compensation scheme or to apply confidentially agreements, time limits or other arbitrary restrictions; and waive fees for naturalisation for all who have been affected and provide legal aid for those who have been affected.

·  To offer support to those affected by the scandal who may be seeking help, including to third sector organisations which provide support, advice and advocacy.

·  To promote the Windrush Generation Scheme to help ensure that all Nottingham residents who may be eligible for compensation are aware of it.

Councillor Leslie Ayoola proposed the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark:

The Home Office’s failure to keep detailed records of the arrivals in the UK created an issue for the ‘Windrush Generation’ who were unable to evidence their lawful status when facing immigration checks to continue working, access services or even to remain in the UK.

This Council notes:

·  The enormous contribution of members of the Windrush Generation to British society following the Second World War.

·  That the many thousands of members of the Windrush Generation who made their homes in this country to build a better life and contribute to our society were granted indefinite leave to remain in 1971.

·  That members of the Windrush Generation residing in Nottingham may have suffered loss and unfair treatment with regard to their immigration status, including threat of deportation due to the failure of the Home Office to maintain records of their lawful right to remain in the UK.

·  The ongoing implications of this treatment for many people and their families.

·  That the Council holds an annual civic event to commemorate the Windrush Generation on 22 June.

This Council therefore resolves:

·  To continue to mark Windrush Day on 22 June in the City of Nottingham annually as a civic celebration to recognise and honour the enormous contribution of those who arrived between 1948 and 1973.

·  To call upon the Government to support advice agencies in their work to achieve support, advocacy and justice for all Nottingham residents affected by the Windrush scandal; not to cap compensation amounts payable to victims under its compensation scheme or to apply confidentially agreements, time limits or other arbitrary restrictions; and waive fees for naturalisation for all who have been affected and provide legal aid for those who have been affected.

·  To offer support to those affected by the scandal who may be seeking help, including to third sector organisations which provide support, advice and advocacy.

·  To promote the Windrush Generation Scheme to help ensure that all Nottingham residents who may be eligible for compensation are aware of it.

Resolved to carry the motion.

To agree to meet at 2pm on the following Mondays:

·  11 July 2022

·  12 September 2022

·  14 November 2022

·  9 January 2023

·  6 March 2023

Resolved to meet at 2pm on the following Mondays:

·  11 July 2022

·  12 September 2022

·  14 November 2022

·  9 January 2023

·  6 March 2023