Agenda and minutes

Councillor Saj Ahmad - unwell

Councillor Cheryl Barnard - leave

Councillor Nadia Farhat – unwell

Councillor Sam Gardiner – personal

Councillor Sam Harris – personal

Councillor Maria Joannou - unwell

Councillor Sajid Mohammed - personal

Councillor Sarita-Marie Rehman-Wall - personal

Councillor Maria Watson - personal

None

Management of Council gardens

A citizen asked the following question of the Executive Member for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture:

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), gas-powered lawnmowers can emit as much pollution in one hour as a car driven for 100 miles. These pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Also, gardens that are heavily landscaped are bad for the environment. Would the Council consider the way they manage council gardens contributes to global warming, or might they adopt policies, like 'wilding' or using a lawn mower that causes so much damage?

Councillor Sam Lux replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor and thank you to the citizen for your question. The Council’s greenspace operations team currently do not have any gas-powered lawnmowers. The majority of our mower fleet is either diesel or petrol powered. However, as part of the Council’s delivery of the Carbon Neutral 2028 strategy (CN28) over recent years the service has been moving more towards electric powered machinery whenever this is possible.  With regards to the maintenance of our landscape over recent years we have developed a stronger focus on biodiversity and as part of the implementation of new Environment Act Biodiversity Net Gain legislation the service has already identified 65 sites around the city that are now managed as wildflower or meadow grass areas. The majority of these meadows are small sites located around highways verges and within parks. These small sites have been identified in order to provide linkages between a network of 63 Local Wildlife Sites that cover over 690 hectors of the city and include 19 designated Local Nature Reserves & 3 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).  In addition, our Green Guardians volunteer programme delivers a wide range of environmental education and habitat management projects and has also been at the forefront of delivering the CN28 carbon reduction priority action plan that includes the planting 50,000 trees.  48,000 of these trees have already been planted to date and many more are scheduled to be planted during the coming winter planting season.  In addition, the Council will soon consider the adoption of the Greener, Healthier, Happier Greenspace strategy. Once its formal adoption has been confirmed, the greenspace service will continue to work with a wide range of partner organisations within the city to continue to deliver a programme of habitat improvements and the delivery of a continued programme of urban greening projects around the City. 

Social Housing

A citizen asked the following question of the Executive Member for Housing and Planning:

How can the Council justify kicking people out of their homes when they pay all their bills and don’t cause trouble, and then selling the houses on.  It’s not their fault that the Council took money from a ring-fenced pot and spent it on something else. Where are they supposed to live when the Council sells these homes?

Councillor Jay Hayes replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor and thank you to the citizen for your  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Councillor Andrew Rule presented a petition on behalf of residents asking the Council to approve a 20mph speed limit on the road known as New Rise, Lark Hill Village NG11 8DB; and a Red Zone parking restrictions or double yellow lines on the section of New Rise from the right turn before the bus stop (bungalow 421) to bungalow 438.

The minutes of the Ordinary meeting of Council held on 8 July 2024 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

The minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of Council held on 5 August 2024 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

The Chief Executive made the following announcement:

We were proud to officially launch the Green Heart park in the city centre, which represents another important step in the regeneration of the Broad Marsh area, following the opening of Nottingham Central Library, the bus station and car park, and the pedestrianisation of Collin Street. Thank you to our dedicated council teams and partners who have made this happen – as well as the school children from Mellors Primary and the new regional mayor Claire Ward who joined me and the Leader for the opening.

Clifton Town Board

Councillor Kevin Clarke asked the following question of the Executive Member for Skills, Growth and Economic Development:

Could the Executive Member update the Chamber on when the £20 million pledged by the last Government for Clifton will be allocated to the Town Board?

Councillor Ethan Radford replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor and thank you Councillor Clarke for your question.  For context, Clifton was selected by the previous government to be the recipient of funding from the Long Term Plan for Towns programme. In consultation with the community, the Council formed the Town Board with Stephen Hackney as Chair to deliver the long-term plan for Clifton by 1August 2024. On 19 July, the Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris, took the decision to suspend the first deadline for submitting plans and council officers were advised by officials that the Department will be in touch in due course with further details of the next steps and confirmation of the revised deadline. No such further details have yet been received, but officers remain in dialogue with Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials, and recently hosted a visit for the officials with the Clifton Town Board exploring the practice and community engagement. We understand the MHCLG and HM Treasury ministers are giving full consideration to matters, including the Long Term Plan for Towns, as part of preparations for the Autumn budget.  However, no timetable has been provided for when the funding position will be clarified. In the meantime, the Council will continue to fully support the work that has been undertaken by the Board and remains committed to seeing this funding used to improve the lives of Clifton people.

Improvement Plan

Councillor Andrew Rule asked the following question of the Leader of the Council:

Could the Leader of the Council outline what she believes the biggest challenge will be in delivering the Improvement Plan and how the Council will overcome it?

Councillor Neghat Khan replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor. Can I thank you Councillor Rule for your question.  There are many challenges in delivering our Improvement Plan. I have been clear in this Chamber before that the next three years will make or break this Council. It’s not going to be easy. The biggest challenge is the pace needed to make these changes. We must improve and we must do so quickly. We need to work swiftly to deliver our services differently and bring our budget back on track, so that we are properly living within our means. I believe we can meet that challenge. New political leadership is helping to drive forward these changes. We have a new Senior Officer Leadership Team, including our new Chief Executive and soon-to-start two Corporate Directors for Adults’ and Children’s Services. There is renewed focus from this new councillor and officer team to continue to deliver for Nottingham. Together we are working with the Commissioners to deliver our Improvement Plan and we have more than  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Report of the Leader of the Council

Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of the Council, proposed the report informing Council that, since the last report to Council in July 2024, there had been two decisions taken under the urgency provisions within the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules and no decisions taken under the special urgency provisions within the Access to Information Procedure Rules.  Councillor Ethan Radford seconded the report.

Resolved to note that:

(1)  the following decisions had been taken under the Call In and Urgency provisions of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (Article 11) of the Constitution since the last report to Council;

(2)  no decisions had been taken under the special urgency provisions within the Access to Information Procedure Rules (Article 13) of the Constitution since the last report to Council.

Report of the Chair of the Audit Committee

Councillor Adele Williams, Chair of the Audit Committee, proposed the report recommending that Council approve a revised terms of reference for the Audit Committee. She explained that a review had been carried out to ensure that the terms of reference are in line with CPIFA guidance and good practice and, as a result, a revised terms of reference was proposed.  The draft new terms of reference was considered by the Audit Committee at its meeting on 26 July 2024 and, at that meeting, the Committee agreed to recommend the revised terms of reference to Council for approval. The report was seconded by Councillor Sulcan Mahmood.

Resolved to:

(1)  approve a revised terms of reference for the Audit Committee, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(2)  amend Article 9 Non-Executive Functions and Committees of the Constitution to reflect the changes to the Audit Committee Terms of Reference.

Report of the Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Angela Kandola, Vice Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, presented the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2023/24, which summarised the activity carried out by the five scrutiny committees during the previous municipal year, how they fulfilled their terms of reference and the recommendations that they made to the Executive and other partners.  The report was seconded by Councillor Georgia Power, Chair of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee.  During discussion the following points were made:

a)  A new scrutiny committee structure was introduced for 2023/24 and this was supported by a period of training and development for scrutiny councillors.

b)  The scrutiny function provides opportunities to look at, and shape policy proposals; review existing policies and services; and reflect on what has been done with the aim of making recommendations for improvement.

c)  It is important to balance holding to account and critical challenge, so that the process and outcomes are constructive.  The culture around the operation of scrutiny is important to get right.

d)  During 2023/24 the scrutiny committees undertook important work in relation to budget scrutiny and this will be repeated in 2024/25.

e)  The scrutiny function continued to develop and improve during 2023/24.

f)  The scrutiny function was well-supported, and the Statutory Scrutiny Officer and Scrutiny and Audit Support Officers were thanked for their support to the operation and improvement of the function.

g)  The scrutiny committees benefited from contributions from a wide range of councillors, officers, partners and citizens.

Resolved to accept the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2023/24.

(1)   Nottingham City Council recognises the necessity of achieving multi-lateral nuclear disarmament and creating a nuclear weapons-free world, and resolves to engage with the government on:

·  Continuing to adhere to the Non-Proliferation Treaty terms under Article VI to ‘pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control’

·  Utilising all diplomatic avenues available to it to achieve this. Considering other international treaties that currently exist through the United Nations and whether the government would benefit from supporting them.

(2)   In furtherance of its desire to create a peaceful city, Nottingham City Council also resolves to consider carrying out certain practical actions subject to them being cost neutral, by:

·  Appointing an elected member as a Peace Champion to promote peace.

·  Signing up as a member authority of Mayors for Peace.

·  Encouraging local schools to deliver peace education to students.

·  Marking the anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings.

·  Requesting seeds sourced from Hibaku trees which survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima to raise as saplings. These can be planted in public parks and places as focal points for reflection and remembrance.

Councillor Nayab Patel proposed the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis:

(1)   Nottingham City Council recognises the necessity of achieving multi-lateral nuclear disarmament and creating a nuclear weapons-free world, and resolves to engage with the government on:

·  Continuing to adhere to the Non-Proliferation Treaty terms under Article VI to ‘pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control’

·  Utilising all diplomatic avenues available to it to achieve this. Considering other international treaties that currently exist through the United Nations and whether the government would benefit from supporting them.

(2)   In furtherance of its desire to create a peaceful city, Nottingham City Council also resolves to consider carrying out certain practical actions subject to them being cost neutral, by:

·  Appointing an elected member as a Peace Champion to promote peace.

·  Signing up as a member authority of Mayors for Peace.

·  Encouraging local schools to deliver peace education to students.

·  Marking the anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings.

·  Requesting seeds sourced from Hibaku trees which survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima to raise as saplings. These can be planted in public parks and places as focal points for reflection and remembrance.

During debate on the motion councillors spoke about matters including:

a)  the importance of peace and that, while the Council does not have direct responsibility in this area it can still be an advocate for peace, for example by supporting asylum seekers and refugees in the City and demonstrating the values of peace

b)  there are lots of activists in the City, and in other cities and countries, signalling the importance of this issue to citizens in Nottingham and across the world.

Resolved to carry the motion.

Nottingham City Council is deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel which has caused suffering over the last 75 years. Whilst we are aware that as a local authority we have limited or no powers in resolving the conflict we recognise the suffering of civilians on both sides. 

We acknowledge the weekly peaceful demonstrations held in the City and we would like to join our communities and other local authorities in calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza with the safe release of hostages.

This councils resolves to:

• Continue working with all our communities and partners to raise awareness and challenge all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and Antisemitism.
• Collaboratively work with the Nottinghamshire Police and Police and Crime Commissioner to maintain community cohesion and to ensure safety of the Muslim and Jewish communities.

The council further demands action from the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to:

• Support the UN General Secretary’s call for an immediate ceasefire.
• Demand removal of blockages that are hindering delivery of humanitarian aid.
• Further increase UK’s contribution to provide humanitarian aid for Gaza.
• Take steps to ensure that arms and military aid built in the UK is not used in acts that amounts to war crimes under International Law and cease arm sales to Israel.
• Bring a resolution to the United Nations Security council to immediately recognise an independent and viable state of Palestine.

Councillor Nayab Patel proposed the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Salma Mumtaz:

Nottingham City Council is deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel which has caused suffering over the last 75 years. Whilst we are aware that as a local authority we have limited or no powers in resolving the conflict we recognise the suffering of civilians on both sides. 

We acknowledge the weekly peaceful demonstrations held in the City and we would like to join our communities and other local authorities in calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza with the safe release of hostages.

This Council resolves to:

• continue working with all our communities and partners to raise awareness and challenge all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and Antisemitism;
• collaboratively work with the Nottinghamshire Police and Police and Crime Commissioner to maintain community cohesion and to ensure safety of the Muslim and Jewish communities.

The Council further demands action from the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to:

• support the UN General Secretary’s call for an immediate ceasefire;
• demand removal of blockages that are hindering delivery of humanitarian aid;
• further increase UK’s contribution to provide humanitarian aid for Gaza;
• take steps to ensure that arms and military aid built in the UK is not used in acts that amounts to war crimes under International Law and cease arm sales to Israel;
• bring a resolution to the United Nations Security council to immediately recognise an independent and viable state of Palestine.

During debate on the motion councillors spoke about matters including:

a)  People are affected on both sides on the conflict.

b)  Local Muslim and Jewish communities in the City are coming together and it is important to support this.

c)  Support for an immediate ceasefire and aid for those who need it.

Resolved to carry the motion.

To agree to hold an Extraordinary Council meeting on 30 September 2024 at 6pm to consider the East Midlands Combined County Authority (Borrowing) (Amendment) Regulations 2024

Resolved to hold an Extraordinary Council meeting on 30 September 2024 at 6pm to consider the East Midlands Combined County Authority (Borrowing) (Amendment) Regulations 2024.