Agenda for City Council on Monday, 21st January, 2019, 2.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - at the Council House. View directions

Contact: Jane Garrard, Senior Governance Officer 

Items
No. Item

60.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Councillor Merlita Bryan - unwell

Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark - leave

Councillor Brian Grocock – other Council business

Councillor Sue Johnson - unwell

Councillor Ginny Klein - unwell

Councillor Chris Tansley – unwell

Councillor Jane Urquhart – leave

Councillor Marcia Watson - personal

61.

Declarations of interests

Minutes:

None

62.

Questions from citizens pdf icon PDF 99 KB

Minutes:

Equality Impact Assessments

 

WC asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Community Protection:

 

The Equality Impact Assessment completed prior to the cut made in respect of the changes to concessionary mobility passes says the changes will have a detrimental impact on 500 disabled people. It is likely that this figure is wrong and the cut is affecting hundredsof people.  Does the Council think that their Equality Impact Assessments are fit for purpose?

 

Councillor Neal replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor, and can I thank the member of the public for their question.

 

We believe and recognise that the diversity of Nottingham’s communities is a huge asset, which should be valued and seen as one of the City’s great strengths.  The people who live, work, study in or visit Nottingham come from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.  They are of all ages, races and ethnic groups, disabled and non-disabled, and they are from faith and non-faith backgrounds. 

 

As one of the largest employers in Nottingham and one of the main providers of local services, the City Council is committed to providing equality of opportunity and tackling discrimination, harassment, intimidation and disadvantage.  We are also committed to achieving the highest standards in service delivery, decision-making and employment practice.

 

Before making important decisions, we are committed to considering the potential impact on citizens, communities and colleagues, and wherever possible, including early consultation with colleagues and community representatives.  The legislation around equalities requires public authorities to carry out Equality Impact Assessments on significant changes to policies and practices.  As a Council, we have designed a process to ensure that a policy, project or scheme does not discriminate against any disadvantaged or vulnerable people.  As a Council, we carry out over 150 formal Equality Impact Assessments per year.  Alongside this process, we use data and intelligence from key internal and external consultative groups, such as the BME Forum and the Disability Involvement Group to inform our decision making and carry out regular training sessions with officers to improve the standard of our work.  Equality Impact Assessments are routinely scrutinised by the Equalities Team at the Council who make recommendations as to content and will signpost to relevant community resources for further information.  It is fair to say that our processes are constantly being updated as experiences inform our practice.  By scrutinising the impact of our decisions, we’re better able to identify gaps in our services and support officers to carry out robust and meaningful assessments.

 

The information contained in the Equality Impact Assessment for Mobility Bus Passes highlighted that the concession entitlement applied to around 1000 pass holders, but it was estimated that around half of these would be unaffected as they used their passes after 9:30am or could move their journey times to after 9:30am.  The information was calculated following assessment of the actual electronically held data records from the concessionary travel ticketing system, and we are confident that the statements contained in the Equality Impact Assessment are an accurate representation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

63.

Petitions from Councillors on behalf of citizens

Minutes:

Councillor Adele Williams submitted a petition regarding time restrictions introduced for Robin Hood Mobility Card holders.  The petitioners requested that the decision to introduce time restrictions for Mobility Card holders be reversed by 1 April 2019 and that the Council find the resources to reverse the time restriction without cuts to other services, new charges or increases in charges elsewhere.  The accompanying online petition is still open.

64.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of Council held on 12 November 2018 pdf icon PDF 511 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

65.

To receive official communications and announcements from the Leader of the Council and/or the Chief Executive

Minutes:

Ian Curryer, Chief Executive, reported the following:

 

Councillor Mohammed Ibrahim

It is with great sadness that I inform Council that Councillor Mohammed Ibrahim passed away on 25 December. Councillor Ibrahim was first elected to the Council in 1987 to represent the citizens of Forest ward, a role which he carried out for the next 8 years.  Since 2003 he has represented the citizens of Berridge ward.  During his periods of office he was both an active ward councillor and involved with many committees, including holding the position of Lord Mayor in 1993/1994.

Councillors Jones and Saghir spoke in tribute to Councillor Mohammed Ibrahim, and a minute’s silence was held.

Ian Curryer, Chief Executive, reported the following:

 

Fields in Trust Centenary Fields Programme

Bulwell Recreation Ground has been designated as a Centenary Field, ensuring green space is protected as a living remembrance to those who fought and lost their lives in World War One.  This new status has been marked by the planting of three native oak trees on the site.

Energy Awards

In December the Council was announced as the winner of the Energy Awards’ award for Best Local Authority Initiative of the Year for its Smart Energy Buildings.  The Council was commended on its innovative approach to reducing the Council’s energy demand to improve its environmental performance and help manage its budget.

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

The number of households facing homelessness in Nottingham has increased in recent years and it became necessary to rely on the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for households who required emergency housing. The Council recognised that the sustained use of bed and breakfast was unsuitable and set a target of zero households in bed and breakfast by the end of 2018.  To achieve this measures were taken as part of a planned approach including:

·  delivery of more interventions that prevent homelessness, for example introducing an Eviction Prevention Panel and system of home visiting, closer work with the private rented sector and changes to Housing Aid;

·  delivery of more suitable types of temporary accommodation, for example Nottingham City Homes properties and Registered Provider supported housing; and

·  facilitating access to permanent accommodation, for example enhanced partnership working with private sector landlords and a programme of property acquisitions,

With the support of Nottingham City Homes, the Council delivered the plan which reduced the number of households in bed and breakfast accommodation from over 100 households in August 2018 to zero by Christmas Eve.  Work continues to progress to ensure the commitment to cease the use of bed and breakfast for homeless households is maintained in the long term.

Councillor Woodings spoke about bed and breakfast accommodation and thanked colleagues for their work to reduce the number of households in bed and breakfast accommodation to zero.

66.

Questions from Councillors - to a member of Executive Board, the Chair of a Committee and the Chair of any other City Council body pdf icon PDF 103 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Membership of secret societies

 

Councillor Jim Armstrong asked the following question of the Leader of the Council:

 

Does the Leader believe that for the Council to continue to be open and transparent, any councillor or member of the Council who finds themselves a member of a secretive organisation which does not publish its membership or its goals, should declare that they are so?

 

Councillor Jon Collins replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor.  It is in the Council’s Standing Orders, Part 4 Paragraph 34 in fact, that a councillor who is a member of a secret society and intends to speak at Council, or at a Board or Committee of the Council at which a matter involving or associated with that society or a member of that society is to be considered, and before that matter is considered, should declare a non-pecuniary interest in it. It then goes on to define a secret society for the purposes of Standing Orders.  If Councillor Armstrong is interested in finding out more about secret societies I would encourage him to familiarise himself with this aspect of the Council’s Standing Orders.

 

 

Robin Hood Energy

 

Councillor Jim Armstrong asked the following question of the Leader of the Council:

 

Is the recent resignation of the Council Leader from the Board of Robin Hood Energy and the subsequent £5.5m funding from Council resources in any way linked?

 

Councillor Jon Collins replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor.  No.

 

 

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System

 

Councillor Andrew Rule asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health:

 

Following the Portfolio Holder’s decision to suspend the City Council’s membership of the Nottingham and Nottingham Integrated Care System can the Portfolio Holder update the Chamber on the progress made in achieving the objectives outlined to the Executive Board in November; and confirm when he anticipates being able to make a decision on the long-term future of the Council’s Integrated Care System membership?

 

Councillor Sam Webster replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor.  Can I thank Councillor Rule for his question.  As I stated in the report to the Executive Board we remain fully committed to the integration of health and social care services where this is beneficial to Nottingham residents. Whilst Council officers and elected members have not been participating in formal meetings of the Integrated Care System, formally known as the STP, since the suspension we have continued to ensure collaborative working at operational level in line with our statutory duties. 

 

We have had extensive dialogue with every local NHS organisation at Chief Executive level in order to work through options for progress.  The City represents approximately one third of the population of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System area and has some of the more deprived communities with greater levels of health inequality.  Our suspension has allowed us to further highlight that we want to ensure that the needs of Nottingham City residents are met as a priority.  We also want to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

67.

Decisions taken under Urgency Procedures pdf icon PDF 209 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council submitted a report detailing decisions taken under procedures which include exemption from Overview and Scrutiny Call In Procedure Rules and Special Urgency Access to Information Rules, as set out on pages 31 – 32 of the agenda.

 

RESOLVED to note

 

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

 

Decision Reference Number

Date of Decision

Subject

Value of Decision

Reasons for Urgency

3349

18 December 2018

Financing Arrangements

Exempt

There was urgency for funding to be transferred to a company wholly owned by the organisation.  If the financial transfer had not been undertaken the company would have incurred costs.

3350

17 December 2018

Purchase of Ex Right to Buy Flat

Exempt

The Council was buying from mortgagees in possession and time was of the essence.

 

(2)  the Key Decision taken under special urgency procedures:

 

Decision Reference Number

Date of Decision

Subject

Value of Decision

Reason for Special Urgency

3349

18 December 2018

Financing Arrangements

Exempt

There was urgency for funding to be transferred to a company wholly owned by the organisation.  If the financial transfer had not been undertaken the company would have incurred costs.

 

Councillors Armstrong, Rule and Steel requested that their vote against the recommendations be recorded.

68.

Motion

Motion in the name of Councillor Graham Chapman:

 

This Council welcomes the Labour Party’s proposal for a National Transformation Fund as a means of improving skills and productivity in Nottingham, and as a means of helping to redress the severe imbalance between the UK’s regional economies.

Minutes:

Moved by Councillor Graham Chapman, seconded by Councillor Steve Battlemuch:

 

This Council welcomes the Labour Party’s proposal for a National Transformation Fund as a means of improving skills and productivity in Nottingham, and as a means of helping to redress the severe imbalance between the UK’s regional economies.

RESOLVED to carry the motion.

69.

Motion

Motion in the name of Councillor Sally Longford

 

This Council notes that Nottingham met its Energy Strategy target early (a 26% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions against 2005 by 2020) with reductions of emissions by 39% since 2005, equivalent to 43% per person. Nottingham is also on track to meet its 2020 target of 20% of energy generation from low carbon sources, due to a combination of a reduction in the City’s energy demand and its renewable energy projects programme. This Council has led the way to a more sustainable and green City by:

·  Signing the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change in 2000 with a follow up in 2011

·  £15 million investment in one of the UK’s largest electric bus fleets

·  Investment in biogas and retrofitted buses

·  Developing and expanding the electric tram network

·  Improving cycling facilities, including bike hubs and a cycle hire scheme

·  Significant investment in cycle corridors

·  Introduction of the Workplace Parking Levy – tackling congestion and containing traffic growth, while generating funds to invest in public transport

·  Installing solar panels on 4500 domestic properties across the city

·  Working on innovative projects including our solar vehicle to grid project

·  Retrofitting 400 homes with energy efficient measures through the REMOURBAN and Green HousING Project.

In the light of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2018 Special Report on “Global Warming of 1.5°C” this Council heeds the call for urgent action within the next 12 years to avoid a climate crisis. Taking immediate action will help to protect Nottingham people from the consequences of irreversible climate change that would result in flooding, drought, heatwaves and other extreme weather events. This will also make a contribution to the international effort to cut carbon emissions to mitigate climate change, reducing the severity of rising sea levels, hazards, food security and impacts on global ecosystems.

This Council therefore resolves to lead the way nationally and play its part in the global effort against climate change by becoming a carbon neutral city by 2028.

 

Minutes:

Moved by Councillor Sally Longford, seconded by Councillor Mike Edwards:

 

This Council notes that Nottingham met its Energy Strategy target early (a 26% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions against 2005 by 2020) with reductions of emissions by 39% since 2005, equivalent to 43% per person. Nottingham is also on track to meet its 2020 target of 20% of energy generation from low carbon sources, due to a combination of a reduction in the City’s energy demand and its renewable energy projects programme. This Council has led the way to a more sustainable and green City by:

·  Signing the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change in 2000 with a follow up in 2011

·  £15 million investment in one of the UK’s largest electric bus fleets

·  Investment in biogas and retrofitted buses

·  Developing and expanding the electric tram network

·  Improving cycling facilities, including bike hubs and a cycle hire scheme

·  Significant investment in cycle corridors

·  Introduction of the Workplace Parking Levy – tackling congestion and containing traffic growth, while generating funds to invest in public transport

·  Installing solar panels on 4500 domestic properties across the city

·  Working on innovative projects including our solar vehicle to grid project

·  Retrofitting 400 homes with energy efficient measures through the REMOURBAN and Green HousING Project.

In the light of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2018 Special Report on “Global Warming of 1.5°C” this Council heeds the call for urgent action within the next 12 years to avoid a climate crisis. Taking immediate action will help to protect Nottingham people from the consequences of irreversible climate change that would result in flooding, drought, heatwaves and other extreme weather events. This will also make a contribution to the international effort to cut carbon emissions to mitigate climate change, reducing the severity of rising sea levels, hazards, food security and impacts on global ecosystems.

This Council therefore resolves to lead the way nationally and play its part in the global effort against climate change by becoming a carbon neutral city by 2028.

RESOLVED to carry the motion.