Agenda and minutes

Councillor Phil Jackson (personal)

Councillor Sue Johnson (leave)

Councillor Jane Lakey (personal)

Councillor Georgia Power (personal)

None

Public Interest Report

IL asked the following question of the Leader of the Council:

In the report in the public interest on Robin Hood Energy, the Auditor states (page 12), “More generally, it is not seen as good practice for councillors to be on the boards of local authority companies, with other mechanisms used to ensure that the company meets the Council’s policy objectives.” It is recognised, particularly in the recommendations, that having councillors on company boards is not specifically forbidden, but can the Leader please comment on this statement, particularly why the Council is proposing to go against what the Auditor considers to be best practice by in fact retaining councillors on boards?

Councillor David Mellen replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor and can I thank the citizen for submitting this question.  The Auditor’s report and the Council’s Action Plan outline a number of clear recommendations for implementation including a commitment to review how councillors are best used and supported on the boards of companies.  Alongside this we have a clear commitment to ensure that all board members have the required knowledge and experience to challenge the management of companies.  This should also ensure that risks related to Council companies are considered for inclusion in our overall risk management process with appropriate reporting, rather than being seen in isolation.  I also want to be clear that we will ensure lessons are learned from this experience and will take the necessary steps to review the arrangements we have in place for Council governance of all our companies.  As a Council we will continue to make the necessary improvements including those recommended by the District Auditor. 

Since the adoption of the report in August this year, I have already met with all of our company chairs and chief executives to strengthen our approach to company governance; I have presented the Action Plan to both the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Audit Committee; and the Monitoring Officer has brought the Action Plan to the Companies Governance Sub Committee for robust review of our proposed arrangements.  I will report back to the Council’s Executive Board later this month.  I have also met with both Opposition Leaders and will bring back proposals to this Council in November for the creation of a Governance Improvement Board to oversee the implementation of the Action Plan going forward. 

Lord Mayor, I want to acknowledge that this is only the beginning of our improvement journey.  We will go further.  Further to ensure our governance arrangements are robust and our actions are more than just mere expressions of regret and constructive and meaningful change will follow.  Lord Mayor, we are elected to represent the people of this City.  It is a privilege we do not take lightly.  As custodians of the City we will ensure the best interests of Nottingham people are at the forefront of our improvement journey. 

In his recommendations, where the Auditor summarises the content of his report, he recommends that we review how  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

Councillor Audrey Dinnall presented a petition on behalf of the residents of Trafford Gardens requesting the closure of the access gate on Trafford Gardens to Trafford Park, with a new access gate on the existing park’s perimeter.

Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis presented a petition on behalf of residents of Godfrey Lane requesting improvements to the housing on that road.

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

The minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on 27 August 2020 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

The Chief Executive reported the following:

Announcement from Chief Executive
To undertake public service is a privilege and I am pleased to have commenced my duties as the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council.  Nottingham is a wonderfully vibrant and diverse city.  At this time the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic remains a major challenge and my heart goes out to all those in the city who have lost loved ones due the pandemic, including the families of our former colleagues Ralston Fustiye and Natalie Keetley.   
In addition to Covid-19, there will be other significant challenges ahead which will need to be overcome in order that collectively, members and officers in our distinct but complementary roles, can continue to effectively provide important public services upon which the residents of our city rely; to reduce inequalities and improve and enhance the quality of life and to make Nottingham a World Class City for Everyone. 
I welcome the opportunity to work with councillors as we take the City forwards.

Notts Outlaws
I would like to congratulate the Notts Outlaws on winning the T20 Blast Competition for the second time yesterday.

Former Councillor Desmond Wilson
I am sad to report that former Councillor, and Alderman Desmond Wilson passed away in July, in Jamaica.  He was elected to the Council in 1991 and represented the St Anns ward until 2007.  He became Nottingham’s first black Lord Mayor in 2002 and was elected to serve as Lord Mayor again in 2006.

Former Councillor Gerry Davie
It is with sadness that I also report that former Councillor Gerry Davie passed away in August.  He was elected to serve the Bulwell Forest ward between 2007 and 2011.

Councillors Merlita Bryan and Andrew Rule spoke in tribute to former Councillor Desmond Wilson.

Councillors Andrew Rule and Eunice Campbell-Clark spoke in tribute to former Councillor Gerry Davie.

A minute’s silence was held.

None

Adult day services

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

As I’m sure is the same for everyone here, we watched with great interest when the results of the public consultation to the Interim Budget were published.  May I draw the Portfolio Holder’s attention to the fact that of the 232 responses received (at the time of writing), 160 respondents mentioned this Council’s plans to reduce funding for Adult Day Services, and to close one Adult Day Centre.  By our calculation, over 97% of these respondents expressed overwhelmingly negative opinions of this proposal, and like us, believe that it would be unnecessarily harmful to those at most risk during this already difficult time.  Can the Portfolio Holder confirm to me that the feedback that she has received has been treated with the respect it warrants and has been considered carefully in the decision making process? Can she justify why the closure is still planning to go ahead despite the obvious public opposition to it?

Councillor Adele Williams replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor and thank you to Councillor Watson for the question.  As Portfolio Holder, I have previously spoken with citizens who attend the Council’s day services and I have also met with some of the staff who work in day care and I really recognise the work that they do and the value of that to citizens and their families.  In lockdown many of these staff worked in new ways to support citizens innovatively and helped to make sure people had the support that they needed.  Your Conservative colleague has previously commended the Pathways Project which connects people with learning disabilities, for example, to community activities, volunteering etc and, as our Better Lives Better Outcomes Plan sets out, the Council is committed to working with citizens and families in a personalised way to support people’s independence and choice in their local communities.  Our plans for day support recognise that building-based services will be part of the solution but not the whole picture, and we have significant under-use of our existing day centres as younger people have chosen other options for their support.  It’s our ambition for all of our citizens to get them to play an active part in our communities and clearly many young people and their families share this and are choosing to get into further training, community activity, volunteering and so on, and on to pathways to employment. 

I can confirm that the feedback that has been received has been carefully considered as part of the comprehensive consultation with the citizens that attend day services and their families and carers.  When any significant proposals for change are proposed it is important that a comprehensive consultation is completed before any final decisions are made.  Understanding the views of citizens, families and carers is really important to making sure that adult social services are able to meet the needs of citizens in a landscape that of course  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Report of the Leader of the Council

The Leader of the Council presented the report detailing urgent decisions that Council is required to note, which have been taken under provisions within the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules and Access to Information Rules.

Resolved to note

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

(2)  the Key Decisions taken under the Special Urgency Procedure

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

Councillor Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre, presented the report setting out proposals for the Interim Budget 2020/21 in response to the impact of Covid-19 on the City Council’s in-year financial position.

Councillors voted on the recommendations in the report as follows:

Resolved to

(1)  approve

  i.  the Interim Budget for 2020/21

  ii.  the recommendations of the Strategic Director of Finance/ Chief Finance Officer in respect of the robustness of the estimates made for the purpose of the budget calculations and the adequacy of reserves

  iii.  the delegation of authority to the Strategic Director of Finance/ Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre, to finalise the revised in-year portfolio budgets

  iv.  the delegation of authority to the Corporate Leadership Team to implement the new 2020/21 savings and efficiency proposals as appropriate

  v.  the continuation of spending controls within the City Council, including a vacancy freeze and the ceasing of all non-essential spend

as set out in the reports and minutes of the Interim Budget 2020/21, Medium Term Financial Outlook and Draft Strategy 2021/22 to 2023/24 item considered by Executive Board at its meeting on 22 September 2020

(2)  note the Reserves Strategy approved by Executive Board on 22 September 2020;

(3)  note the refreshed Medium Term Financial Outlook and draft Medium Term Financial Strategy as approved by Executive Board on 22 September 2020; and

(4)  note that a final Medium Term Financial Strategy, including a review of the Capital Programme and Capital Investment Strategy, will be considered by Executive Board in December 2020.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Employment and Community Protection

Councillor Neghat Khan, Portfolio Holder for Employment and Community Protection, presented the report proposing the approval of the Crime and Drugs Partnership Plan 2020 to 2023.

Resolved to approve the Crime and Drugs Partnership Plan 2020 to 2023, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The meeting was adjourned at 17:13pm and reconvened at 17:24pm.

Motion in the name of Councillor Steve Battlemuch:

With the Covid crisis heading towards a second wave, Nottingham City Council is concerned that unemployment will rise to unacceptable levels and will write off the young generation who predominately work in the hospitality sector which has been hit hardest.

This Council believes that further government intervention needs to be put in place quickly to avoid a lost generation.

The Job Retention Scheme was an historic investment of taxpayers' money to avert widespread job losses.  This massive, unprecedented investment will go to waste unless the Government acts now to hold the country from the unemployment cliff edge looming on the near horizon.

Council resolves to:

·  try to maintain our pledge to guarantee a job, training place or further education place for every 18-24 year old in Nottingham who wants it;

·  seek to protect funding for the Nottingham Jobs Fund and Nottingham Jobs Hub;

·  ensure there are jobs fairs across Nottingham to connect residents with employers;

·  use the Council’s purchasing power to support local jobs, apprenticeships and responsible businesses;

·  seek to protect the annual recruitment of 100 local apprentices to Nottingham City Council;

·  write to Terese Coffey MP, Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions to design a package of support for those facing redundancy;

·  write to Boris Johnson MP demanding he take control and put a plan in place to avoid the cliff edge facing working people in Nottingham.

Motion proposed by Councillor Steve Battlemuch, seconded by Councillor Neghat Khan:

With the Covid crisis heading towards a second wave Nottingham City Council is concerned that unemployment will rise to unacceptable levels and will write off the young generation who predominately work in the hospitality sector which has been hit hardest.

This Council believes that further government intervention needs to be put in place quickly to avoid a lost generation.

The Job Retention Scheme was an historic investment of taxpayers' money to avert widespread job losses.  This massive, unprecedented investment will go to waste unless the Government acts now to hold the country from the unemployment cliff edge looming on the near horizon.

Council resolves to:

·  try to maintain our pledge to guarantee a job, training place or further education place for every 18-24 year old in Nottingham who wants it;

·  seek to protect funding for the Nottingham Jobs Fund and Nottingham Jobs Hub;

·  ensure there are jobs fairs across Nottingham to connect residents with employers;

·  use the Council’s purchasing power to support local jobs, apprenticeships and responsible businesses;

·  seek to protect the annual recruitment of 100 local apprentices to Nottingham City Council;

·  write to Terese Coffey MP, Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions to design a package of support for those facing redundancy;

·  write to Boris Johnson MP demanding he take control and put a plan in place to avoid the cliff edge facing working people in Nottingham.

Resolved to carry the motion.

Motion in the name of Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis:

Councils across the country face critical financial challenges and further cuts to jobs and services. £16billion has been slashed from central government grants and councils are now facing the unprecedented costs of responding to the Covid crisis.

In Nottingham £101million every year has been cut from our main source of government funding since 2013. The Council will need to bear £78.4million of additional costs and lost income due to COVID. Despite promises from Government to fully fund all the costs of COVID and to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with councils and ‘do what it takes’, Nottingham is likely to receive only £39.8million in COVID funding leaving a gap of £38.6million.

10 years of government austerity hurts the most vulnerable members of our community and now threatens frontline services and our key workers that have helped people in Nottingham throughout the crisis.

Nottingham City Council therefore resolves to:

1.  campaign alongside other councils to lobby the Government to keep its promise to Nottingham and key workers to fully fund all COVID 19 costs;

2.  jointly campaign for a fair funding system for local authorities based around deprivation levels and local need;

3.  jointly campaign with other councils to push the Government to cancel non-commercial Public Works Loan Board debt;

4.  ask the Government to reduce the interest rate and allow a Covid payment holiday on Public Works Loan Board debt;

5.  build a joint campaign with MPs, other councils, trade unions and local communities.

Motion proposed by Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, seconded by Councillor Lauren O’Grady:

Councils across the country face critical financial challenges and further cuts to jobs and services. £16 billion has been slashed from Central Government grants and councils are now facing the unprecedented costs of responding to the Covid crisis.

In Nottingham £101 million every year has been cut from our main source of Government funding since 2013. The Council will need to bear £78.4 million of additional costs and lost income due to Covid. Despite promises from Government to fully fund all the costs of Covid and to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with councils and ‘do what it takes’, Nottingham is likely to receive only £39.8 million in Covid funding leaving a gap of £38.6 million.

10 years of government austerity hurts the most vulnerable members of our community and now threatens frontline services and our key workers that have helped people in Nottingham throughout the crisis.

Nottingham City Council therefore resolves to:

1.  campaign alongside other councils to lobby the Government to keep its promise to Nottingham and key workers to fully fund all Covid-19 costs;

2.  jointly campaign for a fair funding system for local authorities based around deprivation levels and local need;

3.  jointly campaign with other councils to push the Government to cancel non-commercial Public Works Loan Board debt;

4.  ask the Government to reduce the interest rate and allow a Covid payment holiday on Public Works Loan Board debt; 

5.  build a joint campaign with MPs, other councils, trade unions and local communities.

Resolved to carry the motion.

To note that:

a)  Councillor Audrey Dinnall has replaced Councillor Shuguftah Quddoos as a member of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee

b)  Councillor Andrew Rule has replaced Councillor Roger Steel as a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Call In Panel

c)  Councillor Roger Steel has been appointed as substitute member of the Overview and Scrutiny Call In Panel

d)  Councillor Sajid Mohammed has replaced Councillor Steve Battlemuch as a member of the Audit Committee

e)  Councillor Jay Hayes has replaced Councillor Lauren O’Grady as a member of the Audit Committee

The following committee membership changes were noted:

1)  Councillor Audrey Dinnall replaced Councillor Shuguftah Quddoos as a member of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee

2)  Councillor Andrew Rule replaced Councillor Roger Steel as a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Call In Panel

3)  Councillor Roger Steel was appointed as a substitute member of the Overview and Scrutiny Call In Panel

4)  Councillor Sajid Mohammed replaced Councillor Steve Battlemuch as a member of the Audit Committee

5)  Councillor Jay Hayes replaced Councillor Lauren O’Grady as a member of the Audit Committee.