Agenda for City Council on Monday, 11th January, 2021, 2.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Remote - To be held remotely via Zoom - https://www.youtube.com/user/NottCityCouncil. View directions

Contact: Jane Garrard, Senior Governance Officer  Email: jane.garrard@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

52.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

None

53.

Declarations of interests

Minutes:

None

54.

Questions from citizens pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Minutes:

Parking enforcement

PN asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Highways and Strategic Transport:

During this time of lockdown and tier 4 measures when people are being furloughed, told to work from home where possible and to only go out for essential travel, how can the Council justify still proceeding to issue parking tickets to vehicles that are parked outside a residential area i.e. Plumptre Square within the City as long as the vehicle is still parked in a parking bay and not illegally?

Councillor Rebecca Langton replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor and can I thank the member of the public for their question.  The question asks about how we have been enforcing parking during the lockdown, and makes specific reference to Plumptre Square in the City Centre.  We recognise the effects of the Covid pandemic on residents and businesses in the City, and our approach to parking enforcement has taken this into account.  Throughout the pandemic, parking enforcement has followed Government advice and been in line with guidance from the British Parking Association.  In line with that advice parking enforcement was reduced at the beginning of the first lockdown in March last year.  When lockdown was eased we had a steady return to enforcement, targeting disabled bays and hotspots in the City Centre to ensure the safety of Nottingham people.  No new guidance has been issued by Government for Tier 4 or for this lockdown, so we continue to enforce to ensure the free-flow of traffic and prevent dangerous parking.  This is the primary function of parking enforcement.  In the City Centre, Traffic Regulation Orders are in place to help get the balance between the many hundreds of people who live within the area and others who are visiting.  Different ways of parking, including ‘one hour free’ bays encourage short trips to small businesses and are a key part of keeping the City Centre economy thriving at difficult times.  Traffic Regulation Orders cannot be switched ‘on’ and ‘off’, which means we can’t just decide they are no longer needed and turn everything over to residents’ parking.  As such, Parking Regulation and Compliance will continue to enforce restrictions to support the City and its desire to keep traffic moving and keep people safe.  For example, during the Autumn term, the React Team, a specialist team within Parking Enforcement who deal with parking and traffic flow around schools, have been more needed than ever.  With fewer people using public transport, their role in helping to ensure the safety of parents, children and local residents at drop off and pick up times has been crucial.  They have continued to work on the frontline in challenging times and I am sure we would all like to place on record our thanks to them. 

The question references Plumptre Square specifically.  This area has a number of one-hour bays, double yellow lines and nearby pay and display parking.  Although traffic has reduced, the parking restrictions in these and other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

55.

Petitions from Councillors on behalf of citizens

Minutes:

None

56.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of Council held on 9 November 2020 pdf icon PDF 592 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2020 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

57.

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

Minutes:

The Chief Executive reported the following:

 

Queen’s New Years Honours List

I would like to extend congratulations to all those citizens recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List, particularly for services to health, social care, education and policing.

 

Local Government Information Unit Awards

Councillor Salma Mumtaz won the Covid-19 Hero Award at the Local Government Information Unit Awards in December.  The Award recognises the time she spends volunteering at the Himmah Community Food Bank and Salaam Shalom Kitchen, both in Hyson Green, and Disability Direct in Basford, where she helps tackle food poverty by serving hot meals, delivering food parcels, home shopping and delivering prescriptions to local people in crisis.

 

Association for Public Service Excellence Awards (APSE)
The Council was shortlisted in six categories of the national APSE Awards, including three Teams shortlisted for Best Service Team; Best Climate Action Initiative; and Best Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, in addition to Overall Council of the Year in Service Delivery.  The Council won two national awards one for its Transport and Fleet Maintenance Service and one for its Parks, Grounds and Horticultural Service.  My thanks to all colleagues who helped the Council achieve such creditable results. 

Former Council employee John Karim

I am very sad to report the death of former Council employee John Karim.  John died in December, having contracted Covid-19.  John was an Assistant Facilities Officer for the Council based at the Lenton Business Centre.  John worked for the Council for nearly twelve years and will be sorely missed, and fondly remembered by those who knew him.

Former Councillor Mary Bloomfield
I am sad to report that former Councillor Mary Bloomfield passed away in November.  She was elected to the Council in 1991 and represented the Portland ward until 1994.  She was re-elected to the Council in 2003 to represent the Basford ward, which she did until 2007, and was Leader of an Independent Group on the Council.

Former Councillor Samuel Gibbons
I am also sad to report that former Councillor Samuel Gibbons has passed away.  He was elected to the Council for the then University ward between 1970 and 1974.

 

Councillor David Mellen spoke in tribute to former Councillors Mary Bloomfield and Samuel Gibbons and former employee John Karim.

 

A minute’s silence was held.

58.

Questions from Councillors - to the City Council's lead Councillor on the Nottinghamshire and City of Nottingham Fire and Rescue Authority

Minutes:

None

59.

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 199 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Nottingham Christmas Market

Councillor Kevin Clarke asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and IT:

 

While under normal circumstances few people enjoy Nottingham’s Christmas Market as much as I do, it is obvious that the decision to permit this year’s one to open was a mistake.  Can the Portfolio Holder please give an account of the advice that was received from the Safety Advisory Group and the decision making process that gave the green light to open the Market, based on that advice?

 

Councillor Dave Trimble replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor and can I thank Councillor Clarke for his question.  In terms of the decision making process, Council officers put to me a much reduced event offer and I approved it.  That was at a time when the Covid numbers in the City were reducing fast and Nottingham was lower than in areas that were in Tier 2.  I have accepted that this was a mistake.  I have publicly apologised and it certainly won’t happen again.  All significant events go to the Safety Advisory Group.  A proposal for a significantly-scaled down Christmas Market to replace the Winter Wonderland was submitted to the Council by the event operator.  It is entirely normal for members of the Safety Advisory Group to have concerns on all events.  They offer relevant advice and actions needed to mitigate the concerns they have.  The Safety Advisory Group met twice in the week prior to the event, where proposals for the Market were considered.  Some concerns and advice were raised about the planned market and rides.  After the Safety Advisory Group meetings were held on 1 and 3 December they provided full advice to the event organiser – a summary of which is as follows:

·  Markets and fairground rides are allowed in the Government’s guidance and legislation published on 30 November provided they are Covid-safe. 

·  Risk assessments for the rides required further scrutiny, and they were subsequently provided prior to the market opening.

·  An updated Steward and Crowd Management Plan was requested prior to any activity being permitted and this was also provided post-meeting. 

·  The Public Health view was that proposals comply with the Guidance, provided they are Covid-safe but they would be dependent upon the responsible behaviour of people attending the event. 

·  There were some concerns about whether it would be possible to control large numbers and enforce compliance. 

·  The use of masks on rides and stalls should be mandatory and are a sensible precaution. 

·  A closely monitored phased introduction avoiding anticipated crowded shopping times following lockdown would be prudent. 

·  It was noted that the City Council, as the landowner, understood the event wa lawful and in accordance with Government Regulations and that the prime responsibility was with the activity organisers to manage the activity in a safe manner. 

·  The operator completed comprehensive risk assessments for each aspect of the market, which included measures to comply with the prevailing Covid restrictions as well as mitigation plans that could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

60.

Amendments to the Constitution pdf icon PDF 204 KB

Report of the Lord Mayor/ Chair of Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Rosemary Healy, Lord Mayor and Chair of Council, proposed the report proposing a number of amendments to the Constitution.  The report was seconded by Councillor David Mellen.

 

Councillor David Mellen proposed the following amendment to the proposed Protocol for Councillor/ Officer Relations:

 

Amend paragraph 5.12 of the Protocol for Councillor/ Officer Relations as follows:

 

Officers, may attend group meetings to provide briefings on Council business.  With the exception of Political Assistants, officers below the level of Head of Service should not only attend group meetings when accompanied by a senior officer.  Officers attending group meetings should usually be accompanied by another officer and must respect the confidentiality of information disclosed at group meetings.

 

Resolved to approve the amendment.

 

Councillors then voted on the amended report.

 

Resolved to:

 

(1)  amend the Terms of Reference for the Greater Nottingham Light Rapid Transit Advisory Committee to add the Nottingham City Disability Involvement Group as a co-opted member of the Committee, and amend the Constitution accordingly;

 

(2)  adopt a revised Terms of Reference for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in Appendix A to the report, and amend the Constitution accordingly;

 

(3)  amend the Terms of Reference for the Nottingham City Governance Improvement Board to enable any member of the Executive to attend as a substitute for the Leader of the Council, and amend the Constitution accordingly;

 

(4)  note changes to the levels of basic allowance and special responsibility allowance in the Members Allowances Scheme, as set out in Appendix B to the report, and amend the Constitution accordingly; and

 

(5)  adopt a revised Protocol for Councillor/ Officer Relations as set out in Appendix C to the report, and amend the Constitution accordingly.

61.

Governance Improvement Programme - Progress Update and Lessons Learnt pdf icon PDF 266 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the Council, presented the report updating Council on progress in delivery of the Governance Improvement Programme, approved by Council in response to the recommendations of the External Auditor in the Report in the Public Interest on Robin Hood Energy in August 2020.  The report was seconded by Councillor Sally Longford.

 

Resolved to note:

 

(1)  the progress update, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

 

(2)  the comments of the newly established Governance Improvement Board on the progress to date and the lessons learnt, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report;

 

(3)  the comments of the Audit Committee on 18 December 2020 on the review of the appointment of Councillors as Directors on Boards of Council Owned and Controlled Companies, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report; and

 

(4)  that the amended draft Terms of Reference for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were included for approval in the Amendments to the Constitution report on this meeting agenda.

62.

Decision taken under Urgency Procedures pdf icon PDF 217 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council

Minutes:

Councillor David Mellen, 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.  The report was seconded by Councillor Sally Longford.

 

Resolved to note:

 

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

 

Decision Reference Number

Date of Decision

Subject

Value of Decision

Reason for Urgency

4059

28/11/2020

Financing Arrangements

Exempt

Delay would have exceeded the external funding deadlines set and jeopardise the options related for a wholly owned company.

4060

28/11/2020

Allocation of Adult Social Care Infection Control Grant funding Round 2

£2,818,193

To enable the funds to be allocated as quickly as possible to care providers, in accordance with the grant conditions which stipulate tight timescales for the funds to be used.  This reduced the risk of clawback.  Payment of the second instalment of grant is contingent on funds in the first instalment having been fully transferred to providers and reported in November 2020.

4063

04/12/2020

Covid Winter Grant Scheme

£1,414,274

The use of part of the funding for food vouchers required this to be put in place as rapidly as possible to ensure that schools have the ability to distribute the vouchers to parents of eligible pupils with enough time prior to the Christmas break.

4066

04/12/2020

Broadmarsh Car Park Development Contract Extension

£2,995,627

Delay would have resulted in an elongation of the contract timetable with Galliford Try, with an associated increase in costs.

 

(2)  the following decisions taken under the Special Urgency Procedure:

 

Decision reference number

Date of Decision

Subject

Value of Decision

Reason for Special Urgency

4059

28/11/2020

Financing Arrangements

Exempt

Delay would have exceeded the external funding deadlines set and jeopardise the options related for a wholly owned company.

4060

28/11/2020

Allocation of Adult Social Care Infection Control Grant funding Round 2

£2,818,193

Funding in Round 2 is expected to be fully spent on infection control measures by 31 March 2021.  Allocations to care homes and other providers must be made within tight timescales of receipt as claw back provisions enable the funding to cease or be recovered by the Department for Health and Social Care if not fully used on eligible measures and reported upon at reporting points between November and April.

4063

04/12/2020

Covid Winter Grant Scheme

£1,414,274

To prevent the ability to mobilise and deploy sufficient resources being severely restrained; to prevent the period for which the support is available to citizens in need being reduced by 25%; and to enable free school meals vouchers to be given to schools in time for distribution prior to the Christmas break.

 

63.

Nottingham City Hate Crime Strategy pdf icon PDF 239 KB

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Highways and Strategic Transport

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Rebecca Langton, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Highways and Strategic Transport, presented the report proposing the adoption of a Nottingham City Hate Crime Strategy.  The report was seconded by Councillor Neghat Khan.

 

Resolved to adopt the Nottingham City Hate Crime Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

64.

Motion in the name of Councillor Clarke

Motion in the name of Councillor Kevin Clarke:

 

Fireworks are used by people throughout the year to mark different events. While they can bring much joy to many, they can also cause significant problems, fear and distress for other people and for animals. Affected animals not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause themselves injuries as they attempt to run away or hide from the noise.

 

The RSPCA publically believes that the current law is failing and does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of distress, injury or anxiety in either people or animals. In October 2019, they submitted the Bang Out of Order report to Westminster, which states that 62 percent of dogs, 54 percent of cats and 55 percent of horses show signs of distress as a result of the use of fireworks. This means thousands of animals are affected by unplanned and random fireworks each year.

 

Sadly, it’s not just household pets who are affected by fireworks. Wild animals, such as hedgehogs, are also at risk of being burnt alive after making their homes in bonfires. Additionally, fireworks can be highly disturbing to some birds, occasionally causing the abandonment of nests or even whole colonies. As custodians of Wollaton Hall’s 200 or so deer, Nottingham City Council has a duty of care to protect these animals from this threat.

 

The RSPCA recommends the following regulation changes to ensure the safety of pets, wildlife and people nationwide:

·  Introducing a limit on the public use of fireworks on or close to specific dates and times.

·  Tightening restrictions on the sale of fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night.

·  Reducing the maximum noise level of fireworks sold to the public and ensuring they are labelled accurately.

·  Licensing all public firework displays and ensuring displays are better advertised to the public.

The Council therefore resolves to:

·  require all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people;

·  actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks;

·  write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays; and

·  encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.

 

Minutes:

Motion proposed by Councillor Kevin Clarke, and seconded by Councillor Maria Watson:

 

Fireworks are used by people throughout the year to mark different events. While they can bring much joy to many, they can also cause significant problems, fear and distress for other people and for animals. Affected animals not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause themselves injuries as they attempt to run away or hide from the noise.

 

The RSPCA publically believes that the current law is failing and does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of distress, injury or anxiety in either people or animals. In October 2019, they submitted the Bang Out of Order report to Westminster, which states that 62 percent of dogs, 54 percent of cats and 55 percent of horses show signs of distress as a result of the use of fireworks. This means thousands of animals are affected by unplanned and random fireworks each year.

 

Sadly, it’s not just household pets who are affected by fireworks. Wild animals, such as hedgehogs, are also at risk of being burnt alive after making their homes in bonfires. Additionally, fireworks can be highly disturbing to some birds, occasionally causing the abandonment of nests or even whole colonies. As custodians of Wollaton Hall’s 200 or so deer, Nottingham City Council has a duty of care to protect these animals from this threat.

 

The RSPCA recommends the following regulation changes to ensure the safety of pets, wildlife and people nationwide:

·  Introducing a limit on the public use of fireworks on or close to specific dates and times.

·  Tightening restrictions on the sale of fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night.

·  Reducing the maximum noise level of fireworks sold to the public and ensuring they are labelled accurately.

·  Licensing all public firework displays and ensuring displays are better advertised to the public.

The Council therefore resolves to:

·  require all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people;

·  actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks;

·  write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays; and

·  encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.

Resolved to carry the motion.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 17:42 and reconvened at 17:52.

65.

Motion in the name of Councillor Kandola

Motion in the name of Councillor Angela Kandola:

 

Nottingham City Council recognises the rights of citizens to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Indian Communities, in support of farmers peacefully protesting in response to farming reform in India. Nottingham has a large community with Indian heritage, many of whom have friends and family currently living in the Punjab.

 

Nottingham City Council recognises that events abroad can lead to anxiety and concerns here. Nottingham is a diverse city where people from different backgrounds get on with each other and we reaffirm our commitment to community cohesion in our city. This Council recognises the rights of individuals to demonstrate peacefully, standing shoulder to shoulder with the 250 million workers currently striking against the Indian government.

 

Nottingham City Council notes and recognises that a recent Sikh Council UK survey reported that 84% of Sikhs living in the United Kingdom are personally concerned about the impact of the laws and 93% feel that human rights violations in the region will increase. 

 

This Council therefore resolves to:

1.  call on the Foreign Secretary to make representations to the Indian Government about the impact of the new farm laws on British Sikhs here in Nottingham, including those with significant and lasting ties in Punjab;

2.  write to the Foreign Secretary, raising concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in the Punjab;

3.  seek an update on any communications the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has had with the Indian Government on the issue, including with Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla, who visited the UK on 4 November 2020; and

4.  reaffirm Nottingham City Council’s commitment to community cohesion.

 

Minutes:

Motion proposed by Councillor Angela Kandola, and seconded by Councillor Neghat Khan:

 

Nottingham City Council recognises the rights of citizens to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Indian Communities, in support of farmers peacefully protesting in response to farming reform in India. Nottingham has a large community with Indian heritage, many of whom have friends and family currently living in the Punjab.

 

Nottingham City Council recognises that events abroad can lead to anxiety and concerns here. Nottingham is a diverse city where people from different backgrounds get on with each other and we reaffirm our commitment to community cohesion in our city. This Council recognises the rights of individuals to demonstrate peacefully, standing shoulder to shoulder with the 250 million workers currently striking against the Indian government.

 

Nottingham City Council notes and recognises that a recent Sikh Council UK survey reported that 84% of Sikhs living in the United Kingdom are personally concerned about the impact of the laws and 93% feel that human rights violations in the region will increase. 

 

This Council therefore resolves to:

1.  call on the Foreign Secretary to make representations to the Indian Government about the impact of the new farm laws on British Sikhs here in Nottingham, including those with significant and lasting ties in Punjab;

2.  write to the Foreign Secretary, raising concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in the Punjab;

3.  seek an update on any communications the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has had with the Indian Government on the issue, including with Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla, who visited the UK on 4 November 2020; and

4.  reaffirm Nottingham City Council’s commitment to community cohesion.

Resolved to carry the motion.

66.

Motion in the name of Councillor Chapman

Motion in the name of Councillor Graham Chapman:

 

This Council urges the Government to retain the £20 a week increase to Universal Credit made at the beginning of the pandemic but which is due to end in April. It also urges the extension of the payment to claimants of legacy benefits who are currently excluded from the additional support.

Minutes:

Motion proposed by Councillor Graham Chapman, and seconded by Councillor Audra Wynter:

 

This Council urges the Government to retain the £20 a week increase to Universal Credit made at the beginning of the pandemic but which is due to end in April. It also urges the extension of the payment to claimants of legacy benefits who are currently excluded from the additional support.

 

Resolved to carry the motion.

67.

Committee Membership Changes

To note the following changes to Committee membership:

a)  Councillor Steve Battlemuch has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

b)  Councillor Neghat Khan has replaced Councillor Leslie Ayoola as a member of the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel.

Minutes:

The following committee membership changes were noted:

(1)  Councillor Steve Battlemuch had been appointed to fill a vacancy on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

(2)  Councillor Neghat Khan had replaced Councillor Leslie Ayoola as a member of the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel.

 

68.

Extraordinary Council Meeting

Minutes:

In accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Lord Mayor added an urgent item of business to enable the Council to schedule an Extraordinary Meeting within the timescales necessary.

 

Resolved to hold an Extraordinary meeting of City Council on 25 January 2021 at 2pm to consider the Recovery and Improvement Plan, developed in response to the findings of the Non-Statutory Review of Nottingham City Council.