Agenda for Executive Board on Tuesday, 21st July, 2020, 2.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Kate Morris, Constitutional Services, Tel: 0115 8764353  Email: kate.morris2@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Note: Unless stated otherwise, all decisions are subject to call-in. The last date for call-in is 31 July 2020. Decisions cannot be implemented until the working day after this date. 

Items
No. Item

21.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

None

22.

Declarations of interests

Minutes:

Councillor Rebecca Langton declared an other interest in agenda item 11 Development of Beckhampton Road, Bestwood for new Council Housing (minute 31) because she is a Director of Nottingham City Homes. She did not comment or vote on the item.

 

23.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 218 KB

Last meeting held on 29 June 2020 (for confirmation)

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2020 wer confirmed as a true record and were sgined by the Chair.

24.

BAME Health Inequalities: A Framework for Action pdf icon PDF 413 KB

Report of the  Portfolio Holder for Health, HR and Equalities

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered the report of the Portfolio Holder for Health, HR and Equalities, looking at work and emerging actions to start to tackle health inequalities experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups which have been bought into sharp focus through the corona virus pandemic.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Health, HR and Equalities along with the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Highways and Strategic Transport emphasised the complexity of the problem and outlined the joined up and accountable approach that was proposed. The Portfolio Holder for Health HR and Equalities expressed her thanks to officers for their speedy and thorough work on the planned actions.

 

Resolved to:

(1)  Agree the six priority actions for immediate progression in response to BAME health inequalities. These are to:

·  Introduce Health Inequalities Impact Assessment within NCC to assess the impact of changes to policies, practices and services.

·  Ensure health services respond to the needs of BAME communities through robust equity analysis and moving from models of engagement to co-production.

·  Develop a NCC BAME communications plan for COVID-19 to ensure that all of our messages are accessible to BAME colleagues within NCC and to our BAME communities across Nottingham.

·  Collate our intelligence on council and community assets (i.e. buildings, outdoor spaces, volunteers, skills) that can be mobilised to maximise action to reduce BAME health inequalities and strengthen the resilience of communities.

·  Review current governance and leadership for addressing BAME health inequalities to coordinate existing work, identify gaps, and drive forward sustainable local change

·  Develop a city-wide ambition to reduce health inequalities in Nottingham

 

(2)  Endorse the proposed strategic, place based approach to reducing inequalities in  Nottingham City in order to work with communities and co-create a detailed action plan

 

(3)  Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health to establish the governance arrangements

 

Reasons for decision

Nottingham was ranked as the 11th most deprived district in England in 2019. This deprivation has led to substantial differences in healthy life expectancy within the city, with people in the poorest neighbourhoods experiencing poor health 17 years earlier than people in the wealthiest neighbourhoods. 

 

Reducing BAME health inequalities has been, and remains, a key priority in Nottingham. Ensuring a joined up and system wide approach will amplify the effectiveness of work to achieve a step change.

 

The six actions laid out in the report are for immediate work to start to make changes whilst consultation with communities takes place to develop an action plan to shape the work going forward.

 

Other options considered

The other option available is to do nothing and not to address the health inequalities facing BAME communities in Nottingham. This option was rejected as the reduction of these inequalities is already a key priority for Nottingham City Council. The creation of a framework for building on joined up working will make it easier to identify gaps in services/provision that doing nothing would not.

 

25.

Treasury Management 2019/20 Annual Report pdf icon PDF 401 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This item does not contain any decisions that are subject to the call in.

 

The Board considered the annual report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and City Centre detailing Treasury Management activity for 2019/20. The report highlights the performance in respect of managing the Council’s external debt and investments. The report is a statutory report and is written in accordance with the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) code of practice.

 

The report summarises that external loan debt has risen, interest on debt has decreased and that PWLB rates reduced for new HRA loans.

 

Resolved to note the performance in relation to Treasury Management for 2019/20

 

Reasons for decision

The treasury management function if governed by provisions set out infer legislation to ensure that he council has regard to the CIPFA code of practise which requires an annual report to be submitted to and considered by Councillors.

 

Other options considered

Other options for managing the Council’s debt and investment portfolio are considered and reviewed on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

26.

Council Financial Position - 2020/21 Budget Update pdf icon PDF 448 KB

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

Minutes:

This item does not contain any decisions that are subject to the call in.

 

The Board considered the report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and City Centre updating the them on the 2020/21 budget and the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Portfolio Holders reiterated their frustrations that the government funding of the Covid-19 pandemic has not covered the extensive costs incurred to ensure Nottingham citizens have been kept safe and called on the government to cover costs as was initially promised.

 

The following points were highlighted during discussion:

 

(a)  The forecast budget gap in 2020/21 is £76.085 million. This report proposes  additional in year savings totalling £12.505 million, some of which are subject to public consultation;

 

(b)  Additional funding from the government has been announced brigning the total budget gap to£62.272 million reflecting the additional grant of £3.723 million and in year savings and efficiencies identified within the report of £12.505million;

 

(c)  Consultation around specific adult care centres will take place before decisions are made on specific services;

 

(d)  The Trams budget is managed in a robust way in order to deal with liabilities Reserves are maintained to deal with ongoing cost.

 

Resolved to

 

(1)  Note:

  I.  The latest 2020/21 budget gap of £62.272 million.

  II.  That the Section 151 Officer  will keep the financial position under continuous review, this includes a new corporate approach to reserves with the S151 Officer or the Deputy S151 Officer approving all movements in reserves

  III.  An updated MTFS will be presented to Executive Board in September ahead of Council on 5 October 2020

  IV.  Weekly financial appraisal of the financial position of the Council to be undertaken by the S151 Officer and Finance Leadership Team

 

(2)  Note, endorse and release for consultations the proposals as set out in in paragraph 2.3 and Table 2 of the report for formal, public, staff and Trade Union consultation noting that further details relating to the proposals are contained within the appendices to the published report.

 

Reasons for decision

The budget position  has been challenging for a number of years following government cuts to Local Authority funding. The current Medium Term Financial Plan approved on 9 March 2020 by Council included savings of £15.623m and pressures of £17.911m. Despite the budget being balanced the MTFP projected gasps in 2021/22 and 2022/23

 

Other options considered

Throughout the review period a number of cost reduction, income and investment options have been considered.

27.

Procurement of Waste Reprocessing Contract -Key Decision pdf icon PDF 237 KB

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Democratic Services

Minutes:

The Board considered the report of the Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Democratic Services detailing the need for a contract for waste processing. The current contract is due to expire on 31March 2021 and has no extension options.

 

Resolved to:

 

(1)  Commence a tender process for the processing of municipal waste collected by the Council for waste treatment; and

 

(2)  Delegate the award of and signing of the contract(s) to the interim Chief Executive.

 

Reasons for decision

The current contract for waste processing is due to expire and has no extension options. The Coucil is required to tender for the renewal of this provision

 

Other options considered

The option to not enter a tender process was rejected on the basis that the council would not be compliance with the Public Contract regulations

 

The other option considered and rejected was to extend the existing contract. This was rejected following legal and procurement colleague advice meaning that this option would not be compliant with Public Contract Regulations

28.

4-6 Castle Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 1FB - Key Decision pdf icon PDF 220 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council

Minutes:

The Board considered the report of the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Schools and Communications detailing the disposal of properties identified by the Asset rationalisation Programme as poorly performing investments. This disposal forms part of the regeneration work taking place around the area of the Castle.

 

Resolved to:

(1)  To declare 4-6 Castle Boulevard, Nottingham surplus to the needs of the Trading Account and from Operational property, and make the premises available to the Corporate Director ofDevelopment and Growth to sell, subject to no alternative operational, regeneration,

community or other requirements being identified;

 

(2)  To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Development and Growth in conjunction with the Director of Strategic Assets and Property to agree the method and terms for the sale of the freehold of the property as set out in the exempt appendix; and

 

(3)  reinvest the capital receipt in the most effective way possible to support the financial position of the City Council.

 

Reasons for decisions

Releasing the buildings for sale will help to support the Council Plan 2020-24 and the Local Plan Part 2 in delivering city centre regeneration projects

 

Revenue savings will be made in regard to void business rates and essential repairs which will help to relieve in year pressures on the Trading Account

 

Capital receipt from the transaction will be available to support the Council’s financial position

 

Other options considered

The other option considered was to continue to let the property. This option was rejected because it requires significant investment to secure a future income stream.

29.

Proposed extensions to the Public Spaces Protection Orders as respects alcohol in Nottingham City Council's administrative area pdf icon PDF 313 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered the report of the Leader presented by the Portfolio Holder for  Employment and Community Protection around extension of the eight Public Spaces Protection Orders  that prohibit alcohol consumption in public spaces across Nottingham. In February 2020 a consultation process was started on these ordered, no response was received from the Police and Crime Commission nor from Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police, nor from the public or business of Nottingham.

 

During discussion the following points were highlighted:

 

(a)  These orders do no change any existing licence for sale of alcohol. They are designed to target antisocial behaviour and extensions to orders already in place rather than new powers.

 

Resolved to:

 

(1)  To note the results of the consultation on the proposal to extend the Public Spaces Protection Orders referred to as Orders 1 – 8 (listed below) for a further three years from 19 October 2020:-

i.  Nottingham City Council (Alcohol Consumption in Public Places) Designation Order 2005 (‘Order 1’) (a copy of which is at Appendix 1)

ii.  Nottingham City Council (Hyson Green) Alcohol Consumption in Public Places) Designation Order 2006 (‘Order 2’) (a copy of which is at Appendix 2)

iii.  Nottingham City Council (Sneinton, Forest and Mapperley) Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Order 2008 (‘Order 3’) (a copy of which is at Appendix 3)

iv.  Nottingham City Council Basford Designated Public Place Order 2011 (‘Order 4’) (a copy of which is at Appendix 4)

v.  Nottingham City Council St Ann’s and Mapperley Designated Public Place Order 2011(‘Order 5’) (a copy of which is at Appendix 5)

vi.  Nottingham City Council St Ann’s and Sneinton Designated Public Place Order 2011 (‘Order 6’) (a copy of which is at Appendix 6)

vii.  Nottingham City Council (Arboretum and Radford & Park) Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Order 2013 (‘Order 7’) (a copy of which is at Appendix 7)

viii.Nottingham City Council (City Wide Extension) Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Order 2014 (‘Order 8’) (a copy of which is at Appendix 8);

 

(2)   To authorise the extension of Order 1 referred to in recommendation 1(i) above for a further three years from 19 October 2020 being satisfied that the test in Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is met, and having regard to the rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly;

 

(3)  To authorise the extension of Order 2 referred to in recommendation 1(ii) above for a further three years from 19 October 2020, being satisfied that the test in Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is met, and having regard to the rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly;

 

(4)   To authorise the extension of Order 3 referred to in recommendation 1(iii) above for a further three years from 19 October 2020, being satisfied that the test in Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is met, and having regard to the rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly;

 

(5)   To authorise the extension of Order 4 referred to in recommendation 1(iv) above for a further three years from 19 October 2020, being satisfied that the test in Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is met, and having regard to the  rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly;

 

(6)  To authorise the extension of Order 5 referred to in recommendation 1(v) above for a further three years from 19 October 2020, being satisfied that the test in Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is met, and having regard to the rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly;

 

(7)  To authorise the extension of Order 6 referred to in recommendation 1(vi) above for a further three years from 19 October 2020, being satisfied that the test in Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is met, and having regard to the rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly; and

 

(8)  To authorise the extension of Order 7 referred to in recommendation 1(vii) above for a further three years from 19 October 2020, being satisfied that the test in Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is met, and having regard to the rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly.

 

Reason for decisions

Evidence to date shows that the orders have been effective in deterring antisocial behaviour. The powers have been used over 12,000 times over the last 4 years and have been critical in supporting the Council’s aim to deal effectively with alcohol related antisocial behaviour.

 

Without renewing these orders the powers would be lost and alcohol related antisocial behaviour could increase causing problems for residents, businesses and visitors to Nottingham.

 

Other options considered

The other option considered was not extending the orders. This was rejected losing the powers granted by these orders could lead to increase in problematic behaviour which would negatively impact on citizens, business and visitors to Nottingham.

30.

Exclusion of the public

To consider excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining item(s) in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs in the public interest in disclosing the information

Minutes:

The Board decided to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of this/ the remaining agenda item(s) in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, as defined in Paragraph(s) 3 and 5of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

 

31.

Development of Beckhampton Road, Bestwood for new Council housing - Key Decision pdf icon PDF 326 KB

Report of the Portfoli Holder for Planning, Housing and Heritage.

Minutes:

Resolved to approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

32.

Exempt Minutes

Last meeting held 29 June 2020 (for confirmation)

Minutes:

The Board confirmed the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2020 as a true record and they were signed by the Chair  

33.

4-6 Castle Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 1FB - Exempt Appendix

Report of the Leader of the Council

Minutes:

The Board noted the exempt appendix

34.

Development of Beckhampton Road, Bestwood for new Council housing - Exempt Appendix

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Heritage

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board noted the exempt appendix

35.

Finance, HR and Payroll System (FFTF) – Programme Implementation Date

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

Minutes:

Resolved to approve the recommendations as set out in the report.