Agenda for Executive Board on Tuesday, 20th October, 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 29 October 2020. Decisions cannot be implemented until the working day after this date. 

Items
No. Item

46.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Councillor Adele Williams – Leave

47.

Declarations of interests

Minutes:

Councillors declared the following Other Interests in item 9 Report in the Public Interest – Action Plan update.

 

Councillor Cheryl Barnard –Board Member of Robin Hood Energy

 

Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clarke – Board Member of Nottingham Revenue and Benefits, and East Midlands Shared Services

 

Councillor Neghat Khan – Board Member of Robin Hood Energy and Nottingham Futures

 

Councillor Rebecca Langton Board Member of Nottingham City Homes and Nottingham Futures

 

Councillor Sally Longford – Chair, and Council nominated representative of the Board for EnviroEnergy

 

Councillor David Mellen – Council nominated representative of BluePrint

 

Councillor Dave Trimble – Board Member for Nottingham Race Course and Nottingham Ice Arena

 

Councillor Sam Webster – Board member for Nottingham Revenue and Benefits

 

Councillor Linda Woodings – Nominated Shareholder Representative for Nottingham City Homes.

 

These declarations did not preclude them from speaking on this item and they did not leave the meeting for the discussion.

48.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 319 KB

Last meeting held on 22 September 2020 (for confirmation)

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2020 were confirmed as a true record and were signed by the Chair.

 

Before moving on to the main agenda items Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the Council, offered formal thanks to Laura Pattman, Strategic Director of Finance, for her work during a difficult period for Nottingham City and wished her well for new role elsewhere.    

49.

Council Plan 2019-2023 Annual Report - Year 1 pdf icon PDF 234 KB

Report of the Leader

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The Board considered the report of the Leader of the Council providing an update on performance against the priorities set out in the Council Plan 2019-2023 for year one, which ran up to 31 March 2020. The Leader of the Council indicated that the overall performance was positive, with 118 of the 184 commitments being assessed as on target to be achieved, 47 commitments with progress being made towards achieving them and 19 with issues affecting them being fully achieved. The following additional information was highlighted:

 

(a)  Due to impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on the construction industry the target to build or buy 1000 Council or social homes for rent has not progressed as much as was hoped for by the end of year one. However there is confidence that the target will be met, but impacts on costs and available funding is not yet known. The Government has made funding available for social home providers for shared ownership schemes but there is no specific additional funding for Council Housing;

 

(b)  Nottingham City Council continues to lobby the government to extend the Right to Buy refund scheme extending the time allowed for Councils to use the money from the scheme to replace housing stock;

 

(c)  The commitment to create 15,000 new jobs for Nottingham people has also been impacted as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Good progress was being made as a result of investment and development within the city and much of that continues, however the net impact of job losses as a result of the pandemic means that within the 4 year term it is unlikely that 15,000 new jobs will be created. Investment will continue in the city, and the Council will continue to support citizens to find new jobs and training and access financial support;

 

(d)  The network of Leisure Centres is struggling due to the financial impact of lockdown and their closures earlier in the year. However elsewhere in the Leisure Culture and IT portfolio the War Memorial has been a great success with a lot of positive feedback from the public.  There are more green flag parks in Nottingham than in other cities across the country ensuring that parks and play areas are good spaces to spend time;

 

(e)  The annual curb side collection commitment was progressing well with three pilot schemes running, however due to the Covid 19 pandemic resources had to be redistributed to ensure that “business as usual” waste collection could be maintained;

 

(f)  The free books for children under 5 commitment has also suffered due to the Covid 19 pandemic as it relies on fund raising events and these have not been taking place. As a result of the lockdown and provision being closed the commitment to provide free nursery places for eligible 2 year olds has also been impacted;

 

(g)  As a result of the national lockdown and people being at home more, noise nuisance complaints rose impacting the commitment to cut crime and antisocial behaviour by a quarter. A dedicated noise nuisance hotline is being launched to help to address this issue. Crime levels have reduced over the period;

 

(h)  There has been a delay on some of the work towards the commitments to reduce teenage pregnancy by a further 10% and to reduce the number of women smoking in pregnancy, but these challenging targets remain on track. Promotion of good mental health and wellbeing is important both for citizens and for Council staff, particularly during the current time.

 

Resolved to:

(1)  Note the progress made against priorities in the Council Plan during year one; and

 

(2)  Note that the ratings and commentary for Year 1 relate to the year ending 31March 2020 and as such, the full impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic and lockdown have not yet been felt.

 

Reasons for decision

To ensure Executive Board are kept informed of the progress towards achieving the priorities within the Nottingham City Council Plan 2019-2023 and the likely impact of the Covid 19 pandemic moving into year two.

 

Other Options considered

This report is for noting and information only and no other options were considered

50.

PROPOSED FOR WITHDRAWAL - Local Government Reorganisation in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire pdf icon PDF 355 KB

Report of the Leader

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn following agreement of the Board.

51.

Broadmarsh - Next Steps - Key Decision pdf icon PDF 318 KB

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Schools and Communications

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered the report of the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Schools and Communications setting out proposals to ensure that the Broadmarsh site is securely maintained and to identify next steps in bringing forward this crucially important site for development. The following points were highlighted:

 

(a)  There has already been significant interests from the public about the site and many citizens and organisations have already made contact with the Council to express interest or make suggestions for the future use;

 

(b)  The Big Conversation consultation process is launching shortly and will run for 10 weeks. Citizens can submit their input through the app on the website. There will also be face to face consultation at a shop in Lister Gate where the public can speak to Council officers directly about the development;

 

(c)  Urban design officers have created a pack for school children to enable them to feedback into the consultation process, packs are available for download by schools;

 

Resolved to

(1)  Confirm that the former intu Broadmarsh development proposals are no longer capable of being progressed by the Council following the administration of Intu, and specifically its Broadmarsh related companies going into compulsory liquidation on 3rd July; 

 

(2)  Note that the Broadmarsh Big Conversation will commence shortly to help inform the future development and regeneration opportunities of the city centre site;

 

(3)  Grant dispensation in accordance with Financial Regulation 3.29 for operational reasons from Contract Procedure Rule 4.1.2 in order to award a contract to Sir Robert McAlpine in respect of decommissioning and mothballing works;

 

(4)  Grant authority to procure contractors, professional consultants and advisors in relation to the works to be undertaken at the site, and ongoing site maintenance and operation during and up to the award of the phase one demolition works; 

 

(5)  Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Development and Growth to award and enter into contracts referred to in the resolutions;

 

(6)  Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Development and Growth to accept any LEP funding, subject to the LEP’s awaited approval of the Full Business Case, and for the Corporate Director to approve any further business case development required to secure funding to enable an early first phase of demolition of the Broadmarsh shopping centre and to  progress site master planning;

 

(7)  Grant authority to commence the procurement for the phase one demolition contract with the decision to award the contract to be delegated to the Corporate Director Development and Growth, subject to the acceptance of the LEP funding under Recommendation 6 and the recording of the Officer decision;

 

(8)  Approve the continued site management and security;

 

(9)  Approve the establishment of an advisory panel; and

 

(10)Review the Capital Programme urgently to identify existing Capital Schemes that can be removed or paused to the full value of the collective Broadmarsh approvals i.e. £4.529m.

 

Reasons for the decisions

These decisions are needed to ensure that the site is safely and securely maintained whilst the consultation process takes place and is able to be brought forward for future development brining lasting benefits to the City and to Citizens.

 

Contracting new developers rather than directly awarding to the existing contractors would add additional costs.

 

Other Options considered

One option considered was to do nothing. This would leave Nottingham City Council in breach of statutory and landowner responsibilities and for that reason this option was rejected.

 

An alternative option considered was to sell the site or seek alternative sources of investment in its current state. This option was rejected because the site requires significant work before being developable. Investors would consider the site in its current state as a liability.

52.

Voluntary Redundancy Programme and Budget Proposals pdf icon PDF 351 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 outlining a number of budget proposals that will support the Council’s plan to work to present a balanced budget for 2021/22 that is facilitated by accepting 113 voluntary redundancy applications submitted by employees of the Council.

 

The Portfolio Holder detailed the demographic split of the 113 employees and informed the Board that the redundancies would be across a range of services within the Council. Full consultation with staff will commence shortly.

 

David Mellen, Leader of the Council recorded his formal thanks to all staff leaving through the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for their hard work and dedication to the authority for the years that they have given to their roles.

 

Resolved to approve the budget proposals outlined in appendix A of the published report.

 

Reason for the decision

The Council is facing an in year budget gap of £62.272million as a result of the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic and the budget gap for 2021/22 requires significant further savings to be found. The Voluntary Redundancy proposals put forward here will generate savings of up to £2.3million towards the 2021/22 shortfall.

 

Other options considered

Throughout the period of review a number of cost reduction, income and investment operations have been considered. Each one of these has been considered in terms of impact on levels of reserves.

 

 

 

53.

The Armed Forces Covenant and Action Plan. pdf icon PDF 216 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered the report of the Portfolio Holder for Communities Highways and Strategic Transport recommending to the Board the support for the Armed Forces Community Covenant. This covenant show the City’s support for the UK Armed Forces and the contribution that they have made to the freedom and security of Britain. It ensures equality of access to services for members of the Armed services and for their families.

 

Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the Council formally recorded his thanks to the author of this report, Nigel Cooke, who is leaving the Council, for all of his hard work on this project and others across the Council and wished him well in the future.

 

Resolved to

(1)  Reconfirm Nottingham City Council’s support for the Armed Forces Community Covenant

 

(2)  Agree the Action Plan and its implementation; and

 

(3)  Note that the Government has committed to introduce legislation, during the current parliament, in respect of the further incorporation of the Armed Forces Covenant into law.

 

Reasons for the decision

This decision will allow the council to fulfil the commitment it has made entering into the Armed forced Covenant. Reconfirming the Covenant in this way formalises the Covenant Action Plan

 

Other options considered

Not reconfirming support for the Armed Forces Covenant was the other option considered. This was rejected as the Council has previously agreed to support the covenant, in line with other local authorities in England. 

54.

Report in the Public Interest - Action Plan Update pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Report of the Leader / Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Schools and Communications, the Deputy / Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Democratic Servicesand the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and City Centre

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following Councillors declared an Other interest in this item.

 

Councillor Cheryl Barnard –Board Member of Robin Hood Energy

 

Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clarke – Board Member of Nottingham Revenue and Benefits, and East Midlands Shared Services

 

Councillor Neghat Khan – Board Member of Robin Hood Energy and Nottingham Futures

 

Councillor Rebecca Langton Board Member of Nottingham City Homes and Nottingham Futures

 

Councillor Sally Longford – Chair, and Council nominated representative of the Board for EnviroEnergy

 

Councillor David Mellen – Council nominated representative of BluePrint

 

Councillor Dave Trimble – Board Member for Nottingham Race Course and Nottingham Ice Arena

 

Councillor Sam Webster – Board member for Nottingham Revenue and Benefits

 

Councillor Linda Woodings – Nominated Shareholder Representative for Nottingham City Homes.

 

These declarations did not preclude them from speaking on this item and they did not leave the meeting for the discussion.

 

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

 

The Board considered the report of the Leader of the Council updating the Board on the work on the Action Plan developed as a result of the Report in the Public Interest concerns the Council’s governance of arrangements for Robin Hood Energy.

 

The Leader informed the Board that progress was being made within the approved timescales and that the establishment of a Governance Improvement Board would be formalised at the Council meeting on 9 November 2020.  

 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre highlighted that Councillors sitting on the Boards of these organisations do so in an unpaid capacity.

 

Resolved to

(1)  Note the work undertaken to date and progress made toward implementation of the Action Plan production in response to the Report in the Public Interest

 

(2)  Consider the feedback of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Audit Committee in response to the Report and the Action Plan

 

(3)  Note the recommendations to establish a Governance Improvement Board which will be put before Council for consideration at its meeting on 9 November 2020

 

Reasons for decision

The Action Plan approved by Council on 27 August 2020 details 62 actions in response to the Report. Half of these are scheduled for completion before the end of November 2020 so it is important that the Board has oversight and are assured of the progress and implementation within the expected timeframe.

 

Other options considered

As this report is for information only there were no other options to consider.

55.

COVID -19 Excess Deaths - Cost share of Body Storage facilities - Key Decision pdf icon PDF 298 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 outlining the agreed cost share with Nottinghamshire County Council for the provision of body storage facilities in Mansfield, and latterly, in Nottingham arising from the Government’s request to all local authorities to ensure sufficient body storage facilities to cope with potential excess deaths as a result of Covid 19.

 

Resolved to

(1)  Approve the cost split between Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council for the provision of Body Storage facilities in line with the Governments Reasonable worst case scenarios for excess deaths; and

 

(2)  Note the provision of the current Body Storage Facility for the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) are is available until April 2021

 

Reasons for decision

Councils were instructed by the Government to ensure dignity of the death management process in the event of excess deaths, this included the provision of additional body storage facilities to meet expected demand.

 

Other options considered

Not to provide the additional storage facilities. This option was rejected as the Coucil must comply with the statutory duties and guidance form the government during the pandemic in order to meet the needs of its citizens.

56.

Council Plan COVID-19 Supplement pdf icon PDF 232 KB

Report of Leader of the Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The Chair of the Board agreed that this item, although not on the agenda, could be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, because the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are significant on every walk of life. Residents, businesses and partner organisations will want to know what the impact has been so far, and what the Council has done so far and what else it intends to do in response.

 

The Board considered the report of the Leader of the Council, brought in addition to item 4, Council Plan 2019-23 Annual Report – Year 1. This supplement report sets out Nottingham City Council’s response to Covid 19 and the activities that the Council will take forward in response to the impact Covid 19 has had on residents businesses and the City. 

 

The supplement records the work done by Council Officers and Members are doing to support citizens. The supplement details how the priorities altered during that period of time and may continue to do so in the future.

 

Resolved to:

(1)  Approve the Council plan Covid 19 Supplement; and

 

(2)  Note:

·  Work of the Council to date in responding to Covid 19

·  Activities that the Council will look to take forward in response to the pandemic

·  Views of citizens on how pandemic has impacted on them based on engagement work

·  Impact of Covid 19 on existing inequalities

 

Reasons for decision

The significant impact that the pandemic has had across the city on citizens and on businesses demands that the Council looks again at the support the city needs. The pandemic has caused massive shock to economies  across the globe impacting on major construction projects in the City, with the high street being hit particularly badly.

 

The Council has undertaken many activities not included in the Council Plan in response to the pandemic and so this supplements communicates and records the activities undertaken and what the Council has achieved to date and will continue to deliver.

 

Other options considered

Not publishing a supplement addressing the pandemic work was considered and rejected as it is clear that the pandemic is a major driver of work undertaken by the council in the last 8 months. There is potential for this work to have significant  impact not reflected in the current plan.

 

57.

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 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

 

58.

Broadmarsh - Next Steps - Key Decision - Exempt Appendix

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Schools and Communications

Minutes:

The Board noted the content of the exempt appendix