Agenda and minutes

Councillor Rosemary Healy  -  on leave

Councillor Neghat Khan  -  on leave

Councillor Rebecca Langton  -  on leave

Councillor Sam Webster  -  Council business

Mel Barrett  -  Chief Executive

Wayne Bexton  -  Interim Corporate Director for Growth and City

Development

David Murray  -  Interim Corporate Director for Resident Services

Malcolm Townroe  -  Director of Legal and Governance

Catherine Underwood  -  Corporate Director for People

None.

Minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2021, for confirmation

The Committee confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2021 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

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

The Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Waste Services presented a report on the production of a refreshed draft Strategic Council Plan 2021-23, to replace the existing Council Plan 2019-23. The following points were discussed:

(a)  the current Council Plan has been reviewed in light of the Recovery and Improvement Plan, to ensure that it is fit for purpose and deliverable in the current context. The revised Plan still holds to the core principles of the original version, which have been refreshed to be achievable within the current financial envelope. This takes into account the significant impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, where required spending in response has not yet been recompensed fully by central Government, within the longer-term context of reduced central funding for local authorities;

(b)  the Plan retains the important ambitions for Nottingham to be a carbon neutral city by 2028, and a safe and clean place to live. It reflects the whole range of the Council’s work going forward, including the delivery of its statutory duties. Elements of the original Plan that have been delivered upon already, such as the establishment of a historic buildings trust and a private landlords licensing scheme, are not reiterated in the revised document, to make it as streamlined as possible. The targets have been revised to take into account both the work completed already, and the new work needed to address the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic;

(c)  a full consultation process has been carried out through online, electronic and paper formats, to engage with citizens, young people, Council staff, businesses, partners and the voluntary sector. Discussions were held on the Plan’s visions and outcomes, with opportunities for any questions to be answered. Constructive feedback was received, and there is good support for the vision – particularly around the principles of a safer and cleaner city. The response to the consultation was strong, particularly as it was necessary to carry it out during the Coronavirus pandemic, which consultation meetings held online nevertheless being well attended. Ultimately, it is vital for the Council to be accessible to the people that it represents, and to continue to listen and engage;

(d)  the revised Plan establishes 11 high-level outcomes, and the general consensus arising from the consultation is that these represent the right areas for focus – particularly ensuring financial stability and a safer Nottingham. It is important to work with communities, faith groups and local businesses as part of the consultation process, and a significant request from the feedback received is a greater focus on developing culture and the performing arts;

(e)  the Board thanked all those who had contributed to the drafting of the refreshed Plan, particularly as it has been necessary for the work to be carried out within a very challenging timeframe. The revised Plan will be presented for adoption to the meeting of the full Council in September, following any final updates arising from the consultation process, and the results of the consultation will also be published.

Resolved to recommend the draft Strategic Council Plan 2021-23 for approval by Full Council, subject to any further changes that may be made as a result of the conclusion of the consultation process, or following feedback from the Improvement and Assurance Board.

·  Reasons for the decision

The wider context in which the Council is operating has changed dramatically since 2019. The Council is reviewing and revising its existing Council Plan 2019-23 to take account of the changed situation and to ensure that it is responding appropriately to the current challenges, while maintaining its ambitions for local people and for Nottingham. The draft Strategic Council Plan 2021-23 sets out a vision and a revised set of key outcomes and priorities that the Council believes will improve the lives of local people and support Nottingham’s recovery from the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic.

·  Other options considered

To do nothing: this option was rejected as maintaining the existing Council Plan 2019-23 is not considered appropriate in light of the significantly changed operating context for the Council and the city overall, and there are requirements of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Recovery and Improvement Plan that the Council must deliver upon.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Schools

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Schools presented a report on a required variation to the Council’s school admission arrangements for 2021/22 and 2022/23. The following points were discussed:

(a)  the variation to the existing school admission arrangements is required so that they comply with the national School Admissions Code from 1 September 2021. It has been a requirement of the Code that looked-after children and children who have been looked after previously and have since been adopted are given the highest priority. The Code has now been expanded to set out that this priority includes children who have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in that state’s care as a result of being adopted;

(b)  there is a strict infant class size limit of thirty children, but this can be exceeded in order to admit twins. This exception does not continue beyond Key Stage 1, but the Council has been able to work with schools to ensure that all twins are admitted together to date, as this is in the best interests of these children.

Resolved to approve the variations to the school admission arrangements for 2021/22 (determined originally on 18 February 2020) and 2022/23 (determined originally on 23 February 2021) relating to the oversubscription criteria, so that the admission arrangements that have been determined previously will comply with the School Admissions Code from 1 September 2021.

·  Reasons for the decision

The new School Admissions Code requires that highest priority is given to “looked after children and all previously looked after children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted”. This new provision necessitates variations to the determined admission arrangements to take effect from 1 September 2021.

·  Other options considered

To not vary the admission arrangements: this option was rejected as these variations are necessary to comply with a mandatory requirement of the School Admissions Code.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Regeneration and Communications

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Regeneration and Communications presented a report on the proposed renewal of a lease for land at Dabell Avenue, Nottingham for a longer period, which will achieve a good income stream for the Council.

Resolved to approve a new lease of 1.71 acres at Dabell Avenue, Blenheim Industrial Estate, Nottingham on the terms as set out in the Exempt Appendix, and to surrender the existing lease.

·  Reasons for the decision

The existing lease is a ground lease with 59 years left unexpired. The current tenant approached the Council to negotiate a longer-term lease. Negotiations were carried out to agree appropriate new lease terms and revised rent.

·  Other options considered

To not agree to the new lease: this option was rejected as Council has no reason to decline the current tenant’s request for a longer-term lease, which will benefit the Council’s financial position.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Regeneration and Communications

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Regeneration and Communications presented a report on the proposed grant of a renewed lease for 3, 5, 5a and 7 Castle Road, Nottingham, which will enable the tenant business to continue and bring an additional commercial unit back into use.

Resolved to approve a lease renewal and new letting of 3, 5, 5a and 7 Castle Road, Nottingham, on the terms as set out in the Exempt Appendix.

·  Reasons for the decision

The tenant approached the Council to agree terms for a new lease, as the existing lease for 5, 5a and 7 Castle Road was due to expire. The tenant also wished to take a lease on 3 Castle Road, for use in connection with their restaurant business, and can improve the appearance of the property, which will enhance the area and be of benefit to their business.

·  Other options considered

To not renew the lease: this option was rejected as the Council has no grounds for opposing the terms for the new lease, and the tenant has a legal right to renew the lease under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Regeneration and Communications

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Regeneration and Communications presented a report on the proposed grant of a renewed lease for 15/16 Finepoint, Kidderminster, which will represent a good income stream from a property outside the city.

Resolved to approve a lease renewal of 15/16 Finepoint, Walter Nash Road, Kidderminster on the terms as set out in the Exempt Appendix, and to approve the payment of the associated fees.

·  Reasons for the decision

The industrial unit, which forms part of a small industrial estate, was acquired by the Council in 2017. The tenant has been in occupation since 2010, with their lease ending in June 2021. The Council appointed an external agent to negotiate terms for a new lease and terms have been agreed.

·  Other options considered

To not renew the lease: this option was rejected as the Council has no grounds for opposing the terms for the new lease, and the tenant has a legal right to renew the lease under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.

To consider excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, under Schedule 12A, Part 1, Paragraph 3, on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information

The Board resolved to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, under Schedule 12A, Part 1, Paragraph 3, on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Regeneration and Communications

The Board noted the Exempt Appendices to the report.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Regeneration and Communications

The Board noted the Exempt Appendices to the report.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Regeneration and Communications

The Board noted the Exempt Appendices to the report.