Agenda and minutes

Councillor Mohammed Saghir – other Council business

If you need advice on declaring an interest, please contact the Governance Officer above, if possible before the day of the meeting

In relation to agenda item 9 – Bridge Estate Property Update, in the interests of transparency, Councillor Steve Battlemuch stated that he is a Director of Robin Hood Energy, Councillor Sam Gardiner stated that he works for E-ON, and Councillor Ethan Radford stated that he sits on the Board of Nottingham City Homes.

Last meeting held on 14 June 2019 (for confirmation)

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Report of Corporate Director, Commercial and Operations

Eddie Curry, Head of Public Realm, introduced the report presenting an update on the project to create a memorial garden at Highfields Park in partnership with the Forever Stars charity, highlighting the following:

(a)  designs for the garden have been produced by the Parks Service Landscape Architect, in partnership with Forever Stars;

(b)  a public consultation was undertaken and received 308 responses, with 92% of respondents saying that they would visit the new garden, and 91% saying that they ‘like’ or ‘like a lot’ the garden design;

(c)  the garden is expected to cost £121,000, with contributions from Forever Stars and Nottingham City Council. A bid has been submitted to the FCC Communities Foundation for £68,000, and a response should be received in December. If successful, work could begin in early 2020 with completion for Easter 2020.

Trustees were supportive of the design, and stated that the garden must be well-maintained and managed. They also thanked Forever Stars for their contributions.

RESOLVED to

(1)  approve the draft designs for the new Serenity Garden at Highfields Park;

(2)  approve the acceptance of FCC Communities Foundation grant to fund the garden if the bid is successful;

(3)  note any works required for the construction of the Serenity Garden will be subject to separate approval to procure by the City Council.

Report of Director of Strategic Finance

Tom Straw, Senior Accountant, introduced the report detailing the forecast outturn for the Bridge Estate trust, highlighting the following:

(a)  the rental income forecast has increased since the beginning of the financial year, due to the original forecast having some prudent assumptions regarding vacant units and lease breakages;

(b)  it is proposed that the grant to Nottingham City Council be increased back to an amount of £1,525,401;

(c)  reserves are held for Trent Bridge repairs and asset repairs There is also an un-earmarked reserve which is set aside and expendable at the discretion of the Trustees, and a capital receipt reserve which is used via capital expenditure of the repayment of the Lister gate loan.

RESOLVED to approve the amendments to the budget as detailed in the report.

Director of Strategic Assets and Property

Bevis Mackie, Principle Estates Surveyor, introduced the report setting out the key property events that have taken place or are proposed for the Bridge Estate since the last meeting.

The Chair thanked officers for organising the annual tour which was enjoyable and informative.

To consider excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items 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 disclosing the information by virtue of Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information

RESOLVED to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items 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 disclosing the information by virtue of Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Last meeting held 14 June 2019 (for confirmation)

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and these were signed by the Chair.

Report of Director of Strategic Assets and Property

Details of the discussion and resolutions for this item are contained in the exempt minutes for this meeting.