Agenda for City Council on Monday, 19th July, 2021, 2.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - at the Council House. View directions

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

Items
No. Item

15.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Councillor Hassan Ahmed – unwell

Councillor Leslie Ayoola - personal

Councillor Azad Choudhry – leave

Councillor Audrey Dinnall - personal

Councillor Nicola Heaton – personal

Councillor Patience Ifediora – personal

Councillor Phil Jackson - personal

Councillor Maria Joannou – personal

Councillor Gul Khan - personal

Councillor Jane Lakey – leave

Councillor Dave Liversidge - personal

Councillor Chantal Lee - unwell

Councillor Carole McCulloch – personal

Councillor Sajid Mohammed - personal

Councillor Salma Mumtaz – personal

Councillor Toby Neal - personal

Councillor Lauren O’Grady – personal

Councillor Anne Peach -  personal

Councillor Georgia Power – personal

Councillor Mohammed Saghir - unwell

Councillor Wendy Smith – personal

Councillor Maria Watson - personal

Councillor Cate Woodward – leave

Councillor Audra Wynter - personal

16.

Declarations of interests

Minutes:

None

17.

Questions from citizens pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Minutes:

John Carroll Leisure Centre

GT asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Schools:
The consultation period relating to the future of the John Carroll Leisure Centre took place at a time when John Carroll was (along with all of the other City Council leisure facilities) actually closed due to the pandemic. There is now a real danger that Active Nottingham Members in the area and other users will return to use the Centre after lockdown has ended only to find a closure notice hanging over the facility without them being aware of this situation. Given the importance of these facilities in relation to combatting loneliness and developing community cohesion, as well as the physical and mental health benefits, can the Portfolio Holder agree a ‘stay of execution’ in relation to John Carroll in order to undertake a thorough consultation with local residents and to ascertain the true value of this much-loved but under-invested facility. Also, could the Portfolio Holder publish the results of the first albeit limited consultation in relation to John Carroll?

 

Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark replied as follows:

 

Thank you for your question regarding the closure of John Carroll Leisure Centre.  It is recognised that the consultation period for all the budget proposals was undertaken during the pandemic, this is why the service undertook a range of different communication methods with just under 2000 users and non-users of the proposals.  Each Active Nottingham member and all dry sport and swimming clubs have been communicated with regarding their options to continue to keep active.  There was also a campaign group who worked hard to spread the message about the proposals and enabled a great many people to respond back. This enabled not only Active Nottingham Members but also local residents and those who live further away to feed back their thoughts.

The Council is passionate about sport and physical activity and wants to encourage participation and activity across the City, which is why the Sport and Leisure Team have worked hard to relocate those users of John Carroll to our other facilities so they can continue their activities.  We have been able to offer opportunities for all clubs and users to move to other facilities and we are pleased to update that the vast majority of clubs, children on our Learn to Swim Programme, school swimming and gym and fitness users are now using alternative venues: Harvey Hadden Sports Village, Victoria Leisure Centre and especially at Djanogly Leisure Centre, which is just a mile away, from John Carroll.  We are also still in communication with our customers who may be still nervous to return and supporting them through the summer to feel confident in the measures we are taking to ensure our facilities are as safe as they can be.

With regards to a ‘stay of execution’, we have to be realistic.  The Council made the decision to close in March 2021 and continued to operate the facility until the end of June 2021 to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Petitions from Councillors on behalf of citizens

Minutes:

None

19.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of Council held on 26 April 2021 pdf icon PDF 607 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2021 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

20.

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

Minutes:

The Chief Executive reported the following:

 

I am pleased to announce that our new Director of Public Health, Lucy Hubber, has taken up her key role of leading the City’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  As well as the immediate and continuing effort to tackle Covid-19, Lucy’s key focus will be on reducing health inequalities in Nottingham.

 

The importance of our parks and green spaces has been underlined in the last 18 months.  I am pleased to report that the Council has secured additional funding from the National Trust and National Lottery Heritage Fund to extend the Future Parks Accelerator project until March 2022.  The additional funding will help to complete a new 25 year Green Space Strategy and help identify new ways to sustain and improve the City’s parks and green spaces.

 

This month was the 73rd birthday of the National Health Service.  In recognition of this important milestone and as tribute to our key NHS workers, the Council lit up some of the City’s most iconic buildings including the Council House, Wollaton Hall, Green Mill and the newly re-opened Castle.  Throughout the pandemic, the NHS and its key workers have worked tirelessly to keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe.  We cannot thank their commitment and dedication enough.  There is not one person in our City or Country that has not had their life touched by the NHS and we are grateful for all it has done, all it continues to do and all that it will do in the future.

 

I am sad to report that Honorary Alderman Frances Dennett passed away on 5 May aged 97.  Frances Dennett was elected to the Council in 1973 to represent the then University ward which she did until 1976.  She was subsequently elected for Clifton East ward in 1979 and she remained a councillor for that ward until 1987.  She was the Chair of the Leisure Services Committee for a number of years and made an Honorary Alderman in 1991.

 

Councillor Mike Edwards spoke in tribute to Honorary Alderman Frances Dennett.

 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor David Mellen, reported the death of former employee Toni Price.

 

Councillor Rebecca Langton and Councillor Andrew Rule spoke in tribute to Toni Price.

 

A minute’s silence was held.

21.

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

Minutes:

None

22.

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 114 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Property Realisation Strategy

Councillor Andrew Rule asked the following question of the Leader of the Council:

 

Shortly after becoming Leader of the Council, the Leader placed great emphasis on bringing the Council’s unsustainable debt levels under control.  This has become an even more urgent priority following the Non Statutory Review.  Can the Leader of the Council update the Chamber on the progress of the Council’s property realisation strategy, the proceeds from which form a key part in the debt reduction strategy?

 

Councillor David Mellen replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor and can I thank Councillor Rule for his question.

Capital receipts generated for the financial year 2020/21 exceed the target we set at the start of that financial year.  The sale targets for this year remain challenging and there are a number of actions underway to accelerate our plans. These include the prioritisation of the high value sales currently on the programme to ensure that we achieve the quickest possible and maximum possible receipts; the re-evaluation of the existing pipeline for robustness leading to a refreshed forecast produced to enable future planning; the identification of a number of additional properties for potential sale following a full review of our assets that are going through the due diligence process and will come to the market in the coming months; and we have also had a number of operational properties coming through following the budget process which will become available for sale.  In addition to this we have reviewed the process and decision making used to deliver sales, appointed additional capacity into the Property team and are considering alternative routes to market to generate quicker receipts where appropriate.  Our Member Asset Rationalisation Board is tightly monitoring the programme on a monthly basis.

 

Old Market Square

Councillor Andrew Rule asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Schools:

Could the Portfolio Holder confirm whether the concession agreements in place for the Beach, Christmas ‘Wonderland’ and ad hoc events throughout the year place an obligation on the event operator to reinstate any damage done to the hard standing areas of Old Market Square?

 

Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark replied as follows:

Thank you very much Councillor Rule.  All events staged within Old Market Square and across our public open spaces and parks are required to reinstate or meet the cost of any damage that occurs during the licenced period. A pre and post event site survey is undertaken to ensure this happens at all times.

 

 

Broadmarsh Site

Councillor Andrew Rule asked the following question of the Leader of the Council:

The ‘Big Conversation’ on the future of Broadmarsh is in danger of becoming the ‘Big Silence’.  Could the Leader of the Council give an update on the vision for the site and how it is envisaged the vision will become a reality?

 

Councillor David Mellen replied as follows:

Thank you Lord Mayor and thank you to Councillor Rule for his question.  I thought what would be the question about the Broadmarsh  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Response to the Constituency Boundary Review 2023 pdf icon PDF 316 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor David Mellen, presented the report proposing a response from the Council to the Boundary Commission for England Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries.  The report was seconded by Councillor Sally Longford.

 

Resolved to:

 

(1)  note the Boundary Commission for England’s proposals for Nottingham City, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; and

 

(2)  endorse the response as set out in section 6 of the report for submission to the Boundary Commission for England.

24.

Members' Allowances Scheme - Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel pdf icon PDF 201 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor David Mellen, proposed the report detailing the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to the Members’ Allowances Scheme.  The report was seconded by Councillor Sally Longford.

 

Resolved to:

 

(1)  adopt the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out in the appendix to the report;

 

(2)  adopt the revised Members’ Allowances Scheme, with the amendments recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel incorporated, with immediate effect; and

 

(3)  amend the Constitution accordingly.

25.

Decisions taken under Urgency Procedures pdf icon PDF 206 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor David Mellen, presented the report detailing urgent decisions that the 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 that:

 

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

 

Decision Reference Number

Date of Decision

Subject

Value of Decision

Reason for Urgency

4219

21 May 2021

Allocation of Covid Local Support Grant

£332,711

The grant offer from Government was received late, with tight deadlines for acceptance.  The details of the grant were not finalised until it was too late to allow for a call in period prior to supplying food vouchers to schools in time for use over the half term holiday.

 

(2)  There were no decisions taken under the Special Urgency Procedure during this period.

26.

THE CRIME AND DRUGS PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2021 - 2024 pdf icon PDF 229 KB

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Safety and Inclusion

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Safety and Inclusion, Councillor Neghat Khan, proposed the report recommending approval of the Nottingham Crime and Drugs Partnership Partnership Plan 2021 to 2024.  The report was seconded by Councillor David Mellen.

 

Resolved to approve the Nottingham Crime and Drugs Partnership Partnership Plan 2021 to 2024, as set out in the appendix to the report.

27.

Motion in the name of Councillor Sally Longford

The Council notes that:

1.  Nottingham City Council has in place a detailed action plan to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergency, which we have pledged to review annually.

2.  The Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill is before Parliament, which calls on the Government to:

·  ensure that the UK plays its fair and proper role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees centigrade;

·  ensure that all the UK’s consumption emissions are accounted for, including from aviation and shipping;

·  restore and regenerate the UK’s depleted soils, wildlife habitats and species populations to healthy and robust states, maximising their capacity to absorb CO2 and their resistance to climate heating; and

·  set up an independent Citizens’ Assembly, representative of the UK’s population, to engage with Parliament and Government and help develop the emergency strategy.

These actions would have a positive impact on Nottingham’s plans to become carbon neutral by 2028, and on the future prospects for a good quality of life for our citizens in the future.

 

This Council resolves to:

·  Declare support for the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill and work with our local MPs and citizens to raise awareness of the issues.  We particularly welcome the section referring to the importance of ensuring that deprived communities, who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, must not be disproportionately affected by actions taken to tackle the emergency.

·  We commit to:

1.  Introduce a Planning Department Sustainability Checklist as a matter of urgency and work towards implementing a Carbon Neutral Supplementary Planning Document by 2023.

2.  Continuing to bid for funding to enhance energy efficiency and renewable energy installations of Nottingham citizen’s homes, reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions.

3.  Supporting Nottingham businesses and local organisations to make a switch to sustainable transport options, reducing emissions and improving air quality.

4.  Continuing to lobby the Nottinghamshire Local Government Pension Scheme to divest from fossil fuels

5.  Pressing ahead with our “bee friendly” projects across Nottingham, supporting vulnerable pollinator populations in every neighbourhood and reduce the use of pesticides.

6.  Improving the blue-green infrastructure of the City by working with partners such as the Environment Agency, the Canal and River Trust, the Universities and Severn Trent Water to protect people from flooding and enhance the environment.

 

 

Minutes:

Motion proposed by Councillor Sally Longford, and seconded by Councillor Zafran Khan:

 

The Council notes that:

1.  Nottingham City Council has in place a detailed action plan to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergency, which we have pledged to review annually.

2.  The Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill is before Parliament, which calls on the Government to:

·  ensure that the UK plays its fair and proper role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees centigrade;

·  ensure that all the UK’s consumption emissions are accounted for, including from aviation and shipping;

·  restore and regenerate the UK’s depleted soils, wildlife habitats and species populations to healthy and robust states, maximising their capacity to absorb CO2 and their resistance to climate heating; and

·  set up an independent Citizens’ Assembly, representative of the UK’s population, to engage with Parliament and Government and help develop the emergency strategy.

These actions would have a positive impact on Nottingham’s plans to become carbon neutral by 2028, and on the future prospects for a good quality of life for our citizens in the future.

 

This Council resolves to:

·  Declare support for the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill and work with our local MPs and citizens to raise awareness of the issues.  We particularly welcome the section referring to the importance of ensuring that deprived communities, who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, must not be disproportionately affected by actions taken to tackle the emergency.

·  We commit to:

1.  Introduce a Planning Department Sustainability Checklist as a matter of urgency and work towards implementing a Carbon Neutral Supplementary Planning Document by 2023.

2.  Continuing to bid for funding to enhance energy efficiency and renewable energy installations of Nottingham citizen’s homes, reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions.

3.  Supporting Nottingham businesses and local organisations to make a switch to sustainable transport options, reducing emissions and improving air quality.

4.  Continuing to lobby the Nottinghamshire Local Government Pension Scheme to divest from fossil fuels

5.  Pressing ahead with our “bee friendly” projects across Nottingham, supporting vulnerable pollinator populations in every neighbourhood and reduce the use of pesticides.

6.  Improving the blue-green infrastructure of the City by working with partners such as the Environment Agency, the Canal and River Trust, the Universities and Severn Trent Water to protect people from flooding and enhance the environment.

 

Resolved to carry the motion.

28.

Committee membership changes

To note the following changes to Committee membership:

a)  Councillor Sue Johnson has been appointed as a member of the Trusts and Charities Committee

b)  Councillor Cheryl Barnard has been removed as a substitute for the Audit Committee

c)  Councillor Salma Mumtaz has resigned as a member of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee

d)  Councillor Salma Mumtaz has been appointed as a member of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee

e)  Councillor Sajid Mohammed has replaced Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis as a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

f)  Councillor Rosemary Healy has replaced Councillor Adele Williams as a member of the Joint Committee on Strategic Planning and Transport

g)  Councillor Rosemary Healy has resigned as a member of the Corporate Parenting Board

Minutes:

The following committee membership changes were noted:

 

(1)  Councillor Sue Johnson had been appointed as a member of the Trusts and Charities Committee;

 

(2)  Councillor Cheryl Barnard had been removed as a substitute for the Audit Committee;

 

(3)  Councillor Salma Mumtaz had resigned as a member of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee;

 

(4)  Councillor Salma Mumtaz had been appointed as a member of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee;

 

(5)  Councillor Sajid Mohammed had replaced Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis as a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

 

(6)  Councillor Rosemary Healy had replaced Councillor Adele Williams as a member of the Joint Committee on Strategic Planning and Transport;

 

(7)  Councillor Rosemary Healy had resigned as a member of the Corporate Parenting Board.