Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor K Rouse.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Councillor Kevin Gillott declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Agenda Items 5 (Choice Based Lettings and Allocations Policy) & 11 (New Homes to Rent Opportunity – Earls Park, Holmewood), as he was a board member of Rykneld Homes Ltd.  He would leave the room and take no part in the consideration of the items.

To approve as a correct record and the Leader to sign the Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 23 October 2025 and the Special Cabinet held on 6 November 2025.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2025 and extraordinary meeting held on 6 November 2025 were approved as correct records.

Report of Councillor N Barker, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership & Finance

RESOLVED –

That progress against the Council Plan 2023-2027 objectives was noted.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Cabinet considered a report which set out progress on the objectives that underpinned the Council Plan for the period July to September 2025 (Quarter 2).  The report highlighted notable achievements, along with any targeted metrics which had been flagged as not on target.

Attached to the report was Appendix 1, which set out details of what had been achieved and progressed by objective, strategy, and tactic.

Cabinet agreed that the report showed that good progress was being made towards the Council Plan.

RESOLVED

That progress against the Council Plan 2023-2027 objectives was noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION

This is an information report to keep Cabinet informed of progress against the council plan objectives.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

Not applicable to this report as providing an overview of progress against the council plan objectives.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Councillor Nigel Barker joined the meeting.

Councillor Kevin Gillott left the meeting for the following item.

Report of Councillor N Barker, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership and Finance

RESOLVED – That

1.     Cabinet agreed the proposed amendments and adopted the draft policy.

2.     Cabinet agreed the implementation date of 1 April 2026, except for the  flexible Tenancy amendment which will be withdrawn immediately as this type of tenancy is no longer in use.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Cabinet considered a report which summarised the key proposed amendments to the Council’s Choice Based Lettings and Allocations Policy. The report explained that a review had been carried out to ensure the policy was meeting the needs of the districts residents and incorporated any new legislative changes. As a result, several key amendments had been proposed, which were attached to the report at Appendix 1. The full draft policy which included the proposed amendments was attached to the report at Appendix 2.

The report also detailed the results of a public consultation on the proposed amendments, attached at Appendix 3.

Cabinet discussed the report. It was clarified that where armed forces were mentioned in the full draft policy, veterans were included. Cabinet agreed that the proposed amendments brought the policy up to date.

RESOLVED – That

1.     Cabinet agreed the proposed amendments and adopted the draft policy.

2.     Cabinet agreed the implementation date of 1 April 2026, except for the  flexible Tenancy amendment which will be withdrawn immediately as this type of tenancy is no longer in use.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The amendments will ensure that the Council continues to operate a robust policy which enables Rykneld Homes Limited to allocate the council’s housing stock to those in most need in the most effective and transparent way. It will also allow the Council to make best use of its housing stock and help with antisocial behaviour. The policy was last reviewed in October 2022, with minimal amendments, therefore a full review was due in October 2025.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

An alternative option was not to amend the policy, however this would not resolve the issues identified, therefore this was rejected as an unviable option. The current policy is due to expire, therefore conducting a review in 2025 is essential, therefore not to review the policy at this time was rejected.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Councillor Kevin Gillott returned to the meeting.

Report of Councillor N Barker, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership and Finance

RESOLVED – That

Cabinet agreed the proposed amendments to remove Flexible Tenancies from the Tenancy policy and adopt the draft policy.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Cabinet considered a report which outlined a proposed amendment to the Tenancy Policy to remove flexible tenancies. The report highlighted that a key amendment in the Choice Based Lettings and Allocations Policy was to remove Flexible Tenancies as these types of tenancies were no longer offered by the Council, therefore, these also needed removing from the Tenancy Policy as a tenancy option. The draft Tenancy Policy was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

Cabinet discussed the report. It was agreed that the proposed amendment to the Tenancy Policy was acceptable.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet agreed the proposed amendments to remove Flexible Tenancies from the Tenancy policy and adopt the draft policy.

REASONS FOR DECISION

Removing Flexible Tenancies ensures any tenancy offered through Rykneld Homes on behalf of the Council will be a secure lifetime tenancy. Issuing lifetime tenancies gives more security and stability to those who are in most housing need requiring settled accommodation.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

An alternative option was not to amend the policy, however this would not be in line with the proposed amendments to the Choice Based Lettings and Allocations Policy, therefore this was rejected.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Report of Councillor J Barry, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Assets

RESOLVED – That

Cabinet approved the refreshed Equality and Diversity Policy

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Cabinet considered a report which sought approval for the refreshed Equality and Diversity Policy. The report highlighted that previously the Council had two Equality and Diversity policies, one for customers/residents and one for employees. The new policy would combine them into one overarching Equality and Diversity Policy. The report included an explanation of additional proposed changes that had been incorporated in the draft policy which was attached to the report at Appendix 2.

Cabinet discussed the report. It was agreed that the refreshed policy was in line with modern requirements.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approved the refreshed Equality and Diversity Policy.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The Equality and Diversity Policy is essential to fostering an inclusive working environment and demonstrating as a public service provider that every individual is valued and respected. This policy demonstrates compliance with legal obligations, including the Equality Act 2010, and demonstrates the Council's commitment to creating a workplace and community free from discrimination, harassment, and inequality.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

None, the Council requires an up-to-date Equality and Diversity policy to demonstrate its compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Report of Councillor P R Kerry, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership and Finance

RESOLVED – That

1.     Cabinet made the following recommendations to Council:

a.     the budget in respect of the General Fund as set out in Appendix 1 of this report be approved as the Current Budget for 2025/26.

b.     the budget in respect of the HRA as set out in Appendix 3 of this report be approved as the Current Budget for 2025/26.

c.     the Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 4 of this report be approved as the Current Budget for 2025/26.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Cabinet considered a report which set out the proposed revisions to the Budget for 2024/25, which had been approved by Council in January 2025.  Cabinet was asked to endorse the proposed revisions and to recommend them to Council for approval.

The report stated that the revised budget process was now completed and the proposed revisions for the General Fund, HRA and Capital Programme were set out in the appendices to the report.

Cabinet considered the report. It was suggested that a variance in Extended Producer Responsibility had slightly skewed the position of the General Fund, however, it was highlighted that this would be offset once the changes made under Simpler Recycling had been brought in. It was agreed that the Council was in a positive position regarding its Medium Term Financial Plan.

RESOLVED – That

Cabinet made the following recommendations to Council:

1. the budget in respect of the General Fund as set out in Appendix 1 of this report be approved as the Current Budget for 2025/26.
2. the budget in respect of the HRA as set out in Appendix 3 of this report be approved as the Current Budget for 2025/26.
3. the Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 4 of this report be approved as the Current Budget for 2025/26.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The purpose of this report is to prepare revised budgets as early as possible within the financial year to provide sufficient time to allow any planned changes to be delivered. The Council has faced some specific financial challenges this year putting pressure on the ability to set a balanced General Fund budget but, use of reserves ring fenced for providing resilience when needed has mitigated this.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

There are no alternative options being considered at this time. How resources are utilised is ultimately a decision for Members which will form part of the 2026/27 Medium Term Financial Planning process.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

To consider any other matter which the Leader is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with the provisions of Statutory Instrument 2012 No 2089, Regulation 11.

None.

The Leader to move:-

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following items of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).  [The category of exempt information is stated after each item].

Private Session

RESOLVED – that the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following item of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

Councillor Kevin Gillott left the meeting for the following item.

Report of Councillor N Barker, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership and Finance

RESOLVED – That

1.     Cabinet approved RHL’s proposal to acquire 39 homes for rent at Earls Park Holmewood

2.     Cabinet recommended, to Council, borrowing of £5.553m to provide investment, in the form of a loan, to RHL to progress with the acquisition.

This was a Key Decision.  The call-in period for this decision would run until Thursday 4 December 2025.

Cabinet considered a report which asked them to consider supporting Rykneld Homes Limited’s (RHL) proposal to acquire 39 new homes to rent at Earls Park, Holmewood, The report also asked Cabinet to consider recommending to Council additional General Fund borrowing to provide investment to RHL, in the form of a loan, to progress with the acquisition. The report outlined RHL’s proposal and detailed the viability of the scheme.

Cabinet considered the report. There were discussions around value for money, value to the Council and residents, the design of the development and borrowing headroom.

RESOLVED – That

1. Cabinet approved RHL’s proposal to acquire 39 homes for rent at Earls Park Holmewood

2. Cabinet recommended, to Council, borrowing of £5.553m to provide investment, in the form of a loan, to RHL to progress with the acquisition.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The opportunity to bring new affordable homes into the District meets the objectives in the Council Plan and Housing Strategy and provides warm safe homes for our residents at affordable rents.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

To not support the scheme. Not considered as the acquisition meets the Council’s objectives regards housing supply.

This was a Key Decision. The call[1]in period for this decision would run until Thursday 4 December 2025.

Councillor Kevin Gillott returned to the meeting.

To consider any other matter which the Leader is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with the provisions of Statutory Instrument 2012 No 2089, Regulations 5 and 11.

None.