Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Kenyon and B Lewis.  

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.

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

            Councillors C Cupit, A Dale and A Powell declared an interest in Item 10 – Proposed Construction of Additional New Homes at Pine View, Danesmoor – in their capacity as members of the Board of Rykneld Homes Ltd.  They indicated that they would not remain in the meeting when this item was discussed and would not participate in the debate or determining Cabinet’s decision on it. 

To approve as a correct record and the Leader to sign the attached Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 5 December 2019

Resolved: - That the Minute of the meeting of Cabinet held on 5 December 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader of the Council.

To consider the outstanding Business Centres and Industrial Units Scrutiny Review report of the Growth Scrutiny Committee – (Ref: SV)

RESOLVED –

(a)  Cabinet noted the report of the Growth Scrutiny Committee’s Review of Business Centres and Industrial Units, carried out in 2018-19 municipal year;

(b)  Cabinet determined that the Growth Scrutiny Committee be requested to review and to consider revising the report in order to address the additional issues which have been identified since the original review;

(c)  Cabinet agreed to consider the further report of the Growth Scrutiny Committee into Business Centres and Industrial Units at a future meeting.

REASON FOR DECISION –

To ensure that the review of the Council’s Business Centres and Industrial Units addresses all relevant issues.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED –

No other options were considered by Cabinet.

The report to Cabinet explained that the Growth Scrutiny Committee had carried out a review into the Council’s Business Centres and Industrial Units, during the previous 2018/19 municipal year.  Members heard that the current Growth Scrutiny Committee had considered the findings and recommendations of the review and felt that they should now be submitted to Cabinet for consideration. 

Cabinet was informed that additional questions and issues had been raised about Business Centres and Industrial Units.  It was explained that these questions and issues went beyond what was originally considered as part of the review.  Additional work would be required in order to address them. 

Members discussed the review.  There was a consensus that the Scrutiny Committee Members in 2018/19 had carried out an important piece of work.  Their review had helped to assess how the Business Centres and Industrial Units were performing and in identifying areas for improvement.  However, Cabinet concluded that given the additional questions, especially around the costs and value for money which had been raised, the current Growth Scrutiny Committee ought to revisit the review in order to address them and, if necessary, that it should make new or amended recommendations for Cabinet to consider.    

RESOLVED –

(a)          Cabinet noted the report of the Growth Scrutiny Committee’s Review of Business Centres and Industrial Units, carried out in 2018-19 municipal year;

(b)          Cabinet determined that the Growth Scrutiny Committee be requested to review and to consider revising the report in order to address the additional issues which have been identified since the original review;

(c)          Cabinet agreed to consider the further report of the Growth Scrutiny Committee into Business Centres and Industrial Units at a future meeting.

REASON FOR DECISION –

To ensure that the review of the Council’s Business Centres and Industrial Units addresses all relevant issues.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED –

No other options were considered by Cabinet.

Report of Councillor Charlotte Cupit, Portfolio Holder for Environment & Climate Change

RESOLVED –

Cabinet authorised the publication of the North East Derbyshire Authority Monitoring Report (AMR15) for the period of 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019 on the Council’s website.

REASON FOR DECISION –

To comply with the Council’s statutory duty to prepare and publish an Authority Monitoring Report (AMR).

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED –

No other options were considered by Cabinet. The Council has a statutory duty to prepare and publish an AMR and to report on the key issues specified in the report.

            Cabinet considered a report of Councillor C Cupit, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, which set out the key findings of the North East Derbyshire Authority Monitoring Report (AMR15). 

            Members were reminded that the Council, along with other Planning Authorities, was required under the Localism Act 2011 to produce these Monitoring Reports, include the specified information and publish them on its website. 

            Members considered the Authority Monitoring Report and noted the wide range of factual information which it contained.   

RESOLVED –

Cabinet authorised the publication of the North East Derbyshire Authority Monitoring Report (AMR15) for the period of 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019 on the Council’s website.

REASON FOR DECISION –

To comply with the Council’s statutory duty to prepare and publish an Authority Monitoring Report (AMR).

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED –

No other options were considered by Cabinet. The Council has a statutory duty to prepare and publish an AMR and to report on the key issues specified in the report.

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.

There was no urgent business to be considered in the public session at this meeting of Cabinet.

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 Paragraphs 1 & 3, 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].

Report of Councillor Barry Lewis, Portfolio Holder for Partnerships and Leisure

RESOLVED – That Cabinet:

(a)  Noted the Procurement Process for a new Multi-Functional Device (MFD) contract;

(b)  Agreed that the successful bidder in this process, as reported at the meeting, be awarded the new Multi-Functional Device contract, on the terms specified at the meeting, subject to the completion of the appropriate due-diligence work.

REASON FOR DECISION –

The procurement of a new Multi-Functional Device contract will provide improved operational capabilities at a lower cost.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED –

No other options were considered by Cabinet. The Council’s Multi-Functional Devices are reaching the end of the operational life and will require replacement.

            Cabinet considered a report of Councillor B Lewis, Portfolio Holder for Partnerships and Leisure, which explained the tender process for a new five year multi-functional device (MFD) contract. 

            Members were informed that the tender process had now been completed and a successful bidder identified.   

RESOLVED – That Cabinet:

(a)  Noted the Procurement Process for a new Multi-Functional Device (MFD) contract;

(b)  Agreed that the successful bidder in this process, as reported at the meeting, be awarded the new Multi-Functional Device contract, on the terms specified at the meeting, subject to the completion of the appropriate due-diligence work.

REASON FOR DECISION –

The procurement of a new Multi-Functional Device contract will provide improved operational capabilities at a lower cost.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED –

No other options were considered by Cabinet. The Council’s Multi-Functional Devices are reaching the end of the operational life and will require replacement.

Report of Councillor Alan Powell, Portfolio Holder for Communications

RESOLVED –

(a)  Cabinet approved the proposals for additional new homes at Pine View, Danesmoor, along the lines specified in the report;

(b)  Cabinet receive a further report setting out the financial and other arrangements for the development.

REASON FOR DECISION –

To increase the number of homes for the District.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED –

The Cabinet considered the option of fewer additional homes, but rejected this for the reasons explained in the report.

Cabinet considered a report of Councillor A Powell, Portfolio Holder for Communications.  The report recommended that a draft Communications Strategy be adopted.  It also recommended that a Communications, Marketing and Design Manager be recruited.

Members discussed the report.  There was general support for the aims of the proposed Strategy.  Cabinet recognised the important role which effective communications can play in supporting and enhancing the Council’s activities.  There was a consensus that much had been done to improve how the Council communicates and that the new Strategy would enable this to be improved still further. 

The report explained the reasons why a Communications, Marketing and Design Manager for the Council was required.  Members also heard about the advantages of closer working with Rykneld Homes Ltd on communications to develop resilience for both parties.    

RESOLVED –

(a)  Cabinet approved the proposals for additional new homes at Pine View, Danesmoor, along the lines specified in the report;

(b)  Cabinet receive a further report setting out the financial and other arrangements for the development.

REASON FOR DECISION –

To increase the number of homes for the District.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED –

The Cabinet considered the option of fewer additional homes, but rejected this for the reasons explained in the report.

Report of Councillor Richard Welton, Portfolio Holder for Housing

RESOLVED –

(a)  Cabinet approved the proposals for additional new homes at Pine View, Danesmoor, along the lines specified in the report;

(b)  Cabinet receive a further report setting out the financial and other arrangements for the development.

REASON FOR DECISION –

To increase the number of homes for the District.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED –

The Cabinet considered the option of fewer additional homes, but rejected this for the reasons explained in the report.

Cabinet considered a report of Councillor R Welton, Portfolio Holder for Housing.  The report discussed the options for increasing the number of new build homes at Pine View, Danesmoor, and concluded with a specific recommendation about the number to be constructed. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  Cabinet approved the proposals for additional new homes at Pine View, Danesmoor, along the lines specified in the report;

(b)  Cabinet receive a further report setting out the financial and other arrangements for the development.

REASON FOR DECISION –

To increase the number of homes for the District.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED –

The Cabinet considered the option of fewer additional homes, but rejected this for the reasons explained in the report.

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.

There was no urgent business to be considered in the private session at this meeting of Cabinet.