Agenda, decisions and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

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 J Birkin informed Cabiet that in relation to the Agenda Item titled ‘Medium Term Financial Plan 2024/25 – 2028/29’, he rented a property from Rykneld Homes. 

To approve as a correct record and the Leader to sign the attached Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 21 November 2024.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2024 were approved as a true record. 

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.

Report of Councillor M Durrant, Chair of the Communities Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED - That the recommendations of the review into leisure activities for older children/teenagers by the Communities Scrutiny Committee be approved as set out below:

1.Review fees and charges around young person activities to ensure activities are inclusive and accessible for all young people, reporting the outcome to committee.

2 .Increase the offering to open up the membership to allow access to more activities such as Tag Active, soft play or access to other fitness classes.

3. Increase engagement with older children/teenagers, this includes targeting non-users as well as current users, by way of questionnaire/survey out to schools within the District and using social media channels. Reporting the outcome back to committee.

4.Targeted promotion of the activities we have on offer to children, specifically older children/teenagers.

5 .Encourage young people to engage in sports and leisure activities, not just within our Leisure Centres but also outside the Leisure Centres such as Extreme Wheels, Climbing Walls, outdoor sports i.e. football and running.

REASONS FOR DECISION – The Review had enabled the Council to develop further its Plan Objectives as being a Great Place to Live Well and a Great Place to Access Good Public Services.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - N/A.

Please note that this was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

The Chair of the Communities Scrutiny Committee presented a report to Cabinet outlining the findings of the Communities Scrutiny Committee’s review into leisure activities for older children/teenagers.  The report made 5 recommendations to Cabinet, based on the Committee believing that the cost for children/teenagers to access the Council’s leisure facilities was slightly high, most of the marketing appeared to be targeted towards adults, and more work was required to target older children/teenagers. 

Cabinet discussed the report and thanked the Leisure staff who had participated in the review.  Members agreed with all 5 of the recommendations because they would all develop the Council Plan Objectives as being a Great Place to Live Well and a Great Place to Access Good Public Services.  Members were pleased to see that some of the recommendations in the report had already begun to be implemented by Leisure Centres. 

RESOLVED - That the recommendations of the review into leisure activities for older children/teenagers by the Communities Scrutiny Committee be approved as set out below:

(1)         Review fees and charges around young person activities to ensure activities are inclusive and accessible for all young people, reporting the outcome to committee.

(2)         Increase the offering to open up the membership to allow access to more activities such as Tag Active, soft play or access to other fitness classes.

(3)         Increase engagement with older children/teenagers, this includes targeting non-users as well as current users, by way of questionnaire/survey out to schools within the District and using social media channels.  Reporting the outcome back to Committee.

(4)         Targeted promotion of the activities we have on offer to children, specifically older children/teenagers. 

(5)         Encourage young people to engage in sports and leisure activities, not just within our Leisure Centres but also outside the Leisure Centres such as Extreme Wheels, Climbing Walls, outdoor sports i.e. football and running.  

REASONS FOR DECISION – The Review had enabled the Council to develop further its Plan Objectives as being a Great Place to Live Well and a Great Place to Access Good Public Services.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - N/A.

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

RESOLVED – That the following recommendations are made to Council on 27 January 2025:

(1)   That the view of the Director of Finance Resources, that the estimates included in the Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2028/29 are robust and that the level of financial reserves are adequate at this time, be accepted.

(2)   That officers report back to Cabinet and the Services Scrutiny Committee on a

quarterly basis regarding the overall position in respect of the Council’s budgets.

General Fund

(3)   A Council Tax increase of £6.29 will be levied in respect of a notional Band D

 property (2.99%).

(4)   The Medium-Term Financial Plan in respect of the General Fund as set out in Appendix 1 of this report be approved as the Current Budget 2024/25, as the Original Budget 2025/26, and as the financial projections in respect of 2026/27 to 2028/29.

(5)   That the shortfall in the General Fund budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1 be met from reserves at this time.

(6)   That the General Fund Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 4 be approved as the Current Budget in respect of 2024/25, and as the Approved Programme for 2025/26 to 2028/29.

(7)   That any under spend in respect of 2024/25 be transferred to the Resilience

Reserve to provide increased financial resilience for future years of the plan.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA)

(8)   That Council sets its rent levels for 2025/26 in consideration of the Social Housing Rent Standard increasing rents by 2.7% from 1st April 2025.

(9)   The Medium-Term Financial Plan in respect of the Housing Revenue Account as set out in Appendix 3 of this report be approved as the Current Budget in respect of 2024/25, as the Original Budget in respect of 2025/26, and the financial projection in respect of 2026/27 to 2028/29.

(10)That the HRA Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 4 be approved as the Current Budget in respect of 2024/25, and as the Approved Programme for 2025/26 to 2028/29.

(11)That the Management Fee for undertaking housing services at £12.81m and the Management Fee for undertaking capital works at £1.1m to Rykneld Homes in respect of 2025/26 be approved.

(12)That Members note the requirement to provide Rykneld Homes with a ‘letter of comfort’ to the company’s auditors and grant delegated authority to the Council’s Director of Finance & Resources (S151 Officer) in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council to agree the contents of that letter.

REASONS FOR DECISION – . Cabinet sought to recommend budgets to Council in respect of the General Fund, the Housing Revenue Account, and the Capital Programme.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED – The Council is required to set a budget each year. There are no alternative options being considered at this time.

Please note that this was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval of the Current Budget for 2024/25 and Original Budget for 2025/26 for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme as part of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan covering the years 2024/25 to 2028/29.  The report made a number of recommendations proposing to be taken by Council on 27 January 2025. 

RESOLVED – That the following recommendations are made to Council on 27 January 2025:

(1)          That the view of the Director of Finance Resources, that the estimates included in the Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2028/29 are robust and that the level of financial reserves are adequate at this time, be accepted.

(2)          That officers report back to Cabinet and the Services Scrutiny Committee on a

quarterly basis regarding the overall position in respect of the Council’s budgets.

General Fund

(3)          A Council Tax increase of £6.29 will be levied in respect of a notional Band D property (2.99%).

(4)          The Medium-Term Financial Plan in respect of the General Fund as set out in Appendix 1 of this report be approved as the Current Budget 2024/25, as the Original Budget 2025/26, and as the financial projections in respect of 2026/27 to 2028/29.

(5)          That the shortfall in the General Fund budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1 be met from reserves at this time.

(6)          That the General Fund Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 4 be approved as the Current Budget in respect of 2024/25, and as the Approved Programme for 2025/26 to 2028/29.

(7)          That any under spend in respect of 2024/25 be transferred to the Resilience Reserve to provide increased financial resilience for future years of the plan.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA)

(8)          That Council sets its rent levels for 2025/26 in consideration of the Social Housing Rent Standard increasing rents by 2.7% from 1st April 2025.

(9)          The Medium-Term Financial Plan in respect of the Housing Revenue Account as set out in Appendix 3 of this report be approved as the Current Budget in respect of 2024/25, as the Original Budget in respect of 2025/26, and the financial projection in respect of 2026/27 to 2028/29.

(10)       That the HRA Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 4 be approved as the Current Budget in respect of 2024/25, and as the Approved Programme for 2025/26 to 2028/29.

(11)       That the Management Fee for undertaking housing services at £12.81m and the Management Fee for undertaking capital works at £1.1m to Rykneld Homes in respect of 2025/26 be approved.

(12)       That Members note the requirement to provide Rykneld Homes with a ‘letter of comfort’ to the company’s auditors and grant delegated authority to the Council’s Director of Finance & Resources (S151 Officer) in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council to agree the contents of that letter.

REASONS FOR DECISION – . Cabinet sought to recommend budgets to Council in respect of the General Fund, the Housing Revenue Account, and the Capital Programme.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB/59/24-25

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

RESOLVED - That Cabinet agreed to adopt the Housing Strategy for implementation.

REASONS FOR DECISION – The Housing Strategy provides a strategic framework for meeting the districts housing needs and sets out a clear plan of how this will be implemented.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - Not to have a Housing Strategy. This was rejected because without such a document, opportunities may be missed resulting in the loss of new homes including homes for our most vulnerable residents.

Please note that this was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Cabinet considered a report proposing approval of the draft Housing Strategy, which had been developed by the Council along with external specialist consultant ARC4, and set out the strategic framework for meeting the Council’s housing priorities within the Council Plan. 

Cabinet discussed the draft Housing Strategy, and agreed that the document was positive and ambitious. 

RESOLVED - That Cabinet agreed to adopt the Housing Strategy for implementation.

REASONS FOR DECISION – The Housing Strategy provides a strategic framework for meeting the districts housing needs and sets out a clear plan of how this will be implemented.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - Not to have a Housing Strategy. This was rejected because without such a document, opportunities may be missed resulting in the loss of new homes including homes for our most vulnerable residents.

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

RESOLVED – That Cabinet adopted the Private Sector Housing Strategy for implementation.

REASONS FOR DECISION - The Private Sector Housing Strategy provides a strategic framework and sets out a plan which considers the different solutions the council may be able to offer to support private sector households and landlords.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED – To not to have a Private Sector Housing Strategy. This was rejected as the Strategy will inform the public, landlords and stakeholders of our commitment to provide good quality sustainable housing.

Please note that this was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Cabinet considered a report proposing approval of the draft Private Sector Housing Strategy, which supported the Council’s over-arching Housing Strategy by setting out detailed plans for both home ownership and private rented housing.  This would be the first Strategy of its kind by the Council.

Cabinet discussed the report, and agreed that the draft Strategy met the Council Plan objective of ‘A Place To Live That People Value’.

RESOLVED – That Cabinet adopted the Private Sector Housing Strategy for implementation.

REASONS FOR DECISION - The Private Sector Housing Strategy provides a strategic framework and sets out a plan which considers the different solutions the council may be able to offer to support private sector households and landlords.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED – To not to have a Private Sector Housing Strategy. This was rejected as the Strategy will inform the public, landlords and stakeholders of our commitment to provide good quality sustainable housing.

Report of Councillor S Pickering, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the update on the preparation of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire set out in the report be noted;

(2)  That Cabinet agrees to raise no objection with Derbyshire County Council about:

a) the proposed consultation draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire; or

b) their preparation of the proposed consultation draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire, including the extent to which the responsible authority has involved the supporting authority in that preparation.

REASONS FOR DECISION – The proposed consultation draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire is considered to set out appropriate priorities and proposals with regard to North East Derbyshire District to help nature to thrive and provide wider environmental benefits in the future. 

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED – To raise an objection with Derbyshire County Council under the relevant provisions contained within the Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023, or to not respond during the required period. Firstly, it is considered that the proposed consultation draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire is appropriate and that there are no suitable grounds to raise an objection. Secondly, it is considered that the District Council should respond and demonstrate its commitment to Local Nature Recovery and respond accordingly.

Please note that this was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

Members considered a report which included information on the proposed consultation draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for De4rbyshire, and how it related to North East Derbyshire District.  The report proposed that the Council raise no objection with Derbyshire County Council about its content and how it had been prepared. 

Cabinet agreed that the draft Strategy produced by Derbyshire County Council was bio-diverse and were pleased that officers had consulted with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust on the contents of the Strategy.

RESOLVED –

(1)          That the update on the preparation of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire set out in the report be noted;

(2)          That Cabinet agrees to raise no objection with Derbyshire County Council about:

a)      the proposed consultation draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire; or

b)      their preparation of the proposed consultation draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire, including the extent to which the responsible authority has involved the supporting authority in that preparation.

REASONS FOR DECISION – The proposed consultation draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire is considered to set out appropriate priorities and proposals with regard to North East Derbyshire District to help nature to thrive and provide wider environmental benefits in the future. 

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED – To raise an objection with Derbyshire County Council under the relevant provisions contained within the Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023, or to not respond during the required period. Firstly, it is considered that the proposed consultation draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire is appropriate and that there are no suitable grounds to raise an objection. Secondly, it is considered that the District Council should respond and demonstrate its commitment to Local Nature Recovery and respond accordingly.