Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Kerry and S Pickering.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of Councillor C Smith, Chair of the Environment Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED –

Wingerworth Lido

1.     That the Cabinet approved the exploration of interim arrangements to reinstate angling at the earliest opportunity, prior to the completion of the Biodiversity Improvement Plan. Any reinstatement must be subject to robust management processes to ensure compliance with statutory duties and to prevent further degradation of the site, as advised by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

2.     That the Council continued to undertake maintenance of the site and continues to allow Clay Cross Angling Association to inspect water quality and the welfare of their fish.

3.     That Cabinet recognised the strong support for angling evidenced through the scrutiny review and public consultation and seeks to secure fishing as a long-term activity on the site beyond any interim arrangements, ensuring that all fishing activities and associated management contribute positively to biodiversity improvement.

4.     That Cabinet asked officers to explore examples of best practice with other organisations on the running of an angling site i.e. Wingerworth Parish Council, Earl of Harrington’s Angling Club (Derby City Council).

5.     That Cabinet supported the enhancement of biodiversity at the Lido and recognises there may be financial investment required to deliver the Biodiversity Improvement Plan.

6.     That Cabinet recognised the consultation feedback highlighting the need to enhance the area for greater accessibility, including improvements such as better pathways, seating, and educational signage to benefit children and those with mobility issues.

7.     That the Council continues to work with stakeholders to develop an independent group (the same concept of a ‘Friends of Group’), including the Parish Council, other local interest groups, and for the Group to be a consultee on the Biodiversity Improvement Plan and participate on implementation.

8.     That the Biodiversity Improvement Plan is submitted to the Environment Scrutiny Committee upon its completion.

9.     That the Environment Scrutiny Committee be informed of progress in terms of angling in the short-term and long-term.

AMB

1.     That the Council provide training for all elected Members to understand the process of the AMB, and for them to be informed on the role they play in the Ward Member consultation process.

2.     An Annual Report on Asset Management decisions be submitted to Cabinet going forward, with the report being “open” to enable greater transparency of asset related decisions made.

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

The Chair of the Environment Scrutiny Committee presented a report to Cabinet outlining the findings of the Environment Scrutiny Committee’s review into the future use of Wingerworth Lido and the decision-making process of the Asset Management Board. The report included a briefing note that outlined Environment Scrutiny Committee’s review, attached at Appendix 1, and a summary report of the Wingerworth Lido consultation, which was attached to the report at Appendix 2. The Committee had made 11 recommendations to Cabinet, which were outlined in the report.

Cabinet discussed the report and thanked officers for progressing the review swiftly and stakeholders for engaging with the consultation. Some Members queried how stakeholders had been involved in the review and heard how stakeholders had been encouraged to engage with the consultation. Some Members suggested that there had been a misconception around the Council’s position on fishing at the lido and this represented a good opportunity to outline the vision for the future of the site. It was clarified that the vision was for as many people and groups to enjoy the community facility as possible, it was highlighted that results from the consultation would be important in making sure that happened.

Some Members queried the process for reintroducing fishing in the interim, prior to the completion of the Biodiversity Improvement Plan. The timescale and process for actioning recommendations, should they be passed, was shared. Members heard that there had been engagement with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (DWT) and Angling Trust, on how best to reintroduce fishing on an interim basis. It was shared that the next step would be a formal agreement, which would likely be early in 2026. Members also heard the timescale for the Biodiversity Improvement Plan. The process for monitoring the outputs from the recommendations was also clarified.

Some Members queried what the governance arrangements for the running of Wingerworth Lido would be. It was shared that principle of having a group of local interested parties, with multiple perspectives, was the aspiration. In this context, local stakeholders were encouraged to get involved.

At the end of the discussion, Members agreed to all 11 recommendations set out in the report.

RESOLVED –

Wingerworth Lido

1. That the Cabinet approved the exploration of interim arrangements to reinstate angling at the earliest opportunity, prior to the completion of the Biodiversity Improvement Plan. Any reinstatement must be subject to robust management processes to ensure compliance with statutory duties and to prevent further degradation of the site, as advised by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

2. That the Council continued to undertake maintenance of the site and continues to allow Clay Cross Angling Association to inspect water quality and the welfare of their fish.

3. That Cabinet recognised the strong support for angling evidenced through the scrutiny review and public consultation and seeks to secure fishing as a long-term activity on the site beyond any interim arrangements, ensuring that all fishing activities and associated management contribute positively to biodiversity improvement.

4. That Cabinet asked officers to explore examples of best practice with  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB/56/25-26

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.