Agenda

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

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the attached Minutes of the Council meeting held on 23 September 2024

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 8 to allow members of the public to ask questions about the Council’s activities for a period up to fifteen minutes.  The replies to any such questions will be given by the appropriate Cabinet Member.  Questions must be received in writing or by email to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon twelve clear working days before the meeting.

No questions have been submitted under Procedure Rule No 8 for this meeting.

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

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

Report of the Assistant Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer

Report of the Assistant Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer and the Assistant Director of Planning

Report of the Assistant Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 9.2 to allow Members to ask questions about Council activities.  The replies to any such questions will be given by the Chair of the Council or relevant Committee or the appropriate Cabinet Member.  Questions must be received in writing or by email to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon twelve clear working days before the meeting. 

The following questions had been received:-

Question A – Councillor C Cupit to Councillor N Barker, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership and Finance

Given the mounting pressure, in the form of National Grid plans for large pylons, the likely follow-on increases in planning applications for solar farms and battery installations sponsored by the Government, and its wide-ranging changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, our countryside is increasingly at risk. Will the leader of the Council therefore confirm that this Council will support the work of Derbyshire County Council along with various local groups and organisations to get the Amber Valley area formally listed as a National Landscape (previously known as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’)?

Question B – Councillor J Stokes to Councillor K Rouse, Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure

I am sure all the council shares the sadness at the recent news that one of the main contractors, ISG, on the new Clay Cross Active development filed for administration. Whilst pleased a new contractor is now starting some work on site, can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the anticipated delay to the completion of the project and the new projected opening date for the centre that we and the community all eagerly await?

Question C – Councillor H Wetherall to Councillor N Barker,Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership and Finance

In the recent by-election in Clay Cross North the turnout was 22% and the winning candidate won on a share of the total possible votes of just over 10%. Congratulations to our newest colleague however the turnout means that 90% of voters did not vote for the winning candidate.  This must be concerning for all of us and can the Leader of the Council please offer some thoughts on how we can all make ourselves more relevant and credible so that we can try to address this democracy deficit that is very worrying. 

Question D – Councillor A Dale to Councillor S Pickering, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place

Given the concern over increased fly-tipping in certain hotspots of the district and particularly around our rural communities, can the Cabinet Member provide the following information: the number of fly-tipping incidents and clean ups recorded for the financial years 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, and then 2024 to date?

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 10 to consider Motions on notice from Members.  Motions must be received in writing or by email to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon twelve clear working days before the meeting. 

The following Motions have been received:-

Motion A – Proposed by Councillor S Clough

Council notes it has a duty of care to ensure our residents are protected, as much as possible within the planning rules and conditions implemented and managed accordingly. Council also supports the strong enforcement of planning conditions.

Over recent years there have been many developments where Planning Applications and Conditions have been raised as a growing concern, but Enforcement actions have been limited, sometimes down to what residents believe is ‘Developer Power’.

Council therefore resolves:

1.     To request a review, through the relevant scrutiny committee, into broadening the conditions applied to planning approvals, to protect our residents of our towns and villages as much as possible.

2.     To provide more frequent reports to Planning Committee to review sites where potential breaches of condition are being investigated.

3.     To write to government and ask them to look at providing extra powers and give more teeth to planning authorities, to allow them to ensure that conditions set at the planning stage, can be enforced without the fear of challenge from developers who apply the greatest pressure, where enforcement is applied.

Motion B – Proposed by Councillor A Dale

This Council notes that all District Councillors are elected to represent the interests of the communities and district area of North East Derbyshire first and foremost.

This Council also notes that since July 2024, the new Government has taken several decisions which will have significant impacts on some of our residents and businesses. Some of these decisions, and the specific impact they have on our area, include:

·       the removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance from 22,257 pensioners in North East Derbyshire District;

·       the scrapping of the Restoring Your Railway Fund, which had included the re-opening of the Barrow Hill Line to passenger transport and the opening of new stations in Killamarsh and potentially Clay Cross;

·       the pausing and review of the funding and provision of a new primary school on The Avenue in Wingerworth;

·       the removal of the £2 bus fare cap, increasing it instead by 50%;

·       the consultation on planning reforms which would set a mandatory housebuilding requirement of 622 homes each year – a 178% increase;

·       changes to inheritance tax relief which would have a detrimental impact on family farms, of which there are a significant number in our predominantly rural District, and also risking food security in our area;

·       an increase in National Insurance contributions for employers which local business owners have said will mean job losses in NED and the loss of local business.

In response, Council resolves to:

·        request the relevant scrutiny committee(s) to consider carrying out an assessment of the social, economic and regenerative impact/costs of the above changes and wider Budget measures specifically on North  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

To consider any other matter which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.