Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors L Deighton, P Elliott, P A Holmes, C Hunt, J Ridgway and B Wright.

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. 

Members were 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.

Councillors A Dale, C Cupit, D Ruff, S Clough and O Gomez Reaney declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Item 9 – Council’s Housing Group Structure - and advised that they would withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

The Chair informed Members that she had no further announcements to make.

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 seven clear working days before the meeting.

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

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 8 members of the public were allowed to ask questions about the Council’s activities for a period of up to 15 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 seven clear working days before the meeting.

No questions from the public had been submitted.

Report of Councillor J Kenyon, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change

The Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Climate Change, Councillor J Kenyon, presented a report that outlined the risks posed by sky lanterns and helium balloons.   Council heard that there was a number of risks which included litter nuisance, fire, and a significant danger to animals, livestock, and aviation traffic such as aeroplanes and helicopters. 

The Portfolio Holder explained that the Council advised residents to celebrate special occasions in alternative ways, and informed Members of a recent fire in the Midlands that had caused millions of pounds worth of damage due to a sky lantern being released. 

Members heard that the Council wished to send a clear message to residents, and that it would work with local schools to increase awareness of the risks posed by sky lanterns. It was stated the Council would continue to work with the District’s MP to ensure that the issue was considered by Parliament.

The report recommended that North East Derbyshire District Council and Rykneld Homes Limited introduce a Charter to ban the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons on any land or property owned by the Council. 

Councillor N Barker echoed Councillor J Kenyon’s comments, and offered his and the Labour Group’s support to the report’s recommendations. 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor M E Thacker MBE, stated that the actions being taken by the Council were a starting point, and that the public remained vigilant as Councillors had received numerous complaints outlining the concerns of some residents. 

It was stated that the Council did not support the use of sky lanterns and helium balloons, and whilst it did not have the powers to fully ban their use in the District, it did have the power to ban their use on Council land and property. 

Councillors R Shipman and P Windley offered their support, and stated that they believed that banning sky lanterns and helium balloons on Council land was the right thing to do.  Councillor R Shipman enquired about how the ban would be applicable to Rykneld tenants.  The Leader of the Council, Councillor M E Thacker MBE, advised that the banning of such balloons would be incorporated into future tenancy agreements. 

RESOLVED – That the Council, together with Rykneld Homes Ltd, adopts and promotes a Charter as follows:-

North East Derbyshire District Council and Rykneld Homes Ltd has banned the release of sky lanterns and balloons on any land or property owned by the Council. 

We are committed to encouraging businesses, communities, landowners and individuals to switch to alternative ways of celebrating and commemorating events. 

North East Derbyshire District Council and Rykneld Homes Ltd pledges to:-

·                    Promote the restriction of the release of all types of helium-filled balloons and sky lanterns on property and land owned by the Council.  This includes those that are made from bamboo or claim to be biodegradable.

·                    Engage with businesses, communities, landowners, schools and individuals to encourage them to sign up to this Charter.

·                    Raise awareness of safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives that people can  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/23/2020-21

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 seven clear working days before the meeting. 

No questions have been submitted under Procedure Rule No 9.2 for this meeting.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 9.2 Members were permitted to ask the Chair of the Council or relevant Committee or the appropriate Cabinet Member questions about Council activities. 

No questions had been submitted under Procedure Rule No 9.2 for this meeting. 

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 seven clear working days before the meeting. 

No motions have been submitted under Procedure Rule No 10 for this meeting.

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 seven clear working days before the meeting.

No motions had been submitted under Procedure Rule No 10 for this meeting.

The Chair to move:-

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 Paragraphs 1, 2 & 3, Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

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 Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 5 Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

Report of Councillor A Powell, Portfolio Holder for Communications and Housing – APPENDIX 1 TO FOLLOW

Council received a presentation from Lorraine Shaw, Managing Director of Rykneld Homes Ltd, in regards to the restructure of the Council’s Housing Group Structure. 

Members expressed their initial support to the proposals, and reiterated their desire to see an enhanced partnership with Rykneld Homes that would continue to improve the lives of residents. 

The Portfolio Holder for Communications and Housing, Councillor A Powell, explained that Members were simply endorsing an approach and that much work still remained. 

RESOLVED – That Council:-   

(1)          Acknowledge the progress made in relation to the restructure of Housing Services for North East Derbyshire District Council.

(2)          Endorse the approach being taken with regard to establishing the company structure and for the appointment of the Directors to the new and existing companies.

(3)       Support Council officers in continuing to work with the Council’s external legal and commercial advisers to set up the Company structure shown in Appendix 1 to the report.

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

There was no Chair’s urgent business to be considered at this Council meeting.