Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Barry, P Holmes, C D Huckerby, G Morley, K Rouse 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 reminded that at Item 7 on the Agenda Council would be asked to consider the budget.  In this context, the Monitoring Officer explained the circumstances in which Members should make declarations of interest.

The Monitoring Officer informed Council that anyone who was two months or more in arrears with their Council Tax payments would not be able to participate in votes to determine any aspect of the budget. They would also have to declare that they were in arrears at the start of the meeting.

Council was informed that any Members holding tenancies of Council owned properties ought to declare an Interest. It was confirmed that they would still be allowed to participate in the discussion and determination of any aspect of the budget.

The Monitoring Officer explained that those Members who served as Killamarsh Parish Councillors would be required to declare a Significant Interest and withdraw from the meeting during Council’s consideration and determination of the budget proposals relating to the Killamarsh Leisure Centre. Finally, Members appointed to serve on the Board of Rykneld Homes Limited would be required to declare a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and withdraw from the meeting during Council’s consideration and determination of the Housing Revenue Account.

Councillor J Lilley declared an Interest as the holder of a tenancy of a Council owned property.

Councillors S Pickering declared an Interest as the holder of a tenancy of a Council owned property.

Councillor R Hall declared an Interest as the holder of a tenancy of a Council owned property.

Councillor J Kenyon declared an Interest as a Director on the Board of the Northwood Joint Venture Company.

Councillor N Whitehead declared an Interest as a Director of the Board of the Northwood Joint Venture Company and indicated that he would remain for the consideration and determination of those parts of the the budget in which he did not have a Significant Interest.

Councillor K Bone declared a Significant Interest as a Killamarsh Parish Councillor and indicated that he would withdraw during Council’s consideration and determination of the budget proposals for Killamarsh Leisure Centre.

Councillor P Bone declared a Significant Interest as a Killamarsh Parish Councillor and indicated that she would withdraw during Council’s consideration and determination of the budget proposals for Killamarsh Leisure Centre.

Councillor S Clough declared a Significant Interest as a Killamarsh Parish Councillor and indicated that he would withdraw during Council’s consideration and determination of the budget proposals for Killamarsh Leisure Centre.

Councillor M Potts declared a Significant Interest as a Killamarsh Parish Councillor and indicated that she would withdraw during Council’s consideration and determination of the budget proposals for Killamarsh Leisure Centre.

Councillor N Whitehead declared a Significant Interest as a Killamarsh Parish Councillor and indicated that he would withdraw during Council’s consideration and determination of the budget proposals for Killamarsh Leisure Centre.

Councillor S Clough declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as a Director of Rykneld Homes Limited and indicated that he would withdraw from the meeting during Council’s consideration and  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/90/20-21

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the attached Minutes of the Council meeting held on 11 January 2021.   

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 11 January 2021 be approved as a true record (by acclamation).

To receive any announcements the Chair may wish to make at the meeting. 

The Chair of the Council, Councillor P Antcliff, informed Members of her charitable fund raising work. She emphasised how difficult this had been during her term of office as Chair of the Council, as a consequence of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. She expressed her thanks to those Parish Councils and others in the District who had assisted, by donating generously to her charitable appeal.

RESOLVED - That Council noted the announcements of the Chair of the Council, Councillor P Antcliff (by acclamation).

To receive any announcements the Leader may wish to make at the meeting.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor A Dale, expressed his continuing thanks to the Council’s staff and the staff of Rykneld Homes Limited (RHL) for all their hard work in adapting and responding to the challenges of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Councillor A Dale highlighted the Council’s role in supporting local businesses and communities during the outbreak. He explained the contribution which the Council’s business support grant schemes had made in helping the local economy to get through the current difficulties. He also explained how the Council had sought to help the most vulnerable and to bolster the District’s communities. In this context, the Leader of the Council explained that the latest round of the Council’s Community Action Grants scheme had been launched. Members were reminded that the purpose of this scheme was to support community groups and enable them tackle local issues in their areas.

Councillor A Dale reminded Members how at the last meeting of Council concerns had been expressed about the possible reintroduction of car parking charges for staff at Chesterfield Hospital. Council was informed that Councillor A Dale had raised these concerns with the Chief Executive of the Hospital, who had confirmed that there were no plans to reintroduce parking charges for staff at this time. The Hospital Chief Executive had also praised the role played by staff during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and the outstanding care which they had given to patients. Members joined with the Leader of the Council in welcoming the Hospital’s decision and in also praising the care given by the Hospital’s staff.

Members were reminded of the support which the Council had given to the NHS during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. In particular, the Leader of the Council explained how the Sharley Park Sports Centre was currently being used as a vaccination centre and that the Council was discussing with the health service how it might be able to assist further with the vaccination programme.

The Leader of Council highlighted the progress which had continued to be made towards achieving the Council’s goals and objectives. In particular, he explained how it had supported young people by expanding the apprenticeships programme. He informed Members that one of the Council’s apprentices, Abdul Hakim, who had overcome many challenges as an unaccompanied child refugee from Ethiopia, had received the national ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award. Council joined with Councillor A Dale in congratulating Abdul on this achievement.

Finally, the Leader of the Council thanked Members and officers for the support which they had given to the Chair of the Council and especially their support for her charitable appeal, Alzheimer’s Research UK.

RESOLVED – That Council noted the announcements of the Leader of the Council, Councillor A Dale (by acclamation).

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.

Council was informed that Anne Thoday had submitted a question to the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Transformation and Climate Change, Councillor J Kenyon, on how the Council would improve the way in which it consults and works with the wider community on the Climate Emergency. The full text of Ms Thoday’s question was set out in the agenda for the meeting.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Transformation and Climate Change, Councillor J Kenyon thanked Ms Thoday for her question. He explained how the Council was wholeheartedly committed to tackling Climate Change. He referred to its now well-established Climate Change Strategy and how the Council was actively encouraging the whole community to reduce carbon emissions.

Councillor J Kenyon highlighted some of the Council’s achievements. He reminded Members of the action which had been taken to help improve the Council’s housing stock and reduce its carbon footprint. He also explained how the Council had promoted home working and so reduced travel-related carbon emissions and how it was committed to using low carbon renewable energy.

Councillor J Kenyon then highlighted how the Council had co-operated with partners to encourage action on Climate Change. In this context, he explained how the parish councils had been helped to develop their own Climate Change Action Plans. Members also heard about the Council’s support for the Derbyshire-wide ‘Thanks a Tonne’ campaign, the aim of which was to encourage people to reduce carbon emissions.

As a supplementary question, Ms Thoday asked the Portfolio Holder whether the Council would be prepared to establish an ‘Active Forum’ to work with groups committed to tackling global warming in developing a Climate Change Action Plan. He reiterated that North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) already had a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan in place and that it was committed to engaging with the whole community to address the problem locally. He made clear that he would like to meet representatives from relevant groups to discuss how they might contribute to a planned review of the Climate Change Strategy, which had now been in place for eighteen months.

Councillor J Kenyon was asked if NEDDC would appoint a Climate Change officer to promote engagement with communities. The Portfolio Holder reiterated that as the whole Council was now focused on addressing Climate Change and engaging local people to reduce carbon emissions establishing such a post would not be required.

Report of Councillor P Parkin, Portfolio Holder for Finance

The report to Council set out the Current Budget for 2020-21, the proposed Original budget for 2021/22 for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme, along with the financial plans for the remaining years of the Medium Term Financial Plan (2022/23-2024/25). Members were informed that Cabinet had considered and endorsed the budgets and agreed that they be recommended to Council for approval.

Councillors K Bone, P Bone, S Clough, M Potts and N Whitehead, who had declared Significant Interests as Killamarsh Parish Councillors in the budget provisions for the Killamarsh Leisure Centre, left the meeting at this point.

Members were reminded that at its January 2021 meeting Council had considered a report on the Killamarsh Leisure Centre. This specified Cabinet’s preferred approach on the future operation of the Centre.  Council subsequently resolved to note the decision of Cabinet and the recommendations to be presented to Council in February 2021. It also resolved to support Cabinet’s decision and the impending recommendations for its implementation (Minute: COU/86/20-21.)

The report to Council explained that the budget in respect of Killamarsh Leisure Centre had now been included as part of the Original Budget 2021/22 and the financial projections in respect of 2022/23 to 2024/25. Council was asked to support these provisions.

Following a discussion about the process to be followed for Council to consider and determine the budget proposals, Councillor P Parkin and Councillor A Dale moved and seconded the recommendations at set out in the report at sections 6.3 and 6.13 in the report.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried. As required by law, a recorded vote was taken:

For the Motion (25): Councillors P Wright, R Welton, M Thacker, K Tait, D Ruff, M Roe, C Renwick, A Powell, P Parkin, H Liggett, B Lewis, J Kenyon, A Hutchinson, R Hall, O Gomez Reaney, J Funnell, M Foster, A Foster, M Emmens, P Elliot, L Deighton, A Dale, C Cupit, W Armitage, P Antcliff

Against the Motion (3) Councillors Windley, R Shipman, D Hancock

Abstained (13) Councillors L Stone, J Ridgway, T Reader, S Pickering, J Lilley, P Kerry, M Jones, E Hill, L Hartshorne, S Cornwell, A Cooper, J Birkin, N Barker

RESOLVED:

(1)             That Council approved the budget in respect of Killamarsh Leisure Centre, as set out in Appendix 2to the report as the Original Budget 2021/22 and as the financial projections in respect of 2022/23 to 2024/25.

(2)            That Council approved the Capital Programme for 2021/22 in respect of Killamarsh Leisure Centre as set out in Appendix 1 to the report

Councillors K Bone, P Bone, S Clough, M Potts and N Whitehead, returned to the meeting at this point.

With the agreement of the Chair, Council then considered the other parts of the General Fund and Capital Programme.  Members were reminded of the significant problems which had to be faced during the current financial year as a result of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. In particular, they heard that the Council had  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/95/20-21

Report of Councillor P Parkin, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Councillors S Clough, O Gomez Reaney and D Ruff returned to the meeting at this point.

Council considered the proposed Treasury Management Strategy, the Capital Strategy and the Investment Strategy for 2021/22 to 2024/25.

Members were reminded that the Treasury Management Strategy provided the framework for managing the Council’s cash flows, its borrowing and investments.  The Strategy included the ‘Prudential Indicators’ for monitoring potential risks. The Capital Strategy set out how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management would contribute to the provision of the Council’s services.  Finally, the Investment Strategy focused on investments made for service purposes and commercial reasons, rather than those made for treasury management purposes.

Council heard that the proposed Treasury Strategies had been considered by the Audit and Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee. As part of this, the Committee had discussed the impact of external factors on the Council’s Treasury Management investments. It had requested that a report be presented and discussed at a future meeting of the Audit and Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee, exploring the impact of these external factors and reviewing the Council’s current portfolio in respect of ethical investments. The findings from this review, it was stated, could then be considered for inclusion in future Treasury Strategies.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Councillor P Parkin and Councillor A Dale moved the recommendations as set out in the report. The motion was put to the vote and was carried.

RESOLVED

(1)            That Council approved the Treasury Management Strategy at Appendix 1 to the report and in particular:

a)          Approved the Borrowing Strategy

b)          Approved the Investment Strategy

c)          Approved the use of the external treasury management advisors Counterparty Weekly List – or similar - to determine the latest assessment of the counterparties that meet the Council’s Criteria before any investment were undertaken.

d)          Approved the Prudential Indicators

(2)      That Council approved the Capital Strategy as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, and in particular:

a)    Approved the Capital Financing Requirement

b)    Approved the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2021/22

c)     Approved the Prudential Indicators for 2021/22 detailed in the Capital Strategy, in particular:

        Authorised Borrowing Limit          £202,762,000

        Operational Boundary                  £197,761,000

        Capital Financing Requirement     £192,761,000

(3)      That Council approved the Investment Strategy as set out in Appendix 3 to the report.

(4)      That Council noted the review of Investments by the Audit and Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee, the outcomes of which could be considered for inclusion in future strategies.

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. 

(a)       Question submitted by Councillor R Shipman to Councillor C Cupit, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services

          A significant number of residents have raised questions regarding the collection amid treatment of recycling. One in particular relates to the ultimate end result of collections once they have been sorted and ongoing news reports that recyclable materials end up either in landfill or dumped overseas. Could Cllr Cupit confirm what measures the council has in place to monitor the performance of contractors in terms of the end result of the recycled waste?

(b)     Question submitted by Councillor D Hancock to Councillor C Cupit, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services

Residents have raised concerns in regard to perceived obstacles in terms of encouraging more residents to recycle waste. In particular to being instructed to segregate particular materials (such as white paper and clothing), only for them to observe that all materials are then gathered in the same receptacle by the contractor to be sorted at a later point. Can the Cabinet Member explain why residents are being asked to engage in, what would appear to be, a meaningless practice when we are trying to encourage greater recycling?

(a)          Question submitted by Councillor R Shipman to Councillor C Cupit, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services

A question had been submitted by Councillor R Shipman to Councillor C Cupit, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, on the measures which the Council had put in place to monitor the performance of contractors when recycling waste collected in the District.  The full text of the question from Councillor R Shipman was set out on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillor C Cupit thanked Councillor R Shipman for his question. Councillor C Cupit emphasised the Council’s commitment to recycling waste and how it encouraged all residents to do so. She explained that the Council had received positive feedback from local people for its approach to recycling and for the arrangements which had been put in place for collecting and re-using this material.

The Portfolio Holder outlined how the use of recyclable waste from the District was monitored.  She explained that a comprehensive monitoring framework had been established, to help ensure that the material collected was recycled properly. The Portfolio Holder informed Members that a communications strategy was currently being developed to help increase still further the already high level of recycling in the District. This strategy would include details about how to access the information included in the monitoring framework.

(b)       Question submitted by Councillor D Hancock to Councillor C Cupit, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services

       A question had been submitted by Councillor D Hancock to Councillor C Cupit, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services on whether the requirement to segregate different types of waste was discouraging residents from recycling. The full text of Councillor D Hancock’s question was set out on the agenda for the meeting.

       Councillor C Cupit thanked Councillor D Hancock for his question. She stated that the Council had a good record on recycling and that it was committed to improving this still further. The Portfolio Holder pointed out that North East Derbyshire had one of the highest recycling rates in the Midlands. Nationally, it was in the top third of local authorities for overall recycling rates and in the top 25% for recycling specific products such as glass, plastic and metal cans.

       Councillor C Cupit went on to explain why some recyclable materials had to be separated at source and how the Council had sought to keep this task to a minimum in order to make it as easy as possible for people to recycle. The Portfolio Holder also explained that the new communications strategy on waste recycling would provide further information on this and guidance about what could and could not be recycled. The strategy would also seek to extend still further what was recycled and in particular, would encourage the recycling of compostable food waste.

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. 

(a)            Motion proposed by Councillor R Shipman – seconded by Councillor P Windley

Council notes:

-     its responsibilities in respect of the health and well-being of the community we serve;

-     that we continue to encourage and promote the value of walking as a healthy form of exercise;

-     that the current pandemic has increased the general appetite for walking as a form of exercise;

-     that many residents have limited capacity for walking.

Council believes:

-     that we have a responsibility to make exercise as accessible to as many residents as possible.

Council resolves:

-     to ensure that there are adequate resting places along popular walking routes throughout the district.  

(b)      Motion proposed by Councillor D Hancock – seconded by Councillor P Windley

          Council notes:

-     the disparity in leisure services provision between the north and south of the district. 

Council believes:

-     that all residents should have adequate provision and easy access to the council’s leisure services.

Council resolves:

-     to review what leisure facilities are available throughout the district; 

-     to address any identified imbalances. 

(a)          Motion proposed by Councillor R Shipman – seconded by Councillor P Windley

Members considered a motion submitted by Councillor R Shipman, which called on the Council to ensure that adequate resting places (benches) were provided on popular walking routes in the District. The full text of Councillor R Shipman’s motion was set out in the agenda.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Transformation and Climate Change, Councillor J Kenyon, responded to the motion. He made clear that he agreed fully with the goal of promoting walking as a form of exercise and in providing resting places to help with this. However, he went on to explain that although the Council had provided a significant number of benches in its own parks, it was not responsible for most of the land and routes used for walking in the District. This was either in private hands or the responsibility of Derbyshire County Council.

Members discussed the motion. Specific mention was made of how some parish councils had identified suitable sites for resting places and installed benches at them.  Members also heard that the Council had contacted ‘Active Derbyshire’ with the aim of improving walking routes across the District.

At the conclusion of the discussion Councillor R Shipman and Councillor P Windley moved and seconded the motion as set out on the agenda. The motion was put to the vote and was defeated

(b)          Motion proposed by Councillor D Hancock – seconded by Councillor P Windley

Members considered a motion submitted by Councillor D Hancock calling for a review of the Council’s leisure facilities, in order to help identify if there were any imbalances between different parts of the District. The full text of Councillor D Hancock’s motion was set out in the agenda.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Transformation and Climate Change, Councillor J Kenyon, responded to the motion. He explained that a review of leisure facilities had taken place and formed the basis for the Council’s Indoor Sports Strategy, which had been adopted by the previous administration. He emphasised that this review had confirmed that there were no disparities in leisure services across the District.

Councillor J Kenyon explained that the Council was committed to the District’s leisure facilities and to encouraging as many people as possible to use them. He highlighted the measures to secure the future of the Killamarsh Sports Centre. He also highlighted the major investment that would be made to rebuild the Sharley Park Leisure Centre, in the south of the District.

Council discussed the motion and the leisure needs of the Districts changing communities, how these needs had been taken into account as part of the Local Plan process and the possible scope for considering future provision as part of a Scrutiny Committee review.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Councillor D Hancock and Councillor P Windley moved and seconded the motion as set out on the agenda. The motion was put to the vote and was defeated.

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 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).

RESOLVED

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 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). 

Report of the Joint Head of Corporate Governance and Monitoring Officer

(Paragraphs 1, 2 & 5)

Council considered a report of the Monitoring Officer setting out the findings from her investigation into the circumstances and actions leading to the recent Local Government Act 1972 Section 85 vacancy. Members were reminded that at its meeting on 16 November 2020 Council had asked to receive this report (Minute: COU/62/20-21).

Following an extensive discussion of the Monitoring Officer’s findings, Councillor A Dale and C Renwick moved and seconded the recommendations as set out in the report. The motion was put to the vote and was carried.

RESOLVED - Council noted the report.

Councillors J Birkin, D Hancock, E Hill, J Lilley, J Ridgway and R Shipman asked that their dissatisfaction with the report and its conclusions be recorded in the Minutes.

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

The Chair had no Urgent Business.