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. 

The Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Stuart Fawcett will highlight the Council’s on-going commitment to the District’s Armed Forces Community by once again signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

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

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

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 12pm (Noon) twelve clear working days before the meeting.  

The following question(s) have been submitted:-

Question ‘A’ - Councillor A Dale to Councillor J Barry, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Assets

Cabinet has recently named the Council’s proposed redevelopment of the southern Avenue site as its “priority regeneration scheme” in relation to focusing officer time and resources and in terms of its promotion to partners. Can the Portfolio Holder please explain what this means for other regeneration projects such as the Barrow Hill Line, Clay Cross station, the Coalite site and much needed improvement to several of our town centres?

Question ‘B’ - Councillor N Baker to Councillor J Barry, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Assets

Cabinet has recently indicated its intention to pursue redevelopment of its southern Avenue site, including plans for hundreds of new houses, relocation of the street scene depot and a new road layout, in an area which has seen intense development in recent years. Can the Portfolio Holder confirm what consultation will take place with Wingerworth and other nearby residents, prior to any decisions being taken?

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 12pm (Noon) twelve clear working days before the meeting. 

The following motion(s) have been submitted:-

Motion ‘A’ – Proposed by Councillor D Hancock

Council notes:

-   The amendment to the constitution, introducing rule 10.5 (Change in Policy) approved in May 2023, requiring all changes in council policy (unless regulatory) to be considered by the relevant scrutiny committee and cabinet before being approved by council.

-   That Council has existing policies in regard to the allocation of its domestic refuse bins to residential customers, in that black and green bins are allocated according to evidenced need (additional black bins based on the number of residents at any one property, and additional green bins based on the size of the garden); and that charges for additional/replacement bins are made as a one-off fee only.

-   That Council has existing policies to promote recycling and to reduce landfill.

Council believes that:

-   The officer decision to introduce an annual fee for additional green bins and for additional green bins to be allocated on request contravenes council policy and the amended constitution.

Council resolves:

-   To reverse the decision to make an annual charge for additional green bins and revert to the policy of additional bins being granted based on evidenced need.

-   That the Standards Committee should provide clearer guidance for officers to make delegated decisions, within the framework of the amended constitution, to avoid any future inadvertent policy changes 

Business of the Council in its capacity as Trustee of the Clay Cross and Danesmoor Miners Welfare Recreation Ground Charity

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 this part of the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

The Chair to move:-

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following item(s) of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in  Paragraph  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 Councillor K Rouse, Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure

                                                                                                         Paragraph 3