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 29 January 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 12pm (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 R Kerry, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership & Finance.

Report of the Managing Director and Head of the Paid Service

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

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 Mike Roe to Councillor S Pickering, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place

I would like to ask how the Council intends to deal with the ever increasing amounts of dog fouling.  This is about the District in general, but in particular I’m speaking on behalf of the South of the District and the state of our Shirland and Higham.

Question ‘B’ – Councillor S Cornwell to Councillor S Pickering, Portfolio Holder for Environment & Place

On the 20 July 2021 this Council granted a planning application permitting the building of a large industrial cold store building on the Holmewood Industrial Estate.

Whilst the jobs this unit creates are welcome, when granting that application the Council failed to include an appropriate planning conditions limiting the hours of work during the construction phase of the development.

As a result building work has been taking place at all times of the day,including the early hours of the morning, continuing until 4am recently.

What, if anything can be done to prevent residents of Holmewood from having to endure further disruption due to this omission by the Council to include appropriate restrictions in the original planning consent?

Question ‘C’ – Councillor A Dale to Councillor J Birkin, Portfolio Holder for Council Services

Can the Portfolio Holder please confirm the cost of the recent refurbishment of the Council Chamber (including the new furniture and audio-visual equipment)?

Question ‘D’  - Councillor W Jones to Councillor N Barker, Leader of the Council

How does the Council intend to respond to the Government’s consultation on reforms to social housing allocations and how does it intend to respond to the new requirements should the proposals be adopted?

Question ‘E’ – Councillor C Cupit to Councillor S Pickering, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place

Given the concerns raised by many residents following recent changes to garden waste collections in neighbouring Chesterfield, could the Cabinet Member confirm that NEDDC will commit to not charging for garden waste or any residential waste collections?

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 motions(s) have been submitted:-

Motion ‘A’ – Proposed by Councillor P Windley

Council notes:

·                 The increasing financial pressures on Rykneld and the HRA owing to mould and disrepair issues

·                 The casework issues ward councillors have experienced in terms of multiple mould cleans being necessitated while remedial works are pending

·                 The impact on tenants physical and mental health caused by recurring outbreaks of mould

·                 The cost of treating recurring mould issues

With thanks, the hard work of colleagues in treating these issues Council calls for the Portfolio Holders for Strategic Leadership and Finance to work more closely with Rykneld to address the root cause issues of mould in council owned properties more swiftly, to reduce both the financial cost and health impacts of mould recurring where there is an identified structural cause.

Motion ‘B’ – Proposed by Councillor D Hancock

Council notes:

·                 Rykneld Homes permits its tenants to create off street parking on their properties at their own expense.

·                 Rykneld Homes follows the policy of North East Derbyshire District Council on what materials and solutions can be used to construct the off street parking.

·                 Technology and materials available will inevitably change as time moves forward.

·                 New solutions are available which are more cost effective and better for the environment to support the Council’s environmental strategy.

Council resolves:

To undertake a review into the materials and solutions that are permitted under the policy of creating off street parking on Rykneld properties with a view to increasing the options for residents.

Motion ‘C’ – Proposed by Councillor R Shipman

Council notes:

In 2023, 94% of residents use a smart phone device in North East Derbyshire.

Digital experts eMarketer say “an app provides a direct access point from the Home Screen of a mobile device, and a native app experience is typically slicker and faster than a capitals web experience.”

Overwhelming consensus from digital marketing companies say an app is much better than a website across all factors from engagement, user experience, and communication with its users.

Council believes:

Developing an app for smart devices would provide a line of communication and information delivery to residents who would otherwise not engage directly with council resources on the website.

The digital boom is an opportunity to make better use of its resources and engage with residents and provide a more efficient way of sending urgent messages, allow residents to manage their council tax payments or planning applications and allows them to receive and submit reports on a variety of district council services such as their bin collections, environmental health, anti social behaviour and dog fouling.

Council resolves:

To start a working group with a mixture of staff, residents and councillors to scope what sort of services and resources the app will need to include, then  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

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