Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C Lacey and P Windley.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 19 November 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 19 November 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair.

Council Plan Targets Performance Update.

Kath Drury, Information & Improvement Manager/Amar Bashir, Improvement Officer

The Information & Improvement Manager presented a report to the Committee summarising progress on the strategies underpinning the Council Plan objective ‘A great place to live well’ for the period ending 31^st December 2025.

Committee discussed the report. Some Members queried what the pathway was for bringing empty properties back. In this context, Committee discussed the issues and solutions regarding empty properties. It was suggested that more detailed information on the ongoing empty homes case be provided within these reports in the future.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.

To hear about proposals on a pilot project that is being discussed with the ICB to help support GP Surgeries.

Lee Hickin, Managing Director

Committee received a presentation which gave an overview of a proposed healthy infrastructure development model, based on a project undertaken by some London Authorities.  The presentation included an explanation of why the model was needed, an overview of what the model would look to achieve, a case study into how the model would work and a summary of the challenges the project faced. It was highlighted that NEDDC was doing preliminary work in scoping out the project, but the hope was for EMMCA to take the project on and provide the majority of the funding.

Committee discussed the presentation. Members welcomed the fact that NEDDC was spearheading the project and suggested that the proposed model could have a positive impact in aligning development to healthy infrastructure. Some Members suggested that, currently, there wasn’t a consistent ratio across the district between residents and GPs. It was highlighted that the model had the potential to correct existing gaps between healthy infrastructure and development.

Some Members highlighted the challenges that the project will need to overcome. These included NHS staff cuts, data sharing agreements and NHS financial pressures. It was highlighted that the current Chief Executive of NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB had expressed support for the project. It was suggested that the bulk of the work was compiling existing data into a model. In this context, it was agreed that data sharing would be important. Members also discussed the problems and benefits of the NHS moving to digital platforms.

Some Members queried whether the model would be helpful in ensuring developers comply with Section 106 agreements. It was highlighted that, whilst it would still come down to viability, the model should give the Council a stronger standing when negotiating Section 106 agreements.

At the end of the discussion, it was agreed that a further update on any progress made come back to the meeting in around 6 months’ time.  It was also suggested that Cabinet would be informed of Communities Scrutiny’s support of the project to develop a healthy infrastructure development model. 

RESOLVED –

That the presentation be noted.

To inform Committee of recent and forthcoming Cabinet business.

A digest of Cabinet decisions taken since May 2025.  This information is published by Cabinet meeting on the Council’s website.  Cabinet Agendas, Decisions and Minutes can be viewed at: Cabinet

The Forward Plan of Executive decisions.

Plans

These plans are updated to include new business.

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented a digest of Cabinet decisions taken since the last Committee meeting in November 2025. The digest set out key information for each decision.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer also presented Members with the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions for the period up to 15 February 2026.

RESOLVED –

That the update was noted.

To contribute to major Policies being considered by the Council.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer informed the Committee that there were no major policies for Members to consider.

RESOLVED –

That the update was noted.

To consider the Committee’s Work Programme, and to also consider and contribute to potential changes in the operating environment which may include legislation, regulation and key projects being undertaken by the Council, for example, that could form potential topic items for the Work Programme in the future. 

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented the draft Work Programme 2025/26 for the Committee to consider.

Committee discussed potential topics to add to the 2026/27 Work Programme.

RESOLVED –

That the Work Programme 2025/26 be approved.

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

None.

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place on 13 May 2026 at 10.00 am.

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to take place on 13 May 2026 at 10.00 am.