Decisions

The Assistant Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer presented a report on the proportionality of the Council and Appointments to Committees.

The political balance for the Council as a whole and the specific bodies covered by the political balance requirements were set out in the report.

Councillor A Dale reported that Councillor W Jones would be coming off Business Scrutiny Committee, and Councillor N Baker would take up a place on Planning Committee and Councillor P Jones would take up a place on both the General Licensing Committee and Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee.

Councillor A Cooper reported that Councillor F Adlington-Stringer would take up their Groups place on Business Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor R Shipman highlighted that his Group did not have a place on all scrutiny committees and asked this was considered as part of the review before Annual Council.

RESOLVED –

(1)            That the changes to the political make-up of the Council be noted and the proportional allocation of Committee places be agreed. 

(2)            That the appointments to Committees, as updated at the meeting, be agreed.

The Managing Director and Head of Paid Service presented the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27. The pay policy statement set out the Council’s policy on pay for senior managers and employees and was in accordance with the requirements of Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011 and Supplementary Guidance 2013. The Annual Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

Councillor N Barker and Councillor P Kerry proposed and seconded the report recommendations to approve the pay policy statement.

RESOLVED – That Council supports the Annual Pay Policy Statement 2026/27.

Councillor P Kerry, Deputy Leader of the Council, introduced the report which set out the requirements of the Localism Act 2011, which required the billing authority to calculate a Council Tax requirement for the year. The approved demand on the Collection Fund in respect of this Council was one of £7,558,732. In order to calculate the Council Tax requirement for the area at the relevant bands, the demands of the County Council, Police Authority, Fire Authority, and parish councils also needed to be taken into account, and the relevant precept demands had all now been received.

Councillor P Kerry and Councillor N Barker moved and seconded the recommendations in the report.

The Motion was put to the vote and agreed.

For: 27

Councillors N Barker, J Barry, G Baxter, R Beech, J Birkin, D Cheetham, K Clegg, A Cooper, S Cornwell, M Durrant, C Gare, K Gillott, D Hancock, L Hartshorne, D Higgon, P Kerry, C Lacey, T Lacey, F Petersen, S Pickering, K Rouse, D Skinner, Caroline Smith, Christine Smith, M Smith, L Stone, P Windley

Against: 3

Councillors M Roe, R Shipman, J Stokes

Abstain: 11

Councillors F Adlington-Stringer, N Baker, S Clough, C Cupit, A Dale, P Jones, W Jones, H Liggett, S Reed, C Renwick, R Welton

RESOLVED – That Council:-

(1)         Formally approves the Council Tax for the Financial Year 2026/27 as set out in the report. 

(2)         Delegates authority to the Director of Finance & Resources (S151 Officer) to amend the tables at 2.4 and 2.5 in respect of the precept amounts for the Fire and Rescue Service, should they change following the outcome of the Fire and Rescue Authority Meeting on 24 February 2026.

The Assistant Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer presented a report which informed Council that a valid petition had been received for a Community Governance Review by the District to determine whether a number of properties should be placed under Clay Cross Parish Council from Pilsley Parish Council.

The report explained that the Council was required to draw up Terms of Reference and a timetable and to publish these once agreed. The proposed Terms of Reference were set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Councillors K Gillott and K Rouse proposed and seconded the recommendations.

RESOLVED –

(1)            That Members acknowledge receipt of the valid Petition for a Community Governance Review.

(2)            That Members consider and approve the Terms of Reference and timetable for the Review in Appendix 2 to the report. 

(3)            That the Assistant Director of Governance & Monitoring Officer be given delegated authority to amend and republish the Terms of Reference for the Community Governance Review.