Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider a notice of motion proposed by Councillor Cheryl Butler and seconded by Councillor Don Davis, as follows:-

“Section 85 of the Local Government Act, 1972 provides that if a Member of a Local Authority fails throughout a period of six consecutive months from the date of his/her last attendance to attend any meeting of the Authority, he/she shall cease to be a Member of the Authority unless the failure is due to some reason approved by the Authority before the expiry of that period.

We are all aware that the Member for St Marys Ward has been ill, however he continues to make progress and is eager to return as soon as possible. During his absence, his ward has not been neglected, as a number of Labour Councillors have picked up any case work necessary, and they will continue to do so until he is able to return.

Historically, this Council has been generous and magnanimous in allowing any Member, who has a long term illness, to have periods of sustained absence.

Therefore this Council

1.    Approves, for the purposes of Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, the continued absence of the Member for St Marys Ward, from meetings of the Authority and that this be extended for a period of approximately 6 months until 5th April, 2019, (effective from the 5^th October 2018).

2.    Forwards its best wishes onto the St Marys Ward Member.”

The Council received a notice of motion moved by Councillor Cheryl Butler and seconded by Councillor Nicolle Ndiweni as follows:-

“Section 85 of the Local Government Act, 1972 provides that if a Member of a Local Authority fails throughout a period of six consecutive months from the date of his/her last attendance to attend any meeting of the Authority, he/she shall cease to be a Member of the Authority unless the failure is due to some reason approved by the Authority before the expiry of that period.

We are all aware that the Member for St Mary’s Ward has been ill, however he continues to make progress and is eager to return as soon as possible. During his absence, his ward has not been neglected, as a number of Labour Councillors have picked up any case work necessary, and they will continue to do so until he is able to return.

Historically, this Council has been generous and magnanimous in allowing any Member, who has a long term illness, to have periods of sustained absence.

Therefore this Council

1.    Approves, for the purposes of Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, the continued absence of the Member for St Marys Ward, from meetings of the Authority and that this be extended for a period of approximately 6 months until 5th April, 2019, (effective from the 5th October 2018).

2.    Forwards its best wishes onto the St Mary’s Ward Member.”

Councillor Jason Zadrozny moved an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councillor Lee Anderson, in the following terms:-

“Section 85 of the Local Government Act, 1972 provides that if a Member of a Local Authority fails throughout a period of six consecutive months from the date of his/her last attendance to attend any meeting of the Authority, he/she shall cease to be a Member of the Authority unless the failure is due to some reason approved by the Authority before the expiry of that period.”

This Administration condemns the actions of the current Labour MP for Ashfield, Gloria De Piero for contacting Councillor Aspinall at his Care Home and demanding he stood down.  This Administration regrets this type of intimidation which flies in the face of the long standing Council tradition of allowing any Member, who has a long term illness, to have sustained periods of absence.

This Administration further regrets leaflets that have been produced by Ashfield Labour Party in the St Mary’s Ward of Ashfield District Council calling for ‘change’ and stating ‘It’s time for a fresh start.’

This Administration apologises unreservedly to Councillor Aspinall for this behaviour.

Therefore this Council

1.    Approves, for the purposes of Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, the continued absence of the Member for St Mary’s Ward, from meetings of the Authority and that this be extended for a period of approximately 6 months until 5th April, 2019, (effective from the 5th October 2018).

2.    Forwards its best wishes onto the ward Member for St Mary’s.”

The meeting was adjourned  ...  view the full minutes text for item C.31

Council was requested to note the update in relation to the Emerging Ashfield Local Plan and consider options for its future direction.

At this point in the proceedings and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 30.1, it was moved and seconded that Council Procedure Rule 16.4 (Content and Length of Speeches) be suspended for the duration of the item to enable Members to speak for up to 8 minutes instead of the prescribed 5 minutes.  Having been put to the vote, the proposal was duly carried.

RESOLVED that

a)    the updated position in relation to the Emerging Ashfield Local Plan, be received and noted;

b)    it be agreed that the Council withdraw the Emerging Local Plan and commence development of a new Local Plan immediately.

Reasons:

1.    The Emerging Local Plan does not fit with the new political administration’s economic growth ambitions and vision for the District.

2.    The new political administration’s ambition is to revisit the strategic underpinning of the Local Plan. The vision of the new political administration is for a sustainable and ambitious plan which is fresh, creative and robust bringing the greatest socio-economic benefit to the District of Ashfield.

3.    The ambition includes taking into account changes in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which are not currently embedded within the Emerging Local Plan.

4.    The Emerging Local Plan Vision has a restrictive focusof concentrating development in and adjoining the urban and settlement areas, i.e. urban concentration. However, this is not ambitious enough to reflect the wider economic aspirations of both Government and the new Council Leadership. 

5.    The new Local Plan Vision will revisit the parameters of the withdrawn Local Plan, and reconsider issues such as the most suitable and sustainable locations for employment growth and housing allocations with the underpinning strategy of the Local Plan, to review future infrastructure requirements and to make the most of locational advantages such as Junctions 27 and 28 of the M1 motorway.

(During consideration of this item, Councillors Lachlan Morrison and Cathy Mason left the room at 8.02 p.m. and 8.05 p.m. and returned to the meeting at 8.05 p.m. and 8.07 p.m. respectively.)

Council considered a recommendation arising from the Charities Committee meeting held on 16^th July, 2018.

Minute No. CC.4

Sutton in Ashfield Recreation Grounds 2006 Charitable Trust

RESOLVED

that Mr. Roger Pratt be appointed by Deed as an additional independent Trustee to the Sutton in Ashfield Recreation Grounds 2006 Charitable Trust.

RESOLVED

that Councillor Helen Hollis be appointed as the Council’s representative to the Patient and Public Engagement Committee (NHS Mansfield and Ashfield Clinical Commissioning Group) for the term ending 31^st May, 2019.