Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16 September 2024,  as now submitted, be received and approved.

Chief Executive

The Chief Executive warmly welcomed Charles Edwards, the new Executive Director of Operations to the Chamber and also advised that Peter Holland, the new Corporate Resources Director and Section 151 Officer was due to commence employment with the Council the following Monday.

Thanks and congratulations were also given to Andy Slate, the Council’s ICT Service Manager, who had received his 35 year long service award earlier in the day.  Andy, who was also celebrating his 60^th birthday and retiring from the Authority, was commended for all his hard work, commitment and expertise that had been brought to the role over the last 35 years.  He would be very much missed but good wishes were sent from the Chamber for a long and happy retirement.

Leader of the Council

Councillor Zadrozny advised that Government was currently consulting on introducing powers for local authority members to apply to their relevant authority for a dispensation to attend formal council meetings remotely.  A corporate response from the Council would be submitted but Members would also be able to respond individually if desired.  Further details in respect of this would be circulated in due course.

Executive Lead Member for Customer and Digital Experience

Councillor Deakin took the opportunity to reiterate the good wishes to Andy Slate and spoke of his continued kindness and support to her in her role.

The Chairman took the opportunity to celebrate and commend Hucknall Leisure Centre, run by leading operator Everyone Active in partnership with the Council, who triumphed at the 2024 UKActive Awards as the ‘Regional Club/Centre of the Year in the Midlands category.  Everyone Active also won the ‘Outstanding Organisation of the Year’ award for its work across the country, including at the other sites within the Ashfield contract, namely Lammas Leisure Centre and Kirkby Leisure Centre.

(None received for this meeting)

No questions were received for consideration.

(None received for this meeting)

No petitions were received for consideration.

Members were requested to consider the content and approve the Council’s Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan for publication.

The Chief Executive and Assistant Director for Policy and Performance both spoke on the matter and presented the findings of the Peer Challenge and the ensuing actions.

RESOLVED

that the Council’s Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan, as presented, be approved for publication.

Council was updated on the outcomes from the consultation exercise undertaken to consider moving Polling Station SKG3 from the Bridge Baptist Church to the Fox and Crown Public House, Sutton in Ashfield.

RESOLVED that

a)    the information contained in the report, be received and noted;

b)    having acknowledged that no feedback was received as a result of the public consultation exercise, approval be given to moving Polling Station SKG3 from the Bridge Baptist Church to the Fox and Crown Public House, Sutton in Ashfield.

Council was requested to consider and approve a recommendation from the Licensing Committee.

Minute No. L.9

Licensing Committee – 22 October 2024

Review of the Statement of Gambling Policy

RESOLVED that

a)    the revised Statement of Gambling Policy, as presented and effective from 31 January 2025, be approved;

b)    it be agreed that the “No Casino” Resolution be maintained.

The following Cabinet Members gave updates in relation to their portfolio activity:

Councillor Matthew Relf – Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning

Councillor John Wilmott – Executive Lead Member for Community Safety and

Crime Reduction

Councillor Jason Zadrozny – Leader of the Council

Councillor Tom Hollis – Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Strategic Housing and Climate Change.

(During the Executive Member updates, Councillor Will Bostock left the meeting at 7.40pm.)

Motion 1

To consider a notice of motion proposed by Councillor Jason Zadrozny and seconded by Councillor Sarah Madigan, as follows:-

“On 3 December 2020 the Council considered a motion relating to fireworks and resolved that:

a) all future Ashfield District Council firework displays will use low noise fireworks and will encourage all residents of Ashfield to do the same; 

[Min. c.70 refers]

Council is asked to 

1.      Rescind this previous decision

2.      Following advice from charities such as the RSPCA and partners within the emergency services, encourage all residents to attend organised events, such as our free "Sparks in the Park" event.”

The Council received a notice of motion moved by Councillor Jason Zadrozny and seconded by Councillor Sarah Madigan as follows:-

“On 3 December 2020 the Council considered a motion relating to fireworks and resolved that:

a) all future Ashfield District Council firework displays will use low noise fireworks and will encourage all residents of Ashfield to do the same;

[Min. c.70 refers]

Council is asked to

1.    Rescind this previous decision

2.    Following advice from charities such as the RSPCA and partners within the emergency services, encourage all residents to attend organised events, such as our free "Sparks in the Park" event.”

Having been fully considered, the motion was put to the vote and it was

RESOLVED

that this Council agrees to:

a)    rescind the previous decision;

b)    following advice from charities such as the RSPCA and partners within the emergency services, encourage all residents to attend organised events, such as our free "Sparks in the Park" event.

(During consideration of the motion, Councillor Cathy Mason left the meeting at 7.45pm.)

(None received for this meeting)

No questions were received from Members.

(None received for this meeting)

No questions were received from Members.