Agenda, decisions and minutes

No Declarations of Interest were received.

The Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Thursday 13 July 2017 were approved as a true record.

The Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Thursday 13 July 2017 were approved as a true record.

Key Decision included in the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions

Portfolio Holder: Cllr Cheryl Butler

a)    That Cabinet approves the renewal of the Shared Service Agreement for the provision of Legal Services by Ashfield District Council (ADC) to Mansfield District Council (MDC) for a period of five years;

b)    That Cabinet grants delegated authority to the Director of Legal and Governance to review the terms of the current service level agreement, for services shared with MDC and to finalise appropriate changes to the original form of agreement in the light of current needs and arrangements.

Members were reminded that the Council had entered into an agreement with Mansfield District Council (MDC) in November 2012 to provide a shared legal service. Under this agreement a single Legal Services Team, based at Ashfield, was established to serve both authorities.  The arrangement would run for a five year period, but could be extended for a further five years, if both authorities agreed to do this.

The report to Cabinet explained that following on from a review of the service, which had confirmed that it is performing well, Mansfield District Council had decided to renew the agreement for a further five years.

Cabinet welcomed the successful performance of the shared service. Members heard that user satisfaction with the service had improved from 55% in 2014 to 97% in 2017. They also heard that the shared team was cost effective and providing both authorities with higher levels of operational resilience and expertise than they could have achieved on their own.

There was a consensus that the agreement should be renewed.

RESOLVED

a)    That Cabinet approves the renewal of the Shared Service Agreement for the provision of Legal Services by Ashfield District Council (ADC) to Mansfield District Council (MDC) for a period of five years;

b)    That Cabinet grants delegated authority to the Director of Legal and Governance to review the terms of the current service level agreement, for services shared with MDC and to finalise appropriate changes to the original form of agreement in the light of current needs and arrangements.

Reasons

The Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the provision of legal services by ADC to MDC began on 1 November 2012 for a period of five years. The SLA is due to expire on 30 October 2017, however, there is a provision for the agreement to be extended for a further five years.

Key Decision included in the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions

Portfolio Holder: Cllr Don Davis

a)    That Cabinet approves the Ashfield Local Development Scheme, as appended to the report;

b)    That the scheme be brought into effect from 21 September 2017.

The report to Cabinet asked Members to update the Ashfield Local Development Scheme (LDS). Cabinet was told that the timetable for the preparation of the Local Plan had slipped and the new dates needed to be reflected in the LDS.

RESOLVED

a)    That Cabinet approves the Ashfield Local Development Scheme, as appended to the report;

b)    That the Scheme be brought into effect from 21 September 2017

Reasons

To adhere to the legal requirement to maintain an up to date Local Development Scheme under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Key Decision included in the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions

Portfolio Holder: Cllr Tim Brown

a)    That Cabinet approves the changes to project budgets identified in the Locality Plans, as set out in the report;

b)    That the Capital Programme be updated, with the increased scheme costs financed from the Nottinghamshire County Council ‘Supporting Local Communities’ (SLC) fund.

The report to Cabinet asked Members to approve changes to three project budgets, to reflect the additional finance secured from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Supporting Local Communities (SLC) fund. The projects were: (i) the Ashfield Estate Play Area, (ii) the Oval Play Area; and (iii) Warwick Close. Cabinet discussed the proposal and welcomed the success in securing additional grant aid.

RESOLVED

a)    That Cabinet approves the changes to project budgets identified in the Locality Plans, as set out in the report;

b)    That the Capital Programme be updated, with the increased scheme costs  financed from the Nottinghamshire County Council ‘Supporting Local Communities’ (SLC) Fund.

Reasons

To enable capital budgets to be revised in line with the funding available and so that the three projects can be progressed.

Key Decision included in the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions

Portfolio Holder: Cllr Jackie James

That Cabinet agrees to adopt the Business Rates Local Discretionary Relief Scheme, as set out in the report.

Members were reminded that extra funding had been allocated nationally for local authorities to provide discretionary relief to help those companies facing a significant increase to their business rates, following the revaluation of properties which had taken place. The report to Cabinet explained that Ashfield had been allocated £332,000 for this discretionary relief, spread over four years. In order to distribute this money the Council was required to develop a Local Discretionary Relief Scheme.

Members were asked to consider and approve the proposed scheme.

Cabinet discussed the report. Members noted that most of the relief would have to be distributed during the first year. Members also noted that the amount of Discretionary Relief that any business could receive would be capped, which would help to ensure a wider distribution of the funds available. Cabinet welcomed this.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet agrees to adopt the Business Rates Local Discretionary Relief Scheme as set out in the report.

Reasons

To comply with the requirement to design and implement a Local Discretionary Business Rates Scheme.