Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17 February 2025, be received and approved as a correct record.

Non-Key Decision

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

Cabinet was requested to approve the draft Stanton Hill Investment Plan, which outlined a 10-year programme to enhance the attractiveness and prosperity of Stanton Hill through revitalisation of the High Street and enhancement of the visitor economy, whilst improving the wellbeing of residents. 

Andrew Jenkins and Mike Vardy, as representatives from the Stanton Hill and Teversal Neighbourhood Forum, were in attendance at the meeting and they took the opportunity to address Cabinet and welcome the new Plan.  The Leader thanked them for their attendance and their ongoing commitment towards making Stanton Hill a better place for Ashfield residents.  The Council was looking forward to working with them all in the future.

Members considered the alternative option of declining to approve the Plan, but this was not recommended.

RESOLVED

that the draft Stanton Hill Investment Plan, as presented, be approved.

Reasons:

1.    To support the regeneration of Stanton Hill High Street, building upon current opportunities, such as the significant new developments in the vicinity and the wider visitor economy.

2.    To ensure the delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan theme for Economic Growth and Place, through the development of the improvement plan and the focus on raising skills and ambitions of residents.

3.    To improve the quality of life and attractiveness of the area for residents, businesses and visitors.

(At this point in the proceedings and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4 [Order of Business], the Chairman advised that he would be considering agenda item 8 [Audited Statement of Accounts 2023/24] as the next item of business.  Cabinet Members concurred with this course of action.)

Key Decision

Councillor Rachel Madden – Executive Lead Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits

Members were presented with the 2023/24 Council’s Statement of Accounts for approval, including the External Auditor’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024. Mark Surridge from Mazars was in attendance at the meeting and provided a short summary of the outcomes arising from their audit of the Council’s financial statements.

As it is a statutory requirement for Council’s to publish the audited Annual Statement of Accounts and acquire Cabinet’s approval for the same, there were no alternative options for Members to consider.

RESOLVED that

a)    the External Auditor’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024, as presented, be received and noted;

b)    the Council’s Financial Statements for 2023/24 be approved and placed onto the Council’s website.

Reason:

To comply with the Accounts and Audit Regulations (SA 2015, 234) and with Financial Regulations, as part of the Council’s Constitution, that state the Cabinet is responsible for approving the Annual Statement of Accounts as appropriate.

Key Decision

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

Cabinet received an update to ensure Members were kept up to date on funding allocations, progress of funded programmes and bids for external funding.

Members considered the alternative option of declining to approve the allocation of project income on the Capital Programme, but this was not recommended as the funding covered essential works that would support the completion of projects on the regeneration programme.

RESOLVED that

a)    progress for Future High Streets Fund, Towns Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund programmes, as presented, be received and noted;

b)    the UKSPF funding from East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) be accepted and delegated authority be granted to the Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning, to agree allocation of the funding;

c)     Council be recommended to approve funding from Sport England being included on the Capital Programme for Hucknall Leisure Centre;

d)    Council be also recommended, following receipt of funds, that the identified funding be included on the Capital Programme.

Reasons:

1.     To ensure that Cabinet is kept updated on progress with the regeneration programmes.

2.     To ensure that projects and spend are achieved within the set timeframes and programme budget envelopes.

3.     To ensure delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan and improvements to parks and green spaces with a rolling programme of investment.

4.     To ensure funding streams are delivered collaboratively and effectively.

Key Decision

Councillor Helen-Ann Smith – Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Parks and Environmental Services

Cabinet was requested to approve the commencement of a 30-day consultation of the Council’s Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy & Replacement Plan 2025/2034, prior to adoption by the Council.

Members considered the alternative option of declining to approve a clear Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy and Replacement Plan, but this was not recommended as it could result in the Council continuing to replace existing vehicles and equipment with assets that do not align with the Council’s Corporate Plan or the Council’s net-zero aspirations.

RESOLVED that

a)    approval be given to a consultation on the draft Ashfield Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy & Replacement Plan 2025 – 2034;

b)    delegated authority be granted to the Executive Lead Member for Parks and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Leader, Executive Director of Operations and the Corporate Resources Director, to agree the final strategy following the consultation process;

c)    it be noted that the Fleet Capital and Revenue Vehicle Replacement Plan for 2025 – 2034, has already been approved as part of the Council’s Capital Programme and is being implemented in line with the Strategy.

Reason:

Following consultation, the approval of the Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy and Replacement Plan will support the Council to evolve its operational and grey fleet, in line with the Council’s commitment in creating a greener, cleaner environment, as set out in the Council’s Climate Change Delivery Plan.

Key Decision

Councillor Helen-Ann Smith – Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Parks and Environmental Service

As part of required service changes through ‘Simpler Recycling’ and the requirements of the Council as ‘Waste Collection Authority’ to operate effectively and efficiently, Members were requested to approve a revised Waste Collection Policy and to amend the current terms of the existing bulky waste collection service.

Members considered the alternative option of declining to make any of the changes, as outlined and recommended in the report.

RESOLVED that

a)    the collation of several policies into a single Waste Collection Policy to include the changes needed to ensure equitable and safe methods of operations and demonstrating that the waste services are operated effectively and efficiently be approved with the final draft Waste Collection Policy being brought back to Cabinet in due course for approval;

b)    approval be given to the changes to the existing bulky waste collection service, to allow one free collection per year, for every household within the District;

c)     the potential changes to the refuse and recycling collection service due to necessary round rebalancing, be received and noted.

Reasons:

1.     Following Cabinet approval of the Costed Action & Delivery Plan (CADP) on 18 November 2024 and the Strategic Leadership Team meeting of 17 December 2024, officers were asked to review the existing refuse and recycling collection service and where needed implement improvements.

2.     To ensure that the service is operating effectively and efficiently, and that the existing Waste Collection Policy (revised 2023) and other waste related documents, reflect the future services needed to deliver the ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms.

2.

Key Decision

Councillor Jason Zadrozny – Leader of the Council

Following the Joint Crematorium Committee’s (JCC) meeting held on 24 February 2025, Cabinet was requested to endorse the JCC recommendation to undertake refurbishment of the crematorium and to approve the allocation of £2.0m of capital funding as Ashfield District Council’s contribution to the refurbishment and all associated costs.

Members considered all the alternative options as outlined in Appendix A of the report including all reasons for discounting such courses of action.

RESOLVED

that approval be given to the following:

a)    the recommendation from the Joint Crematorium Committee to undertake crematorium-refurbishment (option 2 in Appendix A);

b)    capital funding of £2.0m as Ashfield District Council’s contribution to the overall refurbishment and associated costs;

c)     the funding strategy to be applied for the capital funding of the refurbishment through use of borrowing, associated costs and reduction in income received whilst works are taking place;

d)    expedient procurement and commissioning of external project management of the refurbishment works by Mansfield District Council who are the responsible host authority for procurement and project management.

Reasons:

1.     To maintain and enhance the quality of cremation and bereavement services provided through Mansfield Crematorium.

2.     To comply with legislative requirements for crematoria to meet abatement standards.

Key Decision

Councillor Vicki Heslop - Executive Lead Member for Governance

Cabinet was presented with details of the Council’s corporate health and safety performance by means of an interim report covering the six-month period 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024.

As the report was for information purposes only, Members did not have any

alternative options to consider.

RESOLVED

that the Interim Corporate Health and Safety Report 2024/25, as shown at Appendix 1, be received and noted.

Reason:

To ensure Cabinet is informed on corporate health and safety performance across the Council, to provide assurance that the Council’s statutory health and safety obligations are being met and to provide transparency and an understanding that the health and safety risks created by the Council’s services and operations are being managed effectively, as required by law.

Key Decision

Councillor Vicki Heslop - Executive Lead Member for Governance

Cabinet was updated in respect of the shared Human Resources (HR) service delivery model following the Cabinet decision in 2022 to extend the shared provision for a further 5 years and was asked to approve proposed changes to the delivery model, as set out in the report.

Members considered the alternative option of continuing with the current shared service model (with Mansfield District Council hosting), but this was not recommended for the reasons set out in the report.

RESOLVED that

a)    approval be given to the Council’s preferred option to transfer the role of Host Authority for the Human Resources (HR) Shared Service to Ashfield District Council (ADC) and to delegate authority to the Executive Director, Governance to seek Mansfield District Council’s (MDC) views and agreement to the proposal;

b)    subject to obtaining the formal agreement of MDC to ADC becoming Host Authority, to delegate authority to the Executive Director, Governance in consultation with the Executive Lead Member for Governance and Councillor Helen-Ann Smith as Deputy Leader to:

·         agree the timeframe and processes for the transfer of the role of Host Authority with Mansfield District Council;

·         implement the necessary processes for the transfer of the role of Host Authority with Mansfield District Council; and

·         agree and finalise the Service Level Agreement to reflect the change of Host Authority.

·          

Reasons:

1.    The Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) recommended the Council review the HR Shared Service delivery model to ensure it is able to deliver the Council’s ambitious organisational transformation programme at pace.

2.    The benefits to the Council taking on the Host Authority role as detailed in the body of the report.