Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Louise Fox, Cathy Jeffery, Sally Renshaw, Phil Smith, Ashley Taylor and Jane Yates.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any matters arising out of those items

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

To receive any announcements that the Chair of the Council may desire to lay before the meeting.

The Chair announced that his charity this year was The Royal British Legion and to help raise funds he was holding a Civic Dinner on Friday 23^rd February 2023.  This would be taking place at the Holiday Inn, South Normanton and all Members and officers were invited to attend.

The Chair also stated that he had been working with Grant Galloway, Chief Executive of Dragonfly Development Limited to try to raise some sponsorship from local businesses.

To approve the Minutes of the Council meetings held on 2^nd August 2023 and 5^th September 2023.

Moved by Councillor Emma Stevenson and seconded by Councillor Sandra Peake         

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 2^nd August 2023  be approved as a true and correct record.

Moved by Councillor Steve Fritchley and seconded by Councillor Sandra Peake

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 5^th September 2023 be approved as a true and correct record.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8, to allow members of the public to ask questions about the Council’s activities.

a)    Question submitted to the Portfolio Holder for Environment by Sarah Foy

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8, members of the Public were able to ask questions to an Executive Member about the Council’s activities.

Question submitted to Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Anne Clarke by Sarah Foy

Hello. My name is Sarah Foy, I’m a charity worker and I live in South Normanton. 

Bolsover prides itself on being one of the more forward thinking districts in the UK and has put climate considerations at the heart of governance. The Council’s Carbon Reduction Plan has an objective to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. 

However, this awareness needs to include every aspect of council activities, including the provision of food, which is currently omitted from the plan. The science is clear that meat and dairy are major contributors to the climate and ecological emergencies.  Other councils, for example Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City, Cambridge City, Exeter City and the London Borough of Lewisham are ensuring that all food and drink provided at events is plant-based, and I’d like Bolsover District Council to do the same.  

This is the logical & necessary next step to help reduce greenhouse gas emmissions, of carbon as well as methane and nitrogen. It will help normalise plant-based eating, which according to an Oxford University study, is the single most effective thing an individual can do to reduce their environmental impact.   

There have been substantial evidence-based recommendations calling for a move away from meat and dairy. The review of the National Food Strategy, led by Henry Dimbleby in 2021, recommended a reduction in meat and dairy of 30% within ten years, and that food provided in the public sector should be plant-based by default. If we are to achieve even this modest target, we need public organisations to lead the way. The government failed to implement these recommendations, and is now facing a legal challenge with lawyers arguing that its failure to adopt measures to reduce meat and dairy production and consumption is unlawful. A new Oxford University study published in July 2023 shows that the environmental impact of a meat-diet is far higher than one which is plant-based. 

We are currently in a cost of living crisis. Meat and dairy products are almost always the most expensive part of a meal - whole food plant-based meals are considerably cheaper. By doing the right thing for the planet, and promoting eating for good health, the council can also save money by serving more plant-based foods. We can and must move away from meat and dairy, towards climate-friendly eating, and I believe councils can lead the way with this.  

I understand that this council does not regularly serve food at meetings, so the main change this council can implement is to exclusively serve plant milk for tea and coffee offered at meetings. Oat milk uses 13 times less water, 11 times less land, and creates 3.5 times less emissions than dairy milk. I would also ask at events where food is served, for it  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL43-23/24

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, to consider motions on notice from Members.

(A) Motion from Councillor Steve Fritchley – Industrial Communities Alliance

(B) Motion from Councillor Will Fletcher – World AIDS Day

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Councillors were able to submit Motions on Notice for consideration at meetings of Council.

a) The following motion was submitted for consideration by Councillor Steve Fritchley

Industrial Communities Alliance (ICA)

This Council notes:

1.    The Industrial Communities Alliance (ICA) is an all-party association of local authorities in the industrial areas of England, Scotland and Wales.  Formerly the Coalfields Communities Campaign (CCC), the Council has been a long-standing member.  Members and officers attend regular meetings and receive informative reports and outcomes of research affecting the area.

2.    Prior to Brexit the ICA enabled the links with partners across Europe to be strengthened and allowed access to European Funding Streams for the benefit of the District.  Post Brexit, the ICA continue to lobby Government in much the same way in terms of increased support for Councils as previously, albeit European funding streams are gradually ceasing.

3.    The ICA has produced a paper ‘Local and Regional Development: The Case for Longer-Term Funding’ for consideration by HM Treasury. [Paper is attached].

This Council resolves:

1.    To support the paper ‘Local and Regional Development: The Case for Longer-Term Funding’, produced by the ICA for consideration by HM Treasury.

2.    To send a letter to the Chair of the ICA informing them of the Council’s support.

The Motion was moved by Councillor Steve Fritchley and seconded by Councillor Mary Dooley.

Councillor Fritchley spoke to the Motion.  He said that the ICA had done a lot of work in attaching money for industrial areas.

On being put to the vote the Motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the Council notes:

1.         The Industrial Communities Alliance (ICA) is an all-party association of local authorities in the industrial areas of England, Scotland and Wales.  Formerly the Coalfields Communities Campaign (CCC), the Council has been a long-standing member.  Members and officers attend regular meetings and receive informative reports and outcomes of research affecting the area.

2.         Prior to Brexit the ICA enabled the links with partners across Europe to be strengthened and allowed access to European Funding Streams for the benefit of the District.  Post Brexit, the ICA continue to lobby Government in much the same way in terms of increased support for Councils as previously, albeit European funding streams are gradually ceasing.

3.         The ICA has produced a paper ‘Local and Regional Development: The Case for Longer-Term Funding’ for consideration by HM Treasury. [Paper is attached].

The Council resolved to:

4.         Support the paper ‘Local and Regional Development: The Case for Longer-Term Funding’, produced by the ICA for consideration by HM Treasury.

5.         To send a letter to the Chair of the ICA informing them of the Council’s support.

(Service Director of Executive, Corporate Services and Partnerships)

b) The following motion was submitted for consideration by Councillor Will Fletcher

World AIDS Day

Council notes that:

·         World AIDS Day will be taking place on the 1st December 2023 as in previous years;

·         40.4 million people globally have died from AIDS-related illnesses since  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL44-23/24

Council considered a report which set out a recommendation from the Employment and Personnel Committee regarding the establishment of the post of Employee Engagement Officer.

The report stated that at its meeting on 28^th June 2023, the Employee and Personnel Committee had considered a proposal for the creation of a new post of Employee Engagement Officer.  The Committee had agreed that the creation of such a post would have a positive impact and add significant value to the Council and its HR and Payroll function.  The post required job evaluation but it was anticipated that the post would be graded at around Grade 6 (with oncosts between £36,258 - £39,344).  The post would be funded from the Council’s General Fund budget.

Moved by Councillor Clive Moesby and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED that the growth in salary budget as set out in paragraph 1.7 of the report, as recommended by the Employment and Personnel Committee on 28^th June 2023, be approved.

(Service Director of Finance & Section 151 Officer / HR Business Partner)

Council considered a report presented by the Monitoring Officer on behalf of the former Scrutiny Chairs, which provided an update on the work of the Scrutiny Committees for 2022/23.  The Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The annual report provided an overview of the core activity for each of the Committees and detailed some of the impact of the work completed during the year. 

Moved by Councillor Clive Moesby and seconded by Councillor David Bennett

RESOLVED that the Annual Report of the Scrutiny Committees’ activities, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, be noted.

Council considered a report which sought approval to add Park Lane, Pinxton to the list of schemes included in the Bolsover Homes pipeline funding envelope of £36.2m.

The report stated that Executive, at its meeting on 11^th September 2023, had agreed to proceed with a Bolsover Homes development at the Park Lane site in Pinxton.  The report considered by Executive was attached to the report at Appendix 1.  In order for the scheme to go ahead it would need to be added to the schedule of development sites for the existing £36.2m funding envelope.

Moved by Councillor Sandra Peake and seconded by Councillor John Ritchie

RESOLVED that the inclusion of Park Lane, Pinxton development within the previously approved £36.2m funding envelope for Bolsover Homes, be approved.

(Strategic Director of Services)

Council considered a report which sought approval for the purchase of a large goods vehicle sweeping machine for undertaking street sweeping arrangements through Bolsover.

The report set out the details why the current sweeping arrangements fell short of requirements. The report explained that following a review of burgundy bin collection arrangements it had been possible to reduce the number of recycling collection vehicles from 5 to 4.  It was therefore proposed that the existing capital budget included in the vehicle replacement programme for 2024/25 be re-allocated to fund a large goods vehicle (truck mounted) sweeper.  Increased staffing costs of approximately £24,814 would be required from the General Fund budget.

Moved by Councillor Anne Clarke and seconded by Councillor Rowan Clarke

RESOLVED that (1) the purchase of a large goods vehicle sweeping machine for utilisation in Bolsover’s street cleansing arrangements, by swapping an existing vehicle in the capital programme which is no longer required, be approved.

(2) the increase in Streetscene staffing establishment by 1No fulltime equivalent and increased budget to operate the large sweeping machine for approximately £24,814, be approved.

(Strategic Director of Services / Service Director of Finance & Section 151 Officer)

The Service Director Governance and Legal Services & Monitoring Officer presented a report which requested that Council appoint a Vice Chair of the Local Growth Scrutiny Committee.

The report explained that following changes to the membership of the Scrutiny Committees made at the Extraordinary Meeting of Council on 5^th September 2023 (Minute CL38-23/24 refers) there was now a vacancy for the Vice Chair of the Local Growth Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Steve Fritchley nominated Councillor Mark Hinman.  This was seconded by Councillor Chris Kane.

Councillor Carol Wood nominated Councillor Will Fletcher.  This was seconded by Councillor Ross Walker.

The two nominations were put to the vote.

RESOLVED that Councillor Mark Hinman be appointed as Vice Chair of the Local Growth Scrutiny Committee.

(Service Director Governance and Legal Services & Monitoring Officer)

The Chair had no closing remarks.