Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Donna Hales, Mark Hinman, Lucy King, Tom Kirkham, Emma Stevenson, Ashley Taylor, Deborah Watson.

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.

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

Councillor Clive Moesby, Portfolio Holder Resources, presented a report which sought approval to create and fund a new position of Senior Accountancy Assistant – HRA and Capital. 

The report explained that the capacity of the finance team had been greatly stretched throughout the early part of the 2023/24 financial year setting up the financial arrangements for the Council’s wholly owned company, Dragonfly.  Due to the extra burdens placed on the finance team, due mainly to the new company, it was necessary to propose an increase in the permanent staff to 7 full-time officers.  A proposed structure, with the new post highlighted, was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

Moved by Councillor Clive Moesby and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED that (1) the creation of a new Senior Accountancy Assistant – HRA and Capital post permanently on the establishment be approved;

(2) the cost of the new Senior Accountancy Assistant – HRA and Capital post, be added to the Medium Term Financial Plan as a General Fund cost.

(Service Director Finance & Section 151 Officer)

The Leader presented a report which sought approval for a budget of £37,000 per annum to be allocated for the Councillor Community Grant Scheme.

The report stated that during 2022/23 a one-off budget had been agreed to enable each Councillor to support their local community groups and organisations for services and activities within their Ward, up to a value of £1,000 for each Councillor.  The grant scheme had been well utilised and numerous local communities had benefited.  Details of the 2022/23 grant scheme was attached to the report at Appendix 1.  Having considered the positive outcomes and impact achieved by the scheme it was proposed to continue with the scheme on an annual basis. 

Moved by Councillor Steve Fritchley and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED that a budget of £37,000 be agreed for the District Councillor Community Grant Scheme, and for this to be added to the Medium Term Financial Plan on an annual basis.

(Service Director Finance & Section 151 Officer)

The Service Director Governance and Legal Services & Monitoring Officer presented a report which set out changes to the membership of a number of scrutiny committees.

The report stated that following the Annual Council on 24^th May 2023, the Council had nominated four Councillors to become directors of the Dragonfly Development Ltd and Dragonfly Management (Bolsover) Ltd.  In addition, the Leader of the Council had appointed five Councillors as Junior Executive Members.  Due to potential conflicts of interest resulting from either being a member of the Dragonfly Board or a Junior Executive Member it was necessary to make changes to the membership of some of the scrutiny committees.

The proposed changes were:

·       Councillor Phil Smith to move from Local Growth Scrutiny Committee to Customer Services Scrutiny Committee

·       Councillor Janet Tait to move from Local Growth Scrutiny Committee to Climate Change and Communities Scrutiny Committee

·       Councillor Jane Yates to move from Customer Services Scrutiny Committee to Local Growth Scrutiny Committee

·       Councillor Jeanne Raspin to move from Climate Change and Communities Scrutiny Committee to Local Growth Scrutiny Committee

The report also set out potential changes to the membership of Councillor Deborah Watson on Local Growth Scrutiny Committee and the position of Vice Chair of Local Growth Scrutiny Committee.  Consideration of both were deferred to the next meeting of Council.

Moved by Councillor Tom Munro and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED that the proposed changes to the membership of the Scrutiny Committee, as set out in the report, be agreed.

(Service Director Governance and Legal Services & Monitoring Officer)