Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Derek Adams, Jane Bryson, Tracey Cannon, David Downes, Donna Hales, Natalie Hoy and Chris Kane.

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 urgent additional items to be considered

c)  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.

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

A minutes silence was held in respect of ex Councillor Ken Walker who had recently passed away.

Councillor Peter Roberts entered the meeting.

The Chair thanked officers for how they had dealt with Operation London Bridge following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, as they had ensured that the Council fulfilled all its duties and obligations to the highest standard.

The Executive Director of Resources also thanked Councillor Tom Munro for all he did during the period of mourning and the events he attended within the community.  He was then presented with a framed copy of the proclamation.

Councillor Jenny Wilson entered the meeting.

The Chair congratulated Councillor Rita Turner on her recent appointment as Honorary President of the Bolsover Brass Band Festival. 

To approve the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 10^th August 2022

Moved by Councillor Graham Parkin and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED that the Minutes of a Council meeting held on 10^th August 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Council considered a report presented by the Portfolio Holder for Licensing and Environmental Health, Councillor Deborah Watson, relating to the draft Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles.

In 2018 an extensive review was undertaken to ensure that the Council’s Policy was consistent with the Gambling Commission’s Guidance to Licensing Authorities. The Policy, together with a Local Area Profile was published in 2019.  The Act requires the Council to republish its policy every three years.

Members felt that more needed to be done to help prevent gambling addictions and it was requested that this be discussed further at a future General Licensing Committee meeting.

Moved by Councillor Deborah Watson and seconded by Councillor Ray Heffer.

RESOLVED that (1) that the final draft Gambling Act 2005: Statement of Principles and Local Area Profile, be adopted and to take effect on 14^th November 2022,

(2) the Joint Assistant Director – Environmental Health, to follow the formal process to adopt the final draft Gambling Act 2005: Statement of Principles and Local Area Profile.

(Joint Assistant Director – Environmental Health)

Council considered a detailed report presented by the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Sandra Peake, relating to the purchase of Section 106 houses from Meadow View Homes Limited.

The report detailed the proposal to purchase 6 section 106 properties following on from the Executive meeting held on the 5^th September 2022 where it was resolved to purchase the properties subject to Council approval of the budget from the HRA.

The valuation report and financial viability was attached at appendices 1 and 2 to the report respectively.

Members noted that there was a significant need to increase the Council’s housing stock to ensure that local housing needs were met.

A query was raised in relation to the standard of fittings which were expected to be of a lower quality than those properties that would be put on the market. The Executive Director of Strategy and Development confirmed that the properties would have to be at a certain standard before they would be accepted by the Council and would be in line with the rest of the housing stock.

A further query was raised as to whether, given the current economic climate, now was the right time to purchase properties.  The Executive Director of Strategy and Development advised that no one could say what would happen with the housing market over the next few months or years but it was clear that there was a need for affordable housing in the local area.

Moved by Councillor Sandra Peake and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED that the purchase of 6 properties at Glapwell Nurseries, Glapwell from Meadow View Homes Limited, for £696,000 subject to SDLT and 10% contingency, to include fees to the Capital Programme utilising HRA borrowing to finance the purchase, be approved.

Councillors Allan Bailey, Tricia Clough, Peter Roberts and Ross Walker voted against the motion.

Councillor Tom Kirkham abstained from voting. 

Council considered a detailed report presented by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance, Councillor Duncan McGregor, relating to a review of the Council’s Constitution.

The report outlined two proposed changes to the Constitution which were approved by the Standards Committee on 22^nd August 2022.

The first amendment was to part 4.8 - The Council’s Contract Procurement Rules and the second was an amendment to Officer Delegation in relation to rights of way.

Moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Clive Moesby

RESOLVED that the amendments to the Constitution as detailed in the report be approved.

To move:- 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following items of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).  [The category of exempt information is stated below each item].

Moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Steve Fritchley

RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the stated Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and it is not in the public interest for that to be revealed. [The category of exempt information is stated after each Minute].

The Assistant Director and Monitoring Officer presented Members with a request for a dispensation for a Councillor.

The Monitoring Officer had previously exercised his delegated power to offer a temporary dispensation to the Councillor but Council was now asked to consider the submitted application.

Members agreed to the dispensation for the Councillor.

Moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Deborah Watson

RESOLVED that the Councillor dispensation be granted.

The Leader of the Council provided an update on the current situation regarding Woodhead Construction.

The Executive Director of Strategy & Development advised Members that the Council had swiftly implemented security measures at several sites and Site Managers and Quantity Surveyors had been temporarily employed by the Council in order to ensure that current and future development projects continued.

Councillor Sandra Peake congratulated the Leader of the Council and officers on dealing with the situation quickly to ensure that house building schemes remained on track and sub-contractors remained in employment.

Further to several queries raised by Members, the Executive Director of Strategy and Development reassured Members that operationally nothing had been adversely affected and business continuity had been maintained.

The Chair commented that he was fully supportive of the actions taken by the leadership and advised Members that updates would be provided at a future Council meeting. 

Councillor Tricia Clough requested that a written report be provided to Members giving details of progress to date. 

RESOLVED that the update be noted

 (Executive Director of Strategy & Development)

The Chair thanked Members for their attendance and closed the meeting.