Decisions

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the member development, support and parental leave policy be approved and implemented.

2.   That the member development, support and parental leave policy be reviewed every four years to coincide with the findings of the independent remuneration panel and approval of the members allowance scheme.

3.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Governance to approve minor amendments to the member development, support and parental leave policy in between formal review periods.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

This policy sets out Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to providing support and development opportunities for elected members. Improved support and development can contribute towards increasing the diversity of experience, age, gender and background of the Council’s members. It will also assist with retaining experienced members and making public office more accessible to individuals who might otherwise feel excluded from it.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the commemorations and flag flying policy be approved.

2.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet member for governance to approve minor amendments to the commemorations and flag flying policy in between formal review periods.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

To reconfirm the principles and arrangements for commemoration and flag flying activity delivered or supported by Chesterfield Borough Council and to provide a clear route for additional commemoration and flag flying proposals to be submitted to the Council.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the core advice agency grants to Chesterfield Citizens Advice Bureau, Derbyshire Law Centre, Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre and Links CVS be ceased from the financial year 2026/27.

2.   That a two-year funding settlement be allocated to Chesterfield Citizens Advice Bureau with £72,165 allocated for 2024/25 and £48,110 for 2025/26.

3.   That a two-year funding settlement be allocated to Derbyshire Law Centre with £20,849 allocated for 2024/25 and £20,828 for 2025/26.

4.   That a two-year funding settlement be allocated to Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre with £23,809 allocated for 2024/25 and £15,872 for 2025/26.

5.   That a two-year funding settlement be allocated to Links CVS with £8,001 allocated for 2024/25 and £8,001 for 2025/26.

6.   That future funding opportunities and partnership projects be considered by Chesterfield Borough Council should suitable external funding streams become available or a significant uplift in central government funding be confirmed.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.   To respond to the challenging financial position of the Council and enable delivery of the approved Budget Strategy Implementation Plan.

2.   To facilitate a managed phasing out of funding, which will enable the advice agencies to develop and deliver transition plans which could include service transformation and alternative funding models.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the fees and charges for the Chesterfield Open Markets for 2024-25, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the officer’s report, be approved.

2.   That the agreed fees and charges be implemented from Monday 1 April 2024.

3.   That as part of the planned market reconfiguration project (part of the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield programme) a review of the pricing structure be undertaken, following best practice adopted nationally and ensuring a value for money approach is taken to realise the full income potential of the market, the results of which will be used to inform the pricing structure for the new market configuration.

4.   That authority be delegated to the Service Director for Leisure, Culture and Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Town Centre and Visitor Economy, to apply appropriate negotiated fees for new activities and opportunities that are introduced during the period covered by the report.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.   Supporting the town centre economy is at the heart of our approach and continues to be a key priority for the Council.  It is necessary to sensitively increase stall fees to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the Markets operation in relation to increases being seen in maintenance costs, energy costs and staffing costs.  Prior to the increase in April 2023 there had been no increase in fees and charges since 2016.

2.   As part of the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield programme, the open market is set to benefit from a £1.5 million intervention. It is anticipated that this will help support, strengthen and re-invigorate the town’s markets.

*RESOLVED –

That the Chesterfield Borough Council modern slavery statement be approved for 2024/25.

REASON FOR DECISION

To demonstrate and strengthen our commitment to prevent and reduce the impact of modern slavery.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the Climate Change Delivery Plan, which details the Council’s climate related activities for the financial year 2024/25 be approved for implementation.

2.   That the commitment within the Asset Management Strategy regarding the use of capital receipts - to reinvest capital receipts, secured through the disposals programme, into the land and property estate to fund maintenance, decarbonisation and investment activity be endorsed.

3.   That authority be delegated to the Service Director – Corporate, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and the Environment, to make amendments to the Climate Change Delivery Plan between formal review periods to optimise operational effectiveness.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1.   In July 2019, Chesterfield Borough Council declared a Climate Emergency. As part of the declaration, CBC made a commitment to become a carbon neutral organisation by 2030 and to support the wider borough to become carbon neutral by 2050.

2.   The Council’s initial Climate Change Action Plan (2019-23) is now complete, and the subsequent Climate Change Strategy 2023-2030 and accompanying delivery plans provide a framework for the Council to reach its corporate commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and take steps to support the wider Borough to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 as required by government.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the Council Plan Delivery Plan for 2024/25 be approved.

2.   That authority be delegated to the Service Director – Corporate, in consultation with the Deputy Leader, to make amendments to the delivery plan should risk assessments, and changes to legislation and guidance impact on planned activity and operational effectiveness.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

To provide a clear statement of the delivery milestones and measures required to maintain progress on the Council’s Council Plan 2023-2027.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the asset management strategy delivery plan for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix A of the officer’s report, which aims to move forward delivery of the strategic objectives set out in the Council’s Asset Management Strategy, be approved.

2.   That funding of up to £350,000 be approved to progress the procurement and implementation of a new asset management software system, to be funded through the use of capital receipts.

3.   That funding of up to £300,000 be approved, to be funded over two financial years from the property renewals fund and through the use of bespoke commercial property reserves, to progress a programme of stock condition surveys, net-zero carbon assessments and business cases leading to delivery of a fully funded asset maintenance and decarbonisation programme.

4.   That the capital receipts policy be endorsed, as set out in the Asset Management Strategy - to reinvest capital receipts, secured through the disposals programme, into the land and property estate to fund asset maintenance, decarbonisation and investment activity.

5.   That it be noted that successful delivery of the recommendations set out in this report is dependent upon approval of the proposed reshape of the property and technical services team that is being presented to Joint Cabinet and Employment and General Committee on 19 March 2023.

6.   That authority be delegated to the Service Director – Economic Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, to make amendments to the Asset Management Strategy Delivery Plan during the financial year 2024/25 to optimise operational effectiveness.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

To establish, for 2024/25, a detailed work programme and resources to continue the delivery of the Council’s asset management strategy that sets out the vision, asset management policies and strategic objectives to guide the overall management of the council’s land and property assets, in line with the Council’s overall vision and priorities.