Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 October 2022.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2022 be approved as a correct record.

That the report be noted.

The Chief Executive updated on Walleys Quarry.

The report outlined the complaints data to both the council and the Environment Agency. In October there had been an increased number of complaints to the council. The complaint data usually mirrored the data from the four Air Quality Monitoring Stations used to monitor the percentage of exceedances above the World Health Organisation’s nuisance levels. The data from the monitoring stations did not show any corresponding rise in exceedance levels with the latest data showing levels below 1.0% except for Galingale View which showed 1.5%. The data from the Monitoring Stations would continue to be monitored.

The capping across the site was now mostly complete with around 80% of the surface being either permanently or temporarily capped.

The council continued to deploy the Jerome air monitoring equipment in households. The data was included in the report. It showed some exceedances of the annoyance threshold but not the levels for health. The council had purchased 2 cabinets so that a Jerome monitor could be used at the same property both inside and outside to monitor levels.

The Environment Agency was providing weekly updates on regulatory activity at the site.

The Sub Group of the Strategic Co-ordination Group had met on 4 November and had included the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Council Leaders, representatives of the Police and Fire Authority and the Environment Agency.

Members asked whether the increase in complaints to the council had arisen due to one specific event or whether it was a series of events. This would be confirmed outside the meeting.

Resolved: that the report be noted.

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That delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director – Growth and Development to award a contract for Quantity Surveyor services on successful completion of a further competition under the PAGABO Professional Services framework informing the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth of the outcome.

Cabinet considered a report on work undertaken to identify quantity surveying services for a number of upcoming capital works/development projects including the demolition of an existing shopping arcade and construction of a new mixed use development in the town centre; demolition of the Midway car park and construction of a new mixed use development; new industrial units at both Parkhouse Industrial Estate and Chatterley Valley and the development of a new Centre for Circus.

Resolved: that delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director – Growth and Development to award a contract for Quantity Surveyor services on successful completion of a further competition under the PAGABO Professional Services framework informing the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth of the outcome.

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That:

1.         The recommendation that Christmas Car Parking charges will be free on the Midway as noted within the report be approved.

2.         Car Parking will be free on Sundays on Borough owned Car Parks.

3.         The continuation of the £1 from 1pm on all Borough owned Car Parks be noted.

4.         Free parking at the Midway be approved for late night shopping.

5.         Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director – Development & Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth to implement these charges.

Cabinet considered a report on proposals for Christmas car parking across Borough owned car parks. The proposals were that the scheme would commence on 18 November 2022 and end on 6 January 2023. This would ensure the car parking arrangements would cover the Castle Artisan Markets and Festive events being run in conjunction with the Newcastle Business Improvement District.

Resolved: that:

1.         The recommendation that Christmas Car Parking charges will be free on the Midway as noted within the report be approved.

2.         Car Parking will be free on Sundays on Borough owned Car Parks.

3.         The continuation of the £1 from 1pm on all Borough owned Car Parks be noted.

4.         Free parking at the Midway be approved for late night shopping.

5.         Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director – Development & Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth to implement these charges.

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That;

1.         The Cemetery and Cremations Regulations be approved and the Executive Director - Commercial Development & Economic Growth be authorised in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling to make minor amendments as necessary.

2.         The principal to extend the burial area of Bradwell crematorium into the open space off Chatterley Drive be approved, retaining public access to an area to be planted with trees contributing to the Council’s carbon capture.

3.         The principal of external consultants developing a new scheme layout be approved and that the Executive Director - Commercial Development & Economic Growth be authorised in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling to agree the plans to submit a planning application.

Cabinet considered a report on progress with allocating additional space for the burial of cremated remains for families wishing to remain in Bradwell. The proposals would include an area of tree planting to enable carbon capture and employment of external consultants to design the burial area. The report also considered the new Cemetery and Crematorium Regulations which had been updated.

Resolved: that;

1.         The Cemetery and Cremations Regulations be approved and the Executive Director - Commercial Development & Economic Growth be authorised in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling to make minor amendments as necessary.

2.         The principal to extend the burial area of Bradwell crematorium into the open space off Chatterley Drive be approved, retaining public access to an area to be planted with trees contributing to the Council’s carbon capture.

3.         The principal of external consultants developing a new scheme layout be approved and that the Executive Director - Commercial Development & Economic Growth be authorised in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling to agree the plans to submit a planning application.

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That the contents of the attached report and Appendices A and B be noted and Cabinet will continue to monitor and challenge the Council’s performance alongside its financial performance for the same period.

Cabinet considered the financial positon for Quarter Two and the regular performance review report for the same quarter – July – September 2022/23.

At the end of the second quarter the general fund budget showed an adverse variance of £0.105m but a balanced position was forecast at the close of the financial year.

The performance report showed performance against the previous indicators but the Quarter Three performance report would use the new indicators based on the adopted Council Plan 2022 – 26.

Resolved: that the contents of the attached report and Appendices A and B be noted and Cabinet will continue to monitor and challenge the Council’s performance alongside its financial performance for the same period.

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That the Forward Plan be received.

Cabinet considered the Forward Plan listing upcoming key decision to be made by Cabinet.

Resolved: that the Forward Plan be received.

There was no Urgent Business.