Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor N Rushton.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest, registerable interest or other interest.

There were no interests declared.

There were no questions received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2026

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meetings held on 28 April 2026.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor T Saffell and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 April be approved and signed by the Chair as an accurate record of the proceedings.

Reason for decision: The Cabinet (Executive) Procedure Rules require that the minutes of the previous meeting are considered and confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Executive
Presented by the Infrastructure Portfolio Holder

The report was presented by the Finance and Corporate Portfolio Holder.

Comments from the Community Scrutiny Committee on the report were considered and acknowledged in turn.

Portfolio Holders all provided positive updates from their respective portfolios. 

The report was noted and members were thanked for their comments.

Reason for decision: To make members aware of the progress of the plan.

Report of the Strategic Director of Communities
Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The report was presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder.

Comments from the Community Scrutiny Committee on the report were considered and acknowledged in turn by the Portfolio Holder.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and

RESOLVED THAT:

1) The Scrutiny comments in Annex B be considered.

2) The Action Plan set out in Annex A be approved and adopted.

3) Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing and Communities to make any minor changes to the Action Plan.

4) A progress report into the delivery of the Action Plan in 12 months’ time be noted.

Reason for decision: In line with the Cabinet report of November 2025.

This is a report which affects all wards of the District

Report of the Strategic Director of Place
Presented by the Business and Regeneration Portfolio Holder

The report was presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder.

Comments from the Community Scrutiny Committee on the report were considered and acknowledged in turn by the Portfolio Holder.

The Improvement Programme for Moira Furnace was welcomed, and Moira Furnace described as a ‘hidden jewel in the district’ by a member. Its regeneration was marked as a chance to improve outcomes for people in the district.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and

RESOLVED THAT:

1) The comments and recommendations of the Community Scrutiny Committee on 23 April 2026 be considered.

2) The allocation of £2.455m to the Council’s Capital Programme be recommended to Council.

3) The use of an appropriate procurement framework to commission the professional design team be approved.

4) Authority be delegated to the Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to:

a) Negotiate, agree and finalise the terms of the construction contract within the budget.

b) Complete such other agreements as shall be necessary to implement the project, within the approved budget.

Reason for decision: Cabinet approval required to enable the progression of phase two Moira Furnace Visitor Experience Programme in compliance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and procurement legislation.

The officers consider that the press and public should be excluded during consideration of the following items in accordance with Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 as publicity would be likely to result in disclosure of exempt or confidential information.  Members are reminded that they must have regard to the public interest test and must consider, for each item, whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption from disclosure outweighs the public interest in making the item available.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

In pursuance of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Reason for decision: To enable the consideration of exempt information.

Report of the Strategic Director of Communities

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The report was presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor M Wyatt and

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations in the report be approved.

Reason for decision: Disposal of any land or property with a capital value over £30,000 is reserved to Cabinet.

Report of the Strategic Director of Communities
Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The report was presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor T Saffell and

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations in the report be approved.

Reason for decision: To comply with the constitution of the Council as this acquisition requires Cabinet approval as it is in excess of £100,000.

Report of the Strategic Director of Communities
Presented by the Community and Climate Change Portfolio Holder

The report was presented by Community Services and Climate Change Portfolio Holder

It was moved by Councillor M Wyatt, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations in the report be approved.

Reason for decision: Vehicle price increases have left a shortfall as detailed in the report.

Report of the Head of Finance
Presented by the Finance and Corporate Portfolio Holder

The report was presented by the Finance and Corporate Portfolio Holder.

It was moved by Councillor K Merrie, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendations in the report be approved.

Reason for decision: The level of expenditure on this contract exceeds the authority threshold in the Scheme of Delegation. To ensure the continuity of provision of the bill payment service to the Council.