The meeting will consider the political composition of the council following two Councillors leaving the Conservative Group, how inheritance tax may affect local farmers, and whether to review the Council's Statement of Gambling Policy.

Inheritance Tax and Local Farmers

Councillor Johno Lee has submitted a motion that describes how recent changes to the inheritance tax system may affect the local farming community. The motion notes the Country Land and Business Association's assessment that 70,000 farms across the UK will be affected by the changes, which cap Agricultural Property Relief at £1 million. Councillor Lee states that:

The resultant changes to the cap could force local farmers to sell portions of their holdings to pay for the inheritance tax burdens.

The motion proposes to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ask that she reconsider the changes to Inheritance Tax.

Political Composition of the Council

The council will consider a report on the allocation of seats on its committees. The report states that Councillors Linda Dales and Rhona Holloway have both left the Conservative group, and will now both sit as Independent councillors.

Statement of Gambling Policy

The council will consider whether to adopt the proposed Statement of Gambling Policy for 2025-2027. The Statement of Gambling Policy describes how the council will exercise its responsibilities under the Gambling Act 2005. The council has previously determined that it will not issue any new casino licences, a position it will continue to hold. The report notes that it received two consultation responses to the draft policy, one from Councillor Karen Roberts, and another from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. The council will consider whether to accept the proposed amendments.

The report pack also contains the minutes from a number of previous meetings.

At the Full Council meeting on 15 October 2024, the council received a question from Councillor Roger Jackson about whether food outlets in Newark were displaying the correct food hygiene ratings. The council also considered a motion about the decision to means test the Winter Fuel Allowance. An amendment to the motion, proposed by Councillor Paul Peacock, was accepted. The motion, as amended, was passed unanimously.

At the Policy and Performance Improvement Committee meeting on 28 October, the council discussed a report on the Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan, and another on the council's tenant engagement methodology.

At the Policy and Performance Improvement Committee meeting on 25 November, the council considered a report on the projected financial outturn for the 2024/25 financial year. It also considered a report on the Newark Towns Fund. The report notes that the YMCA Community and Activity Village had delivered fewer apprenticeships than originally planned because their scholarship programme was not accredited as an apprenticeship scheme.

At the Planning Committee meeting on 3 October 2024, the council granted planning permission for a development of 126 dwellings on land off Mansfield Road in Clipstone, subject to a Section 106 agreement. It also granted planning permission to demolish existing buildings and convert agricultural buildings into three dwellings at Checkers Farm, Priory Road, Thurgarton.

At the Planning Committee meeting on 11 November 2024, the council granted planning permission to convert land at The Old Stable Yard, Winthorpe Road, Newark into a permanent Gypsy/Traveller site. The report notes that the Environment Agency had objected to the development on the grounds of flood risk, but that the site had not flooded during two recent storms. The Committee resolved to grant planning permission for six plots, contrary to the officer's recommendation, and to bring a report to a future meeting setting out the conditions. The council also refused planning permission to change the use of land at Highfields, Gonalston Lane, Epperstone into a dog exercising area because of the potential noise disturbance to neighbours. The decision was taken contrary to the officer's recommendation.