Here's a summary of the Newark and Sherwood District Council Cabinet meeting:

The Cabinet approved a new digital strategy, endorsed a Housing Community Centre Policy, and agreed to transfer land for new housing. They also reviewed financial performance, community plan progress, and housing compliance, as well as discussing biodiversity net gain.

• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Habitat Banks The Cabinet discussed the progression of BNG Habitat Banks for Newark & Sherwood District Council, a key decision regarding the use of council-owned land for biodiversity net gain¹ (BNG). The Cabinet agreed to progress four sites to generate BNG biodiversity units. These units will first be used for the council's own planning application BNG obligations, then for council-supported projects, and finally, if there is unit capacity, for sale to other third-party developments. A revenue budget of up to £25,000 was approved for 2025/26 and a further £45,000 for 2026/27, to be funded from the Change Management Reserve. The Director of Planning & Growth was granted delegated authority, in consultation with Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance & Finance, and Councillor Simon Forde, Portfolio Holder for Climate and the Environment, to enter into legal arrangements to secure the BNG Habitat Banks via the Government's Biodiversity Gain Site Register. The Cabinet agreed that a report would be brought back to them prior to the council selling BNG units in order to set appropriate BNG unit fees. The proposed sites are:

  • Mill Field, Moor Lane, South Clifton
  • Woodland, South of New Lane, Blidworth
  • Land off Newark Road, Wellow
  • Land south and north of Corkhill Lane, Normanton

• Digital Strategy 2025-2028 The Cabinet approved the Digital Strategy 2025-2028, following a review by the Members Digital Strategy Working Group and stakeholder surveys. The strategy aims to create seamless, smart and inclusive services and to empower communities through connected, customer-first digital innovation. The strategy outlines commitments for the next three years to:

  • Improve service delivery
  • Produce strong results with digital, data, and technology (DDaT)
  • Strengthen day-to-day operations
  • Prepare for local government reorganisation
  • Continue with a no customer left behind ethos

  The strategy sets out the council's digital design principles:

  • Agility and Innovation
  • Interoperability
  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Security and Privacy
  • User-Centric Design
  • Cloud First
  • Openness and Collaboration
  • Sustainability

  The strategy also outlines the role of Digital Champions, and the Digital Transformation Board.

• Housing Revenue Account (HRA) - Housing Community Centre Policy The Cabinet endorsed the Housing Community Centre Policy and noted that no charges will be levied for the use of HRA Community Centres. The council has 29 community centres within the Housing Revenue Portfolio, located across the district either within or adjacent to areas of housing for older people. The policy aims to ensure all community centres are well-managed, maintained, easily accessible and remain well used by local neighbourhoods. The policy aligns with the Council's Community Plan Ambition 7: Be a top performing, modern, accessible Council that get its everyday services right for the residents and businesses that it serves . The Cabinet noted that business rates charges had been removed across all HRA community centres, following a more detailed description being provided to the valuation office regarding their function and value they added within the locality, and the fact that no charge would be levied for the use of the facility.

• Projected General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital Outturn Report The Cabinet reviewed the projected financial performance for the 2025/26 financial year. They noted a General Fund projected favourable outturn variance of £0.303m, and a Housing Revenue Account projected unfavourable outturn variance of £0.409m to the Major Repairs Reserve. The Cabinet approved variations to the Capital Programme and the revised budget and financing of £55.240m, and noted the Prudential indicators². A projected unfavourable variance of £0.395m is currently being projected on service budgets managed by business managers, representing 1.88% of the total service budgets. A variance analysis is detailed in the 09.09.25 - Budget Monitoring as at 30 Jun 25 - Appendix A document. The main reasons for the £0.355m unfavourable variance on services are detailed in the 09.09.25 - Budget Monitoring as at 30 Jun 25 - Appendix B document. The additions and amendments that now require approval are detailed in the 09.09.25 - Budget Monitoring as at 30 Jun 25 - Appendix C document. A more detailed breakdown at scheme level, including some comments on projects progress, can be found at 09.09.25 - Budget Monitoring as at 30 Jun 25 - Appendix D (General Fund) and 09.09.25 - Budget Monitoring as at 30 Jun 25 - Appendix E (Housing Revenue Account). The summary of the prudential indicators can be found at 09.09.25 - Budget Monitoring as at 30 Jun 25 - Appendix F.

• Community Plan Performance for Quarter One - 2025/26 The Cabinet reviewed the Community Plan Performance Report and the compliance report for Quarter One of 2025/26, attached as 09.09.25 - Q1 Community Plan Performance Report - Appendix 1 and 09.09.25 - Q1 Community Plan Performance Report - Appendix 2 - Compliance Report respectively. The report highlighted performance against the council's objectives, noting areas of high performance and identifying areas for improvement. The report noted that the council welcomed 456,351 unique website users, nearly four times the target of 118,750, and that 5,161 residents subscribed to e-newsletters, outperforming the target by 6.3%. The report also noted that the RIBA³ Plan of Work for the Ollerton Town Centre regeneration project had completed RIBA Stage 2 – Concept Design this quarter, which focused on developing initial design ideas based on the project brief, exploring various design options, and creating visual representations of the project's potential. Councillor Paul Peacock is quoted in the report regarding the Clipstone regeneration scheme: "The new energy-efficient office and workshop spaces will bring huge economic benefits – from providing modern facilities to attract businesses, to increasing the opportunities for employment and skills for local people, while also sustaining the overall character and appearance of the area, which is the setting of landmark nearby listed buildings. The units have already received lots of interest, and we have received several enquiries about renting these, which just goes to show how in demand modern business spaces such as these are for the community. The report noted that the number of positive outcomes resulting from CCTV intervention was 52, and that 97.5% of fly tipping incidents were removed within 72 hours. The report also noted that the eco-friendly artistic canopy display above Newark Market Place had returned, which aims to spread a positive message about biodiversity and the environment which is why it features an array of handcrafted and recyclable artwork. Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development, is quoted in the report: We're lucky in Newark to have a marketplace that can really benefit from installations like this to make the area look even more bright and welcoming. We hope to have the same impact again this year and we encourage visitors to come and see the art and other events happening for themselves. You can also explore our beautiful town centre by visiting our wonderful independent shops and have lunch in one of our fantastic pubs, cafes or restaurants. The report noted that the council had received six prestigious Green Flag Awards⁴, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. Councillor Simon Forde is quoted in the report: It's obviously fantastic news that we have received six Green Flag awards this year for our Parks and Green Spaces – a record high for the District Council! We know since covid that residents increasingly value parks and green spaces. And, with summer holidays approaching, it is also great news that families and youngsters have places to play and let off some energy. The Green Flag scheme shows how we as a council are investing in residents' priorities with high-quality, welcoming outdoor environments. I'm delighted to see the dedication of everyone involved in caring for these spaces being recognised, from our Park Rangers and Street Scene teams to our Corporate Property staff, site managers, and the incredible Friends groups and volunteers. Their collective efforts are what make achievements like this possible. The full list of Green Flag Award-winning sites in the district now includes:

  • Sherwood Heath
  • Vicar Water Country Park
  • Newark Castle Gardens
  • Sconce and Devon Park
  • Queen Elizabeth Memorial Gardens
  • Sherwood Avenue Park (new for 2025)
  • Newark Cemetery (Newark Town Council)

• Quarter 1 2025/26 - Housing Compliance Assurance Report The Cabinet noted the Housing Compliance Assurance Report for Quarter 1 2025/26, including exceptions to performance, interim arrangements for monitoring damp and mould ahead of Awaab's Law⁵ introduction, and ongoing actions to improve and maintain performance. The report noted that gas servicing was 99.67% compliant, with 16 properties without a current gas safety certificate, and that new processes had been introduced, involving close collaboration with the contractor, tenancy officers, and the legal team to further reduce instances of no-access. The report also noted that the fire safety checks programme was on track, with 82 FRAs completed as of the end of June 2025, and that fire actions were being reviewed and completed weekly. The report stated that the plan to deliver Fire Door Inspections and remedial works will be completed by mid-July, and that the Asbestos Surveyor has completed a full compliance review. The report also noted that a pilot programme will begin in mid-September 2025 to undertake Domestic Legionella Risk Assessments and associated actions alongside the Gas Service. The report stated that a full review has taken place for Stairlifts, and hoists and we are now showing an improvement in compliance with only one outstanding where tenants are in hospital, and that there are 20 properties without a valid EICR certificate (less than five years old). The report also stated that a full review has been conducted for Solid Fuel & Oil Servicing, and that where compliance cannot be demonstrated, retesting is being arranged.

• Land Transfer, Bowbridge Road - General Fund to Housing Revenue Account The Cabinet approved the appropriation of land at Bowbridge Road, Newark from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) at the current value of £326,400. This includes a Capital Financing Requirement (CFR) adjustment of £224,976 and a Capital Receipt transfer of £101,424. This will enable the construction of HRA properties to support local housing needs and meet the Council’s business plan objectives. The plan is to build five adapted bungalows on the site.

• Annual Review of Exempt Items The Cabinet noted the report on the Annual Review of Exempt Items and agreed to keep the information confidential.