The Bassetlaw District Council was scheduled to discuss a number of topics at its meeting on 18 September 2025, including motions regarding support for veterans and renters' rights, updates to the council's constitution, and neighbourhood planning in Babworth and Elkesley. Councillors were also expected to answer questions from the public and fellow members.

Public Questions on Housing

Two members of the public, Ron Fellowes and Michael Howarth, had submitted questions regarding houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Ron Fellowes' questions concerned the number of migrants in HMOs within the Bassetlaw constituency, and section 21 evictions related to changing properties to HMOs. Michael Howarth asked about current or planned HMOs in Harworth and Bircotes, and who would be responsible for paying the rent and bills for these HMOs.

Member Questions on Climate Change and HMOs

Councillor Fraser McFarland, Leader of the Reform UK Group, planned to ask whether Bassetlaw District Council had received any money or financial benefit connected to Serco's use of HMOs in Bassetlaw. Councillor M Carroll was scheduled to ask the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods to detail the successes of the Climate Change team.

Motion to Support the Royal British Legion's 'Credit Their Service' Campaign

Councillor Fraser McFarland, Leader of the Reform UK Group, seconded by Councillor Warren Limber, proposed a motion to support the Royal British Legion's 'Credit Their Service' campaign. The motion noted that Bassetlaw is home to 4,924 veterans, the third highest number in Nottinghamshire, representing approximately 5.1% of the adult population, according to the 2021 census. The motion also highlighted that military compensation is treated as income by means tested benefit systems, disadvantaging veterans and their families.

The council was scheduled to consider resolving to:

• Express formal support for the Royal British Legion's Credit Their Service campaign
• Commit the Council to implementing the first phase of the campaign by exploring amendments to relevant local policies and means testing and inform the Legion of our policy change where we are able to.
• Write to the Veteran's Minister, urging a change in national regulations so that military compensation is universally not treated as income in benefit assessments.
• Report progress back to Council in February 2026 as part of the annual review of the Council Tax Reduction scheme ensuring this has been considered within the overall context of the Council's overall budget setting process

Motion on Renter's Rights

Councillor Harriet J Digby, seconded by Councillor Sybil Fielding, planned to propose a motion on Renter's Rights, noting that section 21 notices under the Housing Act 1988 enable landlords to evict tenants without proof of fault. The motion stated that Bassetlaw District Council is proud that this Labour government is on the side of renters and is taking the necessary action to pass the Renters' Rights Bill to abolish section 21 Notices. The council was scheduled to consider committing to looking at how, once the Bill is in law, the Council can help inform Bassetlaw tenants about their rights and what they can do in the face of unscrupulous landlords.

Referrals to Council

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee's draft annual report for 2024/25 was scheduled for referral to the council, summarising the work undertaken by the committee. Also referred was a Joint Employee Council report on a Smoke Free Environment Policy update, proposing a designated smoking area within the Carlton Forest compound. A Cabinet decision regarding a Food Safety Enforcement Delivery Plan was also scheduled to be referred, along with a Cabinet report updating the Sick Absence Policy and Procedure.

Revised Special Leave Policy

The council was scheduled to review a revised Special Leave Policy. The key revisions to the policy included:

• Removal of the 1-year service requirement for parental leave
• Provision of 5 days of paid carers leave within a 12-month rolling period
• Bereavement Leave: a maximum of two weeks of paid leave, plus one day for the funeral
• Inclusion of Parental Bereavement Leave (PBL): two weeks of paid leave, over and above the statutory provision of PBL
• Removal of paid 'compassionate leave' as this is covered by the Carers Leave provision.

Constitution Updates

The council was scheduled to discuss several updates and amendments to its constitution. These included:

• Moving the Housing Liaison Group to a Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee.
• Changes to reflect that the Council now operates all out elections rather than elections in thirds.
• Amendments to the Policy Framework to reflect the current names of Policies that are referred to Council and others that must be considered by Council due to statutory requirements.
• Amendments to the Cabinet Section to provide clarity for the arrangement the review of Local Government Reorganisation proposals.
• Additions to each section to reflect the membership and quorum.
• Creation of an Independent Persons Panel to ensure compliance with the JNC Chief Executive Conditions of Service Handbook for the Investigation and Disciplinary Committee (IDC).
• Changing the job title from Head of People and Culture to Head of People and Transformation.
• Giving clarity that the Head of Paid Service can issue a Closure Notice for up to 48hrs as set out in Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
• Adding the Deputy Chief Executive duties to Director of Corporate Resources and Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhood Services.
• Removing the option for the Section 151 Officer to represent the Council as a Shareholder in any companies which the Council has a shareholder interest.
• Splitting the duties of the Head of Corporate Services post, which has been deleted, between the 2 new interim posts of Head of Legal and Governance and Head of Policy and Engagement.
• Ensuring that the scheme of delegation is centralised to ensure transparent decision making, and that the powers under the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 can also be utilised by the Directors.
• Updating ICT functions to sit with the Head of People and Transformation, and extending the scope of the delegations to Head of Planning and Place to include the Trent Super Cluster.

Member Allowance Rates 2025-26

The council was scheduled to discuss a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel regarding member allowance rates for 2025-26. The panel's recommendation was for a 3.2% uplift to the Basic Allowance paid to all elected members, and for Special Responsibility Allowances to be re-calculated in line with an agreed formula. The Panel recommended that the changes to Basic and Special Responsibility Allowance are backdated to 15 May 2025 (commencement of the new civic year).

Neighbourhood Planning: Babworth and Elkesley

The council was scheduled to discuss reports regarding neighbourhood planning in Babworth and Elkesley. These reports sought Council approval to make specified material modifications to the Babworth and Elkesley Neighbourhood Development Plans, as recommended by an independent examiner. They also sought approval to arrange a public referendum to determine whether the Neighbourhood Plans, once modified, should be formally adopted by the District Council.