Here's a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Ashfield District Council meeting on 29 September 2025. The meeting was scheduled to cover financial updates, consideration of two motions regarding Whyburn Farm and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), and a review of recently published minutes.

Protection of Whyburn Farm

Councillor Lee Waters, seconded by Councillor Dave Shaw, proposed a motion concerning the future of Whyburn Farm. The motion recognised the community's desire to preserve and enhance the land as a Countryside Park, rather than see it developed. It also acknowledged the support of the Labour Member of Parliament for Sherwood Forest for the Country Park designation.

The motion requested that the council:

• Write to the Member of Parliament for Sherwood Forest, asking her to secure government funding and a long-term commitment to create a Country Park at Whyburn Farm.
• Write to the Secretary of State and the relevant Government Minister requesting the necessary funding and long-term protections to deliver the project.

The motion stated that the council stands firmly with Hucknall residents in their aspiration to see Whyburn Farm preserved as a Countryside Park, and calls on the Labour Government and the local Member of Parliament to act on their commitments and deliver this for the community.

Article 4 Direction for Houses in Multiple Occupation

Councillor Cathy Mason, seconded by Councillor Dawn Justice, proposed a motion to introduce an Article 4 Direction to manage the growth of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The motion noted that Ashfield is experiencing a sharp increase in HMOs, particularly small HMOs falling within Use Class C4¹. It stated that concentrations of HMOs can lead to issues such as parking problems, increased waste, noise, crime, anti-social behaviour, and a negative impact on community cohesion. The motion also raised concerns about the government placing asylum seekers in HMOs, often leased by organisations like Serco at above-market rents.

The council was asked to resolve to:

1. Instruct the Director of Regeneration & Neighbourhoods and the Planning Policy Team to begin the process of introducing an Article 4 Direction under Article 4(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (GPDO)², to remove permitted development rights for changes of use from Class C3³ to Class C4 in Ashfield where evidence demonstrates significant growth or concentration of HMOs.
2. Request that officers:

*   Prepare an evidence base to justify the Article 4 Direction.
*   Draft the proposed Article 4 Direction (whether non-immediate or immediate, as legally appropriate).
*   Undertake the statutory consultation and publicity required under Schedule 3 of the GPDO.

1. Require that officers report back to Cabinet and Full Council within three months with detailed recommendations and a draft Article 4 Direction for formal consideration and adoption.
2. Ensure that any future planning applications for HMOs are determined in accordance with an updated local planning policy framework or supplementary planning document, securing high standards of design, amenity, and management.

The motion referenced the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and the Housing Act 2004.

2025/26 Forecast Outturn for General Fund, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Programme as at July 2025

Cabinet was asked to recommend to Council the amendments and the addition of new schemes to the Capital Programme 2025/26 to 2029/30 and the funding of the Capital Programme, as detailed in the Cabinet report.

The report summarised the council's forecast financial outturn to 31 March 2026, compared to the latest approved budgets for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and the Capital Programme. The forecast financial outturn was based on the actual financial activity to 31 July 2025 and forecast costs and income from 01 August 2025 to 31 March 2026.

The current General Fund forecast was reported to be in line with the budget in overall terms.

The main variances were due to:

• Transformation: Agency staff supporting Finance and IT projects, IT licences and additional Communications and Marketing costs in relation to Council events.
• Capital financing and net interest projecting an underspend due to higher than expected interest receivable on investments and due to reduced and delayed borrowing for capital schemes due to slippage on capital expenditure.

The current forecast outturn showed the reduced level of financing required from the HRA for the major repair element of the capital programme for 2025/26. Capital expenditure funded by the HRA was forecast lower than budget due to the re-profiled expenditure estimates on the new build expenditure.

Key changes from the previously approved programme included:

• Deletion of LUF⁴ funded projects at Hucknall, following discontinuation of the funding (£9.281m).
• Titchfield Park (Kirkby) spend was approved within the Regeneration Update report to Cabinet on 09 June 2025, but this had not been factored into the programme when previously approved.
• Approval for £40k for repairs to Wigwam Lane bridge which were required urgently over the summer.
• Provision of up to £1m from the Leisure Reserve, to fund proposed leisure facilities at Selston.
• Proposed addition of a contingency of up to £2m to be used where projects need to be undertaken urgently.
• HRA addition of the proposed development at Southwell Lane.
• Re-phasing of HRA projects for new build at Hardwick Lane and Fairhaven to reflect the expected spend profile, as well as the carry forward of Decent Homes funding where works have been delayed following failure of the major contractor.

Minutes of Cabinet and Committee Meetings

The council was scheduled to receive a list of minutes from various Cabinet and committee meetings published since 23 June 2025. These included meetings of the Principal Select Committee, Planning Committee, Charities Committee, Local Government Reorganisation Select Committee, Local Joint Consultative Committee, Standards and Personnel Appeals Committee, Place and Innovation Select Committee, Audit Committee, Cabinet, and Licensing Sub Committee.