Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2^nd April 2014.

Resolved:-              That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 April, 2014 be agreed as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

                               Item 5 Asset Management Strategy.

                               add “The Conservative Group understood the requirement to dispose of assets but felt that the figures were grossly overvalued and proof was required that the sites were the correct ones to sell – aiming to sell the brownfield sites first. 

However, the Council’s Executive Director for Regeneration and Development had  stated that there were not any other suitable Brownfield sites available.

Concerns were also raised regarding how the valuations had been reached.  It was confirmed by the Council’s Executive Director for Regeneration and Development that qualified Chartered Surveyors, employed by the Council,  were used to do the valuation”.

Consideration was given to a report on the Asset Management Strategy  and comments which had been received from the public following a consultation.  Members were advised of the proposed sites to be disposed of in two tranche’s with further sites being identified in 2015-18.

Councillor Julie Cooper stated that the Porthill Residents Association had not been consulted on the proposed sale of land at Hillport Avenue.   In addition, the land was unfit for sale as it was prone to flooding and could get full of sewage.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Assets confirmed that notices had been put onto the site regarding the consultation and that local residents and Councillors had been consulted.  There was no awareness of the site flooding.

Resolved:-           (i)          That, (with the exception of the site at Riley’s Way)

the disposal of the tranche 1 sites, subject to first

having secured an outline planning permission for

each parcel of land, be approved.

(ii)         That, the estimated budget required to dispose of the tranche 1 sites be approved.

(iii)        That, officers report back to Cabinet on the outcome of the public consultation and desktop technical evaluation of the Tranche 2 sites so that decisions can be made about the potential for alternative use or development of those sites.

(iv)        That, further to recommendation (iii), Members note for information that it would be necessary to procure specialist consultants to prepare and submit planning applications in respect of the sites at Sandy Lane/Brampton Road, May Bank; Market Drayton Road, Loggerheads and Eccleshall Road, Loggerheads.

(v)         That, a joint meeting of the Scrutiny Committees in relation to Economic Development and Enterprise and Finance, Resources and Partnerships be held in late autumn to consider a draft version of the Asset Management Strategy 2015-18. 

This item was deferred to the next meeting of the Cabinet in July, pending further information.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the redevelopment of Clayton Sports Centre and to obtain resilient partnership arrangements to safeguard its future.

The building is owned by Stone and District Sports Association (SDSA) who do not have the reserves to redevelop the building.  If the SDSA were to fold, the liability for the land and buildings would fall upon the Council.

Funding partners have been found to assist with the project: England and Wales Cricket Board, Stone and District Sports Association, Staffordshire County Cricket Ltd and Sport England.

As a result of the above, priority works were agreed.  These were: The replacement of the sports hall roof and lighting system, upgrading the heating and ventilation system, refurbishment of male and female changing rooms, replacing the cricket nets and costs of professional advisors for the project.

Members felt that this was a worthwhile project and showed the public that the Council was supporting the leisure industry in these hard times.

        Resolved:-              (i)         That, the progress made in securing the future of

                                                          Clayton Sports Centre be noted and the actions below,

                                                          to ensure the necessary building work is completed for

                                                          the indoor cricket season this autumn, be agreed.

(ii)            That the Executive Director for Operational Services, in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Leisure Culture and Localism be authorised to enter into a funding agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

(iii)           That the Executive Director for Regeneration and Development in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Assets be authorised to enter into a contract for the refurbishment works with the preferred contractor subject to:

·                 The preferred contractors tender fee being in

accordance with the available capital budget for

the project.

·                 The risk of claw back for the grant funding from

Sport England and the England and Wales

Cricket Board is mitigated through either a

guarantor or as a condition of the lease.

·                 All funding for the project having been secured

and the conditions of the funding providers being met.

Consideration was given to a report updating Members on the outcome of an investigation into taking forward a development partnership  with Aspire Housing.

The partnership would enable the regeneration of sites in the Borough where there was mutual land ownership.

Resolved:-              (i)       That, joint disposal or development of sites of adjoining

ownership as part of the Asset Management Strategy

delivery process be considered.

(ii)            That, endorses the principles of the recommendations of the GVA report to promote greater collaboration between the Council and Registered Providers such as Aspire Housing be endorsed.

(iii)           That, the provision of affordable housing through its associated Planning Policy guidance continue to be promoted.

The Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration, Business and Town Centres updated the Cabinet on the Economic Development and Enterprise Year 3 Action Plan. 

He thanked the Chair of the Economic Development and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee for the input provided by his Committee and confirmed that this had been taken into account in shaping the Year 3 Action Plan.

Councillor Turner went on to highlight a number of notable achievements made in the last financial year and thanked the officers in the Economic Regeneration Team for all of their efforts.

In particular, he commented that Newcastle Town Centre was slowly beginning to regenerate and the Town Centre Manager had attracted new businesses into the town.

In addition, Kidsgrove had placed a bid for external funding in a national competition and had come second.  The persons responsible should be congratulated for their achievement.  Councillor Turner went on to thank the Kidsgrove Partnership.

Also, he was pleased to report that JCB had moved into the area and could see themselves expanding on that site.

Resolved:-              That the Economic Development Strategy Year 3 Action

Plan be approved and adopted as the basis for the

Council’s work over the next twelve months to promote

the economic development of the Borough and bring new

jobs to the area.

Consideration was given to a report updating the Cabinet on funding received by the Newcastle Partnership from the Police and Crime Commissioner (P&CC) for Staffordshire, Matthew Ellis. 

Newcastle has been working closely with the P&CC and has produced a local Police and Crime Plan which has been used as a template for other authorities.  The Plan sets out priorities which can be delivered through the use of funding provided by the P&CC.  The areas to be covered include general issues, alcohol harm reduction, domestic violence and anti-social behaviour.

Two further streams of funding have been introduced, these being ‘Proceeds of Crime Fund’ and ‘People Power Fund’.

Resolved:-               (i)      That the contents of the report, in particular the

funding received from the Staffordshire P&CC and

the work areas /projects that have been identified

as potentially benefiting from this funding, be noted.

(ii)       That it be agreed to develop the areas referred to in the report through the respective portfolios, in order to both raise awareness of the projects being funded and also to encourage working (where appropriate) across the Council to ensure successful delivery and completion of each of the projects listed.