Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors’ Kearon and Williams.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved:               That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 March, 2015 be agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Naylon had submitted a question to the Cabinet regarding the renovation of the Nelson Place Roundabout and the possible erection of a permanent structure along with a more sustainable planting scheme.

The question was to enquire as to the possibility of a number of designs and materials being offered for people to vote upon.

The Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling – Councillor Beech responded.  The renovation of the roundabout would be a better scheme than the usual exhibits which are placed there.

The Realise Foundation were commissioning a fish sculpture, along with PM Training and feedback had been good.

A number of local companies had pledged funding and the Borough Council would be planting more perennial plants rather than annuals.   

The Cabinet was informed that the sculptor was in the process of constructing the fish in readiness for July, therefore there would not be enough time for further consultation.

 Councillor Beech added that it was a lovely project and thanked all who had been involved in the process.  Councillor Beech confirmed that she would write a letter offering thanks.

Councillor Naylon had requested a full written response to her question and Councillor Beech agreed to forward her response to Councillor Naylon.

Resolved:              (i)       That the information be received.

                               (ii)       That a letter of thanks be sent to PM Training

                                          (iii)      That Councillor Naylon receive a full written

response.

(i)             That the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for

town centres, currently the Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, Business and Assets be the nominated person to represent the Council on the Newcastle Town Centre Partnership.

(ii)      That Councillor Bates be the nominated person to represent the Council on the Kidsgrove Town Centre Partnership until such time as she retires.  Upon Councillor Bates’ retirement, the nominated person to revert to the Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, Business and Assets.

A report was submitted seeking Cabinet approval for a nominee to represent the Council on the Newcastle Town Centre Partnership and also the Kidsgrove Town Centre Partnership.

Councillor Bates was currently the nominee for the Kidsgrove Town Centre Partnership and wished to continue.  Therefore the recommendation, as set out in the agenda, was revised to reflect this.

Resolved:              (i)       That the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for

town centres, currently the Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, Business and Assets be the nominated person to represent the Council on the Newcastle Town Centre Partnership.

(ii)       That Councillor Bates be the nominated person to represent the Council on the Kidsgrove Town Centre Partnership until such time as she may resign the role.  At such a time, the nominated person will revert to the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for town centres.

(i)             That the Executive Director for Regeneration and

Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, Business and Assets (nominated as the Council’s representative), be authorised to vote in favour of the Business Improvement District.

(ii)            That the Council becomes a member of the

Newcastle Business Improvement District Company, with the Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, Business and Assets nominated as the Council’s representative.

A report was submitted for Cabinet to consider the business case for the establishment of a Newcastle Business Improvement District (BID) for the Town Centre.

A ballot for the establishment of a BID would be held between 17 June and 16 July, 2015.

Resolved:               (i)       That the Executive Director for Regeneration and

Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, Business and Assets (nominated as the Council’s representative), be authorised to vote in favour of the Business Improvement District.

(ii)       That the Council becomes a member of the

Newcastle Business Improvement District Company, with the Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, Business and Assets nominated as the Council’s representative.

(i)             That the Newcastle-under-Lyme Playing Pitch

Strategy 2015-2020 (PPS), which will be the basis for making strategic decisions on future playing pitch provision and associated facilities across the Borough, be approved.

(ii)            That public consultation be carried out on any

surplus sites arising from the Strategy, that are subsequently not required to meet Greenspace requirements, in accordance with the agreed consultation process set out in the Council’s Asset Management Plan.

(iii)      That a review of the PPS be carried out by the Steering Group on an annual basis with any significant changes being reported to Cabinet, to ensure that identified local priorities continue to be achieved.

(iv)     That any future arrangements that the Council enters into with Partners will always protect the Council’s interests.

A report was submitted to seek Cabinet approval for the adoption of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Playing Pitch Strategy 2015-2020.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Localism thanked the members of the Steering Group and officers for the hard work which had gone into the preparation of the Strategy which was a key document for keeping residents fit and active.

Resolved:              (i)       That the Newcastle-under-Lyme Playing Pitch

Strategy 2015-2020 (PPS), which will be the basis for making strategic decisions on future playing pitch provision and associated facilities across the Borough, be approved.

(ii)       That public consultation be carried out on any

surplus sites arising from the Strategy, that are subsequently not required to meet Greenspace requirements, in accordance with the agreed consultation process set out in the Council’s Asset Management Plan.

(iii)        That a review of the PPS be carried out by the Steering Group on an annual basis with any significant changes being reported to Cabinet, to ensure that identified local priorities continue to be achieved.

(iv)      That any future arrangements that the Council enters into with Partners will always protect the Council’s interests.

Please note that appendices 1 and 3 will be published on the website and will be available in the Members Room.

That it be commended to Council to adopt the submitted

Newcastle-under- Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent Statement of Community Involvement.

A report was submitted for Cabinet to consider the Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for adoption.

The SCI had been considered by the Planning Committee on 3 June, 2015 and had been accepted.

A request was made for a possible condensed version of the document.  The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing agreed that this would be useful.  It was also confirmed that a copy would be posted onto the Council’s Website.

Resolved:               That it be commended to Council to adopt the submitted

Newcastle-under- Lyme and Stoke-on Trent Statement of Community Involvement.

There was no Urgent Business.

Councillor attendance at Cabinet meetings:

(1)  The Chair or spokesperson of the Council’s scrutiny committees and the mover of any motion referred to Cabinet shall be entitled to attend any formal public meeting of Cabinet to speak.

(2)  Other persons including non-executive members of the Council may speak at such meetings with the permission of the Chair of the Cabinet.

Public attendance at Cabinet meetings:

(1)  If a member of the public wishes to ask a question(s) at a meeting of Cabinet, they should serve two clear days’ notice in writing of any such question(s) to the appropriate committee officer.

(2)  The Council Leader as Chair of Cabinet is given the discretion to waive the above deadline and assess the permissibility if the question(s). The Chair’s decision will be final.

(3)  The maximum limit is three public questions at any one Cabinet meeting.

(4)  A maximum limit of three minutes is provided for each person to ask an initial question or make an initial statement to the Cabinet.

(5)  Any questions deemed to be repetitious or vexatious will be disallowed at the discretion of the Chair.