Agenda and minutes

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved:              That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 June, 2015

                              be agreed as a correct record.

Apologies were received from Councillor Rout

There were no declarations of interest stated.

A report was submitted for the Cabinet to consider issues raised by petitioners in respect of land known as ‘The Butts, Gallowstree Lane’. 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing stated that there were no plans to sell off this piece of land and suggested that the Cabinet’s best option would be to follow option (a) under paragraph 2.1 of the report :–

Continue to allow the Butts to go forward and be subject to the outcome of masterplanning and Joint Local Plan process on the basis that such plans will guide future decision making as to the use of the subject land.

The petitioners would be responded to, advising them of the Council’s position on this piece of land.

Resolved:                         (i)       That the petitioners concerns and

objections be noted

(ii)      That the Butts continue to be allowed to go forward and be subject to the outcome of masterplanning and Joint Local Plan process on the basis that such plans will guide future decision making as to the use of the subject land.

(iii)      That officer guidance be prepared on the process for the aid of future petitioners.

A report was submitted updating the Cabinet on the progress made in implementing the agreed Action Plan which had been put in place as a result to the Planning Peer Review.

The Portfolio Holder stated that a large proportion of the agreed actions had been addressed.

The Cabinet were informed that the Planning Committee which met on 21 July, 2015 had considered this report and had made no comments.

There were issues regarding staffing matters and it was proposed that a report be taken to the meeting of the Cabinet on 16 September with regard to this.

Resolved:              (i)       That the Action Plan’s progress be noted.

(ii)      That the proposals as set out in the report be agreed.

A report was submitted to Cabinet outlining proposals for closer working relationships with partners on print and associated services.

The Portfolio Holder outlined three possible options for a way forward and option two – to develop a pilot project around collaborative working was agreed as the way forward.

Resolved:              (i)        That, the proposals for a pilot project for

collaborative working involving print and associated services, be approved.

(ii)       That a further report be brought back to Cabinet, giving an overview and evaluation of the first six months of the pilot project with recommendations for any further action.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking agreement for all of the Council’s Cabinet Panels (currently six in total) to consist of seven Members in order to achieve consistency.

The proposal would also enhance the effectiveness of those Panels with five Members given that two additional persons would be present at meetings.

Resolved:              (i)       That the number of Members, serving on each of

the following Cabinet .Panels be confirmed to be seven:

·                   Recycling and Waste

·                   Concurrent Funding

·                   Locality Action Partnerships

·                   Revenue Investment Fund

·                   Capital Investment Programme

·                   Community Centres

(ii)      That the Community Centres Cabinet Panel be chaired by the Portfolio Holder for Policy, People and Partnerships.

A report was submitted to Cabinet in respect of the Financial and Performance Review report –fourth Quarter for 2014/15.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, IT and Customer stated that the position of the Revenue Budget was a surplus of £7327 which was in line with the approved budget.  Councillor Turner requested that the Executive Management Team pass on congratulations to all officers who had helped to achieve this.

There had been a shortfall in spending which has due to vehicles, scheduled for replacement being kept in use for as long as economically possible and for some leisure projects.  The Portfolio Holder also wished to thank those who had kept the vehicles running a while longer.

The Cabinet was also informed of the performance results of the indicators in relation to the Council’s Corporate Priorities.

Resolved:              (i)       That the contents of the report be noted.

                              (ii)      That the Council continues to monitor and

scrutinise performance alongside the latest financial information for the same period.

(iii)      That the comments made throughout the Scrutiny process and the responses from officers and others be noted.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking approval to recommence a loan programme  to enable the improvement and repair of homes funded from the Capital Programme.

The Cabinet were asked to consider three options within the report.  The Cabinet agreed to option three – To continue to make available grants but offer a reduced range of loans.

Resolved:              (i)       That officers be authorised to take all necessary

steps to develop and deliver an in-house home loans renewal programme.

(ii)       That the Executive Director for Regeneration and

Development, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing be authorised to update the current Housing Renewal Assistance Policy to include the offer of loans.           

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking nominations for two Elected Members to represent the Borough Council on the Safer Neighbourhood Panels for Newcastle under Lyme.  The role of the Panel was set out in the report.

Members were advised that two thirds of the Panel would be members of the public and the membership would be refreshed every six months.

The Cabinet agreed that Councillors’ Kearon and Proctor be put forward as nominees to sit on the Panel.

Staffordshire County Council had made a verbal confirmation  that they had nominated a Member but, to date, there was no written confirmation.  In addition, the local Magistrates’ Bench would be putting in a nomination.

Resolved:              That the Safer Neighbourhood Panel be supported and

that Councillors’ Kearon and Proctor be nominated to sit on the Panel.

There was no Urgent Business.