Agenda and minutes

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking approval for the designation of two neighbourhood areas for neighbourhood planning purposes.

In addition, Cabinets approval was sought for the delegating of future designs in respect of neighbourhood areas to the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning and Housing.

The Chair thanked Councillor Turner for covering Councillor Proctor’s Portfolio during his absence.

Resolved:                   (i)         That the designation of the undermentioned

neighbourhood areas be approved:

(a)              Loggerheads Parish

(b)              Chapel and Hill Chorlton, Maer and Aston and

Whitmore Parishes.

(ii)        That future decisions on the designation of neighbourhood areas be delegated to the Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Planning and Housing portfolio.

(iii)       That officers be authorised to submit a bid for funding support to the Department for Communities and Local Government and that a report be brought to a future meeting of Cabinet on the likely resource and staffing implications for the Council of responding to the development of Neighbourhood Plans.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking approval to proceed with Phase Three of the master plan for the delivery of teenage recreational provision in line with a consultation carried out with local teenagers.

Councillor Williams thanked the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling – Councillor Mrs Beech for her work on this project. A good facility had been gained together with  a cycle/walkway which ran from the Lyme valley and up to the Apedale Valley.

Resolved:      (i)      That the third phase of the Wammy project to deliver teenage recreation provision, wildlife habitat improvements and tree planting be approved.

                      (ii)     That the Executive Director – Operational Services be authorised to seek tenders for the works and, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling accept the lowest suitable tender within the available funding.

(iii)     That authorisation be given to further develop the pavilion

phase of the project and to investigate / secure match funding

opportunities.

A report was submitted to Cabinet informing Members of the progress made with the implementation of the Urban North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy and the associated Action Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities – Councillor Kearon queried whether the Authority was confident that it could keep up with the changes made by the Government and whether the process was frequent enough?

Councillor Mrs Beech – Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling informed Members that the Action Plan was reviews annually and the Plan complied with what the Council had been asked to do, therefore, yes the Council could keep up with the changes.   

Resolved:                   (i)         That the report be received and progress noted.

(ii)              That the link between the Green Space Strategy and Asset Management Plan be reaffirmed in respect of sites which are identified as not required for green space use.

A report was submitted to Cabinet regarding the new Recycling and Waste Service which commences in July, 2016.

A presentation on the Service had been given to Members prior to the Council Meeting on 9 September outlining the proposed changes.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling- Councillor Mrs Beech thanked the Cabinet Panel  and the officers for their work on this project. Councillor  Turner said that the officers deserved a lot of the credit for this and wished the project success.

Councillor Mrs Beech informed Members that the cost of vehicles would be part covered by the sale of the existing vehicles, some of which were scheduled for replacement in the near future.

Resolved:         (i)       That good progress of the project and note potential project

issues be noted.

(ii)      That the additional costs of the works to the depot and

equipment, and the additional expenditure on vehicles, being added to the current capital programme in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations be agreed.

(iii)       That the financial implications in respect of the capital expenditure as outlined in paragraph 7.0 be noted.

A report was submitted to Cabinet, providing Members with the Financial and Performance Review report first quarter indicating the performance of individual council services.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, IT and Customer – Councillor Turner thanked officers for the report.

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

recommendation that the Council continues to monitor and scrutinise performance alongside the latest financial information for the same period be agreed.

(ii)             That the comments made through the Scrutiny process and the responses from officers and others to these comments be noted.

A report was submitted to Cabinet providing Members with updates and advice in respect of the preparation of an Interim Planning Policy Statement, a mid year five year housing land supply statement and the Joint Local Plan

The comments of the previous night’s Planning Committee were passed to Members. 

Resolved:             (i)         That officers be authorised to prepare a Housing

Clarification Statement on the basis set out in the report.

(ii)        That officers take the necessary steps to prepare a mid-year 5-year housing land supply statement.

(iii)       That the revised Local Plan process be approved.

A report was submitted to Cabinet providing an opportunity to review the business, membership and frequency of the Council’s Strategic Planning Consultative Group.

Councillor Turner stated that it was intended to remain as a cross party committee and the frequency of the meetings was to be maintained.

When a major application was submitted for a particular ward, the Ward Councillors could come in and ask questions of the developer.

Resolved:                  (i)         That the business of the Group be limited to those `                                      matters listed below in  Section 3 of this report

(ii)        That the membership of the Group be kept as it currently is.

(iii)       That ward members be invited to attend the Group

solely for the consideration of items which relate to their wards

(iv)       That the Group continues to meet on a three weekly basis

(v)        That the above changes be introduced with immediate effect

An urgent report was submitted to the Cabinet regarding a Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.

A commitment was given at the Council Meeting held on 9 September to consider support for Syrian refugees.

The Chair thanked officers for the speed with which the report had been prepared

This Council needed to see what it could do in respect of the crisis and our officers would need to enter into discussions with the County Council and other partners for possible actions.

The Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sellgren advised the Cabinet that there had been an exchange of emails between Chief Executive’s of various Authorities.  The Chief Executive of Staffordshire County Council would take the lead role and take responsibility.

Resolved:            (i)         That officers be authorised to commence discussions

with partner organisations to consider establishing local support options.

(ii)        That it be reported to a future Cabinet on the preferred option to support the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.