Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February, 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

(i)                            That officers be authorised to undertake a tender process to evidence best value in the provision of contributions to a registered provider for the provision of affordable housing.

(ii)                          That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Regeneration and Development) to award a contract, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, following the completion of the procurement process which is within the budget provision.          

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking approval to procure the provision of affordable housing provision within the Borough using funds from developer contributions obtained as a result of planning obligations.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration brought Members’ attention to paragraph three which listed the options to be considered.

The Leader/ Portfolio holder for Corporate and Service Improvement, People and Partnerships asked if there would be an opportunity for this council to lead on some of these in the future and was advised that some authorities had considered setting up a committee to deal with Section 106 Agreements and to recommend where it should be spent.  This would give a two way benefit in that it would provide housing stock and generate income.

Resolved:      (i)         That officers be authorised to undertake a tender process to

evidence best value in the provision of contributions to a registered provider for the provision of affordable housing.

(ii)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Regeneration and Development) to award a contract, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, following the completion of the procurement process which is within the budget provision.

That the items detailed in the attached Appendix be considered irrecoverable for the reasons stated and be written off.

A report was submitted to Cabinet advising members of items that were deemed irrecoverable.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources advised that there was a total of £467,000 to write off as irrecoverable but that £50,000 of the total was the amount that Newcastle would be losing.  There was money in the budget to cover this.

Resolved:         That the items detailed in the attached Appendix be considered irrecoverable for the reasons stated and be written off.

(i)            That the approach outlined in recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Leaders of Newcastle Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council for providing leisure facilities in Kidsgrove be endorsed and recognised as a significant development in addressing the sporting aspirations of the town.

(ii)          That the current progress against what was agreed at Cabinet and Full Council in July 2017 regarding opportunities for sports facilities in Kidsgrove be noted.  

(iii)         That the final Business Plan from the community group be considered at a future meeting prior to instructing any formal agreement.

A report was submitted to Cabinet updating Members on the Progress in the re-provision of leisure facilities in Kidsgrove.

The Leader/Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Service Improvement, People and Partnerships advised Members that the County Council were on board and the Cabinet members were meeting with County officers and members of the community group this afternoon.  The Leader thanked the Acting Chief Executive for his help in linking up with the County Council.

The aim was to have the facility open within six months and a longer term ambition was for a new sports facility to be provided in Kidsgrove within a five to ten year period.

Resolved:         (i)       That the approach outlined in recently signed Memorandum of

Understanding between the Leaders of Newcastle Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council for providing leisure facilities in Kidsgrove be endorsed and recognised as a significant development in addressing the sporting aspirations of the town.

(ii)           That the current progress against what was agreed at Cabinet and Full Council in July 2017 regarding opportunities for sports facilities in Kidsgrove be noted.  

(iii)          That the final Business Plan from the community group be considered at a future meeting prior to instructing any formal agreement.

(i)            That the draft strategy, as amended, be approved.

(ii)           That officers be authorised to publish the approved strategy subject to inclusion of appropriate images and photographs, along with any minor textual changes as may be required, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

(iii)         That officers report back to the next meeting of Cabinet with a draft Year 1 action plan

A report was submitted to Cabinet reporting comments received on the draft Economic Development Strategy 2018-2023  following consultation on the draft and to consider any recommended changes.

Members were advised that an Action Plan would now be prepared and  brought to the June Cabinet meeting.

Resolved:         (i)       That the draft strategy, as amended, be approved.

(i)         That officers be authorised to publish the approved strategy

subject to inclusion of appropriate images and photographs, along with any minor textual changes as may be required, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

(iii)       That officers report back to the next meeting of Cabinet with a draft Year 1 action plan

(i)            That the remaining two car parks be included in the off-street parking order which is currently being drafted.

(ii)           That the Executive Director (Regeneration and Development) in consultation with the portfolio holder for Finances and Resources be authorised to consider the consultation responses and make the off-street parking order as necessary.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking approval to include the two remaining Lyme Valley car parks in the existing off-street parking order.

Members were advised by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources that parking had stretched down as far as Homebase and Martec and therefore time restrictions would be introduced – two hours free then £6 per day except for the football car park which would be three hours free.

This action was to clear the car parks so that people could use the Lyme Valley.  It was not to ‘make money’.

Resolved:         (i)       That the remaining two car parks be included in the off-street

 parking order which is currently being drafted.

(ii)        That the Executive Director (Regeneration and Development) in consultation with the portfolio holder for Finances and Resources be authorised to consider the consultation responses and make the off-street parking order as necessary.

(i)    That the process to make the order be progressed;

(ii)   That themaking and implementation of a Ryecroft, Civic Offices and Merrial Street car parks off-street parking order be delegated to the Executive Director (Regeneration and Development), following consultation with the relevant Cabinet member, as required.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking authority for the making of an order to remove the Ryecroft, Civic Offices and Merrial Street car parks from the town-centre off street parking order.

This was to enable the redevelopment of the Ryecroft site when works commence.

Resolved:         (i)       That the process to make the order be progressed;

(ii)        That the making and implementation of a Ryecroft, Civic

Offices and Merrial Street car parks off-street parking order be delegated to the Executive Director (Regeneration and Development), following consultation with the relevant Cabinet member, as required.

There was no Urgent Business.

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following reports, because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:-                That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration if the following matter because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs contained within Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

That the confidential appendix be accepted.

Resolved:     That the confidential appendix be accepted.