Agenda and minutes

To receive Declarations of Interest, from Members, on items contained within this agenda.

There were no Declarations of Interest stated.

To agree as  a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July, 2014

Resolved:-              That the minutes of the meeting held on the 16 July be agreed as a correct record.

The Mayor thanked everyone who had attended the Rabble Rousers event which had raised over £500 towards her Charity Fund.

The Mayor reminded Members about the Remembrance Day Parade in November.

A report was submitted requesting that Council agree to the requested changes to the membership of the Economic Development and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee, Audit and Risk Committee and Planning Committee.

Resolved:-              (i)       That Cllr Simon White stand down as the Vice

 Chair of the Economic Development and

Enterprise Scrutiny Committee but remain as a

member.

(ii)       That Cllr Billy Welsh be replaced by Cllr Mrs Gill

Williams on the Economic Development and

Enterprise Scrutiny Committee.

(iii)      That Cllr Mrs Gill Williams be appointed as Vice Chair of the Economic Development and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee.

(iv)      That Cllr Mrs Sandra Hambleton be appointed to the Audit and Risk Committee.

(v)       That Cllr Billy Welsh replace Cllr Simon White on the Planning Committee.

(vi)      That Cllr Mrs Sandra Simpson be appointed to the Planning Committee.

(vii)     That Cllr Bert Proctor be appointed as Vice Chair to the Planning Committee.

A report was submitted to receive the Treasury Management Report for 2013/14.

Resolved:-             (i)        That the Treasury Management Annual Report for

2013/14 be received.

(ii)       That the actual Prudential Indicators contained

within the report be approved.

Consideration was given to a report on the proposed new Council Plan for 2014-16.  The Plan had previously been considered by the Finance and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 17 June and again on 1 September following its consideration by the Cabinet on 23 July, 2014.

Two options were proposed:

·       To accept and approve its adoption

·       Request significant further changes prior to its approval and adoption.

Resolved:-              That the Council Plan for 2014-16 be approved and adopted.

Draft Policy on the Licensing of Sex Establishments

Consideration was given to a report that had been recommended by the Licensing Committee following consultation with all relevant parties.

The Policy had been brought to council purely for ratification as it was simply renewing an existing Policy.

Resolved:-              That the Policy in Relation to the Licensing of Sex

Establishments be adopted.

A report was submitted by the Council Leader to provide an overview of the actions of the Cabinet and individual portfolio holders since the last full meeting of the Council.

Resolved:    That the report be noted

Chairs are requested to submit written reports to the Democratic Services Manager by (TWO DAYS BEFORE MEETING)

a)       Finance, Resources and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee

b)       Active and Cohesive Communities Scrutiny Committee

c)       Economic Development and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee

d)       Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee

The Cleaner, Greener and Safer Communities Scrutiny Committee has not met since the last Council meeting.

Resolved:-              That the reports and information be received.

Chairs are requested to submit written reports to the Democratic Services Manager by (two days before meeting).

a)       Audit and Risk Committee

b)       Planning Committee

c)       Licensing Committee

d)       Public Protection Committee

Resolved:-              That the reports and information be received.

Five questions had been put forward by Cllrs’ Sweeney, Loades and Holland.

Question 1

Cllr Sweeney asked ‘Would the Portfolio Holder explain the statement that had appeared on the Cabinet agenda for 23 July (item 18) Contract for Corporate Cleaning Services’.

Response from Cllr Hambleton: The cost of cleaning the none public areas had been reduced and a saving was still being made.

Question 2

Cllr Sweeney asked if the Portfolio Holder could update Council on the latest position regarding the overtime budget being overspent.

Response from Cllr Mrs Shenton: Negotiations with the Trade Unions were still taking place and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment at the present time.

Question 3

Cllr Loades asked if the Portfolio Holder could confirm that the current skilled staffing in Streetscene was adequate.

Response from Cllr Mrs Beech:  Yes! 

Question 4

Cllr Holland asked a question regarding three Council staff being employed on zero-hour contracts (when, according to the Sentinel on 21 August, the Council had phased them out).

Response from the Leader: There were no zero-hour contracts at the Borough Council.

Cllr Holland asked if a list could be drawn up of all past zero-hour contracts.

Response from the Leader:  He would go back to the beginning of his Term of Office.

Question 5 

Cllr Holland asked when the Leader would be moving from the City of Stoke on Trent to the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme?

The Leader responded by stating that he had a full-time job in Newcastle and also owned property there.

Resolved:-              That the comments be noted.

A notice of motion other than those listed in Standing Order 19 must reach the Chief Executive ten clear days before the relevant Meeting of the Council.

No motions had been submitted.

To receive from Members any petitions which they wish to present to the Council.

No petitions were received.

There was no urgent business.