Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Astley Room - Castle. View directions

Contact: Geoff Durham 01782 742222 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors’ Sweeney and Waring.

2.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 72 KB

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

Resolved:     That the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 November, 2018 be

agreed as a correct record.

3.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

To receive declarations of interest from Members  on items included in the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest stated.

4.

ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

Minutes:

The Leader, Councillor Simon Tagg made the following statement to the Cabinet reflecting upon the past year:

“This week marks the first anniversary since I returned as Leader of the Council and I thought it would be worthwhile to first of all reflect on all of the excellent work which elected members and officers have been involved with during that time and secondly, as we approach the end of 2018, to look ahead.

As we busy ourselves in our daily work, we can sometimes lose sight of the tremendous work that goes on at this council and it is only when we pause, look back and reflect do we recognise the breadth and scale of our achievements together as we create a growing borough that is an attractive and welcoming place for all.

During the last 12 months we have:-

  • Successfully run the borough’s first all-out elections.  After the difficulties associated with the General Election in the summer of 2017 this was a major step forward in rebuilding public confidence in our democratic processes.
  • Produced a new Council Plan with an updated set of priorities which set out the path for this council and the work we will be focusing on to benefit our communities.
  • Successfully completed the transition from the old Civic Offices into Castle House.
  • Brought forward proposals with our partners for the Keele University Growth Corridor – a project which will have massive implications for the wealth and prosperity of large numbers of our residents.
  • Successfully negotiated an agreement with the community and Staffordshire County Council which will bring Kidsgrove sports centre back into public use and make a positive contribution to the health and well-being of residents in the town. 
  • Taken firm action to decide the future of the important Ryecroft site in Newcastle town centre. We need to see this site brought back into use and we are making sure steps are being taken to get us moving ahead with this. 
  • Reviewed the Council’s Car Parking Strategy and town centre CCTV provision; took back control of the borough’s historic market and finalised proposals for community use of the Guildhall.
  • Begun the process of revamping our recycling and waste collection services following one of the most extensive consultations with our residents that this council has ever undertaken.
  • Agreed a Growth Deal with Staffordshire County Council with a set of joint priorities between the two councils.

 

Obviously there are many other examples of excellent and positive work by the officers and members at our council, but those outlined above give you a flavour of some of our actions to date.

Looking forward, our new Chief Executive Martin Hamilton will be joining us on 4 February 2019.

In the meantime, acting Chief Executive John Tradewell will remain with us to provide guidance, leadership and support for both officers and elected members as we aim to keep up the momentum in key areas during this period so that we can continue to deliver for the people of the borough.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME - A GROWING BOROUGH - GROWTH DEAL 2018-2022 pdf icon PDF 64 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

(i)    That the Strategic Alliance between the two Councils be noted and that the Growth Deal be approved.

 

(ii)   That officers be authorised, in liaison with the Leader of the Council, to engage with officers of the County Council and representatives of other partners to prepare projects and initiatives to address the identified priorities.

 

(iii)  That officers, in liaison with the Leader of the Council, establish effective programme governance arrangements.

 

(iv)That officers report back to Cabinet as required to seek any necessary financial contributions or other necessary resource allocation.

 

(v)  That, the Leader of the Council and Leader of the County Council, meet following the County Council’s Cabinet meeting of 19 December, 2018 to finalise the plan.

 

Minutes:

A report was submitted seeking Members’ approval for a Growth Deal between the Borough and County Council’s.

 

The Leader thanked the officers of both Authority’s for putting the Deal together.

 

Members’ attention was drawn to item 5 of the Growth Deal Document which listed the priorities for Newcastle Town Centre, Kidsgrove Town Centre, the Keele University Growth Corridor, Knutton, enhanced two-tier working, housing and employment and skills.

 

The document also contained an Action Plan for the priorities.

 

The Leader also proposed an additional recommendation to be added, that he and the Leader of the County Council meet following the County Council’s Cabinet meeting on 19 December, to finalise the plan.  This extra recommendation was agreed by the Members.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth, Councillor Paul Northcott welcomed the new plan and stated that the alliance would strengthen the Council’s aspirations – looking at housing and delivery targets.  It would be an excellent opportunity to look at the strategic road networks.  HS2 was also an important factor.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and  Heritage, Councillor Mark Holland endorsed the previous comments and congratulated the Leader on negotiating the Deal.  Councillor Holland said that it was encouraging to see how much the document strengthened the Council’s corporate priorities, especially around town centres and growth.

 

The Leader advised Members that there would be a refresh of the Council’s Economic Development Strategy which would be brought to Cabinet in Spring, 2019.

 

 

Resolved:      (i)         That the Strategic Alliance between the two Councils be

noted and that the Growth Deal be approved.

 

                        (ii)        That officers be authorised, in liaison with the Leader of

the Council, to engage with officers of the County Council

and representatives of other partners to prepare projects

and initiatives to address the identified priorities.

 

(iii)         That officers, in liaison with the Leader of the Council, establish effective programme governance arrangements.

 

(iv)         That officers report back to Cabinet as required to seek any necessary financial contributions or other necessary resource allocation.

 

(v)          That, the Leader of the Council and Leader of the County Council, meet following the County Council’s Cabinet meeting of 19 December, 2018 to finalise the plan.

 

6.

NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME TOWN CENTRE CCTV REVIEW REPORT UPDATE pdf icon PDF 109 KB

Decision:

(i)            That, subject to the views of the Health, Wellbeing and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet agree to explore a CCTV system upgrade, including its monitoring arrangements via a paid service, and that further recommendations are brought to Cabinet including options and costings, clearly identifying any budget shortfall and proposed funding, including partnership contributions and possible partnering with neighbouring authorities.

 

(ii)           That, the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing meet with representatives from the Business Improvement District (BID) to take this

forward.

 

(iii)          That, towns and villages within the Borough be included at a later date when a monitoring solution has been agreed.

 

Minutes:

A report was submitted updating Members on the work from the recent CCTV Review, led by the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing, Councillor Jill Waring. 

 

In Councillor Waring’s absence, the Leader introduced this report.

 

The Cabinet had wanted to review this in its first year as the system was out of date and not monitored sufficiently.  Various authorities had been visited to look at their systems.

 

CCTV was also a priority of the Business Improvement District (BID) and consideration would be given on how they could help to fund the project.  The Police and Crime Commissioner would also be contacted to see what support could be given.

 

Councillor Northcott supported this stating that the current cameras were not fit for purpose as all but one were analogue.  A few Members had raised concerns regards staffing.   Would there be more volunteers or personnel to give a dedicated service.

 

Councillor Holland thanked Councillor Waring for the work that had gone into this.  The project had received a warm reception at the Scrutiny Committee.  It was in everyone’s best interest to have  a flexible CCTV programme.

 

The Leader proposed two additional recommendations to be added concerning arranging a meeting with the BID and the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing and a further recommendation to include towns and villages within the Borough at a later date.  Both recommendations were agreed by Members.

 

 

Resolved:     (i)         That, subject to the views of the Health, Wellbeing and

Partnerships Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet agree to explore a CCTV system upgrade, including its monitoring arrangements via a paid service, and that further recommendations are brought to Cabinet including options and costings, clearly identifying any budget shortfall and proposed funding, including partnership contributions and possible partnering with neighbouring authorities.

 

(ii)          That, the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing meet with representatives from the Business Improvement District (BID) to take this forward.

 

(iii)         That, towns and villages within the Borough be included at a later date when a monitoring solution has been agreed.

 

7.

CONTRACT OPTIONS FOR THE COUNCIL'S REVENUES AND BENEFITS SYSTEM pdf icon PDF 115 KB

Decision:

(i)            That, the Council renew its support and maintenance contract for its Revenues and Benefits Software with Northgate Public Sector for a further period of three years.

 

(ii)           The Council waives its own contract procedural rules regarding procurements over £50,000.

 

Minutes:

A report was submitted seeking Members’ approval for the renewal of the Council’s Revenues and Benefits Management System maintenance contract for a further three years.

 

 

 

Resolved:       (i)         That, the Council renew its support and maintenance contract

for its Revenues and Benefits Software with Northgate Public Sector for a further period of three years.

 

(ii)           The Council waives its own contract procedural rules regarding procurements over £50,000.

 

8.

URGENT BUSINESS

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

There was no Urgent Business but the Leader wished everyone present a Merry Christmas.