Agenda, decisions and minutes

An apology was received from the Executive Director of Operational Services.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting of Cabinet held on 17 October 2018.

Resolved:     That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 17 October, 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

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

There were no declarations of interest stated.

The Leader welcomed Jan Willis, Acting Executive Director for Finance and Resources.

Resolved:       (a)       That officers of the Borough Council, in liaison with the Portfolio Holder and in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, be authorised to take all necessary steps to commission an expert commercial assessment and high level masterplan for the Ryecroft site to reflect the present economic and development climate.

                        (b)       That the budget for this work be set  at up to £70,000 and be split with Staffordshire County Council and apportioned on a roughly 65/35% basis, the larger share being borne by the Borough Council.

                        (c)        That a sum of up to £47,000 be approved to cover the Borough Councils share of the cost of this work.

                        (d)       That, subject to any necessary consents from interested parties, officers be authorised to promote the accessible parts of the Ryecroft site (mainly the former Sainsbury’s site) for the purposes of enabling short-term events.

                        (e)       That officers report back the outcome of this commission to Cabinet in the first instance for Cabinet to consider making a recommendation about any alternative form of development being made by full Council.

The Deputy Leader presented this report on future development options for the Ryecroft area in Newcastle Town Centre following the decision of the developers HDD not to proceed with a retail-led scheme for the site due to market conditions.

The Deputy Leader explained that expert commercial advice would be commissioned to guide the redevelopment of the Ryecroft site to help bring significant new investment into Newcastle Town Centre.  Additionally the opportunity would be taken to enable short-term use of the site to generate an increase in footfall to the benefit of the town centre economy.

Resolved:       (a)       That officers of the Borough Council, in liaison with the Portfolio Holder and in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, be authorised to take all necessary steps to commission an expert commercial assessment and high level masterplan for the Ryecroft site to reflect the present economic and development climate.

                        (b)       That the budget for this work be set  at up to £70,000 and be split with Staffordshire County Council and apportioned on a roughly 65/35% basis, the larger share being borne by the Borough Council.

                        (c)        That a sum of up to £47,000 be approved to cover the Borough Councils share of the cost of this work.

                        (d)       That, subject to any necessary consents from interested parties, officers be authorised to promote the accessible parts of the Ryecroft site (mainly the former Sainsbury’s site) for the purposes of enabling short-term events.

                        (e)       That officers report back the outcome of this commission to Cabinet in the first instance for Cabinet to consider making a recommendation about any alternative form of development being made by full Council.

Resolved:       (a)       That in the short term the Council continues to run the market on its current footing.

                        (b)       That the Council reviews the management and operation of the market in Newcastle town centre in co-operation with local interested parties.

                        (c)        That the views of the Economy, Environment and Place Scrutiny Committee are sought as a part of the review of the management and operation of the market in Newcastle town centre.

                        (d)       That the Executive Director Regeneration and Development, in liaison with the Portfolio Holder, work with officers to consider the detail of the review.

                        (e)       That the conclusion of the review is implemented at the earliest opportunity in liaison with the Portfolio Holder and other stakeholders.

The Deputy Leader updated members on the current situation with the management of Newcastle market and explained why the transfer to an external operator was no longer an option.  Continuing he outlined the options to support and stabilise the market to help ensure its future success. 

Resolved:       (a)       That in the short term the Council continues to run the market on its current footing.

                        (b)       That the Council reviews the management and operation of the market in Newcastle town centre in co-operation with local interested parties.

                        (c)        That the views of the Economy, Environment and Place Scrutiny Committee be sought as a part of the review of the management and operation of the market in Newcastle town centre.

                        (d)       That the Executive Director Regeneration and Development, in liaison with the Portfolio Holder, work with officers to consider the detail of the review.

                        (e)       That the conclusion of the review is implemented at the earliest opportunity in liaison with the Portfolio Holder and other stakeholders.

Resolved:       (a)       That officers be authorised, in liaison with the relevant Portfolio Holder and officers of Staffordshire County Council, to submit a bid for funding from the Governments One Public Estate programme (round 7) to support the masterplanning of relevant surplus land parcels in the ownership of the two councils.

                        (b)       That, in the event that the funding bid succeeds, officers be authorised, in liaison with the Portfolio Holder, to work with officers of the County Council to procure appropriate consultants to prepare the masterplan, including any associated actions.

                        (c)        That, subject to (a) and (b), officers be asked to report back on the outcome of any masterplan.

The Cabinet member for Planning and Growth Councillor Paul Northcott presented this report which sought approval to the joint submission of a bid to the Governments “One Public Estate” programme for funding for the Knutton masterplanning project.

The programme presented an opportunity to access external funds to support the preparation of a comprehensive masterplan focussing upon surplus land in the ownership of this Council and Staffordshire County Council together with potential land/property in the ownership of the Councils strategic partners.

Resolved:  That  officers be authorised, in liaison with the relevant Portfolio Holder and officers of Staffordshire County Council, to submit a bid for funding from the Governments One Public Estate programme (round 7) to support the masterplanning of relevant surplus land parcels in the ownership of the two councils.

                        (b)       That, in the event that the funding bid succeeds, officers be authorised, in liaison with the Portfolio Holder, to work with officers of the County Council to procure appropriate consultants to prepare the masterplan, including any associated actions.

                        (c)        That, subject to (a) and (b), officers be asked to report back on the outcome of any masterplan.

Resolved:     (a)       That Cabinet agrees, in principle, to accept a transfer of the Sports Centre from the County Council together with a sum of £362,990 in respect of demolition costs.

(b)       That the Council ensures that any transfer to the Borough Council is simultaneous with a transfer from the Borough Council to the Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group CIO on like terms, including the funding, and transferring the ongoing risk for the Sports Centre to the CIO

(c)        That a meeting be arranged between the Borough Council, the Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group CIO and officers of the County Council as soon as possible to agree a project plan to move the transaction forward and put in place plans for the refurbishment at the earliest opportunity

(d)       That the Leader of the Council be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Council’s Executive Management Team Officers, to take such decisions on behalf of the Council as are necessary to progress this matter.

(e)       That the Council asks the Kidsgrove Sports Centre CIO to agree to allow a local member from the area to become a full voting member of the CIO Board.       

The Leader updated members on the progress by the Borough Council, Kidsgrove Community Interest Organisation, Staffordshire County Council and other interested parties in re-providing dry-side sports facilities in Kidsgrove.

The Leader reported that Staffordshire County Council had agreed to transfer the freehold interest in the Leisure Centre to Newcastle Borough Council for a nominal sum together with a contribution to the demolition costs of the current end of life building.

Resolved:     (a)       That Cabinet agree, in principle, to accept a transfer of the Sports Centre from Stafordshire County Council together with a sum of £362,990 in respect of demolition costs.

(b)       That the Council ensure that any transfer to the Borough Council is simultaneous with a transfer from the Borough Council to the Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group CIO on like terms, including the funding, and transferring the ongoing risk for the Sports Centre to the CIO

(c)        That a meeting be arranged between the Borough Council, the Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group CIO and officers of Staffordshire County Council as soon as possible to agree a project plan to move the transaction forward and put in place plans for the refurbishment at the earliest opportunity

(d)       That the Leader of the Council be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Council’s Executive Management Team Officers, to take such decisions on behalf of the Council as are necessary to progress this matter.

(e)       That the Council ask the Kidsgrove Sports Centre CIO to agree to allow a local member from the area to become a full voting member of the CIO Board.          

Resolved:       (a)       That members note the contents of the attached report and agrees to the recommendation that the Council continues to monitor performance alongside the latest financial information for the same period.

                        (b)       That members support the future development of the Financial and Performance report to reflect the vision and priorities of the Council Plan 2018-2022.

The Deputy Leader presented the Financial and Performance Review report for the second quarter 2018/19.

Resolved:       (a)       That members note the contents of the attached report and agree to the recommendation that the Council continues to monitor performance alongside the latest financial information for the same period.

                        (b)       That members support the future development of the Financial and Performance report to reflect the vision and priorities of the Council Plan 2018-2022.

The Leader reported on recent changes to the Cabinet Portfolio responsibilities which will be reported to Council on 21 November.

Councillor Mark Holland – (Leisure, Culture and Heritage) will be responsible for tourism.

Councillor Jill Waring – (Community Safety and Well-being) will be responsible for housing strategy (including housing advice and homelessness) and private sector housing (including enforcement).

Councillor Stephen Sweeney – (Finance and Efficiency) will be responsible for taxi ranks, bus stations and markets.

The Leader reported minor changes to the Portfolio of the following Cabinet members as follows:-

Councillor Mark Holland (Sport, Leisure and Culture) to include tourism.

Councillor Stephen Sweeney (Finance & Efficiency) to include taxi ranks, bus stations and markets.

Councillor Jill Waring (Community Safety & Wellbeing) to include housing strategy (including housing advice and homelessness) and private sector housing (including enforcement)