Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th April 2022.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April be approved as a correct record.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April be approved as a correct record.

This item includes a supplementary report.

That the report be noted.

Cabinet considered a report updating on the current position with odour issues at Walley’s Quarry.  The court hearing regarding the Abatement Notice served by the Council was scheduled for 24 October.  A hearing was also scheduled for 14 June to deal with some outstanding disclosure issues. 

Current complaint data to both the Council and the Environment Agency (EA) was presented.  The report also contained data from the four Air Quality Monitoring Stations and how often the concentrations of hydrogen sulphide exceeded the World Health Organisations odour annoyance guideline levels.  The EA had produced a report, as submitted, evaluating measurements of Air Quality at monitoring station MMF9 Gallingale View, between 6 March to 30 April 2021 and the same period this year which showed some improvement.  It was noted by the EA that it was not possible to quantify whether this improvement was due to operations on site or variables such as meteorological conditions. It was important that the Council continued to focus on securing sustainable improvement. 

Cabinet had previously requested that an additional body be created as part of the multi-agency Strategic Coordinating Group (SCG) to provide political oversight and constructive challenge to the SCG.  This had been agreed and terms of reference were being finalised.

Cabinet had also tasked Council officers to look at further legal avenues to address the issues experienced by the community around the Quarry and this would be part of a report to Cabinet in July.

Members noted that there had been complaints regarding vehicles queuing up on Cemetery Road and this was a matter for the police to address in terms of any obstruction and the County Council as Highways Authority.  One solution could involve the operator seeking planning permission to allow vehicles to wait on site.  These issues could be considered as part of the remit of the SCG sub group.

Resolved: that the report be noted.

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That:

1.  The ten base pledges set out in this report be adopted.

2. The Council will help to facilitate action on the base pledges through its membership of the Staffordshire sustainability Board (SSB)

Cabinet considered a report on the Staffordshire Sustainability Board.  The Board comprised the Borough and District Councils in Staffordshire together with the County Council with the aim of working together in a collaborative and consistent manner to achieve net carbon zero.  The Board had proposed ten base pledges for Councils to consider as an initial commitment. 

The Council had also recently appointed a Sustainability Officer.

Resolved: that:

1.  The ten base pledges set out in this report be adopted.

2. The Council will help to facilitate action on the base pledges through its membership of the Staffordshire Sustainability Board (SSB).

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That Cabinet notes the progress to date of the One Council Programme against the specific programme areas set out below:

1. One Front Door / Customer Hub progress

2. Leadership and Management

3. Information Advice and Guidance / Website

4. Support Services

5. Mobile Multi-Function Team

6. Wider Management Team Portfolios

Cabinet considered an update report on the One Council Programme.  The One Council programme was a 3 year programme that had been launched in February 2021.  It aimed to provide flexible, efficient and customer driven services.  A number of operational achievements had now been implemented including:

·         a new website, enabling residents to self-serve and providing a cleaner and more modern design;

·         One Front Door (now known as the Customer Hub) offering end to end service;

·         A Mobile Multi-Functional Team which was an agile service dispatched wherever there was a need. 

There were also initiatives around leadership and management looking at the culture of the Council and attitudes and behaviours; an internal review looking at efficiencies of scale and greater use of digital solutions and a new Strategy and Performance Team to support services achieve strategic aims and strengthen relationships with the Council’s partners.

Resolved: that Cabinet notes the progress to date of the One Council Programme against the specific programme areas set out below:

1. One Front Door / Customer Hub progress

2. Leadership and Management

3. Information Advice and Guidance / Website

4. Support Services

5. Mobile Multi-Function Team

6. Wider Management Team Portfolios

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That the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy, as submitted, be approved.

Cabinet considered an updated Discretionary Rate Relief Policy relating to National Non-Domestic Rates ie business rates. The updated policy aimed to provide clearer guidance and contained a scoring matrix which would determine the amount of discretionary relief and ensured all applications were treated equally and awards were consistent.

Resolved: that the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy, as submitted, be approved.

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That

1. The progress to date on the preparations for the 850^th Celebrations be noted.

2. Cllr Simon White (Deputy Mayor) be appointed as the Council’s Heritage Champion to oversee the development of the plans going forward on behalf of Cabinet.

3. A further report be submitted to a future meeting for consideration setting out a costed programme for the 850^th Celebrations. 

Cabinet considered a report on work being undertaken by the Council to plan for the Newcastle under Lyme Borough 850^th anniversary celebrations in 2023.  A number of proposals had been developed by the Heritage Cabinet Working Group including a Medieval Heritage Week in June, creation of a logo, medieval dance classes and celebrations of past and present residents of the Borough.

It was proposed that a Member Champion be appointed to oversee the development of the plans and programme for the 850^th celebrations.

Resolved: that

1. The progress to date on the preparations for the 850^th Celebrations be noted.

2. Cllr Simon White (Deputy Mayor) be appointed as the Council’s Heritage Champion to oversee the development of the plans going forward on behalf of Cabinet.

3. A further report be submitted to a future meeting for consideration setting out a costed programme for the 850^th Celebrations. 

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That the contents of the report and Appendices A and B be noted and Cabinet will continue to monitor and challenge the Council’s performance alongside its financial performance for the same period.

Cabinet considered the regular performance review report for Quarter 4, January – March 2022. 

Resolved: that the contents of the report and Appendices A and B be noted and Cabinet will continue to monitor and challenge the Council’s performance alongside its financial performance for the same period.

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That the Forward Plan be received.

Consideration was given to the Forward Plan listing upcoming key decisions to be made by Cabinet.

Resolved: That the Forward Plan be received.

There was no Urgent Business.

There was no Urgent Business.