Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 14 March, 2023 be agreed as

a correct record.

Resolved:     That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 14 March, 2023 be

agreed as a correct record.

That the contents of the update report be noted.

The Leader presented a report updating Cabinet on the latest position regarding Walleys Quarry including Key Performance Indicators provided by the operator.

Complaints remained down on historical levels although there were some days when complaints spiked, on days when the weather was cold.

The Council had commissioned an independent evaluation of the data

from October, 2022 to February, 2023 to see how the current situation compared to what would be required, as defined as a statutory nuisance.

The Council was remaining vigilant and officers were in contact with the operator and the Environment Agency.

The local MP had suggested that the company should apologise or consider compensation for everyone who had been affected by the odours.  However, compensation claims would need to be made by individuals and not by the Council.

Members agreed that an apology from the company would be a good gesture.

Resolved:     That the contents of the update report be noted.

Watch the debate here

(i)            That the Draft Joint Housing Allocations Policy 2023 for an eight week public consultation be approved.

(ii)           That delegated authority be given to the Service Director - Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Wellbeing, to

(a)  finalise the and adopt the Joint Housing Allocations Policy 2023

following the consultation process

(b)  agree policy changes relating to the Choice Based Lettings (CBL) System in light of available resources and annual funding allocations.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing introduced a report advising of changes to the 2020 Housing Allocation Policy and seeking approval to consult upon and adopt a revised Joint Housing Allocations Policy from 2023.

The proposed changes, outlined at paragraphs 3.5 to 3.14 of the report, would update the Policy in line with Part 6 of the Housing Act, 1996 which required Local Authorities to have an allocations policy setting out how social homes would be allocated within their area and to give reasonable preference to certain groups of applicants. 

Resolved:       (i)         That the Draft Joint Housing Allocations Policy 2023 for an

eight week public consultation, be approved.

(ii)           That delegated authority be given to the Service Director –

Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Wellbeing, to

(a)  finalise the and adopt the Joint Housing Allocations Policy 2023 following the consultation process

(b)  agree policy changes relating to the Choice Based Lettings (CBL) System in light of available resources and annual funding allocations.

Watch the debate here

(i)         That the progress with Astley Centre for Circus & Performing Arts be noted.

(ii)        That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for

Finance, Town Centres for All and Growth, be authorised to take the necessary steps to make 23-25 Merrial Street available to the Philip Astley Projects CIC as a heritage centre for a period of up to 3 years at a

peppercorn rent, and to work up detailed proposals for their occupation of a unit in the redeveloped York Place beyond that term, to be approved at a future meeting of Cabinet.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced a report giving an update on progress with the delivery of the Astley Centre for Circus and Performing Arts and to consider the next steps.

Funding had been secured to redevelop the former Nat West Bank on the corner of Fogg Street as a temporary home for the Astley Centre until the York Place development was completed.

The Leader stated that this was one of the highlights of the Town Deal application, raising an individuality aspect for the bid.  The Astley Centre would tie in with the history of the town and also the 850 celebrations.

Resolved:       (i)         That the progress with Astley Centre for Circus & Performing

Arts be noted.

(ii)        That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres for All and Growth, be authorised to take the necessary steps to make 23-25 Merrial Street available to the Philip Astley Projects CIC as a heritage centre for a period of up to 3 years at a peppercorn rent, and to work up detailed proposals for their occupation of a unit in the redeveloped York Place beyond that term, to be approved at a future meeting of Cabinet.

Watch the debate here

That the Active Lifestyles Strategy 2023-2028 be approved for consultation, and the

Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture & Heritage be authorised to finalise and adopt the strategy following the consultation process.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced a report outlining the proposed Active Lifestyles Strategy.

It was felt that a ten year strategy was too long and that a five year strategy would be more appropriate.  Therefore the proposed Active Lifestyles Strategy would replace the Sport and Active Lifestyles Strategy 2016-2026.

The new Strategy would have three aims which were set out at paragraph 2.5 of the report.

The Leader agreed that the Strategy needed to reflect the outcomes of Covid and how people’s lifestyles had changed.

Resolved:       That the Active Lifestyles Strategy 2023-2028 be approved for

consultation, and the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the  Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture & Heritage be authorised to finalise and adopt the strategy following the consultation process.

Watch the debate here

(i)         That the renewal of the Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement be approved for a further period of three years, following the completion of due diligence and a procurement exercise, delegating authority to enter into a contract to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

(ii)       That the savings of c.£200,000 be noted.

The Leader introduced a report seeking approval to renew the Council’s Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement.

The Leader advised that this service had to be used to enable access to many of the Government’s systems because of the security involved.  Members were asked to note the savings of £200,000. 

Resolved:       (i)         That the renewal of the Microsoft Enterprise Subscription

Agreement be approved for a further period of three years, following the completion of due diligence and a procurement exercise, delegating authority to enter into a contract to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

(ii)           That the savings of c.£200,000 be noted.

Watch the debate here

(i)            That the procurement process including ‘spot market’ purchasing for White Diesel and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for use in the Councils vehicle and plant fleet be approved.

(ii)           That a report be prepared, on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling and submitted to a future meeting of the Staffordshire Sustainability Board, relating to joint procurement for ‘spot market’ purchasing of HVO.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling introduced a report seeking authority to use a number of different procurement options for the purchase of fuel for the Council’s vehicle and plant fleet.

The Leader stated that it was disappointing that there was no joint procurement available with other Council’s or the County Council and suggested that this be taken through the Staffordshire Sustainability Board as an option which could possibly make savings for those involved.  The Leader proposed this as a further recommendation (ii).  This was seconded by Councillor Sweeney.

Resolved:       (i)         `That the procurement process including ‘spot market’

purchasing for White Diesel and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for use in the Councils vehicle and plant fleet be approved.

(ii)           That a report be prepared, on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling and submitted to a future meeting of the Staffordshire Sustainability Board, relating to joint procurement for ‘spot market’ purchasing of HVO.

Watch the debate here

That the award of contract for roofing works at Brampton Sidings to Total Roofing

Solutions and Building Services Ltd of £255,823 for Brampton Sidings roof works be authorised.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced a report seeking approval to award a contract for over-cladding works to an existing profiled asbestos cement roof of the Brampton Sidings industrial units.  

The Leader stated that these units were used by smaller businesses and those starting out before moving to bigger premises.

Councillor Johnson enquired whether there was any asbestos involved in overlaying the existing roofs.  It was confirmed that there was not.

Resolved:       That the award of contract for roofing works at Brampton Sidings to Total Roofing Solutions and Building Services Ltd of £255,823 for Brampton Sidings roof works be authorised.

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That the extension of the Internal Audit Service Level Agreement be approved for a further 12 months.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced a report seeking approval of the Internal Audit Service Level Agreement.

The Council currently had a Service Level Agreement with Stoke-on-Trent City Council which worked well and it was proposed to extend this for twelve months.  During this time consideration would be given as to what improvements could be made to the services provided.

Resolved:       That the extension of the Internal Audit Service Level Agreement be

approved for a further 12 months.

Watch the debate here

That the Forward Plan be received.

The Leader went through the list of items scheduled for upcoming meetings.

Resolved:     That the Forward Plan be received.

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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.

There were no confidential items.