Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
Venue: Astley Room - Castle
Contact: Geoff Durham 742222
Media
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APOLOGIES Minutes: All members were present. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST To receive declarations of interest from Members on items included in the agenda. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest stated. |
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting. Decision: That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 6 May, 2025 be agreed as a correct record. Minutes: Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 6th May 2025 be agreed as a true and accurate record. |
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WALLEYS QUARRY - ODOUR ISSUES Additional documents:
Decision: That the contents of the update report be noted. Minutes: The Leader introduced the update report on Walleys Quarry Odours, emphasizing the need for the issue to be resolved for the long term.
The Chief Executive reported that mitigating measures to keep the risks of serious pollution down were in the hands of the Environment Agency (EA) which was instructing contractors on site. There were low levels of complaints and gas emissions were down to zero which was now becoming a long-term trend. The company was under liquidation and the Council had been in contact with the liquidators about outstanding debts.
The Leader expressed being pleased with the figures and noted that the ongoing mitigation works seemed to provide much better results that those previously undertaken by the operator.
The Deputy Leader commented passing the area four to five times a week and not having noticed any odours for a month or two. This suggested progress was being made towards making the surroundings a good place again.
The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning endorsed the Deputy Leader’s statement having also visited the site recently and hoping what was once a menace to the public would become a public amenity.
Resolved: That the contents of the update report be noted.
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KIDSGROVE TOWN DEAL UPDATE Additional documents:
Decision: (i) That the progress made with the Kidsgrove Town Deal projects be noted (ii) That the Project Adjustment Form submission to MHCLG for the new Enterprise Units, the community learning facility on Kings Academy, Canal pathway improvements and the highway / public realm improvements to The Meadows, Station Road, Market Street, The Avenue, Heathcote Street along with the public toilets upgrade and Kings Street, be approved subject to Town Deal Board approval (iii) That the risks that currently sit against the Railway Station scheme be noted (iv) That further updates be received as necessary
Minutes: The Leader introduced the report on the Kidsgrove Town Deal projects, quoting the refurbishment and re-opening of the Sports Centre, ground works on the Chatterley site towards enabling 1700 jobs to be created, the pump track in Newchapel, Cliffe Park Hall, 3G pitches at Kings School’s and improvements to the Canal Pathway.
The shared service and refurbishment of the station were still under discussion. Money reallocated from the cancelled HS2 project had been expected from the government to go towards the station but seemed not to be an option anymore and the Town Deal funds were not to cover remediation works in the car park if these turned out to be required. A survey was to be carried out to find out for which money was also an issue and a decision was to be made about asking Network Rail for an alternative plan.
The shared service hub’s new approach would involve a regeneration of the town centre around the station of which a community learning hub on the Kings Academy site, new small-scale enterprise units on the Meadows, canal pathway and access as well as highway improvements. The changes had been agreed by the Town Deal Board.
The Deputy Leader welcomed the completion of the Chatterley Valley project as far as the Town Deal investment element went. The developer was due to commence the build out of units later in the year. The works by the Canal and River Trust were also substantially complete.
The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage expressed his disappointment in the Government for withholding part of the fundings that were to go towards the station. Kidsgrove had otherwise hugely benefitted from the Town Deal’s moneys, the first scheme delivered being the Sports Centre which showed a healthy membership and a vast array of classes, promoting better health and social interactions. The pump track was also a success, curbing antisocial behaviours and helping children to get out into the fresh air. Kidsgrove CCTV project was also to be commended, giving a sense of civic pride, comfort and safety for people walking around their hometown.
The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning praised how much good the Town Deal had done and the investment in creating jobs for the future i.e. prosperity. The doubts brought by the Government not honouring the fundings that had been agreed was problematic and it was suggested the local MP should step up to use his influence to liaise with the appropriate Government department and Network Rail.
The Leader confirmed having written to the MP who did not provide any response in relation to why the money was no longer available, bringing uncertainty into the Town Deal Board. The MP also abstained to support the proposal brought to the Board to take action and press ahead.
Resolved: (i) That the progress made with the Kidsgrove Town Deal projects be noted.
(ii) That the Project Adjustment Form submission to MHCLG for the new Enterprise Units, the community learning ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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FINANCIAL & PERFORMANCE REVIEW REPORT - 4TH QUARTER 2024/25 Additional documents:
Decision: That the contents of the attached report and appendices be noted and the Council’s service and financial performance for this period continue to be monitored and challenged.
Minutes: The Deputy Leader introduced the Financial Performance report.
The Leader welcomed the figures and commented on the Efficiency Board process that ensured money was efficiently spent.
The Deputy Leader added that £16.83 Million had been saved in the budget since the change in administration in 2017.
The Leader introduced the Corporate Performance report and invited members to comment on indicators not meeting targets under their respective portfolios.
Priority 1 – One Council Delivering for Local People
Food business inspections completed on time:
the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment commented that while most inspections had been completed on time the Council fell below for quarter 2 which had affected the yearly figure.
Stage 1 complaints processed within 20 working days:
the Leader commented that while the Council slightly fell short earlier in the year the target was met for Quarter 4 with responses sent out within the timeframe.
Percentage of Council Tax collected: the Deputy Leader commented that the moneys had been chased resulting in 97.4% being eventually collected meaning the target was missed by 0.1% only.
Total number of digital online transactions:
the Leader commented that more and more advice and guidance being available online along with referrals to other authorities meant people were finding the information they needed with no need to engage with the Council. Phone and in person resolutions of queries were also still available.
Priority 2 – A Successful and Sustainable Growing Borough
The Leader commented that all indicators were in the green.
The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning praised the planning team for rising to the challenge despite a heavy load on the department.
Priority 3 – Healthy, Active and Safe Communities
Total % of materials collected for recycling and composting verified via WDF:
the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment commented that the garden waste tonnages were down for December, resulting in performance dipping under 50%. Dry recycling tonnage was slightly up on the previous year and from April the Council has added flexible plastic and film along with cartons to the material collected from householders. Work was ongoing with targeted communications to improve recycling rates.
The targets were largely met for other food and residual waste, percentage of successful collections as well as street and environment cleanliness.
The Leader commented that garden waste was not collected over a short period of time during the winter, which was to be taken into account when looking at the indicator for recycling and composting. All other figures showed really good results and the Council had launched a Civic Pride initiative to encourage people not to drop their litter in the first place.
The Leader commended the work of the multifunction team.
The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing went through the indicators in relation to antisocial behaviours and vulnerability.
The Leader emphasized the fact that while there would always be issues for the police and the Council to deal with the figures showed the borough had a safe town centre and the cases of homelessness were ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Decision: That the Forward Plan be received and noted. Minutes: The Leader presented the Forward Plan.
Resolved: That the Forward Plan be received and noted.
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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. |
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DISCLOSURE OF EXEMPT INFORMATION 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.
Minutes: There were no confidential items. |