Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved:     That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 March, 2019 be

                        agreed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

(i)    That the strategic approach set out in the report be approved.

(ii)   That the programme of action set out in the report be approved.

(iii)  That the leadership and delivery mechanisms described in section 5 of the report be established, and that partner agencies be invited to play an active role.

(iv)That a prospectus setting out the Council’s objectives be produced

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking agreement to an extensive programme for regeneration and economic growth of Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre.

The Leader, Councillor Simon Tagg introduced the report drawing Members’ attention to paragraph’s three and four which set out the plans for a ‘Healthy High Street’ and the need for diversification of land use in the town centre.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Stephen Sweeney agreed with everything within the report and stated that he had visited the town centre over the Easter weekend and the Borough’s market stalls were in use with very few unoccupied.  The Market had a future and a meeting was to be held with stall holders to discuss their requirements.

With regard to car parking, a report would be brought to a future Cabinet meeting proposing ideas for the future.

Councillor Sweeney said the days of just retail had gone and that Newcastle needed a town centre for ‘work, rest and play’.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling, Councillor Trevor Johnson said that Streetscene were doing a tremendous job in the town centre, especially with the rough sitter programme.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth, Councillor Paul Northcott was encouraged by the report and acknowledged the importance of appropriate governance and delivery mechanisms.  Branding and marketing of the town was also important.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing, Councillor Jill Waring said that it was vitally important to make the town centre safe and comfortable.  The cctv cameras were currently being looked at for upgrading /increasing which would benefit everyone from visitors to the town centre to the police.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, Councillor Mark Holland welcomed the report stating that the reinvigoration of the Market was very important and Newcastle needed to continue as a market town.  Further, the profile of the Town     

needed raising to bring in people from outside of the area, giving people a reason to visit and, to return.

Councillor Tagg proposed a fourth recommendation to produce a prospectus which would set out what the Council planned to do.  This could then be passed to the BID to put out to businesses.

Councillor Tagg stated that this was a two town Borough – Newcastle and Kidsgrove and a Kidsgrove version of this was being put together.

Resolved:       (i)         That the strategic approach set out in the report be approved.

                        (ii)        That the programme of action set out in the report be

approved.

(iii)          That the leadership and delivery mechanisms described in section 5 of the report be established, and that partner agencies be invited to play an active role.

(iv)         That a prospectus setting out the Council’s objectives be produced

That the revised Recognition Agreement be approved.

A report was submitted to Cabinet informing Members that a Recognition Agreement had been written and consulted on with the recognised Trade Unions and seeking approval of the revised document.

The Leader introduced the report drawing Members’ attention to paragraph one which outlined the background of the Agreement and paragraph three which gave an update of what had happened leading up to the signing of the Recognition Agreement in March, 2019, by all parties.

One of the Council’s priorities was to ‘Transform the Council’ and this document was the building block for this.

Councillor Sweeney stated that he had attended the first meeting in December, 2018 and drew Members’ attention to paragraph two which identified issues which had been encountered by the Trade Unions.

Councillor Holland stated that good industrial relations were essential to the Council.

The Leader expressed his thanks to Councillor Bert Proctor who sat on the Committee, stating that his background and experience in this field was invaluable.

Resolved:       That the revised Recognition Agreement be approved.

That the Chief Executive be authorised to enter into a contract by direct award (and inform the Cabinet member for Environment and Recycling), to a known and previously used supplier for the delivery of technical consultancy work required to meet Ministerial Directive relating to Air Quality deadline of 31^st October 2019.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking approval of the procurement approach taken and awarding of a contract for the Air Quality Local Development Plan Technical Consultant work.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling, Councillor Trevor Johnson  introduced the report drawing Members’ attention to paragraph four.

Councillor Johnson stated that the costs of the study would be met by DEFRA, via a grant.  So far, a grant commitment of £500,000 had been provided for completion of the Plan.

Councillor Holland supported the report, stating that it was important to move forward and to seek a way of avoiding charging for a Clean Air Zone.

Resolved:       That the Cabinet member for Environment and Recycling, in

consultation with the Chief Executive, be authorised to enter into a contract by direct award to a known and previously used supplier for the delivery of technical consultancy work required to meet Ministerial Directive relating to Air Quality deadline of 31^st October 2019.

There was no Urgent Business.