Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 November 2023.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2022 be approved as a correct record.

This item includes supplementary reports.

That the report be noted.

The Chief Executive updated on Walleys Quarry.

There had been two developments since the last update to Cabinet - improved public access to information whereby the operators, Walleys Quarry Limited (WQL) were now sharing information on their website; and a system had been introduced to send alerts to the public giving advance notice of activities that could give rise to short lived odour emissions. This information was also shared on the council’s social media.

The report outlined the complaints data to both the council and the Environment Agency. The data showed a similar picture to the previous month. The data from the four Air Quality Monitoring Stations was also included in the report showing the percentage of exceedances above the World Health Organisation’s nuisance levels. The data from the Galingale View showed zero percent for much of November but the levels at Silverdale Cemetery were 4.5% for the fortnight from 14 November. Although there had been some increase in levels the overall levels were considerably lower than earlier in the year.

A set of standard Key Performance Indicators was being developed to monitor the performance of the operator.

The Leader of the Council reported that Staffordshire County Council had granted planning permission, subject to conditions, to the operator to allow HGVs on site prior to the site opening times to alleviate traffic issues on Cemetery Road.

Cabinet would continue to receive update reports to each meeting.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Click here to watch the debate

That:

1.         The first draft proposals as set out in Appendix A and Appendix B to the report be noted.

2.         The amendment to the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) funding gap as a result of revisions to capital financing and inflationary assumptions be noted (Appendix C).

3.         The refreshed Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) (Appendix D) be referred to the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee for their views.

4.         The first draft proposals be referred to the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee for their views (Appendix A and Appendix B).

5.         The Mid-Year Capital Estimates for 2022/23 be approved

Cabinet considered the refreshed Medium Term Financial Strategy including the first draft proposals to balance the 2023/24 revenue budget and the proposed capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26.

The report set out how a number of savings and funding strategies had been identified to enable a balanced financial position to be proposed for 2023/24.

Officers were thanked for their work on the council’s finances.

Resolved: That:

1.         The first draft proposals as set out in Appendix A and Appendix B to the report be noted.

2.         The amendment to the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) funding gap as a result of revisions to capital financing and inflationary assumptions be noted (Appendix C).

3.         The refreshed Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) (Appendix D) be referred to the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee for their views.

4.         The first draft proposals be referred to the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee for their views (Appendix A and Appendix B).

5.         The Mid-Year Capital Estimates for 2022/23 be approved.

Click here to watch the debate

This item includes a supplementary report.

That:

1.         The Programme of Activities planned so far for the 850th Year of Celebrations be agreed.

2.         The financial contributions received to date to fund the programme be noted and the further work to raise contributions for the Celebrations be endorsed.

3.         An 850th Year Website be launched for residents, organisations and businesses to easily access information about the Year of Celebrations and opportunities to be involved.

4.         The legacy programme envisaged for the 850 Year Celebrations be agreed.

5.         A heritage blue plaque nomination scheme be approved.

6.         Cabinet agrees that the Heritage Champion, the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage along with the Executive Director Development and Growth finalise the programme once Scrutiny have reviewed the plans for the year / events and are then delegated to enter into such agreements and licences to deliver the programme of activity and to be able to add or remove events / activities as may be required.

Cabinet considered a report on the work being undertaken for the 850 commemoration of the Borough of Newcastle under Lyme. The plans were set out in the report and included Civic, community and legacy celebrations and events. A dedicated area on the website displayed the programme and information. There were various sponsorship packages available and £35k in sponsorship had been committed to date. Local schools would be able to be involved. The logo had been designed by the council’s in-house team.

Resolved: That:

1.         The Programme of Activities planned so far for the 850th Year of Celebrations be agreed.

2.         The financial contributions received to date to fund the programme be noted and the further work to raise contributions for the Celebrations be endorsed.

3.         An 850th Year Website be launched for residents, organisations and businesses to easily access information about the Year of Celebrations and opportunities to be involved.

4.         The legacy programme envisaged for the 850 Year Celebrations be agreed.

5.         A heritage blue plaque nomination scheme be approved.

6.         Cabinet agrees that the Heritage Champion, the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage along with the Executive Director Development and Growth finalise the programme once Scrutiny have reviewed the plans for the year / events and are then delegated to enter into such agreements and licences to deliver the programme of activity and to be able to add or remove events / activities as may be required.

Click here to watch the debate

That:-

1.         Phase 4 of the tree planting under the Urban Tree Planting Strategy be approved for implementation, subject to consultation responses, and the Executive Director – Sustainable Environment and Operational Services be authorised to seek and accept quotations for the work.

2.         The proposed Lyme Forest, consisting of 850 lime trees and other associated tree planting at the former Keele Golf Course site, to celebrate the forthcoming 850th anniversary of the Borough’s Royal Charter, be approved as part of Phase 4, subject to consultation responses.

3.         That Cabinet approves the setting up of a community donations scheme to contribute to the delivery of the Urban Tree Planting Strategy and the Lyme Forest as well as other related projects.

Cabinet considered a report updating on progress with the Urban Tree Planting Strategy. The Strategy had been approved in July 2021. Over the past 2 years a total of 265 trees had been planted at 8 sites. There had also been further planting via a scheme involving Primary Schools which had resulted in 1176 trees planted for the Jubilee and a further 9400 trees had been planted as part of the Britain in Bloom project – Plant a Bloomin’ Tree. 

The next phase of the Borough Council’s Strategy would involve tree planting at 4 smaller sites with planted scheduled for before Christmas. This would be followed by phase 4a which would involve consultation on 9 further small sites.

The report also set out proposals to plant a commemorative Lyme Forest of 850 lime trees at the former Keele Golf course site.

Resolved: That:-

1.         Phase 4 of the tree planting under the Urban Tree Planting Strategy be approved for implementation, subject to consultation responses, and the Executive Director – Sustainable Environment and Operational Services be authorised to seek and accept quotations for the work.

2.         The proposed Lyme Forest, consisting of 850 lime trees and other associated tree planting at the former Keele Golf Course site, to celebrate the forthcoming 850th anniversary of the Borough’s Royal Charter, be approved as part of Phase 4, subject to consultation responses.

3.         That Cabinet approves the setting up of a community donations scheme to contribute to the delivery of the Urban Tree Planting Strategy and the Lyme Forest as well as other related projects.

Click here to watch the debate

That Cabinet:-

1.         Notes the need to transition the way in which it hosts its major computer systems; and,

2.         Delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for One Council, People and Partnerships, to award a contract to a supplier of ICT Server Support Services following a competitive tender process against the NHS Digital Workplace Solutions framework.

Cabinet considered a report on options available for ongoing support of the Council’s ICT server infrastructure following staffing issues in the infrastructure support team.

Resolved: That Cabinet:-

1.         Notes the need to transition the way in which it hosts its major computer systems; and,

2.         Delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for One Council, People and Partnerships, to award a contract to a supplier of ICT Server Support Services following a competitive tender process against the NHS Digital Workplace Solutions framework.

Click here to watch the debate

That Cabinet authorise the direct award of a 5-year contract to Civica for an Information Governance Case Management System under the Crown Commercial Services RM6194 Framework (BOS Lot 1) in the sum of £108,000.

Cabinet considered a report on procuring a dedicated Information Governance Case Management System. This system would generate a number of benefits including time and cost efficiencies and improved governance controls.

Resolved: That Cabinet authorise the direct award of a 5-year contract to Civica for an Information Governance Case Management System under the Crown Commercial Services RM6194 Framework (BOS Lot 1) in the sum of £108,000.

Click here to watch the debate

The amended Terms of Reference set out in Appendix 1 to the report be agreed.

Cabinet considered a report on a proposed change to the Terms of Reference to state that the Board would meet at least every 4 months.

Resolved: That the amended Terms of Reference set out in Appendix 1 to the report be agreed.

Click here to watch the debate

That the Forward Plan be received.

Cabinet considered the Forward Plan listing upcoming key decisions to be made by Cabinet.

Resolved: That the Forward Plan be received.

There was no Urgent Business.