Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items contained within this agenda.

The Mayor accepted a declaration of interests on behalf of the Officers present in respect of Item 6 (pay policy statement) and a dispensation to remain was granted lest Members required any advice during the debate on that item.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:                 That the minutes of the meeting held on the 23rd November be agreed as a correct record.

The Mayor made two announcements:

-       Tickets were now available for the Mayor’s Charity Event to be held on 31^st March 2023. It would be a Roaring Twenties Casino Night and also include the Newcastle Borough Heroes Awards for a cost of £55 each. The funds collected will be going to the Veterans and Home Start.

-       A further Scrutiny Training session had been arranged for the 2nd March 2023, commencing at 6pm for Members who had not been able to attend the previous session.

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The Leader of the Council, Cllr Simon Tagg, introduced the report and moved the recommendations which set out the recommendations of Cabinet for Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2023/24. 

The Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 to 2027/28, the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy, Capital Strategy for 2023/33, Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24 and Investment Strategy 2023/24 were also recommended for approval.

An amendment to the budget was tabled and debated before a named vote was taken.

In Favour (Y) – 18

Against (N) – 24

Abstain – 0

The amendment failed.

Following a debate on the substantive motion, a named vote was taken in respect of the proposed budget:

In Favour (Y) –  24

Against (N) – 18

Abstain – 0

Resolved:     That recommendations (a) to (o), as set out in Appendix ‘1’ of the agenda report be approved.

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The Leader introduced a report seeking Council’s approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24. 

This was an annual requirement of the Localism Act, 2011 setting out the remuneration of chief officers and the lowest paid employees and the changes in roles and titles of senior officers. 

The Statement had changed slightly from last year to reflect the development of the Council’s leadership structure.

Resolved:     That the Pay Policy Statement, as attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved.

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The Leader presented the statement that had been circulated and provided an update on the activities and decisions made by himself and the Cabinet to allow questions and comments.

The Walleys Quarry’s report referred to would be shared with the Economic Development Scrutiny Committee as well as the Health and Partnership Scrutiny Committee. About Newcastle-under-Lyme 850 Celebrations, Staffordshire County Council and the Synectics Solutions would be respectively sponsoring the Community Champions Awards and the Young Heroes Awards.

Questions were raised by members as follows.

On Paragraph 2 – Walleys Quarry:

-       Cllr Brown expressed her disagreement with the use of the word ‘consistent’ in a recent press release issued by the company to refer to records of improvement in light of the spikes of odour still felt by residents. As there is now only £100,000 reserve in case further legal action is required against £1 million previously set aside Cllr Brown asked officers to confirm there was enough to take any necessary action to hold Walleys Quarry accountable and take them to Court in the event of a breach of the abatement notice.

-       Cllr Whieldon wished the leader to confirm that the enhanced communication taking place with the company was working efficiently to reassure the population that everything was being done to solve the problem.

The Leader confirmed that the company would be held to account and that an officer report was awaited at the end of the standstill period in March.

On paragraph 3 – the 850 celebrations:

-       Cllr Gorton asked that the relaunch of Newcastle Civic Society that was disbanded in 2020 be considered as part of the borough important legacy, and for a meeting to be organised on that topic. Cllr Gorton also wished that Josiah Wedgwood be incorporated in history talks scheduled as part of the celebrations for his work as MP and notably leading the opposition to the bill designed to absorb Newcastle into Stoke.

-       Cllr G. Williams expressed her concern over the County Council plans to build 100 houses on Wallfields Avenue which forms part of the borough Green Heritage Network and wished the leader to use his influence to make sure all sites on the list are protected.

-       Cllr J. Williams asked the Leader to comment on the alteration of the borough’s crest in the celebrations’ logo.

The Leader welcomed the idea of supporting the relaunch of the Civic Society as well as including Josiah Wedgwood in the celebrations, to be passed on to the Museum staff and discussed with heritage champion Simon White.

About the planning application the Leader shared his opinion that the planning committee should fight the appeal and reminded the Council of the cross party heritage panel that met 18 months ago allowing members to share their view.

Finally the Leader confirmed that the logo created for the celebrations was indeed just for the latter and that the borough’s crest would remain in use for all other Council business.

Cllr Jones shared his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

A verbal update will be given for the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee and the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee.

The report for the Health, Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee had been circulated with the supplementary agenda.

Verbal updates were given for the Economy & Place Scrutiny Committee and Finance Asset and Performance Scrutiny Committee detailing the items discussed at previous meetings.

Resolved:    That the reports be received.

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A verbal update will be given for the Planning Committee.

Reports for the Audit and Standards Committee and Licensing and Public Protection Committee were attached to the agenda as supplementary items.

A verbal update was provided for the Planning Committee.

Resolved:     That the reports be received.        

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Two questions were received.

Question from Cllr Reece to the Leader of the Council:

“Several Wolstanton residents have raised concerns about the lack of any maintenance programme for trees that line roads and streets in the ward. Many trees are excessively tall or have branches that overhang drives and gardens. Residents are anxious about the potential dangers of falling heavy branches, or even the trees, particularly with the increase in storm and wind surges that have become part of our weather pattern. In view of these concerns is the Leader of the Council content with the current maintenance arrangements? If he shares the concern expressed by residents, will he take up this matter with the County Council with a view to getting a more effective maintenance programme in place?”

The Leader responded that a system is required for tree issues to be reported to the County Council to be taken into account in the tree management work programme and County Councillors may be in the best position to help. Residents are also welcome to outsource tree works themselves subject to these being authorised by the County Council.

Question from Cllr Parker to the Finance, Town Centre and Growth Portfolio Holder, also Deputy Leader of the Council:

“I read with interest the recent article in the Sentinel relating to the closure of Kirkham Jewellers and the redevelopment of York Place. Would the Deputy Leader like to give the Council’s side of the story to set the record straight?”

The Deputy Leader responded that the article indeed gave a misrepresentation of what happened and that alternative options had been given to the jewellery shop which they decide not to take. Discussions had taken place and a six month notice extended to ten months had been given for the company to relocate.

Cllr Parker asked as a supplementary question how the Council was getting on with the relocation of other businesses.

The Deputy Leader gave examples of local businesses having moved and where they can now be found and others that unfortunately had to close.

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To receive from Members any petitions which they wish to present to the Council.

No petitions were received.

To consider any communications which pursuant to Appendix 7, Procedure Rule 8 of the constitution are, in the opinion of the Mayor, of an urgent nature and to pass thereon such resolutions as may be  deemed necessary.

Members were informed that Dave Adams, Executive Director for Sustainable Environment was retiring after 35 years’ service. 

The Leader and Councillor John Williams paid tribute to Dave who then responded with thanks.

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To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following report(s) as it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs contained within Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no confidential items.