Agenda and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Members stood in silent tribute to the memory of Alderman Eddie Boden.  Tributes were paid to Alderman Boden for his roles at the Council including as Councillor, Leader, Mayor and Alderman. 

Watch the tributes here

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:                 That, subject to it being noted that the apologies given for Councillor Beeston at the previous meeting were for a brief leave of absence from her Council duties, the minutes of the meeting held on 26 July, 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

                                    The apologies  would  cover all meetings on which Councillor Beeston serves, until further notice.

The Mayor made announcements on the following:

·         Remembrance Sunday Parade and Church Service on 12^th November starting at 9.30am

·         Mock Mayor Making Ceremony on Sunday 19^th November at 1pm.

The Leader introduced a report advising of changes to committee membership following changes in political group membership. The changes followed the by-elections held in Audley and Knutton wards on the 7^th September.

Resolved:                 (i)         That the changes to committee membership as

                                                set out in the report, be agreed;

(ii)          That the changes to Appointments to Outside Bodies as set out in the report, be agreed

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The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2022/23, which had been produced in line with legislative requirements.

Resolved:                 (i)         That the Treasury Management Annual Report for

2022/23 be noted.

Watch the debate here

The Leader presented the statement that had been circulated about the activities and decisions made by Cabinet to allow questions and comments.

Questions were raised and responses were provided as follows.

On paragraph 2 – Town Centre Regeneration Update

Councillor Panter asked the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth how finances would stack up with the creation of public open space, homes, offices and shops.

Councillor Sweeney stated that Cabinet had agreed to take on Capital and Centric to do the plans and business case for York Place.  The Council would borrow money to develop York Place.  Upon Completion, Capital and Centric would reimburse the money including any interest incurred by the Council and would run the shopping centre.

Councillor Dave Jones asked the Leader to confirm if the parking rates on the new car park would be charged in line with charges on Council car parks.

The Leader stated that the car parking charges would be standard but would not preclude any of the offers brought in on other car parks.  The new car park would have to compete with other private car parks in the town.

Councillor Brockie asked why the Council could not just value engineer projects instead of sharing the risk with a joint venture delivery partner.

The Leader suggested that Councillor Brockie meet with Simon McEneny who could go through the details from the Cabinet report.

Councillor Holland asked the Leader for an update on the construction timetable for the car park.

The Leader stated that work should be starting on site within the next week or so.  This would be a 44 week building project (Summer 2024) at which time the

Midway would close and lead to the development of the Midway

Councillor Fox-Hewitt asked if Council could explore the viability of compulsory purchasing the Sky building and working with Capital and Centric to bring that project to fruition

The Leader stated that there were specific rules around compulsory purchase which would have to be met.  Officers were continuously in touch with whoever was trying to gain control of the building.

Councillor Stubbs asked if the full market value or total cost that Capital and Centric would pay, included the value of the land.

A written answer would be provided for this.

On paragraph 3 – Medium Term Financial Strategy 2024/24 to 2028/29

Councillor Stubbs asked the Leader if he held the Efficiency Board or events at Westminster responsible for the shortfalls in the Strategy.

The Leader stated that the problems had come from inflationary issues related to the extended lockdown and the war in Ukraine.  The issues had led to an increased pay award and an increased need for temporary accommodation.  The Council would write to the Government and local MP’s to make a case for adequate support.

Councillor Paul Waring asked the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth for an update on the current in-year revenue position of the Council.

Councillor Sweeney stated that, at the present time  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

A written report will be attached for the Health, Wellbeing & Environment Scrutiny Committee. The Finance, Assets & Performance Scrutiny Committee and Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee have not met since the last meeting of the Full Council.

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

The other Scrutiny Committees had not met since the last meeting

of the Full Council.

Resolved:    That the report be received.

Watch the debate here

A written report is attached for the Licensing & Public Protection Committee. The Audit & Standards Committee has not met since the last meeting of the Full Council.

A verbal update will be given for the Planning Committee.

A reports for the Licensing and Public Protection Committee was attached to the agenda.  A verbal update was given for the Planning Committee detailing the items discussed at previous meetings.

The Audit and Standards Committee had not met since the last meeting of Full Council.

Resolved:    That the reports be received.      

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To consider a Motion regarding Low Emission Zones and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

A Motion was received concerning Low Emission Zones and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods proposed by Councillor Holland and seconded by Councillor Simon Tagg.

An amendment to the Motion was tabled but following a vote, was defeated.

Following a debate on the original motion, a vote was taken.

In Favour (Y) – 27

Against (N) – 1

Abstain – 7

The Motion was carried.

Watch the debate here

Two questions were received:

1)        Question from Councillor Wilkes to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth:

“Given the safety concerns raised about Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RACC). Can the Portfolio Holder update the council on the status of Council owned buildings in the borough?

I was pleased see that Sir Thomas Boughey Academy in my Ward took proactive remedial action to replace RAAC panels which were present in some roof constructions at the school. This was before the recent government announcement of a list of schools across the country containing RACC and a funding package for remediation. Does the Portfolio holder agree with me that Sir Thomas Boughey Academy should receive retrospect funding from the government to compensate them for the work already carried out?”   

Councillor Sweeney stated that the buildings owned by the Council in the Borough had been reviewed and an engineer had confirmed that he had no concerns.

Councillor Sweeney stated that he absolutely did agree that the Academy should receive funding and this would be something that he and the Leader would take up with the local MP to take to Parliament.

2)        Question from Councillor Brown to the Leader of the Council:

“On the 14^th of September a category 2 non compliance breach was issued to WQ relating to issues with temporary capping across the site. This followed an unannounced inspection on the 19^th June by the Environment Agency. The EA found that there had been a failure to install temporary clay capping to the flanks of Phases 1,2,3 & 4 and concluded that `there could be a significant impact on quality of life if not addressed promptly and adequately.` WQL issued a statement saying they did not accept these findings and will challenge them directly with the E.A.

Does the Leader of the Council share my concern that WQL may be falling back into the attitude of `denial` and the habit of disputing the findings of regulators?”

            The Leader stated that Cabinet had received its monthly update yesterday and the Chief Executive had been questioned about issues relating to the Environment Agency, particularly the Category 2 breaches that had been announced.  It had been queried whether they should have triggered taking legal/enforcement action by the Abatement Notice.

Securing the Abatement Notice took over a year and any prosecution would now take a higher burden of proof and would again be a lengthy process.  In addition any enforcement of the Abatement Notice would need to be carried out in accordance with the Council’s Enforcement Policy which focusses on an ongoing compliance.  A statutory odour nuisance would have to be identified within the zones identified within the Abatement Notice and consideration would then be given as to whether the odour event was as a result of the best practical means on the site.  Officers would then consider any such breach against the Council’s Environment Policy which would require sequential use of power.  If Officers felt that there was a strong case  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

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 Section B4, Rule 9 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.

There was no urgent business.

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.