Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Heames, Cllr Mrs Burnett, Cllr Wilkes, Cllr Subbs, Cllr Mrs Shenton and Cllr Welsh.

Held on 15 May 2013, to be signed as a correct record.

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th May 2013 be agreed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

It is reported that the successful candidate at the above by-election was Amelia Catherine Rout.

It was reported that the successful candidate at the by-election held for the Silverdale and Parksite Ward on 4^th July 2013 was Amelia Catherine Rout.

The Mayor stated that he was investigating the possibility of appointing a town crier for Newcastle under Lyme in partnership with the Civic Society which had offered to fund the appointment.

The Council Leader stated that he fully supported this and thanked the Civic Society for its generous offer.

Report to follow.

A report was received informing the Council of decisions made by Cabinet and other actions undertaken by the Cabinet since the last Council meeting.

The leader stated that the 100 in 100 campaign had been a resounding success. Working in partnership with Paul Farrelly MP and Newcastle under Lyme College, 177 young people had been matched up with jobs, employment or training opportunities in the local area. The Leader thanked Kim Graham, the Councils Principal Regeneration Officer, Newcastle under Lyme College, Paul Farrelly MP and Karen Bradley MP for their help with the project.

A question was raised following discussions at the Transformation and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding whether there would be a time limit or cut of date regarding finding a new long term partner for Keele Gold Course. The Leader stated that the process would not carry on longer than 6 months.

Resolved:     That the report and its contents be noted.

(a)               Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee

(b)               Transformation and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(c)               Active and Cohesive Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(d)               Cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(e)               Economic Development and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(f)                 Health Scrutiny Committee

Verbal and written updates were received from the Chairs of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees on work undertaken since the last meeting of the Council.

Resolved:     That the updates be received and the work undertaken noted.

(a)               Planning Committee

(b)               Licensing Committee

(c)               Public Protection Committee

(d)               Audit and Risk Committee

Verbal updates were received from the Chairs of the Statutory Committees on work undertaken since the last meeting of the Council.

The suggestion was made that a digest be created for all Elected Members regarding the recent changes in Planning legislation.

The request was also made that a report be sent to all Elected Members regarding the recent changes to the Licensing Act 2003. It was noted that there was a link to these changes on the website where members would be able to access this information.

Resolved:     That the updates be received and the work undertaken noted.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 11, questions must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.  Any questions considered urgent will only be accepted with the agreement of the Mayor prior to the meeting.

The following questions were submitted and discussed:

1)                 Why has the litter figure for Q4 2012/2013 risen to 15% (Target 9%) from a figure of 6.79% in 2011/12, and why has the detritus figure risen to 15.02% from 9.32% in 2011/12?  Submitted by Cllr David Becket

Response from Cllr Ann Beech, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling:

Cllr Beech agreed that she was a little disappointed with the figures but that they were still at distinction level. Cllr Beech stated that improvement was desired and that officers had been asked to provide a report on current working practices which would be distributed to all Members and from which it would be possible to see where improvements could be made. Investments had been made in the service including the purchase of a new road sweeper and litter campaigns had been run. Resident satisfaction with the cleanliness of the streets and open spaces had risen and it was thought that greater resident participation had helped on this,  Cllr Beech thanked Simon Long, Community Development Officer for his help with this. Elected Members were encouraged to report any problem areas and it was stated that a review was also being looked at regarding refuge collections.

2)                 Why is the second round of the site allocations consultation running late, and by how many months? Question submitted by Cllr Nigel Jones.

Response from Cllr Terry Turner, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development,  Regeneration and Town Centres:

A revised timetable had been released in February 2012 but unfortunately the 2^nd draft option stage was now behind schedule. Cllr Turner stated that this was due to a more rigorous consultative approach being carried out and the diversion of officer time and resources to deal with legislative and structural changes. A revised timetable would be considered by Cabinet in the near future.

a)     Supplementary questions from Cllr Nigel Jones:

Will the lack of a detailed local place increase the risk that the Council will not have enough control regarding where building takes place in the Borough?

Cllr Terry Turner stated that unfortunately due to cuts from Central Government the Council had to prioritise.

3)                 Will you agree that the council is unable to demonstrate an up-to-date 5 year plus 5% supply of deliverable housing sites? Question submitted by Cllr David Becket.

Response from Cllr Terry Turner, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development,  Regeneration and Town Centres:

Cllr Turner stated that a report had been discussed regarding this at the last meeting of the Planning Committee and that this was not a new situation for the Council. The methodology for calculating the percentage had changed in 2009/10 and the Borough was currently experiencing the highest rate of building since 2006/07. Cllr Turner stated that building houses reduced the number of sites available and that a 20% buffer rather than a 5% buffer now had to be allowed for. Each year a 5 year supply had to be shown which was continually reduced by new building.

a)     Supplementary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

A report was submitted requesting Council to approve the revised Financial Regulations and Procedures be approved.

The Council’s Financial Regulations and Procedures needed to be reviewed regularly and revised where necessary so that they reflected the current structure and requirements of the Council.

Resolved:      That the revised Financial Regulations and Procedures be approved.

At its annual meeting on 15 May 2013, the council resolved that the following arrangements be put in place for the making of changes to committee membershjps during the municipal year:-

(3)               That the Chief Executive be authorised to give effect to further changes to the membership of committees and other council bodies in accordance with the stated wishes of the political groups in accordance with (5) below; and

(4)               That, where a political group wishes to amend its membership of a committee or other council body within its allocation of places on that committee or body in accordance with (4) above, such appointment will take effect from the day following receipt in writing of the request and be reported to the next meeting of the council or appointing body for confirmation.

In accordance with this provision, the council is requested to confirm the following changes to committee memberships:-

(a)               Councillor Terry Turner replacing Councillor Gareth Snell on the Staffing Committee; and

(b)               Councillor Gareth Snell replacing Councillor Kyle Robinson on the Public Protection Committee.

In addition to the above changes, the council is requested to confirm any other changes to committee memberships which any of the groups may wish to make, and those appointments to outside bodies arising from the resignation of former Councillor Lawton now the by-election has been held.

The political balance calculation for committee memberships is unaffected by the result of the by-election.

At the time of his resignation former Councillor Lawton did not serve on any committees but held positions on the following three outside bodies:-

• Park Road, Silverdale Community Centre Management Committee
• Silverdale Social Centre Community Centre Management Committee
• Newcastle-under-Lyme Community and Voluntary Support

Resolved:     (a) That Cllr Terry Turner replace Cllr Gareth Snell on the Staffing Committee.

(b)       That Councillor Gareth Snell replace Cllr Kyle Robinson on the Public Protection Committee.

No further changes were requested.

Consideration of any business which is urgent in the opinion of the Mayor, in accordance with Procedure Rule 7.

There was no urgent business.