Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllrs Howells, Mrs Astle, Miss Baker, Mrs Peers, Mrs Hailstones, Hailstones and Fear.

Declarations of interest regarding the Motion relating to Royal Mail were received from Cllr Wilkes (pecuniary interest), Cllr Mrs Beech (personal interest) and Cllr Turner (personal interest).

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th July 2013.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th July 2013 be agreed as a correct record.

The Mayor informed members that this year’s Local Democracy Week would be taking place from the 14^th to 20^th October. A programme had been circulated to all Members. The Week was aimed at younger people aged 18 and under. Assistance in identifying people to attend the various events was required and Members were requested to put the word around.

The Mayor stated that there would be a memorial service for former Cllr John Tatton on 9^th October at 7.30pm at St Barnabas Church, Bradwell.

That a written response be provided regarding progress in the setting up of a Kidsgrove CIC.

A report was submitted to provide an update to the Council on the actions, activities and decisions of Cabinet that had taken place since the last Full Council Meeting.

A question was raised regarding progress in the setting up of the Kidsgrove CIC. The Leader stated that the Portfolio Holder would provide a written response in relation to this.

Resolved: That a written response be provided regarding progress in the setting up of a Kidsgrove CIC.

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

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.

A question was raised regarding reasons for the delimitation of Hackney Carriage vehicles and it was suggested that a written question be provided regarding this for the next meeting of the Council if an answer was still required.

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

The Council is asked to confirm the recommendation made by the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 3^rd July 2013 with regards to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation. The minutes of the meeting are attached and the recommendation is listed at item 6.

That the Council confirm the recommendations made by the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 3^rd July 2013 regarding the Council’s scheme of delegation in relation to the licensing of sexual entertainment venues.

Resolved: That the Council confirm the recommendations made by the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 3^rd July 2013 regarding the Council’s scheme of delegation in relation to the licensing of sexual entertainment venues.

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 responses given:

1.            As a result of the councils inability to demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable housing sites we now have a situation in the village of Baldwins Gate where a planning application has been submitted for 117 houses. The houses are to be crushed into a small plot resulting in increased danger for all local residents using the dangerous A53 as well as unacceptable pressures on the current infra-structure. What does the leader intend to do to stop our villages being blighted by developers in this case and in the future. (Submitted by Cllr Loades).

Response from Cllr Snell:

Cllr Snell stated that that care had to be taken not to prejudice any future planning committee discussion and that should residents wish to make representations then these would have to be made to the relevant planning committee.

Supplementary question from Cllr Loades and response from Cllr Snell:

Cllr Loades asked the Leader if he now regretted the decision of the Cabinet to disregard the findings of the working group regarding the removal of the 7 sites?

Cllr Snell stated that even with the removal of the 7 sites changes made by the Government had still left the Council short of suitable land and that successful applications exacerbated the situation. If changes were required then representations needed to be made to central government.

2.            Can the portfolio holder update the council on the community centre review? (Submitted by Cllr Sweeney)

The Portfolio Holder stated that members and officers were currently working hard to understand the current situation. All community centres had been consulted and the results fed back to the management committee.

Supplementary question from Cllr Sweeney and response from Cllr Williams:

Can the Portfolio Holder still say that no community centres will shut?

Cllr Williams stated that this was still the case.

3.            Can the leader advise me when the Police and Crime Commissioner is making his presentation to the Full Council. (Submitted by Cllr Sweeney)

Cllr Snell stated that the Commissioner was sue to attend the next Cabinet meeting to make a presentation and that if the Council wished, an invitation could be extended to invite him to a future meeting of the Council.

The Mayor stated that an invited would be issued to the Commissioner to attend a future Council meeting.

4.            Can the portfolio holder update the council on the current situation concerning the Ryecroft (submitted by Cllr David Loades).

The Portfolio Holder stated that he was working closely with Officers to find the best way forward regarding the Ryecroft. At the moment there were various options available and care was being taken to ensure that any solution was delivered within the financial parameters. Once an affordability case had been completed then a strategy would be prepared and the Council could go out to the market with a solid business case.

5.            Does the leader intend to write expressing his disappointment to the representative from HS2 ltd  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Motion 1: Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Special Administrator Consultation.

Motion 2:  Opposition to the Privatisation of Royal Mail.

MOTION 1

Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Special Administrator Consultation.

Resolved: The Council agreed the following consultation plan in order to provide a voice to Newcastle residents.

Consultation Plan

Wednesday, 11 September – press release following Full Council announcing our consultation and the public meeting on 23 September.

Wednesday, 11 September and Thursday, 12 September – media activity.

Thursday, 12 September to Wednesday, 25 September

·        Press release available on the flash banner on the council’s website.

·        Weblink to the administrators’ response form and a box where residents can submit extra comments for inclusion in our submission document.

·        Copies of the consultation form will be available at the Civic Offices, Guildhall, Jubilee2, Newcastle Library, Kidsgrove Town Hall, The Borough Museum and Art Gallery and the Madeley Centre during this time.

Tuesday, 17 September –  Stoke-on-Trent Healthwatch meeting in Hanley.

Monday, 23 September – public meeting in the Council Chamber at the Civic Offices at 6pm to be attended by Mark Hackett, Chief Executive of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, is attending along with Steve Allen, Director of Strategy, and either Robert Courtney-Harris or Gavin Russell who are both medical directors. Copies of the consultation form will be handed out and collected afterwards.

Thursday 26, Friday 27, Monday 30 September – the submission document, including supporting statements from the leader and MPs, will be collated by officers at Newcastle Borough Council and submitted to the Trust Special Administrators. 

 MOTION 2

Motion regarding the opposition to the privatisation of Royal Mail.

Resolved:

This council mandates the Leader to write to Michael Fallon MP, Vince Cable MP and Joe Swinson MP expressing its objection to the privatisation of Royal Mail.

This council further mandates that the Leader write to the 4 Members of Parliament representing the Borough and urge them to vote against any privatisation plans.

MOTION 1

Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Special Administrator Consultation.

The Leader Moved an amendment to the original motion after the Trust Special Administrator informed the Council that it was legally unable to coordinate consultation events outside of the Mid Staffordshire Trust catchment area.

The amendment to the motion was seconded by Cllr Kearon.

The Amendment to the motion that had previously been submitted by the Liberal Democrat Group was withdrawn following discussions as it was agreed that the correct forum for the content of the amendment would be the consultation meeting proposed by the Labour amendment to the original motion that was due to be held on 23^rd September.

A vote was taken regarding the amendment and all were in favour, the amendment became the substantive motion.

A vote was taken regarding the substantive motion and all were in favour.

Resolved: The Council agreed the following consultation plan in order to provide a voice to Newcastle residents.

Consultation Plan

Wednesday, 11 September – press release following Full Council announcing our consultation and the public meeting on 23 September.

Wednesday, 11 September and Thursday, 12 September – media activity.

Thursday, 12 September to Wednesday, 25 September

·        Press release available on the flash banner on the council’s website.

·        Weblink to the administrators’ response form and a box where residents can submit extra comments for inclusion in our submission document.

·        Copies of the consultation form will be available at the Civic Offices, Guildhall, Jubilee2, Newcastle Library, Kidsgrove Town Hall, The Borough Museum and Art Gallery and the Madeley Centre during this time.

Tuesday, 17 September–  Stoke-on-Trent Healthwatch meeting in Hanley.

Monday, 23 September – public meeting in the Council Chamber at the Civic Offices at 6pm to be attended by Mark Hackett, Chief Executive of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, is attending along with Steve Allen, Director of Strategy, and either Robert Courtney-Harris or Gavin Russell who are both medical directors. Copies of the consultation form will be handed out and collected afterwards.

Thursday 26, Friday 27, Monday 30 September – the submission document, including supporting statements from the leader and MPs, will be collated by officers at Newcastle Borough Council and submitted to the Trust Special Administrators. 

MOTION 2

Cllr Tony Kearon proposed a motion regarding the opposition to the privatisation of Royal Mail.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Terry Turner.

Cllr Steven Sweeney moved an amendment to the motion which was seconded by Cllr Mark Holland.

The Council voted on the amendment with 11 in favour of the amendment and 36 against.

The amendment fell and discussion returned to the original motion.

A named vote was requested and was as follows:

34 For

10 Against

2 Abstained

Resolved: That the presentation be received.

Resolved: a) That the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2012/13 be received.

b) That the Actual Prudential Indicators contained within the report be approved.

Resolved: a) That the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2012/13 be received.

b) That the Actual Prudential Indicators contained within the report be approved.

There were no petitions.

a) That the power to set fees under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 be delegated to the Licensing Committee.

b)            That authority to grant applications received under the Act where there are no questions relating to the suitability of the applicant be delegated to Licensing Officers.

c)            That where questions do arise regarding the suitability of the applicant, the application be referred to the Licensing Committee or Licensing Sub Committee.

Resolved: a) That the power to set fees under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 be delegated to the Licensing Committee.

b)            That authority to grant applications received under the Act where there are no questions relating to the suitability of the applicant be delegated to Licensing Officers.

c)            That where questions do arise regarding the suitability of the applicant, the application be referred to the Licensing Committee or Licensing Sub Committee.