Agenda and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest stated.

The Mayor’s Charity Ball would be held on Friday 25 March, 2022 at Keele Hall.

The Leader, Councillor Simon Tagg introduced a report updating Members on the latest position regarding Walley’s Quarry.

Problems of illegal dumping had been reported by the local MP and there were still failings at the site.  The Cabinet asked the Council to make an official complaint to the Environment Agency and follow it through to the Parliament and Health Service Ombudsman if necessary.

The Head of the Environment Agency, Sir James Bevan had been written to but the Council had not received any reply.  A meeting had also been requested with DEFRA.

Reference was made to paragraph 4.6 of the report and it was asked that, once details of the findings were released by the Environment Agency, that Members be informed.

Resolved:     That the contents of the report be noted.

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The Leader of the Council, Councillor Simon Tagg introduced the report and moved the recommendations which set out the recommendations of Cabinet for Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2022/23. 

The Medium Term Financial Strategy 2022/23 to 2026/27, the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy, Capital Strategy for 2022/32, Treasury Management Strategy for 2022/23 and Investment Strategy 2022/23 were also recommended for approval.

An amendment to the budget was tabled but was defeated.

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

In Favour (Y)- 24

Against (N)- 13

Abstain – 0

Resolved:     That recommendations a to o, as set out in Appendix ‘A’ 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 2022/23. 

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.

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

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The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced a report which set out proposals for appointing the external auditor to the Council for the Statement of Accounts for five years from the year 2023/24.

All Authorities within the County were going in the direction of joining the National Auditor Appointment Scheme.

Resolved:     That the Public Sector Audit Appointment’s invitation, to opt into

the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors to principal local government and police bodies for five financial years, from 1 April, 2023, be accepted.

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The Leader introduced a report notifying Members of decisions taken by the Chief Executive under urgency powers.

Following changes to political proportionality there was a need to review committee seat allocations. 

Resolved:     That the decisions taken be noted.

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To receive a statement by the Leader of the Council on the activities and decisions of Cabinet and items included on the Forward Plan.

A report was submitted which provided an update to Members on the activities and decisions of the Cabinet, together with the Forward Plan.

In respect of paragraph 2, a question was asked as to what percentage of social housing there would be on the Ryecroft site.  The Leader stated that the percentage was a matter for the Planning system.

A question was asked on paragraph 3 regarding the markets, what would be done to help them under the Town Deal Funding.  Councillor Sweeney stated that the markets occupancy were quite encouraging and the Council was working to encourage traders to open more on Sundays.  There were many new stalls coming into the town including the artisan market, antiques, record fayre. Evening markets were also now taking place.

A further question was asked on paragraph 3 as to who collected the monies and took the bookings for the stalls on the Tuesday and Thursday markets.  Also, how much did the BID contribute to the markets and other activities in the town centre.  The Leader advised that the antiques market was run by the Antiques Forum and the artisan market, run by the Artisan Forum.  The BID had invested in the market so that there could be extra stalls by the Guildhall.

The Portfolio Holder was asked to send thanks to everyone who worked so hard, behind the scenes in bringing the Borough the award winning market.

Regarding paragraph 5, it was stated that a Borough Local Plan needed to be in place as soon as possible.

The Mayor asked that it be moved to extend the guillotine for the meeting and to aim to have all business completed by 10.30pm.  This was agreed.

A question was asked on paragraph 6, if the Leader would welcome an agenda item at Kidsgrove Town Council tomorrow that looked to £55,000 capital infusion with a possible £40,000 over the next four years.  The Leader stated that it would be great news if Kidsgrove Town Council were to put money into this.

Members welcomed the improvements to the Westlands Sports Centre and Wolstanton Park Tennis Courts.

Regarding Paragraph 8, it was stated that a train station there would be good for the people who worked there.

It was asked whether this site could be added to the Local Plan as part of land earmarked for redevelopment.  The Leader confirmed that this site was in the Local Plan as an employment site.

A statement was made on paragraph 9, that when the Council looked into introducing LED lighting that close attention was given to the health, social and environmental impacts of them and expertise be pulled in from Keele University.  The Leader stated that Newcastle could learn from the County Council’s experience of this and through the feasibility study, tap into Keele’s knowledge.

Paragraph 10, regarding Urban Tree Planting, Members felt that this was an excellent strategy.  A question was asked about future maintenance of the trees.  The Leader stated that, maintenance for newly planted trees would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Reports were submitted for the Committees that had met since the last Council meeting. 

Resolved:     That the reports be received.

Written reports were submitted for the Committees that had met since the last Council meeting. 

Resolved:     That the reports be received.

Councillor Fear asked the Leader the following:

All Councillors recently received a note from GMB union raising questions about the recent review of the Drugs and Alcohol Policy, which I understand alters the Council’s stance on process and threshold of acceptance of alcohol level whilst at work.  Can the Leader give assurances as to the process followed and the purpose/intended impact of the change?

The Leader stated that this Policy had recently been up for review and the Council worked with the Unions.  The former Policy had been unclear as to levels which the revised Policy made clearer.  A level of 12 micrograms per 100milligrams of breath was agreed.  This was below the legal limit for driving. 

Councillor Fear asked the Leader to outline the jobs involved.  The Leader stated that the jobs included lifeguards at J2, refuse collectors, drivers, mechanics and operators of machinery.

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

A petition was handed in by Councillor Fox-Hewitt regarding speed humps within the Bradwell Ward.

As this was a County Matter, the Petition would be passed to Councillor Graham Hutton to be raised with the County Council.

Resolved:     That the Petition be received.

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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.

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.

Resolved:-                That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration if the following matter because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs contained within Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.