Agenda and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:              That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May, 2024 be agreed as a correct record.

The Mayor made no formal announcements.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning - Councillor Fear introduced a report seeking  approval for the Final Draft Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough  Local Plan 2040 and to carry out consultation. Should no matters be raised during the consultation, it was recommended that the Plan be submitted to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Councillor Fear advised that without a Local Plan in place the Borough would be vulnerable to predatory development and also would run the risk of having a plan written by the Government.

The report was to approve the Draft Local Plan to be sent out for an 8 week consultation with a suite of supporting documents and, following the consultation if a material impact arose, the plan would be brought back to Council for further debate.  If no impacts arose then the draft plan, along with the verbatim and unredacted comments made upon it, would be sent to an independent planning inspector who would have the final say on the soundness of the plan or make changes to it.

Councillor Fear stated that if the Council did not have a plan in place by June, 2025 the process would have to start all over again.

The draft plan required developers to build up to 30% of affordable homes, to respect local heritage, consider health impacts of development and increase bio-diversity.  It defended public green spaces and would create a third country park.

The Leader seconded the motion and welcomed the reaching of this stage of the  draft plan for the Borough.  Planning Officers were thanked for the work that they had undertaken to pull the plan together.

 Councillor Dave Jones introduced an amendment to the report outlining issues that the Labour Group had identified with the recommendations.  

Following a debate on the amendment, a named vote was taken.

In Favour (Y) –  16

Against (N) –25

Abstain – 0

The motion to amend the recommendations fell and a debate then took place on the original motion.

Councillor Holland, at the recent Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee, had asked what was thought to be of concern with the plan and the response was that the new Government would want to see more  development and growth than the Council had planned for.  Councillor Holland referred to Policies included in the plan which benefited the Borough and its residents.

Councillor Skelding stated that he wanted to see economic growth in the Borough and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Leader introduced a report notifying Members of decisions taken by the Interim Chief Executive and Chief Executive respectively, under urgency powers, on 28 May and 16 July, 2024.

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

Councillor Dave Jones advised of changes to the Labour group membership on the Planning Committee as follows:

Committee Members  would be Councillors’ Brown, Gorton, G Williams and  J Williams.  Councillors’ Brockie and D Jones would become substitutes and Councillor Lewis would replace Councillor Stubbs as a substitute.

Resolved:    That the decisions taken be noted.

Watch the debate here

The Leader, Councillor Simon Tagg presented the statement that had been circulated about the activities and decisions made by Cabinet to allow questions and comments. Reference was made to the Council’s Annual Report and the Leader stated that this Council ‘made things happen’ and this Statement reflected that.

Questions were raised and responses were provided as follows.

On paragraph 2 – Walleys Quarry Update

Councillor Adcock welcomed the activity taking place in respect of Walleys Quarry, including a letter being sent out to the new minister and it was hoped that legal action would finally be approved.  It was welcomed that Newcastle’s new MP, Adam Jogee had already raised the issue in parliament.  The Inquiry held on 23^rd July at Castle House had been both productive and useful and was a good opportunity to hear from those most affected.  The Leader was asked if he agreed that local campaigners, doctors and the Council were, at significant cost, having to pick up the pieces after the failings of other agencies designed to protect them.

The Leader thanked all members of the Committee of Inquiry and stated that  the testimonies of residents had been heartfelt.  The Leader agreed that the operator and Environment Agency needed to be held to account for their failings.  There was enough evidence to show that there had been failings which would be captured in the final report and then see how that could be used, with Government and to look at ways of trying to get a Public Inquiry.

Councillor Fear asked the Leader if he agreed that yesterday’s Inquiry was very informative but also very concerning and if it would be possible for a link to the recording to be sent to the relevant secretary of state so that he may be brought up to date with what had been happening.

The Leader stated that this was a good suggestion and was sure that it could be done.

On paragraph 3 – Town Deal and Future High Street Fund Update

Councillor John Williams asked the Leader for clarification regarding the Ryecroft site – whether it would be houses or apartments.

The Leader stated that houses would be delivered by Aspire Housing and that the social element of those was key.

Councillor Stubbs asked the Leader if the newly elected MP’s for Newcastle and Stoke on Trent North had been written to, invited to the Town Boards, if not when it would take place. 

The Leader stated that Adam Jogee MP was coming to see him on Friday next and would be invited to the Town Board meetings.  The Leader was yet to have a meeting with Mr Williams MP and once that took place he would ensure that he too would have his place on the Board.

Councillor Stubbs, referring to the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee on 27 June where he challenged the Interim Chief Executive with the lack of physical progress achieved with regard to the Kidsgrove Town Deal over the last  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Reports  are attached for the following:

a)       Health, Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee

b)       Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee

c)       Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee

The reports for the Health, Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee,  Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee and Finance Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee had been circulated with the agenda.

Resolved:    That the reports be received.

Watch the debate here

Reports are attached for the following:

a)       Audit and Standards Committee

b)       Planning Committee

c)       Licensing and Public Protection Committee

Reports for the Audit and Standards Committee, Licensing and Public Protection Committee and the Planning Committee were attached to the agenda.

Resolved:    That the reports be received.      

Watch the debate here

Question from Councillor Jacqueline Brown to the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning

“Having attended a meeting on Wed 17th July at Silverdale WMC organised
by Acre Allotments Association, could the borough council explain the
reasoning behind the selection of Traveller and Gypsy Site 8 (T&G 8) in
the amendment to Draft Borough Local Plan 2024 as submitted to the
Special Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee on 11 July as apparently,
suitable for a Traveller and Gypsy site for 5 pitches?”

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning stated that he would supply a written answer to Councillor Brown.

Councillor Brown asked a supplementary question:

“On Monday afternoon (22 July) a site specific selection report was downloaded onto the Council website which mentioned some of the reasons why the site was selected but there were issues with transport, accessibility, natural resources, waste, health and wellbeing.  In view of that, Councillor Brown and her residents were surprised that the site had been selected so a full answer to the question would be appreciated”.

The Portfolio Holder assured that Councillor Brown would receive such an answer.  He stated that the site had been the product of a long and rigorous look at a large number of sites across the Borough.  It was pointed out that the Council was required to look at projected future need for the travelling community.  It was a projected form of need so it was quite possible that it would not be required. That would mean that the site would not be developed in the immediate future and if problems presented themselves there would be time for a useful resolution.

Question from Councillor Richard Gorton to the Portfolio Holder for Sustaiable Environment

“Will the Portfolio Holder confirm when the abandoned waste bins and other miscellaneous discarded items currently littering part of Orchard Street, Wolstanton will be removed? Despite requests from Wolstanton councillors last month and assurances by Street Scene that the bins and rubbish would be removed, as at 11.00 am yesterday (23rd July), no action appears to have been taken”.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the neighbourhood delivery team were aware of the ongoing issues with discarded rubbish and bins being left out at Orchard Street.  It was believed that the area in question was privately owned which would mean that the landlords were responsible for removing the waste.  However, as a gesture of goodwill the neighbourhood ranger had been periodically visiting the site and clearing away what he could. Also, engagement had begun with residents to raise awareness of their individual responsibilities in relation to presenting their domestic bins and returning them to their properties after collection.  If the problem persisted, the neighbourhood delivery team would consider enforcement action if appropriate but it was hoped that the majority of residents would want to do their bit in keeping the area clean and tidy.

Councillor Gorton asked a supplementary question:

“Reassured by the Portfolio Holders answer but it was not just the bins.  There was also a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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

No petitions were handed in.

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.