Agenda and draft minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest stated.

A minute’s silence was held for former Mayor and Alderman,  Elizabeth (Betty) Caddy who had recently passed away.

The Leader of the Council led the tributes stating that Betty had been a long standing and very respected public servant.  She had served as Mayor between 1994 and 1995 and had been appointed as an Honorary Alderman in 2015.  Betty had served as a Councillor until 2004 with a strong voice and fierce sense of loyalty. She had also been a dedicated JP too.  On behalf of his group, the leader sent condolences to the family and expressed his gratitude for her service over many years.

Councillor Gill Williams stated that Betty had served as a Councillor between 1986 and 2004 and had led a very busy life.  She had served as mayor between 1994 and 1995 and had been appointed as an Honorary Alderman in 2015.  After her retirement, she had continued with voluntary work in the Chesterton community.  Condolences were sent to the family.

Councillor Grocott, who had known Betty for most of his life stated that she always did her best for the Chesterton community  even when her health had started to fail.

Watch the tributes here

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:              That, subject to the insertion of the comment below, under paragraph 4 – Local Government Reorganisation,  the minutes of the meetings held on 19 November, 2025 be agreed as a correct record:

                              ‘Councillor Crisp stated that the people of Audley were constantly worried about houses being built in the green spaces and he had heard rumours that people had commented about the many brownfield sites in Stoke on Trent but Councillor Crisp felt that the opposite would be the truth – with more housing developments appearing in Audley and similar areas.’

The Mayor made the following announcements:

The Mayor thanked his Chaplain and the Parochial Church Council of St Margaret's, Betley for donating the collection from the  Mayor's Carol Service, to the Mayor's Charity. The Salvation Army who donated the collection from their Carol Service to the Mayor’s Charity fund were also thanked.

A list of fund raising events for the remainder of the Mayor’s term of office had been circulated with the Christmas Card. Members were also advised of an  event in February and mention was made of the Mayor's Ball. 

The next Mayoral fund raising event, would be a concert by  the Rock Choir which would be held at the Madeley Centre on Saturday 14th February (at 7pm).   Tickets, could be obtained direct from the Madeley Centre, costing £15 each.  Jamie Stephenson was thanked for dealing with the arrangements and the Madeley Centre, for sponsoring the event.  

Tickets were now available for the Mayor's Ball, which will be held in the Chancellor's Building at Keele on Saturday 21st March at 7pm. Tickets cost £75, for three courses with a cheese board on the side. Audley Brass Band would be playing during the evening and there would be a photobooth provided. A disco, auction and tombola would follow the meal. Further details and tickets could be obtained from Geoff Durham. 

A further announcement would be made at February Council, about a fund raising event, to be held on at 7pm on Saturday 14^th March, at St Giles. 

The Leader introduced a report and moved the recommendations informing Council of legislative updates that would impact upon the Council’s Constitution including and relating to the Procurement Act 2023.

At the Council meeting held last September there had been an update to the Constitution and the Monitoring Officer had been asked to carry out a review of what legislative changes  had occurred.  The Council had been asked to endorse the national changs that were detailed in the report – specifically the Finance and Contract Procedure Rules within Section F5.  Transitional arrangements were also outlined where the old regulations continued to apply in addition to the new duties and digital requirements coming into force this year.  The report set out updates that were required in order to remain compliant with new legislation.

Officers were working alongside the Constitution Working Group on a full review of the Constitution which would be taken to the Annual Council meeting in May.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Holland stated that the technical changes to Part F of the Constitution had been made in order to bring it into line with national legislation.

Resolved:    (i)       That the changes introduced as part of the Procurement

          Act 2023 and its impacts on the delivery of future procurement exercises delivered throughout the authority, be acknowledged.

(ii)      That the required changes to the Council’s current constitution particularly under section(s):

F5 Finance and Contract Procedural Rules – Section F5F – Contract Procedure Rules and F5 Finance and Contract Procedural Rules – Section F5H – Glossary; be acknowledged.

(iii)           That the ongoing work for the Constitution Working Group by officers for a full constitution review to be brought to Annual Council, be noted.

Watch the debate here

Councillor Parker arrived at 7.45pm

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.

Questions were raised and responses were provided as follows.

On paragraph 2 – Walleys Quarry Odour Issues

Councillor Adcock welcomed the progress on Walleys Quarry and stated that attention now turned to the future of the site.  The Leader was asked if he had received a response from Government or the local MP regarding who would be responsible for paying for the restoration of the site.

The Leader echoed Councillor Adcock’s comments regarding the site not  causing the problems seen in previous years.  

Councillor Fox-Hewitt stated that Adam Jogee MP was on record as supporting a public inquiry and pushing for Government support.  He had made the same contributions at this Council’s Committee of Inquiry.  The MP had stated that there were more immediate priorities in closing the site and developing a full and final remediation plan.  He had worked with the relevant Authorities to finally deliver the closure notice.

The Leader took on board Councillor Fox-Hewitt’s comments and stated that the case being raised here concerned the letter that had been written in response to the letter that had been received from the Minister who had stated that there was no need for a public inquiry.  A further letter had then been written to the MP which had not been responded to and the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee had then requested that a further letter be written, jointly between the Chair of that Committee and the Leader and as of yet, no response had been received.

Councillor Whieldon stated that residents had benefited from a more stable winter period this year.  The Leader was asked what further assurances could he give that the improved performance would be maintained long term.  In addition, the lack of communication from the local MP was important to residents.   Meetings that the MP had with Ministers was of no significance unless it was communicated to the people.

The Leader echoed Councillor Whieldon’s comments and in response to her question, stated that the Council did not own or run the site.   The Council’s role was any statutory nuisance coming off the site which had now abated.   Long term, the Council was working with its partners in  order to get a plan in place for full term restoration and capping.

Councillor John Williams asked the Leader if it was right to call for  a public inquiry as a criminal investigation was going on.  Should that not be concluded before a public inquiry took place?

The Leader stated that a public inquiry should take place at the right time but there should be an announcement that one would be held.   The MP had stated, on Radio Stoke, that he did want a public inquiry but that the restoration should take place first.   The Leader stated that restoration would take 25 to 30 years to complete.

On  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

a)       Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee

b)       Health, Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee

c)       Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee

Reports for the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee, the Health Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee and the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee were attached to the agenda.

Resolved:    That the reports be received.

Watch the debate here

a)       Audit and Standards Committee

b)       Planning Committee

c)       Licensing and Public Protection Committee

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

Members were advised that the Audit and Standards Committee had not met since the last meeting of the Full Council.

Resolved:    That the reports be received.

Watch the debate here

A Motion has been received ‘Supporting our Borough’s Town Centres, High Streets and Villages

A Motion, concerning supporting our Borough’s Town Centre’s, High Streets

and villages was submitted by the Conservative Group, proposed by Councillor Simon Tagg and seconded by Councillor Holland.

Councillor Tagg introduced the Motion which resolved to do what could be done to ensure the long term viability of town centre’s and high streets; work with the police to tackle antisocial behaviour and to engage with the three Members of Parliament seeking their support.  In addition, for the Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves asking that the relief to public houses, as set out in the budget, to be extended to all hospitality and high street businesses and to carry out a further review of business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure sector businesses.

Councillor Holland seconded the Motion stated that the principle of the Motion was for whatever public houses were getting, so too should the whole of the high street.  However, at the present time there was still no movement on that concession for pubs.

Following a debate, the Leader in summing up addressed some of the points raised. He agreed that ‘shop local’ should be tied into Civic Pride.  Referring to the monitoring of MP’s, a record of their votes was available which would show the support given by them on various matters. 

Regarding the number of  vape shops, barbers and nail bars being opened in the town.  The Leader stated that it was a good point although the businesses were well used by the public.  Reference had been made regarding the regeneration of the town and the Leader advised that since 2017, the Council had been working hard to kick-start the regeneration of the Borough’s two town centres which was now coming into fruition.  The issue of buses bringing people into the town was not a borough or county matter but if investment was made by central government, operators could extend or introduce routes.  However, through the Town Deal funding, the Council had instigated the ‘K’ route that went from Keele University, around the employment sites – into Chesterton and then into the town centre.

The Motion was about standing up for local people, the businesses, town centres, high streets and villages in the Borough.

A vote was taken and the Motion was carried.

Watch the debate here

Question from Councillor Jacqueline Brown to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment:

“Residents tell me there is no longer a facility to renew their brown garden waste subscription by phone and they must have an email address/account to do this. Residents say that the staff, although trying to be helpful, have asked such residents whether they can get help from someone to do it online. One resident in this position was a woman in her 80`s who has never had children. Although her neighbours have been helpful in the past, she feels like `she does not want everyone to know her business`. With so much in the media concerning elderly and other vulnerable people being victim to scams, I could sympathise with her view.  I have heard of other cases where non digital customers get a neighbour/relative to set this up for them and then they give them the cash. Could I ask the portfolio holder:

Is there no facility for residents to pay for this service other than online?

If this is so, are staff advising residents to get members of the public to help them?”

The Portfolio Holder stated that It was quicker and easier for customers to renew their garden waste subscription on line, and this was the Council’s preferred route for such transactions.

This negated the need for customers to provide bank details over the phone and protected their privacy, and reduced the risk to the Council’s staff.

However, if a customer genuinely could not complete this by themselves, or with the help of a relative or friend, or by using the self-serve terminals in the reception at Castle House, the Customer Hub team could assist them to set it up.

Upon receipt of the question yesterday, the Portfolio Holder had met with Customer Services Supervisors and asked them to speak with every member of the Customer Hub team to ensure that they were all aware of the correct procedure in dealing with telephone requests, whereby the recording would be stopped whilst personal details were being given.

Councillor Brown was asked for the contact details of the resident in question so that their details could be passed to the Customer Hub team in order for them to be contacted, apologised to and the transaction carried out.

Councillor Brown asked a supplementary question:

“Did the Portfolio Holder have any further reasonable adjustments that could be made for vulnerable residents so that they could set it up from scratch in terms of the subscription.”

The Portfolio Holder stated that if someone was taking out a garden waste subscription from scratch they would follow the same procedure by telephoning the Council advising that they wished to subscribe and the procedure would be gone through as above.  It was hoped that next year, automatic renewals would be in place.

Question from Councillor Richard Gorton to  the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning:

“The consultation on the main modifications stage of the Borough’s Draft Local Plan ended on 17th December  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

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.