Agenda and draft minutes

Once elected, the Mayor will take the chair and make the declaration of acceptance of office.

One nomination was received, for Councillor Bettley-Smith.

This was proposed by Cllr Simon Tagg and seconded by Cllr Sweeney.

Resolved:    That Councillor Robert Bettley-Smith be appointed as Mayor for the remainder of the 2024-25 Municipal Year.

The meeting was adjourned whilst the Mayor Elect was invested with the chain of office.

The Mayor took the chair and made the declaration of acceptance of office.

The Mayor made the following appointments:

-        Mayoress:              Mrs Judy Bettley-Smith

-        Chaplain:               Rev. Tim Watson

-        Mace Bearers:       Ms Jenny Otter and Mr Glenn Martin-James

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

Councillor Holland, as a member of the Planning Committee, stated that all members of the Planning Committee should be aware that item six of this agenda related to items that had yet to be determined by this Authority and therefore their interest should be noted.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:              That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 March, 2025 be agreed as a correct record.

The Mayor thanked those present for electing him to the office of Mayor for the remainder of the current Municipal Year.

The Mayor paid tribute  to the late Mayor, Councillor Barry Panter and stated  great respect Members held for their late friend and fellow Councillor.

As Deputy Mayor, Councillor Bettley-Smith had hosted a Charity Ball last month, celebrating the life of Barry Panter which had raised over £2,200 towards Mayor Panter’s charity fund.

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The Leader of the Council, Councillor Simon Tagg introduced a report and moved the recommendations providing an update on the Astley Place, Midway Car Park and Ryecroft developments in the town centre and to agree a contract award for the three projects.

The three projects represented a combined investment of over £85m in committing to create a vibrant, thriving town centre.

The former York Place site was now partially demolished paving the way for the new development.  The Midway car park was now ready to be repurposed and redeveloped and the Ryecroft was earmarked for housing and a hotel.

Financing for the developments was structured to ensure cost certainty and minimised financial impact of the Council, building on the Future High Street and Town Deal Funds.  A short term financing model coupled with a buy-back agreement was detailed in the agenda report which limited the Council’s borrowing to the duration of the building phase. 

Councillor Sweeney seconded the recommendations and reserved his right to speak.

Councillor Stubbs stated that the redevelopment would inject new life into the town centre and create much needed economic revitalisation.  The projects would provide enhanced urban living and the amenities would create an attractive and convenient living environment.   The proposed financial model, involving short term borrowing would significantly reduce interest costs.  However, there were still financial risks as the Council would need to secure substantial funding up-front and any delays could strain the Council’s financial resources. In addition, the reliance on external grants introduced a level of uncertainty.  There would also be disruption in the town centre during the construction phase.  Councillor Stubbs stated that it was important to note that the three developments would result in a reduction of the Council’s asset base.

Councillor Paul Waring welcomed Capital&Centric’s approach to retaining and re-engineering the existing structures which was a good example of sustainable development.  The funding model was innovative and was an excellent example of how public sector funding could go hand in hand with private sector funding.

Councillor Gorton raised a question on paragraph 2.16 of the report which stated that Capital&Centric were currently in discussion with Homes England regarding a grant from their BIL programme to subsidise some of the project costs.  He asked, how confident was the Council that the funding from the BIL programme would be secured and was there an alternative plan should the decision go against or less than was hoped was received.

Councillor Parker welcomed the fact that Joules Brewery would incorporate a live music venue into the Astley Place development adding a vibrant and cultural element to the project and compliment the already thriving night-life in the town.

Councillor Sweeney stated that the Council was not reliant on the Homes England funding;  it would be a bonus if it was received.  It was an exciting project and the funding model was good.  The Council financed everything and after Capital&Centric have completed building, they pay all of the money back to the Council including  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Leader introduced a report reviewing the framework for appointments onto outside bodies and updating the constitution accordingly and moved the recommendations.

A Constitution Working Group had recently been convened and a number of issues had been raised. 

The Leader made reference to the final recommendation, to undertake an annual review of the constitution to allow the safe and mature running of the Council.

Councillor Sweeney seconded the recommendations.

Councillor Dave Jones stated that the Constitution Working Group did some thorough work on this and the Labour group were pleased to endorse the report.

Councillor Holland moved a grammatical correction to recommendation (i)(a) requesting that ‘a 4-year terms of office’ be amended to read correctly.

Resolved:    (i)       That the Service Director, Legal & Governance, be

authorised to make the following amendments to add the following to section B1:6 of the Council’s constitution.

(a)    6.2 Appointees to Outside Bodies will serve a 4-year

term of office on Outside Bodies.

(b)    6.3 Council portfolio holders shall be appointed as of

right to designated outside bodies.

(c)     6.4 Appointees to Outside Bodies shall provide a bi

-annual report in relation to the business carried out/matters dealt with by the relevant Outside Body to full Council as appropriate.

(ii)      That the undertaking of an annual review of the

Constitution including updates to the Scheme of Delegation and legislative changes, be endorsed.

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The Leader introduced a report asking Members to note a decision made by the Council’s Chief Executive to re-allocate seats on committees following the resignation of Councillor Moss.

Resolved:    That the Urgent Decision notification be received.

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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 Dave Jones stated that the Environment Agency (EA) made a better operator than regulator as issues had plummeted since they had been in control of the site.  The Leader was asked if he agreed that this vindicated all along that the problems with the site had been down to a rogue operator who had been unable to manage the site properly.

Councillor Holland stated that the EA was a broken regulator, however, since they had been stewarding the site things did appear to be improving.  The Leader was asked if he thought that the measures being taken would, in the long term significantly improve things and would it make the quality of life better for nearby residents.  

The Leader agreed with both Members and stated that it was key now that capping was completed and restored and that gas management was undertaken safely.  This Council would continue doing what it had been – in holding whichever operators of the site to account for any odours.  The report stated that future works may create an increase in odours  but this had to be seen in the context of the improvement in the long term.

On paragraph 3 – Proposed Creation of Lyme Park Countryside Park

Councillor Northcott stated that this was a wonderful initiative which would help the community’s health and wellbeing as well as protecting a significant part of the former golf course.  The standard of grass cutting had been better this year than in previous years.  The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment, Councillor David Hutchison was asked to thank the grass cutting teams and to comment on how this could be sustained for the rest of the year.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment stated that grass cutting was at a frequency of eight cuts per year starting in March.  Two permanent and three seasonal staff had recently been employed.  Four ride on mowers were procured last year and a further five had now been ordered to supplement the existing mowing fleet.

Councillor Dave Jones also thanked the Council’s grass cutting team.  He stated that the creation of a Countryside Park was a fantastic amenity and bringing in more manageable paths would make it even more useable.  A significant issue at present was anti-social behaviour caused by dirt bikes going around and asked for a pledge that when the country park was established that it be ensured that all measures be taken to prevent the access of these vehicles.

The Leader agreed with the issue of the dirt bikes and stated that prevention measures should be investigated.  The Police were currently targeting the problem, across the Borough. 

Councillor Holland stated that it was under the Labour administration that the former golf course closed and failed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Reports are attached for the following:

a)       Planning Committee

b)       Licensing and Public Protection Committee

c)       Audit and Standards Committee

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

Resolved:    That the reports be received.

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No written questions had been submitted.

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.

Reports are attached for the following:

a)       Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee

b)       Health, Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee

c)       Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee

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

Resolved:    That the reports be received.

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