Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed the new members to the Committee and shared apologies received as stated above.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of a previous meeting.

Cllr Stubbs asked if there were any updates in relation to capturing data throughout the borough to improve Council’s services as per his enquiry at the bottom of page 3 and top of page 4 of the agenda pack.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised that this was work in progress.

The Chair added that, on a separate note, the Service Director for IT would be visiting the Committee later in the year to answer members’ questions about digitalization.

Resolved:    That the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th March 2025 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

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The Chair informed new members that the Committee would typically be going through the Performance indicators in red but they were welcome to ask questions about any indicators.

The Deputy Leader introduced the report.

Cllr Stubbs wished to thank the author of the report for flagging the Kidsgrove Town Deal as amber. The specifics would be discussed in the next item.

The Chair moved on to the indicators themselves.

Food business inspections completed on time - ID1.2

The Deputy Leader advised that the Quarter 2 drop was due to staff absence and the person had now been replaced.

Stage 1 complaints processed in time being 20 working days - ID1.16

The Deputy Leader commented that what was lost earlier in the year was being recovered.

Percentage of Council Tax collected - ID1.11

The Deputy Leader said that the figure had caught up to 97.4% further to people paying out later which he felt was reasonable.

Cllr Waring asked for clarification that the target was for the whole of the year, not just the end of March.

The Deputy Leader responded that the figure related to the year ending at the end of March however work had been done since then to catch up.

Cllr Stubbs suggested that this meant this was taken off the following year’s figure and asked if the Council had responded to the current government review on Council tax, as well as which effects were to be expected regarding the collection rates.

The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) advised that the consultation was still open and the team was working on drafting a response. In relation to the collection rates, many variables were at stake that could impact people’s circumstances and make them likely to e.g. pay or not pay. It was thought that the changes were not likely to massively impact the collection rates however the Council would monitor any effects as well as the results of the consultation and adjust the target as required for the following year.

Cllr Whieldon asked if Cllr Stubbs could elaborate on how, why and when the changes would impact residents of the borough.

Cllr Stubbs said that the rules on Council tax collection and recovery of debt were very strict compared to, for example, the process a business would have to go through to get their money back for unpaid invoices, ten times longer. The consultation seemed to be looking into relaxing those rules which may lead to abuses.

The Policy and Strategy Business Manager advised that as more and more information and guidance were being put on the website, the need for people to fill in a form to ask a question had reduced. Examples for which residents would previously submit an enquiry included the definition of a tidy allotment garden and the conditions required to make a noise complaint.

Materials collected for recycling and composting verified via WDF - ID1.4a

The Deputy Leader commented that despite the slight dip the Council remained one of the most  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Deputy Leader introduced the report on the schemes delivered through the Town Deal and Future High Street Funds as presented at the latest Economy & Place Scrutiny Committee meeting. Most of the projects were expected to be completed by October.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised that the Shared Service Hub scheme was no longer being developed as a stand alone scheme and the money would now be allocated to four new projects as agreed by the Town Deal Board.

The improvements planned around the train station which were reliant on a survey being carried out and potential remedial works for which an additional budget might have been required had also been suspended and the Town Deal Board had agreed to use the funds for works outside of the underpinning zone only i.e. existing building and access to the train and car parking at the front. A proposal was awaited from the train operator.

The Chair welcomed the update and news that the Town Deal plans had not been scrapped contrary to what had been suggested in the press but were evolving to meet what was actually doable with a proper attitude to risks.

Cllr Whieldon enquired about digital communication in relation to clarifying the situation for residents and dispelling misinformation.

The Deputy Leader commented that it was difficult to change people’s mind through social media but pictures of the developments would be put on the official communication channels, like the screen displayed in the town centre, so they could see for themselves.

The Deputy Chief Executive warned against the risks of getting into arguments on social media which officers could not respond to.

Cllr Waring added that one should be wary of communicating on matters that hadn’t been publicised yet not to expose the Council to rumours and criticism.

The Chair stated that the attitude of the administration and members of Cabinet had been positive and of a huge benefit. Residents asking questions about what was true and what wasn’t were getting straight answers.

Cllr Waring commented that while the projects may have changed, they should still meet the same criteria and provide the same ultimate benefits that were agreed when the funds were granted.

The Chair supported the statement, and the Deputy Leader expressed his enthusiasm for upcoming projects scheduled in the town centre.

Cllr Stubbs recalled previous discussions that took place on social media and suggested it may be sometimes appropriate to react when incorrect information was circulated. It was felt that Kidsgrove Shared Service Hub project as included in the original application and needed by residents could not be directly replaced by the four new schemes proposed and an explanation on how the original intentions would be met may be helpful for residents.

The Deputy Chief Executive responded that the Shared Service Hub project could not be delivered due to changes in circumstances and withdrawal of stakeholders. While it was a loss for the borough, the four new projects were based on needs identified through the original  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Chair presented the work programme.

Resolved:    That the work programme be noted.

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Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council

There were no questions received from members of the public.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972

There was no urgent business.

Thursday, 4^th September 2025 at 7.00 pm

Resolved:    That the next meeting be held on 4^th September 2025.