Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were shared as listed above.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of a previous meeting.

The Chair recalled that information was to be circulated by the Service Director for Strategy, People & Performance further to the previous meeting.

Members confirmed that this had been received.

Resolved:    That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16^th January 2025 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

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The Deputy Leader / Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced the report on the performance of individual council services and progress made against priorities alongside financial information.

The Chair went through the performance indicators marked in red.

Food business inspections completed on time

The Deputy Leader commented that while the late inspections within quarter 2 had affected the yearly figure, recent inspections were completed on time which increased overall percentage and meant the target should be met by the end of the financial year.

Cllr Stubbs asked if this meant the shortfall would be recuperated.

The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) confirmed this was likely to be the case.

Stage 1 complaints processed in time being 20 working days

The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) advised that staff training along with review of policies were undertaken to ensure targets were met.

Cllr Bryan asked for clarification on the reviewing of policies and if this meant the processing period would be extended.

The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) responded that policies were to ensure that very clear procedures were in place right from the start so that complainants knew what to expect in terms of timescales. There were no intentions to increase the period over 20 working days.

The Chair commented that targets were set at corporate level and that the policy was to work towards them and not the other way around although they were open to being reviewed in light of other corporate targets or changes. It was within the remit of the Committee to make suggestions to Cabinet.

Cllr Stubbs wondered if the target was realistic and highlighted the negative trend suggesting the situation was getting worse.

The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) advised that while the trend was negative the target felt appropriate and the team was working on re-adjusting the response time which varied with the complexity of complaints.

Cllr Stubbs echoed the Chair comment on the need to work towards the targets.

Staff turnover

The Deputy Leader commented that a number of fixed term contracts and retirements explained the figures.

The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) added that there had been an improvement and the indicator should be amber for the 4^th quarter. The target was also under review and would be split up going forward to take into account people who retired, had been dismissed or left for other employment.

Cllr Stubbs welcomed the intention for the indicator to be split in two.

Digital online transactions

The Deputy Leader commented that a reduction of online transactions was not a bad thing in itself as it could be reflecting that issues were more efficiently sorted with no need to engage into digital transactions.

The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) added that the figures would also fluctuate depending on the season.

Cllr Adcock asked if the digital transactions included forms in relation to nuisances such as Walleys Quarry’s odours.

The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Deputy Leader / Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth presented the update on progress made in relation to the delivery of projects funded or part funded through Newcastle and Kidsgrove Town Deals, and the Future High Street Funds.

The Chair reminded members of the Planning Committee of the obligation to exercise care and not to determine any outcomes pertaining to ongoing planning applications.

Cllr Bryan reported having tried the new car park and being satisfied with it.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the endorsement.

The Deputy Chief Executive commented that the car park had been shortlisted for a construction excellence award.

The Chair added that it was a necessary upgrade.

Cllr Stubbs pointed out the car park remaining teething problems which shouldn’t be ignored and welcomed the completion of the Bradwell element for Kidsgrove Town Deal. About the train station, it felt difficult to get minutes out of the Town Deal board and Cllr Stubbs wondered how the cost of the survey and subsequent remedial works would be covered.

The Deputy Leader noted that the local MP was sitting on the board and may be able to assist in providing answers.

The Deputy Chief Executive said the survey had been requested by Network Rail and was required before any works could be carried out. The price for the survey was known and approval from the board was awaited so that this could be undertaken. There were risks in relation to what the survey would find and no further action could be taken until that step was completed. The Council had initially been told that the survey wouldn’t be required and the train station project had been budgeted on that assumption. The situation had now changed and the costs involved in any remedial works were unknown. Information about the HS2 funds supposed to be allocated to the project through the County Council was also awaited, the Borough Council being on a list would those funds indeed become available. There were finally new objections at the Town Deal board about the decision to allocate the funds to the train station as originally agreed would the works end up being within the original budget, which was what was delaying the approval of the survey. Minutes would be passed on to members who wished to read them.

Cllr Stubbs commented having been in touch with Dave Williams MP who was trying to get things moving and expressed his dismay at the thought that the board was arguing about whether or not the train station was a priority, suggesting organisations may be putting their interest before that of residents.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised that it wasn’t just organisations challenging the allocation of the funds as the minutes would show and that the survey would need to be done before taking the discussion to the next level, including looking for additional sources of funding.

Cllr Stubbs asked about the Shared Service Hub’s revised scope and the suggestion that this would be spread across  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder / Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced the report on the updated Commercial Strategy and progress made to date on the various schemes, bringing the Committee’s attention to the One Commercial Council coming up with interesting ideas having been proposed by members of staff currently in the make-up stage.

Resolved:    That the updated Commercial Strategy and progress to date be noted.

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The Chair advised that the Vice-Chair and himself would discuss with officers about any upcoming meetings of interest in relation to digitalisation and the number of forms filled on the website.

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 26^th June 2025 at 7:00 pm

Resolved:    That the next meeting be held on 26^th June 2025.