Agenda, decisions and minutes

  An apology was received from John Tradewell – Acting Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service

There were no declarations of interest stated.

That Cabinet resolves to recommend to Full Council the following recommendations:-

1             Agrees to the principle of petitioning the High Speed Rail (West Midlands – Crewe) Bill and:

2             Delegates authority to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Executive Director for Regeneration and Development to:

(a)  develop the scope of the Borough Council’s petition to Parliament, in consultation with the relevant Members and Officers of Staffordshire County Council (including the commissioning of Parliamentary Agents) and;

(b)  co-ordinate the petitioning of the Hybrid Bill before Parliament and in so doing, to seek any necessary approvals for the expenditure of resources, if required.

Government are proposing to develop a high speed rail line between Fradley (Lichfield) and Crewe – High Speed 2, Phase 2a – as part of a wider high speed rail network which will link London with Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.  A Hybrid Bill relating to High Speed 2 Phase 2a was deposited in Parliament on 17 July 2017 and enactment of the Bill will give the Government the powers to build and operate a high speed rail line as proposed. 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration welcomed a report which provided members with information in order that they might consider petitioning Parliament on the Hybrid Bill due to concerns relating to the impact on the route on the landscape and amenity of the Borough and the effects on local communities of the routes construction and operation.  The Leader was supportive of this action and explained that there may be considerable scope for the Borough to commission technical or legal expertise jointly with Staffordshire County Council which would help to keep legal costs to a minimum.

Resolved       (i)         that Full Council be recommended to agree to

the principle of petitioning the High Speed Rail (West Midlands – Crewe) Bill and

(ii)        delegates authority to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Executive Director for Regeneration and Development to:

(a)  develop the scope of the Borough Council’s petition to Parliament, in consultation with the relevant Members and Officers of Staffordshire County Council (including the commissioning of Parliamentary Agents) and;

(b)  co-ordinate the petitioning of the Hybrid Bill before Parliament and in so doing, to seek any necessary approvals for the expenditure of resources, if required.

There was no Urgent Business.