Minutes:
Councillor Gary White asked the Leader if she and her Cabinet were familiar with the potential of a longer, deeper tunnel for HS2 south of Whitmore and just north of Madeley.
The Leader confirmed that she was aware of the suggestion for the potential option but that it was not an option considered by HS2 who are proposing two tunnels. This option had not been worked up, costed and assessed but the Leader had been advised that an HS2 representative estimated that it would add approximately £100 million to the cost of the scheme. To advance this option it would have to be demonstrated to be both feasible and necessary and any adverse impacts of the existing proposal. The parliamentary petitioning procedure would be the appropriate time for Cabinet to determine whether this would be an appropriate action to take.
Councillor Gary White asked the Leader for an update on the latest progress on Castle House.
The Leader confirmed that the work was nearing completion and the practical completion would be Monday 25 September, 2017 when they keys would be handed over to the County and Borough Councils. Following this, during a two week period, Borough Council teams – predominantly ICT and Facilities Management would carry out preparatory work in the building.
The first Borough Council employees would start to move across, week commencing Monday 9 October and this should be completed by Friday 20 October, 2017. Castle House would open to the public on Monday 23 October, 2017.
Regarding the official opening, discussions were underway between the respective Councils.
Councillor Gardner asked the Leader if the Council had been advised on the implications of the proposed cuts to bus subsidies in the Newcastle and Kidsgrove areas and had the Council been asked to contribute to the current consultation.
The Leader confirmed that neither herself, the Chief Executive or the Executive Director had received any notification concerning this matter. The Leader expressed her disappointment that the Council had not been involved in an important and potentially detrimental matter.
Councillor Gardner then asked if the Leader agreed that the loss of bus subsidies would have a negative impact on companies such as D and G.
The Leader agreed with this statement and stated that such cuts to services would further isolate the most vulnerable residents of our communities. In addition, if the vulnerable residents were unable to leave their homes, it could increase their need for social care. Also, the loss of public transport would limit educational and job opportunities amongst the young.
Councillor Simon Tagg asked the Leader for an update on the future of sport and leisure provision in Kidsgrove following the resolution at the last Council meeting.
The Leader stated that good progress had been made in that the consultation with residents regarding the dry side interim provision had now been completed and discussions were taking place with a potential venue where activities could be set up.
A meeting had been held with the Leader, Councillor Turner and a community group looking to take on and manage the building and officers had met with representatives of this group providing advice and information on the building and its management.
The Council had approved the application for the building to be placed on the Register of Assets of Community Value.
The Leader had also met with the Leader of Staffordshire County Council and the Leader was now awaiting a formal response from Councillor Atkins.
Councillor Stephen Sweeney asked the Leader to confirm the cost, so far, of the independent review into the 8 June General Election and the daily rate charged by the Association of Electoral Administrators who were undertaking the review.
The Leader confirmed that the review started on Monday 26 June, 2017 and therefore was in its third month and not fourth as suggested.
The review was still in hand but the Leader understood that it was nearing completion. A total cost could not be calculated at the present time as it was calculated on a daily basis at £900 per day.
The Leader intends for the review to be brought before Full Council in November, 2017.
Councillor Trevor Johnson asked the Leader to explain why the Council had failed to respond adequately to public concern relating to the recent traveller incursions on Wolstanton Marsh.
The Leader confirmed that the latest group had moved onto the Marsh on the morning of 31 August, 2017. Within three hours, officers had prepared paperwork, liaised with the Police, visited the site and had served ‘Directions to Leave’ notices on all those present.
Following refusal to leave, an application was prepared and submitted to the Magistrate’s Court the next day and the hearing date was also served on the travellers the same day.
On 4th September, officers attended the court and secured the ‘Removal Order’ which was served on the travellers the same day. The travellers left the site on 5th September. This was all done within three working days.
The Leader stated that this showed that this matter was dealt with as a high priority and was dealt with swiftly.
Councillor Simon Tagg asked the Portfolio Holders for Finance, IT and Customer – Councillor Turner and Town Centres, Property and Business – Councillor John Williams how much money in extra Business Rates had been raised by the Business Improvement District (BID) since its creation.
As the Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, Property and Business was a BID Board Member, the Chair asked for a response from Councillor Turner.
The requested figures were for the invoiced BID levy figures on behalf of Newcastle BID:
The first 6 months of
2015/16 £147546.00
2016/17. £306922.00
2017/18 £310672.00
Total to date. £765140.00
Collected. £671984.00
The BID were happy with the figures to date.