Minutes:
Councillor Gary White asked the Leader for an update regarding the position with Castle House.
The Leader stated that it was a County Council project which was being led by them and at the last time of speaking, they did not have a definitive date for moving across. Councillor Atkins was, however, committed to providing updates when available.
Councillor Gary White felt that not enough pressure was being put onto the County Council and more should be applied.
The Leader confirmed that she had met with Councillor Atkins at it was not just Councillors being affected - it was officers and the public too. Councillor Atkins had been made aware of the concerns.
Councillor Waring asked the Leader what progress had been made with the Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group regarding taking on and managing the existing building.
The Leader confirmed that the viability of the business case would need to be assessed and the County Council would be making their decision soon.
Councillor Simon Tagg asked the Leader if the Borough Council had submitted a response to the Staffordshire Subsidised Bus Review Consultation.
The Leader confirmed that she had checked her emails and had not receive the email that Councillor Tagg referred to. However, it was confirmed that an email had been received by the Chief Executive and a response was sent on 16 September, 2017.
Councillor Tagg asked which of the three options from the consultation was the preferred one.
The Leader stated that the Consultation was limited and the only viable option for Newcastle was option one as it was the only one that retained a bus subsidy in the Borough.
Councillor Sweeney asked the Leader what cuts would be made to cover the shortfall of £200,000.
The Leader confirmed that an action plan had been developed.
Last year’s budget had balanced and the Leader stated that new ways of delivering all of the Council’s services had had to be explored.
Councillor Simon Tagg asked the Leader why a room would not be provided for a Mayor’s Parlour in Castle House.
The Leader explained that the cost of incorporating a Mayor’s Parlour into the new building would be £45,000 for a 15m2 room, excluding any alarmed cabinets. To provide a room the same size as the existing (Civic Offices) one would cost in the region of £100,000.
Use of the ‘red’ room at the Borough Museum had been agreed for certain functions.
Councillor Simon Tagg asked the Leader to agree to work with Group Leaders to identify a room within Castle House that could be used as a Mayor’s Parlour.
The Leader stated that she had researched the use of the existing Parlour and in 2013/14 there were 15 visits, in 2014/15 and 2015/16 there were 18 visits in both years, in 2016/17, ten visits and in this current year, six visits to date.
Councillor Simon Tagg asked the Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, Property and Business to provide details of the Performance Indicators put in place by the Business Improvement District (BID) to ensure value for money sand performance.
The Portfolio Holder confirmed that he was obtaining information on the Performance Indicators and once it had been received it would be passed on to Members.
The BID had been successful in bringing people into the town with various events.
Councillor Simon Tagg thanked the Portfolio Holder for his response and asked if there was a current Town Centre Manager. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that there was a temporary manager.