Agenda item

Report to follow.

The Leader, Councillor Simon Tagg submitted a report which provided an update to Members on the activities and decisions of the Cabinet, together with the Forward Plan.

 

The statement was taken a paragraph at a time to allow for questions to be asked. 

 

 

Paragraph 2:

 

Councillor John Williams asked the Leader if the Town Centre Growth would include homes and the change of use of commercial premises to residential accommodation?

 

The Leader confirmed that this was being considered.

 

Councillor Heesom asked the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency, Councillor Sweeney if any future themed markets had been planned?

 

Councillor Sweeney referred to the success of the recent Young Trader’s Market and confirmed that a continental street market was planned for next month.  A record fair and other events were also in the pipeline.

 

A Town Centre Action Plan was currently being prepared.

 

 

Paragraph 3:

 

Councillor Fear referred to a breakdown in relations between the Council and the unions prior to December 2017 and the recently improved relations.  Councillor Proctor stated that having seen the relationship recently improve, ‘change’ could now be delivered.

 

Councillor Fox-Hewitt advised Members that staff were currently balloting over changes to Policies.

 

The Leader thanked Councillor Proctor for his work as a member of the Joint Group with the unions and confirmed that the relationship had improved.       

 

Councillor Sweeney had attended the first meeting where Trade Unions had stated that they had been unhappy for the past two years.

 

 

Paragraph 4:

 

Councillor Gardner enquired about the progress of entering into a contract with a consultant in respect of meeting the Ministerial Directive relating to Air Quality by 31 October, 2019, which would be funded by DEFRA.

 

The Leader confirmed that the application for funding from DEFRA had been successful and Members will be advised who has been appointed as consultant.

 

Councillor John Cooper asked whether the recent change to the traffic light sequence on the A500/A53 had improved pollution levels.

 

The Leader advised that this was under the control of Highways England who would be asked that question.

 

Councillor Sweeney referred to a recent meeting of the Licensing and Public Protection Committee where the age of vehicles and the mileage on the clock were brought into line with that of Stoke on Trent City Council and would have an impact on air quality.

 

Councillor Robinson stated that the Policy being proposed would have meant Newcastle’s drivers moving over to the City Council or putting drivers out of work. 

 

The Leader advised Members that a Briefing Note on the Taxi Policy 2019-21 would be circulated to them in the next few days.

 

Councillor Gardner enquired about the Climate Change Motion that had been accepted by Council on 3 April and whether an Action Group had been created.

 

The Leader advised that a report would be taken to the Scrutiny Committee in September and that Trevor Macmillan from Keele University was keen to be involved.

 

 

Paragraph 5:

 

Councillor Rout asked for an update on which commitment were being acted upon.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage Councillor Mark Holland confirmed that he had presented a report to the Cabinet on 5 June in respect of progress made.  There was now a draft Action Plan which would be considered by the Economy, Environment and Place Scrutiny Committee in September.

 

A letter had been sent to the Secretary of State regarding the possibility of a bottle deposit scheme and a positive response had been received whereby a scheme was being considered for England.

 

 

Paragraph 6:

 

Councillor Paul Waring welcomed the final end of year out turn for the Council’s finances.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency, Councillor Stephen Sweeney  stated that this was a major achievement.  Future savings would be generated and foundations would be put in place to achieve sustainable finances.

 

Councillor Pickup  asked what was in place to measure the volumes of calls coming into the building and those which were unanswered.

 

The Leader confirmed that the information was contained within the Quarter Four report and that the figures were back within the target.

 

 

Paragraph 7:

 

Councillor Rout stated that the  quality of customer care was excellent at J2 and asked what had been achieved re sports provision in Kidsgrove.

 

 

 

Councillor John Williams enquired what safeguards had been put in place to ensure that the building had been built to spec.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, Councillor Holland stated that safeguards were highly important, especially with what was currently happening as Castle House.  It was important to deal with any defects as they came to light.

 

Detailed plans had been produced to improve the customer experience and the facilities. 

 

The Health Suite was to be remodelled.  Contractors were now arriving on site and work would take place as soon as possible.

 

Councillor Julie Cooper asked for an update on the condition of J2

 

Councillor Holland advised that at the Cabinet meeting of 10 July, recommendations had been agreed on a number of issues.

 

Councillor Dymond asked what the position was with regard to the provision of sports facilities in Kidsgrove.

 

The Leader stated that quotes were being sought for works to be undertaken although, the building falling into further disrepair had added to costs.  Once quotes had come back, a judgement could be made to bring the facility back into use.    

 

 

Paragraph 8:

 

Councillor John Williams asked if the approach being applied to the sale of 20 Sidmouth Avenue was successful would the same approach be made to other premises in the future

 

The Leader confirmed that this approach could be used in the future.

 

Councillor Northcott stated that 20 Sidmouth Avenue was stopped from going to auction as it was not the best way to maximise profits.  In addition, it gives the Council greater control over the development of the site.

 

 

Paragraph 9:

 

Councillor Gardner sought reassurance that the Council would not use the Rough sleeping Support Service which eleven local authorities had already refused to do so.

 

Councillor Sweeney stated that the last retendering of the contract was  called-in by the Conservative Group six years ago because of value for money concerns.

 

It was hoped that Aspire would join in and if more organisations go for the contract it would provide better value.

 

Councillor John Williams asked if Aspire tendered for the contract, would that be a conflict of interest as seventy five percent of their stock was administered by the Newcastle Housing Advice Service.

 

The Leader confirmed that he understood that there would be no conflict of interest as they had held the contract before.

 

Councillor Stubbs asked that the conflict of interest matter be checked and confirmed.  The Interim Head of Legal / Monitoring Officer would look into this and inform Members.

 

 

Paragraph 10:

 

Councillor Proctor said that it was fantastic to have a meaningful Forward Plan which would direct the Council in a positive and coherent way.

 

The Leader welcomed the comments stating that it was packed with items coming forward. There was a full list of items relating to the town centre.