Agenda item

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 2.1:

 

Councillor Stubbs asked about the leadership roles for the Town Deals.

 

The Leader advised that Newcastle was one of only two Councils in the country with two town deal propositions.  In respect of the Town Deals for this Council, the Leader would be take the position on the Kidsgrove Board and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Sweeney would take the position on the Newcastle under Lyme Board.  The Chair’s position would be taken by someone from the private sector. 

 

Councillor Robinson asked if the Town Deal for Newcastle-under-Lyme covered the surrounding villages.  The Leader advised that the Town Deal for Kidsgrove covered all of the Kidsgrove wards and similarly, all urban Borough wards were covered by the Newcastle Town Deal.

 

Councillor Fear asked how much money had been received by the Council already in relation to this.  The Leader advised that almost half a million pounds had already been received.  There was a mechanism in place to get more funding in and this, in turn would be used to bring in even more funding.

 

Councillor Stubbs asked the officers to clarify what status the Boards took, in that were they classed as a committee of the Council or an Outside Body?

 

Officers replied that at present they were interim Boards and were partnership boards guiding the preparation of the bids and ensuring that stakeholders had a voice.  The Council was the controlling body and controlled the funds.  Mr Dickinson advised that they were not committees of the Council and in the absence of specific provision in the constitution, the task of appointing council members to the boards fell to Cabinet.

 

Councillor Burnett fully supported the Boards stating that Kidsgrove had needed an injection of money for a long time.

 

The Leader advised that a written answer would be supplied to Councillor Stubbs.

 

Paragraph 2.2:

 

Councillor Olszewski asked how many charging points the £780,000 of funding would provide, where the points would be located and also, how many electric cars there were in the Borough.

 

The Leader stated that the main priority was for taxis.  The chargers would be located in public car parks and officers were currently working on the plans.

 

 

Councillor John Cooper asked if the Leader thought that the chargers would become obsolete in the future with the advancement of technology.

 

The Leader advised that the chargers would have multiple connectors to help to future proof the technology.

 

 

Paragraph 3.1:

 

Councillor Julie Cooper asked how many rough sleepers there were currently in the Borough.

 

Councillor Helena Maxfield stated that £45,000 funding had been made available to help to solve the rough sleeping issue. Currently there were four rough sleepers in the town centre and their safety needed to be ensured.  There were outreach workers and the funding would enhance the help.

 

Councillor Jill Waring the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing added that she had been out with the outreach team at 4.45am one morning last week.   One man insisted that he did not want help but was told where he could get a hot meal at the Salvation Army on a Tuesday and Thursday.  There, people could also see a chiropodist, hairdresser and get help with appointments and accommodation.

 

Councillor Waring was pleased about the additional funding which would help to build an excellent service.  More outreach workers were needed and more housing made available.

 

Councillor Robinson asked what work was being done to tackle modern slavery stating that there was a lot of aggressive begging in the town and people were being dropped off in a morning and collected later in the day.  This could be an indication of people being abused and used and if this was the case it needed to be taken seriously.  Councillor Robinson asked if the police were aware of this.  Councillor Waring advised that last week seven arrests were made.

 

 

Paragraph 3.2:

 

Councillor Robinson stated that the Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group had done an excellent job and some great ideas were coming forward.  The Leader was asked if, with the lighter nights approaching, more activities could be put on whilst waiting for the Sports Centre to reopen.

 

 

 

Councillor Paul Waring stated that he had been encouraged by the SCAPE scheme and felt that it was an efficient way of dealing with major projects.

 

Members stated that this was an exciting time for Kidsgrove.  A meeting was due to be held to review the final plans.

 

The Leader thanked everyone for their positive comments stating that it was a wonderful testament to the Community moving forward.

 

 

Paragraph 3.3:

 

Councillor Burnett stated that the Council would be investing £70,000 per year over the next three years for the Debt, Benefit and Advice Service even though it is a non-statutory service and asked if it was value for money.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency stated that the service would address any issues and was the right thing for the people of Newcastle.

 

 

Paragraph 3.4:

 

Councillor Heesom stated that it would be great for worthy individuals to be recognised.

 

Members felt that this would be a great opportunity to commend deserving people.

 

Councillor Robinson stated that the scheme had the support of the Labour Group and that he would be putting forward names of community champions.

 

The Leader stated that this was a great scheme for the Borough to have and advised Members of the different categories. Sponsors would be sought for each of the award categories.

 

The scheme would be in partnership with the Sentinel.

 

Resolved:     That the Statement of the Leader of the Council be received and

noted.