Agenda item

The Leader, Councillor Simon Tagg presented the statement that had been circulated about the activities and decisions made by Cabinet to allow questions and comments. Reference was made to the Council’s Annual Report and the Leader stated that this Council ‘made things happen’ and this Statement reflected that.

 

Questions were raised and responses were provided as follows.

 

On paragraph 2 – Walleys Quarry Update

 

Councillor Adcock welcomed the activity taking place in respect of Walleys Quarry, including a letter being sent out to the new minister and it was hoped that legal action would finally be approved.  It was welcomed that Newcastle’s new MP, Adam Jogee had already raised the issue in parliament.  The Inquiry held on 23^rd July at Castle House had been both productive and useful and was a good opportunity to hear from those most affected.  The Leader was asked if he agreed that local campaigners, doctors and the Council were, at significant cost, having to pick up the pieces after the failings of other agencies designed to protect them.

 

The Leader thanked all members of the Committee of Inquiry and stated that  the testimonies of residents had been heartfelt.  The Leader agreed that the operator and Environment Agency needed to be held to account for their failings.  There was enough evidence to show that there had been failings which would be captured in the final report and then see how that could be used, with Government and to look at ways of trying to get a Public Inquiry.

 

Councillor Fear asked the Leader if he agreed that yesterday’s Inquiry was very informative but also very concerning and if it would be possible for a link to the recording to be sent to the relevant secretary of state so that he may be brought up to date with what had been happening.

 

The Leader stated that this was a good suggestion and was sure that it could be done.

 

On paragraph 3 – Town Deal and Future High Street Fund Update

 

Councillor John Williams asked the Leader for clarification regarding the Ryecroft site – whether it would be houses or apartments.

 

The Leader stated that houses would be delivered by Aspire Housing and that the social element of those was key.

 

Councillor Stubbs asked the Leader if the newly elected MP’s for Newcastle and Stoke on Trent North had been written to, invited to the Town Boards, if not when it would take place. 

 

The Leader stated that Adam Jogee MP was coming to see him on Friday next and would be invited to the Town Board meetings.  The Leader was yet to have a meeting with Mr Williams MP and once that took place he would ensure that he too would have his place on the Board.

 

Councillor Stubbs, referring to the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee on 27 June where he challenged the Interim Chief Executive with the lack of physical progress achieved with regard to the Kidsgrove Town Deal over the last six months.  He had been assured that all activity had been carried out behind the scenes with a resolution being reached and assurances now in place.  The latest update was that a progress report had been received.  The Leader was asked if he believed that this was ample progress and was there any news of planning permissions, procurement exercises, contractors or any intended works.

 

Councillor Paul Waring stated that significant progress had been made regarding the shared services hub.  It had been granted planning permission and tender documents were in the process of being prepared.  The delay had solely been down to an insurance issue in relation to the mining works that had taken place historically.  The railway station was progressing and were also at a stage to prepare the tender documents.

 

There was an open day on 27 July at Kidsgrove Town Hall with various representatives and plans of proposed buildings.  A number of changes of the road network were being considered for the centre of Kidsgrove to enable a more efficient passage of traffic.

 

The Leader welcomed Kidsgrove Town Council being the leading body on the hub and wished them success.

 

Councillor Lewis asked about progress with the new market stalls.  Initially there had been a lot of progress but seemed to have slowed down.

 

The Leader advised that the Council was awaiting the delivery of planters for the central part.  In the long term, there would be pitches marked out for temporary market stalls as and when required.  When stalls were not pitched there, it would be a potential entertainment space. There would also be nipper parking spaces for people making quick visits into town.

 

Councillor Parker asked The Leader if he agreed that it was important for the new Labour Government to honour the previous Government’s commitment to provide further funding to enable levelling up to continue.

 

The Leader agreed, stating that at the election the new Government had announced 100 towns, of which Newcastle was included, that would receive more levelling up funding and the Government was expected to honour that.

 

Councillor Whieldon was delighted to see the development of the new Keele University hub in the town centre which would draw younger people into the town.

 

The Leader welcomed the hub which would hopefully be open by the autumn.

On paragraph 4 – Sustainable Environment Update

 

Councillor Fox-Hewitt referred to the new piloted Grassland Management Strategy and stated that there had been a number of issues where grass was no longer being cut at some locations in Bradwell, notably Bradwell Crematorium field.  The Leader was asked if he would consider placing the Strategy in abeyance and cut the grass as it had been previously.  Then to  undertake resident and member consultations prior to any decision to recommence with the Policy in Bradwell Ward.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment stated that the Grassland Management Strategy, at a recent meeting of the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE), was discussed in a presentation by officers, to over 300 councils and were congratulated on the Plan.  The Plan was currently in phase 1 where, after two years there would be a consultation  where a review would be conducted to review the social and environmental impacts.

 

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that he had met with Councillor Fox-Hewitt and had since been corresponding by email to some residents who wanted some grass to be cut.  This had now been organised whereby a section had been cleared at the top, centre and bottom of the land to facilitate ball games.

 

Councillor Parker made reference to the Lyme Valley Parkway and asked the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment pass on thanks to the staff for their hard work in maintaining the Council’s wonderful green spaces.

 

The Portfolio Holder stated that there were 6 green spaces in the Borough that were Green Flag award winners for 2024.

 

Councillor Edgington-Plunkett asked the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment if it was correct that a number of mowers had been purchased at a lower price than what was recommended and also, if several mowers were currently unusable due to damage.

 

The Portfolio Holder stated that due to the short notice of awarding the urban grass cutting contract, a rapid recruitment process was undertaken to recruit seasonal and permanent staff. In addition, additional plant and equipment was identified to deliver the contract efficiently and to the required standard.  Anticipated ride on mowers were not delivered or available for road use until 18 June.  Up to that date the contract had been delivered with older, less reliable machinery which resulted in increased unavailability and no supplier was able to provide short term rentals.  Higher than average rainfall also impacted the grass cutting programme.

 

Councillor Reece referred to grass cutting at Porthill Church where grass cuttings had been left on the pavement and road.

 

Councillor Stubbs had received correspondence from the Kidsgrove and Staffordshire Lads & Dads oranisations noting that the latter had approached the Council to request a meeting regarding grass cutting at Birchenwood.  The lease required them to cut the pitches but part of the grant which they got from the Football Foundation required that the pitches had to be of a certain quality.  Due to grass being cut around the bowl it was felt that there was a genuine risk that Kidsgrove Lads and Dads could potentially lose their grant or have to stop using Birchenwood.  Assurance was sought that this would be dealt with in a speedy manner.

 

The Leader agreed that this needed to be taken up urgently and asked the Portfolio Holder to speak with officers and report back to Councillor Stubbs.

 

Councillor John Williams invited the Portfolio Holder to meet him in the Cross Heath ward to view grassland that was two foot high in the Douglas Road area and also at Rogers Avenue where workmen had been but left it untidy.

 

The Leader stated that there needed to be some balance where long grass was good for wildlife but at the same time there needed to be tidy edges and pathways.

 

Councillor Lewis asked about concerns raised regarding St James’ Church in Audley where the war graves required the grass to be cut to access them.  The grounds had now been noted as unsafe and unsteady for the Council to do the grass cutting.

 

The Leader stated that information would be sought on this and passed to Councillor Lewis.  In the past, Councillor Wilkes had arranged for sheep to be put into the churchyard to graze and bring the grass down naturally.

 

The Portfolio Holder stated that he was aware of this and had asked officers to investigate.

 

Councillor Dave Jones referred to two areas at the bottom of Church Bank in Keele where grass had been cut and the cuttings deposited in the highway and at one point blocked the grids.  He asked for assurance that future grass cuttings would be cleared away.

 

The Leader stated that due to the spring weather it had been a national problem where the grass had grown longer and had created a backlog. The Council had now caught up and the Council’s Service Director for Sustainable Environment would ensure that grass cuttings were blown back onto the grass.

 

On paragraph 5 – Borough Tree Planting Strategy – Phase 6

 

Councillor Moss stated that a lot of trees were lost near to Acacia Avenue in Knutton due to the extreme weather earlier in the year.  He asked if there were any plans to replace the felled trees.

 

Councillor Gill Williams asked the Leader if trees that were being damaged by the tractor mowers being used in Cross Heath would be replaced.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment stated that if they were highway trees, they would be covered by the County Council.  He would be happy to meet with Councillor Moss to establish the ownership of the trees.  Any trees owned by the Borough would be replaced where appropriate.

 

Councillor Stubbs referred to trees planted in Talke and asked the Leader if he would be as frustrated as himself that two thirds of the trees could be lost in a sea of dock leaves that had taken hold on Coalpit Hill.  A guarantee was sought that the invasive spread of dock leave plans would be removed.

 

The Portfolio Holder was not aware of the overgrown dock leaf plants but he would be speaking with the officers and would look into getting the dock leaves removed and the area restored.

 

Councillor Holland asked the Leader for assurance that, with the backing of an adopted Local Plan, the designation of a carbon capture zone and the planting of trees would be an effective protection for green spaces from a government that may wish to see the compulsory sale of assets by local authorities in the future.

 

The Leader agreed and stated that part of the policy within the local plan was to protect the carbon capture areas in the future.   The Council would protect those areas as much as they could.

 

On paragraph 7 – Staffordshire Leaders Board

 

Councillor Holland stated that Stoke on Trent City Council was joining the Leaders Board and asked the Leader for assurance that, if Stoke on Trent would be represented, the Leaders Board would work constructively as a partnership of equals to secure greater devolution and more influence/investments for the districts of the County and would emphatically reject and resist any imposition of a directly elected Mayor or similar devolution type.

 

The Leader confirmed that that would be the case.  He welcomed Stoke City Council being involved in the Leaders Board.  It was a board of equals though with different powers, from across the authorities and geography of the county.  The Leaders Board had discussed devolution of powers and money which would be a partnership of the County, City and Districts to enable authorities to be where they wanted to be with areas such as education skills or transport.

 

On paragraph 8 – Delivery of Electric Vehicle Charging through the County

Council’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Funding

 

Councillor Crisp asked the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth how many electric charging points there would be in the new Castle Car Park.

 

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that there were 22 spaces.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment advised Members that a further seven charging points had been installed at the Knutton Lane depot.

 

 

Watch the debate here