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.

 

Questions were raised and responses were provided as follows.

 

On paragraph 2 – Walleys Quarry Odour Issues

 

Councillor Dave Jones stated that the Environment Agency (EA) made a better operator than regulator as issues had plummeted since they had been in control of the site.  The Leader was asked if he agreed that this vindicated all along that the problems with the site had been down to a rogue operator who had been unable to manage the site properly.

 

Councillor Holland stated that the EA was a broken regulator, however, since they had been stewarding the site things did appear to be improving.  The Leader was asked if he thought that the measures being taken would, in the long term significantly improve things and would it make the quality of life better for nearby residents.  

 

The Leader agreed with both Members and stated that it was key now that capping was completed and restored and that gas management was undertaken safely.  This Council would continue doing what it had been – in holding whichever operators of the site to account for any odours.  The report stated that future works may create an increase in odours  but this had to be seen in the context of the improvement in the long term.

 

On paragraph 3 – Proposed Creation of Lyme Park Countryside Park

 

Councillor Northcott stated that this was a wonderful initiative which would help the community’s health and wellbeing as well as protecting a significant part of the former golf course.  The standard of grass cutting had been better this year than in previous years.  The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment, Councillor David Hutchison was asked to thank the grass cutting teams and to comment on how this could be sustained for the rest of the year.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment stated that grass cutting was at a frequency of eight cuts per year starting in March.  Two permanent and three seasonal staff had recently been employed.  Four ride on mowers were procured last year and a further five had now been ordered to supplement the existing mowing fleet.

 

Councillor Dave Jones also thanked the Council’s grass cutting team.  He stated that the creation of a Countryside Park was a fantastic amenity and bringing in more manageable paths would make it even more useable.  A significant issue at present was anti-social behaviour caused by dirt bikes going around and asked for a pledge that when the country park was established that it be ensured that all measures be taken to prevent the access of these vehicles.

 

The Leader agreed with the issue of the dirt bikes and stated that prevention measures should be investigated.  The Police were currently targeting the problem, across the Borough. 

 

Councillor Holland stated that it was under the Labour administration that the former golf course closed and failed to reopen as a golf academy and the site had been left since then.  The previous Joint Local Plan would have created 1800 homes on the site.  The Leader was asked if he agreed that the Labour group should be ashamed of its record or be grateful to the current Administration for the designation of the country park and planting of 850 trees, meaning that two thirds of the site would be protected against development.

 

The Leader agreed and stated that it was about doing the right thing.  The Council needed to provide new housing within the Borough at a sustainable level. The site was not sustainable as a golf course and this proposal was in the best interest of the Borough with 66% of the site protected from housing development.

 

On paragraph 4 – Expansion of Recycling Materials Collected to include Flexible Plastics and Cartons

 

Councillor Edgington-Plunkett stated that this was good to read and really good that there were information stickers to guide people and would be welcomed by all residents.

 

Councillor Bryan stated that expanding the service ahead of the deadline was a great step towards further sustainability and make the recycling service more convenient for residents.  The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment was asked if he felt that it would help to increase the Council’s recycling rate even further.

 

Councillor Richards asked what happened to the things now able to be recycled that could not be done before.

 

The Portfolio Holder stated that increasing what was collected was beneficial in many ways.  It would further boost recycling performance which was currently at 53%.  It would also reduce carbon emissions and help with net zero objectives.  The Council was currently looking at places where the plastic bags and films and wrappers could be sent to.

 

Councillor Grocott echoed everything that had been said and thanked the Portfolio Holder and the recycling team. 

 

On paragraph 5 – UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) 2025-26

 

Councillor Jill Waring stated that she was pleased that the Council had secured a further £1.5m through the Fund to support community projects.  The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing, Councillor Gill Heesom was asked for an update on the development of Navigation House.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing state that Navigation House would fulfil two roles; it would be a multi-agency assessment centre where rough sleeping or vulnerably housed individuals could be engaged with services – gaining advice, support and help.  It would also provide safe, secure accommodation for individuals ready to engage with services and to secure a pathway into secure accommodation.

 

Work was ongoing to refurbish Navigation House with completion due later this year and invitations have been published to tender for the management and delivery of the supported accommodation to ensure that a provider was in place upon completion of the refurbishment works.

 

Councillor Gorton welcomed the collaboration with Keele University to encourage the creation of local businesses and the University’s expertise would be used to benefit the wider community.  The Leader was asked if he could be more specific, whether any projects had been finalised with Keele. If not, when could the Council expect to see projects launched and would the Council commit to publishing a report which would be  made available to Members which recorded how the funding was being used.

 

Councillor Holland stated that it was welcome that the Council had received further investment from the Fund which was designed to replace the Strategic European Union Grant. 

 

The Leader stated that the Cabinet agenda provided details of projects that were upcoming.  Working with Keele University was one of the Council’s priorities having worked  with them  a lot previously on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Town Deal and Future High Street Funds.

 

The Fund was previously given for three year funding, committed under the previous government but now it was only one year funding.

 

On paragraph 6 – Devolution and Forced Local Government Reorganisation (FLGR)

 

Councillor Berrisford believed that the Council’s firm stance against forced reorganisation showed a strong commitment to the Borough’s history of local governance.  The Leader was asked when he expected to hear the Governments response to the Council’s Interim Plan.

 

The Leader stated that the Council was hoping to receive a response from the  Government in early May after which, more discussions could be held with partners.

 

Councillor Gorton drew Members’  attention to the statement by the Chairman of the Staffordshire Leaders’ Board which read “there is a growing consensus that a more strategic authority would bring extra investment and freedoms to boost our economy further.  This is the real prize we are working towards”. While there were many benefits of a strategic authority, we don’t want the body to be run by a Mayor.  Did the Leader believe that this Council should join the growing consensus and support the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority.

 

The Leader stated that at the previous meeting, it was resolved that it was in the Council’s Interim Plan that a Strategic Authority would be supported but there was no need for an Elected Mayor. There were some benefits from a Strategic Authority, which all Leaders from Stoke and Staffordshire districts agreed last year that it was a programme that could take Authorities through on devolution under the Leaders’ Board but the government wish to enforce Elected Mayors.

 

Councillor Dave Jones stated that at the previous meeting of the Full Council the report identified potential merger options with neighbouring Authorities.  The Leader was asked if he had had any conversations with the other Councils and if so, Could he update Members on the outcome of those discussions.

 

The Leader stated that the options were investigations.  The recommendations had been that the two-tier system was best for the Borough and should stay in place.  Ideas were put forward and the preferred option went in with the bid.  At the last Council meeting it was resolved that this Council wished to see either the two-tier preserved or that it become a Newcastle Unitary Authority.

 

On paragraph 7 – Borough Heroes Awards 2025

 

Councillor Skelding extended congratulations to the winners of the awards and thanked everyone involved in the awards including sponsors.  In addition he showed his appreciation to everyone nominated for awards.

 

Councillor Dave Jones extended his groups congratulations to those who won awards and those who were unsuccessful.  The Council should be proud that it had residents within its Borough that were so embedded and had such great achievements.

 

Councillor Parker stated that the Heroes Awards were now in its third year and was a wonderful initiative celebrating the contribution of individuals who had made a significant impact on the community.  Recognising local heroes not only highlighted their dedication but also inspired others to get involved.  He was pleased to see Andrew Van Buren receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for promoting the work of Philip Astley.

 

The Leader echoed all comments and added that it was pleasing to see the happiness in the faces of the recipients of the awards.

 

The Mayor stated that on Saturday 19^th  May – World Circus Day, he would have the privilege of visiting the Astley Centre.  

 

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

noted.

 

Watch the debate here