Decisions

That:

(a)  the first draft proposals as set out in Appendix A and Appendix B to the report be noted;

(b)  the amendment to the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) funding gap as a result of revisions to capital financing and inflationary assumptions be noted (Appendix C).

(c)  the refreshed Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) (Appendix D) be referred to the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee for their views; and

(d)  the first draft proposals be referred to the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee for their views.

The report was noted.

That the information contained within the confidential appendix be agreed.

That the Executive Director – Commercial Development and Economic Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, Finance, Town Centres and Growth be authorised to enter such agreements as are necessary to conclude the purchase of the York Place / Astley Walk shopping centre in Newcastle under Lyme in accordance with the Heads of Terms set out in the confidential appendix to this report.

That:

(a)  the Executive Director - Commercial Development and Economic Growth, in consultation with The Portfolio Holder, Leisure Culture and Heritage, be authorised to take such actions that are reasonably necessary to enter into a funding agreement with the Lawn Tennis Association.

(b)  the Executive Director Commercial Development & Economic Growth be granted delegated authority to award a contract to refurbish the tennis courts (following a compliant procurement process) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Leisure Culture and Heritage.

That Cabinet:

(a)  notes the progress made on the Ryecroft aspect of the Future High Street Fund programme.

(b)  authorises the Executive Director – Commercial Development and Economic Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, Finance, Town Centres and Growth to take such actions and enter such agreements with Morgan Sindall for the design and development of the new Car Park scheme on Ryecroft, to achieve a fully designed scheme, with associated costs and planning permissions; and

(c)  receives the design and costings to enable a decision about the construction of the car park in a Cabinet report at a future date.

That:

(a)  the Borough Council’s Procurement Strategy 2022-25 as submitted be approved; and

(b)  the Action Plan (Appendix 3) of the Borough Council’s Procurement Strategy 2022-25 be approved. 

That the contract for the Council’s Bill Payment Service be awarded to Allpay Limited for a 4 year period from 1 January 2022.

That a direct award of contract be authorised to PSL Print Management Limited under the Crown Commercial Service Framework RM6017 Lot 7: Hybrid Mail, Digital and Transformational Communications for a period of 3 years with the option to extend by a further 2 x 1 year extensions to December 2026.

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the

following matter because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt

information as defined in paragraph 3 in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of

the Local Government Act, 1972.

In accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to take the following item of business as urgent:

That Cabinet authorise the receipt of £414,352 Estate Regeneration Fund (ERF) grant funding from government and authorise the Council to act as Accountable Body in respect of the same and its use by Aspire Housing in the regeneration of the Cross Street, Chesterton housing estate.

That the Forward Plan be received.

The Decision Record of the meeting held on 3 November 2021 was agreed as a correct record

There were no declarations of interest stated.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Trevor Johnson.