Agenda and minutes

Councillor P R Watling declared an interest in item CAB-193 (Autism Draft Strategy) and advised that he would leave the room during the determination thereof.

Councillor S Davies declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in item CAB-192 (School Growth) as his wife worked in a primary school in the Borough.

Councillor S A W Reynolds declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in item CAB-192 (School Growth) as her daughter worked in a primary school in the Borough.

RESOLVED- that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

The Leader congratulated Councillor Hilda Rhodes for her Lifetime Achievement Award from the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU), Councillor Rhodes had been a Councillor for over thirty years and had made a significant contribution to the Borough.

The Leader also congratulated Councillor Kuldip Sahota on his ascension to the House of Lords. This was a huge recognition for not only Councillor Sahota, but for Telford and the Sikh community.

To receive an update report on the 2022 cycle of the Leader and Cabinet Members’ Young Person Grant Scheme.

The Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families presented the report of the Director: Children’s Safeguarding & Family Support. The scheme had been in place since 2017. In 2021, an allocation of £20,000 was made and the scheme received 132 applicants, of which 64 were successful. In 2022, the same number of applications (132) were received, however, there were 72 successful applicants.

The report summarised the communications that had taken place to reach young people for the 2022 scheme, which was effective with over 840,000 views to the scheme webpages coming from social media. 53 of the 132 applicants advised that they had been made aware of the scheme via social media.

Applications could be made in a variety of ways, which had increased the range of applicants.

The proposals for the 2023 scheme were outlined in the report.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and noted the difference these awards made to young peoples’ lives.

In response to a question from the Conservative Group Leader, the Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families stated that alongside their application, applicants had to submit a written reference which was thoroughly checked. A panel meeting took place where all applications were reviewed.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The funding for the Leader and Cabinet Members’ Young Person Grant Scheme be approved;

b)   The holding of an alumni event to understand the impact on successful applicants from the past 2 years and to inform the upcoming 2023 scheme be approved;

c)    The communications plan be further developed to ensure more young people are reached, including our NEET cohort beyond the age of 16 be approved.

To receive an update on the growth in pupil numbers and the work the Council is undertaking in relation to it.

The Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families presented the report of the Director: Education & Skills. The report identified that there had been an 18% increase in the number of children on roll at primary schools within the Borough over the last 10 years, with a 17% increase in secondary school rolls over the same period.

The report provided an update on the development of a new schools in Castle Farm Way / A5 area and Allscott and the expansion of Lawley Village Academy and Ercall Wood School. The report also included the increased provision for SEN hubs across primary and secondary schools in the Borough, providing additional capacity for children to attend education in their local communities.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and the investment into schools across the Borough. Cabinet Members in particular welcomed the provision of the SEN hubs, allowing children to access education within their own communities.

The Leader of the Conservative Group queried provision within the Newport area, including sixth form provision. The Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families advised that investment had been made into Newport Infant School, Newport Junior School, the Burton Borough School, Haberdasher’s Adams’ and Newport Girls High School, all of which were in the Newport area. Section 106 funding from development within Newport would only be spent on education in the Newport area. Newport had two sixth forms and the new sixth form provision at the Station Quarter would attract students from across the Borough.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The position on the current and projected demand for school places and the action taken to date to manage the supply of school places be noted;

b)   Authority be delegated to the Director: Education & Skills, in consultation with the Director: Finance & HRF and the Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families to allocate the basic need grant and high need capital funding, including allocations for 2022-25, and relevant section 106 funding, in relation to the provision of mainstream and specialist provision across all age groups within the Borough;

c)    The proposed acquisition of land to the Council that was negotiated as part of the s106 agreement, so at no financial cost, on the Castle Farm Way / A5 site in Priorslee and onwards lease to the Department for Education (DfE) who will act as an agent for the Thomas Telford Trust who have been granted sponsorship of the new free school, for the provision of additional primary education places be approved;

d)   Authority be delegated to the Director: Education & Skills, in consultation with the Director: Finance & HR and the Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families, to take all necessary steps to implement the proposed expansion of Lawley Village Academy by 210 primary school places and 30 nursery provision places subject to such expansion being in accordance with the available budget;

e)    Authority be delegated to the Director: Education & Skills, in consultation with the Director: Finance & HR and the Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families to take all necessary steps to implement the proposed expansion  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB-192

To obtain authorisation to proceed to public consultation on the Draft Strategy.

In accordance with his declaration of interest Councillor P Watling left the room during determination of this item.

The Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care and Health, Integration and Transformation presented the report of the Director: Adult Social Care. The report provided a background to the strategy and advised on the proposed next steps for public consultation.

A pre-consultation engagement programme had taken place which had received 230 responses from Autistic people, family members, carers and support workers and other professionals. The report outlined the timetable for the proposed consultation and steps to be taken afterwards. The proposed strategy was included as Appendix A of the report.

Members welcomed the strategy and noted it was vital to hear from those with lived experiences.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The public consultation on the draft autism strategy be approved;

b)   The consultation with the community and all partners be supported and championed;

c)    Authority be delegated to the Director: Adult Social Care in consultation with the Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care and Health, Integration and Transformation and the Telford and Wrekin Autism Partnership Board to take the necessary steps to implement these recommendations.

To receive a report on the 20mph Speed Strategy.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member: Housing, Enforcement and Transport presented the report of the Director: Neighbourhood & Enforcement Services. The report sought the approval for the strategy and to develop a community speed watch network.

The report highlighted the 45 existing schemes within the Borough, with six further 20mph speed limit zones set to be introduced. It was noted that the scheme offered flexibility.

Cabinet Members noted that speeding was a significant concern for residents across the Borough and discussed where existing schemes had had an impact on communities. Members welcomed the community speed watch network and noted that these volunteer groups benefitted their communities immensely.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group welcomed the report and thanked the local PSCO in the Wellington area for her work in introducing a community speed watch scheme, which had been very successful.

The Leader of the Conservative Group welcomed the proposals but raised concerns regarding capacity within the highways team. The Leader explained that the Council had put in significant resources into this area and this strategy was a commitment to keep this within the forefront of priorities.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The adoption of the 20mph Speed Limit Strategy as contained in Appendix 1 of the report be approved;

b)   The delivery of 20mph speed limit projects completed to date and those planned for delivery during 2022/23 be noted;

c)    Authority be delegated to the Director: Neighbourhood & Enforcement Services, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member: Housing, Enforcement & Transport to periodically update the 20mph Speed Limit Strategy as may be required;

d)   Work with partners including Town and Parish Councils, to deliver a Community Speed Watch Programme which will secure over 100 volunteers to assist with monitoring as part of the community speed watch initiative be approved.