Agenda and minutes

None.

RESOLVED - that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

The Leader noted the achievements of the administration over the previous four years. Yesterday, the Leader had received a letter from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities thar another grant application had been successful for Wellington.

The Leader stated that in the last few days, an announcement had been made regarding the Public Health Grant and noted that it contained a significant real terms cut. The Leader discussed the impact this would have and advised that the Council would continue to do all it could to protect these vital services.

To receive an update on the Cost of Living Strategy.

The Leader presented the report of the Director: Communities, Customer & Commercial Services. The report provided an update on the progress made on the Council’s response to the Cost of Living crisis.

Cabinet approved the Cost of Living Strategy in October 2022 and, since then, demand on services had continued to grow. The Strategy had provided a package of additional support to residents and businesses within the Borough, which included help with energy costs by providing low energy LED light bulbs, allocating supermarket vouchers to residents in receipt of pension credits and providing an additional £90,000 of funding to local food banks.

The report outlined future steps that would be taken which included an additional grant of £30,000 to Age UK and £25,000 to local food banks.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report. Several Members discussed residents who had contacted them regarding food vouchers that they had received and the difference that it had made to them. Cabinet Members welcomed, in particular, the support around sustainable energy, which would have not only immediate cost savings for residents, would continue in the future to support the move to zero carbon.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The impact of the cost of living crisis is having on the residents and businesses in the Borough be noted;

b)   The progress made to date to deliver the actions agreed in the Cost of Living Strategy be noted;

c)    The proposals for provision of further help and support be endorsed and the next steps, as set out in Section 4.6 of the report, be agreed.

To receive the performance report of the Invest Telford Scheme.

The Cabinet Member: Neighbourhood Services, Regeneration & The High Street presented the report of the Director: Housing, Employment & Infrastructure.

The Borough had experienced significant growth, driven by the Council’s economic development strategy, Enterprise Telford. The economic situation had recently changed due to the cost of living crisis and the strategy had been refreshed to account for this.

The report presented the Council’s pledge to businesses to provide a bespoke package of support to any business located in, or looking into locating in the Borough. The Council had a dedicated team within the Business Growth Hub to provide support for businesses as well as organisations, funders and government agencies.

Over the upcoming months, the Council would launch a range of new grants; the programme would focus on export support, grants for start up and growth and supporting energy efficiency.

Members noted that Small and Medium Enterprises accounted for 98% of employment in the Borough and the other benefits of a vibrant and thriving High Street. 

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group welcomed the report and requested that green spaces and greenery around industrial areas continue to be protected.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The launch of Invest Telford to further the promotion of the Borough for investment and the support provided to businesses, including the launch of the new website and prospectus, currently being finalised, be approved;

b)   The co-production of a new Invest Telford Economic Strategy for the Borough to be presented for approval to Cabinet in the Autumn be approved;

c)    The focus of the Council’s new business grant programme as proposed in paragraph 4.14 of the report be endorsed;

d)   The contribution that the Council’s approach to business and investment support is having on the local economy, businesses and residents be noted.

To receive the report on the Protected Characteristics for Care Leavers and the Local Offer.

The Cabinet Member: Children, Young People, Education & Lifelong Learning presented the report of the Director: Children’s Safeguarding & Family Support.  The report put forward the proposal that individuals with care experience were treated as if it was a protected characteristic.

Many people with care experience faced discrimination, stigma and prejudice in their lives, which was similar in nature to other groups that have a legally protected characteristic under the Equality Act (2010). The Council had established a Local Offer for Care Leavers, however, there was a desire for the offer to continue to improve.

Members agreed that this would make a real difference to care experienced young people’s lives.

RESOLVED that:

a)    ‘Care Experience’ as a Protected Characteristic be agreed;

b)    The updated Telford and Wrekin Local Offer to Care Leavers be endorsed.

To receive the report on Safer and Stronger Neighbourhoods Through Appropriate Use of Our Enforcement Powers.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member: Housing, Enforcement & Transport presented the report of the Director: Neighbourhood & Enforcement Services. The Council provided a range of enforcement activities over a number of service areas.

The Council’s approach for enforcement activity was to be proportionate, necessary and in the public interest. During 2022, there had been a 10% reduction in Anti-Social behaviour, a 40% reduction in fly tipping and the Council had launched a pilot of CCTV cameras in taxis.

Members stated that the schemes had made a real difference across the Borough, in particular the significant reduction in fly tipping, which had a positive impact on local environments.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The enforcement activity undertaken by Public Protection and Neighbourhood Enforcement teams during 2022 to keep residents, businesses and visitors safe be noted;

b)   The Strong Leader Decision made on 24 January 2023 approving the reduction to the early payment discount for Fixed Penalty Notices relating to fly tipping from £200 to £350 if the penalty is paid within 10 days of the notice being issue 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 review and implement changes where required to the Fixed Penalty Fines as set out in the Environmental Enforcement Fixed Penalty Notice Policy as adopted in 2017;

d)   The priority areas of focus for the year ahead as outlined in the report be approved.