Agenda and minutes

None.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2020 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

The Leader thanked the community for working with the Council to help to keep the number of cases of COVID-19 down as cases numbers rose across the region and nation. It was noted that case numbers in the Borough were lower than the national average. The lease at the test centre in Ironbridge had been extended with Deloitte. The second site within the Borough would be announced shortly. The Council had done its utmost to support the national effort against COVID-19.

Key Decision identified as Issues & Options Consultation (Review of Telford & Wrekin Local Plan) in the Notice of Key Decisions published on 13 August 2020.

The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Housing, Transport & Infrastructure presented the report of the Director: Housing, Employment & Infrastructure.

The Council was required to review its Local Plan regularly. That review had to plan for the Borough’s future development needs, which needed to address current social and economic challenges and planning for the next phase of growth of the Borough. The review of the Telford & Wrekin Local Plan (TWLP) was central to ensuring that growth continued to be delivered in a sustainable and measured way that benefited the environment, communities and the economy of the Borough.

This review of the Local Plan provided the Council with a means of proactively addressing the economic challenges it faced, providing opportunities to support a swifter economic recovery and develop stronger, more resilient communities. It was also a key means to support the delivery of the Council’s commitment to address Climate Change.

Cabinet Members discussed the importance of local democracy in the planning process in light of the Government’s proposed changes to the planning system. The proposals were welcomed by Cabinet Members and noted that proactivity and public engagement would be key. In response to a question from the Conservative Group Leader, the Leader restated the Council’s commitment to investment in environmental projects, noting the Administration’s previous investments.

RESOLVED –

(a)  that the content of the report and the appendices be noted

(b) That delegated authority be granted to the Director Housing, Employment & Infrastructure (and any other officer authorised in writing by this postholder)  to exercise all the Council’s powers (besides those which are non-executive powers) under the relevant provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and all other enabling legislation, relating to preparation, publication, consultation and processing, to progress the delivery of the Local Plan Review.

(c) That delegated authority be granted to the Director: Housing Employment & Infrastructure, Housing and Communities (and any other officer authorised in writing by this postholder) to exercise the Council’s powers relating to its duty to cooperate in relation to the planning of sustainable development as set out in Section 33A Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and any other associated legislation and guidance.

(d) That delegated authority be granted to the Director: Housing Employment & Infrastructure, Housing and Communities (and any other officer authorised in writing by this postholder)  to enter into formal arrangements with any person or body referred to or prescribed in accordance with Section 33A Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and any other associated legislation and guidance and authorise the Lead Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing, Transport and Infrastructure also to sign and confirm the Council’s agreement to those formal arrangements if required.

Non-Key Decision

The Leader presented the report of the Chief Executive.

In July 2020, the Council participated in the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Response & Recovery Peer Review, with the purpose of this Panel to explore the Council’s response to the pandemic and understand how it was planning for and driving recovery with the objective of identifying best practice to share with other authorities and to offer challenge to the Authorities approach.

The LGA produced a brief report which, although there was no overall grade or assessment, was positive and highlighted the strength of the Council’s response; it stated “there has been impressive delivery by the council, both independently and with and through others, and it is making a difference.” The LGA also highlighted successes in the Council’s communications, leadership, and partnership work.

Members of the Cabinet welcomed the report and the very positive feedback from the Council’s peers in the LGA. Cabinet Members were keen to express their gratitude to the Council’s officers, partners, and volunteers for the hard work they had undertaken during the pandemic. Members discussed the need for greater support from the Government as the pandemic entered a second wave. 

RESOLVED – that the LGA Response & Recovery Panel report that highlighted the strength of the Council’s response to the pandemic and its ambition to drive and support recovery be endorsed.

Members received the presentation of the Director: Adult Social Care.

Prior to lockdown, the Council had begun a process of engagement to shape the future of its services and to assess different ways to help those with learning disabilities gain greater independence, which had been followed by a formal consultation on the Learning Disabilities Strategy over the summer of 2020. Wider engagement on the future of support for those with learning disabilities would be relaunched on 30 September 2020 with details available on the Council’s website.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, services had changed dramatically, with all day services suspended in March 2020. Regular contact with individuals had been maintained throughout the period using remote methods, while those most in need had received direct care. There had been a period of adaptation for staff and service users in the move to online support, meeting, activities and activity pack distribution.

Some individuals had thrived under the new arrangements as they had found new opportunities within their communities although for others it had been more difficult. The Council was keen to be able to offer day centre opportunities again, to provide for those users for whom remote contact had been difficult and to provide respite for carers. It was important for the Council to look at individuals and their needs and not to act with a standard response.

Cabinet Members again offered their gratitude to frontline staff in the Borough.

It is recommended that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining item of business on the grounds that it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was recommended that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining item of business on the grounds that it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED – that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining item of business on the grounds that it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Whilst Cabinet awaited confirmation that the live stream had been terminated a five-minute adjournment was recommended.

RESOLVED – that the meeting be adjourned for five minutes.

The Leader presented the report of the Director: Prosperity & Investment. The report outlined the circumstances around the surrender of a Lease by the current tenant of the West Stand and the proposal to grant a new lease of both the West Stand and the Stadium to AFC Telford Utd.

Members welcomed the report, which simplified the arrangements around the stadium.

RESOLVED -

(a)    That the decisions taken as part of the Strong Leader Decision  as detailed  in Appendix 1 to this report (which is exempt from publication under paragraph 3, part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972) be endorsed.

(b)    That the decision in relation to the surrender of the two separate leasehold interests held in the Stadium and West Stand be endorsed.

(c)     That the decision to grant a new lease of the Stadium (including the West Stand) to AFC Telford Utd on terms as set out in para 4.9 of attached report be endorsed.