Agenda and minutes

Anna Parkinson, representing Polski Glos, said prayers.

Councillor C Healy declared an interest in minute number 108b Get Building Fund – Stronger Communities – New College, Wellington. She indicated that she would not take part in the debate and would leave the meeting for the determination of this item.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Council.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2020 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor.

The Leader of the Council may give an oral report on matters of significance to the Borough, comment upon the Cabinet decisions or make any announcements.

The Leader stated that the previous few months had been difficult for residents and businesses, and the country was in a second period of lockdown. The Council had been doing all it could to support everyone in the Borough and had worked hard with partner agencies to help those most in need.

The Borough was going to enter the final week of lockdown and it had been announced that Telford & Wrekin would be under Tier 2 restrictions following the national lockdown. The Leader urged all residents to have a Covid-19 test if they had symptoms.

The Leader thanked all Council staff, many of whom had been working in different roles to provide support to residents and businesses. He also thanked school staff and noted that school attendance in the Borough was encouraging.

The Leader paid tribute to the former Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Eade, and welcomed Councillor Dugmore as the new Leader of the Conservative Group.

To note the Mayoral Engagements undertaken since the previous Council meeting.

The Mayor commented upon the engagements he had attended since the last Council Meeting. The Mayor acknowledged that due to the Covid-19 restrictions, engagements had looked very different, however, he had been delighted to attend the VJ Celebrations in the Chelsea Gardens and visit by HRH The Princess Royal.

To receive any questions from the public which have been submitted under Council Procedure Rules 7.11 and 7.12. The session will last no more than 15 minutes with a maximum of 2 minutes allowed for each question and answer. Questions can be asked of the Leader and Cabinet Members.

None received.

No questions were received.

To receive the report on the Cabinet decisions made since publication of the last Council meeting agenda. Cabinet Members may speak on these decisions and Members may ask questions about key decisions of the relevant Cabinet Member for the purposes of clarification only.  Members are asked to note the additional delegations to officers granted at those meetings.

Members received the report on the Cabinet decisions made since the last meeting of the Council.  

To answer questions received under Council Procedure Rule 6.2.

NB      In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 6.2.9 there will be a maximum of 30 minutes allowed for questions and answers.  Any question not answered within the 30 minute time limit will receive a written reply within 5 working days.

The following questions were asked under Council Procedure Rule 6.2.2:-

(a) Councillor P J Scott asked the following question of Cllr R A Overton, Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Community Safety   and Customer Services:

‘Parking around schools in Newport is becoming a big safety issue for many. Enforcement Officers attend occasionally but with little effect. The time has come for more drastic action. The safety of children and residents must be a priority. Would the council consider a form of Traffic Management Order to temporarily restrict any cars from parking close to or within 100-200 metres of a school?’

Councillor R A Overton stated that since 2018, the Council had invested £85,000 into road safety schemes around the Borough. There had been significant engagement with schools to understand their needs and specific concerns around road safety. The focus was on road safety, reducing or eliminating car use as the first choice of school transport and investing in sustainable transport options. Enforcement Officers took a firm but fair approach, giving advice and guidance and it was noted that when an officer was on site, there were high levels of compliance.

As a supplementary question, Councillor Scott asked if there were any plans to increase the size of the enforcement team.

Councillor Overton advised that the Council were promoting community action teams, where enforcement officers were part of this team.

(b) Councillor M Boylan asked the following question of Councillor D Wright, Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing, Transport and Infrastructure:

‘Since the formation of Telford over 50 years ago, Telford has been a magnet for inward and foreign direct investment from around the World and across Europe, the companies that have come to Telford and grown in Telford have in turn have attracted families to live and work in our Town.  With the prospect of a ‘no deal’ trade agreement with Europe, what impacts does the Cabinet member feel this would have for residents who live in the Borough, travel to the Borough for work, those who employ residents and large and small business’

Councillor D Wright advised that a no deal exit from the European Union would mean an immediate transfer to World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, which had no provision for services and all exported goods would carry tariffs. Telford exported a higher proportion of goods than almost any other town in the Country and securing a trade deal was vital for the Borough. However, should a deal not be reached, Telford businesses were resilient and the Council would do all it could to support them.

As a supplementary question, Councillor Boylan asked if the Council continued to support a business winning agenda.

Councillor Wright advised that Enterprise Telford business support team were available to support businesses and encouraged those in the Borough to get in contact with them.

(c) Councillor K Middleton asked the following question of Councillor R A Overton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Community Safety   and Customer Services:

‘White Ribbon day was yesterday, I know  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

Councillor S Davies, Leader, presented the report of the Chief Executive. 

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

Councillor S Davies, Leader, presented the report of the Chief Executive. 

RESOLVED that the new Council Plan ‘Protect, Care & Invest to Create a Better Borough 2020 and onwards’ be approved.

Councillor R C Evans, Cabinet Member: Council Finance & Governance, presented the report of the Director: Finance & HR. 

RESOLVED that the changes to the capital programme and use of balances detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

Prior to the determination of this item, Councillor C Healy left the meeting.

Councillor D Wright, Cabinet Member: Economy, Housing, Transport & Infrastructure, presented the report of the Director: Prosperity & Investment.

RESOLVED that:

a)      The formal acceptance of the Get Building Fund award, appropriate changes to the capital programme as set out in paragraph 6.2 of the report, and the entering into a back to back Funding Agreement with the delivery partner as recommended by Cabinet on 5 November 2020 be approved

b)      Authority be delegated to the Director: Prosperity & Investment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member: Economy, Housing, Transport & Infrastructure, to enter into all necessary legal agreements to enable this programme to proceed as recommended by Cabinet on 5 November 2020

c)       The tender and procurement of a contractor for the delivery of the development proposals as detailed in the report be noted and endorsed

d)      Cabinet approval for the sale of land at New College as set out in paragraph 5.6 of the report be noted.

Following determination of this item, Councillor C Healy return to the meeting.

Councillor D Wright, Cabinet Member: Economy, Housing, Transport & Infrastructure, presented the report of the Chief Executive. 

Councillor I T W Fletcher asked if a contingency plan was in place for the contractor. Councillor Wright advised that Lovell were contracted through a competitive process and the market would be tested prior to the scheme taking place.

Councillor I T W Fletcher further asked why only 11.8% of homes in the scheme were affordable, when the local plan stated that 20% of properties should be so, he also raised a question in respect of state aid and the contingency plans for if some selected sites did not receive planning permission.

Councillor Wright advised that Nuplace offered an affordable, sustainable portfolio of homes, with more affordable and sustainable homes being built, which would continue to be an objective of the scheme. The scheme met all legal requirements and all sites would have to go through the planning processes. There would be a list of alternative sites if one or more of the indicative sites did not progress.

RESOLVED that:

a)      The revised Business Case included at Appendix 1 of the report be noted

b)      The allocation of £38.5m from the Regeneration and Investment Fund to support the developments as set out in the report be noted

c)       The extension to the Nuplace Loan Facilities Agreement of £36m, the rate and terms to be delegated for approval to the Council’s s151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member: Council Finance & Governance be approved

d)      The delegation of authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Housing Investment Programme Board be noted, to:

i)                    Agree and enter into, where necessary, any documents, as required, to implement the recommendations contained within the revised Business Case

ii)                  Agree and enter into, where necessary, any agreements, as required, for the disposal or acquisition of land required to give effect to the recommendations contained within the Business Case

e)      The delegation of authority to the Associate Director: Policy & Governance to seal or sign any documents required to give effect to the recommendations contained in this report be noted.

RESOLVED that the updated policy be approved.

(a)        Councillor N A Dugmore formally moved, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 7, the following Motion:

“This Council declares its support for the Government’s consideration of introducing Unitary Councils across the Country and notes the apparent potential for huge efficiency savings in doing so.

However, and in line with the past two Conservative Group Motions which received unanimous support across this Local Authority; this Council undertakes to oppose any move to merge Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council into one Unitary Authority”

The Motion was formally seconded by Councillor A Lawrence.

Councillor R C Evans moved the following amendment, with additional words shown in bold and underlined: 

“This Council acknowledges that some may wish to support the Government’s consideration of introducing Unitary Councils across the Country.  However in line with previous motions which received unanimous support across this Local Authority; this Council undertakes to oppose any move to merge Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council into one Unitary Authority and calls upon both of our MPs to actively support us in this endeavour.”

The amendment was seconded by Councillor A D McClements.

 
A vote was taken on the proposed amendment, which was carried, becoming the substantive motion. The vote was as follows:

For:     36      

Councillors K T Blundell, M Boylan, A J Burford, E Callear, L D Carter, G H Cook, S Davies, A England,  N England, R C Evans, C Healey, V Holt, T Janke, A Jhawar, J Jones, J Lavery, J Loveridge,  A D McClements, R Mehta, K Middleton, G Offland, R A Overton, G C W Reynolds, S A W Reynolds, S J Reynolds, H Rhodes, K S Sahota, P J Scott, C Smith, J Thompson, K Tomlinson, W L Tomlinson, C R Turley, D White, D Wright.

Against:          0

Abstentions: 12

Councillors S Bentley, S P Burrell, E J Carter, N A Dugmore, A J Eade,  I Fletcher, V Fletcher, E J Greenaway, M B Hosken, A Lawrence, T J Nelson, J M Seymour

At the end of the debate, a vote was taken on the amendment put forward by Councillor Evans which was CARRIED. 

RESOLVED - that the amended Motion be approved

b)  Councillor P R Watling formally moved, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 7, the following Motion:

‘Through this motion, as a Council we recognise the difficulties experienced by commonwealth veterans in receiving leave to remain in the UK when their service is complete, many are left with extortionate charges to remain here.

Through this motion we request the leader of the council to write on behalf of the Council  to the Prime Minister, Kevin Forster the Minister of State for Immigration, and Johnny Mercer the Minister of State for Veterans Affairs outlining this councils support for

•           All commonwealth veterans who have served a minimum of 4 years being granted automatic and free of charge right to remain in the UK and

•           Any veteran who completes 12 years of service to be automatically be granted British Citizenship.

Further, we  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.