Agenda and minutes

Eve Clevenger, representing the Jewish Community, led prayers.

None.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Council held on 19 January 2023 and the Special Meeting of the Council held on 19 January 2023.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the Full Council meeting and the Special Meeting of Council both held on 19 January 2023 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 noted that this was the last meeting of Council before the Borough elections in May. He advised that a number of Councillors had decided not to stand again and thanked all Members for their service to their community.

The Leader stated that the Council played a role in almost every aspect of people’s lives, with over 700 services delivered by the Council. Services across the Council were well regarded, with children’s services being judged as outstanding. No libraries or leisure services in the Borough had been closed and they had been invested in.

The Leader stated that the Council had the lowest Council Tax in the Midlands and the budget proposed today was described as a budget for the future.

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

The Mayor asked Members to note the report on Mayoral Engagements since

the last meeting of Full Council.

The Mayor noted his attendance at a number of events across the Borough, including the Holocaust Memorial Service and visits to various schools for Kindness Week.

The Mayor noted that his Valentine’s Ball had recently taken place, which had raised over £7,000 for charity. He advised that all funds raised would be donated to the Interfaith Council and would be used to create a multi-faith, multi-cultural youth club where children of all backgrounds could come together and take part in activities.

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.

The following question to Councillor Carolyn Healy, Cabinet Member: Climate Change, Green Spaces, Natural and Historic Environment & Cultural Services:

In September last year you announced Central Hall in Donnington would be receiving Local Nature Reserve status. However what was once a much loved amenity and walking route is now overgrown with blocked paths and fallen trees.

Can you advise when it will be tidied and properly maintained?

The following question from the public had been received.

The following question to Cllr C Healy, Cabinet Member: Climate Change, Green Spaces, Natural and Historic Environment & Cultural Services was submitted by Thomas Hoof:

“In September last year you announced Central Hall in Donnington would be receiving Local Nature Reserve status. However what was once a much loved amenity and walking route is now overgrown with blocked paths and fallen trees.

Can you advise when it will be tidied and properly maintained?”

Cllr Healy, Cabinet Member: Climate Change, Green Spaces, Natural and Historic Environment & Cultural Services responded that the Council was aware of the importance of green spaces, including Local Nature Reserves. The Council had more protected green spaces around the Borough than ever before.

Central Hall was a maintained area and Cllr Healy apologised that on a recent visit, there had been blocked paths. Cllr Healy advised that recently the area had been cut with additional work planned including vegetation clearing and clearing of the steps near to the pool.

Green spaces were being invested into and Cllr Healy stated she would welcome discussions with the local parish council regarding establishing a community action team for the Donnington area.

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 T L B Janke asked the following question of Councillor R A Overton, Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member: Housing, Enforcement & Transport:

“Newport residents have been left devastated by the news that the Royal Victoria Hotel is potentially set to be demolished, a situation that has come about by developers claiming viability issues with their original plans and the building left to rot to its foundations. What, if anything, can this council do to prevent such a scenario happening going forward now the same developer has put forward a new application to prevent this vicious cycle of plans being watered down?”

Councillor Overton responded that the Royal Victoria Hotel was a Grade 1 listed building; the site benefitted from planning consent to convert the building into apartments. With regards to the developer’s proposals, these would not be looked at favourably by the Council and any application would need to be submitted to Historic England.

The owner of the property had not completed the required work to make the site safe so the Council had instructed specialist contractors to undertake this work. The contractors were due to be on site within the next two weeks.

(b)       Councillor P J Scott asked the following question of Councillor R A Overton, Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member: Housing, Enforcement & Transport:

“I applaud what the council have done to provide new rural buses but this has come at the expense of the Wrekin Rider Red Bus which many people local to Newport depend on.  Dial a Ride does help some with specific disabilities but many elderly now feel cut off from the town centre and face, in many cases, a difficult walk into town. The new bus routes do not help these people. Will the council consider bringing the Red Bus service back to Newport?”

Councillor Overton stated that bus services impacted every community in the Borough. Following the Motion which had been passed by Council in January 2023, Cllr Overton had written to the Secretary of State seeking their support to improve local bus services but had yet to receive a response.

The Council had launched a new bus route for Newport, in addition to the Express 100 and Western 101 services. The service had been well received with over 250 trips made in the first two days of operation.

Councillor Scott asked a supplementary question asking for clarification on the red bus service.

Councillor Overton responded that there was an ongoing conversation with Newport Town Council regarding this service.

(c)       Councillor P J Scott asked the following question of Councillor R A Overton, Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member: Housing, Enforcement & Transport:

“Following on from the ongoing Royal Victoria Hotel and Greggs/Get Connected stability issues in Newport High Street and the collapse of the Tuckers building in the not too distant past, can the Cabinet Member explain what the Council can do to ensure that property owners  ...  view the full minutes text for item 257.

No comments were made.

Councillor R C Evans, Cabinet Member: Finance, Governance & Customer Services presented the report of the Director: Finance & HR which set out how the Council would deliver the Strategy and its five key priorities. It sought approval of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy together with the budget framework for 2023/24.

It was noted that there had been a significant increase in demand for services and higher costs, particularly in relation to the provision of Adult Social Care and energy costs. There was a freeze on the general portion of Council Tax for the year, with a 2% rise in relation to the Adult Social Care precept.

The meeting adjourned at 19.54.

The meeting resumed at 20.03.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken on the recommendations as follows: -

For (30)

Councillors M Boylan, A J Burford, E Callear, L D Carter, G H Cook, S Davies, A R H England, R C Evans, C Healy, A S Jhawar, J Jones, G C W Latham-Reynolds, J Lavery, A D McClements, R Mehta, K Middleton, G Offland, R A Overton, I Preece, S A W Reynolds, S J Reynolds, H Rhodes, K S Sahota, P J Scott, C F Smith, B J Thompson, C R Turley, P R Watling, B Wennington, D R W White.

Against (10)

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

Abstain (5)

Councillors K T Blundell, E J Greenaway, T L B Janke, K T Tomlinson, W L Tomlinson.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    The following be approved:

a.    The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2023/24-2026/27 and the budget framework for 2023.24 set out in the suite of reports;

b.    The second year of the freeze of the general Council Tax level announced last year;

c.    The application of the Government’s 2% Adult Social Care Precept in 2023/24;

d.    The net investment of a further £7.26m into Adult Social Care in 2023/24;

e.    The net investment of £2.5m into Children’s Safeguarding in 2023/24;

f.     The budget savings listed in Appendix 10 of the report totalling £7.931m in 2023/24;

g.    The continuation of work with partner organisations, including Town & Parish Councils and Voluntary Sector and Community Groups to seek to identify ways to mitigate the impact of some of the cuts to services that we can no longer afford to deliver and to note the availability of the Invest to Save/Capacity Fund which is available to support partnership working;

h.    The base budget in Appendix 8 of the report;

i.     The policy framework for Reserves and Balances and their planned use outlined in Appendix 6 of the report;

j.     The Risk Register included at Appendix 14 of the report;

k.    The adoption of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, a link to which is included within Appendix 16 of the report, ready for implementation from 1 April 2023;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 259.

Councillor R C Evans, Cabinet Member: Finance, Governance & Customer Services presented the report of the Director: Finance & Human Resources, which sought to determine the levels of Council Tax for Telford & Wrekin in 2023-24 and took account of the requirements of Telford & Wrekin Council, the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority, together with the Town and Parish Councils.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken on the recommendations as follows:-

For (30)

Councillors M Boylan, A J Burford, E Callear, L D Carter, G H Cook, S Davies, A R H England, R C Evans, C Healy, A S Jhawar, J Jones, G C W Latham-Reynolds, J Lavery, A D McClements, R Mehta, K Middleton, G Offland, R A Overton, I Preece, S A W Reynolds, S J Reynolds, H Rhodes, K S Sahota, P J Scott, C F Smith, B J Thompson, C R Turley, P R Watling, B Wennington, D R W White.

Against (10)

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

Abstain (5)

Councillors K T Blundell, E J Greenaway, T L B Janke, K T Tomlinson, W L Tomlinson.

RESOLVED that the formal resolutions to determine the levels of Council Tax for 2023/24 be approved.

The Chief Executive, as the Electoral Registration Officer, presented the report. Following changes to legislation, there was a requirement to appoint four officers as Deputy Electoral Registration Officers to undertake the necessary duties.

RESOLVED that the designation of Deputy Electoral Registration Officers as set out in Section 4 of the report be approved.

(a)       Councillor S A W Reynolds moved, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 7, the following Motion:

“All too often, care experienced people can suffer discrimination, stigma and prejudice in their everyday lives.  As corporate parents, councillors have a collective responsibility for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by us as an authority. Our children and young people in care and care leavers have the right to expect everything from a Corporate Parent that would be expected from any good parent.

This Council will continue to put the needs of care experienced people at the heart of decision-making through co-production and collaboration and resolves that ‘looked after children and young people and care leavers’ be added as an additional characteristic in the Council’s Equality Impact assessments to determine the impact on care experienced people, alongside those who formally share a Protected Characteristic.

This Council formally calls upon all other bodies to treat care experience as a protected characteristic until such time as it may be introduced by legislation”

Councillor P R Watling seconded the Motion.

Following a robust debate, the Motion was approved unanimously.

RESOLVED -  that the motion be approved

(b)       Councillor A J Burford proposed the following Motion:-

“This Council agrees to formally ask the government under Schedule 10A of the NHS Act 2006 to reconsider its plans to close Telford's Princess Royal Hospital A&E and move the Consultant led women and children unit to Shrewsbury.

A plan agreed by the then Secretary of State for Health Matthew Hancock MP in his letter to the Council dated 2 October 2019.

The Council is on the side of our community and it makes no sense to make Telford the largest town in England without a full 24 hour A&E and close the consultant led Women and Children unit which was placed in Telford on compelling  clinical need.

We ask the government to reconsider these plans based on affordability, clinical evidence, growing population, post covid practices and that what the public was consulted on in the summer of 2018 (where the overwhelming majority of Telford and Wrekin residents opposed the plans) has materially changed.”

The Motion was seconded by Councillor A D McClements.

Councillor Burford then moved an alteration to the Motion, with additional words shown in bold and underlined. 

“This Council agrees to formally ask the government under Schedule 10A of the NHS Act 2006 and all other relevant legislation to reconsider its plans to close Telford's Princess Royal Hospital A&E and move the Consultant led women and children unit to Shrewsbury.

A plan agreed by the then Secretary of State for Health Matthew Hancock MP in his letter to the Council dated 2 October 2019.

The Council is on the side of our community and it makes no sense to make Telford the largest town in England without a full 24 hour A&E and close the consultant led Women and Children unit which was placed in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 262.