Agenda and draft minutes

Gurdit Singh, from Sangat Parchar Sabha Gurdwara from Oakengates, said prayers.

None.

To confirm the minutes of the Special Meeting of Full Council and the Full Council AGM held on 15 May 2025.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the Special and Annual Meetings of the Council held on 15 May 2025, be confirmed as correct records 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 of the Council made the following announcements:

(i)            Successes Across the Borough

The Leader said that as the summer break approached, he wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the many successes across the Borough.  He said that the role of Members was always to serve the residents of Telford and Wrekin to the best of their abilities, and it was heartening to see individuals and organisations in the community recognised for their contributions.

The Leader said that, on the back of Telford and Wrekin Interfaith Council and Sustainable Newport, both had received well deserved King’s Awards for Voluntary Services at the end of last year, and that, in May this year, it had been very pleasing to see Fabwell Steel Products based in Madeley given the honour of King’s Award for Enterprise for sustainable development, which again showed how Telford businesses were leading the way.

The Leader went on to say that, in the even more recent King’s Birthday Honours, the Council was proud to learn that Telford-based recipients, Richard Howells, founder of Bronze Software Labs, had received an OBE for services to business and technology (another example of innovation and opportunity thriving in the Borough); Christine Still of Newport had been awarded an MBE for her dedication to gymnastics and sports broadcasting, and had inspired generations through coaching and commentary; and John McGlasson, Training Development Officer at RAF Cosford, who had received the British Empire Medal for his service to defence and charitable fundraising.

(ii)           Armed Forces Community

The Leader said that everyone was proud of the Borough’s strong Armed Forces community and that this week had seen the soft launch of the Christopher Turley Armed Forces Community Hub, a one-stop-shop for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.  He said that this initiative strengthened the Council’s ongoing support and commitment to those who served.

(iii)          Council of the Year 2025

The Leader said that this evening’s meeting marked the first Full Council meeting since being named Council of the Year 2025 at the prestigious Local Government Chronicle Awards.  He said that this was a remarkable achievement and a testament to the dedication of its members, staff, partners, and residents and confirmed that the work being done in Telford and Wrekin was exceptional.

The Leader went on to say that the Council had demonstrated a sustained track record of success and was one of only a few authorities to have received back-to-back ‘outstanding’ ratings for children’s services from Ofsted.  Also, he said, the Council’s SEND services had received the highest inspection outcome from both Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission.

The Leader went on to say that the Council’s work around child sexual exploitation remained its top priority.  He said that in respect of partnering with individuals with lived experience, the Council had been recognised nationally for its approach to tackling this horrific crime and that its efforts had recently earned a national award.  He said that, later this evening, members would be asked to support the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

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

The Mayor drew Members’ attention to the list of engagements she had undertaken since the last meeting of the Council in May 2025, which had been circulated.

She said that, in the whirlwind weeks since being elected Mayor, she had the privilege of attending a glorious mix of events across the Borough, a highlight of which, she said, had been celebrating the Telford Samaritans’ 50th Anniversary, which, she said, had been a truly moving occasion.

The Mayor said that, just days into the role, she had found herself sitting on the back of a motorcycle at the opening of the True North Bikers Hub in Donnington.  

She said she had also had the honour of meeting one of the remarkable charities she was supporting this year, “Hillbrae”, along with the Deputy Mayor Councillor Nathalie Page, and had witnessed their vital work firsthand, which had been both humbling and genuinely inspiring.

The Mayor said that, over the past few months, she had had the joy of connecting with residents, community groups, event organisers, and local businesses. These encounters, she said, had been both enlightening and uplifting, and she was looking forward to meeting many more such people in the future.

The Mayor said that last Thursday, she had attended the VIP Crucial Crew Day, which marked its impressive 30-year milestone.  She said the event had been engaging, informative, and gave an insight into the new scenarios being introduced this year as well as a brilliant opportunity to chat with the dedicated partners and facilitators who made these sessions such a success.

In conclusion, the Mayor thanked everyone for your warm messages welcoming her to her year in office.  She said she was excited for the year ahead, especially if some of it involved unexpected motorcycle rides.

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 two questions from the public had been received.

(i)         The following question to Councillor Kelly Middleton, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Healthier Communities was submitted by Mr Mark Webster:

"Despite the perceived U-turn on disability welfare plans, there is still widespread condemnation from many councils, public bodies, and 86 charities, will Council commit to opposing the disability welfare cuts and advocate for their reversal to protect our local services, budgets and our vulnerable residents?”

In response, Councillor Kelly Middleton, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Healthier Communities said that as part of the Welfare Reform Bill (Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill)  the Government had, during the passage of the Bill, listened and reviewed the impact on people receiving various benefits in order to ensure the balance of need and ensure an equitable system to support people with varying needs to live as independently as possible.

She said that the specific impact on people in Telford would depend on how these national proposals were implemented locally and how they interacted with existing local services and support systems.  It was, she said, important for individuals in Telford to stay informed about these changes and to participate in any consultations or opportunities to make their voices heard. She said the Council would be reviewing its own discretionary welfare support and hardship policies and working with local voluntary sector partners to ensure people were supported if there was a change to their benefits”.

Councillor Middleton shared the following information from the Government’s website:

New welfare legislation to ensure there were robust protections in place to support the most vulnerable and severely disabled.

Nearly 4 million households to benefit from uprating of Universal Credit standard rate, the largest, permanent real-terms increase to basic out of work support since 1980, according to the IFS.

More than 200,000 people with most severe, lifelong conditions to be protected from future reassessment for Universal Credit entitlement.

13-week period of financial support for those affected by PIP changes as part of upcoming welfare reforms.

Came alongside £1 billion employment support package that would unlock opportunity and grow the economy as part of the Plan for Change.

The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would provide 13-weeks of additional financial security to existing claimants affected by changes to the PIP daily living component, including those who lost their eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer’s element of Universal Credit.

The 13-week additional protection would give people who would be affected by the changes time to adapt, access new, tailored employment support, and plan for their future once they were reassessed and their entitlement ended.

This transitional cover was one of the most generous ever and more than three times the length of protection provided for the transition from DLA to PIP.

This Government inherited a broken social security system, with costs spiralling at an unsustainable rate and millions of people trapped out of work. The case for change was stark:

Since the pandemic, the number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

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 Thomas Janke asked the following question of Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning, Employment and Skills:

“In 2023, after months of effective cross-party collaboration through scrutiny, and a clear commitment from the then Cabinet Member for Education, the Council appeared more than ready to pilot 'School Streets' schemes across the Borough. Given the well-documented benefits of these schemes for children's safety, mental health, and the environment, why has such a pilot not been implemented? What specific barriers prevented its rollout, and how does the Council intend to honour the previous commitment to progressing this initiative?”

In response, Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning, Employment and Skills thanked Councillor Janke for his question and said that, firstly, she wanted to reassure the chamber that, as a result of the focused work from scrutiny, the Council had very much progressed activity to promote active travel to school, reduce car usage and improve road safety for all at the school gate.  She recognised the work of the cross-party group on the initiative, School Streets, that took place during 2021, however the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee later determined to implement an alternative scheme, called A New School Journey, given the wider benefits this approach would bring.  A New School Journey, she said, encompassed multiple activities that promoted active travel to school over and above the offer that would have been provided via School Streets, which largely focused on road closures.  She said that, founded on data and intelligence about journeys to and from school, the Council had worked with a number of schools including Newport Infant and Junior Schools, Lawley Primary School, Ladygrove Primary, Teagues Bridge, Meadows Primary and Aqueduct Primary to support the transition to travelling actively to school and ditching the car.  She said members may recall recent news where over 300 pupils from Lawley Primary school walked to school on one day, with 50 of those joining Telford’s first ever Bike Bus. Councillor Reynolds went on to say that the Council continued to support residents in taking a new journey to school, which continued to grow in popularity.  She said the Council’s work had not and did not stop here, and it was currently working with Lantern Academy and Muxton Primary who were signed up for next academic year with more interested to build on the successes demonstrated to date.  She said that this was a clear demonstration of the Council’s commitment to improve outcomes for children and young people and their active travel choices to and from school and she thanked those members involved in the initial scrutiny work on School Streets from which the Council’s successful New Journey to School project was founded.

By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Janke asked whether the Cabinet Member would be willing to recommit the Council’s pilot to school streets schemes in the future to unlock  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

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.

No questions of clarification were raised.

To receive the 2024/25 Financial Outturn Report.

Councillor Z Hannington, Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Services, presented the report of the Director for Finance, People and IDT, which presented the final outturn position for the year in respect of the Council’s revenue budget, capital programme and income collection and sought the necessary approvals to comply with financial regulations.

RESOLVED – that:

(a)  the performance against the 2024/25 Net Revenue budget, which resulted in outturn being within budget by £91k, be noted;

(b)  the revenue outturn position for 2024/25, which remained subject to audit by the Council’s external auditors, and related virements in Appendix C, be noted;

(c)  The transfers to reserves, and associated approval to the relevant members of the Senior Management Team, following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member to spend the reserves detailed in Appendix E;

(d)  In relation to the Income/Budget equalisation reserve, to grant delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to approve its use;

(e)  The capital outturn position and related supplementary estimates, re-phasing and virements shown in Appendix D and as summarised in the report, be noted;

(f)   Authority be delegated to the Director of Finance, People and IDT to make any changes required, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Services;

(g)  The performance against income targets, be noted; and

(h)  The suite of Medium-Term Financial Strategy reports approved by Full Council on 27 February 2025 be the Council’s Efficiency Strategy for 2025/26, to enable new capital receipts to be used to fund the revenue costs of transformation and efficiency projects which would support the future financial position.

To receive the 2025/26 Financial Monitoring Report.

Councillor Z Hannington, Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Services, presented the report of the Director for Finance, People and IDT, which provided Council with the latest financial monitoring position for the year relating to the revenue budget, capital programme and income collection.

RESOLVED – that:

(a)  the 2025/26 revenue budget position, which showed that the Council was projecting to be within budget at year end, without having to use the Budget Strategy or General Fund reserves, be noted;

(b)  the position in relation to capital spend, be noted and the changes to the Capital programme detailed in Appendix C and all associated changes to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, including Treasury and Prudential Indicators, be approved; and

(c)  the collection rates for NNDR, council tax and sales ledger, be noted.

To receive a report requesting a Councillor Leave of Absence.

Councillor Z Hannington, Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Services, presented the report of the Director for Policy and Governance (Monitoring Officer), which sought Council’s approval to a leave of absence for Councillor Karen Tomlinson, owing to caring responsibilities, until 16 January 2026.

RESOLVED – that a leave of absence for Councillor Karen Tomlinson, for the purposes of section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 until 16 January 2026, be approved. 

To receive an update on the Council’s Constitution.

Councillor Z Hannington, Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Services, presented the report of the Director for Policy and Governance (Monitoring Officer), which updated Members on the significant piece of work undertaken to review and update the Constitution and sought approval for the adoption of the reviewed and updated Constitution.

The matter had been considered by the Council’s Governance Committee on 15 July and recommended to Council for adoption.

RESOLVED – that the revised and updated Constitution, as detailed at Appendix A, be approved.

(a)         Councillor Lee Carter moved, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 7, the following Motion:

“This Council welcomes and supports the ongoing work of the Government to address Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) including commissioning the Casey Review, noting the previous Conservative Government's failure to implement any of the recommendations from the National Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) its failure to insist that the National Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse visit Telford and it’s failure to establish a standalone Inquiry with statutory powers in Telford 2018.

This Council resolves to share its best practice and learning from the Independent Inquiry into Telford's Child Sexual Exploitation (which it commissioned and funded) and pledges to support the Government and other Councils using the recommendations and work from that Inquiry which are highly regarded.

This Council notes the letter from the Leader to the Home Secretary unequivocally stating the Council’s support for the new National Inquiry, that it would welcome the National Inquiry to include Telford & Wrekin and that it will comply with any requests arising from the Casey Report and the subsequent National Inquiry.

This Council continues to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of CSE and continues to welcome the work of those with Lived Experience who are helping the Council to tackle CSE. This Council continues to resolve doing everything it can to provide the best possible local response to tackling this horrific and heinous crime.”

Councillor K Middleton seconded the motion.

Following a robust debate, the Motion was carried by a majority vote.

RESOLVED – that the motion be approved.

(b)         Councillor Richard Overton moved, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 7, the following Motion:

“This Council is deeply concerned by the decision of the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner to reduce the hours during which Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are deployed, particularly after 8pm.

Residents and businesses have already expressed concerns regarding the visibility of police and PCSOs. These concerns are likely to intensify with fewer PCSOs present on the streets during evening hours.

This Council has been a key partner with the police in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour through its Safer Stronger Communities project. Since 2021, the Council has invested £5.5 million in this initiative, complementing police efforts and enhancing community safety. The proposed reduction in PCSO working hours threatens to undermine the success of this project and may be perceived as a step backward in community policing, potentially increasing feelings of insecurity among residents.

The Council notes that the new Labour government has committed to providing real-term increases in police funding annually over the next five years. This stands in contrast to previous cuts to policing, particularly neighbourhood policing, under the Conservative government.

Since 2016, the budget for the Police and Crime Commissioner's office has increased by £7 million—from £5 million in 2016 to £12 million in the current year—while frontline services face reductions.

The Council believes that every individual has the right to feel safe in their community. A visible police presence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.