Agenda

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

To receive the 2024/25 Financial Outturn Report.

To receive the 2025/26 Financial Monitoring Report.

To receive a report requesting a Councillor Leave of Absence.

To receive an update on the Council’s Constitution.

“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 to doing everything it can to provide the best possible local response to tackling this horrific and heinous crime.”

The Motion will be seconded by Councillor Kelly Middleton.

“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 anti-social 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 is fundamental to achieving this. Reducing PCSO hours will negatively impact community safety and may erode public confidence in local policing.

The Council resolves to:

•           Call on the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable to withdraw the proposal to reduce PCSO hours after 8pm and to identify the £350,000 required to maintain current PCSO staffing levels, as this reduction  is the equivalent of 25,735 PCSO  hours of policing and this can be done  by reducing waste and administrative costs, including those associated with Hindlip Hall and the Police and Crime Commissioner's office.

•           Write to fellow West Mercia councils requesting their support in opposing this proposal and to collectively advocate for the restoration of full PCSO hours.

•           Call on Councillors to encourage residents to sign Shaun Davies MP's petition demanding that the proposal to reduce PCSO hours be scrapped.”

The Motion will be seconded by Councillor Nathan England.

“As this Council’s Labour Administration operates the Cabinet system of decision making it is vital that the Scrutiny process is adequately resourced and resolves that funding is made available immediately to repair the current broken system.”

The Motion will be seconded by Councillor Gareth Thomas.

“This Council notes with dismay the Labour Government’s decision not to mandate the inclusion of at least one hollow “Swift Brick” to provide nesting facilities for endangered birds in this country.

This Council further resolves to write to Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycook, to request he reverses his incoherent decision and further resolve that Telford & Wrekin Council formally request every developer in the Borough to include at least one “Swift Brick” in every dwelling.”

The Motion will be seconded by Councillor Rachael Tyrrell.

“This Council notes with huge concern the Labour Government’s recent and chaotic major policy U-Turns and agrees to write to the current Chancellor, Rachael Reeves, to urge her not to increase taxation to fill the Government created fiscal black hole to the detriment of our community in the Borough.”

The Motion will be seconded by Councillor Stephen Burrell.

“Following Wolverhampton University’s announcement of their Priorslee site’s closure during July this year, this council remains committed to the site’s use for education and community purposes and that it will protect the grade II listed Priorslee Hall for community use.”

The Motion will be seconded by Councillor Stephen Burrell.

“This Council commits to support Lingen Davies in its fundraising efforts as part of the Sunflower Appeal which will see the development of the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital.

The new Centre will mean most chemotherapy patients living in and around Telford can be treated at the PRH.

The Sunflower Appeal will mean patients across the region can have quicker and easier access to the care they need, when they need it.”

The Motion will be seconded by Councillor Corrine Chikandamina.