Agenda and draft minutes

The following declaration will be read:

“Colleagues, aware of our responsibilities to promote democracy and the wellbeing of all local people, on behalf of the Council, I make this commitment to our office as elected representatives. Elected to serve the public good, we recognise that public office is a privilege granted by the people and not a right. We, elected representatives of the people of Telford & Wrekin, declare that we will, to the best of our ability, uphold the Council’s constitution and serve the community above any private or personal interest.”

All Members will affirm the Declaration.

Councillor J Kaur read the following declaration:

“Colleagues, aware of our responsibilities to promote democracy and the well-being of all local people, on behalf of the Council, I make this commitment to our office as elected representatives. Elected to serve the public good, we recognise that public office is a privilege granted by the people and not a right. We, elected representatives of the people of Telford and Wrekin, declare that we will, to the best of our ability, uphold the Council’s constitution and serve the community above any private or personal interest.”

Members signified their affirmation of the Declaration.

Eve Clevenger and Cathy Landau of the Jewish Community, led the Council in prayers.

To make a presentation of a Special Recognition Award to Mark Pemberton OBE, Chair of Trustees, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.  

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability moved, seconded by Councillor R A Overton, that a Special Recognition Award be presented to Mark Pemberton OBE, Chair of Trustees, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, in recognition of distinguished public service and a significant contribution to safeguarding the preservation of the Borough’s industrial heritage.

Mr Pemberton was unable to attend this evening’s meeting in person.

RESOLVED - that a Special Recognition Award be presented to Mark Pemberton OBE, at a future meeting of the full Council.

To elect a Mayor for 2026/27.

It was moved by Councillor E Callear, seconded by Councillor N England, that Councillor N Page be elected as Mayor of the Council for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED -  that Councillor N Page be elected as Mayor of the Council for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.

To elect a Speaker for 2026/27.

It was moved by Councillor K Middleton, seconded by Councillor DRW White, that Councillor ARH England be elected as Speaker of the Council for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED - that Councillor ARH England be elected as Speaker of the Council for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.

To elect a Deputy Speaker for 2026/27.

It was moved by Councillor A S Jhawar, seconded byCouncillor R Mehta, that Councillor J Kaur be elected as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED - that Councillor J Kaur be elected as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.

To elect a Deputy Mayor for 2026/27.

It was moved by Councillor I Preece, seconded by Councillor A S Jhawar, that Councillor R Mehta be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Council for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED - that Councillor R Mehta be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Council for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.

To move a vote of thanks to the Retiring Mayor.

A vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor E Callear, was proposed by Councillor C Healy and seconded by Councillor G Luter.

RESOLVED - that the Council record its thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Eileen Callear, for her service throughout the 2025-2026 term of office.

To move the reply to the vote of thanks.

In response, the retiring Mayor thanked Members for their kind messages and stated that it had been a great honour to serve as Mayor.  She showed a short video of a recent skydive she had undertaken to raise money for her charities and highlighted a number of engagements that she had attended with businesses, dignitaries and charities.

None.

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

RESOLVED - that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 February 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Leader welcomed those visitors who had attended this evening’s meeting.

The Leader said it was always a privilege to address this Chamber, especially this evening, but more importantly, it was a responsibility and that leadership was not about titles or ceremony but always delivering for the people that Councillors served.

Looking back over the past year, progress and ambition had been turned into action for the borough’s residents and had stood tall which resulted in it being formally recognised last year as Council of the Year for the second time.

The Council had kept a strong financial footing and had continued to invest while facing difficult decisions head on.

At Station Quarter, there was a bold vision now taking shape with new homes, new businesses, new education facilities, new opportunities and it would be a development that was not just transforming a place but transforming life chances.

In Wellington, a high street with history had been secured for the future with a market that had served generations now modernised and thriving again, not by accident, but through deliberate investment and commitment.

In Oakengates, a transformation was underway with a new theatre built to last for the next two generations now taking shape and would provide new energy and a renewed identity for that community.

In the south of Telford, in Sutton Hill, the first community and health hub would be built for the borough, which would bring new opportunities for that community.

The Council’s vision for a child-friendly Telford mattered so much, because it said something fundamental about who the people of the borough were, a borough that believed every child mattered and a borough that invested in future generations.

The Council had expanded family hubs, increased its support for families and was creating more school places where these were needed, which included 100 new special educational needs places.

It was supporting residents through the lowest council tax in the region, on average £600 pounds less than neighbouring Shropshire, Staffordshire and Walsall, and there remained an ongoing commitment to keep it the lowest.

Also, the Council was keeping transport affordable by extending a £2 bus fare cap across the entire network. 

The Council would maintain its commitment to its local high streets by investing and driving footfall to support local businesses.  It was investing in safer communities, to ensure residents felt safe in their neighbourhoods and was reacting rapidly for any problems to be fixed, such as two hours for a litter pick, 24 hours for some fly tips; offensive graffiti in two hours; reported potholes responded to within seven days; next day replacement of household bin when needed etc.

The Council was taking its services to the streets with a new Here to Help bus and was supporting young people through youth provision, activities and opportunities and was expanding youth clubs from the 32 already in play. 

The Council was also delivering for veterans.  The Christopher Turley Armed Forces hub in Dawley, had already been named the only  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To note the appointment by the Leader of the Council of the Members to serve on the Cabinet for 2026/27.

Councillor L Carter, Leader of the Council, notified the meeting of his appointments to Cabinet for the 2026-27 Municipal Year, as follows:

Cabinet Member                 Area of Responsibility

Cllr Richard Overton            Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Safer Streets and Better Housing

Cllr Paul Davis                      Cabinet Member for Strong Communities, Local Pride and Veterans

Cllr Zona Hannington          Cabinet Member for Finance and Resident Services

Cllr Carolyn Healy                Cabinet Member for Planning, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability

Cllr Angela McClements     Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Leisure

Cllr Kelly Middleton             Cabinet Member for Public Health and Unlocking Opportunities for All

Cllr Shirley Reynolds          Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Education and Skills

Cllr Paul Watling                  Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Independent Living

Cllr Ollie Vickers                   Cabinet Member for Jobs, Transport and Digital Connectivity

To re-assert the Council’s delegation scheme in accordance with the Constitution.

It was proposed by Councillor Z Hannington and seconded by Councillor R Overton that the Council reassert the delegation scheme as detailed in the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED - that the discharge of Council functions by Committees, as set out in the Council's Constitution dated 5 March 2020, be approved under the provisions of Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972.

To confirm appointments to Committees and Boards for the 2026/27 municipal year.

Councillor L Carter moved and Councillor Z Hannington seconded the Appointments to Boards and Committees (Governance update.)

RESOLVED - that:

a)    the Committees and Boards, as detailed at Appendix A to the report, for the 2026/2027 Municipal Year, together with the appointment of the Chair and Vice-Chair for each body, be approved.

b)   the Monitoring Officer be authorised to give effect to nominations to Committees and Boards notified to her, in writing, by Group Leaders.

c)    the approval of the Terms of Reference for each Committee and Board be delegated to the relevant Committee or Board.

To confirm the programme of dates for ordinary meetings of the Council for 2026/27 and 2027/28.

The programme of dates for ordinary meetings of the Council for the 2026-2027 to 2027-2028 Municipal Years, were set out in the report.