The Chief Executive reported that apologies for absence had been received from the following; Mr Andrew Davies, Mr John Everall, Mrs Jane MacKenzie, Mr Alan Mosely, Mr Dave Tremellen and Mr Kevin Turley.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

To approve as a correct record the non-exempt minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 December 2014, which are attached marked 3.

Contact Karen Nixon Tel 01743 252724.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2014, as circulated with the agenda papers, be approved and signed as a correct record.

To receive such communications as the Chairman, Speaker, Leader and Head of Paid Service may desire to lay before the Council.

Chairman’s Engagements

The Chairman referred Members to the list of official engagements carried out by himself and the Speaker since the last meeting of the Council on 18 December 2104, which was circulated at the meeting.

New Year’s Honours 2015

The Chairman reported that the following Shropshire residents had been awarded honours in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2015 and advised that he had written to each of the recipients to congratulate them on their achievement:

Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Mr Norman Dewis

For Services to the Motor Industry (Church Stretton)

Mrs Margaret Willcox

Commissioning Director for Adults, Glocestershire County Council.  For Services to Vulnerable people in the South West (Bridgnorth)

Mr Eric Arthur Windsor

Lately Chairman, National Bench Chairman’s Forum.  For Services to the Administration of Justice (Whitchurch)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Mr Derek John Hayward

For Services to Sport and Young People in Shropshire (Wem)

Dr Caron Morton

Accountable Officer, Shropshire CCG.  For Services to Primary Care (Ruyton)

Mrs Carol Scott

Senior Executive Officer, Ministry of Defence. For Services in Support of Military Operations (Newport)

Mrs Heather Shepherd

Community and Flood Recovery Support, National Flood Forum.  For Services to the Community, particularly those at risk of flooding

(Pentre, Shropshire)

Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Mr Jack Andow

Fundraiser, Royal Naval Association. For Voluntary Service to Royal Navy Veterans (Ludlow)

Miss Eleanor Mary Jane Gilbert

For Services to the Community in Great Ness and Little Ness, Shropshire (Nescliffe)

Miss Jessie May Miller

For Services to the Community in Oswestry and to Women in Northern Ghana through Buttons for Africa (Oswestry)

Mrs Pamela Twitchell

Former Chairman, Ludlow Conservative Association.  For Voluntary Political Service (Ludlow)

Mr Robert Stuart Wysome

For Services to Music in Shropshire (Wellington)

To receive any questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.

A petition bearing over 1,000 signatures has been received from Mr John Whitelegg on behalf of the Church Stretton Library Group calling upon Shropshire Council to retain the library on the present site and abandon plans to move it to the School on Shrewsbury Road.

The petitioner will be allowed 5 minutes to outline their case, after which there may be a debate of up to 15 minutes, maximum.

            Public Questions

The Speaker announced that two public questions had been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 15 (a copy of the report containing the two questions and respective formal responses was circulated at the meeting and is attached to the signed minutes):

a)    Mrs Rosemary Abbiss, Chairman of Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC) asked a question about proposals to remove the allocation of council tax support grant to Town and Parish Councils for 2015/16 and urged the Council to reconsider.

            Supplementary Question from Mrs Abbiss:

In a letter to Philip Dunne, MP, Kris Hopkins, Minister from Local Government stated:- 

“… I expect Shropshire Council to work with each parish to ensure the appropriate level of funding is passed on in order to secure the best outcome for local taxpayers.” 

How now is Shropshire Council planning to achieve this and would the Council offer a compromise and pass a proportion of the grant to local councils.”

Supplementary Answer:

Mr Mike Owen, Portfolio Holder for Resources, Finance and Support said he would consider this question and give Mrs Abbiss a written response following the Council meeting.

b)    Mr David Cooper, a Bridgnorth resident asked a question in two parts about council tax.

Supplementary Question from Mr Cooper:

My questions illustrate that in a budget of over £215m costs, and £215m income, there are many ways in which savings can be made or additional income generated.

As recently as last Thursday, the day the reports for this Council’s budget and Business Plan were issued to members, Kris Hopkins the Minister for Local Government wrote to the leaders of all billing authorities about the payment of Council Tax Support Grant to Town and Parish Councils. The full text of that letter can be found on the DCLG’s website. In it, the minister reiterated that the Government’s funding to local authorities does include an element for Council Tax Support, and that some of that is attributable to Town and Parish Councils. He made it clear that the only circumstance in which Towns and Parishes should not receive Council Tax support from their billing authority is if there are no claimants in their area.

I assume the Leader will have received this letter, so I would like to ask him as a supplementary question, to which I hope he can give a simple yes or no verbal response, whether he is absolutely sure that going against the Government’s wishes and removing £0.5m a year Council Tax Support Grant from Town and Parish Councils is the only realistic way in which this Council can balance the books?

Supplementary Answer:

Mr Mike Owen, Portfolio Holder for Resources, Finance and Support said this was an important matter and therefore he would consider the question and give Mr Cooper a written response following the meeting.

Petitions

The Speaker advised that two petitions, each bearing more than 1,000 signatures, had been received requiring a debate under the Council’s Petitions scheme.  Each petitioner was given 5 minutes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106.

To receive any questions from Members, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, attached marked 6.

The Speaker advised that the following seven questions had been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 15 (copy of the report containing the detailed questions and their formal responses is attached to the signed minutes).

(i)            Received from Mr M Kenny and answered by Mr S Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Business Growth, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North) about Fairtrade and the action being taken by Shropshire Council during Fairtrade Fortnight this year (23rd February to 8th March 2015).

By way of a supplementary question Mr M Kenny asked who acted as the Fairtrade Champion within the Council and queried if there was a Fairtrade Champion for green issues?

In response the Portfolio Holder said he would look into this following the meeting and let Mr Kenny have a written reply.

(ii)          Received from Mr M Kenny and answered by Mr S Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Business Growth, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North) about the Fairtrade Foundation and the action being taken to promote locally grown produce and thereby support local producers and reduce food miles.

By way of a supplementary question Mr Kenny asked what the Council was doing in order to sell local produce in local supermarkets in Shropshire.

In response the Portfolio Holder indicated that the Council did not control the sale of goods in local supermarkets.

(iii)         Received from Mr D Tremellen and answered by Mrs C Wild, the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport regarding 20 mph speed limits outside schools in Shropshire.

There was no supplementary question.

(iv)         Received from Mr R Evans and answered by Mr L Chapman, the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services and Commissioning (South) about the use of an online bidding system to find care homes for the elderly in Shropshire.

By way of a supplementary question Mr Evans asked if the Council would ever use such a system in Shropshire in the future.

In response the Portfolio Holder said he was unable to predict future plans.

(v)          Received from Mr R Evans and answered by Mr M Owen, the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Finance and Support about the monetary value of grants received so far in the current financial year.

By way of a supplementary question Mr Evans referred to the recent letter from Kris Hopkins and the £3.3 billion for Local Tax Support.  He stated that in 2013/14 £17.9 million was given to Shropshire and he believed that it was just a little less this year.  He asked for an assurance that this was correct and that the money was coming in to Shropshire Council.

In response the Portfolio Holder said he was unable to immediately answer the question but that he would look into this following the meeting and then send Mr Evans a written response.

(vi)         Received from Mr T Clarke and answered by Mr K Barrow, Leader of the Council, about what proportion of the overall collection fund surplus would be distributed to the Parish and Town Councils.

By way of a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services is attached marked 7.

Contact Claire Porter Tel 01743 252763.

The Leader, Mr K Barrow, presented a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, advising that Mr John Price had been elected as Councillor to represent the Oswestry East Electoral Division on Thursday 13 February 2015.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services is attached marked 8.

Contact Claire Porter Tel 01743 252763.

It was proposed by the Leader, Mr K Barrow, and seconded by Mrs C Wild that the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

          RESOLVED:

(a)      That the Special Responsibility Allowance paid to the Scrutiny Chairman be continued at its present level on the basis that further changes were expected to be made to the existing 5 Scrutiny Committee structure and were likely to be implemented in the near future.

(b)      That the Independent Remuneration Panel be invited to review the allowance paid to the Scrutiny Chairman, and if appropriate, to the other Members of the Committee, upon more firm details being known about the new Scrutiny Committee structure, and for this review to take place, if possible, prior to the implementation of the new arrangements.

(c)      That in the event of no new scrutiny committee arrangements being put in place in the near future, the Panel be reconvened by the Summer at the latest to continue their review of the level of payment made to the existing 5 Scrutiny Committee Chairmen.

(d)      That the remaining allowances in the current Members Allowances Scheme be continued in 2015/2016.

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance will follow marked 9.

Contact James Walton Tel 01743 255011.

It was proposed by the Leader Mr K Barrow and seconded by Mrs A Hartley that the report, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

Mr R Evans proposed the following amendment on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group which was seconded by Mr M Kenny;

‘That additional resource of £0.504m be allocated on a one-off basis and that this be funded from money in the General Reserve Fund, reducing the Council’s General reserve Fund Balance to an estimated £14.031m.’

After debate Mr K Barrow exercised his right of reply on the amendment to his proposition on the Administration’s budget.

On being put to a recorded vote, the amendment was lost with 43 voting against and 23 for as follows:

AGAINST (43)

Mr P Adams, Mr N Bardsley, Mr T Barker, Mrs J Barrow, Mr K Barrow, Mr T Bebb, Mr T Biggins, Mr G Butler, Mr J Cadwallader, Mrs K Calder, Mr D Carroll, Mr L Chapman, Mr S Charmley, Mr G Dakin, Mr S Davenport, Mr D Evans, Mrs A Hartley, Mr R Hughes, Mr V Hunt, Mr J Hurst-Knight, Mr S Jones, Mr C Lea, Mr D Lloyd, Mr R Macey, Mr D Minnery, Mrs C Motley, Mrs P Mullock, Mr P Nutting, Mr M Owen, Mr W Parr, Mr M Pate, Mr J Price, Mr M Price, Mr K Roberts, Mr R Tindall, Mr D Turner, Mr A Walpole, Mr S West, Mrs C Wild, Mr B Williams, Mr L Winwood, Mr M Wood, and Mr P Wynn.

FOR (23)

Mr A Bannerman, Mrs C Barnes, Mr A Boddington, Mrs V Bushell, Mrs A Chebsey, Mr P Cherrington, Mr T Clarke, Mrs P Dee, Mr R Evans, Mrs H Fraser, Mr N Hartin, Mr R Huffer, Mrs T Huffer, Dr J Jones, Mr M Kenny, Mrs H Kidd, Mr C Mellings, Mrs P Moseley, Mr K Pardy, Mrs V Parry, Mrs M Shineton, Mr J Tandy and Mr M Williams.

Dr J Jones, Mr R Evans and Mrs P Dee then exercised their right as Group Leaders to speak to the budget proposition, with Dr Jones speaking on behalf of Mr A Mosely.

After further debate the Leader exercised his right to reply to comments made on the Administration’s budget proposals as a whole.

On being put to a recorded vote the proposition was carried with 45 Members voting in favour and 20 against as follows:

FOR (45)

Mr P Adams, Mr N Bardsley, Mr T Barker, Mrs J Barrow, Mr K Barrow, Mr T Bebb, Mr T Biggins, Mr G Butler, Mr J Cadwallader, Mrs K Calder, Mr D Carroll, Mr L Chapman, Mr S Charmley, Mr P Cherrington, Mr G Dakin, Mr S Davenport, Mrs P Dee, Mr D Evans, Mrs A Hartley, Mr R Hughes, Mr V Hunt, Mr J Hurst-Knight, Mr S Jones, Mr C Lea, Mr D Lloyd, Mr R Macey, Mr D Minnery, Mrs C Motley, Mrs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance is attached marked 10.

Contact James Walton Tel 01743 255011.

            It was proposed by the Leader, Mr K Barrow and seconded by Mr B Williams that the report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

            RESOLVED:

a)    That the Treasury Strategy for 2015/16 be approved.

b)    That the Prudential Indicators, set out in Appendix 1, be approved in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003.

c)    That the Investment Strategy, set out in Appendix 2, be approved in accordance with the CLG Guidance on Local Government Investments.

d)    That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement, set out in Appendix 3 be approved.

e)    That the Section 151 Officer be authorised to exercise the borrowing powers contained in Section 3 of the Local Government Act 2003 and to manage the Council’s debt portfolio in accordance with the Treasury Strategy.

f)     That the Section 151 Officer be authorised to use other Foreign Banks which meet Capita’s creditworthiness policy and Money Market Funds again if required as money markets continue to stabilise.   

g)    That it be noted that the proposed Prudential Indicators would enable the Authority to use the equivalent of up to 3% of Council Tax in 2015/16 or future years, to fund borrowing under the Prudential Code should the Council decide to do so.

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance is attached marked 11.

Contact James Walton Tel 01743 255011.

It was proposed by the Leader, Mr K Barrow and seconded by Mr D Turner that the report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

            RESOLVED:

a)    That the breakdown of the total income for 2014/15 be noted, and in particular that the charges for discretionary services represent only £15.570m of the £57.522m of income derived from Fees and Charges.

b)    That the charges for 2015/16 as detailed in Appendix 3 to be implemented 1 April 2015, recognising that managers have proposed varying policies for 2015/16 fees and charges ranging from a freeze in certain areas to above inflation level increases in others, based on the nature of the service, market forces, customer reaction and competition from other providers as well as the state of the economy.  Any changes required further to ongoing reviews will be approved in line with the Council’s charging policy, officer delegations and the financial rules.

c)    That as previously agreed, it be noted that any changes to fees and charges proposed by Shropshire Community Leisure Trust Ltd. in relation to the outsourced leisure facilities will only be referred to Cabinet and Council for approval if the proposed increases exceed Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the preceding November.

d)    To note that monitoring reports will identify adjustments required to income budgets in the financial strategy which may or may not be offset by corresponding adjustments to expenditure budgets, be noted.

e)    To note that the impact of the Council’s policy decisions on income should be clearly identified and adjustments made as required to the Business Plan and Financial Strategy.

f)     That Social Housing Rents for 2015/16 be increased by September 2014 CPI plus 1% plus a final incremental step to achieve target rent.

g)    That Affordable Rents for 2015/16 be increased by September 2014 CPI plus 1% (2.2%) in line with Government revised guidance.

h)   That where individual rents do not reach their target by April 2015, the rent will switch directly to Target on re-let in accordance with Government revised guidance.

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance is attached marked 12.

Contact James Walton Tel 01743 255011.

            It was proposed by the Leader, Mr K Barrow, and seconded by Mr M Wood that the report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

On being put to a recorded vote the proposition was carried with 55 Members voting in favour and 7 against as follows:

FOR (55)

Mr N Bardsley, Mr T Barker, Mrs C Barnes, Mrs J Barrow, Mr K Barrow, Mr T Biggins, Mr A Boddington, Mr G Butler, Mr J Cadwallader, Mrs K Calder, Mr D Carroll, Mr L Chapman, Mr S Charmley, Mrs A Chebsey, Mr P Cherrington, Mr G Dakin, Mr S Davenport, Mrs P Dee, Mr D Evans, Mr R Evans, Mrs H Fraser, Mr N Hartin, Mrs A Hartley, Mr A Huffer, Mrs T Huffer, Mr R Hughes, Mr V Hunt, Mr J Hurst-Knight, Mr S Jones, Mr M Kenny, Mrs H Kidd,  Mr C Lea, Mr D Lloyd, Mr R Macey, Mr C Mellings, Mr D Minnery, Mrs C Motley, Mrs P Mullock, Mr M Owen, Mr W Parr, Mrs V Parry, Mr M Pate, Mr J Price, Mr M Price, Mr K Roberts, Mrs M Shineton, Mr R Tindall, Mr D Turner, Mr A Walpole, Mr S West, Mrs C Wild, Mr B Williams, Mr M Wood, Mrs T Woodward and Mr P Wynn.

AGAINST (7)

Mr V Bushell, Mr T Clarke, Dr J Jones, Mrs P Moseley, Mr K Pardy, Mr J Tandy and Mr M Williams.

RESOLVED:

a)    That a 0% Council Tax rise be approved, resulting in a basic amount of council tax for a Band D property of £1,164.72 in the billing authority’s area, calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (section 44) and the Local Government (Structural Changes) (Further Financial Provisions and Amendment) Regulations 2008.

b)    That in accordance with the provisions of Section 40 (2) of the 1992 Act, the amount of Council Tax calculated for each category of dwelling in the billing authority’s area to be as follows:

c)    That a total precept of £119,280,524 be levied.

d)    That the formal council tax resolution as set out in Appendix 1 to determine the levels of Council Tax for Shropshire Council for 2015/16 be approved.

To confirm the following changes of membership:

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority

The appointment of Mr K Roberts as a full Member to replace Mr M Bennett.

Performance Management Scrutiny Committee

The appointment of Mr D Minnery as a full Member to replace Mr M Bennett.

It was proposed by the Speaker, seconded by the Chairman and

RESOLVED:  That the following appointments to committees be confirmed:

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority

The appointment of Mr K Roberts to replace Mr M Bennett.

Performance Management Scrutiny Committee

The appointment of Mr D Minnery to replace Mr M Bennett.

Young People’s Scrutiny Committee

The appointment of Mr J Price to replace Mr R Macey.

North Planning Committee

The appointment of Mr J Cadwallader to replace Mr M Bennett.

The following motion has been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16 from Councillor Arthur Walpole:

"This Motion seeks the support of the Members of Shropshire Council, to reaffirm the Council’s objection in principle to a 400kV High Voltage overhead power line crossing Shropshire to connect Windfarms in mid-Wales to the existing national grid.

The proposed overhead Power Line will have a detrimental impact in Shropshire with no perceived beneficial gain for Shropshire communities and will adversely affect our local communities our environment and our tourist economy.  The construction phase including the impact of the construction traffic on our local roads and communities would have a detrimental effect on the quality of life and on property.  This will leave a permanent legacy affecting our green and pleasant land.

This Motion furthermore registers concern at the anxiety that is being caused by National Grid pursuing formal consultation on the proposed Power Line predicated on the need to connect Windfarms some of which are the subject of a Public Inquiry and which may not be agreed.

Should the need for the Power Line be established then this Motion seeks the support of the members of Shropshire Council in pressing National Grid to re-examine the justification for the overhead pylon route and to present a feasibility case for a solution using underground cables.

This Motion endorses the need for the Council's Officers and Members to continue to engage in the due planning processes for the proposed High Voltage Power Line so as to ensure that the interests of our communities are fully and effectively represented."

The following motion was proposed by Mr A Walpoleand duly seconded by Mrs J Barrow:

“This Motion seeks the support of the Members of Shropshire Council, to reaffirm the Council’s objection in principle to a 400kV High Voltage overhead power line crossing Shropshire to connect Windfarms in mid-Wales to the existing national grid.

The proposed overhead Power Line will have a detrimental impact in Shropshire with no perceived beneficial gain for Shropshire communities and will adversely affect our local communities our environment and our tourist economy. The construction phase including the impact of the construction traffic on our local roads and communities would have a detrimental effect on the quality of life and on property. This will leave a permanent legacy affecting our green and pleasant land.

This Motion furthermore registers concern at the anxiety that is being caused by National Grid pursuing formal consultation on the proposed Power Line predicated on the need to connect Windfarms some of which are the subject of a Public Inquiry and which may not be agreed.

Should the need for the Power Line be established then this Motion seeks the support of the members of Shropshire Council in pressing National Grid to re-examine the justification for the overhead pylon route and to present a feasibility case for a solution using underground cables.

This Motion endorses the need for the Council's Officers and Members to continue to engage in the due planning processes for the proposed High Voltage Power Line so as to ensure that the interests of our communities are fully and effectively represented."

The following members expressed their support for the motion; Mr S Charmley, Mr V Hunt, Mr K Barrow and Mr S Davenport.

On being put to the vote this motion was unanimously carried, with no abstentions and no votes against.

To RESOLVE that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A, Local Government Act 1972 and paragraph 10.4(3) of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules, the public and press be excluded during the consideration of the following items.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and Paragraph 10.4(3) of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules, the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following items.

To approve as a correct record the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2014 attached marked 16.

Contact Karen Nixon Tel 01743 252724.

RESOLVED:

That the Exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2014, as circulated with the agenda papers, be approved and signed as a correct record.

Exempt report of the Head of Economic Growth & Prosperity is attached marked 17.

Contact Andy Evans Tel 01743 253869.

The Council received an exempt report by the Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, seeking approval for a potential capital spend, subject to securing matched funding, against external funding being offered by BDUK and there being no financial cost to the Council.

RESOLVED: That the exempt report and recommendation contained therein be approved.