Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bernie Bentick, Chris Schofield, Les Winwood, Dave Tremellen, Kev Turley, Ed Bird and David Minnery. 

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.

Councillor Claire Wild declared a Pecuniary Interest in Exempt Agenda Item 18, Pride Hill, Civic Accommodation and Riverside Development Opportunities and stated that she would leave the theatre during consideration of the item, taking no part in the debate or vote. 

Councillor Lezley Picton declared a Pecuniary Interest in Exempt Agenda Item 18, Pride Hill, Civic Accommodation and Riverside Development Opportunities and stated that she would leave the theatre during consideration of the item, taking no part in the debate or vote. 

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 July 2021

RESOLVED:  

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2021, as circulated with the agenda papers, be approved and signed as a correct record. 

To receive such communications as the Chairman, 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 Vice Chairman since the last meeting of the Council on 15 July 2021, which had been circulated by email. 

To receive any questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  Deadline for notification is 10am on Tuesday 21 September 2021

A petition, bearing over 1000 signatures has been received from Rachel Connolly, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme.  The petition requests that the Council:

Hold a full member debate on the rationale and impact of Kier and Shropshire Council's proposal to centralise the highways service delivery by closing the 2 depots serving the East of the county. Members are asked to consider whether closing and selling off the depots in Bridgnorth & Hodnet is in the interests of local residents and quality of service. Members will take a vote on whether the proposed closures should go ahead or not. 

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

The Chairman advised there were two public questions from Jamie Russell and Stephen Mulloy. Answers to the questions were provided by the respective Portfolio Holders. A copy of the questions and the responses provided are attached to the signed minutes and available from the web page for the meeting. 

Agenda for Council on Thursday, 23rd September, 2021, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council 

A petition, bearing over 1000 signatures had been received from Rachel Connolly, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme. The petition requested that the Council: 

Hold a full member debate on the rationale and impact of Kier and Shropshire Council's proposal to centralise the highways service delivery by closing the 2 depots serving the East of the county. Members are asked to consider whether closing and selling off the depots in Bridgnorth & Hodnet is in the interests of local residents and quality of service.  

Members will take a vote on whether the proposed closures should go ahead or not. 

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

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Charmley, thanked the petitioner. He replied for the Council and at the end of the debate and in line with the options laid out in the Constitution; proposed that the Council undertake further research into the matter and consult those affected before bringing a report to Council or Cabinet (as appropriate) in due course. 

Clarification was sought whether the proposal would result in the closure of the depots in the interim period. Members were advised that the depots were temporarily closed for health and safety reasons. Permanent closures would be brought to Council or Cabinet for Members’ decision. 

On being put to a recorded vote the proposition was carried by 38 Members voting in favour, 26 against and no abstentions, as follows: 

For – Councillors Aldcroft, Anderson, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Broomhall, Burchett, Butler, Carroll, Charmley, Dakin, Elner, D Evans, Gill, Gittins, Harris, Hignett, Hunt, Hurst-Knight, M Jones, S Jones, Lea, Luff, Lumby, Lynch, Macey, Marshall, Morris, Motley, Mullock, Nellins, Picton, Potter, Price, Thomas, Wild, Williams, Wynn 

Against – Bagnall, Boddington, Buckley, Clarke, Dartnall, M Davies, Dean, J Evans, R Evans, Green, Halliday, Hartin, Houghton, Isherwood, Kerr, Kidd, Moseley, Mosley, Pardy, Parry, Parsons, Tindall, Towers, Vasmer, Wagner, Wilson 

Abstentions - Nil 

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gwilym Butler, and seconded by Councillor Jeff Anderson that the report of the Executive Director of Resources, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed. 

RESOLVED: 

To accept the position as set out in the report. 

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Councillor Brian Williams, and seconded by Councillor Simon Harris, that the report of the Executive Director of Resources, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed. 

Members commended the Audit Committee for the report and recognised that Audit Committee would not be as effective without the backing, reports and training from Audit staff. 

RESOLVED:  

To receive and agree the report. 

Report of the Executive Director, Resources TO FOLLOW

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Councillor Brian Williams, and seconded by Councillor Simon Harris, that the report of the Executive Director of Resources, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed. 

RESOLVED: 

To accept the report and the recommendation to endorse the Audit Committee’s preferred approach to opt into the Sector Led Body, the PSAA. 

Report of the Interim Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Services is attached

Contact Tim Collard.  Tel. 01743 252756

It was proposed by the Chairman of the Standards Committee, Councillor David Evans, and seconded by Councillor Vince Hunt, that the report of the Interim Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed. 

RESOLVED:  

That members:  

·         Approve the adoption of the LGA Model Code of Conduct in its entirety as the member Code of Conduct for Shropshire Council from 1st December 2021 following training  

·         Request that the Monitoring Officer write to all Town and Parish Council in Shropshire to recommend that they too adopt the LGA Model Code of Conduct 

At the last Council meeting the report entitled Changes to the Constitution explained that the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services (“ADLADS”) would be designated (when the post is appointed to permanently) as the Monitoring Officer upon the retirement of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services. Claire Porter has now retired but it has not yet been possible to appoint permanently to the ADLADS role and therefore, in the meantime, it is recommended that the current interim ADLADS, Tim Collard, is appointed as Monitoring Officer of the Council on a temporary basis until the post is filled permanently.

It was proposed by the Chairman, Councillor Vince Hunt, and seconded by Councillor Brian Williams, that the current Interim Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services, Tim Collard, be appointed as Monitoring Officer of the Council on a temporary basis until the post is filled permanently. 

RESOLVED: 

That Tim Collard be appointed as Monitoring Officer of the Council on a temporary basis until the post is filled permanently. 

Report of the Interim Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Services is attached.

Contact Tim Collard. Tel. 01743 252756

It was proposed by the Chairman, Councillor Vince Hunt, and seconded by Councillor Brian Williams, that the report of the Interim Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

3.1 That the Council confirms the revised allocation of seats to each of the political groups for the 2021/22 municipal year as a consequence of the change in group membership as follows:

a) That the composition and revised allocation of seats on its committees and other bodies as detailed in the report be approved.

b) That the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group provides notification of which if its members will continue as a member of the Housing Supervisory Board.

c) That the Leader of the Independent Group confirms its representation to the Housing Supervisory Board 

3.2 That the appointment of Councillor Roy Aldcroft as Deputy Portfolio Holder for Communities, Place, Tourism & Transport be noted

3.3 That following changes to committee membership be noted:

a) Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Steve Davenport appointed as a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

b) Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Robert Tindall to replace Councillor Dave Tremellen as a Member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Dave Tremellen appointed as a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee

c) Communities Overview Committee

Councillor Nick Bardsley appointed as a substitute member of the Communities Overview Committee

d) People Overview Committee

Councillor Roy Aldcroft appointed as a substitute member of the People Overview Committee

e) Place Overview Committee

Councillor Julia Evans to replace Councillor Mike Isherwood as a substitute member of the Place Overview Committee

f) Audit Committee

Councillor Roger Evans to replace Councillor David Vasmer as a Member of the Audit Committee

Councillor David Vasmer to replace Councillor Roger Evans as a substitute Member of the Audit Committee

The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:

1 The following motion has been received from Councillor Duncan Kerr and is supported by the Green Group

Motion to Shropshire Council on White Ribbon Accreditation.

According to the Government (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-abuse-bill-2020-factsheets/domestic-abuse-bill-2020-overarching-factsheet ) over 2.3 million people suffer domestic abuse each year at a total cost to the public purse of over £66bn. We also know that two women a week lose their lives to domestic abuse and this number has increased during the Covid lock-down.

In Shropshire Domestic Abuse is a major cause of the escalating number of children being made subject to a Child Protection Plan and is the single biggest reason for Section 42 adult safeguarding enquiries and conclusions. West Mercia Police report that it accounts for 17% of reported crimes with a 22% increase year on year (https://www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/app/uploads/2020/11/PCC-Domestic-Abuse-Strategy-V4.pdf?x13793&x41491).

We are sure that all members of the Council welcome the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 which provides for a legal definition of domestic abuse and increases the powers and responsibilities of the Council to victims and survivors. However, if we really care about these victims we need to go further than simple legal compliance and follow the many Councils who are leading their communities in taking a stand against domestic abuse by becoming White Ribbon Accredited organisations.

This motion therefore resolves that Shropshire Council will seek to become an accredited White Ribbon Authority by March 2022.

2 The following motion has been received from Councillor Rob Wilson and is supported by the Liberal Democrat group

Active Travel

This council notes:

1.    Shropshire Council declared a Climate Emergency in May 2019.

2.    Shropshire Council unanimously voted to support Gear Change and ensure that all cycle infrastructure in Shropshire conforms to LTN 1/20 in September 2020.

3.    In April 2021 Shropshire appointed an Active Travel Officer to lead on the development of a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Shropshire (LCWIP), as well as other active travel projects.

4.    According to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, the total capital budget available to highways for 2021/22 is approximately £28.5m.

5.    £0.314m has been specifically allocated to active travel measures, this is just over 1%., and approximately £1 per head of population.

6.    Shropshire Climate Action Partnership (of which Shropshire Council is a founding member), Living Streets, Sustrans and Cycling UK all agree that Local Authorities should commit 10% over their highways budget to Active Travel.

7.    In Scotland it was announced in August 2021 that the governing parties will increase the proportion of Transport Scotland’s budget spent on Active Travel initiatives so that by 2024-25 at least £320 million or 10 per cent of the total transport budget will be allocated to active travel. That's around a threefold increase on the 3.5 per cent of the transport budget currently allocated to active travel. This is nearly £60 per head of population.

8.    Research by Nottingham Trent University in 2020 determined that Local Authorities  ...  view the full agenda text for item 47.

The following motions had been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:  

1 From Councillor Duncan Kerr, supported by the Green Group  

Motion to Shropshire Council on White Ribbon Accreditation. 

According to the Government (Domestic Abuse Act 2021: overarching factsheet - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) over 2.3 million people suffer domestic abuse each year at a total cost to the public purse of over £66bn. We also know that two women a week lose their lives to domestic abuse and this number has increased during the Covid lock-down.  

In Shropshire Domestic Abuse is a major cause of the escalating number of children being made subject to a Child Protection Plan and is the single biggest reason for Section 42 adult safeguarding enquiries and conclusions. West Mercia Police report that it accounts for 17% of reported crimes with a 22% increase year on year  (PCC-Domestic-Abuse-Strategy-V4.pdf (westmercia-pcc.gov.uk)).  

We are sure that all members of the Council welcome the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 which provides for a legal definition of domestic abuse and increases the powers and responsibilities of the Council to victims and survivors. However, if we really care about these victims we need to go further than simple legal compliance and follow the many Councils who are leading their communities in taking a stand against domestic abuse by becoming White Ribbon Accredited organisations. 

This motion therefore resolves that Shropshire Council will seek to become an accredited White Ribbon Authority by March 2022. 

Councillor Mike Isherwood seconded the motion. 

Following a vote, it was  

RESOLVED:  

That Shropshire Council will seek to become an accredited White Ribbon Authority by March 2022. 

2 From Councillor Rob Wilson, supported by the Liberal Democrat group 

Active Travel  

This council notes: 

1.    Shropshire Council declared a Climate Emergency in May 2019. 

2.    Shropshire Council unanimously voted to support Gear Change and ensure that all cycle infrastructure in Shropshire conforms to LTN 1/20 in September 2020. 

3.    In April 2021 Shropshire appointed an Active Travel Officer to lead on the development of a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Shropshire (LCWIP), as well as other active travel projects. 

4.    According to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, the total capital budget available to highways for 2021/22 is approximately £28.5m. 

5.    £0.314m has been specifically allocated to active travel measures, this is just over 1%., and approximately £1 per head of population. 

6.    Shropshire Climate Action Partnership (of which Shropshire Council is a founding member), Living Streets, Sustrans and Cycling UK all agree that Local Authorities should commit 10% over their highways budget to Active Travel. 

7.    In Scotland it was announced in August 2021 that the governing parties will increase the proportion of Transport Scotland’s budget spent on Active Travel initiatives so that by 2024-25 at least £320 million or 10 per cent of the total transport budget will be allocated to active travel. That's around a threefold increase on the 3.5 per cent of the transport budget  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

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

The Chairman advised that the following questions had been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 15. A copy of the report containing the detailed questions and their formal response is attached to the signed minutes. 

Received from Councillor Pam Moseley and answered by Councillor Cecilia Motley, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Place, Tourism & Transport, in relation to the statue of Clive of India in Shrewsbury’s Town Square. By way of supplementary question, Councillor Moseley asked why there has been no progress yet on the reinterpretation of the Clive statue, and also, when this will take place. The Portfolio Holder agreed to investigate this and provide an answer by email. 

Received from Councillor Roy Aldcroft and answered by Councillor Steve?Charmley,?Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, Highways and Built Housing, in relation to HS2 traffic. Councillor Aldcroft did not have a supplementary question. 

Received from Councillor Viv Parry and answered by Councillor Steve?Charmley,?Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, Highways and Built Housing, in relation to fly tipping. By way of supplementary question, Councillor Parry asked if refuse could be removed within 5 days. The Portfolio Holder agreed to investigate this and provide an answer by email. 

Received from Councillor Nigel Hartin and answered by Councillor Steve?Charmley,?Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, Highways and Built Housing, in relation to electric car charging points. By way of supplementary question, Councillor Hartin asked if a map of electric vehicle charging points could be made available. The Portfolio Holder agreed to investigate this and provide an answer by email. 

Received from Councillor Alex Wagner and answered by Councillor Kirstie Hurst Knight, Portfolio Holder for?Children & Education, in relation to Shrewsbury Secondary School places. By way of supplementary question, Councillor Wagner asked if more data could be collected regarding school preferences. The Portfolio Holder agreed to investigate this and provide an answer by email. 

To resolve 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 Rules, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items.

In response to a Member proposal that Agenda Item 18 - Pride Hill, Civic Accommodation and Riverside Development Opportunities be considered in public session, the Interim Assistant Director Legal and Democratic Services advised that the report contained exempt information. 

Upon a vote, the proposal to consider this item in public session failed and therefore the matter was considered in private session. 

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 Rules, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items. 

To approve as a correct record the exempt minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 July 2021

RESOLVED:  

That the exempt minutes of the previous meeting held on 15th July 2021 be approved as a correct record.  

Exempt report of Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow. Tel. 01743 258916

It was proposed by Councillor Steve Charmley and seconded by Councillor Dean Carroll, that the exempt report of the Director of Place and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.  

RESOLVED:  

That the seven recommendations in the exempt report be agreed. 

Exempt report of Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow. Tel. 01743 258916

It was proposed by Councillor Dean Carroll and seconded by Councillor Gary Burchett that the exempt report of the Director of Place and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.  

RESOLVED:  

That the five recommendations in the exempt report be agreed. 

Exempt report of Executive Director of Place attached 

Contact:  Mark Barrow. Tel. 01743 258916

It was proposed by Councillor Ed Potter and seconded by Councillor Dean Carroll that the exempt report of the Director of Place and the recommendations therein be received and agreed. 

RESOLVED: 

That the four recommendations in the exempt report be agreed.