There were no apologies for absence.

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.

No declarations of pecuniary interest were made. 

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 March 2016.  Attached, marked 3.

Contact:  Jane Palmer 01743 257712

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 March 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5.00pm on Friday 1 April 2016.

Mr Bernard Wills representing the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Forum had submitted a question related to public health, exercise and access to a swimming pool.   A written reply was tabled at the meeting and a copy of the full question and response is attached to the signed minutes.   Dr N Richards read out a supplementary question on behalf of Mr Wills. The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture agreed to provide a response to this question outside of the meeting.

There were no matters referred from Scrutiny or Council.

Lead Member – Mr Malcolm Pate – Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan.

Report of the Chief Executive is attached, marked 6.

Contact: Clive Wright 01743 254312

RESOLVED:

i)  That Shropshire Council become a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

ii)  That authority be given for the Chief Executive, in liaison with the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy, to carry out the necessary arrangements for becoming a non-constituent member and to represent Shropshire Council on the West Midlands Combined Authority in discussions and negotiations in the run up to mayoral elections in 2017.

iii)That Cabinet receive a progress report on devolution developments at regional and national level at a timely future date, at which point further recommendations may be tabled. 

The Leader presented a report by the Chief Executive outlining the rationale for Shropshire Council to become a non constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and the potential long term economic growth benefits to the County in doing so.  It was confirmed that as a non-constituent member, the Council would remain independent, retaining all of its current powers.  

RESOLVED:

i)  That Shropshire Council become a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

ii)  That authority be given for the Chief Executive, in liaison with the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy, to carry out the necessary arrangements for becoming a non-constituent member and to represent Shropshire Council on the West Midlands Combined Authority in discussions and negotiations in the run up to mayoral elections in 2017.

iii)That Cabinet receive a progress report on devolution developments at regional and national level at a timely future date, at which point further recommendations may be tabled. 

Lead Member – Mrs Cecilia Motley – Portfolio Holder for Rural Services and Communities.

Report of the Director of Commissioning is attached, marked 7.

Contact: George Candler 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

i)  That the proposed principles and partnership approaches described within the report be approved.

ii)  That the connections between the activity described in the report and the potential role of town and parish councils and the voluntary and community sector in the wider design and delivery of the council’s future Highways Maintenance and Operating Model be noted. 

iii)That authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Rural Services and Communities and the relevant Portfolio Holders (depending on the service under consideration) to take any further decisions relating to the delivery of these recommendations to a successful conclusion.

The Portfolio Holder for Rural Services and Communities presented a report by the Director of Commissioning, seeking approval on the principles and approaches for the Council to use to engage and work with partners to try and secure a sustainable future for local services and community based assets.  It was intended that all solutions would be agreed on a locality basis wherever possible.  Discussions had already begun with the Shropshire Association of Local Councils and good working relationships already existed with Town and Parish Councils, the Voluntary and Community Sector and Business sector which would help in accelerating the work that was needed. 

In response to questions and comments the Leader reiterated that this was not a course of action the Council wished to take.  He had been heartened by the response from Parish and Town Councils and thanked them for their willingness to meet the challenge.  

RESOLVED:

i)  That the proposed principles and partnership approaches described within the report be approved.

ii)  That the connections between the activity described in the report and the potential role of town and parish councils and the voluntary and community sector in the wider design and delivery of the council’s future Highways Maintenance and Operating Model be noted. 

iii)That authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Rural Services and Communities and the relevant Portfolio Holders (depending on the service under consideration) to take any further decisions relating to the delivery of these recommendations to a successful conclusion.

To resolve that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded during consideration of the remaining items.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items. 

Lead Member – Mr Lee Chapman – Portfolio Holder for Adults.

Exempt report of the Interim Director of Adult Services is attached, marked 9.

Contact: Andy Begley 01743 252421

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations detailed in the exempt report be approved.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations detailed in the exempt report be approved.

Lead Member – Mr Lee Chapman – Portfolio Holder for Adults.

Exempt report of the Interim Director of Adult Services is attached, marked 10.

Contact: Andy Begley 01743 252421

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation detailed in the exempt report be approved.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation detailed in the exempt report be approved.