Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Barrow.

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.

None were declared.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 December 2017. TO FOLLOW

It was noted that the Minutes of the 6 December 2017 Cabinet meeting would be considered at the next calendared meeting in the New Year.

To receive any questions or petitions from members of the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  Deadline for notification for this meeting is 5.00pm on Friday 8 December 2017

There were no questions from members of the public.

To receive any questions of which members of the Council have given due notice.  Deadline for notification for this meeting is 5.00pm on Friday 8 December 2017.

No questions had been submitted by any member of the Council.

To receive the report from the Environmental Maintenance Grant Task and Finish Group on the proposals for changes to the design and delivery of the programme.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations from the Environmental Maintenance Grant Programme Task and Finish Group be noted.

The Chair of the Environmental Maintenance Grant [EMG] Task and Finish Group provided a detailed resume of the work undertaken by the Task and Finish Group and the information that had been considered by the Group.  She applauded the exemplary quality of the information that had been provided by Officers to the Group during its single day of operation and recommended this way of working to be used more frequently in future.

Cabinet was wholly supportive of the Task and Finish Group’s work and the Leader confirmed that its recommendations would be taken into consideration during the future budget deliberations.  The Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care commented that the learning gleaned from the Task and Finish Group needed to be retained and opportunities to work in this way in future should be borne in mind.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations from the Environmental Maintenance Grant Programme Task and Finish Group be noted.

Lead Member – Councillor David Minnery – Portfolio Holder for Finance

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [Section 151 Officer]

Contact: James Walton      Tel: 01743 255001

RESOLVED:

i)             In accordance with the Local Government Act 2012 the removal of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy awarded in respect of vacant properties undergoing major repair for the 2018/19 financial year, i.e. removing the discount of 50% for up to 12 months and, therefore, inclusion of an additional 114.37 Band D equivalents in the taxbase be approved.

ii)            In accordance with the Local Government Act 2012 the revised discretionary Council Tax discount policy be approved, awarded in respect of vacant properties i.e. former Class C exempt properties for the 2018/19 financial year i.e. continuation of 100% for one month, and the resulting exclusion of 257.66 band D equivalents from the taxbase, and the removal of the 25% discount for the remaining five months and the resulting inclusion of 268.00 Band D equivalents in the Council Tax taxbase.

iii)           That the publication of a notice regarding the new discretionary Council Tax discount policy awarded in respect of vacant properties within 21 days of the determination be approved.

On the assumption that the changes to the discount policy in relation to vacant dwellings detailed in Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 7.2 of this report have been approved and the changes to the Council’s localised Council Tax Support scheme detailed in the Shropshire Council - Council Tax Support Scheme 2018-19 report is approved at Council, members are asked:

iv)           That, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Shropshire Council as its Council Tax taxbase for the year 2018/19, as detailed in Appendix A, totalling 109,095.60 Band D equivalents be approved.

v)            That the changes to the Council’s localised Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme in 2018/19 be noted.  The scheme is attached at Appendix B.

vi)           That the exclusion of 9,353.67 Band D equivalents from the taxbase as a result of localised Council Tax Support be noted.

vii)          That continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy of 0% in respect of second homes be noted(other than those that retain a 50% discount through regulation as a result of job related protection) and note the inclusion of 670.95 Band D equivalents in the Council Tax taxbase as a result of this discount policy.

viii)        That continuation of the “six week rule” in respect of vacant dwellings, i.e. former Class C exempt properties be noted.

ix)           That continuation of the discretionary power to levy a Council Tax premium of 50% in relation to dwellings which have been empty for more than two years and the resulting inclusion of 245.89 Band D equivalents in the Council Tax taxbase be noted.

x)            That a collection rate for the year 2018/19 of 97.8% be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance to determine the Council Tax taxbase for the area.

RESOLVED:

i)             In accordance with the Local Government Act 2012 the removal of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy awarded in respect of vacant properties undergoing major repair for the 2018/19 financial year, i.e. removing the discount of 50% for up to 12 months and, therefore, inclusion of an additional 114.37 Band D equivalents in the taxbase be approved.

ii)            In accordance with the Local Government Act 2012 the revised discretionary Council Tax discount policy be approved, awarded in respect of vacant properties i.e. former Class C exempt properties for the 2018/19 financial year i.e. continuation of 100% for one month, and the resulting exclusion of 257.66 band D equivalents from the taxbase, and the removal of the 25% discount for the remaining five months and the resulting inclusion of 268.00 Band D equivalents in the Council Tax taxbase.

iii)           That the publication of a notice regarding the new discretionary Council Tax discount policy awarded in respect of vacant properties within 21 days of the determination be approved.

On the assumption that the changes to the discount policy in relation to vacant dwellings detailed in Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 7.2 of this report have been approved and the changes to the Council’s localised Council Tax Support scheme detailed in the Shropshire Council - Council Tax Support Scheme 2018-19 report is approved at Council, members are asked:

iv)           That, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Shropshire Council as its Council Tax taxbase for the year 2018/19, as detailed in Appendix A, totalling 109,095.60 Band D equivalents be approved.

v)            That the changes to the Council’s localised Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme in 2018/19 be noted.  The scheme is attached at Appendix B.

vi)           That the exclusion of 9,353.67 Band D equivalents from the taxbase as a result of localised Council Tax Support be noted.

vii)          That continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy of 0% in respect of second homes be noted(other than those that retain a 50% discount through regulation as a result of job related protection) and note the inclusion of 670.95 Band D equivalents in the Council Tax taxbase as a result of this discount policy.

viii)        That continuation of the “six week rule” in respect of vacant dwellings, i.e. former Class C exempt properties be noted.

ix)           That continuation of the discretionary power to levy a Council Tax premium of 50% in relation to dwellings which have been empty for more than two years and the resulting inclusion of 245.89 Band D equivalents in the Council Tax taxbase be noted.

x)            That a collection rate for the year 2018/19 of 97.8% be approved.

Lead Member – Councillor David Minnery – Portfolio Holder for Finance

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [Section 151 Officer]

Contact: James Walton      Tel: 01743 255001

It was noted that the Financial Strategy would be considered at the next scheduled Cabinet meeting in the New Year.

Lead Member – Councillor Steve Davenport – Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise  TO FOLLOW

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

i.      To approve the submission of the completed OBC to DfT by 22nd December 2017.

ii.    To approve delegation to submit the finalised OBC to the Director of Place & Enterprise, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport.

iii.   Note that a further report will be brought back to Cabinet and Council as appropriate, dependent on the award of any further project funding through DfT, as part of the Spring Statement announcements 2018.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport presented a report from the Director of Place and Enterprise that provided an update on the work undertaken in preparation of an Outline Business Case [OBC] for submission under the Department for Transport’s [DfT] Large Local Majors [LLM] funding programme. He added that Shrewsbury North West Relief Road [NWRR] had been in the public domain for many years and the funding application was being submitted via and supported by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership [LEP].  He drew particular attention to paragraph 9 within the report that detailed the specific objectives of the scheme.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, speaking in his capacity as a local Member, commented on the use of ‘rat runs’ through villages and lanes, the impact of which should not be underestimated.  He stressed the environmental impact of no action would only exacerbate the situation in future.  Another Member added that Government’s support for this project was vital and he commented that traffic within the town of Shrewsbury itself was also an issue that would need to be considered in future.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport stated that Government’s decision on the application should be known by Spring 2018.  The Leader commented that debate on the detail was unnecessary until such time as the Government’s decision was known after which extensive work and further consultation would be undertaken.  Members noted that in principle the public were in favour of the scheme at a ratio of approximately 2:1. It was further understood that the scheme would assist those heading beyond Shrewsbury itself and would assist road users travelling to, from and via the town.

RESOLVED:

i.      That the submission of the completed OBC to DfT by 22nd December 2017 be approved.

ii.    That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Place & Enterprise, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport to submit the finalised OBC.

iii.   That a further report will be brought back to Cabinet and Council as appropriate, dependent on the award of any further project funding through DfT, as part of the Spring Statement announcements 2018.

Lead Member – Councillor Steve Charmley – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise  TO FOLLOW

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

i.      That in principle agreement to move forward the option of refurbishing the entire building and progressing the necessary due diligence and feasibility work to inform the decision making as outlined in the report be approved.

ii.     That following the completion of further work and due diligence a report is brought back to Cabinet and then Council with final recommendations, including final detailed costings.

iii.    That authority be delegated to the Director of Place and Enterprise in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support to progress all works in accordance with recommendations i) and ii) above.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support presented a report from the Director of Place and Enterprise seeking approval to further develop proposals for the refurbishment of the Shirehall, Shrewsbury.  He added that the Shirehall provided an excellent administrative base in terms of function and location but the building was in need of significant improvement if it was to remain as Shropshire Council’s long term administrative base.

In supporting the proposals, a Member commented on the need to ‘invest to save’ and bring back staff into the building.  He urged that works undertaken to improve the building and its facilities should be offered as far as possible to local companies and stated that he was excited to see the future plans and costings to make the building fit for the future.  Another Member supported this view but expressed surprise at the proposals to remain in the Shirehall given the views of a previous Administration that had sought to move out of the Shirehall.  The Chief Executive commented that this may have been an ‘opinion’ voiced in the past but no consultants had ever been employed to explore that particular option.

RESOLVED:

i.      That in principle agreement to move forward the option of refurbishing the entire building and progressing the necessary due diligence and feasibility work to inform the decision making as outlined in the report be approved.

ii.    That following the completion of further work and due diligence a report is brought back to Cabinet and then Council with final recommendations, including final detailed costings.

iii.   That authority be delegated to the Director of Place and Enterprise in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support to progress all works in accordance with recommendations i) and ii) above.

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 Procedure Rules, the public and press be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the following item/s.

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 from this meeting during consideration of the following item/s.

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 from this meeting during consideration of the following item/s.

Lead Member – Councillor David Minnery – Portfolio Holder for Finance

Exempt Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [Section 151 Officer] TO FOLLOW

Contact: James Walton      Tel: 01743 255001

RESOLVED:

That the three recommendations detailed in the exempt report be approved.   

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance providing a mid-year review of the Treasury Strategy 2017/18.  He added that confidential detail relating to Shrewsbury Town Centre was included in the report; hence the need to consider the item following the exclusion of the public and press on this occasion.

RESOLVED:

That the three recommendations detailed in the exempt report be approved.   

To approve as a correct record and sign the exempt Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 December 2017.  TO FOLLOW

It was noted that the exempt Minutes would be considered at the next scheduled Cabinet meeting in the New Year.