Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N Laurens.

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 meetings held on 6 and 13 December 2017. TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 6 and 13 December 2017 be approved as correct records and signed by the Leader.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 6 and 13 December 2017 be approved as correct records and signed by the Leader.

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 5 January 2018.

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 5 January 2018.

Councillor R Evans asked the following question:

I note the news item concerning the recent fire at the Liverpool Council-owned Echo Arena car park. The report includes a comment, view of their Chief Fire Officer.

Can we be informed if a risk assessment has been carried out for the council owned multi-story Car Park in Shrewsbury together with any likely effects it might have on the adjacent Shopping Centres which the council is reported to be purchasing. If a risk assessment has already been carried out can a copy be provided please?

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport provided the following response:

The Council has a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) in place for Raven Meadows car park and this is being reviewed and updated following the events in Liverpool.  This is being done in conjunction with officers in the health and safety team and will reflect any learning or improvement recommendations that emerge from the investigation.

All fire equipment and procedures are regularly checked and tested as part of the FRA. The FRA takes into account the immediate adjacencies of the shopping centre, bus station and hotel.  This also takes into account any potential incidents, events or interdependencies.  With the ownership of the shopping centres changing the assessment and management plans will be further integrated to reflect this consolidation and greater control.

Responding to Councillor Evans’ supplementary question, the Director of Place and Enterprise stated that an update on sprinkler systems would be available in approximately 8 weeks’ time.

To receive any scrutiny items from Council or from any of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees.

There were no scrutiny items for consideration.

Lead Member – Councillor Peter Nutting – Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy

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

Contact: James Walton      Tel: 01743 255001

RESOLVED:

That the savings proposals be approved which will deliver a balanced budget as outlined in Appendix 4, enabling the Leader of the Council to take his proposed budget to consultation before taking to Council on 22^nd February 2018.

The Leader presented a report from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance that set a financial strategy for the Council, enabling a balanced budget to be set for 2018/19 to 2019/20 and the potential to set a sustainable and balanced budget in the years beyond.  He stated that an adjustment may be neede to accommodate pay levels that may increase more than the currently calculated 1%, a rise to 2% would cost the Council an additional £1.  suggested that Officers would be able to provide further information on the items in Appendix 4 to the report that would provide clarification to his concerns.

Responding to a Member’s concerns on the influence of the work of the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group, the Chief Executive stressed that there was still time for alternative ideas to be put forward. The Member commented that he hoped the Task and Finish Group would come forward with ideas to mitigate the current financial position of the Council.  He believed the Council’s current financial strategy presented a schedule of draconian cuts and high risk strategies to bridge the funding gap of a Council in a state of collapse.  The Leader wholeheartedly refuted these assertions and gave assurances that the Council was working to address the financial issues.

Replying to a Member’s query, the Leader stated that there was no intention to increase Council Tax higher than currently planned or to have a Referendum on this issue. He indicated that, should the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group make recommendations that would incur higher costs to the Council, they were not likely to be accepted.

The Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care gave reassurances that it was not anticipated that support re intervention and protection of individuals would be jeopardised.  He commented that Adult Social Care support was means tested so the most vulnerable would be protected.  Referring to the Minimum Income Guarantee, he added that the proposed reduction would bring the authority in line with other Local Authorities.  He concluded that the IT investment would result in considerable savings.

RESOLVED:

That the savings proposals be approved which will deliver a balanced budget as outlined in Appendix 4, enabling the Leader of the Council to take his proposed budget to consultation before taking to Council on 22^nd February 2018.

Lead Member – Councillor Nicholas Bardsley – Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People

Report of the Director of Children’s Services  TO FOLLOW

Contact: Karen Bradshaw  Tel: 01743 254201

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation of Shropshire Schools Forum on the funding formula for Shropshire schools for the financial year 2018-19 for maintained schools, and the academic year 2018-19 for academies, be accepted.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People presented a report from the Director of Children’s Services on the funding formula for Shropshire schools for the financial year 2018-19.  He stated that every school would be receiving additional funding apart from those schools’ subject to falling rolls and he applauded the governing bodies of Shropshire schools that worked hard to make the proposals work.  He stated that he would answer a Member’s specific queries on the top slicing of funding outside the meeting.

Responding further to a Member’s specific concerns regarding falling school rolls, he drew attention to parental choice that played a strong part in such instances and agreed to continue the discussion outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation of Shropshire Schools Forum on the funding formula for Shropshire schools for the financial year 2018-19 for maintained schools, and the academic year 2018-19 for academies, be accepted.

Lead Member – Councillor Nicholas Bardsley – Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People

Report of the Director of Children’s Services  TO FOLLOW

Contact: Karen Bradshaw  Tel: 01743 254201

It was noted that this item would be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 17 January 2018.

It was noted that this item would be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 17 January 2018.

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

It was noted that this item would be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 17 January 2018.

It was noted that this item would be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 17 January 2018.

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

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

That the revised Shropshire Council Fire Safety Policy be approved.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support presented a largely technical report from the Director of Place and Enterprise seeking approval for the revised Fire Safety Policy.

RESOLVED:

That the revised Shropshire Council Fire Safety Policy be approved.

Lead Member – Councillor Peter Nutting – Leader of the Council

Report of the Chief Executive

Contact: Clive Wright          Tel: 01743 257736

RESOLVED:

That the Chief Executive respond to the consultation indicating that Shropshire Council is in agreement with the relevant legislation being changed to include Police and Crime Commissioners as a voting Member of Fire and Rescue Authorities,    subject to the agreement of the Fire and Rescue Authority.

The Leader presented a report from the Chief Executive relating to the consultation from the Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service on new proposals to change legislation and allow Police and Crime Commissioners [PCC] to be included and have voting rights on the governing bodies of Fire and Rescue Authorities.  Members were in support of this course of action.

RESOLVED:

That the Chief Executive respond to the consultation indicating that Shropshire Council is in agreement with the relevant legislation being changed to include Police and Crime Commissioners as a voting Member of Fire and Rescue Authorities,    subject to the agreement of the Fire and Rescue Authority.

Lead Member – Councillor Lezley Picton – Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

            RESOLVED:

i)             That the Library Services Strategy for Shropshire, 2018 to 2023, be approved; and

ii)            That the Director of Place and Enterprise be delegated authority in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure and a broad range of interested parties to co-develop, implement and review a detailed five-year Action Plan linked to the delivery of the Strategy.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure presented a report from the Director of Place and Enterprise seeking approval of the Library Services Strategy for Shropshire.  Members noted that the Council had a statutory duty to provide a library service. The Portfolio Holder commented that the consultation on the Strategy had concluded in October 2017 and the Council had listened to comments made and had made changes to the draft Policy.  She drew attention to the hierarchy of provision and support as the Council was cognisant of the financial constraints.

A Member congratulated the Portfolio Holder on having taken on board many of the comments received from the public consultation and remarked that the Strategy was largely supported by local residents.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the Library Services Strategy for Shropshire, 2018 to 2023, be approved; and

ii)            That the Director of Place and Enterprise be delegated authority in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure and a broad range of interested parties to co-develop, implement and review a detailed five-year Action Plan linked to the delivery of the Strategy.

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 the meeting for the following item/s.

Lead Member – Councillor Nic Laurens – Portfolio Holder for Economy and Growth

Exempt Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

That the three recommendations as detailed in the confidential report, be approved.

The Leader presented a confidential report from the Director of Place and Enterprise providing an update on the conclusion of the Council’s Connecting Shropshire Phase 2b procurement process, now known as Contract 3.

RESOLVED:

That the three recommendations as detailed in the confidential report, be approved.

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

RESOLVED:

That the exempt Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 December 2017, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 December 2017, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.