Apologies for absence were received from Councillors William Parr, Tracey Huffer, Richard Huffer, Cecilia Motley, Malcom Pate and Keith Roberts.

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 minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 December 2020

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 17^th December 2020, 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 herself and the Speaker since the last meeting of the Council on 17^th December 2020, which had been circulated by email.

The Chairman paid tribute to Julie Fildes, Committee and Member Development Officer, who had sadly lost her valiant fight against cancer and passed away earlier in the month.  The Chairman reported that she had written to Julie’s husband Jon and their children, on behalf of the Council, to pass on the Council’s sincere condolences. 

The 2021 New Year Honours Medal recipients list had been circulated and the Chairman confirmed that she had written, on behalf of the Council, to all medal recipients to congratulate them and acknowledge their achievements.

A thank you event will be arranged for long serving and retiring members, once the Covid-19 restrictions had been lifted.

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 23 February 2021

The Speaker advised that there were six public questions from Clare Cooper, Rob Wilson, Anna Jones, Stephen Mulloy, Colin Sheward and Adrian Brown.  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

http://shropshire.gov.uk/committeeservices/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=125&MId=4138&Ver=4

Report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services is attached

Contact:  Claire Porter  Tel 01743 252763

The Leader began by thanking the Independent Remuneration Panel for their detailed considerations and producing the report, however he believed that it was inappropriate for the current council to make a decision and it should be for the new council after the election to make the decision.  It was therefore proposed by the Leader, Councillor P Nutting and seconded by Councillor S Charmley, Deputy Leader, that consideration of the report be deferred until the next scheduled meeting and that the current schedule of allowance continue until then.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the report be deferred until the next scheduled meeting and that the current schedule of allowance continue until then.

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton  Tel 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Leader, Councillor P Nutting and seconded by Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor D Minnery, that the report of the Interim Executive Director of Resources on Council Tax Resolution 2021/22, 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 by 46 Members voting in favor, 12 against and 7 abstention, as follows:

FOR (44)

Adams, Aldcroft, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Bird, Burgess, Butler, Carroll, Chapman, Charmley, Dakin, Davenport, Dee, D Evans, Gittins, Harris, Hartley, Hignett, R Hughes, Hunt, S Jones, Lea, Lynch, Macey, Milner, Minnery, Morris, Mullock, Nutting, Phillips, Picton, Price, Potter, Shineton, Tremellen, Turley, Turner, Wild, Williams, Les Winwood, Wood, Woodward, Wynn.

AGAINST (0)

ABSTENTION (18)

Boddington, Clarke, Dean, R. Evans, Fraser, Green, Halliday, Hartin, Houghton, I Jones, MacKenzie, Mellings, Moseley, Mosley, Pardy, Parry, Parsons, Vasmer.

RESOLVED:

1.           That a 3.99% Council Tax rise resulting in a basic amount of council tax for a Band D property of £1,501.22 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 be approved.

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

3.         That a total precept of £170,672,186 be levied.

4.         That the formal council tax resolution as set out in Appendix 1 to determine the levels of Council Tax for Shropshire Council for 2021/22 be approved. 

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton  Tel 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Leader, Councillor P Nutting and seconded by Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor D Minnery that the report of the Interim Executive Director of Resources on the Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2025/26, 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 by 46 Members voting in favour, 12 against and 7 abstention, as follows

FOR (46)

Adams, Aldcroft, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Bird, Burgess, Butler, Carroll, Chapman, Charmley, Dakin, Davenport, Dee, D. Evans, Gittins, Harris, Hartley, Hignett, Hughes, Hunt, M Jones, S Jones, Lea, Lynch, Macey, Milner, Minnery, Morris, Mullock, Nutting, Phillips, Picton, Price, Potter, Shineton, Tindall, Tremellen, Turley, Turner, Wild, Williams, Winwood, Wood, Woodward, Wynn.

AGAINST (12)

Boddington, Dean, R Evans, Fraser, Green, Hartin, Houghton, I Jones, Kidd, Mellings, Parry, Vasmer

ABSTENTION (7)

Clarke, Halliday, Mackenzie, Moseley, Mosley, Pardy, Parsons,

RESOLVED:

1.           That the 2021/22 budget of £554.318m outlined in the Budget Book at Appendix 2, including the savings proposals outlined in section 4.5 of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) at Appendix 1, be approved.

2.           That the changes required to the 2021/22 budget as a result of the Provisional and Final Local Government Settlement and revised business rates and collection fund estimates be noted.

3.           That the revised funding gap for the years 2022/23 to 2025/26 be noted.

4.           That the Statement of the Chief Financial Officer on the Robustness of Estimates and Adequacy of Reserves as set out in Sections 6.1 – 6.3 of the MTFS at Appendix 1,  be noted.

5.           That the recommended level of general balances to support the 2021/22 revenue budget of between £12.174m and £16.598m be noted, noting that the projected balance is presently below this for 2021/22.

6.           That the projected recommended level of general reserves for the following four years at £53m in 2022/23, £40m in 2023/24, £37m in 2024/25 and £35m in 2025/26 be noted.

7.           That the continued use of the Policy for Flexibility around the use of Capital Receipts as detailed in section 8.1 of the MTFS be noted.

8.           That the Pay and Rewards Policy for all Council staff for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 3 be agreed.

9.           That a revenue budget virement of £1.710m between Corporate Budgets and Place as detailed at section 7.1 of this report below be approved.

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton  Tel 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor D Minnery and seconded by the Leader, Councillor Nutting, that the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

          RESOLVED:

1.           That the breakdown of the total income for 2020/21 and 2021/22 and in particular that the proposed 2021/22 charges for discretionary services represent only £41.023m of the £79.242m of income derived from Fees and Charges be noted.

2.           That the charges for 2021/22 as detailed in Appendix 3 to be implemented 1 April 2021, recognising that managers have proposed varying policies for 2021/22 be approved.

3.           That as previously agreed, 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, be noted.

4.           That subject to restrictions or exemptions identified in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill it is recommended to Council that:

I.          Social Housing rents for 2021/22 are increased by 1.5% from 5th April 2021.

II.         Affordable rents for 2021/22 are increased by 1.5% from 5th April 2021.

III.        Shared Ownership rents continue to be set at 2.75% of the outstanding capital value of the home at the time of sale and thereafter increased each April in accordance with the terms specified in the lease agreements.

IV.       Service charges continue to be set on the basis of actual cost.

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton  Tel 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor D Minnery and seconded by the, Leader, Councillor P Nutting that the report of the Director of Finance, Governance and Assurance on the Capital Strategy 2021/22-2025/26, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

1.           That the adoption of the Capital Strategy 2021/22 - 2025/26 attached as Appendix 1 be agreed.

2.           That the prioritised schemes identified at Section 8 and the associated impact on the revenue budget be noted.

3.           That the revised Capital Programme as set out in the report and detailed at Section 6 and Appendix Bto the Capital Strategy be agreed.

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton  Tel 01743 258915

It was proposed by Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor D Minnery and seconded by the Leader, Councillor P Nutting that the report of the Interim Executive Director of Resources on the Treasury Strategy 2021/2022 a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed. 

RESOLVED:

1.           That the Treasury Strategy for 2021/22 be approved.

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

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

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

5.           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.

6.           That the Section 151 Officer be authorised to use other Foreign Banks which meet Link’s creditworthiness policy as required. 

Report of Director of Place is attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow 01743 258916

It was proposed by the Leader, Councillor Nutting and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Councillor S Charmley that the report of the Executive Director of Place on the University Centre of Shrewsbury Project a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed. 

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Assets, Economic Growth and Regeneration be approved and instructed to submit an application to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to seek consent to grant a new property lease for UCS’s ongoing occupation of the Guildhall at less than best consideration.

Report of Director of Place is attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow 01743 258916

It was proposed by the Deputy Leader, Councillor S Charmley and seconded by Councillor P Milner that the report of the Executive Director of Place on the Future Civic Accommodation a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed. 

RESOLVED:

1.           That the conclusions and recommendations of the options appraisal work be agreed in principle and responsibility be delegated to the Executive Director of Place to commission the detailed design (in accordance with RIBA Stage 2) costings of the proposed refurbishment plan for the Pride Hill shopping centre to accommodate the new Civic Centre as a base for the council and its partners.

2.           That the work undertaken to date on the disposal strategy for the Shirehall site be noted and that a future meeting of Council receive a further report with a recommended disposal option which shall be informed by an independent valuation for the site and other key considerations.

Report of Director of Place is attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow 01743 258916

The Speaker confirmed that this item had been withdrawn.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Assets, Economic Growth and Regeneration is attached.

Portfolio Holder:  Councillor Steve Charmley

It was proposed by Councillor S Charmley, the Portfolio Holder for Assets, Economic Growth and Regeneration that the report, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

Councillor Charmley presented and amplified his report and responded to questions, concerns and comments.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted and approved.

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

1.    The following motion has been received from Councillor Gwylim Butler and is supported by Councillors Cecilia Motley, Peggy Mullock, Paul Wynn, Christian Lea, Les Winwood, Michael Wood, David Turner, Paul Milner, Joyce Barrow, Tom Biggins, Gerald Deakin, William Parr, Dan Morris, Nick Hignett, Roy Aldcroft, Robert Tindall and Rob Gittins.

Successive governments have allowed a serious funding imbalance to develop between rural authorities and their urban and metropolitan counterparts.  Despite Governments’ recognition of the higher cost of delivering services in rural areas, this imbalance has been allowed to increase year on year.  Rural Services Network - which has a wide membership of rural authorities and has long championed fairer funding settlements for rural areas – has analysed the present government’s Provisional funding settlement 2021/22 and calculates that rural residents, when compared with urban:

Will still be paying over £96 per head more in Council tax

Receive some 61% (£107) per head less  from Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA general grant)

Get £11 less per head in specific social care costs, despite a higher proportion or elderly rural residents

Suffer a 16% gap compared with urban of the new social care grants

Excluding council tax, receive over £112 (42% per head) less in Government Funded Spending Power

As a result, Principal Councils serving rural areas, when compared with urban authorities have to cope with less government grant per head of population; are required to pay more per head of population in Council tax from lower rural incomes;  fund more of their essential services through Council Tax (69.29% compared to 55.80%) and yet receive fewer services which are often more expensive to access.

Prior to the Covid pandemic we note that this government was committed to deliver a fairer funding formula for local government and embark on a levelling up agenda, which was primarily aimed at raising funding levels  for underfunded regions in the north of the country.

Shropshire residents feel strongly that sparse rural authorities such as ours should also benefit from the levelling up agenda to reduce the current unfair funding disparities between urban  and rural authorities and ensure the delivery of equitable funding settlements throughout the country.  We seek equality of outcomes and funding for the people and economy of Shropshire; and reduced reliance on Council tax to compensate for inadequate government support.

“This Council therefore instructs the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister/Chancellor/SoS MHCLG seeking a commitment that the levelling up agenda should be widened to include Shropshire and other rural Shire Counties; and that the Government should commit to and deliver a fairer funding settlement for Council services and infrastructure requirements.”

2.    The following motion has been received from Councillor Julian Dean and is supported by Kate Halliday, Madge Shineton, and the Liberal Democrat group.

Principles for LTP4

This council recognises the urgent need to address the transport related climate emergency whilst supporting better and more  ...  view the full agenda text for item 188.

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

Notice of Motion 1

The following motion was moved by Councillor Gwylim Butler and seconded by Councillor Dan Morris.

Successive governments have allowed a serious funding imbalance to develop between rural authorities and their urban and metropolitan counterparts.  Despite Governments’ recognition of the higher cost of delivering services in rural areas, this imbalance has been allowed to increase year on year.  Rural Services Network - which has a wide membership of rural authorities and has long championed fairer funding settlements for rural areas – has analysed the present government’s Provisional funding settlement 2021/22 and calculates that rural residents, when compared with urban:

·         Will still be paying over £96 per head more in Council tax

·         Receive some 61% (£107) per head less  from Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA general grant)

·         Get £11 less per head in specific social care costs, despite a higher proportion or elderly rural residents

·         Suffer a 16% gap compared with urban of the new social care grants

·         Excluding council tax, receive over £112 (42% per head) less in Government Funded Spending Power

As a result, Principal Councils serving rural areas, when compared with urban authorities have to cope with less government grant per head of population; are required to pay more per head of population in Council tax from lower rural incomes; fund more of their essential services through Council Tax (69.29% compared to 55.80%) and yet receive fewer services which are often more expensive to access.

Prior to the Covid pandemic we note that this government was committed to deliver a fairer funding formula for local government and embark on a levelling up agenda, which was primarily aimed at raising funding levels for underfunded regions in the north of the country.

Shropshire residents feel strongly that sparse rural authorities such as ours should also benefit from the levelling up agenda to reduce the current unfair funding disparities between urban  and rural authorities and ensure the delivery of equitable funding settlements throughout the country.  We seek equality of outcomes and funding for the people and economy of Shropshire; and reduced reliance on Council tax to compensate for inadequate government support.

“This Council therefore instructs the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister/Chancellor/SoS MHCLG seeking a commitment that the levelling up agenda should be widened to include Shropshire and other rural Shire Counties; and that the Government should commit to and deliver a fairer funding settlement for Council services and infrastructure requirements.”

RESOLVED: That the Notice of Motion be supported.

Notice of Motion 2 - Principles for LTP4

The following motion was moved by Councillor Julian Dean and seconded by Councillor David Vasmer

This council recognises the urgent need to address the transport related climate emergency whilst supporting better and more inclusive connectivity for our residents. We further recognise the opportunity that a switch to active travel presents to address public health issues associated with sedentary lifestyles. This requires policies  ...  view the full minutes text for item 188.

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

The Speaker 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 Tom Biggins and answered by Councillor Steve Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Assets, Economic Growth and Regeneration, in relation to launching a Buy Shropshire campaign and helping to promote Shropshire for Tourism.

Received from Councillor Ruth Houghton and answered by Councillor Robert Macey, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Strategic Planning, in relation to empty homes in Shropshire. By way of a supplementary question, where empty homes are and particularly in relation to where people are bidding on Home Point and where there is a need.  The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Strategic Planning responded by confirming that he would take the supplementary question back to Officers to prepare a response.

Received from Councillor Andy Boddington and answered by Councillor Peter Nutting, The Leader of Shropshire Council, in relation to the ‘support for you from your council during lockdown’ letter that had been sent to every household within Shropshire. 

Received from Councillor David Vasmer and answered by Councillor Steve Davenport, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, in relation to the North West Relief Road. By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Vasmer made reference to page 320 of the agenda, the Capital Programme report and questioned that the figures referred to for the North West Relief Road spending did not tally with the figures given in the Portfolio Holders response to the his question.  The Portfolio Holder responded by confirming that he would check the figures and respond by email after the meeting and include all Members in his response.

Received from Councillor David Vasmer and answered by Councillor Steve Davenport, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, in relation to the performance of Highways contractor Kier.  By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Vasmer asked why, when the Portfolio Holders response made it clear that Keir were not performing as they should be has Members not been informed.  The Portfolio Holder responded by confirming that he would take the supplementary question back to officers and circulate the response with all Members, adding that some of the key performance indicators were still going through the legal processes.

Received from Councillor Kate Halliday and answered by Councillor Steve Davenport, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, in relation to flood prevention plans in Shropshire.

The Speaker reported that an additional, seventh question had been allowed as it had been received in time, but omitted due to officer error. 

Received from Councillor David Turner and answered by Councillor Peter Nutting, the Leader of Shropshire Council, in relation to a request for the leader to facilitate an update from the University Centre Shrewsbury.  Councillor David Turner did not have a supplementary question but added that he welcomed the comprehensive and positive response from the Leader.

To receive the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority arising from its meeting held 10 February 2021

It was proposed by Councillor Chris Mellingsand seconded by Councillor Nigel Hartin that the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, be received and noted.

RESOLVED:  That the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority be noted.

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.

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 Council meeting held on 17 December 2020

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 17^th December 2020 be approved as a correct record.

Exempt report of Director of Place is attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow 01743 258916

It was proposed by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Steve Charmley and seconded by Councillor Mark Jones, that the exempt report of the Director of Place and Enterprise and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That the three recommendations in the exempt report be agreed.

Exempt report of Director of Place is attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow 01743 258916

It was proposed by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Steve Charmley and seconded by the Leader Councillor P Nutting, that the exempt report of the Executive Director of Place and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That the three recommendations in the exempt report be agreed.

Exempt report of Director of Place is attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow 01743 258916

It was proposed by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Steve Charmley and seconded by the Leader Councillor P Nutting, that the exempt report of the Executive Director of Place and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That the two recommendations in the exempt report be agreed.