Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andy Boddington, Gerald Dakin, Richard Huffer, Tracey Huffer, Richard Huffer, John Price and Robert Tindall.

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered.

Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

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.

There were no declarations made.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 September 2021

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 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 23 September 2021, which had been circulated by email.

The 2022 New Year Honours recipients list had been circulated and the Chairman confirmed that he had written, on behalf of the Council, to all recipients to congratulate them and acknowledge their achievements.

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 11 January 2022

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Ed Shirley, Stephen Mulloy, Paul Wiseman. Beverley Jones and Alan Jolley. 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, 13th January, 2022, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

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

By way of amendment Councillor Nigel Hartin proposed that an additional recommendation be added that “Council request Government to allow Local Authorities in England discretion to vary council tax premium” The amendment was seconded by Councillor David Vasmer.

On being put to a vote the amendment was defeated

On being put to a recorded vote, with 55 Members voting in favour, 11 against and no abstentions as follows:

FOR:

Councillors Aldcroft, Anderson, Bagnall, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Bird, Broomhall, Buckley, Burchett, Butler, Carroll, Charmley, Clarke, Dartnall, Davenport, Dean, Elner, D Evans, J Evans, Gittins, Halliday, Harris, Hignett, Hunt, Hurst-Knight, Isherwood, M Jones, S Jones, Kerr, Lea, Luff, Lumby, Macey, Marshall, Minnery, Morris, Moseley, Mosley, Motley, Mullock, Nellins, Pardy, Parsons, Picton, Potter, Schofield, Thomas, Towers, Tremellen, Turley, Wild, Williams, Winwood and Wynn

AGAINST:

Councillors Bentick, Davies, R Evans, Green, Hartin, Houghton, Kidd, Parry, Vasmer, Wagner and Wilson

It was RESOLVED: 

                  i.        To approve, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Shropshire Council as it’s Council Tax taxbase for the year 2022/23, as detailed in Appendix A, totalling 115,485.33 Band D equivalents.

                 ii.        To note the changes to the Council’s localised Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme in 2022/23. The scheme is attached at Appendix B.

                iii.        To note the Council Tax Support Scheme amendments detailed in Appendix B have no impact on the taxbase determination.

                iv.        To note the exclusion of 8,780.28 Band D equivalents from the taxbase as a result of localised Council Tax Support.

                 v.         To note continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy of 0% in respect of second homes (other than those that retain a 50% discount through regulation as a result of job related protection) and note the inclusion of 705.17 Band D equivalents in the Council Tax taxbase as a result of this discount policy.

                vi.        To note continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy to not award a discount in respect of vacant dwellings undergoing major repair, i.e. former Class A exempt properties.

              vii.        To note continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy in respect of vacant dwellings, i.e. former Class C exempt properties, of 100% for one month i.e. effectively reinstating the exemption and the resulting exclusion of 160.66 band D equivalents from the taxbase.

             viii.        To note continuation of the “six week rule” in respect of vacant dwellings, i.e. former Class C exempt properties.

                ix.        To note continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy to levy a Council Tax premium of 100% in relation to dwellings which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than two years (but less than five years) and the resulting inclusion of an additional 328.10 Band D  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

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:

That Members accept the position as laid out in the report

Report of the Portfolio Holder Finance and Corporate Support is to follow

Portfolio Holder – Councillor Gwilym Butler

It was proposed by Councillor Gwilym Butler, the Portfolio Holder for Resources, that his report be received and agreed.  Councillor Butler presented and amplified his report and responded to questions

Report of the Head of Transport and the Environment is attached

Contact Steve Brown  Tel: 01743 257809

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Natural Assets and Green Economy, Councillor Ian Nellins, and seconded by Councillor Steve Charmley that the report of the Head of Transport and Environment, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council approve the rollout of bins for recycling described in this report. 

2.    That Council approve the capital investment estimated to be £2.932 million required to deliver this scheme, as an addition to the current Capital programme. 

Report of the Executive Director of Place is to follow

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Natural Assets And Green Economy, Councillor Ian Nellins, and seconded by Councillor Richard Marshall that the report of the Executive Director of Place, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That Council approves the Corporate Carbon Performance Monitoring report 2021 as set out at Appendix 1 for publication

Report of the Executive Director of Place is to follow

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Portfolio Holder For Communities, Culture, Leisure And Tourism And Transport, Councillor Cecilia Motley, and seconded by Councillor Steve Davenport that the report of the Executive Director of Place, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed

RESOLVED:

That Shropshire Council delegates the authority to Wrexham Borough County Council to publish the legal order extinguishing St Martin’s Footpath 19 (part) at the same time as Chirk Footpath 35 in Wrexham.

Report of the Executive Director of People is attached

Contact Tanya Miles Tel: 01743 255811

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Children and Education, Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight, and seconded by Councillor Peggy Mullock that the report of the Executive Director of People, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That the Youth Justice Plan as attached at Appendix A be approved

Report of the Executive Director of Place is to follow

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, Councillor Dean Carroll, and seconded by the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health, Councillor Simon Jones that the report of the Executive Director of Place, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That Council

1.    Approve the proposed programme of delivery of temporary housing solutions outlined in this report, which seeks to utilise the commuted Section 106 sums of up to £1.500m. 

2.    Agree to widen the terms of the report of 16th July 2020 to include expenditure of works to existing assets owned by Shropshire Council. 

3.    Approve that capital investment of £1.500m of S106 contributions and prudential borrowing of £3.500m in the Housing Revenue Account is used to fund the Housing Revenue Account to deliver up to 60 units of temporary accommodation. 

4.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Resources, the Assistant Director of Homes and Communities, and Head of Property and Development to approve a final business case and financial appraisals setting out the financial arrangements to support the acquisitions of appropriate properties to the Housing Revenue Account, utilising sums from the approved £1.500m of Section 106 funds. 

5.    Delegate to the Head of Property and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, the authority to agree and complete appropriate freehold acquisitions. 

6.    Delegate to the Head of Property and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, the authority to enter into leases / contracts with partners / providers to manage facilities on the Council’s behalf, where applicable, if deemed relevant and necessary. 

People Overview Committee

Councillor Roy Aldcroft to replace Councillor Ed Bird as a member of the People Overview Committee.

Place Overview Committee

Councillor Claire Wild to be appointed as a substitute member of the Place Overview Committee

Councillor Nick Bardsley to be appointed as a substitute member of the Place Overview Committee

Councillor Roger Evans to replace Councillor Nat Green as a substitute member of the Place Overview Committee

Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Steve Charmley to replace Councillor Simon Jones as a member of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Nick Bardsley to replace Councillor Roy Aldcroft as a member of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Strategic Licensing Committee

Councillor Robert Macey to replace Councillor Simon Jones as a member of the Strategic Licencing Committee

Councillor David Evans to replace Councillor Robert Tindall as a member of the Strategic Licencing Committee

Councillor Mary Davies to replace Councillor Alex Wagner as a member of the Strategic Licencing Committee

Health & Wellbeing Board

Councillor Simon Jones to replace Councillor Dean Carroll as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board

Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Geoff Elner to be appointed as a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee

It was proposed by the Chairman, Councillor V Hunt, and seconded by the Vice Chairman, Councillor B Williams, that the changes to committee memberships be considered and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That the following changes in committee memberships be agreed

People Overview Committee 

Councillor Roy Aldcroft to replace Councillor Ed Bird as a member of the People Overview Committee. 

Place Overview Committee 

Councillor Claire Wild to be appointed as a substitute member of the Place Overview Committee 

Councillor Nick Bardsley to be appointed as a substitute member of the Place Overview Committee 

Councillor Roger Evans to replace Councillor Nat Green as a substitute member of the Place Overview Committee 

Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee 

Councillor Steve Charmley to replace Councillor Simon Jones as a member of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee 

Councillor Nick Bardsley to replace Councillor Roy Aldcroft as a member of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee 

Strategic Licensing Committee 

Councillor Robert Macey to replace Councillor Simon Jones as a member of the Strategic Licencing Committee 

Councillor David Evans to replace Councillor Robert Tindall as a member of the Strategic Licencing Committee 

Councillor Mary Davies to replace Councillor Alex Wagner as a member of the Strategic Licencing Committee 

Health & Wellbeing Board 

Councillor Simon Jones to replace Councillor Dean Carroll as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board 

Southern Planning Committee 

Councillor Geoff Elner to be appointed as a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee

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

1. The following motion has been received from Councillor Kate Halliday and is supported by the Labour Group:

Clean, healthy rivers are essential to Shropshire’s prosperity and wellbeing. In recent years the water quality has deteriorated for a variety of reasons but the chief contributor is the frequent and intermittent discharges of sewage when it rains. These combined sewage outfalls (CSOs) have contributed to the deterioration of water quality and biodiversity. Fish stocks have reduced by 60% in the last 10 years. Water firms discharged raw sewage into English waters 400,000 times last year, an increase of 27% on the previous year.

The Environment Bill requires sewerage undertakers to ensure progressive reduction of the adverse impact of discharges, and introduces additional monitoring and reporting obligations. However it does not give water companies a timetable to invest and update the sewage system, and there remains no legal duty on water companies not to release sewage into our waterways. It is therefore important that Shropshire Council plays an active role in holding key partners to account.

Motion: This council will:

1.    Call on Place Scrutiny and Overview Committee to set up a Task and Finish Group to look into the issue and meet the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water. Their report should seek to better understand the reporting and reasons for both sewage discharges and farm-related discharges and their impact on the bio-diversity of rivers and the health of those who swim in the river.

2.    Urge Severn Trent to increase funding and provide timescales for mitigating the effects of sewerage and other pollutants being discharged into our rivers

3.    Investigate how the main rivers in Shropshire may achieve and maintain Blue Flag status

4.    Map and analyse the additional impact on sewerage into the rivers from the proposed additional house building in the draft Shropshire Plan to 2038, and consider investing CIL monies into schemes to end the discharge of sewerage and other pollutants into our rivers.

2. The following motion has been received from Councillor Nat Green and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group:

It is well known that excessive noise is damaging to both physical and mental health. It also is degrading to the environment and general amenity of an area. In recent years there have been successful trials of acoustic cameras to catch motorists and motorcycle riders with vehicles that emit excessive noise. The threshold set in the trials in London was 80db. Emergency vehicles and otherwise law-abiding HGVs would not suffer fines. This motion calls on the administration to consider a pilot scheme that, if successful, could be rolled out across towns in Shropshire.

3. The following motion has been received from Councillor Heather Kidd and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group:

This Council Notes

1.    The worsening of ambulance services in Shropshire over recent years despite the best efforts and dedication of ambulance staff.

2.    That patients are dying waiting for  ...  view the full agenda text for item 68.

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

1. From Councillor Kate Halliday and supported by the Labour Group:  

Clean, healthy rivers are essential to Shropshire’s prosperity and wellbeing. In recent years the water quality has deteriorated for a variety of reasons but the chief contributor is the frequent and intermittent discharges of sewage when it rains. These combined sewage outfalls (CSOs) have contributed to the deterioration of water quality and biodiversity. Fish stocks have reduced by 60% in the last 10 years. Water firms discharged raw sewage into English waters 400,000 times last year, an increase of 27% on the previous year. 

The Environment Bill requires sewerage undertakers to ensure progressive reduction of the adverse impact of discharges and introduces additional monitoring and reporting obligations. However, it does not give water companies a timetable to invest and update the sewage system, and there remains no legal duty on water companies not to release sewage into our waterways. It is therefore important that Shropshire Council plays an active role in holding key partners to account. 

Motion: This council will: 

1.    Call on Place Scrutiny and Overview Committee to set up a Task and Finish Group to look into the issue and meet the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water. Their report should seek to better understand the reporting and reasons for both sewage discharges and farm-related discharges and their impact on the bio-diversity of rivers and the health of those who swim in the river. 

2.    Urge Severn Trent to increase funding and provide timescales for mitigating the effects of sewerage and other pollutants being discharged into our rivers 

3.    Investigate how the main rivers in Shropshire may achieve and maintain Blue Flag status 

4.    Map and analyse the additional impact on sewerage into the rivers from the proposed additional house building in the draft Shropshire Plan to 2038, and consider investing CIL monies into schemes to end the discharge of sewerage and other pollutants into our rivers. 

Councillor Julia Evans seconded the motion

? 

By way of amendment The Portfolio Holder for Physical infrastructure Councillor Dean Carroll proposed that recommendation 4 be amended to read: -

Through the planning process, hold the water companies to account to provide adequate sewerage provision for the expanse of housing proposed in the draft Shropshire Plan

Councillor Halliday agreed that the amendment be accepted and asked that Welsh Water be added to the motion as they supplied water to a small part of the county.

On being put to a vote it was resolved

This council will: 

 1.  Call on Place Scrutiny and Overview Committee to set up a Task and Finish Group to look into the issue and meet the Environment Agency, Welsh Water and Severn Trent Water. Their report should seek to better understand the reporting and reasons for both sewage discharges and farm-related discharges and their impact on the bio-diversity of rivers and the health of those who swim in the river. 

2.  Urge Severn Trent and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

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

Report to follow

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 Chris Schofield and answered by Councillor Dean Carroll, Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure in relation to how Cornovii developments were limiting the carbon footprint of their developments.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Schofield asked when the first of the houses developed by Cornovii would be handed over.  The Portfolio Holder informed him that this would happen next week.

Received from Councillor Rosemary Dartnall and answered by Councillor Ian Nellins, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Natural Assets and Green Economy in relation to plans to use the electricity produced at the Battlefield Energy Recovery Facility to produce green hydrogen for a new vehicle fuelling centre.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Dartnall expressed concern that the amount of residual waste may be increased to suit power production requirements when we should be reducing the residual waste.  The Portfolio Holder informed her that the Council was considering all forms of renewable power sources not just hydrogen or solar.

To receive the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority arising from its meetings held on 13 October 2021 and 15 December 2021

It was proposed by Mr David Minneryand seconded by Mr Paul Wynn 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 Paragraph10.4 [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 Paragraph10.4 [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 23 September 2021

RESOLVED:

That the Exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2021 as circulated with the agenda papers, be approved and signed as a correct record.

Exempt report of the Executive Director of Place is to follow

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Planning, Councillor Ed Potter, and seconded by Councillor Joyce Barrow that the exempt 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:

That the recommendations contained in the exempt report be approved

Exempt report of the Executive Director of Place is to follow

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

Members were advised that this item had been withdrawn and would be brought to the next meeting of Council

Exempt report of the Executive Director of Place is to follow

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Natural Assets and 

Green Economy, Councillor Ian Nellins, and seconded by Councillor Steve Charmley that the exempt 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:

That the recommendations contained in the exempt report be agreed