Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Julia Buckley, Steve Charmley, Nigel Hartin, Heather Kidd, David Minnery and Alex Wagner.

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.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 May 2024

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2024, 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 9 May 2024, which had been emailed prior to the meeting.

Kings Birthday Honours

The Chairman congratulated all those awarded honours in the 2024 Birthday Honours List and confirmed that he had written to congratulate them on behalf of the Council.? 

General Election

The Chairman congratulated all those elected to represent the people of Shropshire at the recent General Election 

To receive any questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  Deadline for notification is 5.00pm on Friday 12 July 2024

PETITION

A petition, bearing over 1000 signatures has been received from Joey McAleese, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme.  The petition requests that the Council:

“Honour their commitment to preserve English Bridge Workshops as a vital resource through a community asset transfer.”

The petitioner will be allowed 5 minutes to outline their case, after which there may a debate of up to a maximum of 15 minutes

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Shauney Connor, Jamie Russel, Graham Betts and Frank Oldaker, . A copy of the questions and the responses provided are attached to the signed minutes and available from the web page for the meeting.

Public Questions Council 18 July 2024 with responses.pdf (shropshire.gov.uk)

PETITION

A petition, bearing over 1000 signatures had been received from Joey McAleese, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme.  The petition requests that the Council:

“Honour their commitment to preserve English Bridge Workshops as a vital resource through a community asset transfer.”

Jancis Vaughan, Director Makespace Arts & Well-Being CIC, was given 5 minutes to present the petition during which she outlined the work that was being carried out and the importance of the workshop to its users and the plans for the future.

During the debate several members supported the work  that was being carried out and the benefits to the local community and stressed the importance of maintaining the availability of community assets.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Assets thanked the petitioners for bringing the petition.  He commented that the main problem was that currently a Community Asset Transfer could not take place as the criteria could not be met but that meetings were being held to examine whether the application could be amended to meet the criteria and that if this could not be done to look at other options that would enable continued use of the Workshops.  He proposed that as meetings were ongoing no further action be taken to allow the process to follow its course.

Following a vote it was RESOLVED

That no further action be taken for the reasons set out.

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. 

Question from Councillor Simon Harris in relation to water quality in the River Severn.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Harris asked whether the Council would take any action on finding out what number of dry day releases actually happened in the last year.  The Portfolio Holder agreed to ask Officers to request the information from Severn Trent

Question from Councillor Roy Aldcroft in relation to sports facilities in Market Drayton.  There was no supplementary question

Question from Councillor Christian Lea in the relation to the Councils Pyrolysis project.  There was no supplementary question

Question from Councillor Brian Williams in relation to methods of repairing potholes There was no supplementary question

Question from Councillor Roger Evans in relation to future work and spending on the North West Relief Road.  At this point Councillor Evans requested to put a motion under paragraph 17n of the constitution to suspend paragraph 16.1 of the constitution.  Following advice from the Monitoring Officer the motion was considered inadmissible.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Evans commented that the tender documents sent out by Shropshire Council talked about costing a further £100 million and asked whether the recent decision not to spend CIL money on community projects was part of the developing alternative funding scenario being developed.  In response the Portfolio Holder referred Councillor Evans to paragraph 10.4 of his annual report which would be considered later in the meeting.

Question from Councillor Ruth Houghton regarding proposals at Bishops Castle Sewerage Works. By way of supplementary question Councillor Houghton asked whether will those town and parish councils affected by the work being undertaken by the Strategic Clun Liaison Partnership be formally consulted with on any proposal that have brought forward by the group?  The Portfolio Holder agreed to raise this with the group.

A copy of the questions and the responses provided are attached to the signed minutes and available from the web page for the meeting.

Member Questions Council 18 July 2024 With Responses.pdf (shropshire.gov.uk)

Report of the Assistant Director – Legal and Governance is attached

Contact Tim Collard  Tel: 01743 252756  

It was proposed by Councillor Lezley Picton, Leader and Portfolio Holder Policy and Strategy, Improvement and Communications  and seconded by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities that the report of the Assistant Director Legal and Governance, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That Council authorises the Assistant Director – Legal and Governance to make the necessary amendments to the Council Procedure Rules to bring into effect the arrangements proposed at Section 7 below – namely 

1.    To move the member question time item at full Council from the end of the agenda to immediately follow the public question item 

2.    To set the notice period for submission of questions for full council and all other council committees to 12 noon on the fourth clear working day ahead of the meeting for both members of the council and members of the public 

3.    To allow up to ten minutes for Portfolio Holders/Committee Chairs to respond to questions at Full Council on Portfolio Holder and Scrutiny Chair Reports 

On 21st March 2024, Council approved the formal establishment of a Children’s Improvement Board (“CIB”) and its Terms of Reference subject to the addition of the Chair of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as a core attendee. Since that date the CIB has determined that it would be appropriate to invite representatives from both West Mercia Police and NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board. Members are asked to formally approve their status as core attendees and for the Terms of Reference to be updated accordingly.

It was proposed by Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education  and seconded by Councillor Peggy Mullock that the terms of reference of the Children’s Improvement Board be updated to include representatives from West Mercia Police and NHS Shropshire Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board as core attendees.

RESOLVED:

That the terms of reference of the Children’s Improvement Board be updated to include representatives from West Mercia Police and NHS Shropshire Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board as core attendees

Report of the Assistant Director – Legal and Governance is TO FOLLOW

Contact Tim Collard 01743 252756

It was proposed by the Chairman Councillor Vince Hunt and seconded by the Vice Chairman Councillor Brian Williams that the report of the Assistant Director Legal and Governance, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

Councillor Roger Evans advised the meeting that he was nominating Councillor David Minnery to fill the additional Liberal Democrat seat on the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Council confirms the revised allocation of seats to each of the political groups for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year as a consequence of the change in group membership as follows:?

a)    That the composition and revised allocation of seats on its committees and other bodies as detailed in the report be approved.?

b)    That the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group provides notification of which of its members will be appointed as a member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

2.    That the following changes to committee membership be noted:?

 Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee?

Councillor Caroline Bagnall appointed as a substitute member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee in place of Councillor Julia Buckley?

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee?

Councillor Kate Halliday appointed as a substitute member of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee in place of Councillor Julia Buckley?

South Planning Committee?

Councillor Julia Buckley appointed as a substitute member of the South Planning Committee in place of Councillor Kevin Pardy?

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities and seconded by Councillor Brian Williams 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.

Councillor Butler pointed out that there was a typographical error in the recommendation contained in the report in that where it referred to cabinet in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 it should say Council.

RESOLVED:

That Council

In respect of the revenue budget:

a.    Note that the outturn for overall variance in the year is £7.877m above budget.

b.    Note the consequent level of the General Fund balance is £8.237m.

c.    Note the service-related use of £19.424m of Earmarked Reserves & Provisions and the resulting level of earmarked reserves of £35.407m (£26.551m if the balances held by schools are excluded).

d.    Note the level of savings delivery achieved over the year

e.    Note that the combination of earmarked and un-earmarked (General) reserves of £43.644m is below a level that would be regarded as safe, taking into account local circumstances. The MTFS sets out an agreed plan to restore these balances to safer levels.

Relating to ringfenced funding:

f.     Note the performance of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) – £0.623m (3%) deficit outturn for 2023/24 on £20.532m turnover, and the resulting level of the HRA reserve of £11.737m.

g.    Note the outturn for the DSG and the consequent level of the DSG reserve.

h.    Note that the level of school balances has decreased by £0.451m, from £7.791m in 2022/23 to £7.340m, in the financial year.

In respect of the capital programme:

i.      Approve net budget variations of £16.156m to the 2023/24 capital programme (in Appendix 10) and the re-profiled 2023/24 capital budget of £100.012m.

j.      Approve the re-profiled capital budgets of £117.776m for 2024/25, including slippage of £7.673m from 2023/24, £92.339m for 2025/26 and £48.873m for 2026/27 as detailed in Appendix 13.

k.    Accept the outturn expenditure set out in Appendices 11 and 12 of £92.339m, representing 92.3% of the revised capital budget for 2023/24.

l.      Approve retaining a balance of capital receipts set aside of £15.175m as at 31st March 2024 to generate a one-off Minimum Revenue Provision saving of £0.420m in 2024/25

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities and seconded by Councillor Roy Aldcroft 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 Council

1.    Approve the actual 2023/24 prudential and treasury indicators in this report.

2.    Note the annual treasury management report for 2023/24

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is TO FOLLOW

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by Councillor Brian Williams, Chair – Audit Committee and seconded by Councillor Simon Harris that the annual assurance report of the Audit Committee, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

Councillor Julian Dean proposed that consideration of the report be deferred to the next meeting to allow for the development of an action plan to deal with the concerns raised around the internal control framework. This was seconded by Councillor Duncan Kerr.  On taking a vote this was not supported.

RESOLVED:

That Council accept the Annual Assurance Report of the Audit Committee

Report of the Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by Councillor Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and seconded by Councillor Councillor Dean Carroll, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Assets 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.

By way of amendment Councillor Julian Dean proposed

To add under “3.2 That Council supports the integration of carbon performance measurement and consideration of climate risks as an essential component of the Council’s Target Operating Model, including:” the following additional points:

                 v.         developed KPIs - as part of the Shropshire Plan Performance Report - for specific carbon emission reductions by activity as previously agreed by council.

                vi.        KPIs - as part of the Shropshire Plan Performance Report - for energy efficiency to support point 3.5 in the Progress Report

              vii.        Future reporting to include embedded carbon related to the capital programme and building upkeep

Councillor Nellins indicated that he would accept the amendment.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council approves the Corporate Carbon Performance Monitoring report 2022-23 (Appendix 1) for publication;  

2.    That Council supports the integration of carbon performance measurement and consideration of climate risks as an essential component of the Council’s Target Operating Model, including: 

                     i.        Procurement policy 

                    ii.        The integration of carbon accounting as part of financial management 

                   iii.         Normalisation of carbon monitoring and reporting at a service level 

                   iv.        Carbon literacy as mandatory training for new starters 

                    v.         developed KPIs - as part of the Shropshire Plan Performance Report - for specific carbon emission reductions by activity as previously agreed by council.

                   vi.        KPIs - as part of the Shropshire Plan Performance Report - for energy efficiency to support point 3.5 in the Progress Report

                 vii.        Future reporting to include embedded carbon related to the capital programme and building upkeep

Report of the Strategic Projects Manager is attached

Contact Ffion Horton Ffion.Horton@shropshire.gov.uk    

It was proposed by Councillor Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and seconded by Councillor Nick Bardsley 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.

By way of amendment  Councillor Julian Dean proposed

Under recommendation 3.2 add at the end add

 “with the addition to the Shrewsbury delivery plan of a Porthill/Copthorne 20mph zone, consultation on which was approved by Cabinet and has been completed; which meets the aims and objectives of the LCWIP; which has an evidence base showing meaningful contribution to those aims and objectives; which has been withdrawn from active pursuit without Cabinet approval.”

Councillor Nellins indicated that he would accepted the amendment.

By way of amendment Councillor Bernie Bentick proposed

“That LCWIP Report Appendix 7 on Page 27 be corrected to show LCWIP Secondary Route S48 referring to and including improvements for walking and cycling on Longden Road from and including the Roman Road/Longden Road roundabout, past The Meole Secondary and Priory Schools, past the Sweetlake Meadow development, though the outlying villages to the end of this route at Pulverbatch”

This was seconded by Councillor Rob Wilson.  On taking a vote the amendment was not supported.

RESOLVED:

That Council: 

1.    Adopt the final Shropshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan attached to this Report as Appendix 1 

2.    Adopt each Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)  Delivery Plan for Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Church Stretton with the addition to the Shrewsbury delivery plan of a Porthill/Copthorne 20mph zone, consultation on which was approved by Cabinet and has been completed; which meets the aims and objectives of the LCWIP; which has an evidence base showing meaningful contribution to those aims and objectives; which has been withdrawn from active pursuit without Cabinet approval

3.    Accept that an annual re-evaluation of the prioritisation of schemes will be undertaken by officers and reported back to Cabinet (appendix 10).  

With the agreement of Members the Chair announced that he would take Item 18 – Annual report of the Portfolio Holder for Highways next

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Highways is attached

It was proposed by Councillor Dan Morris, Portfolio Holder for Highways that the report, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

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

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by Councillor Chris Schofield, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services and seconded by Councillor Hilary Luff 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, as the Local Planning Authority ‘makes’ (i.e. adopts) the Bishops Castle Neighbourhood Development Plan (as set out in Appendix 1) and brings it into force with immediate effect as part of the Development Plan for Shropshire.

Report of the Assistant Director – Legal and Governance is attached

Contact Tim Collard  Tel: 01743 252756  

It was proposed by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities and seconded by Councillor Nick Bardsley that the report of the Assistant Director – Legal and Governance, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

By way of amendment Councillor Andy Boddington proposed

Ludlow Town Council is a major party in governance review of Ludlow/Ludford. In the late papers it opposes the conclusion of the governance review of taking no action. Two of the three unitary councillors for Ludlow oppose the conclusion of the review. A third supports the conclusions, as does Ludford Parish Council. Given this level of disagreement between the principal parties, we propose the following amendment: 

That the council accepts the recommendations in paragraph 3.1 of the report, and paragraph 4, with the exception of 4(b) Ludlow/Ludford.  

This was seconded by Councillor Tracy Huffer.

On taking a vote the amendment was not supported

RESOLVED:

That the final proposals for the following Community Governance reviews set out in appendices 1 to 5 be approved and that the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance be authorised to seek the approval of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England and to make appropriate orders: 

a)    Albrighton/Donington/Boscobel 

b)    Baschurch/Pimhill (Bomere Heath and District) 

c)    Ludlow/Ludford 

d)    Market Drayton/Adderley 

e)    Shrewsbury 

Report of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee is attached

Councillor Claire Wild chair of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented the annual report of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee for 2022-23, and the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2023-24. She outlined the work that had been carried out by the Committee and thanked members of the committee and officers for all their work. She then took questions.

Members noted the contents of the report

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital is attached

It was proposed by Councillor Rob Macey, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital that the report, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

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

Councillor Viv Parry asked whether the Council provided support to the Ludlow Assembly Rooms.  The Portfolio Holder agreed to ask Officers and let Councillor Parry know.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

To receive the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority arising from its meeting held on 19 June 2024

It was proposed by Councillor 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.