Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ted Clarke, Gerald Dakin, Rob Gittins, John Price, David Minnery, Robert Tindall, Kevin Turley and Mark Williams

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.

Councillor Richard Marshall declared an interest in item 15.2 – Just Stop Oil motion on the grounds of perceived bias as he was the director of a transport company.  He stated that he would leave the room and take no part in the debate or vote on the item.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 September 2022

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2022, 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.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Rachel Connolly to her first meeting following her

election as a councillor for the Bridgnorth west and Tasley Division

Chairman’s Engagements

The Chairman referred Members to the list of official engagements carried out by himself and the Speaker since the last meeting of the Council on 22 September 2022, which had been circulated by email.

To receive any questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14. Deadline for notification is 5.00 pm on Friday 9 December 2022

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Mrs Kris Welch and Dr Jamie Russell. 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, 15th December, 2022, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

Report of Returning Officer attached

Contact:  Andy Begley, 01743 258675

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

RESOLVED: That the contents of the report be noted and approved.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources, Councillor Gwilym Butler, and seconded by The Leader Councillor Lezley Picton 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.

On being put to a recorded vote with 66 Members voting for, none against and no abstentions as follows:

FOR:

Councillors Aldcroft, Anderson, Bagnall, Bardsley, Barrow, Bentick, Biggins, Bird, Boddington, Broomhall, Buckley, Burchett, Butler, Carroll, Charmley, Connolly, Dartnall, Davenport, Davies, Dean, Elner, D Evans, J Evans, R Evans, Gill, Green, Halliday, Harris, Hartin, Hignett  Houghton, R Huffer, T Huffer, Hunt, Hurst-Knight, Isherwood, M Jones, S Jones, Kerr, Kidd, Lea, Luff, Lumby, Lynch, Macey, Marshall, Morris, Moseley, Mosley, Motley, Mullock, Nellins, Pardy, Parry, Parsons, Picton, Potter, Schofield, Thomas, Towers, Vasmer, Wagner, Wild, Williams, Wilson and Wynn

It was RESOLVED:

a)    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 2023/24, as detailed in Appendix A, totalling 118,106.08 Band D equivalents.

b)    To note the changes to the Council’s localised Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme in 2023/24. The scheme is attached at Appendix B.

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

d)    To note the exclusion of 8,387.51 Band D equivalents from the taxbase as a result of localised Council Tax Support.

e)    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 712.32 Band D equivalents in the Council Tax taxbase as a result of this discount policy.

f)     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.

g)    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 68.99 band D equivalents from the taxbase.

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

i)     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 293.89 Band D equivalents in the taxbase.

j)     To note continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy to levy a Council Tax premium of 200% in relation to dwellings which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than five years (but less than ten years) and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources, Councillor Gwilym Butler, 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.

RESOLVED:

That Members agree the Treasury Strategy updates as set out in the report.

Report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer is attached

Contact:  Tom Dodds.  Tel. 01743 258518

The Chairman advised Members that consideration of the Annual Scrutiny report would be deferred to the next meeting

Report of the Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services, Councillor Richard Marshall, and seconded by Councillor Dan Thomas 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 Broseley Neighbourhood Development Plan (as set out in Appendix 1) and brings it into force with immediate effect as part of the Development Plan under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Report of the Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Dean Carroll, and seconded by Councillor Mark 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.

By way of amendment Councillor Julian Dean proposed that recommendation 3.2 be amended to read: -

To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing to establish a Shropshire Economic Partnership Board to drive forward the Economic Growth Strategy, develop and agree the associated Terms of Reference, to include representation from across the county’s business sectors, public sector organisations, geographies, the voluntary sector, communities, and the chairs of other local stakeholder groups such as the climate action and nature recovery partnerships in the county. The board should also aim for gender balance. 

This was seconded by Councillor Duncan Kerr

On taking a vote the amendment fell.

RESOLVED:

That Council

a)    Approve the establishment of an advisory Shropshire Economic Partnership Board

b)    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing to establish a Shropshire Economic Partnership Board to drive forward the Economic Growth Strategy, develop and agree the associated Terms of Reference.

c)    Delegate to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing to develop through the Shropshire Economic Partnership Board, produce the Action Plan to support the Economic Growth Strategy to delivery and the appropriate KPI’s to support the Economic Growth Strategy and the Healthy Economy priority of the Shropshire Plan

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources, Councillor Gwilym Butler, 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.

RESOLVED:

a.    That the Council consider the approach set out in the report, and delegate authority to the Executive Director of Resources (in consultation with the Chair of the Audit Committee) to progress recruitment of a co-opted independent person for a term of four years.

b.    That the Council nominate members to a panel who will undertake the shortlisting, carry out interviews and recommend the successful candidate for this role to Council on a date to be confirmed in early 2023.

Report of the Head of Housing is TO FOLLOW

Contact:  Laura Fisher  Tel: 01743 258981

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Dean Carroll, and seconded by The Leader, Councillor Lezley Picton that the report of the Chief Executive, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That Members note the content of the LGSCO report attached at Appendix A and the actions taken to date, to comply in full with the LGSCO’s recommendations.

Report of the Assistant Director Legal and Governance is attached

Contact:  Tim Collard, Tel 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 of 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 Julia Buckley proposed that the number of Conservative seats on the Pensions Committee be reduced from 3 to 2, and that the number of Labour seats increase from 0 to 1.

This was seconded by Councillor Tony Parsons

On taking a vote the amendment fell.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Council confirms the revised allocation of seats to each of the political groups for the 2021/22 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 Conservative Group provides notification of which of its members will be removed from each of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

c)    That the Leader of the Independent Group provides notification of  which of its members will be allocated to the Southern Planning Committee.

d)    That the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group provides notification of which of its members will be allocated to the Housing Supervisory Board.

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

Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Heather Kidd to replace Councillor Richard Huffer as a member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Roger Evans to replace Councillor Heather Kidd as a member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Ed Potter to replace Councillor Richard Marshall as a member of the Southern Planning Committee

Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Nat Green to replace Councillor Alex Wagner as a member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Alex Wagner to replace Councillor Nat Green as a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Ed Potter to be appointed as a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

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

1.    Motion from Councillor Rob Wilson supported by the Liberal Democrat Group

Vision Zero

This Council notes:

1.      In 2021, 16 people were killed in road traffic collisions in the Shropshire Council area.

2.      This statistic has remained virtually unchanged over the past 10 years (2012: 17, 2013: 18, 2014: 15, 2015: 13, 2016: 17, 2017: 18, 2018: 15, 2019: 14, 2020: 11, 2021: 16).

3.      In 2021, 121 people were killed or seriously injured in the Shropshire Council area.

4.      This statistic has remained virtually unchanged over the past 10 years (2012: 146, 2013: 119, 2014: 140, 2015: 139, 2016: 169, 2017: 174, 2018: 135, 2019: 161, 2020: 123, 2021: 121).

5.      In 2004, the World Health Organisation published “World report on road traffic injury prevention”. It stated: “Road traffic crashes are predictable and therefore preventable … the time to act is now.  Road users everywhere deserve better and safer road travel.”

6.      The effect of road traffic collisions include physical, emotional, social and economic effects for everyone involved.

7.      The financial cost per fatal casualty is approximately £2,000,000. The financial cost per severely injured casualty is approximately £220,000.

8.      This means in financial terms the cost of road collisions in Shropshire was approximately £60,000,000 in 2021.

9.      Every 20 minutes someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads. Much of the reporting around these incidents portrays collisions as unavoidable, obscures the presence of certain actors or omits crucial context as to why crashes happen and what we can do to prevent them.

10.  The Road Collision Reporting Guidelines (https://www.rc-rg.com/guidelines) were produced in consultation with road safety, legal, media and policing organisations and individuals, to supplement professional codes of conduct and support the highest standards of reporting in broadcast, print and online.

11.  They encourage media, among other things, to avoid using the word “accident” – “crash” or “collision” not carrying the same association with chance – and to acknowledge the role of motorists, with many outlets for instance continuing to carry headlines such as “car crashes into tree.”

12.  In September 2022 it was announced that the Department for Transport will use “collision” instead of “accident” (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2021/changes-to-road-casualty-statistics-following-user-feedback).

13.  Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox is the National lead for fatal collision investigation reporting to the National Police Chiefs Council and was previously the Metropolitan Police’s lead for Vision Zero. He has been a leading voice in the need to change how we view the problems we face.

14.  Vision Zero is a set of principles and policies aimed at eliminating serious injuries and fatalities involving road traffic. It shifts responsibility for crashes from road users to the designers of the road system – if one occurs, it is up to authorities to ensure that it does not happen again.

15.  Traditional approaches to road safety assume that people can be taught, persuaded or compelled to behave safely. A Safe System approach is  ...  view the full agenda text for item 79.

The following motion was received from Councillor Rob Wilson supported by the Liberal Democrat Group 

Vision Zero 

This Council notes: 

1.    In 2021, 16 people were killed in road traffic collisions in the Shropshire Council area. 

2.    This statistic has remained virtually unchanged over the past 10 years (2012: 17, 2013: 18, 2014: 15, 2015: 13, 2016: 17, 2017: 18, 2018: 15, 2019: 14, 2020: 11, 2021: 16). 

3.    In 2021, 121 people were killed or seriously injured in the Shropshire Council area. 

4.    This statistic has remained virtually unchanged over the past 10 years (2012: 146, 2013: 119, 2014: 140, 2015: 139, 2016: 169, 2017: 174, 2018: 135, 2019: 161, 2020: 123, 2021: 121). 

5.    In 2004, the World Health Organisation published “World report on road traffic injury prevention”. It stated: “Road traffic crashes are predictable and therefore preventable … the time to act is now.  Road users everywhere deserve better and safer road travel.” 

6.    The effect of road traffic collisions include physical, emotional, social and economic effects for everyone involved. 

7.    The financial cost per fatal casualty is approximately £2,000,000. The financial cost per severely injured casualty is approximately £220,000. 

8.    This means in financial terms the cost of road collisions in Shropshire was approximately £60,000,000 in 2021. 

9.    Every 20 minutes someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads. Much of the reporting around these incidents portrays collisions as unavoidable, obscures the presence of certain actors or omits crucial context as to why crashes happen and what we can do to prevent them. 

10.The Road Collision Reporting Guidelines (https://www.rc-rg.com/guidelines) were produced in consultation with road safety, legal, media and policing organisations and individuals, to supplement professional codes of conduct and support the highest standards of reporting in broadcast, print and online. 

11.They encourage media, among other things, to avoid using the word “accident” – “crash” or “collision” not carrying the same association with chance – and to acknowledge the role of motorists, with many outlets for instance continuing to carry headlines such as “car crashes into tree.” 

12.In September 2022 it was announced that the Department for Transport will use “collision” instead of “accident” (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2021/changes-to-road-casualty-statistics-following-user-feedback). 

13.Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox is the National lead for fatal collision investigation reporting to the National Police Chiefs Council and was previously the Metropolitan Police’s lead for Vision Zero. He has been a leading voice in the need to change how we view the problems we face. 

14.Vision Zero is a set of principles and policies aimed at eliminating serious injuries and fatalities involving road traffic. It shifts responsibility for crashes from road users to the designers of the road system – if one occurs, it is up to authorities to ensure that it does not happen again. 

15.Traditional approaches to road safety assume that people can be taught, persuaded or compelled to behave safely. A Safe System approach is different. It accepts that while road-users should behave safely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

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

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 Councillors Dan Morris and Steve Davenport and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services in relation to the Pant- Llanymynech by-pass and the North West Relief Road. By way of supplementary question Councillor Morris commented that a majority of Shropshire businesses supported the NWRR and asked whether the Cabinet would work with local businesses to extol the virtues of the NWRR to the population of Shropshire.  The Portfolio Holder advised that Cabinet were in regular dialogue with local businesses regarding the benefits of the NWRR.

Received from Councillor Julian Dean and answered by the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport in relation to energy efficiency at the council owned shopping centres.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Dean asked the Portfolio Holder whether the use of green leases could be investigated.  The Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing advised that he would look into this but could make no commitment until the full implications were known

Received from Councillor Mike Isherwood and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing  in relation to prevention of mould in council owned housing stock.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Isherwood asked what the Council is doing to support other providers to achieve the same standards as its own.  The Portfolio Holder advised that the Council actively worked with all registered landlords in Shropshire, through the Social Housing Forum.  He advised that Officers would look into the specific cases he had alluded to.

Received from Councillor Rob Wilson and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services  in relation to resurfacing of roads, footways and cycleways.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Wilson commented that a lot of young people could not take up apprenticeships due to due to not having cars and not being able to get to the place of work by other means and that the Place Overview Committee had asked that in future the resurfacing be disaggregated into Highway, footway and cycleway.  He asked the Portfolio Holder whether he would support this request.  The Portfolio Holder agreed to look into this.

The Chairman advised that an emergency question had been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.4(b). A copy of the question and the formal response is attached to the signed minutes.

Received from Councillor Nat Green and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services  in relation to the Council’s response to an incident in Shrewsbury.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Green asked when the report is done cold it be made available at the next Council meeting.    The Portfolio Holder agreed to look into this.

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 item

To approve as a correct record the exempt minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 September 2022

RESOLVED:

That the Exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2022, as circulated with the agenda papers, be approved, and signed as a correct record.

Exempt Report of the Assistant Director Economy and Place is attached

Contact Tracy Darke  Tel: 01743 254915

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services, Councillor Richard Marshall, and seconded by Councillor Peggy Mullock that the report of the Assistant Director of Economy and Place, 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 report be approved

Exempt Report of the Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Dean Carroll, and seconded by Councillor Joyce Barrow  that the exempt report of the Director of Place, 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 report be approved