Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Steve Davenport, Paul Gill, Kate Halliday, Tracey Huffer, Richard Huffer, Mark Jones, David Minnery, Dan Morris and Paul Wynn

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.

With regard to Motion 4 - Annual Cost of Care Fee Review – Revised Methodology Linked to Providers’ Actual Increased Costs, Councillor Ruth Houghton declared that she was a trustee of an organisation that provided care and that she would leave the room and take no part in the debate and vote.

With regard to Item 9 – Local Authority Housing Fund, Councillor Julia Buckley declared that she was a Board Member of STAR Housing.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 December 2023

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 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.

Chairman’s Engagements

The Chairman referred Members to the list of official engagements carried out by himself and the Vice Chair since the last meeting of the Council on 15 December 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 24 February 2023

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Mike Streetly, Hannah Peters, Emma Bullard and Chris Naylor. 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, 2nd March, 2023, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Leader Councillor Lezley Picton and seconded by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources, Councillor Gwilym Butler, 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 Julia Buckley proposed that the following should be added to the resolution: -

5B - Council to offer a Council Tax rebate equivalent to the rise (effectively a Council Tax freeze) to all those residents currently in receipt of benefits and living in properties whose Council Tax is banded A or B for 2023/24

This was seconded by Councillor Caroline Bagnall

On being put to a recorded vote with 27 Members voting for, 36 against and no abstentions as follows:

FOR:

Councillors Bagnall, Bentick, Boddington, Buckley, Clarke, Connolly, Dartnall, Davies, Dean, J Evans, R Evans, Hartin, Houghton, Isherwood, Kerr, Kidd, Moseley, Mosley, Pardy, Parry, Parsons, Towers, Turley, Vasmer, Wagner, M Williams and Wilson

AGAINST:

Councillors Aldcroft, Anderson, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Bird, Broomhall, Burchett, Butler, Dakin, Elner, D Evans, Gittins, Harris, Hignett, Hunt, Hurst-Knight, S Jones, Lea, Luff, Lumby, Lynch, Macey, Marshall, Motley, Mullock, Nellins, Picton, Potter, Price, Schofield, Thomas, Wild and B Williams.

The amendment fell

On being put to a recorded vote with 38 Members voting for, 25 against and no abstentions as follows:

FOR:

Councillors Aldcroft, Anderson, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Bird, Broomhall, Burchett, Butler, Dakin, Elner, D Evans, Gittins, Harris, Hignett, Hunt, Hurst-Knight, S Jones, Lea, Luff, Lumby, Lynch, Macey, Marshall, Motley, Mullock, Nellins, Picton, Potter, Price, Schofield, Thomas, Towers, Turley, Wild and B Williams.

AGAINST:

Councillors Bagnall, Bentick, Boddington, Buckley, Clarke, Connolly, Dartnall, Davies, Dean, J Evans, R Evans, Hartin, Houghton, Isherwood, Kerr, Kidd, Moseley, Mosley, Pardy, Parry, Parsons, Vasmer, Wagner, M Williams and Wilson

It was RESOLVED

That members:

A.    Approve a 4.99% Council tax rise (a 2.99% increase to Council Tax and a 2% increase to Adult Social Care Precept) resulting in a basic amount of council tax for a Band D property of £1,639.01 in the billing authority’s area, calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (section 42b).

B.    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:

C.    Approve that a total precept of £193,577,046.

D.    Approve the formal council tax resolution as set out in Appendix 4 to determine the levels of Council Tax for Shropshire Council for 2023/24.

E.    Approve the 2023/24 budget of £645.741m outlined in the Budget Book at Appendix 3. 

F.    Note the key changes to the MTFS as outlined in Appendix 1 since the December update of the MTFS and the advice relating to those changes, in particular

·         The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

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 Chris Schofield 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:

1.     note the breakdown of the total income for 2022/23 and 2023/24 and in particular that the proposed 2023/24 charges for discretionary services represent £45.052m of the £86.918m of income derived from Fees and Charges.

2.     approve the charges for 2023/24 as detailed in Appendix 3 to be implemented from 1 April 2023.

3.     note 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.

4.     Revise housing rents as follows (subject to restrictions or exemptions identified in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill):

                        i.        Social Housing rents for 2023/24 are increased by 7% from 3rd April 2023.

                       ii.        Affordable rents for 2023/24 are increased by 7% from 3rd April 2023

                      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. For 2023/24 the increase is capped at 7% in line with the cap imposed on social housing rents.

                      iv.        Service charges continue to be set based on actual cost.

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 Nick Bardsley 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 Full Council  

               i.        Approve, with any comments, the Treasury Strategy for 2023/24, set out in appendix 1 (parts 1-3). 

              ii.        Approve, with any comments, the Investment Strategy, set out in Appendix 1 (part 4) in accordance with the DLUHC Guidance on Local Government Investments.  

             iii.        Approve, with any comments, the Prudential Indicators, set out in Appendix 1 (part 5), in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003. 

            iv.        Approve, with any comments, the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement, set out in Appendix 1 (part 6). 

             v.         Authorise the Section 151 Officer 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. 

            vi.        Authorise the Section 151 Officer to use other Foreign Banks which meet Link’s creditworthiness policy as required. 

           vii.        Authorise the Section 151 Officer to progress and finalise the restatement and amendment of Cornovii Development Ltd loan agreements. 

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 Roy Aldcroft 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 Members

1.    Agree to enter into the MoU with DLUHC, on the basis that the Council will use best endeavours to acquire the full target of dwellings to which the allocation of grant funding relates and delegates authority to the Executive Director of Resources to agree, sign and return the MoU by the deadline of 15 March 2023. 

2.    Approve that capital investment of up to £0.750m of Section 106 commuted sums and prudential borrowing of up to £3.2m in the HRA is used to match fund the DLUHC grant funding of £3.2m to acquire up to 30 dwellings into the HRA. 

3.    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 dwellings into the HRA. 

4.    Delegate to the Head of Property and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing, the authority to agree and complete appropriate freehold acquisitions. 

In accordance with the decision of Council at its meeting held on 15 December 2022, applications were invited for an Independent co-opted member of the Audit Committee.  Following the selection process, Council is recommended to approve the co-option of Jim Arnold to the Council’s Audit Committee.

The Chairman Councillor Vince Hunt advised the meeting that in accordance with the decision of Council at its meeting held on 15 December 2022, applications were invited for an Independent co-opted member of the Audit Committee.  Following the selection process, Council was recommended to approve the co-option of Jim Arnold to the Council’s Audit Committee.

It was proposed by the Chair of the Audit Committee, Councillor Brian Williams and seconded by Councillor Simon Harris and duly RESOLVED:

That Jim Arnold be appointed as an Independent co-opted member of the Audit Committee

Performance Management Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Steve Charmley ceases to be a member of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee

People Overview Committee

Councillor Roy Aldcroft to replace Councillor Steve Davenport as a substitute member of the People Overview Committee

Place Overview Committee

Councillor Dan Morris ceases to be a member of the Place Overview Committee

Communities Overview Committee

Councillor Elliott Lynch ceases to be a member of the Communities Overview Committee

Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Chris Schofield ceases to be a member of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Andy Boddington to replace Councillor Roger Evans as a member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Richard Huffer to replace Councillor Nigel Hartin as a member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Nigel Hartin to replace Councillor Vivienne Parry as a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee

It was proposed by the Chairman Councillor Vince Hunt, and seconded by the Vice Chairman Councillor Brian Williams that the following amendments to committee membership be agreed

Performance Management Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Steve Charmley ceases to be a member of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee

People Overview Committee

Councillor Roy Aldcroft to replace Councillor Steve Davenport as a substitute member of the People Overview Committee

Place Overview Committee

Councillor Dan Morris ceases to be a member of the Place Overview Committee

Communities Overview Committee

Councillor Elliott Lynch ceases to be a member of the Communities Overview Committee

Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Chris Schofield ceases to be a member of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Andy Boddington to replace Councillor Roger Evans as a member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Richard Huffer to replace Councillor Nigel Hartin as a member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Nigel Hartin to replace Councillor Vivienne Parry as a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Rachel Connolly to replace Councillor Kevin Pardy as a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee

RESOLVED:

That

Performance Management Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Steve Charmley ceases to be a member of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee

People Overview Committee

Councillor Roy Aldcroft to replace Councillor Steve Davenport as a substitute member of the People Overview Committee

Place Overview Committee

Councillor Dan Morris ceases to be a member of the Place Overview Committee

Communities Overview Committee

Councillor Elliott Lynch ceases to be a member of the Communities Overview Committee

Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Chris Schofield ceases to be a member of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Andy Boddington to replace Councillor Roger Evans as a member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Richard Huffer to replace Councillor Nigel Hartin as a member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Nigel Hartin to replace Councillor Vivienne Parry as a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Rachel Connolly to replace Councillor Kevin Pardy as a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee

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

1.    Motion received from Councillor Julian Dean supported by the Green Group

Council notes and supports:

The following statements from the Department for Transport’s “Decarbonising Transport – A Better, Greener Britain” report:

“Buses are the easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to improve public transport.”

“As well as decarbonising private and commercial road vehicles, therefore, we must increase the share of trips taken by public transport, cycling and walking.”

The temporary £2 national bus fare limit.

The expectation that government will require a ‘vision led approach’ to for the new Local Transport Plan to specifically target carbon emissions through modal change and “that LTAs will need to define Quantified Carbon Reductions (QCRs) for any proposed interventions included within the LTP” (taken from UPDATE ON LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN FOR SHROPSHIRE report to Place Overview Committee February 2023).

We further note recent expressions of support for better public transport by the local Federation of Small Businesses and the Shropshire Business Chamber, pointing to recruitment challenges due to young people who either choose not to drive, or can’t afford to, not being able to access work opportunities.

Council expresses its disappointment at the rejection of the Levelling Up Fund bid to support public transport but remains committed to an improved bus service as a key element in providing improved connectivity without further damage to environment. We welcome, as an example, the aspiration of the MP for North Shropshire and the Portfolio holder for Climate Change, The Environment and Transport for express bus services connecting Market Drayton to Shrewsbury.

Council believes:

Preferential access to the town centre for bus services is key to attracting people out of cars into the most space efficient mode of transport, the urban bus.

A well designed and conveniently located transport hub is a pre-requisite for an effective bus network, serving the needs of both passengers and drivers.

The current bus station site, which is in the public realm and has easy access to the train station and the Darwin Shopping Centre remains the ideal location. Alternatives discussed so far, such as suggestions for a range of bus stops around the railway station instead of a bus station would be a poor substitute for a modern bus interchange station and would fail to signal our commitment to excellent public transport for the future.

The redevelopment of the riverside area provides an opportunity to install a new and attractive bus interchange and transport hub on this location, integrated with other developments. We note that other towns of similar size to Shrewsbury have installed new bus station interchanges in recent years.

Therefore council resolves:

To commit to ensuring that the county town of Shrewsbury retains a proper Bus Station by requiring that the masterplan brief for the Riverside redevelopment includes the requirement for an attractive bus station with excellent links to rail and town centre, making best use of the current location. 

2.    Motion received from Councillor David Vasmer and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 96.

The following motion was received from Councillor Julian Dean and supported by the Green Group

Council notes and supports:

The following statements from the Department for Transport’s “Decarbonising Transport – A Better, Greener Britain” report:

“Buses are the easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to improve public transport.”

“As well as decarbonising private and commercial road vehicles, therefore, we must increase the share of trips taken by public transport, cycling and walking.”

The temporary £2 national bus fare limit.

The expectation that government will require a ‘vision led approach’ to for the new Local Transport Plan to specifically target carbon emissions through modal change and “that LTAs will need to define Quantified Carbon Reductions (QCRs) for any proposed interventions included within the LTP” (taken from UPDATE ON LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN FOR SHROPSHIRE report to Place Overview Committee February 2023).

We further note recent expressions of support for better public transport by the local Federation of Small Businesses and the Shropshire Business Chamber, pointing to recruitment challenges due to young people who either choose not to drive, or can’t afford to, not being able to access work opportunities.

Council expresses its disappointment at the rejection of the Levelling Up Fund bid to support public transport but remains committed to an improved bus service as a key element in providing improved connectivity without further damage to environment. We welcome, as an example, the aspiration of the MP for North Shropshire and the Portfolio holder for Climate Change, The Environment and Transport for express bus services connecting Market Drayton to Shrewsbury.

Council believes:

Preferential access to the town centre for bus services is key to attracting people out of cars into the most space efficient mode of transport, the urban bus.

A well designed and conveniently located transport hub is a pre-requisite for an effective bus network, serving the needs of both passengers and drivers.

The current bus station site, which is in the public realm and has easy access to the train station and the Darwin Shopping Centre remains the ideal location. Alternatives discussed so far, such as suggestions for a range of bus stops around the railway station instead of a bus station would be a poor substitute for a modern bus interchange station and would fail to signal our commitment to excellent public transport for the future.

The redevelopment of the riverside area provides an opportunity to install a new and attractive bus interchange and transport hub on this location, integrated with other developments. We note that other towns of similar size to Shrewsbury have installed new bus station interchanges in recent years.

Therefore council resolves:

To commit to ensuring that the county town of Shrewsbury retains a proper Bus Station by requiring that the masterplan brief for the Riverside redevelopment includes the requirement for an attractive bus station with excellent links to rail and town centre, making best use of the current location. 

Councillor Julia Evans seconded the motion

By way of amendment Councillor Rosemary Dartnall proposed that

Council believes:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

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 Roy Aldcroft  and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services in relation to mitigations to address the impact of HS2 works on the parish of Woore,  By way of supplementary question Councillor Aldcroft asked for an update on any recent meetings the Council had had with HS2.  The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services that the Council had and would continue to work closely with Woore Parish Council.  He stated that Shropshire Council was only a consultative authority as the primary authority was Staffordshire but that during the process to date the Council had negotiated 32 mitigations worth in the region £114,000.00 worth of works to be put in place. 

Received from Councillor Ruth Houghton and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital in relation to help for leisure centres with sustainability plans.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Houghton asked for information around the timescales for the feasibility plan and the carbon reduction plans.  The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital advised her that the plans would take some time to formulate and that the Council was looking at different management options for leisure centres.  He added that currently it was not known what government grants and subsidies would be available.

Councillor Roger Evans stated that he had submitted an urgent question.  The Chairman advised the meeting that the Chief Executive had concluded that the question was not urgent, that he agreed with that assessment and that he would not therefore be taking it.  He further advised that a response to the question would be given at the forthcoming meeting of Cabinet.

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 15 December 2022

RESOLVED:

That the Exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2022, as circulated with the agenda papers, be approved, and signed as a correct record

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

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