To elect a Chairman for the ensuing year

The Chief Executive informed the Council that he had just received the formal resignation of the Chairman, Councillor Vince Hunt, with immediate effect, thus enabling him to remain in the Chamber and vote in the event of his nomination for the office of Chairman.  The Vice-Chairman took the Chair and called for nominations for the election of Chairman of Shropshire Council.

It was proposed by the Leader, Councillor Lezley Picton and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Ian Nellins that Councillor Vince Hunt be elected as Chairman of Shropshire Council.

It was RESOLVED:

That Councillor Vince Hunt be elected as Chairman of Shropshire Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council on 9 May 2024.

Councillor Hunt then took the Chair and subscribed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office before being invested with the Chairman’s badge of office.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bernie Bentick, Rob Gittins, Richard Huffer, Tracey Huffer, Elliot Lynch, David Minnery, Kevin Pardy and Ed Potter 

To appoint a Vice Chairman for the ensuing year

The Chief Executive then informed the Council that he had just received the formal resignation of the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Brian Williams, with immediate effect, thus enabling him to remain in the Chamber and vote in the event of his nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman.  The Chairman called for nominations for the election of Vice-Chairman of Shropshire Council.

The Leader, Councillor Lezley Picton proposed that Councillor Brian Williams be elected as Vice Chairman of Shropshire Council. This was seconded by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Ian Nellins.

It was RESOLVED: -

That Councillor Brian Williams should be appointed as Vice-Chairman of Shropshire Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council on 9 May 2024.

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 30 March 2023

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2023, 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 30^th March 2022, which had been circulated by email prior to the meeting.

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 Thursday 4 May 2023

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Heather Waters, Linton Waters and Tom Forrester. A copy of the questions and the responses provided are attached to the minutes and available from the web page for the meeting.

Agenda for Council on Thursday, 11th May, 2023, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

Report of the Assistant Director – Legal and Governance is attached (Appendix 2 TO FOLLOW)

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.

RESOLVED: 

That the Council confirms the constitution of committees and the allocation of seats to each of the political groups for the 20223/24 municipal year and the allocation of seats between the political groups, as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report.

To resolve that the Responsibility for Functions, set out in Part 3 of the Constitution and the Scheme of Delegations, set out in Part 8 of the Constitution be agreed. There have been no substantive changes since the updates approved by Council on 15 July 2021

The Chairman, Councillor Vince Hunt moved that the Responsibility for Functions, set out in Part 3 of the Constitution and the Scheme of Delegations, set out in Part 8 of the Constitution be approved. This was seconded by the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Brian Williams.

RESOLVED:

That the Responsibility for Functions, as set out in Part 3 of the Constitution and the Scheme of Delegations, as set out in Part 8 of the Constitution be approved

Report of the Chief Executive is attached

Contact:  Andy Begley, 01743 252756

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 Chief Executive, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received, and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That Members approve the proposed amendments to the overview and scrutiny arrangements within the Constitution as set out in the appendix to the report

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

The following motion was received from Councillor Joyce Barrow and supported by Councillors David Evans, Simon Harris and Chris Schofield  

Dark Skies 

Preamble:  

Shropshire Council has a Statutory Duty to address issues of pollution, and a Statutory Duty to determine applications for planning. In carrying out that latter duty, considerable care, and attention is given to the environmental impacts (including pollution) of proposed development. Developers are required to submit assessments of the impacts of development on wildlife, and mitigation measures for dealing with any pollution which may be generated by the development.  

A 2016 study found that 80 percent of the world – and more than 99 percent of the US and European populations – live under skies polluted by artificial light, impairing their views of the stars above them.   

Artificial lighting, particularly in residential areas, can adversely affect people’s ability to sleep and ability to view the night sky. The two main causes are the general loss of night sky from the cumulative effects of urban lighting, and the nuisance caused by single sources that emit high levels of glare. The visibility of the night sky is most affected by artificial lighting that is projected upwards and excessive lighting that is reflected upwards, in particular by lighting that creates more blue light (cooler colour temperatures).  

The welfare and enjoyment of Shropshire is associated with its character, including its night-time ambience. Shropshire also values the practice of energy conservation, and therefore sustainable outdoor lighting practices should be encouraged to decrease the human impact on the environment since light pollution represents a waste of energy, contributing to our carbon footprint.   

The need for outdoor light at night may be appropriately met by considering the purpose of the light, targeting it appropriately to that purpose, using the correct illumination level, limiting the duration of its use to legitimate need, and choosing lights that emit lower amounts of harmful blue light into the night-time environment. Properly designed electric lighting at night can be beautiful, healthy, and functional; saving energy and money, reducing light pollution, and minimizing wildlife disruption.  

MOTION:  

1.    In accordance with its aim of promoting the health and well-being of the residents of Shropshire: AND as part of its statutory duties in relation to pollution control AND planning,  the Council will promote sustainable outdoor lighting, through both direct action where the Council has control of lighting sources, through planning policy in relation to new developments, and by advocacy with businesses and residents to encourage more consideration of the need for light during hours of darkness and alternative solutions e.g. use of motion sensors or infra-red sensors for security purposes.  

2.    The aim will be to eliminate or reduce wherever possible, instances of light pollution throughout Shropshire. As part of this policy for sustainable lighting, the Council will examine ways to reduce light pollution from both urban and rural settlements and consider areas which might be designated as ‘dark sky’ places suitable for the enjoyment of the night sky.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

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

The Speaker advised that the following questions had been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.  A copy of the report containing the detailed questions and their formal response is attached to the signed minutes.

Received from Councillor Tom Biggins and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services in relation to the installation of a new mini-roundabout at the junction of Claypit Street and London Road, Whitchurch.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Biggins asked the Leader of the Council to take a personal interest in the matter

Received from Councillor Ruth Houghton and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Public Health, and Communities in relation to attendance allowance.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Houghton asked how the Council will help those people who are eligible but don’t come under adult social care to gain access to attendance allowance.  The Portfolio Holder agreed to provide a response outside of the meeting.

Received from Councillor Heather Kidd and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources in relation to the Marches LEP.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Kidd asked  what plans were in place in case of a gap in funding caused by the ending of the LEP.  The Portfolio Holder advised the meeting that he had already been in discussion with the Executive Director of Resources regarding an exit strategy around the LEP and the funding pots which have not yet been allocated.  He added that when more detail was available, he would post a briefing note on the Member Gateway.

Received from Councillor Julian Dean and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Growth,

Regeneration and Housing in relation to the Shropshire Economic Partnership Board. By way of supplementary question Councillor Dean asked that when the report to Members was done it included an impact report to show whether the money spent aligned with the Council’s priorities. He also asked whether the Portfolio Holder was content with the rate of use of the money.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed that he would provide a response outside of the meeting.

Received from Councillor Julia Buckley and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services in relation to highway repairs in Bridgnorth. By way of supplementary question Councillor Buckley asked why he felt that the level of service she had outlined was acceptable.  The Portfolio Holder outlined further work that had been carried out on the example that Councillor Buckley had given.  He confirmed that Bridgnorth received the same priority with regard to highway repairs as all other parts of the county.

Received from Councillor Rob Wilson and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services in relation to aligning the LCWIP with the highways resurfacing programme. By way of supplementary question Councillor Wilson asked when the first LTN120 compliant piece of infrastructure in Shropshire.  The Portfolio Holder agreed to supply a response outside of the meeting

To agree that the meetings of the Council in 2023 – 2024 will be held on the following Thursdays, commencing at 10.00 am.

6 July 2023

21 September 2023

14 December 2023

29 February 2024

21 March 2024 

9 May 2024

RESOLVED:

That meetings of the Council in 2023 – 2024 would be held on the following Thursdays, commencing at 10.00 am.

6 July 2023

21 September 2023

14 December 2023

29 February 2024

21 March 2024 

9 May 2024

To resolve that, in accordance with the provisions of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.4 [3] of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items

RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with the provisions of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.4 [3] of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items

To approve as a correct record the exempt minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 March 2023

RESOLVED:

That the Exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2023, as circulated with the

agenda papers, be approved, and signed as a correct record

Report of the Chief Executive is attached

Contact:  Andy Begley, 01743 252756

It was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital, Councillor Rob Macey, and seconded by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources Councillor Gwilym Butler that the exempt 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 the recommendations contained in the report be approve