At the start of the meeting Councillor Alan Mosley paid tribute to the work of Ex Councillor Derek Woodvine who had been a longstanding Member of Shropshire County Council who had died recently.  The meeting observed a short period of silence in his memory

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Ed Bird, Andy Boddington, Steve Charmley, Gerald Dakin, Julian Dean, Nat Green, Richard Huffer, Tracey Huffer, Heather Kidd, Pam Moseley, Tony Parsons, Lezley Picton, Robert Tindall and Rob Wilson

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 Vince Hunt declared an interest in agenda item 12b - Motion to stop the use of Glyphosates and oppose the use of Neonicotinoids in Shropshire.  He stated that he would leave the room and take no part in the debate and vote.

Councillor Claire Wild declared an interest in agenda item 7 – Levelling Up Fund Award for Shrewsbury.  She  stated that he would leave the room and take no part in the debate and vote.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 May 2023

Councillor Roger Evans commented that he felt that there was not enough detail in the minutes and that the comments made by Members during the debate should be summed up in the minutes.  The Chair agreed to discuss this with the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer after the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 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 11 May 2023, which had been circulated by email.

Kings Birthday Honours

The Chairman congratulated all those that had received honours in the recent Birthday Honours List and confirmed that he had written to them to congratulate them.

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 30^th June 2023

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Barry Greig, Frank Smallman, Christopher Forde, Paul Cawthorne, Jamie Russell and Mike Streetly. 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, 6th July, 2023, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

Report of the Executive Director of 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 Deputy Leader, Councillor Ian Nellins 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 Roger Evans proposed that the recommendation be changed to read: -

It is recommended that Members

In respect of the revenue budget:

a)    Note with dismay that again the budget agreed by council was overspent by £8.499m.

b)    Note that as a result of this overspend the level of the General Fund balance has now been reduced to a dangerous level of just £7.093m.

c)    Note that during the year our service-related Earmarked Reserves and Provisions were further reduced by £33.192m

d)    Note that yet again only 69% of the 2022/23 was delivered. £6.566m of savings were not achieved, and £1.965 of these have had to be carried forward into 2023/24.

e)    Council notes that the combination of earmarked and un-earmarked (General) reserves is below a level that would be regarded as safe, taking into account local circumstances.

Relating to ringfenced funding:

f)     Note the performance of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) – £0.768m (4%) surplus outturn for 2022/23 on £19m turnover, and the resulting level of the HRA reserve of £12.359m. The level of the accumulated surpluses held as a reserve should be reviewed and an appropriate action plan brought forward.

g)    Note that the level of school balances has increased by £2.296m, from £8.191m in 2021/22 to £10.487m. The level of accumulated net surpluses in schools’ balances is considerable, and schools should identify the rationale for holding balances at those levels. 

In respect of the capital programme:

h)    Approve net budget variations of -£4.007m to the 2022/23 capital programme (in Appendix 11) and the re-profiled 2022/23 capital budget of £111.112m.

i)     Approve the re-profiled capital budgets of £26.575m for 2023/234, including slippage of £10.747m from 2022/23, £110.787m for 2024/25 and £56.264m for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 15.

j)     Accept the outturn expenditure set out in Appendices 12 and 13 of £100.365m, representing 90.3% of the revised capital budget for 2022/23.

k)    Approve retaining a balance of capital receipts set aside of £17.465m as at 31st March 2023 to generate a one-off Minimum Revenue Provision saving of £0.572m in 2023/24.

This was seconded by Councillor David Vasmer.

On being put to a recorded vote with 20 Members voting for, 39 against and no abstentions as follows:

FOR:

Councillors Bagnall, Bentick, Buckley, Clarke, Connolly, Dartnall, Davies, J Evans, R Evans, Halliday, Hartin, Houghton, Isherwood, Kerr, Mosley, Pardy, Parry, Vasmer, Wagner and M Williams.

AGAINST:

Councillors Aldcroft, Anderson, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Broomhall, Burchett, Butler, Carroll, Davenport, Elner, D Evans, Gill, Gittins, Harris, Hignett, Hunt, Hurst-Knight, M Jones, S Jones, Lea, Luff, Lumby, Macey, Marshall, Minnery, Morris, Motley, Mullock, Nellins,   Potter, Price, Schofield, Thomas, Towers, Turley, Wild, B Williams and Wynn.

The amendment fell.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

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.

RESOLVED:

That Council agree to: 

1.    Approve the acceptance of the Levelling Up Fund Grant award from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), and instruct officers to progress the associated projects. 

2.    Approve financing of the Council’s cash match funding requirement of £3.793m from borrowing with an associated annual revenue impact of £0.269m 

3.    Approve the inclusion of enabling and infrastructure works associated to the Levelling Up Fund Award, within the planning application(s) for the demolition of the Riverside Shopping Centre and the former Riverside medical practice, as recommendation 3.2 approved in the Council report titled ‘Shrewsbury Town Centre Redevelopment Phase One’ 16 February 2022. 

4.    Delegate to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Section 151 officer and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Planning to: 

4.1.    proceed with compiling the full financial details and business case for the two projects summarised in item 2.2 of the report, for inclusion in a further report for consideration by Council. 

4.2.    progress a procurement and delivery strategy for the two projects summarised in items 2.2 of the report. 

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.

In response to a request from a Member the Portfolio Holder agreed that a report updating Members on progress with the Scheme would be brought to the Council meeting in December.

RESOLVED:

That Council

1.    Agree to the MoU with DLUHC, on the basis that the Council will use its 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 14 July 2023. 

2.    Approve that capital investment of up to £0.45m of Section 106 commuted sums and prudential borrowing on rental income of up to £0.97m is used to match fund the DLUHC grant funding of £1.20m to acquire up to ten dwellings into the HRA. 

3.    Delegate to the Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Assistant Director of Homes and Communities and the Head of Property and Development the authority 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.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources is attached

It was proposed by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources that the report, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

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

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital is attached

It was proposed by Councillor Robert 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.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Kevin Turley is appointed as a member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Robert Tindall is appointed as a substitute member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Economy & Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Peggy Mullock to replace Councillor Ed Bird as a substitute member of the Economy & Environment Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Chris Schofield to replace Councillor Jeff Anderson as a substitute member of the Economy & Environment Scrutiny Committee

People Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Viv Parry to replace Councillor Mark Williams as a member of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Mark Williams to replace Councillor Viv Parry as a substitute member of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Roy Aldcroft is appointed as a substitute member of the Northern 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

Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Kevin Turley is appointed as a member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Robert Tindall is appointed as a substitute member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Economy & Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Peggy Mullock to replace Councillor Ed Bird as a substitute member of the Economy & Environment Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Chris Schofield to replace Councillor Jeff Anderson as a substitute member of the Economy & Environment Scrutiny Committee

People Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Viv Parry to replace Councillor Mark Williams as a member of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Mark Williams to replace Councillor Viv Parry as a substitute member of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Roy Aldcroft is appointed as a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

RESOLVED:

That the following changes in committee membership be agreed

Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Kevin Turley is appointed as a member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Robert Tindall is appointed as a substitute member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Economy & Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Peggy Mullock to replace Councillor Ed Bird as a substitute member of the Economy & Environment Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Chris Schofield to replace Councillor Jeff Anderson as a substitute member of the Economy & Environment Scrutiny Committee

People Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Viv Parry to replace Councillor Mark Williams as a member of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Mark Williams to replace Councillor Viv Parry as a substitute member of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Roy Aldcroft is appointed as a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

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

a)    Motion received from Councillor Dan Thomas and supported by Councillors Simon Harris, Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Ian Nellins and Lezley Picton

Shropshire Council believes that the use of disposable vapes by young people is concerning. The marketing of colourful, candy-flavoured vapes that are relatively cheap with easy access to them will create a new generation of nicotine addicts and the subsequent public health crisis. We've seen a seven-fold increase in 11 to 17-year-olds nationally choosing single-use vaping products since 2021. The overall message for adult smokers that they are 'better than smoking' means many think they are not harmful, yet there has been no specific research undertaken into the health impacts of vaping on young people’s development, including their respiratory health, and impacts for adults in the long term are not yet clear.

We are particularly concerned about disposable vapes which contain lithium and copper. These elements are crucial for our efforts to tackle climate change through the green transition. Shropshire has a unique and beautiful countryside, and it's becoming more and more regular to see disposable vape pens littered there.

Shropshire Council, therefore, calls on the Government to legislate for a ban on the sale of disposable vapes. This will help to prevent a new public health catastrophe among children and tackle the vast and growing environmental impact of the devices, especially the single-use plastic and use of lithium batteries that are hard to recycle and pose a fire risk.

By way of amendment Councillor Kate Halliday proposed the following: -

Shropshire Council believes that the use of disposable vapes by young people is concerning. The marketing of colourful, candy-flavoured vapes that are relatively cheap and easy to access, could create a new generation addicted to nicotine There has been no specific research undertaken into the health impacts of vaping on young people’s development, including their respiratory health. There is also a growing environmental impact of these devices, especially the single-use plastic and use of lithium batteries and copper that are hard to recycle and pose a fire risk. 

While it is the case that the long- term health outcomes for adults have also not been researched, the UK Government states ‘Vaping is an important tool to help the government achieve its ambition for England to be smokefree by 2030. This is because vaping is one of the most effective ways to help people quit smoking. A recent?Cochrane systematic review?found with ‘high certainty’ that vapes were more effective than nicotine replacement therapy. Ensuring vaping devices can continue to be made available to current smokers is vital to reducing smoking rates, and their use contributes to an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 additional fewer smokers per year.

One survey suggests that over half of all vapes used in the UK are disposable, with the majority being used by adults who are reducing/ceasing tobacco use 2. 

While it may play a part, there is no guarantee that banning disposable vapes will solve the problem of young people vaping. As a measure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

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 Alex Wagner and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Communities in relation to mental health services in Shropshire. By way of supplementary question Councillor Wagner asked whether the increase in funding quoted in the response was just to cover rising costs or were there any new schemes proposed?  The Portfolio Holder agreed to provide a response after the meeting

Received from Councillor Bernie Bentick and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Communities in relation to woman’s health services.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Bentick asked when there would be a commitment to the formation of a Woman’s Health Hub?  The Portfolio Holder advised Councillor Bentick that his question should be referred to the Integrated Care Board possibly via Joint HOSC

Received from Councillor Roger Evans and answered by the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services in relation to “Blue Badge” applications. By way of supplementary question Councillor Evans asked when the backlog would be cleared, and whether any of the backlog was due to the desire of the Council to become a “Digital Council”?  The Portfolio Holder stated that the delay had nothing to do with the Council becoming a “Digital Council”.  He added that the number of officers processing the applications had increased and that there were further vacancies to be filled. 

To receive the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority arising from its meeting held on 14 June 2023

It was proposed by Councillor David Minnery 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.

Councillor Pardy asked why in some cases the maximum number of occupants of a hotel was ignored when asylum seekers were being accommodated.  Councillor Minnery agreed to get back to him with a response.

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 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

Councillor Alex Wagner commented that there was a lot of local public interest in the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme Update report and that he felt that it should be considered in public session.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Dean Carroll stated that report was exempt because it contained commercially sensitive information which could not be disclosed in public.

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 11 May 2023

RESOLVED:

That the Exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2023, as circulated with the agenda papers, be approved, and signed as a correct record.

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 Mark Jones that the exempt 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 the recommendations contained in the report be agreed