Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Garry Burchett, Mike Isherwood, Paul Gill, Cecilia Motley and Robert Tindall.

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 21 September 2023

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 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.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Colin Taylor to his first meeting following his election as the councillor for the Alveley and Claverley Division

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 21 September 2023, which had been circulated prior to the meeting.

To receive any questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Michael Hinds, Ruth Cranley, 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, 14th December, 2023, 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 Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities and seconded by Councillor Lezley Picton, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Policy and Strategy, Improvement and Communications 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 68 Members voting for, none against and no abstentions as follows:

FOR:

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

It was RESOLVED:

That Council

1.    approve, in accordance with the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 the revised discretionary power to levy a Council Tax premium of 100% in relation to dwellings which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than one year (but less than five years) i.e. reduce the minimum period for the implementation of the premium for long term empty premises from two years to one year and the resulting inclusion of 798.32 Band D equivalents in the taxbase calculation. This includes an additional 456.55 Band D equivalents as a result of the amendment to reduce the minimum period to one year and 341.77 Band D equivalents in relation to the existing policy for dwellings which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than two years (but less than five years).

2.    approve, in accordance with the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 the revised discretionary power to levy a Council Tax premium of 100% in respect of second homes from 1 April 2025.

3.    To approve the publication of a notice regarding the new discretionary Council Tax policy awarded in respect of unoccupied and substantially unfurnished dwellings and second homes within 21 days of the determination

4.    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 2024/25, as detailed in Appendix A, totalling 119,191.17 Band D equivalents.

5.    note the changes to the Council’s localised Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme in 2024/25. The scheme is attached at Appendix B.

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

7.    note the exclusion of 8,237.19 Band D equivalents from the taxbase calculation as a result of localised Council Tax Support.

8.    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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities and seconded by Councillor Lezley Picton, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Policy and Strategy, Improvement and Communications 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.

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

That Council

1.    Approve the actual 2022/23 prudential and treasury indicators in the report

2.    Note the annual treasury management report for 2022/23

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by the 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

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

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

Report of the Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Councillor Chris Schofield, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services 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

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

That the Council  adopts the proposed statement of licensing policy (‘the policy’), as set out in Appendix A, to take effect from 1 April 2024 and instructs the Transactional Management and Licensing Manager to publish and advertise the policy in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

Report of the Returning Officer is attached

Contact:  Andy Begley, 01743 258675

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

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

1.    That Council approve the following arrangements, in order for them to be implemented on or by 2 January 2024.

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Electoral Registration Officer to find a suitable alternative, in conjunction with local members, should any polling stations not be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Annual Report of the People Overview Committee is attached

The Chair of the People Overview Committee, Councillor Peggy Mullock, presented the annual report of the Committee for 2022-23. 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.

Councillor Moseley commented that she sat on the pupil disciplinary panel at a school where she was a governor and that previously when considering pupil exclusions, there had either been a member of the local authority inclusion team present, or if not present, they had submitted a report, but that this no longer happened.  Cllr Mullock agreed to look into this with the portfolio holder and report back to Councillor Moseley, copying in all members.

Members noted the contents of the report.

Annual Report of the Communities Overview Committee is attached

Councillor Robert Macey former chair of the Communities Overview Committee presented the annual report of the Communities Overview Committee for 2022-23. He outlined the work that had been carried out by the Committee and thanked members of the committee and officers for all their work. He then took questions.

Members noted the contents of the report.

Report of the Assistant Director – Legal and Governance is attached

Contact Tim Collard  Tel: 01743 252756  

It was proposed by the 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.

Several members expressed disappointment that a wider review was not being carried out but recognised that current timescales did not allow for this.

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

That the Terms of Reference for the following Community Governance reviews set out in appendices 1 to 5 be approved for consultation:

a. Albrighton/Donington

b. Baschurch/Pimhill(Bomere Heath and District)

c. Ludlow/Ludford

d. Market Drayton/Adderley

e. Shrewsbury

Report of the Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Councillor Chris Schofield, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services and seconded by Councillor Nick Hignett 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.

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

That Shropshire Council, as the Local Planning Authority ‘makes’ i.e. adopts the Pontesbury 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 Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743258919

It was proposed by the Councillor Robert Macey, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital 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

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

That Shropshire Council delegates the function of determining the formal application to upgrade footpaths and add a bridleway in the Parish of Woore in Shropshire and Buerton in Cheshire, to Cheshire East Council, as the claimed routes link with each other.

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.

On being put to a recorded vote with 37 Members voting for, 27 against and 5 abstentions as follows:

FOR:

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

AGAINST:

Councillors Bagnall, Bentick, Boddington, Buckley, Clarke, Connolly, Dartnall, Davies, R Evans, Green, Halliday, Hartin, Houghton, R Huffer, T Huffer, Kidd, Moseley, Mosley, Pardy, Parry, Parsons, Sherrington, Taylor, Vasmer, Wagner, M Williams and Wilson

ABSTENTION:

Councillors Dean, J Evans, Kerr, Minnery, and Towers

It was RESOLVED:

That the Council confirms the revised allocation of seats to each of the political groups for the remainder of the 2023/24 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 Standards Committee.

Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Robert Tindall to replace Councillor Kevin Turley as a member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Andrew Sherrington to replace Councillor Rob Wilson as a substitute member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Housing Supervisory Board

Councillor Roger Evans to replace Councillor Heather Kidd as a member of the Housing Supervisory Board

Councillor David Vasmer to replace Councillor Bernie Bentick as a substitute member of the Housing Supervisory Board

Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Roger Evans to be appointed a member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Nigel Hartin to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Nick Hignett to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor David Evans to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Mary Davies to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Joyce Barrow to be appointed 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.

Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Robert Tindall to replace Councillor Kevin Turley as a member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Andrew Sherrington to replace Councillor Rob Wilson as a substitute member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Housing Supervisory Board

Councillor Roger Evans to replace Councillor Heather Kidd as a member of the Housing Supervisory Board

Councillor David Vasmer to replace Councillor Bernie Bentick as a substitute member of the Housing Supervisory Board

Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Roger Evans to be appointed a member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Nigel Hartin to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Nick Hignett to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor David Evans to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Mary Davies to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Joyce Barrow to be appointed a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee

RESOLVED:

That the following changes in committee membership be agreed

Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Robert Tindall to replace Councillor Kevin Turley as a member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Andrew Sherrington to replace Councillor Rob Wilson as a substitute member of the Transformation and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Housing Supervisory Board

Councillor Roger Evans to replace Councillor Heather Kidd as a member of the Housing Supervisory Board

Councillor David Vasmer to replace Councillor Bernie Bentick as a substitute member of the Housing Supervisory Board

Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Roger Evans to be appointed a member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Nigel Hartin to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Nick Hignett to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor David Evans to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Mary Davies to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee

Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Joyce Barrow to be appointed a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee

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

The following motion was received from Councillor Duncan Kerr and supported by the Green Group

Waste Minimisation Strategy

On the 15th July 2021 we presented a motion to this Council calling on the authority to adopt a waste minimisation strategy by Dec 2021. This motion recognised that despite declaring a climate emergency Shropshire Council has the unenviable record of collecting more household waste per household than any other mainland authority in England. The consequences is higher carbon emissions and costs falling on our residents.

Even though the Council had a waste minimisation strategy in 2011 this motion was opposed by the Conservative controlling group who argued that it might result in charging for green waste and that the Government might be removing the powers of Local Authorities to do this. Recently the Government has made it clear that their fears were unfounded.

In the meantime, the Cabinet has received a report from a Scrutiny Committee recommending that a waste minimisation strategy be developed but not producing any timetable.

As a result of this lost opportunity for action our recycling performance has dropped by 2.7% from 2018/9 to 2021/2 relegating us out of the top 50 authorities for recycling; and our total waste arisings have increased by 7%. We are heading rapidly in the wrong direction.

It’s time to take some action on a service that the Council has direct control over and is an important contributor to the climate change which is already affecting Shropshire. This motion therefore commits the Council to have a Waste Minimisation Strategy approved by June 2024

This was seconded by Councillor Julian Dean

By way of alterations Councillor Kerr proposed that the final paragraph be amended to read:

It’s time to take some action on a service that the Council has direct control over and is an important contributor to the climate change which is already affecting Shropshire. This motion therefore commits the Council to have a Waste Minimisation Strategy approved by 1 September 2024

On taking a vote the amended motion was unanimously supported

The following motion was received from Councillor Mark Williams and supported by the Liberal Democrat Group

Limit Post-16 Student Transport Costs.

With the imminent closure of the Bridgnorth 6th Form, the Post-16 students in my ward will now be disadvantaged by having to travel much further for their compulsory Post-16 education. The significant problem that this causes my and many other rural wards is that these students will have to purchase at least two bus passes to get to their chosen college.

Using my ward, Highley, as an example; almost every student will need to purchase an annual Diamond Bus Pass costing £800 to get to Bridgnorth and then either a college specific pass at around £600 or an Arriva annual bus pass at £715 to get to their chosen college.

Our current system is forcing the parents and carers of our children to find around £1500 per year to send them to school. This is clearly unfair, if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

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 Councillor Duncan Kerr in relation to domestic abuse as a factor in child protection plans.  Councillor Kerr thanked the Portfolio Holder for the comprehensive response and did not have a supplementary question

Received from Councillor Ruth Houghton in relation to environmental issues in the River Clun. By way of supplementary question Councillor Houghton asked in light of the response how will the Council meet the housing needs of the people in the Clun valley?  The Portfolio Holder stated that work was ongoing to address the problems and that he would update Members when the work had progressed

Received from Councillor Julian Dean  in relation to resources for supporting safer streets.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Dean asked whether there were further opportunities to bring more of the work “in house”.  The Portfolio Holder stated that there were always opportunities to look at bringing more of the work “in house”

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 21^st September 2023

RESOLVED:

That the Exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 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 Councillor Vince Hunt, Chair of the Housing Supervisory Board and seconded by Councillor Dean Carroll, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Assets, 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.

It was unanimously RESOLVED

That the recommendation in the report be agreed

Exempt Report of the Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743 258919

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

It was unanimously RESOLVED

That the recommendation in the report be agreed

Exempt Report of the Executive Director of Place is attached

Contact Mark Barrow  Tel: 01743 258919

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

It was RESOLVED

That the recommendation in the report be agreed