Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Andy Boddington, Ted Clarke, Rosemary Dartnall, Julian Dean, David Evans, Richard Huffer, Mike Isherwood, Ed Potter, Colin Taylor 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 vote on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Councillor Jeff Anderson declared an interest in agenda item 10 – Shrewsbury Town Centre Regeneration: Smithfield Riverside Phase One Development. He left the room for the duration of this item.

Councillor Lezley Picton declared an interest in agenda item 10 – Shrewsbury Town Centre Regeneration: Smithfield Riverside Phase One Development. She left the room for the duration of this item

Councillor Claire Wild declared an interest in agenda item 10 – Shrewsbury Town Centre Regeneration: Smithfield Riverside Phase One Development. She left the room for the duration of this item

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 February 2024

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 February 2024, 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 29 February 2024, which had been emailed 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 5.00pm on Friday 15 March 2024

A petition, bearing over 1000 signatures has been received from Shrewsbury BID, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme.  The petition requests that the Council:

Halt damaging parking charge hikes.

The petitioner will be allowed 5 minutes to outline their case, after which there may a debate of up to a maximum of 15 minutes

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Kate Butler?, Patricia Kapalo?, Victoria Moore?, Tamarin Bibow?, Mike Dineen? and Andrew Bebb?.

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, 21st March, 2024, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

Petitions

The Speaker advised that a petition bearing more than 1,000 signatures received from Shrewsbury BID, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme. The petition requests that the Council: Halt damaging parking charge hikes.?  Darren Tompkins on behalf of Shrewsbury BID was given 5 minutes to open the debate and outline his case, which was briefly as follows;

·         Raising the parking charges would have a lasting economic impact on the town centre

·         Many of those employed in the town centre will not be able to afford the increased parking charges

·         The current public transport provision and the Park and Rider service is inadequate

In closing he asked that the Council

1.    Limit future tariff increases in line with inflation

2.    Consult the business community on all changes to the town centre access and

3.    Implement coordinated plans to transform movement and grow the economy.

In response the Portfolio Holder for Highways stated that the Council was subject to the same inflationary pressures as other business which is what had prompted the proposed increases but as a result of the concerns raised by the BID and some of the proposals being referred back to cabinet by the Economy and Environment Scrutiny Committee, the Council have been carefully considering the original proposals and that some changes were being looked at and would be presented to cabinet for consideration at its April meeting.

After a short debate the Portfolio Holder proposed that he write to the petitioners setting out the Councils position.

On being put to a recorded vote with 38 Members voting for, 22 against and 2 abstentions as follows

FOR:

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

AGAINST:

Councillors Buckley, Connolly, Davies, J Evans, Green, Halliday, Hartin, Houghton, T Huffer, Kerr, Kidd, Moseley, Mosley, Pardy, Parry, Parsons, Sherrington, Towers, Vasmer, Wagner, M Williams and Wilson

ABSTENTION:

Councillors Bentick and R Evans

It was RESOLVED:

That the Portfolio Holder write to the Petitioners setting out the Councils position

Report of the Executive Director of People attached

Contact Tanya Miles Tel: 01743 255811

It was proposed by Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education  and seconded by Councillor Peggy Mullock that the report of the Executive Director of People, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

Councillor Julia Buckley proposed that the Chair of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee should be added to the list of Core Attendees in the Terms of Reference.  The Portfolio Holder for Children and Education confirmed that Councillor Mullock would be a member of the Board and that she should be added to the list of core attendees.

A Member asked that a Member Briefing be held on the Child Improvement Plan.  They were advised that a member briefing was planned and details would be put on the Member Portal when they were available.

RESOLVED:

That Council approve the formal establishment of a Children’s Improvement Board with the Terms of Reference set out at Appendix 1 subject to the addition of the Chair of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Peggy Mullock to the list of core attendees.

Report of the Assistant Director Workforce & Improvement is attached

Contact:  Sam Williams.  Tel. 01743 252817

It was proposed by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities and seconded by The Leader Councillor Lezley Picton that the report of the Assistant Director Workforce & Improvement, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

Councillor Buckley questioned whether the proposal should have been considered by the Policy Forum and the EJCC prior to being brought to the meeting. 

The Chair proposed that the item be deferred to later in the meeting so that advice could be sought on whether the proposals should have been considered  by the Policy Forum and EJCC.  This was agreed.

Following receipt of advice, the Portfolio Holder advised Members that the proposals were updating procedure linked to the Council's standing orders in the Constitution for chief officers. The remit of the EJCC is to approve HR policy for the National Joint Committee (NJC) and that as this procedure is for chief officers who are covered by the JNC not the NJC, it would not therefore be considered by EJCC but that following council consideration and approval reports such as this would be shared with the trade unions, out of courtesy.

Councillor Buckley proposed that consideration be deferred to allow consultation with the Trade Unions.  This was seconded by Councillor Sherrington.

Following a vote with 22 votes for and 37 against the proposition was not supported.

Following a vote with 37 for and 22 against it was RESOLVED

That Council:

1.    Adopt the proposed procedure attached at Appendix 1.

2.    Establish the Chief Officer Employment Panel.

3.    Delegate to the Assistant Director for Workforce and Improvement the power to make minor amendments to the procedure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources.

Report of the Assistant Director – Legal and Governance is attached

Contact Tim Collard  Tel: 01743 252756  

It was proposed by 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.

RESOLVED

That the draft proposals 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 Councillor Chris Schofield, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services and seconded by Councillor Simon Harris 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 Cleobury Mortimer 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

In accordance with their declaration, Councillors Anderson, Picton and Wild left the room during consideration of the following item

It was proposed by Councillor Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and seconded by Councillor Garry Burchett 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 Nat Green proposed that consideration of appendix E be deferred to allow of the results of the consultation with residents to be published and fully considered.  This was seconded by Councillor Alex Wagner

Following a vote with 25 for, 33 against and 1 abstention the amendment was not supported.

Following further debate and on being put to a recorded vote with 39 Members voting for, 1 against and 19 abstentions as follows

FOR:

Councillors Aldcroft, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Bird, Broomhall, Buckley, Burchett, Butler, Carroll, Charmley, Dakin, Davenport, Elner, Gill, Gittins, Halliday, Harris, Hignett, Hunt, Hurst- Knight, M Jones, S Jones, Lea, Luff, Lumby, Macey, Morris, Moseley, Motley, Mullock, Nellins, Pardy, Parsons, Schofield, Thomas, Towers, B Williams and Wynn

AGAINST:

Councillor Turley

ABSTENTION:

Councillors Bagnall, Bentick Connolly, Davies, J Evans, R Evans, Green, Hartin, Houghton, T Huffer, Kerr, Kidd, Minnery, Parry, Sherrington, Towers, Vasmer, Wagner, M Williams and Wilson

It was RESOLVED:

1.    With reference to the recommendations of the Cabinet report of 18 October 2023 titled Shrewsbury Town Centre Regeneration: Smithfield Riverside Phase One and subsequently informed by the outcomes of the stakeholder engagement and public consultation programme October - November 2023 (as summarised appendix A):

1.1. Approve the masterplan for the wider Smithfield Riverside redevelopment area (appendix B), as explained in more detail at paragraph 2.4.1 of the report.

1.2. Approve the planning strategy for future phases of development for the Shrewsbury  Town Centre Redevelopment Programme: Smithfield Riverside Phase One (appendix C), as explained in more detail at paragraph 2.4.2 of the report.

1.3. Progress the demolition of the former Riverside shopping centre and enabling works and the construction of the linear park to Roushill and associated temporary greenspace, as a capital project to completion, within the Levelling Up Fund grant award titled Smithfield Riverside Redevelopment Programme (Project 1) of £14.85m, (appendix D) as explained in more detail at paragraph 2.5 of the report.

1.4. Approve the reprofiling of currently approved funding streams, as summarised in section 5 of the report

With reference to the recommendations of the Cabinet report of 19 April 2023 titled Levelling Up Fund Award for Shrewsbury, subsequently informed by the outcomes of the public consultation exercise (8 February – 5 March 2024, appendix E):

1.5. Progress the construction of the highway improvements to the gyratory adjacent to Shrewsbury rail station, and the active travel improvements, as a capital project, all within the Levelling Up Fund grant award titled Transforming Movement and Public Spaces in Shrewsbury (Project 2) of £3.852m, as explained in more detail at paragraph 7.12 of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

Report of the Assistant Director of Education and Achievement  and the Passenger Transport Group Manager is attached

Contact David Shaw Tel: 01743 256479 / James Willocks Tel: 01743 252474 

It was proposed by Councillor Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and seconded by Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight Portfolio Holder for Children and Education that the report of the Assistant Director of Education and Achievement  and the Passenger Transport Group Manager, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

RESOLVED

That the content of the report be noted

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health is attached

It was proposed by Councillor Cecilia Motley, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health that the report, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

Councillor Motley presented and amplified her report and responded to questions, concerns and comments.

A Member asked that more budget information be included in future reports.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

Report of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee is attached

Councillor Steve Charmley former chair of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented the annual report of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny 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.

A Member commented that a major concerns for residents on the Welsh borders was the proposed closure of the Welsh Air Ambulance Base in Welshpool and asked that this be put on the work programme for discussion.

Members noted the contents of the report

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment & Transport is attached

It was proposed by Councillor Ian Nellins, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport that the report, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

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

A Member commented that the cap on energy efficiency grants often didn’t meet the costs for owners of park homes and asked that the Portfolio Holder lobby government on this matter.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

Report of the Place Overview Committee is TO FOLLOW

Councillor Joyce Barrow Chair of the Place Overview Committee presented the annual report of the Place Overview 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.

Members noted the contents of the report.

Northern Planning Committee

Councillor Colin Taylor to be appointed 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.

Northern Planning Committee  

Councillor Colin Taylor to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee 

RESOLVED:

That the following changes in committee membership be agreed

Northern Planning Committee  

Councillor Colin Taylor to be appointed a substitute member of the Northern Planning Committee 

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

The following motion was received from Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight and supported by Councillors Duncan Kerr, Peggy Mullock and Tony Parsons

Motion for Shropshire Council to accept a proposal that individuals with care experience are treated as if it were a Protected Characteristic

This Council notes:

To be ‘care experienced’ a young person or adult will have been looked after by the local authority as a child. The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care headed by Josh McCallister published in May 2022 a final report and recommendations that included: “Government should make care experience a protected characteristic” .

Many care experienced people face discrimination, stigma, and prejudice in their day to day lives. Hearing testimony from care experienced people sharing the discrimination they have experienced, even from a very young age, it is clear that such discrimination can be similar in nature to other groups that have a legally protected characteristic under the Equality Act (2010). Despite the resilience of many care-experienced people, society too often does not take their needs into account. Care experienced people often face discrimination and stigma across housing, health, education, relationships, employment and in the criminal justice system.

This Council understands:

Every elected member and employee of this Council - along with our partner agencies - is a corporate parent to the children in our care.

Introducing a protected characteristic for care experience will mean that some of our most vulnerable residents within the borough will be happier, healthier and safer and have the confidence and opportunities to be ambitious and strive to achieve their goals.

All corporate parents should be champions of the children in our care and challenge the negative attitudes and prejudice that exists in all aspects of society. The Public Sector Equality Duty requires public bodies, such as councils, to eliminate unlawful discrimination.

This Council therefore resolves:?

·         That it recognises that care experienced people are a group who are likely to face discrimination. ·

·         That it recognises that Councils have a duty to put the needs of disadvantaged people at the heart of decision-making through co-production and collaboration.

·         That future decision, services and policies made and adopted by the Council should be assessed through Equality Impact Assessments to determine the impact of changes on people with care experience, alongside those who formally share a protected characteristic.

·         That in the delivery of the Public Sector Equality Duty the Council includes care experience in the publication and review of Equality Objectives and the annual publication of information relating to people who share a protected characteristic in services and employment.

·         That this Council will treat care experience as if it were a Protected Characteristic.

·         To formally call upon all other bodies to treat care experience as a protected characteristic until such time as it may be introduced by legislation.

·         For the council to continue proactively seeking out and listening to the voices of care experienced people when developing new policies based on their views.

On taking a vote the motion was unanimously supported.

The following motion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

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 Dan Thomas in relation to male mental health support.  Cllr Thomas thanked the Portfolio Holder for her comprehensive response.

To receive the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority arising from its meeting held on 21 February 2024

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.

RESOLVED:

That the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority be noted.