Apologies had been received from Councillors Brendan Mallon, Alan Mosely, Sharon Ritchie-Simmons and Colin Taylor.

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.

Councillors Heather Kidd, Ruth Houghton and Joshua Dickin declared an interest in item 11 – Bishops Castle Leisure- Approval for Decarbonisation and Pool Renovation Project. Councillors Kidd and Houghton would be leaving the room for the debate, and Councillor Dickin would be abstaining from the vote.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 July 2025.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 17^th July 2025, 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 Leader announced that Tanya Miles would be acting as Interim Chief Executive and Rachel Robinson would be acting as Interim Deputy Chief Executive.

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 17^th July 2025, which had been circulated at 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 12.00 noon on Friday 19 September 2025.

PETITION

A petition, bearing over 1000 signatures has been received from Sian Powell, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme.  The petition urges the Council to:

“Prioritise funding, find sustainable financial solutions, and explore partnerships that can safeguard the future of Teme Leisure’s offerings.”

Petitions

The Chairman advised that a petition bearing more than 1,000 signatures had been received from Sian Powell, on behalf of the Friends of Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme. The petition urged the Council to: 

“Prioritise funding, find sustainable financial solutions, and explore partnerships that can safeguard the future of Teme Leisure’s offerings.” 

Ms Powell was given 5 minutes to open the debate and outline her case, which was briefly as follows:

·       Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre has been a vital community hub since 1985, which receives over 30,000 visits annually, supports 26 local sports clubs, and serves 590 members, acting as a key venue for health, connection, and opportunity in the town.

• It provides a safe, inclusive environment for physical activities that improve physical and mental health, including GP referrals for tailored exercise plans.
• The centre offers local employment, including part-time roles for young people, and supports youth engagement through sports

·       The Friends of the Centre requested that the Council reconsider budget cuts, support fundraising efforts, and potentially underwrite costs to prevent closure, emphasizing that the centre is essential for sustaining community health and reducing long-term healthcare burdens

In response to the petition the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure, Councillor James Owen thanked the petitioner for submitting the petition and made the following points –

·       Within the current budget which removed any subsidies for leisure facilities, there was no room to reinstate funding this year.

·       Since the contract notice, local community members have actively sought ways to preserve the leisure centre, with council leaders engaging in discussions and supporting alternative solutions, including learning from successful fundraising efforts like those in Bishop's Castle. 

·       As of the latest update, no formal confirmation had been received about extending the current operator's contract beyond December, though there is an indication they may seek to continue operations temporarily

·       Council members had visited Cleobury Mortimer, engaged with fundraising groups, and committed to continuing negotiations and exploring all options to sustain leisure services until a broader contract can be established in 2027.

In closing the Portfolio Holder thanked the petitioner again and indicated that no further action would be taken and that the Council would continue to seek ways to maintain the service in negotiation with the Council and other third parties.

Public Questions

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Rev. Paul Cawthorne, Emma Bullard, Ron and Jane Berry, Frances Rickford, Susan Wedlock and John Palmer.

The full questions and responses can be found on Public Questions - Council 25.9.25.pdf

To receive any questions from Members, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2. Deadline for notification is 12.00 noon on Friday 19 September 2025.

The Chairman advised that the following questions had been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.

Question from Councillor Beverley Waite regarding increasing the size of car parking spaces. By way of supplementary question Councillor Waite asked that if a trial was possible, that Ludlow could be considered. The Portfolio Holder agreed to arrange a meeting between Councillor Waite and the relevant officer to discuss further.

Question from Councillor Sarah Marston regarding speed limits and road safety measures. There was no supplementary question.

Question from Councillor Harry Hancock-Davies regarding the collection of council tax and business rates. By way of supplementary question, Councillor Hancock-Davies sought confirmation that the Portfolio Holder would commit to reversing the staffing cuts made to the revenues and benefits team. The Portfolio Holder gave his assurance that he would have discussions with the appropriate officers at all levels to try and ensure that the situation on the debt collection for both council tax and the business rates is improved.

An urgent question had been received from Councillor Carl Rowley with regards to supporting St Martins School following the recent fire.

A copy of the questions and the responses provided are available from the web page for the meeting - Member Questions - Council 25.9.25 with responses.pdf

The report of the Chief Executive is TO FOLLOW

Contact: Andy Begley - 01743 258915

It was proposed by the Leader, Councillor Heather Kidd and seconded by Councillor Alex Wagner, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities that the report and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

Members discussed the need for detailed consultation, realistic timelines, scrutiny involvement, and the importance of balancing planning, action, and internal controls to achieve sustainability.

RESOLVED:

Council

1.    Endorsed the recommendations in the LGA CPC report (appendix 1), noted the immediate actions being taken, and the intention to present an action plan to address the recommendations being presented to 15 October 2025 Cabinet.

2.    Recognised the relationship between the planned 12-to-18-month timescales for the Improvement Plan to achieve financial sustainability and the urgency to address the financial emergency.

3.    Approved the draft terms of reference for the Improvement and Assurance Board (appendix 2) and delegated the finalisation of arrangements including governance, to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader.

4.    To work across political parties to identify, support and pursue options that will achieve the CPC recommendations and financial sustainability for the council and the delivery of the council’s priorities and outcomes for Shropshire communities in years to come.

The report of the Leader will be TO FOLLOW

Contact: Councillor Heather Kidd – heather.kidd@shropshire.gov.uk

It was proposed by the Leader, Councillor Heather Kidd and seconded by Councillor Alex Wagner, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities that the report and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

Members acknowledged the need for measurable objectives, resource implications for town and parish councils, and the importance of economic and contract strategies.

RESOLVED:

Council:

1.          Considered and endorsed the strategic direction and priorities outlined in the attached document (Appendix A) with a view to agreeing an aligned way forward for the Council.

2.          Agreed that detailed delivery plans are created at a Portfolio Holder level, subject to the consideration under the Scrutiny process, with Portfolio Holders reporting back to Council on a regular basis on the progress being made.

The report of the Director of Children’s Services is attached.

Contact: David Shaw – 01743 256479

It was proposed by Councillor Andy Hall, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education and seconded by Councillor Neil Bentley that the report of the Director of Children’s Services and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

Members acknowledged that there is a recognized national need to improve SEND provision, and while local improvements have been made, further progress was needed. It was noted that the strategy will be scrutinised in six months to assess progress and identify areas for improvement.

RESOLVED:

Council

1.    Considered and approved the final draft SEND and AP Strategy 2025 – 2029

2.    Adopted the Outcomes Framework as a ‘live working document’, noting the ambitions to focus on improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

3.    Noted that Cabinet will receive an update in 6 months on the development of the implementation plans and refinement of the multi-agency workstreams to deliver the strategy. This should also include a progress update with respect to the development of measurable outcomes and further refinement of the Outcomes Framework.

The report of the Director of Children’s Services is attached.

Contact: David Shaw - 01743 256479

It was proposed by Councillor Ruth Houghton, Portfolio Holder for Social Care and seconded by Councillor Sarah Marston that the report of the Director of Children’s Services and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

Members acknowledged the work of the Children’s Improvement Board, staff, and previous portfolio holders, and were urged to get involved with the Corporate Parenting Panel as it was extremely rewarding.

RESOLVED:

Council:

1.    Acknowledged this outstanding achievement and the positive impact on the lives of children, young people and families in Shropshire.

2.    Acknowledged the Council-wide commitment to sustaining and embedding this outstanding achievement, at the same time recognising the preventative benefits that doing so will bring to children, young people and families

The report of the Service Director for Commissioning is attached.

Contact: Laura Tyler - 01743 253178

It was proposed by Councillor James Owen, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure and seconded by Councillor Jeremy Blandford that the report of the Service Director for Commissioning and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

Members noted that the Friends of SPARC had raised £500,000 locally and secured £2.5 million in government grants for facility improvements, with the aim of reducing energy and maintenance costs and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The Portfolio Holder clarified that the project is funded through capital, not revenue, and aligns with the administration’s aim to protect services through community partnership and use of available funds.

RESOLVED:

Council:

1.      Approved the Bishop’s Castle Pool Refurbishment Project for inclusion in the Capital Programme.

2.      Approved the Bishop’s Castle Decarbonisation Project for inclusion in the Capital Programme.

3.      Delegated authority to the Service Director for Commissioning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure to procure, negotiate and agree the terms of any agreements and contracts necessary and to proceed with the delivery of both projects.

Changes to Committee Membership

Audit & Governance Committee

Councillor Sharon Ritchie Simmons to be a member of the Audit & Governance Committee

Councillor Nigel Lumby to be a member of the Audit & Governance Committee

Councillor Mark Owen to be a member of the Audit & Governance Committee

Councillor Duncan Borrowman to be a member of the Audit & Governance Committee

Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Josh Dicken to replace Councillor Chris Naylor as a member of the Southern Planning Committee

Councillor Nigel Lumby to replace Councillor Mark Morris as a Member of the Southern Planning Committee

It was proposed by the Chairman, Councillor Duncan Borrowman, and seconded by the Vice Chairman, Councillor Gary Groves, that the amendments to committee membership as set out in the agenda papers be agreed. In addition, members were notified of an additional amendment to the Southern Planning Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the amendments to committee membership as set out in the agenda papers be agreed, together with the addition of Councillor Carl Rowley replacing Councillor Dawn Husemann as a substitute member of the Southern Planning Committee.

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

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Duncan Kerr and supported by the Green and Independent Group:

Last year Carers UK launched a policy report and a national campaign to establishing that caring should be a protected characteristic under the Equalities Act saying

“Carers have given us strong evidence that they do not feel that there is a level playing field. They feel invisible, overlooked, and discriminated against. When applying for jobs, equality monitoring forms do not ask whether someone has unpaid caring responsibilities. There is no direct requirement for simple reasonable adjustments for carers in the workplace. Carers say that this would make a difference”.

This Council has already shown its willingness to help those who suffer disadvantage and discrimination by its unanimous decision to treat care-leavers as having a protected characteristic under this Act and I know this has meant a lot to the children that we have parental responsibility for. Carers clearly feel they suffer discriminations and inequality that limits their role. Empowering them by giving them this protection would not only improve the quality of life for the people they care for but also reduce demands on Social care.

We therefore call on the Council to:

1. Support the campaign by Carers UK to make having caring responsibilities a protected characteristic under the Equalities Act and

2. To treat carers in Shropshire as though they had a protected characteristic.

RESOLVED:

That the Council:

1. Supports the campaign by Carers UK to make having caring responsibilities a protected characteristic under the Equalities Act and

2. Treats carers in Shropshire as though they had a protected characteristic.

Motion received from Councillor Rosemary Dartnall and supported by the Labour Group

The financial crisis that has been rumbling forwards for a number years has reached an inevitable crunch point. Unless urgent action is taken to avert a section 114 notice, Shropshire Council will not be able to balance its budget this financial year. If we cannot pull back from the brink, we are now looking at the very real prospect of government commissioners running the council.

This outcome is not in the public interest and I’m sure none of us want it to happen.

The basic member allowance is due to increase by 3.2% - to be back-dated to either 1 April or 5 May, in the October payroll. We propose the increase for all councillors is cancelled immediately.

Allowing for the addition of basic allowance multipliers for portfolio holders and councillors with certain roles, this will save £44,500 in the current financial year and impact positively on coming years. While a relatively minor financial contribution in terms of the overall position, it equates to 5% of the current shortfall and represents a small but important step in the right direction.

Unanimous agreement to this motion would demonstrate leadership and make a strong statement to the public and to Shropshire Council staff, who have endured several years of uncertainty about their jobs.

Please vote with us to cancel the proposed member increase with immediate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To receive the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority  REPORT TO FOLLOW

It was proposed by Councillor David Minnery that the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority be received and noted.

RESOLVED:

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