Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N Bardsley, L Chapman and R Macey.

Members are 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.

No interests were declared.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 4 July 2018.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 4 July 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 4 July 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

To receive any questions or petitions from members of the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  Deadline for notification for this meeting is no later than 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting i.e. by 12.30pm on Tuesday 24 July 2018

There were no questions from members of the public.

To receive any questions of which members of the Council have given due notice, the deadline for notification for this meeting is 5.00pm on Friday 20 July 2018.

The Leader stated that the questions raised by Councillor Boddington relating to the proposals for car parking in Ludlow would be considered at the appropriate point in the meeting, during consideration of agenda item 10.

To consider any scrutiny matters from Council or any of the Scrutiny Committees.

There were no scrutiny matters for consideration.

Lead Member – Councillor D Minnery – Portfolio Holder for Finance

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [Section 151 Officer]

Contact: James Walton       Tel: 01743 258915

RESOLVED:

That the position as detailed in the report, be accepted.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance (Section 151 Officer) outlining the treasury management activities of the Council during the last quarter.  Responding to a Member’s concern regarding the level of return on investment, the Portfolio Holder explained that investment plans for the future were being developed to generate risk free income in future. 

The Leader added that there were restrictions on Council investments that had to be adhered to.  The Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance drew attention to the Council’s Treasury Policy and stated that a higher level of risk would be generated by a higher level of return.

RESOLVED:

That the position as detailed in the report, be accepted.

Lead Member – Councillor L Chapman – Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, Health and Social Housing

Report of the Director of Adult Services  TO FOLLOW

Contact: Andy Begley         Tel: 01743 258911

RESOLVED:

That the Council set the Minimum Income Guarantee for people of pensionable age in line with the Government’s statutory Minimum Income Guarantee level in order for the Council to be seen as consistent in its approach to charging for care.

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, Health and Social Housing, the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure presented a report from the Director of Adult Services on the level of Minimum Income Guarantee [MIG] set by the Council.  It was noted that Councils could set the MIG higher than the statutory minimum but could not go below it.  With the increasing costs of adult social care and the rises predicted in future years, the Council was seeking to maximise its income in a fair and transparent manner.  The Portfolio Holder stressed that the proposals would only affect those who had been assessed and deemed able to afford their care.

A Member commented on the fairness of the proposals particularly those people who fell just above the MIG.  Another Member added that the Council had tough decisions to make; the issue had also been considered by scrutiny.  The Leader added that the proposal would bring the Council in line with other authorities and was in accordance with Government guidelines.

RESOLVED:

That the Council set the Minimum Income Guarantee for people of pensionable age in line with the Government’s statutory Minimum Income Guarantee level in order for the Council to be seen as consistent in its approach to charging for care.

Lead Member – Councillor N Bardsley – Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People

Report of the Director of Children’s Services  TO FOLLOW

Contact: Karen Bradshaw  Tel: 01743 254201

RESOLVED:

·         That the recommendations outlined in the Specialist Provision Strategic Review and Development Plan 2018-22 be acknowledged and approved, as attached at Appendix 2.

·         That it be noted that the ongoing consultation at Whittington CE Primary School ends on the 29th July 2018 and delegates authority to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People to determine, subject to the results of the consultation, the proposed prescribed alterations.

o    That the consultation on the remaining projects set out in paragraph 4.1 from September 2018 be approved and authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People to determine, subject to the statutory consultations, the proposed prescribed alterations.

o    That a further report will be made to Cabinet as appropriate, to update on the progress of this work.

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, the Deputy Leader presented a report from the Director of Children’s Services.

The Deputy Portfolio Holder for Education was present and drew attention to the funding available to increase the number of school places for those with SEND [children and young people aged 0-25].  He added that an extensive consultation was being undertaken and four schools had been identified so far to provide additional school places in accordance with the conditions of the grant.  The Director of Children’s Services added that this was a positive development that would allow the children concerned to be nearer home and be with their peers.

Responding to a Member’s query and referring to page 19 of the ‘Specialist Provision Strategic Review and Development Plan 2018-22’, the Director of Children’s Services stated that a new Free school for pupils with Social Emotional and Mental Health difficulties and associated Autism Spectrum conditions was actively being pursued.  Members noted that an outline proposal would be submitted to the DfE in mid-October.

RESOLVED:

1. That the recommendations outlined in the Specialist Provision Strategic Review and Development Plan 2018-22 be acknowledged and approved, as attached at Appendix 2.

2. That it be noted that the ongoing consultation at Whittington CE Primary School ends on the 29th July 2018 and delegates authority to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People to determine, subject to the results of the consultation, the proposed prescribed alterations.
   
   

iii.   That the consultation on the remaining projects set out in paragraph 4.1 from September 2018 be approved and authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People to determine, subject to the statutory consultations, the proposed prescribed alterations.

iv.   That a further report will be made to Cabinet as appropriate, to update on the progress of this work.

Lead Member – Councillor S Davenport – Portfolio Holder for Transport and Highways

Report of the Head of Infrastructure and Communities

Contact: Chris Edwards      Tel: 01743 258912

RESOLVED:

That approval is given for the making of the required Traffic Regulation Order for the proposed changes to On-Street Pay and Display and Loading in Ludlow and Shrewsbury as follows:

             i.          To extend the hours of operation and charging on all on-street pay & display parking places, and the hours of operation of the loading bays to 8pm, within the Shrewsbury town centre river loop.

            ii.          To retain the hours of operation and charging on all shared use pay and display /residents parking permit parking places within the Red Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) at 6.00pm within Ludlow town centre.

           iii.          The introduction of standard banding levels and new linear hourly tariffs in Ludlow as proposed within the Red CPZ and Blue area shared use pay and display /residents parking permit on-street parking places.

           iv.          To remove all existing restrictions on periods of maximum stay and minimum return within the Red CPZ and Blue area shared use pay and display /residents parking permit parking places in Ludlow.

            v.          To provide a free 5-minute concessionary parking period in both Shrewsbury and Ludlow town centres, within all the on street pay & display parking places.

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Highways presented a report from the Head of Infrastructure and Communities that considered the responses received during the recent formal consultation relating to proposed changes to on street pay and display and loading Traffic Regulation Order in Ludlow and Shrewsbury.

Councillor Andy Boddington stated that he, together with the Mayor of Ludlow, had met the Portfolio Holder in Ludlow to discuss the proposed changes to parking charges.   He added that the Portfolio Holder had stated that, after the Ludlow meeting, he had proposed changes to the parking regime to Officers.  The Portfolio Holder responded that it was now proposed that the hours of operation and charging on all shared use pay and display/residents’ parking permit parking places within the Red Controlled Parking Zone within Ludlow town centre be retained i.e. to 6.00pm.

Some Members were concerned that the Portfolio Holder had not had a similar walk round and discussion of the issues with the local Members in Shrewsbury.  The Portfolio Holder stated that changes had been made as a result of the consultation process. 

Referring to paragraph 6.3.7 of the report, a Member queried whether more Enforcement Officers would be employed as the introduction of extended restrictions and charging could result in people starting to park dangerously to avoid payment.  The Leader commented that scrutiny had the option of examining the impact of the proposed changes in 6 to 12 months’ time.

RESOLVED:

That approval is given for the making of the required Traffic Regulation Order for the proposed changes to On-Street Pay and Display and Loading in Ludlow and Shrewsbury as follows:

             i.          To extend the hours of operation and charging on all on-street pay & display parking places, and the hours of operation of the loading bays to 8pm, within the Shrewsbury town centre river loop.

            ii.          To retain the hours of operation and charging on all shared use pay and display /residents parking permit parking places within the Red Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) at 6.00pm within Ludlow town centre.

           iii.          The introduction of standard banding levels and new linear hourly tariffs in Ludlow as proposed within the Red CPZ and Blue area shared use pay and display /residents parking permit on-street parking places.

           iv.          To remove all existing restrictions on periods of maximum stay and minimum return within the Red CPZ and Blue area shared use pay and display /residents parking permit parking places in Ludlow.

            v.          To provide a free 5-minute concessionary parking period in both Shrewsbury and Ludlow town centres, within all the on street pay & display parking places.

Lead Member – Councillor S Davenport – Portfolio Holder for Transport and Highways

Report of the Head of Infrastructure and Communities

Contact: Chris Edwards      Tel: 01743 258912

RESOLVED:

That approval be granted for the making of the required Traffic Regulation Order for the proposed changes within off-street parking places as follows:

             i.       That the tariffs and banding levels to all off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 to this report are implemented.

            ii.      That 8-hour tariff caps to all bands 4, 5 and 6 off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 to this report are implemented.

           iii.       That the hours of operation and charging are extended until 8.00pm on all band 2 off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 of this report.

           iv.       That the opening hours in Raven Meadows multi storey car park in Shrewsbury are extended to 24 hours a day on Mondays to Saturdays and include a 3-hour cap on the linear tariff of 3 hours for parking periods on Mondays to Saturdays between the hours of 8.00pm and 8.00am.

            v.       That except in the Frankwell Riverside off street parking place, all existing restrictions on periods of maximum stay and minimum return on all off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 of this report are removed.

           vi.       That a free 5 minutes concessionary parking period inall pay and display off-street parking places across the county is introduced.

          vii.      That, except in the Frankwell Quay and Riverside carparks, weekly tickets are introduced in all off-street parking places listed as bands 4, 5 and 6 carparks in appendix 3 of this report.

        viii.       That, except in the Frankwell Quay and Riverside carparks, season tickets are introduced / retained in all off-street parking places listed as bands 4, 5 and 6 in appendix 3 of this report.

           ix.       That off-street resident permits are introduced / retained in St Julian's Friars carpark and all off-street parking places listed as bands 4, 5 and 6 in appendix 3 of this report except for Frankwell Quay and Riverside carparks.

            x.       That HGV tariffs are implemented on all designated off-street parking places HGV parking areas. This will include a £10 per 24-hour stay and HGV season ticket tariff options as specified in appendix 3, table 6 of this report.

           xi.       That pay and display parking provision for cars and small vans within the Crossways, Church Stretton off-street parking place are introduced.

          xii.      That free parking on Sundays and Bank holidays is introduced on all Bands 4, 5, 6 off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 of this report.

        xiii.       That except for Raven Meadows multi storey carpark, Shrewsbury, 50% concessions on Sunday and Bank holidays shall be introduced on all Bands 2 & 3 off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 of this report.

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Highways presented a report from the Head of Infrastructure and Communities to consider the responses received during the recent formal consultation relating to proposed changes to off-street car parks across the county.

RESOLVED:

That approval be granted for the making of the required Traffic Regulation Order for the proposed changes within off-street parking places as follows:

             i.       That the tariffs and banding levels to all off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 to this report are implemented.

            ii.      That 8-hour tariff caps to all bands 4, 5 and 6 off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 to this report are implemented.

           iii.       That the hours of operation and charging are extended until 8.00pm on all band 2 off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 of this report.

           iv.       That the opening hours in Raven Meadows multi storey car park in Shrewsbury are extended to 24 hours a day on Mondays to Saturdays and include a 3-hour cap on the linear tariff of 3 hours for parking periods on Mondays to Saturdays between the hours of 8.00pm and 8.00am.

            v.       That except in the Frankwell Riverside off street parking place, all existing restrictions on periods of maximum stay and minimum return on all off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 of this report are removed.

           vi.       That a free 5 minutes concessionary parking period inall pay and display off-street parking places across the county is introduced.

          vii.      That, except in the Frankwell Quay and Riverside carparks, weekly tickets are introduced in all off-street parking places listed as bands 4, 5 and 6 carparks in appendix 3 of this report.

        viii.       That, except in the Frankwell Quay and Riverside carparks, season tickets are introduced / retained in all off-street parking places listed as bands 4, 5 and 6 in appendix 3 of this report.

           ix.       That off-street resident permits are introduced / retained in St Julian's Friars carpark and all off-street parking places listed as bands 4, 5 and 6 in appendix 3 of this report except for Frankwell Quay and Riverside carparks.

            x.       That HGV tariffs are implemented on all designated off-street parking places HGV parking areas. This will include a £10 per 24-hour stay and HGV season ticket tariff options as specified in appendix 3, table 6 of this report.

           xi.       That pay and display parking provision for cars and small vans within the Crossways, Church Stretton off-street parking place are introduced.

          xii.      That free parking on Sundays and Bank holidays is introduced on all Bands 4, 5, 6 off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 of this report.

        xiii.       That except for Raven Meadows multi storey carpark, Shrewsbury, 50% concessions on Sunday and Bank holidays shall be introduced on all Bands 2 & 3 off-street parking places listed in appendix 3 of this report.

Lead Member – Councillor S Davenport – Portfolio Holder for Transport and Highways

Report of the Head of Infrastructure and Communities

Contact: Chris Edwards      Tel: 01743 258912

RESOLVED:

That approval be granted for the revision of Part 1 of the new Parking Strategy Framework as follows:

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Highways presented a report from the Head of Infrastructure and Communities relating to proposed revisions and fine tuning to Part 1 of the Parking Strategy Framework.  

Further to the comments made earlier in the meeting Councillor Boddington commented on the fragility of the success of the Ludlow market and the need to ensure the parking regime did not put this in jeopardy and urged that the existing car parking concessions to market traders be retained.  Members accepted his representations and agreed that the Ludlow concessions for market traders be retained. Cabinet further agreed that the whole gamut of car parking changes should be considered by scrutiny after a suitable timescale had elapsed in order to assess the impact.

RESOLVED:

That approval be granted for the revision of Part 1 of the new Parking Strategy Framework as follows:

Lead Member – Councillor J Barrow – Portfolio Holder for Communities, Waste and Regulatory Services

Report of the Director of Public Health

Contact: Professor Rod Thomson            Tel: 01743 253934

RESOLVED:

That the proposed Better Regulation and Enforcement Policy, as detailed in Appendix A to the report, be adopted with effect from 1^st September 2018.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Waste and Regulatory Services presented a report from the Director of Public Health on the proposed Better Regulation and Enforcement Policy that had been the subject of an eight-week consultation period to which one single comment in support of the Policy had been received.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed Better Regulation and Enforcement Policy, as detailed in Appendix A to the report, be adopted with effect from 1^st September 2018.

Lead Member – Councillor J Barrow – Portfolio Holder for Communities, Waste and Regulatory Services

Report of the Director of Public Health

Contact: Professor Rod Thomson            Tel: 01743 253934

RESOLVED:

i)             That the position detailed in the report be accepted;

ii)            That the Shrewsbury Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (No.1) 2017, as detailed in Appendix A to the report, remain in effect in accordance with the provisions of the said Order.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Waste and Regulatory Services presented a report from the Director of Public Health that provided an update on the Shrewsbury Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (No.1) 2017 after its initial twelve month period of operation.

Responding to comments by a local Member, the Portfolio Holder stated that consideration would be given to the possibility of extending the Order to fringe areas of the town centre that were now being frequented by those with drug/alcohol issues that had moved from areas currently covered by the Order.  Cabinet noted that the Order was not targeting the rough sleeping community in the town centre but there was an expectation that they would adhere to the same behavioural standards as other people in the town centre.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the position detailed in the report be accepted;

ii)            That the Shrewsbury Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (No.1) 2017, as detailed in Appendix A to the report, remain in effect in accordance with the provisions of the said Order.

Lead Member – Councillor N Laurens – Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth

Report of the Head of Economic Growth

Contact: Gemma Davies    Tel: 01743 258985

RESOLVED:

i)             That Shropshire Council continues to be an active, lead partner in the Big Town Plan alongside Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury BID to coordinate the action planning and implementation of the development opportunities detailed with the Big Town Plan (Appendix 1).  This aligns with Shropshire Council’s direct involvement in the delivery of development opportunities, subject to the necessary financial appraisals, due diligence and necessary approvals.

ii)            That the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan – Final Draft be made available for public consultation for a three-week period.  A summary of this consultation along with the final version of the Big Town Plan to be considered at a future Cabinet meeting.

iii)           That the final version of the Big Town Plan (post public consultation) will form part of the evidence base to inform the emerging review of the Local Plan; and the principal of using the Big Town Plan as a material consideration in decision making on relevant planning applications can be established.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth presented a report from the Head of Economic Growth summarising the content of the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan and providing information on the extensive public engagement undertaken to date. 

He made particular tribute to the joint working between the Council, Shrewsbury Town Council and the Shrewsbury Business Improvement District operating as the Big Town Plan Team that had resulted in the co-creation of the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan final draft.  Thanks were also conveyed for the positive feedback received from the Council’s Place Overview Committee and for the work undertaken by Officers within the Economic Growth team.

RESOLVED:

i)             That Shropshire Council continues to be an active, lead partner in the Big Town Plan alongside Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury BID to coordinate the action planning and implementation of the development opportunities detailed with the Big Town Plan (Appendix 1).  This aligns with Shropshire Council’s direct involvement in the delivery of development opportunities, subject to the necessary financial appraisals, due diligence and necessary approvals.

ii)            That the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan – Final Draft be made available for public consultation for a three-week period.  A summary of this consultation along with the final version of the Big Town Plan to be considered at a future Cabinet meeting.

iii)           That the final version of the Big Town Plan (post public consultation) will form part of the evidence base to inform the emerging review of the Local Plan; and the principal of using the Big Town Plan as a material consideration in decision making on relevant planning applications can be established.

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 item/s.

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 for 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 for the following items.

Lead Member – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial Support

Report of the Head of Business Enterprise and Commercial Services

Contact: Tim Smith  Tel: 01743 258998

RESOLVED:

That the three recommendations detailed in the confidential report, be approved.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial Report presented the confidential report from the Head of Business Enterprise and Commercial Services relating to the Pauls Moss development at Whitchurch.

RESOLVED:

That the three recommendations detailed in the confidential report, be approved.

Lead Member – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial Support

Report of the Head of Business Enterprise and Commercial Services   TO FOLLOW

Contact: Tim Smith  Tel: 01743 258998

RESOLVED:

That the four recommendations detailed in the confidential report be approved.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial Report presented the confidential report from the Head of Business Enterprise and Commercial Services relating to the tenant works at the Tannery development, Shrewsbury.

RESOLVED:

That the four recommendations detailed in the confidential report be approved.