Apologies were received from Councillors Gwilym Butler and Rob Gittins, Chief Executive, Executive Director of Place and Executive Director of Resources.

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.

Councillor Lezley Picton declared an interest in item 7 – Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID) Renewal Term 3 and item 9 - Levelling Up Fund Award for Shrewsbury and would leave the meeting. Therefore it was confirmed that items 7 and 9 would be discussed after item 6 – Scrutiny items.

Councillor Roger Evans declared an interest in item 8 – Application by Longden Parish Council for Longden Parish to be considered a Neighbourhood Area. He advised that he would make a statement and then sit in the audience during this item.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2023

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive any questions from members of the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14. Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Thursday 13 April 2023

There were no public questions.

To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Thursday 13 April 2023

Members questions had been received from the following:

Councillor Alex Wagner in relation to Shrewsbury Bus Station. In response to a supplementary question asking if bus operators had been given the opportunity to provide feedback on a proposed relocation, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that a response would be provided after the meeting; however he asked that should any bus operators feel they have not been consulted, he would welcome their feedback.

Councillor Andy Boddington in relation to roadside litter. In response to a supplementary question, the Portfolio Holder advised that he was keen to look at enabling communities to take care of their own areas and would be looking to push “womble schemes” countywide.

The full questions and responses provided by the Portfolio Holders are attached to the webpage for the meeting: 230419 Cabinet - Member Questions.pdf (shropshire.gov.uk)

The Chairman of the People Overview Committee requested the support of Cabinet following their recommendation regarding the Local Authority SEND Ofsted Inspection Reportmade at their meeting on 29^th March as follows:

RECOMMENDED:

That the People Overview Committee:

·       Voice their concerns regarding the Health sector’s ability to commission and deliver the Accelerated Progress Plan to Cabinet; and that Cabinet may wish to write to the Department for Education or Department of Health to express these concerns.

The Leader confirmed Cabinet’s support and advised that she would write to the DfE and Department of Health, together with the Chair of the ICS to raise concerns regarding fulfilment of the action plan. A draft of this letter would be shared prior to it being sent.

Lead member – Councillor Dean Carroll, Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing

Report of Mark Barrow – Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

·       That Cabinet noted that Shrewsbury BID has served notice of their intention to seek a renewal ballot to the Secretary of State and Shropshire Council.

·       That Cabinet endorsed the draft Shrewsbury BID 2024-2029 business plan and renewal proposal (attached as Appendix 1), noting that the Business Plan is subject to securing a majority vote through its re-ballot.

·       That Cabinet approved its support of Shrewsbury BID’s continuation in respect of the Council’s voting rights for the Council owned premises in the renewal ballot and delegates authority to exercise votes for each Shropshire Council owned property to the Assistant Director Commercial Services.

After declaring an interest, the Leader left the meeting room and the Deputy Leader took the Chair.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing presented the report which outlined the background and outcomes of the last four years of Shrewsbury BID following its successful re-ballot for a second term in 2019, and the benefits and impacts to Shropshire Council of supporting the renewal process for the period from 2024-2029. Members attention was drawn to the updated report which contained an updated figure in para 7.7 for the BID Levy of 1.58% and not 1.75% as previously stated.

Members welcomed the report but asked that the Board considers appointing a work force representative to enable their voices to be heard.

A suggestion was also received to support the Cycle Hub with regards to the use of cargo bikes.

A query was raised regarding the Council’s 24 properties within the BID area which will be subject to the levy and it was confirmed that a list would be provided after the meeting.

RESOLVED:

·       That Cabinet noted that Shrewsbury BID has served notice of their intention to seek a renewal ballot to the Secretary of State and Shropshire Council.

·       That Cabinet endorsed the draft Shrewsbury BID 2024-2029 business plan and renewal proposal (attached as Appendix 1), noting that the Business Plan is subject to securing a majority vote through its re-ballot.

·       That Cabinet approved its support of Shrewsbury BID’s continuation in respect of the Council’s voting rights for the Council owned premises in the renewal ballot and delegates authority to exercise votes for each Shropshire Council owned property to the Assistant Director Commercial Services.

Lead member – Councillor Dean Carroll - Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing

Report of Mark Barrow – Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed to recommend to Council to:

3.1.     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.

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

3.3.     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.

3.4.     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:

3.4.1. Proceed with compiling the full financial details and business case for the scheme for inclusion in a further report for consideration by Council.

3.4.2. Progress a procurement and delivery strategy for the projects summarised in items 2.2 above.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing presented the report which sought Cabinet support to recommend to Council to accept the successful bid award from DLUHC Levelling Up Fund Round 2 to accelerate enabling and infrastructure works for the Smithfield Riverside Redevelopment Programme and deliver the Transforming Movement and Public Spaces project in Shrewsbury.

Members welcomed the investment and congratulated officers for being successful with the bid award; however concern was raised regarding the impact on the revenue budget should match funding be sourced through PWLB borrowing.

It was suggested that this item be taken to scrutiny before being agreed by Council.

Investment in active travel was welcomed; however it was acknowledged that the Movement Strategy was still awaited. Concern was raised regarding the cycle and pedestrian routes, particularly in the area of Castle Street and the Welsh bridge.

With regards to the Riverside development, it was felt that better consideration of the “meanwhile uses” must be taken into account to ensure these benefit the people of Shrewsbury.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed to recommend to Council to:

3.1.     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.

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

3.3.     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.

3.4.     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:

3.4.1. Proceed with compiling the full financial details and business case for the scheme for inclusion in a further report for consideration by Council.

3.4.2. Progress a procurement and delivery strategy for the projects summarised in items 2.2 above.

Lead Member – Councillor Richard Marshall – Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed the designation of the proposed Neighbourhood Area identified on the map in Appendix 2, covering the Parish of Longden as an appropriate basis for the development of a Neighbourhood Development Plan and notifies Longden Parish Council accordingly.

The Leader returned to the meeting and took the Chair.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services introduced the report which sought approval for the application by Longden Parish Council for the Parish area of Longden to be considered as a Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed the designation of the proposed Neighbourhood Area identified on the map in Appendix 2, covering the Parish of Longden as an appropriate basis for the development of a Neighbourhood Development Plan and notifies Longden Parish Council accordingly.

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.

Lead Member – Councillor Richard Marshall – Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations contained in the report be approved

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations contained in the report be approved.

Lead member – Councillor Dean Carroll - Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing

Report of Mark Barrow – Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations contained in the report be approved.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations contained in the report be approved.