Apologies were received from Councillor Dean Carroll.

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 Cecilia Motley withdrew from the meeing for item 10 Windmill Hill Local Nature Reserve Designation due to a family connection with Windmill Hill.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2023, attached

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2023 be confirmed as a correct record

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 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 16 March 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 14 March 2023

There were no member questions.

There were no scrutiny items.

Lead Member:  Councillor Cecilia Motley, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health

Report of Tanya Miles, Executive Director of People

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agree the adoption of the All-Age Carers Strategy review 2022 – 2027 and endorse the core objectives of the strategy.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Communities was pleased to introduce the report setting out the All-Age Carer Strategy.  The Strategy would provide a clear framework for the commissioning and provision of services that will support unpaid and family carers of all ages to identify as a carer, maintain their own health and wellbeing, plan for their future and participate in family and community life.  She congratulated the team involved for their hard work developing the Strategy. 

It was confirmed during discussion that an action plan had been developed and this was to be split into manageable sections.  It was also acknowledged that the true number of carers was unknown. The Leader said it was an important role for members to highlight the offer available from the council if they came across carers in their communities.   A communications plan had been developed alongside the strategy with the aim of increasing numbers on the register and engagement with parish councillors would be part of this. 

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agree the adoption of the All-Age Carers Strategy review 2022 – 2027 and endorse the core objectives of the strategy.

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

Report of Mark Barrow – Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

3.1 To approve a consultation exercise on the proposed charges set out in the Appendix

3.2 To note that, following the consultation, the final policy will be presented to Cabinet for final approval

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services presented the report confirming that it was only intended to redeem costs incurred for profit making organisations.   Responding to questions he confirmed that it was proposed that there be officer discretion to levy an appropriate charge depending on the complexities involved and that there would not be charges for parish councils.

RESOLVED:

3.1 To approve a consultation exercise on the proposed charges set out in the Appendix

3.2 To note that, following the consultation, the final policy will be presented to Cabinet for final approval

Lead Member:  Dean Carroll, Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing

Report of Tanya Miles, Executive Director of People

RESOLVED:

3.1 To approve the proposed transitional arrangements as set out in section 7 of the report.

3.2. To give delegated authority to the Head of Service – Housing, Resettlement and Independent Living, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing, for all actions to facilitate the implementation of the revised allocations policy and scheme by the end of quarter 1 2023-24.

The Leader presented the report on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing. It had been hoped to implement the revised housing allocations policy and scheme (agreed by Cabinet in October 2022) during the first quarter of 2023-24 but this was not possible due to circumstances outside of the Council’s control.  Transitional arrangements were therefore being proposed relating to how and where existing applicants would be placed on the revised housing register in relation to local connection qualifying criteria, registration date and applicants sharing facilities with another household.   During discussion, the Leader said she would ask the Head of Housing to confirm that anyone fleeing domestic violence would not be disadvantaged if they had no local connection. 

RESOLVED:

3.1 To approve the proposed transitional arrangements as set out in section 7 of the report.

3.2. To give delegated authority to the Head of Service – Housing, Resettlement and Independent Living, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing, for all actions to facilitate the implementation of the revised allocations policy and scheme by the end of quarter 1 2023-24.

Lead member:  Rob Gittins, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That the Council delegates power to Much Wenlock Town Council to enable the designation of Windmill Hill as a Local Nature Reserve.

(Councillor Cecilia Motley withdrew from the meeting for this item)

The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital introduced the report proposing that Shropshire Council delegate the ability to designate the land as a Local Nature Reserve to Much Wenlock Town Council.  The designation would provide both environmental and recreational benefits and was strongly supported by the local member who spoke in favour of the recommendation and other members who said there was a wide radius of people who enjoyed visiting the site. 

RESOLVED:

That the Council delegates power to Much Wenlock Town Council to enable the designation of Windmill Hill as a Local Nature Reserve.

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

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

1.1.       to consider the report and receive a further update on the implementation of changes required to comply with the new requirements as they emerge

1.2.       to note the responsibilities of the Council with regard to the Consumer Standards, in particular the requirements to:

·         Maintain an oversight of the housing stock

·         Understand the performance of its ALMO, STAR Housing

·         Understand the compliance and legislative requirements

The Leader introduced the report on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing setting out progress of the Social Housing Regulation Bill and the Council’s key responsibilities under the new social housing regulatory regime.  Cabinet noted and welcomed the council’s responsibilities in particular the requirements to maintain an oversight of the housing stock, understand the performance of STAR Housing and understand the compliance and legislative requirements. 

RESOLVED:

1.1.       to consider the report and receive a further update on the implementation of changes required to comply with the new requirements as they emerge

1.2.       to note the responsibilities of the Council with regard to the Consumer Standards, in particular the requirements to:

·         Maintain an oversight of the housing stock

·         Understand the performance of its ALMO, STAR Housing

·         Understand the compliance and legislative requirements

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

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director Place

RESOLVED:

1.1.    To approve the principle of a 99-year lease that includes provision to demolish the existing demountable building and rebuild with a permanent community structure.

1.2.    To grant delegated authority to the Head of Property and Development - in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing - to finalise terms of the lease and complete the transaction.

The Leader introduced the report on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing which set out the reasons for the request to vary the original community asset transfer Shropshire Youth Association had secured significant grant funding to replace the current building with a purpose built one and had requested the lease include demolition and replacement of the current building and be extended to 99 years to reflect the increased investment in the site.     

Cabinet noted that the Local Member supported the proposal and that subject to planning, it was anticipated that construction will take place between September 2023 and March 2024 and it was confirmed that a temporary solution was being sought and would be implemented during this time. 

RESOLVED:

1.1.    To approve the principle of a 99-year lease that includes provision to demolish the existing demountable building and rebuild with a permanent community structure.

1.2.    To grant delegated authority to the Head of Property and Development - in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing - to finalise terms of the lease and complete the transaction.