There were no apologies for absence.

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.

No declarations were received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2024 as an accurate record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2024 as an accurate 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 7 May 2024.

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 7 March 2024.

Members’ questions had been received from the following:

Councillor Rachel Connolly, read aloud by Councillor Julia Buckley, in relation to Bridgnorth Town Centre Parking & Public Realms Works. In response to a supplementary question regarding the business case and financing, the Portfolio Holder advised that a response would be made in writing and added to the webpage for the meeting.

Councillor Colin Taylor, in relation to insurance claims for damaged vehicles.

Councillor Julia Buckley, in relation to Keir & WSP Contracts. By way of supplementary question, Councillor Buckley requested the names and postcodes of the sub-contractors used. The Portfolio Holder advised that a response would be sent after the meeting.

Councillor Andy Boddington, in relation to household recycling centres.

Councillor Kate Halliday, read aloud by Councillor Julia Buckley, in relation to flood water samples. By way of supplementary question, Councillor Buckley asked if this information could be fed into the work of the River Quality Task and Finish Group and whether there was any baseline data over the past five years to identify any changes.

Councillor David Vasmer, in relation to the North West Relief Road. By way of supplementary question, Councillor Vasmer requested a copy of the detailed virements made by the Executive Director of Place. He was advised that he was already in receipt of this information as part of the quarterly monitoring reports.

The full questions and responses provided can be found on 130324 Cabinet - Responses to Members Questions.pdf (shropshire.gov.uk)

There were no scrutiny items; however a query was raised regarding a cabinet decision which had been called in and referred back to the scrutiny committee. It was felt that there had been an expectation that this item would be on the agenda for this meeting.

Members noted that the intention was for the item to be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting in April 2024 as there had not been sufficient time to collate all the required information for this meeting.

Lead Member – Councillor Ian Nellins - Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport

Report of Mark Barrow - Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Noted the public consultation results and subsequent amendments made to the draft Shropshire LCWIP, and;

2.     Recommended to Council to adopt the final draft of the Shropshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan attached to this Report as Appendix 1

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport introduced the report which summarised the public consultation results and the subsequent amendments to the Shropshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). The report sought approval for the amended Shropshire LCWIP to progress to adoption as Council policy.

Members welcomed the report and it was suggested that it could be strengthened with KPIs, especially with regards to public health.

Members queried the integration of the plan with other plans, and the capacity and staffing to support the plan.

Disappointment was expressed that the rural areas appeared to have been neglected and that the concentration was on the main urban areas.

It was confirmed that the plan had been widely consulted on and member briefings had also taken place.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Noted the public consultation results and subsequent amendments made to the draft Shropshire LCWIP, and;

2.     Recommended to Council to adopt the final draft of the Shropshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan attached to this Report as Appendix 1

Lead Member – Councillor Cecilia Motley - Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health

Report of Tanya Miles - Executive Director of People

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approved the Shropshire draft Market Position Statement (MPS) 2024 -27 as set out in the attached appendix 1.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health presented the report which set out how the council will work with the health and social care market to manage demand and intervene early to support children, adults, and carers. Members noted that the statement had been developed in collaboration with commissioners, stakeholders, and providers, and that it would inform the council's commissioning intentions and priorities.

Members noted that the report would be taken to the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee and progress would be monitored.

Members were advised that the council topped up the government funding by £8million to support the market, and that the council was working with other providers to ensure social work training and placements were available.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approved the Shropshire draft Market Position Statement (MPS) 2024 -27 as set out in the attached appendix 1.

Lead Member – Councillor Chris Schofield - Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow - Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed:

1.     The Bishops Castle Neighbourhood Plan meets the ‘Basic Conditions’ and all the other legal requirements as summarised in the Independent Examiner’s Report, subject to the modifications proposed in the Schedule of Modifications (Appendix 2)

2.     The required modifications be agreed, and that the final ‘referendum’ version of the Bishops Castle Neighbourhood Development Plan (Appendix 3) proceed to local referendum.

3.     The referendum area be that as defined as the designated area to which the Neighbourhood Development Plan relates, i.e. the Bishops Castle Town Council boundary.

4.     The Executive Director of Place be authorised to exercise all the relevant powers and duties and undertake necessary arrangement for Bishops Castle Neighbourhood Development Plan final referendum version (Appendix 3) to now proceed to referendum and for the referendum to take place asking the question ‘whether the voter wants Shropshire Council to use this neighbourhood plan for the Bishops Castle Neighbourhood Plan area to help it decide planning applications in this neighbourhood area’

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services introduced the report which sought Cabinet approval to proceed to local referendum on the Bishops Castle Neighbourhood Development Plan. He praised the work of the volunteers and officers who had developed the plan, which captured the essence of Bishop's Castle and its future development.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed:

1.     The Bishops Castle Neighbourhood Plan meets the ‘Basic Conditions’ and all the other legal requirements as summarised in the Independent Examiner’s Report, subject to the modifications proposed in the Schedule of Modifications (Appendix 2)

2.     The required modifications be agreed, and that the final ‘referendum’ version of the Bishops Castle Neighbourhood Development Plan (Appendix 3) proceed to local referendum.

3.     The referendum area be that as defined as the designated area to which the Neighbourhood Development Plan relates, i.e. the Bishops Castle Town Council boundary.

4.     The Executive Director of Place be authorised to exercise all the relevant powers and duties and undertake necessary arrangement for Bishops Castle Neighbourhood Development Plan final referendum version (Appendix 3) to now proceed to referendum and for the referendum to take place asking the question ‘whether the voter wants Shropshire Council to use this neighbourhood plan for the Bishops Castle Neighbourhood Plan area to help it decide planning applications in this neighbourhood area’

Lead Member – Councillor Chris Schofield - Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow - Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed:

A)    The extent and prioritisation of infrastructure needs identified in appendices 1- 18 of this report as part of the full review of the Place Plans

B)    That the Place Plans are ‘live’ documents and that further incremental updates to them ahead of any future full review are delegated to the Assistant Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Internal Infrastructure Group (IIG) and the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services introduced the report which sought Cabinet approval for the extent and prioritisation of infrastructure projects to be included in Shropshire’s 18 Place Plans.

Town and Parish Councils, together with volunteers and officers, were thanked for their hard work in getting vital plans in place for the future. This has enabled town and parish councils to re-look at projects and funding options.

It was felt that certain parish councils had not received an update on their local Place Plans and that expectations of projects being included had not been met. It was confirmed that the Place Plans were live documents and could be amended.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed:

A)    The extent and prioritisation of infrastructure needs identified in appendices 1- 18 of this report as part of the full review of the Place Plans

B)    That the Place Plans are ‘live’ documents and that further incremental updates to them ahead of any future full review are delegated to the Assistant Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Internal Infrastructure Group (IIG) and the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services.

Lead Member – Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight - Portfolio Holder for Children and Education

Report of Tanya Miles - Executive Director of People

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Approved the Improvement Plan (Appendix A) and recommended to Council to approve the Terms of Reference of the Childrens Improvement Board (Appendix B). The plan will be submitted to OFSTED as required.

2.     Recommended that People’s Overview Committee receive quarterly updates in relation to the plan and its progress.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Education presented the report in which Cabinet were asked to approve the Improvement Plan prepared by the Director of People and endorsed by the Children's Improvement Board to address the issues identified by the Ofsted at their Focused Visit in November 2023.

Members were thanked for their cross party support to take action quickly.

Members noted the recruitment challenges but were advised that two new appointments had been made and work was ongoing for a localised apprenticeship offer. The Assistant Director of Children’s Safeguarding and Social Care advised members that salaries were being reviewed alongside retention of staff. Retention payments were now in place plus other benefits. It was also the Council’s aspiration to cap workloads.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Approved the Improvement Plan (Appendix A) and recommended to Council to approve the Terms of Reference of the Childrens Improvement Board (Appendix B). The plan will be submitted to OFSTED as required.

2.     Recommended that People’s Overview Committee receive quarterly updates in relation to the plan and its progress.

To note that the next meeting is scheduled to take place on 17 April 2024.

Members noted that the next meeting is scheduled to take place on 17 April 2024.