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Contact information

E-mail

customer.service@shropshire.gov.uk

Telephone

0345 678 9000

Postal Address

Shropshire Council
Shirehall
Abbey Foregate
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY2 6ND

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6ND

Contact: Jane Palmer  Senior Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

178.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

179.

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

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.

Minutes:

None were declared.

180.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 63 KB

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 11 May 2016 and 18 May 2016.  Attached, marked 3.

 

Contact: Emily Marshall

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 11 and 18 May 2016 be approved as correct records and signed by the Leader.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 11 and 18 May 2016 be approved as correct records and signed by the Leader.

181.

Public Questions

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5.00pm on Friday, 3 June 2016.

Minutes:

Mrs A McKittrick had submitted a question relating to the opportunities for formal community partnership in the ongoing management of the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre.  A written response was tabled at the meeting and a copy of the full question and response is attached to the formal record of the meeting.  Mrs McKittrick asked a supplementary question relating to steps taken by the SLC Trust and Serco as managing agents to reduce costs and increase revenue on the Quarry Complex site; the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture agreed to provide a written response after the meeting.

 

Mr Bernard Wills representing the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Forum had submitted a question relating to the opportunities for working with the Council to improve on the current financial and operational management of the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre.  A written response was tabled at the meeting and a copy of the full question and response is attached to the formal record of the meeting.  Mr Wills asked a supplementary question on the reasons for a recommendation being made in July when the BID were currently working on a strategic plan for Shrewsbury, the consultants appointed by Shropshire Council were still working on an analysis of the consultation, and there was no vision document or feasibility study. The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture agreed to provide a written response after the meeting.  It was agreed that the supplementary questions and responses provided by the Portfolio Holder would be circulated to all Members for information.

 

 

 

182.

Matters referred from Scrutiny/Council

Minutes:

There were no matters referred from Scrutiny or Council.

183.

Community Infrastructure Levy 123 List 2016 Update pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Lead Members:

 

Councillor Mal Price, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services and Environment

Councillor Steve Charmley, Deputy Leader, Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy

 

Report of the Director of Commissioning

 

Contact: George Candler   01743 255003

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

That the updated CIL Regulation 123 List and the LDF Implementation Plan for 2016/17 [Appendices A and B] be agreed.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and Environment presented a report by the Director of Commissioning – copy attached to the signed Minutes – detailing the annual infrastructure priorities required to support new development in Shropshire and specifically the updated CIL Regulation 123 List and the LDF Implementation Plan for 2016/17 and recommendations on the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for new infrastructure.

 

Referring to the content of the report, a Member drew attention to paragraph 3.10 and it was agreed that this should read as, ‘New governance arrangements are being developed as part of work through Planning Policy and the Economic Growth Redesign….’  In answer to Members’ concerns regarding the needs of local communities, the Portfolio Holder gave assurances that consultation with Parish and Town Councils was always undertaken but it needed to be recognised that the amount of money available was finite and needed to be wisely spent.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the updated CIL Regulation 123 List and the LDF Implementation Plan for 2016/17 [Appendices A and B] be agreed.

184.

CIL Payment in-kind Policy Statement pdf icon PDF 122 KB

Lead Members:

 

Councillor Mal Price, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services and Environment

Councillor Steve Charmley, Deputy Leader, Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy

 

Report of the Director of Commissioning

 

Contact: George Candler   01743 255003

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

That the CIL payment in-kind policy statement (Appendix 1) be agreed and that it comes into effect on 13 June 2016.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and Environment presented the report of the Director of Commissioning – copy attached to the signed Minutes – seeking approval for the issue of a new policy statement to enable the Council to accept CIL in-kind infrastructure payments recommended as a means of facilitating cost efficient infrastructure delivery. 

 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and Environment assured Members that nothing was done in isolation of Town and Parish Councils and stressed that they were consulted fully in the compilation of Place Plans.  The Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy cited the example of a development in Shawbury where local people wanted a traffic island and CIL had been used to provide it.

 

Referring to paragraph 4.3 of the report relating to infrastructure payment in-kind proposals, the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and Environment accepted that although the final decision lay with Shropshire Council, there had been no disagreements with any views expressed by Parish and Town Councils.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the CIL payment in-kind policy statement (Appendix 1) be agreed and that it comes into effect on 13 June 2016.

185.

Revenue Outturn 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 260 KB

Lead Member – Mr Malcolm Pate – Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan.

 

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance

 

Contact: James Walton       01743 255001

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

i)             That it be noted that the Outturn for the Revenue Budget for 2015/16 is an underspend of £2.816m, this represents 0.5% of the original gross budget of £594m.

 

ii)            That it be noted that the level of general balance stands at £18.370m, which is above the anticipated level included within the Financial Strategy.

 

iii)           That it be noted that the Outturn for the Housing Revenue Account for 2015/16 is an underspend of £1.031m and the level of the Housing Revenue Account reserve stands at £5.824m (2014/15 £3.076m).

 

iv)           That it be noted the increase in the level of Earmarked Reserves and Provisions (excluding delegated school balances) of £4.175m in 2015/16.

 

v)            That it be noted that the level of school balances stand at £7.173m (2014/15 £3.957m).


 

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan presented a report by the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance – copy attached to the signed Minutes – providing details of the revenue outturn position for Shropshire Council for 2015/16 and provided a summary of the revenue outturn for each service area, the movements in the Council’s general fund balance and the Council’s reserves and provisions.  He added that most of the reserves were earmarked for specific purposes and the Council’s balances were below the level advised by its auditors.  He stressed that efficiencies were being continually sought and the budget changes in the report reflected this fact.  The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support commended the budgetary savings made by departments but another Member was of the view that this was not good news as it reflected the massive service reductions to both local in the number of Council staff.

 

RESOLVED:

 

i)             That it be noted that the Outturn for the Revenue Budget for 2015/16 is an underspend of £2.816m, this represents 0.5% of the original gross budget of £594m.

 

ii)            That it be noted that the level of general balance stands at £18.370m, which is above the anticipated level included within the Financial Strategy.

 

iii)           That it be noted that the Outturn for the Housing Revenue Account for 2015/16 is an underspend of £1.031m and the level of the Housing Revenue Account reserve stands at £5.824m (2014/15 £3.076m).

 

iv)           That it be noted the increase in the level of Earmarked Reserves and Provisions (excluding delegated school balances) of £4.175m in 2015/16.

 

v)            That it be noted that the level of school balances stand at £7.173m (2014/15 £3.957m).


 

186.

Capital Outturn Report - 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 193 KB

Lead Member – Mr Malcolm Pate – Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan.

 

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance

 

Contact: James Walton       01743 255001

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

i)          That the net budget variations of £0.490m to the 2015/16 capital programme, detailed in Appendix 1/Table 1 and the re-profiled 2015/16 capital budget of £51.9m be approved.

 

ii)        That the re-profiled capital budgets of £70.4m for 2016/17, including slippage of £7.4m from 2015/16, £36.4m for 2017/18 and £16.2m for 2018/19 be approved as detailed in Appendix 1/Table 4.

 

iii)            That the outturn expenditure set out in Appendix 1 of £44.4m, representing 85.7% of the revised capital budget for 2015/16 be accepted.

 

iv)            That retention of a balance of capital receipts set aside of £17m as at 31st March 2016 to generate a one-off Minimum Revenue Provision saving of £377,500 in 2016/17 be approved.

 

 

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan presented a report by the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance – copy attached to the signed Minutes – providing the final outturn position for the Council’s 2015/16 capital programme and the current position regarding the 2016/17 to 2018/19 capital programme taking into account the slippage following the closure of the 2015/16 programme and any budget increases/decreases for 2016/17 and future years.

 

A Member commented on the savings that could be made by investing money for future years to convert more street lighting to LED.  The Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan added that the Council was continually looking for ways to save energy and cited the example of the recently installed solar panels on the roof of the Shirehall, Shrewsbury.

 

 

RESOLVED:

 

i)          That the net budget variations of £0.490m to the 2015/16 capital programme, detailed in Appendix 1/Table 1 and the re-profiled 2015/16 capital budget of £51.9m be approved.

 

ii)        That the re-profiled capital budgets of £70.4m for 2016/17, including slippage of £7.4m from 2015/16, £36.4m for 2017/18 and £16.2m for 2018/19 be approved as detailed in Appendix 1/Table 4.

 

iii)            That the outturn expenditure set out in Appendix 1 of £44.4m, representing 85.7% of the revised capital budget for 2015/16 be accepted.

 

iv)            That retention of a balance of capital receipts set aside of £17m as at 31st March 2016 to generate a one-off Minimum Revenue Provision saving of £377,500 in 2016/17 be approved.

 

 

187.

Quarter 4 Performance Report 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Lead Member – Mr Michael Wood – Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support

 

Report of the Performance Manager

 

Contact – Tom Dodds         01743 258518

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

i)             That the key underlying and emerging issues in the reports and appendices be considered; and

 

ii)            That any performance areas for consideration in greater detail or referral to the appropriate Scrutiny Committee be identified.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support presented a report by the Performance Manager – copy attached to the signed Minutes – on the Council’s performance against its key outcomes for Quarter 4 2015/16.  He drew attention to the ongoing review of the performance management framework that was drawing on the current engagement activity being progressed through the Big Conversation.

 

In answer to a Member’s concerns regarding the reduction in the Council’s staffing numbers, the Chief Executive stressed that the majority of staff concerned had taken voluntary redundancy or had chosen to leave the Council.  He added that the total cost of staff redundancy would be provided to the Member outside the meeting.

 

RESOLVED:

 

i)             That the key underlying and emerging issues in the reports and appendices be considered; and

 

ii)            That any performance areas for consideration in greater detail or referral to the appropriate Scrutiny Committee be identified.

188.

Decommissioning of Shrop.Net - TO FOLLOW pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Lead Members - Cllr. Michael Wood - Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support

 

Report of the Director of Public Health

 

Contact: Rod Thomson       01743 252003

 

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

That, given the age, costs and dwindling usage of the service, Shrop.NET be decommissioned at the end of its current support and hosting contract on 14 June 2016.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support presented a report by the Director of Public Health – copy attached to the signed Minutes – seeking the decommissioning of the Shrop.NET website that had provided free websites to community groups and Town and Parish Councils for over ten years but was now outdated in terms of design options and similar or better functionality was now available through other online services.

 

A Member commented that Town and Parish Councils had accrued costs from this website although the majority had not received similar feedback from Town/Parish Councils.  Another Member commented that the service was diminishing and many Town and Parish Councils had set up their own websites.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That, given the age, costs and dwindling usage of the service, Shrop.NET be decommissioned at the end of its current support and hosting contract on 14 June 2016.

189.

One Public Estate - Shropshire Estate Partnership pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Lead Members:

 

Cllr. Michael Wood                          Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support

Cllr. Robert Tindall (Deputy)          Deputy Portfolio Holder for Estates and Built Assets

 

Report of the Chief Executive

 

Contact: Clive Wright          01743 255001

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

i)             That, if the current bid is successful, an Asset Delivery Plan be submitted for further OPE funding (£500,000) by Shropshire Council as lead body of the Shropshire Estates Partnership: and

ii)            That the preparation and submission of an Assets Delivery Plan be delegated to the Chief Executive.

 

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support and the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Estates and Built Assets presented a report from the Head of Customer Support and Assets – copy attached to the signed Minutes – on the One Public Estate (OPE) initiative delivered in partnership by the Cabinet Office Government Property Unit and the Local Government Association to provide practical and technical support and funding to Councils to deliver property focussed programmes in collaboration with central government and other public sector partners.  The Leader commented that this initiative should generate long term revenue savings.

 

RESOLVED:

 

i)             That, if the current bid is successful, an Asset Delivery Plan be submitted for further OPE funding (£500,000) by Shropshire Council as lead body of the Shropshire Estates Partnership: and

ii)            That the preparation and submission of an Assets Delivery Plan be delegated to the Chief Executive.

 

190.

Exclusion of Press and Public

To resolve that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded during consideration of the remaining items.

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

That in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules, the public and press be excluded during consideration of the remaining item.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules, the public and press be excluded during consideration of the remaining item.

191.

Report to cabinet to confirm the approach being taken by Shropshire Council in respect of the Court of Appeal decision of 11th May 2016 in the case of: Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government -v- 1) West Berkshire District Council (2) Reading Borough Council [2016] EWCA Civ 441

Lead Member - Councillor Mal Price, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services and Environment

 

Report of the Director of Commissioning

 

Contact for information: Ian Kilby             01743 258718

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

That the two confidential recommendations be approved as detailed in the confidential report.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and Environment presented an exempt report from the Director of Commissioning – copy attached to the signed exempt Minutes – on the approach being taken by Shropshire Council in respect of the Court of Appeal decision of 11 May 2016 in the case of Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government – 1) West Berkshire District Council and 2) Reading Borough Council [2016] EWCA Civ 441.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the two confidential recommendations be approved as detailed in the confidential report.

 

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