There were no apologies for absence.

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.

None were declared.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 February 2017.

TO FOLLOW

Contact: Jane Palmer          Tel: 01743 257712

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 February 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 February 2017 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 5.00pm on Friday 24 February 2017.

No questions had been received from members of the public.

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

There were no scrutiny matters to consider.

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

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

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

ii)            That the performance portal be reviewed and any performance areas for consideration in detail or reference to the appropriate Scrutiny Committee be identified.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support presented the report from the Director of Place and Enterprise on the Council’s performance against its key outcomes for Quarter 3 2016/17 and drew particular attention to paragraph 10.2 of the report that detailed the key areas of continued performance improvements or stabilisation of performance. 

Responding to a Member’s concerns regarding the decreasing staffing numbers detailed in paragraph 9.2 of the report, the Leader commented that the figures were part of the agreed efficiency measures and had been taken into account in the Council’s budget calculations.  Improved staff working efficiency was also noted as a direct result of the Council’s ongoing I.T. improvements.  Referring to satisfaction rates with highways and transport, the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support commented that service improvements should be welcomed whilst recognising that further improvements would continue to be made. 

RESOLVED:

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

ii)            That the performance portal be reviewed and any performance areas for consideration in detail or reference to the appropriate Scrutiny Committee be identified.

Lead Member – Councillor David Minnery – Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People

Report of the Director of Children’s Services

Contact: Karen Bradshaw  Tel: 01743 254201

RESOLVED:

i)             That the outcomes from the statutory representation period, be noted; and

ii)            That Hope CE Primary School and St Mary’s CE Primary School Westbury be closed with effect from 1 September 2017, consolidating provision on an enlarged site at Worthen CE Primary School.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People presented a report from the Director of Children’s Services on the outcomes from the statutory period of representation on the proposal to close Hope CE Primary School and St Marys CE Primary School, Westbury and consolidate provision on an enlarged site at Worthen CE Primary School.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the outcomes from the statutory representation period, be noted; and

ii)            That Hope CE Primary School and St Mary’s CE Primary School Westbury be closed with effect from 1 September 2017, consolidating provision on an enlarged site at Worthen CE Primary School.

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

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise  TO FOLLOW

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

That the Commercial Strategy for the period 2017 to 2021, attached as appendix A to the report, be approved and adopted.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support, assisted by the Deputy Portfolio Holder, presented the report from the Director of Place and Enterprise on the Council’s first Commercial Strategy to work towards the objective of enabling the authority to become financially sustainable by the 2020/21 financial year. Particular attention was drawn to paragraph 4.4 of the report that detailed the proposed targets to be delivered. 

Members noted the Commercial Assets of the Council as detailed in section 3 of the Strategy document and agreed that the Council’s staff represented a great asset to the authority and should be thanked and valued for their input.

The Leader commented that the document was a working document that was continually evolving; there was a need to invest and make money in future and ensure that the right infrastructure was in place at the right time.  In answer to Members’ concerns on the future of the Council’s housing stock, the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and the Environment stated that there were no current plans to sell off the housing stock but it was only right that all the available options were properly investigated and assessed; the Leader confirmed the merits of consideration of all options.

A Member commented on the emphasis in the document on traded services and he stressed that services of social value were also important and should not be overlooked.  Responding, the Leader commented that the Commercial Strategy was aiming to make the Council more business-like and provided a clear vision for the future delivery of services.  The Chief Executive stressed that the model proposed was very different commercial activity than the former ip&e.

Responding to a Member’s request for a full briefing on the issues within the document, the Leader stated that he always welcomed a discussion with any Member who may seek further information and clarification.

RESOLVED:

That the Commercial Strategy for the period 2017 to 2021, attached as appendix A to the report, be approved and adopted.

Lead Member – Councillor Steve Charmley – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

            RESOLVED:

i)             That the significant progress made to date in developing this draft Economic Growth Strategy 2017-2021 for Shropshire, be noted;

ii)            That the draft Economic Growth Strategy 2017-2021 be subject to a 6 week formal consultation with the results of the consultation helping to inform the final Strategy.  The final Strategy to be presented to Cabinet for final approval on a later date in 2017.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy presented a report from the Director of Place and Enterprise on a new Economic Growth Strategy for Shropshire from 2017 to 2021 to achieve increased economic productivity and support a prosperous and resilient economy over the next five years.  He stated that the report should be considered as a sister paper to the previously considered Commercial Strategy.

Responding to a Member’s concerns on Digital Connectivity detailed in the document, the Deputy Leader stated that the nature of the county continued to cause some issues but homes in the county nevertheless received higher broadband speeds than the minimum indicated by Government.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the significant progress made to date in developing this draft Economic Growth Strategy 2017-2021 for Shropshire, be noted;

ii)            That the draft Economic Growth Strategy 2017-2021 be subject to a 6 week formal consultation with the results of the consultation helping to inform the final Strategy.  The final Strategy to be presented to Cabinet for final approval on a later date in 2017.

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

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

            RESOLVED:

i)     Cabinet agrees that the Pontesbury Parish Plan area is an appropriate basis for the development of a Neighbourhood Development Plan and notifies the Parish Council accordingly.

ii)    Cabinet notes that if the proposed Neighbourhood Plan Area is agreed, Pontesbury Parish Council will be able to prepare the Pontesbury Neighbourhood Plan, which will be subject to public consultation, examination and local referendum as set out in Regulations.  Assuming any subsequent local referendum if successful, Shropshire Council’s Full Council will then be asked to adopt the Final version on the Neighbourhood Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and the Environment presented a report from the Director of Place and Enterprise seeking approval for the application by Pontesbury Parish Council for the Parish Council area to be considered as an appropriate area for a Neighbourhood Plan to be prepared by the Parish Council.  He stressed the need for the Parish Council to work closely with the Council in the development of its Neighbourhood Plan. 

RESOLVED:

i)     Cabinet agrees that the Pontesbury Parish Plan area is an appropriate basis for the development of a Neighbourhood Development Plan and notifies the Parish Council accordingly.

ii)    Cabinet notes that if the proposed Neighbourhood Plan Area is agreed, Pontesbury Parish Council will be able to prepare the Pontesbury Neighbourhood Plan, which will be subject to public consultation, examination and local referendum as set out in Regulations.  Assuming any subsequent local referendum if successful, Shropshire Council’s Full Council will then be asked to adopt the Final version on the Neighbourhood Plan.

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

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

            RESOLVED:

That, in principle, Shropshire Youth Association (‘the Organisation’) be granted a 30-year lease of Monkmoor Youth Centre with delegated authority to the Strategic Asset Manager to agree final terms of the lease and to complete the transaction.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support presented a report from the Director of Place and Enterprise assessing an application made by Shropshire Youth Association in respect of Monkmoor Youth Centre under the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy and drew particular attention to the summary of the assessment detailed in paragraph 6.6 of the report.

RESOLVED:

That, in principle, Shropshire Youth Association (‘the Organisation’) be granted a 30-year lease of Monkmoor Youth Centre with delegated authority to the Strategic Asset Manager to agree final terms of the lease and to complete the transaction.

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 Procedure Rules, the public and press be excluded 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 during consideration of the following item.

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

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise TO FOLLOW

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01742 255003

            RESOLVED:

            That the confidential recommendation be approved as detailed in the confidential Minutes of the meeting.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support presented the confidential report from the Director of Place and Enterprise on the Youth Service premises and the Adult Day Care service known as ‘Innage Lane Day Services’ located at Innage Lane, Bridgnorth.

RESOLVED:

            That the confidential recommendation be approved as detailed in the confidential Minutes of the meeting.