The Leader, Councillor Lezley Picton, welcomed all to the meeting and, in so doing, commented on the need to get the basics right going forward, listening to local residents, business communities and partners and working to promote a healthy population in Shropshire together with a healthy economy.  Although noting the continuing reduction of coronavirus levels in the county, she stressed that each and every person had a responsibility to do all possible to hold on to the reinstated freedoms.  Finally, referring to both Volunteers’ Week and to Carers’ Week, she thanked and paid tribute to the tireless work and commitment of all volunteers and carers who provided so much support in the county.

No apologies for absence had been received.

No disclosable pecuniary interests were declared.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2021, attached

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2021 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 1.00 pm on Thursday 3 June 2021

The Legal Services Manager stated that he would be reading out the questions submitted and the questions and answers provided would be available from the webpage for the meeting:

https://shropshire.gov.uk/committee-services/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=130&MId=4227&Ver=4

Questions were submitted from the following members of the public:

Helen Morgan – regarding the timeline and progress on the project to introduce a 20mph speed limit outside Shropshire schools.

David Walker – regarding the use of CIL funding towards the North West Relief Road project, the publication timescales for the Infrastructure Funding Statement and the timeline for consideration of the business case for the North West Relief Road.

Adam Ship – regarding the sale of Council assets (land) towards the funding of the North West Relief Road.

Harry Taylor – regarding objections received from the Environment Agency and from Barratt David Wilson homes to the North West Relief Road.

To receive any questions from members of the council.  Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Wednesday 2 June 2021

Member Questions were received as follows:

Rob Wilson – regarding the Council’s commitment to the Government’s Gear Change Policy with the aim of 50% of journeys in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2030 and any progress made.

David Vasmer – regarding the decision taken by Belvidere School in Shrewsbury to remove the opportunity for pupils to study Music or Art GCSE from September 2021.

Andy Boddington – regarding the Council’s recycling performance and measures that could be taken to make improvements, consideration of the use of wheelie bins for dry recyclables and consideration of an upgrade to the existing blue bags used as part of the recycling household collection scheme.

Andy Boddington – regarding plans and timescales to review the Council’s schemes for public and Member questions.

The full questions and answers provided are attached to the web page for the meeting.

https://shropshire.gov.uk/committee-services/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=130&MId=4227&Ver=4

There were no scrutiny matters for consideration.

Lead Member – Councillor Cecilia Motley – Portfolio Holder for Communities, Place, Tourism and Transport

Report of Executive Director of Place attached

Contact Mark Barrow, 01743 258916

RESOLVED:

That the Council delegates power to Whixall Parish Council to enable the designation of The Marl Allotment as a Local Nature Reserve.  

The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Place, Tourism & Transport presented the report supporting the delegation of power to Whixall Parish Council to enable the designation of The Marl Allotment as a Local Nature Reserve.  She drew attention to the benefits of such a designation in raising the profile with the public, increased visitor usage and the health and wellbeing benefits that would be provided.

RESOLVED:

That the Council delegates power to Whixall Parish Council to enable the designation of The Marl Allotment as a Local Nature Reserve.  

Lead Member – Councillor Edward Potter - Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Planning

Report of Executive Director of Place attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow 01743 258916

RESOLVED:

To support and approve:  

1.    The submission of three bids for Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Craven Arms in the first round of the Levelling Up programme.  

2.       Delegation to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Section 151 officer and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, regeneration and planning to submit the final bids for the 18 June 2021 deadline. 

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Planning presented the report on 3 proposals in the Shropshire Council area, in Craven Arms, Shrewsbury and Oswestry to bid for monies from the Government’s UK Levelling Up Fund.  He explained that a great deal of work had been undertaken to ensure that the three bids had as much chance as possible of securing investment for visible projects in Shropshire’s communities by the submission deadline of 18 June 2021.

He added that timescales had been very tight as details of the first round of the Fund and the prospectus had been announced on 3rd March 2021 focussing on three themes:

·         smaller transport projects making a genuine difference to local areas;

·         town centre and high street regeneration; and

·         support for maintaining and expanding the UK’s world-leading portfolio of cultural and heritage assets.

Given the tight timescales, the Portfolio Holder stressed that engagement had been previously undertaken more widely on the Big Town Plan that had significant links with the Shrewsbury submission.

RESOLVED:

To support and approve:   

1.    The submission of three bids for Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Craven Arms in the first round of the Levelling Up programme.  

2.       Delegation to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Planning to submit the final bids for the 18 June 2021 deadline. 

Lead Member – Councillor Gwilym Butler – Portfolio Holder for Resources

Report of Interim Executive Director of Resources attached

Contact:  James Walton 01743 258915 

RESOLVED:

To consider the emerging issues in this report 

To review the performance portal and identify any performance areas to consider in greater detail or refer to the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee. 

The Portfolio Holder for Resources presented the report detailing the Council’s key outcomes for performance during Quarter 4 2020/21.  Although and historic report the information within drew attention to good practice that had been apparent during the pandemic that could be developed in future on analysis of the resultant data.

He stressed the importance of the material available to all, Members and the public, through the Council’s Performance Portal and offered to work with the Council’s Performance Management Scrutiny Committee to develop and extend the offer of the Portal in future.

RESOLVED:

To consider the emerging issues in this report 

To review the Performance Portal and identify any performance areas to consider in greater detail or refer to the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee.