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.

None were declared

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 5^th January 2022

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2022 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 10:00 AM Monday 17^th January 2022

Public questions were received from the following:

Mike Streetly, in relation to carbon emissions

Stephen Mulloy, in relation to councillors voting on public expenditure and ownership of the Food Enterprise Centre in Shrewsbury.

The full questions and responses provided to them are available on the web page for the meeting:

Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 19th January, 2022, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

To receive any questions from members of the council.  Deadline for notification is not later than Friday 14^th January 2022

Member questions were received from the following:

Councillor Rob Wilson – in relation to publicity for changes to the highway code

By way of supplementary question, Councillor Wilson asked if the Council was giving any consideration to ‘Implied’ zebra crossings as currently being trialled in Greater Manchester.  Councillor Nellings reported that this was not currently under consideration but that he would discuss this with officers. 

Councillor Rob Wilson – in relation to the Transport Decarbonisation Plan

By way of supplementary question, Councillor Wilson asked for details of capital projects currently in process aimed at traffic reduction and Councillor Carroll agreed to share a list with him outside of the meeting.

Councillor Ruth Houghton – in relation to the Council’s budget consultation

By way of a supplementary question she asked if it was felt the second Gunning principle had been met in relation to availability of sufficient information.  The Portfolio Holder said that the relevant information was available in historic strategies and the Leader referred to the need to balance the need to provide sufficient information but not an overwhelming amount. 

Councillor David Vasmer – in relation to Acton Scott historic farm.

In response to Councillor Vasmer’s supplementary question, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that an information pack was being put together for interested parties, that it would be an open book process, and all financial information would be made available in this. 

The questions and responses provided to them are available from the webpage for the meeting, in addition to the recording of the meeting:  Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 19th January, 2022, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

Councillor Claire Wild, Chair of Performance Scrutiny Committee, attended the meeting to make a  request on behalf of the Committee for Cabinet to look into the possibility of civil enforcement, street scene and environmental teams being empowered to issue fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, fly tipping and antisocial behaviour.  It was felt that this would be a smart use of resources.  the Committee had asked that a report be brought be back in six months time. 

The Leader said she was aware of other councils that had taken this approach and noted that this  work would involve a number of Portfolio Holder areas.  Councillor Dean referred to a move to give councils the option to apply for powers to enforce against ‘moving traffic offences’ and he asked if this could also be taken into consideration within this work.

Cabinet agreed to look into these issues and report back within 6 months.   

Lead Member – Councillor Gwilym Butler– Portfolio Holder for Resources

Report of James Walton, Executive Director Resources – attached

Tel: 01743 258915

RESOLVED:

1.1.     to approve the amendments to the Council Policy for Debt Collection of Council Tax, Business Rates and Housing Benefit Overpayments set out in Appendix A

1.2.     to approve the new policy for Debt Collection of Sundry Debts set out in Appendix B

1.3.     to note the intention to bring a combined Council Debt Policy to include Adults and Children’s Social Care Debt and Parking Debt later in 2022.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources presented the report, explaining it was good practice for the Council to publicise its debt collection arrangements and also the need to maximise collection rates during a time of financial constraint for the Council. 

In response to questions about third party companies collecting debts on behalf of the Council, he emphasised that anyone who was aware of any undesirable practice to make contact with him.  He agreed to supply a list of companies the council was dealing with for this purpose to Councillor Vasmer.  Those with outstanding debt would be treated in a fair and equitable way but he emphasised the message that anyone in this position should contact the Council at the earliest opportunity to make a plan to address this. 

RESOLVED:

1.1.     to approve the amendments to the Council Policy for Debt Collection of Council Tax, Business Rates and Housing Benefit Overpayments set out in Appendix A

1.2.     to approve the new policy for Debt Collection of Sundry Debts set out in Appendix B

1.3.     to note the intention to bring a combined Council Debt Policy to include Adults and Children’s Social Care Debt and Parking Debt later in 2022.

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

Report of Tanya Miles, Executive Director of People – attached

Tel: 01743 255811

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet accept the recommendation of Shropshire Schools Forum on the funding formula for Shropshire schools for the financial year 2022-23 for maintained schools, and the academic year 2022-23 for academies.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Education presented the report.

In response to questions about ventilation and keeping warm in schools, she agreed to provide details outside of the meting of ventilation units on order. 

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet accept the recommendation of Shropshire Schools Forum on the funding formula for Shropshire schools for the financial year 2022-23 for maintained schools, and the academic year 2022-23 for academies.

Lead Member – Councillor Dean Carroll– Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place – attached

Tel: 01743 258919

RESOLVED

1.1.     to agree to support the RSPCA campaign and thereby to resolve:

1.2.     That an outright ban of the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on Shropshire Council owned land is implemented

1.3.     That the Council writes to the UK Government requesting an outright ban of live animals as prizes on both public and private land

1.4.     That the Council carries out a review of the current policies and the terms and conditions of the licences and hire of Council owned land and premises to ensure that they reflect the Council’s position as regards giving of live animals (e.g., Goldfish, etc) as prizes

The Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure introduced the report  explaining it requested support for the RSPCA campaign and sought agreement for an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes in any form on Shropshire Council Land.  

RESOLVED

1.1.     to agree to support the RSPCA campaign and thereby to resolve:

1.2.     That an outright ban of the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on Shropshire Council owned land is implemented

1.3.     That the Council writes to the UK Government requesting an outright ban of live animals as prizes on both public and private land

1.4.     That the Council carries out a review of the current policies and the terms and conditions of the licences and hire of Council owned land and premises to ensure that they reflect the Council’s position as regards giving of live animals (e.g., Goldfish, etc) as prizes

Lead Member – Councillor Cecilia Motley – Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture, Leisure & Tourism, Transport

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place – to follow

Tel: 01743 258919

Members noted that the Library Strategy would be presented to a future meeting.

Members noted that the Library Strategy would be presented to a future meeting.

Lead Member – Councillor Rob Gittins – Portfolio Holder for Digital/Technology/Data and Insight

Report of Tanya Miles, Executive Director of People – attached

Tel: 01743 255811

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the proposed Regulation of Investigatory Powers Policy and Guidance as set out in Appendix 1 and agrees to adopt the Policy and Guidance with effect from 1 February 2022.

The Portfolio Holder for Digital/Technology/Data and Insight introduced the report explaining the updated policy was the basis for lawful surveillance activities, implementing appropriate checks and balances compatible with human rights privacy.  He explained the governance arrangements for the policy by the Audit Committee. 

In response to questions about complaints in relation to the policy, the Head of Business and Consumer Protection explained that any complaints in relation to the policy should be made via the  Council’s usual complaint process but she agreed to provide clarification within or appended to the policy regarding the tribunal process. 

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the proposed Regulation of Investigatory Powers Policy and Guidance as set out in Appendix 1 and agrees to adopt the Policy and Guidance with effect from 1 February 2022.

Lead Member – Councillor Ed Potter – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Planning

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place – attached

Tel: 01743 2578919

RESOLVED:

1.1      To agree that the Future Oswestry Masterplan and Vision - Final Draft be made available for public consultation for a period of six weeks, to commence from the beginning of February 2022.

1.2      To agree that the officers will report back to Cabinet and / or Council, as appropriate, on the outcome of consultation and present the final Masterplan and Vision for endorsement.

The Deputy Leader presented the report which summarised work to date of the Future Oswestry Group which was made up of representatives from Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID). The Group had overseen the development of the plan which would help set the agenda for local action, investment and change through an ongoing engagement and consultation process with local stakeholders, businesses, and residents.    Consultation on the final draft was planned through a mix of face to face exhibitions, online meetings, workshops, and questionnaires via the consultation portal.

In response to comments about proposals for the Morrisons site and the need to avoid waste materials, the Portfolio Holder for Assets reported that the site had now been vacant for a number of years and it was therefore necessary to explore a variety of options for the site. 

RESOLVED:

1.1      To agree that the Future Oswestry Masterplan and Vision - Final Draft be made available for public consultation for a period of six weeks, to commence from the beginning of February 2022.

1.2      To agree that the officers will report back to Cabinet and / or Council, as appropriate, on the outcome of consultation and present the final Masterplan and Vision for endorsement.

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 Rules, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items.

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 from the meeting during consideration of the following item.

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 from the meeting during consideration of the following item.

To confirm the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2022

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.