No apologies had been received.

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 confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th July 2022, attached.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 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 5.00 pm on Thursday 1^st September 2022.

A public question was received from Dr Jamie Russell in connection with the costs associated with the North West Relief Road.

A public question was received from Cllr Chris Lemon in connection with the carbon status of the Bowbrook Meadows Development.

The full questions and responses provided are available from the web page for the meeting Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 7th September, 2022, 10.30 am — Shropshire Council

To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Thursday 1^st September 2022.

Four member questions were received from the following:

Councillor Julian Dean – in relation to the Sustainable Warmth Programme.

Councillor Kate Halliday – in relation to transport to the proposed Health and Wellbeing Hub.

Councillor Rob Wilson – in relation to the North West Relief Road costs.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Rob Wilson asked if there were any comments to be made on the disruption local residents have faced due to drilling associated with the environmental testing requirements. It was confirmed that those affected had received an apology for any disruption and inconvenience caused by the works.

Councillor Kate Halliday – in relation to ‘Warm Banks’.

The full questions and responses provided are attached to the webpage for the meeting: Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 7th September, 2022, 10.30 am — Shropshire Council

There were no scrutiny items.

Lead Member – Councillor Gwilym Butler – Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources

Report of James Walton, Executive Director of Resources, attached.

RESOLVED:

To receive the information relating to the current budget processes and recommend to Council an approach for future budget consultations (Appendix 2) and an alternative budget process (Apendices 3a and 3b).

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources presented the report which proposed improvements to the current budget consultation and alternative budget arrangements that will allow broader input to how we determine the budget.

Members’ attention was drawn to the timetable which had been created to allow all members to be engaged in the budgeting process and allow time for alternative budgets to be drawn up and considered.

Members welcomed the proposals which were felt to be an improvement on the process last year.

It was noted that the consultation process could be reviewed through Performance Management Scrutiny if, after this year, further improvements were deemed necessary and that the arrangements must be approved by full Council before being implemented.

RESOLVED:

To receive the information relating to the current budget processes and recommend to Council an approach for future budget consultations (Appendix 2) and an alternative budget process (Appendices 3a and 3b).

Lead Member – Councillor Gwilym Butler – Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources

Report of James Walton, Executive Director of Resources, attached

RESOLVED:

To accept the position as set out in the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources presented the report which soufht to inform members of treasury activities for Shropshire Council for 2021/22, including the investment performance of the internal treasury team to 31 March 2022.

RESOLVED:

To accept the position as set out in the report.

Lead Member – Councillor Gwilym Butler – Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources

Report of James Walton, Executive Director of Resources, to follow

RESOLVED:

A.    To note that at the end of Quarter 1 (31st July 2021), the full year revenue forecast is a potential overspend of between £4.138m and £17.506m, with best estimates indicating an overall overspend of £9.373m;

B.    To consider the detrimental impact of this on the Council’s General Fund balance and mitigating actions urgently required to avoid this.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources presented the report which estimated the Council’s year end position based on information over the period 1st April 2022 to 31st July 2022.

Members noted that the administration had written to the new government to re-open the dialogue regarding levelling up and inflationary support to enable the council to deliver its services and drive the capital programme and economic recovery in the county.

Staff members were thanked for their ongoing dedication and drive to deliver to the new Shropshire Plan and new target operating model whilst dealing with the inflationary crisis.

A number of concerns were raised regarding the financial health of the council and further detail was requested; including information regarding the tactical budget review, reserve estimates, details of mitigating actions and the potential to push the cost of living crisis on to staff working from home. The Portfolio Holder requested that an email be sent to him detailing any further information that was required and a response could be provided.

It was acknowledged that the Council were in unchartered waters but that this was a national concern. It was hoped that the situation may look different once the new central government’s policies are known.

It was confirmed that any change in the level of services the council are providing would be discussed in a transparent manner before being agreed by council. 

RESOLVED:

A.    To note that at the end of Quarter 1 (31st July 2021), the full year revenue forecast is a potential overspend of between £4.138m and £17.506m, with best estimates indicating an overall overspend of £9.373m;

B.    To consider the detrimental impact of this on the Council’s General Fund balance and mitigating actions urgently required to avoid this.

Lead Member – Councillor Gwilym Butler – Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources

Report of James Walton, Executive Director of Resources, attached

RESOLVED:

To accept the position as set out in the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources presented the report which outlined the treasury management activities of the Council in the first quarter of 2022/23.

RESOLVED:

To accept the position as set out in the report.

Lead Member – Councillor Gwilym Butler – Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources

Report of James Walton, Executive Director of Resources, to follow

RESOLVED:

That Members

i)                Considered and endorsed, with the appropriate comment, the performance to date;

ii)               Considered the emerging issues as highlighted in paragraph 9.3.

The Portfolio Holder for Digital, Data & Insight and Built Housing presented the report which demonstrated progress against the Shropshire Plan outcomes: Healthy People, Healthy Economy, Healthy Environment, and a Healthy Organisation.

Members were advised that the performance portal had been rebuilt to reflect the Shropshire Plan priorities and that a new interactive reporting tool was in the process of being finalised. This would be delivered as soon as possible.

RESOLVED:

That Members

i)                Considered and endorsed, with the appropriate comment, the performance to date

ii)               Considered the emerging issues as highlighted in paragraph 9.3.

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

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place, attached

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

· Agreed that the business case for the project, as set out in the paper, be presented to Council with a recommendation that the development of the Whitchurch Swimming and Fitness Centre be included in the capital programme with an initial budget of £13.100m, funded from Public Works Loan Board (PWLB).

· Acknowledged the significant average annual revenue pressure of £0.509m arising from approval of this scheme, reaching a maximum of £0.530m in 2028-29, and recommend that Council delegate resolution of this pressure to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture, Leisure & Tourism.

· Recommend that Council delegates authority to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture, Leisure & Tourism, to procure, negotiate and agree the terms of any agreements/contracts necessary for the delivery of the project including, but not limited to:

o Agreeing the procurement strategy

o Design Team procurement and appointment

o Site Surveys and Investigations and relevant reports

o Planning permissions o Tendering activities

o Main contractor procurement and contract sign-off

o Construction

o Hand over

The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture, Leisure & Tourism, Transport introduced the report which provided a recommendation to Council that the business case for the rebuilding of Whitchurch Swimming and Fitness Centre is approved and added to the capital strategy.

Members were in support of this much needed facility which would greatly benefit the residents of Whitchurch.

It was questioned as to how eco-friendly the facility would be. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that every effort would be made to be up to BREEAM standards and that the development would be a leader in its field.

Members and residents were praised for their campaigning efforts.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

· Agreed that the business case for the project, as set out in the paper, be presented to Council with a recommendation that the development of the Whitchurch Swimming and Fitness Centre be included in the capital programme with an initial budget of £13.100m, funded from Public Works Loan Board (PWLB).

· Acknowledged the significant average annual revenue pressure of £0.509m arising from approval of this scheme, reaching a maximum of £0.530m in 2028-29, and recommend that Council delegate resolution of this pressure to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture, Leisure & Tourism.

· Recommend that Council delegates authority to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture, Leisure & Tourism, to procure, negotiate and agree the terms of any agreements/contracts necessary for the delivery of the project including, but not limited to:

o Agreeing the procurement strategy

o Design Team procurement and appointment

o Site Surveys and Investigations and relevant reports

o Planning permissions o Tendering activities

o Main contractor procurement and contract sign-off

o Construction

o Hand over