Apologies had been received from Councillor Cecilia Motley and Tanya Miles, Executive Director of People.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2023.

To follow

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st March 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st March 2023 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 2 March 2023.

There were no public questions.

To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Thursday 2 March 2023.

Questions were received from the following Members. The full question and responses provided are attached to the webpage for the meeting.

Councillor Roger Evans (question brought forward from full Council) – in relation to the Greenfields Recreation Ground.

Responding to a supplementary question regarding the planning application, the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services said it was not possible to confirm if the planning application would be pursued and the Order was still awaited. It was therefore not possible to give projected timescales.

Councillor Peggy Mullock – in relation to cost of living support grant. Members were urged to take the information provided within the response to their Town and Parish Councils to make them aware of support available.

Councillor Bernie Bentick – in relation to waste water upgrades.

There were no scrutiny items.

Lead Member – Councillor Dean Carroll – Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing

Report of Mark Barrow – Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approve and adopt the draft Tenancy Strategy and the draft Tenancy Policy, set out in Appendix I.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing introduced the Council’s Tenancy Strategy and Policy which, in a bid to tackle inequality, have been revised to enable the Council to offer lifetime tenancies to all, replacing fixed term offers. The Strategy also requests that Private Registered Providers use Lifetime Tenancies as their default. Members noted that both the strategy and policy have been subject to public consultation.

The Portfolio Holder was questioned about the reason for a five year phase out and it was confirmed that a written response would be provided following the meeting.

Members urged landlords to adopt the policy and gave thanks to the team for their hard work. Members were pleased to see such positive feedback from elected members and Town and Parish Councils.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approve and adopt the draft Tenancy Strategy and the draft Tenancy Policy, set out in Appendix I.

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

Report of Tanya Miles – Executive Director of People

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet adopt the revised policy (Appendix A).

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Education introduced the report which sought Cabinet approval of the Unsafe Walking Routes Policy which replaced the current Extremely Hazardous Routes Policy.

Members sought reassurance that although the Policy referred to statutory duties, that the safety of pedestrians would be considered when assessing routes. This included the reference to verges which may be used by parents and young children on their walk to school. It was confirmed that the policy was designed to ensure the safety of pedestrians and their relationship with transport, and that each application would be considered on its own merits. This would be reviewed annually.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet adopt the revised policy (Appendix A).

Lead Member – Councillor Dean Carroll – Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing

Report of Mark Barrow – Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

·       To approve the disposal of the site (as outlined in appendix 1) to CDL to realise a capital receipt.

·       To delegate the following to the Head of Property and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration & Housing,

o   The authority to formalise the detailed terms of the structure of the disposal incorporating the agreed valuation approach as set out and approved by full Council on the 17 December 2020 in the report ‘Addressing Unmet Housing Need Site Disposals to the Housing Company’

o   In accordance with the above, ensure the sale of land is compliant with the obligations placed on the Council pursuant to Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 and the UK subsidy control regime in accordance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022

o   The ability to settle terms and conclude a sale

The Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing presented the report proposing to dispose of the site known as Former Oakland School, Bayston Hill to Cornovii Developments Ltd (CDL).

Members felt that the residents of Bayston Hill would welcome the proposals which would see a piece of land which has been vacant for a considerable time put back into use to address unmet housing need.

RESOLVED:

·       To approve the disposal of the site (as outlined in appendix 1) to CDL to realise a capital receipt.

·       To delegate the following to the Head of Property and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration & Housing,

o   The authority to formalise the detailed terms of the structure of the disposal incorporating the agreed valuation approach as set out and approved by full Council on the 17 December 2020 in the report ‘Addressing Unmet Housing Need Site Disposals to the Housing Company’

o   In accordance with the above, ensure the sale of land is compliant with the obligations placed on the Council pursuant to Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 and the UK subsidy control regime in accordance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022

o   The ability to settle terms and conclude a sale

Councillor Ian Nellins – Deputy Leader - Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport

Report of Mark Barrow – Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the draft LCWIP document and appendices to go out to public consultation for a period of six weeks.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport introduced the report which sought Cabinet approval to go out to consultation on the draft Shropshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

Members welcomed the report but a query was raised regarding the remaining towns in the county which had not been included in the proposals. Members were advised that the Plan focussed on urban areas; however, the Plan would cover up to 10km around each of the seven identified towns so there was potential for further towns and villages to be included.

The safety of children and parents on school routes was raised. Members were advised that there was a joined up approach with schools, the Active Travel team and the Road Safety team.

It was noted that securing funding would be crucial in order to implement the infrastructure improvements, following a period of public consultation.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the draft LCWIP document and appendices to go out to public consultation for a period of six weeks.