Apologies were received from Councillors Lee Chapman and David Minnery.

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 meetings held on 27 February 2019 and 6 March 2019, attached.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 27 February 2019 and 6 March 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 27 February 2019 and 6 March 2019 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 no later than 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting. 

A question was submitted on behalf of the CPRE by Charles Green relating to the agenda item Shropshire Local Plan – Strategic Development Sites.  A copy of the question and the response provided by the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing Development at the meeting is attached to the signed minutes. 

To receive any questions of which members of the Council have given due notice, the deadline for notification for this meeting is 5.00 pm on Friday 15 March 2019.

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Highways responded to a question from Councillor David Vasmer in relation to the reopening of a path between Abbey Foregate and Platform 3 of Shrewsbury Train Station.

The Deputy Leader responded to a question from Councillor Roger Evans asking if the Council had any business arrangements with Interserve.

The Deputy Leader responded to a question from Councillor Kevin Turley asking about build figures on possible works for transitional units for Looked After Children and about tender lists.  

A copy of the full questions and the responses provided to them is attached to the signed minutes and available on the Cabinet pages of the Council’s website. 

To consider any scrutiny issues from Council or any of the Scrutiny Committees

There were no Scrutiny items. 

Lead Member – Nick Bardsley – Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People

Report of Director of Children’s Services attached

Contact:  Karen Bradshaw, 01743 254201

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet acknowledge the statutory requirement to be part of a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) by the 1^st April 2020, as set out in the Education and Adoption Act 2016.

that Cabinet approve the formation of a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) between Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council.

that Cabinet approves the Outline Business Case (OBC) which sets out the ambition of Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council to go beyond adoption and develop a regional model of wider permanence which includes Fostering, Connected Persons and Special Guardianship Orders (SGO).

The Deputy Portfolio Holder for Education introduced the report of the Director of Children’s Services seeking approval to proceed with the establishment of a Regional Adoption Agency.  The approach taken meant that Shropshire would retain local independence whilst the resources, capacity and flexibility gained from partnership working would lead to improvements in service delivery, effective practice and long-term outcomes for children.    A further report to Cabinet would follow in due course. 

RESOLVED:

A      that Cabinet acknowledge the statutory requirement to be part of a Regional Adoption    Agency (RAA) by the 1^st April 2020, as set out in the Education and Adoption Act 2016.

B      that Cabinet approve the formation of a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) between   Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Shropshire Council and Telford &      Wrekin Council.

C      that Cabinet approves the Outline Business Case (OBC) which sets out the ambition of Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Shropshire Council and Telford &      Wrekin Council to go beyond adoption and develop a regional model of wider permanence    which includes Fostering, Connected Persons and Special Guardianship Orders (SGO).

Lead Member – Councillor Lee Chapman, Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, Health and Social Housing

Report of Director of Public Health

Contact:  Rod Thomson, 01743 253934

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2019 - 2023, as set out in Appendix 1, and agrees that it is adopted by the Council and implemented with effect from the 1 April 2019.

The Portfolio Holder for Community and Place Planning introduced the report of the Director of Public Health setting out the proposed updated Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2019 – 2023.  He thanked the Strategic Licensing Committee for overseeing the work leading to this point.  The Policy set out a high standard for taxis and drivers licensed in Shropshire and he urged residents of Shropshire to support them. 

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2019 - 2023, as set out in Appendix 1, and agrees that it is adopted by the Council and implemented with effect from the 1 April 2019.

Lead Member – Gwilym Butler – Portoflio Holder for Community and Place Planning

Report of Director of Place attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow, tel 01743 258916

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the closure and removal of the Shropshire Council owned Bring Bank sites,

and the budget for this service is removed.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure introduced the report of the Director of Place on the proposed closure of Shropshire Council Bring Bank Sites to generate a saving of £237,000 per annum. The proposal supported the aim of making the savings required within the overall waste and recycling service to help establish a balanced budget for 2019/20, whilst minimising the impact on the overall service. 

Responding to comments made by a number of Members addressing the meeting, the Portfolio Holder said that 89% of materials picked up from Bring Banks could have been collected more efficiently from the kerbside and the same service was effectively being provided twice.  She also reported on the high contamination rate of materials left at Bring Banks, the use of Bring Banks for trade and commercial waste, and the fly tipping occurring at almost all sites.  Alternative options for textiles were available through charity and commercial bring bank services. 

The Deputy Leader reported that kerbside recycling in Shropshire was now 53.7% which was an all time high and 10% above the national average.  A Member asked about the number of prosecutions for fly tipping and the Leader said this information would be provided, and that incidences of fly tipping were monitored carefully.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the closure and removal of the Shropshire Council owned Bring Bank sites,

and the budget for this service is removed.

Lead Member – Robert Macey – Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing Development

Report of Director of Place attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow, tel 01743 258916

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet agrees the conclusions of the Examiner’s report into the Market Drayton Neighbourhood Development (Appendix 1) and that the plan in its current form should NOT proceed to referendum, and that this resolution be communicated through a decision notice published by Shropshire Council.

that Cabinet agrees that Shropshire Council, Market Drayton Town Council and other relevant Parish Councils continue to work constructively together to determine the most appropriate means of delivering the objectives of the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan. 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing Development presented the report of the Director of Place explaining the conclusion of the Examiner’s report that the Plan should not proceed to a referendum as it did not meet the nationally prescribed set of conditions. This was not binding on the Council but there would be a significant risk of challenge to the Authority should it decide to go against the Examiner’s clear conclusions on the matter.

RESOLVED:

A  That Cabinet agrees the conclusions of the Examiner’s report into the Market Drayton Neighbourhood Development (Appendix 1) and that the plan in its current form should NOT proceed to referendum, and that this resolution be communicated through a decision notice published by Shropshire Council.

B  That Cabinet agrees that Shropshire Council, Market Drayton Town Council and other relevant Parish Councils continue to work constructively together to determine the most appropriate means of delivering the objectives of the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan. 

Lead Member – Robert Macey – Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing Development

Report of Director of Place attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow, tel 01743 258916

RESOLVED:

That the Woore Neighbourhood Development meets the ‘basic conditions’ and all other legal requirements as summarised in the Independent Examiner’s Report, subject to the modifications proposed in the Schedule of Modifications (Appendix 2)

That the required modifications be agreed to the Woore Neighbourhood Development Plan and that the Woore Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum Version (March 2019) proceed to referendum. 

That the referendum area be that as defined as the designated area to which the Neighbourhood Development Plan relates, i.e. the Woore parish boundary.

That the Executive Director for Place be authorised to exercise all the relevant powers and duties and undertake necessary arrangements for the Woore Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum Version (March 2019) to now proceed to Referendum and for the Referendum to take place asking the question ‘whether the voter wants Shropshire Council to use this neighbourhood plan for the Woore Neighbourhood Plan area to help it decide planning applications in this neighbourhood area’. 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing Development presented the report of the Executive Director – Places, seeking approval for the Woore Neighbourhood Development Plan to proceed to a referendum to determine if the Plan should be used for the purposes of determining planning applications in the neighbourhood area.  He reported that the Examiners Report into the Plan concluded that it should be modified to meet the basic conditions and that it should be this modified version of the Plan which should proceed to referendum, which would take place between 9 May 2019 and 13 June 2019. 

RESOLVED:

A  That the Woore Neighbourhood Development meets the ‘basic conditions’ and all other legal requirements as summarised in the Independent Examiner’s Report, subject to the modifications proposed in the Schedule of Modifications (Appendix 2)

B  That the required modifications be agreed to the Woore Neighbourhood Development Plan and that the Woore Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum Version (March 2019) proceed to referendum. 

C  That the referendum area be that as defined as the designated area to which the Neighbourhood Development Plan relates, i.e. the Woore parish boundary.

D  That the Executive Director for Place be authorised to exercise all the relevant powers and duties and undertake necessary arrangements for the Woore Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum Version (March 2019) to now proceed to Referendum and for the Referendum to take place asking the question ‘whether the voter wants Shropshire Council to use this neighbourhood plan for the Woore Neighbourhood Plan area to help it decide planning applications in this neighbourhood area’. 

Lead Member – Robert Macey – Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing Development

Report of Director of Place attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow, tel 01743 258916

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the principle of further engagement with the proposers, neighbouring authorities, local communities and other relevant stakeholders to develop positive redevelopment proposals of strategic sites at the former Ironbridge Power Station at Buildwas and Clive Barracks at Tern Hill. These will then be brought forward for Cabinet to consider as part of the Local Plan Review Preferred Strategic Sites consultation later in 2019;

That Cabinet approves in principle the potential to explore the benefits to Shropshire of accepting a proportion of unmet development needs from the Black Country Authorities, and to engage further with the proposers of land near Junction 3 of the M54; neighbouring authorities; local communities; and other relevant stakeholders to develop positive proposals to meet these development needs and provide local employment opportunities. This will then be brought forward for Cabinet to consider as part of the Local Plan Review Preferred Strategic Sites consultation later in 2019.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing Development presented the report of the Director of Place seeking approval for the Council to continue work with site proposers and other stakeholders to develop positive proposals for development.  The proposals provided strategic opportunities to deliver the objectives of Shropshire’s Economic Growth Strategy across three strategic sites, former Ironbridge Power Station, Buildwas; Clive Barracks at Tern Hill and land near junction 3 of the M54.

A number of members addressed Cabinet making comments about meeting a proportion of unmet development needs from the Black Country Authorities; the need for developments to yield high paid jobs for Shropshire residents; meeting the demand for a Five Year Housing Supply; impact of development on green belt land; and ensuring communication with communities was effective so that Town and Parish Councils felt that they were being listened to.  

The Portfolio Holder for Community and Place Planning emphasised the importance of having structured Community Governance arrangements in place ahead of sites coming forward for housing and development, to ensure sustainability and control.   

It was confirmed that the Planning Policy Team were talking to officers from the Ministry of Defence but that the Tern Hill development would not happen as quickly as envisaged as it was now known that the land would not be available until 2025. 

In response to comments made, the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing Development confirmed that these sites did not currently contribute to the Five Year Land supply targets as there would be challenges around delivering all of them.  He confirmed that Shropshire residents would have access to the jobs and that the Ironbridge and Tern Hill sites were both Brownfield.   Referring to the infrastructure pressure on Shifnal which had partly been due to Five Year Land Supply pressures, there would be an opportunity to plan ahead so a Master Plan approach could be taken.  He understood the importance of the need to communicate and the purpose of this report was to keep people informed at an early stage.

It was confirmed that an update report would come back to Cabinet later in the year prior to any consultation activity. 

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the principle of further engagement with the proposers, neighbouring authorities, local communities and other relevant stakeholders to develop positive redevelopment proposals of strategic sites at the former Ironbridge Power Station at Buildwas and Clive Barracks at Tern Hill. These will then be brought forward for Cabinet to consider as part of the Local Plan Review Preferred Strategic Sites consultation later in 2019;

That Cabinet approves in principle the potential to explore the benefits to Shropshire of accepting a proportion of unmet development needs from the Black Country Authorities, and to engage further with the proposers of land near Junction 3 of the M54; neighbouring authorities; local communities; and other relevant stakeholders to develop positive proposals to meet these development needs and provide local employment opportunities. This will then be brought forward for Cabinet to consider as part of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

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 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 from the meeting for the following item.

Lead Member – Lee Chapman – Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, Health and Social Housing

Report of Director of Place, TO FOLLOW

Contact:  Mark Barrow, tel 01743 258916

RESOLVED:

that the recommendations in the exempt report of the Director of Place be approved.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial Support presented an exempt report of the Director of Place relating to a land purchase in Weston Rhyn through the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

RESOLVED:

that the recommendations in the exempt report of the Director of Place be approved.