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Shirehall
Abbey Foregate
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY2 6ND

Agenda and minutes

Venue: THIS IS A VIRTUAL MEETING - PLEASE USE THE LINK ON THE AGENDA TO LISTEN TO THE MEETING. View directions

Contact: Julie Fildes  Committee Officer

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Items
No. Item

134.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andy Boddington, Pauline Dee, Richard Huffer and Keith Roberts.

 

135.

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

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.

Minutes:

Members were 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.

 

Councillor Ruth Houghton asked that it be noted that in relation to item 11, she was a Trustee of a Supported Living Care Provider.

 

136.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 16th July 2020 pdf icon PDF 535 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16th July 2020. [To follow]

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16th July 2020, as circulated with the agenda papers, be approved and signed as a correct record.

 

137.

Announcements pdf icon PDF 85 KB

To receive such communications as the Chairman, Speaker, Leader and Head of Paid Service may desire to lay before the Council.

Minutes:

Chairman’s Engagements

 

The Chairman referred Members to the list of official engagements carried out by himself and the Speaker since the last meeting of the Council on 16th July 2020, which had been circulated  prior to the meeting.

 

138.

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 372 KB

To receive any questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  Deadline for notification for this meeting is 10am on Tuesday 22nd September 2020.

 

A petition, bearing over 1000 signatures has been received from Emma Dolphin, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme.  The petition requests that the Council:

 

Retains the Clive of India Statue in Shrewsbury Town Centre

 

The petitioner will be allowed 5 minutes to outline their case through written submission, after which there may a debate of up to a maximum of 15 minutes.

Minutes:

Public Questions

 

The Speaker advised that five public questions had been received from Mr Rob Wilson, Dr Graham Tate, Ms Claire Kirby, Ms Joanne Blackman and Dr Jamie Russell.  All questions were read aloud on the questioners’ behalf by the Director of Legal and Democratic Services and received answers from the respective Portfolio Holders. 

 

It was noted that a copy of the questions and answers would be included with the formal record of the meeting.

 

Petition

 

The Speaker advised that a petition bearing more than 1,000 signatures to retain the statue of Clive in Shrewsbury town centre had been received from Ms Emma Dolphin requesting a debate.  Ms Dolphin did not provide a written submission.

 

The Portfolio Holder outlined the actions taken since this item was debated at the meeting of Council on 16th July 2020.

 

RESOLVED: That no action be taken.

 

139.

Appointment of the Chief Executive pdf icon PDF 227 KB

Report of the Director of Workforce and Transformation is attached.

 

Contact Michele Leith  Tel 01743 254402

Minutes:

It was proposed by the Leader, Councillor P Nutting and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Portfolio Holder for Assets, Economic Growth and Regeneration, Councillor S Charmley that the report of the Director of Workforce and Transformation, Appointment of the Chief Executive, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

 

RESOLVED:  That it be confirmed that Andy Begley be permanently appointed to the Chief Executive position with effect from 1st October 2020.

 

140.

Annual Treasury Report 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 801 KB

Report of the Director of Finance, Governance and Assurance is attached.

 

Contact James Walton   Tel 01743 258915

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor D Minnery, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Support, and seconded by Councillor B Williams that the report of the Director of Finance, Governance and Assurance, Annual Treasury Report 2019/20, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

 

RESOLVED:  That the position as set out in the attached report be agreed.

 

141.

Annual Assurance Report of Audit Committee to Council pdf icon PDF 397 KB

Report of the Director of Finance Governance and Assurance is attached.

 

Contact  James Walton  Tel 01743 258915

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor P Adams, Chair of the Audit Committee, and seconded by Councillor B Williams that the report of the Director of Finance, Governance and Assurance, Annual Assurance Report of Audit Committee to Council, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

 

RESOLVED: that the contents of the Annual Assurance report for 2019/20 be noted and agreed.

 

142.

Review of the Constitution to Permit the Audit Committee to Approve the Final Accounts Pack Including the Annual Statement of Accounts pdf icon PDF 257 KB

The report of the Director of Finance, Governance and Assurance is attached.

 

Contact James Walton   Tel 01743 258915

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor D Minnery, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Support, and seconded by the Leader, Councillor P Nutting that the report of the Director of Finance, Governance and Assurance, Review of the Constitution to Permit the Audit Committee to Approve the Final Accounts Pack Including the Annual Statement of Accounts, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

 

RESOLVED: that the Audit Committee be given responsibility for approving the Final Accounts Pack including the Statement of Accounts for the Financial Year 2019/20 onwards and the detailed changes to the Constitution proposed in Appendix A of the attached report be adopted.

 

143.

20mph Speed Restrictions Outside Schools pdf icon PDF 784 KB

The report of the Director of Place is attached.

 

Contact Mark Barrow    Tel 01743 258919

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor S Davenport, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, and seconded by Councillor P Nutting that the report of the Director of Place, 20mph Speed Restrictions Outside Schools, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

 

Councillor Davenport proposed that an addition recommendation be added to the recommendations set out in the report, that the scheme be completed by May 2025.

 

Councillor T Parsons proposed the following amendment, which was duly Seconded by Councillor P Mosley.

 

Council welcomes this Report to consider how the principle of a 20mph speed limit outside all schools in Shropshire can be implemented and agrees with recommendations (a) to (d) inclusive and recommendation (f).

However, the proposed timescale for the implementation of agreed proposals and the method of financing them is not appropriate in the circumstances. Once School Governing Bodies, Senior Leaders and local members have agreed on what schools require a programme of implementation concluding in 2028/2029 is not sufficient. During that period children would remain at risk.

Council is committed to agreed measures being implemented by the end of 2022/2023 and that Public Works Loans Board (PWLB)finance should be used to pay for this project. Based on the estimate to pay for the Greenacres Farm Supported Living Scheme in Agenda Item 11 section 4.4, then the annual cost to fund the Schools programme would range between £0.103M and £0.166M per annum.

Council agrees that this is a small price to pay for the speedy implementation of these necessary safety measures

 

On being put to the vote the amendment was lost by the majority voting against it.

 

Councillor D Vasmer proposed the following amendment, which was duly Seconded by Councillor R Evans.

 

Council requests Cabinet to allocate capital monies to implement the following initial programme:

Time-limited road closures at drop-off and pick-up times (otherwise known as “School Streets”) not only improve road safety, but also enable active travel, improve air quality and social distancing. Therefore, they can be implemented using emergency COVID-19 traffic regulation orders.

a)    20mph zones outside schools where “School Streets” measures are not possible will also encourage active travel, improve air quality and, with the addition of other measures, improve social distancing.

b)    Immediately identify three primary schools suitable for School Streets and three for 20mph zones utilising the knowledge of local members and in consultation with local councils and other representative organisations such as Parent Teacher Associations

c)    These initial locations should represent different types of location including rural and urban.

d)    Within 7 days issue ETROs for these locations. Allowing work to commence 7 days later.

e)    Install School Streets at the three agreed locations at the end of the 7-day notice period. The “installation” can be as simple as appropriate signage and a demountable barrier which is installed and removed by the school caretaker at the appropriate times.

f)     Erect 20mph signs at the three agreed locations at the end of the 7-day  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143.

144.

Greenacres Farm Supported Living Scheme pdf icon PDF 561 KB

Report of the Director of Adult Services is to attached.

 

Contact Andy Begley   Tel 01743 255807

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor D Carroll, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Services and Climate Control, and seconded by Councillor N Bardsley that the report of the Director of Adult Services, Greenacres Farm Supported Living Scheme, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

 

RESOLVED:

 

i)     That a financial investment of up to £3.125m in accordance with the Outline Business Case (Appendix 1) to build eight supported living accommodation apartments, a communal shared area, internal courtyard and outdoor space on the Greenacres Farm site be approved.

 

ii)    That the use of Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) investment to finance the development of the Greenacres Farm Supported Living project be approved.

 

iii)   That the submission of a suitable application for planning permission to build 8 Supported Living apartments be approved.

 

iv)   That delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Adult Services to take appropriate steps to implement the decisions set out above in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Services and Climate Change.

 

145.

Portfolio Holder Report for Communities, Place Planning and Regulatory Services pdf icon PDF 972 KB

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Place Planning and Regulatory Services is attached.

 

Portfolio Holder:  Councillor Gwilym Butler

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor G Butler, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Place Planning and Regulatory Services that the report, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

 

Councillor Butler presented and amplified his report and responded to questions, concerns and comments.

 

RESOLVED:  That the contents of the report be noted and approved.

 

146.

Annual Report 2019/20 Communities Overview Committee pdf icon PDF 430 KB

The Annual Report of the Chair of the Communities Overview Committee is attached.

 

Communities Overview Committee Chair: Councillor Cecilia Motley

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor Motley that the annual report of the Annual Report of the Communities Overview Committee, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes be received and agreed. 

 

Councillor Motley presented the report and outlined the work undertaken by the Committee. 

 

RESOLVED:  That that Annual Report of the Communities Scrutiny Committee be noted and approved.

 

147.

Motions

The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:

 

1.  The following motion has been received from Councillor David Vasmer and is supported by Councillors Kate Halliday, Julian Dean and Roger Evans:

 

Cycle Infrastructure Design

 

This Council notes that:

1.    The Prime Minster has called for “A Golden Age of Cycling”.

2.    The Prime Minster has set out a vision for a travel revolution in England's streets, towns and communities, stating that: “When I was Mayor of London, one of the things I was proudest of was building some of the world's best cycle lanes”.

3.    The Government has announced £2billion of funding for walking and cycling.

4.    The announcement was accompanied by a document from the Department for Transport, entitled ‘Gear Change: A bold vision for cycling and walking’.

5.    Gear Change states: “Inadequate cycling infrastructure discourages cycling and wastes public money” and “In order to see the increases in cycling we want, the quality of cycling infrastructure installed on our roads must dramatically improve.”

6.    Alongside this document, the Department for Transport (DfT) published new cycling design guidance (LTN 1/20 Cycle infrastructure design) which sets out the much higher standards they will now require if schemes are to receive funding.

7.    The standards will be enforced by a new inspectorate, Active Travel England, and DfT will expect Local Authorities and developers to utilise the guidance in the design of their schemes regardless of whether they are seeking Government funding.

This Council resolves to:

a)  Support the Prime Minister’s “Gear Change” announcement.

b)  Ensure that all cycling infrastructure built in Shropshire conforms to the standards laid out in LTN 1/20.

 

2.  The following motion has been received from Councillor Roger Evans and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group:

 

Protecting the public’s say in the planning process

This Council notes:

1.    The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.

·       That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.

·       That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.

 

This Council is concerned that the proposals seek to:

 

1. Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.

2. Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.

3. Makes alterations to how and where affordable homes can and will be built.

 

Council notes with concern that:

 

That the proposed Infrastructure Levy will no longer provide ring fenced money for affordable housing or perhaps even infrastructure.

This Council Further Notes:

1.   The Royal Institute for British Architects called the proposals ‘shameful and which will do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that  ...  view the full agenda text for item 147.

Minutes:

1.  The following motion was proposed by Councillor Kate Halliday and duly seconded by Councillor David Vasmer

 

Cycle Infrastructure Design

 

This Council notes that:

1)    The Prime Minster has called for “A Golden Age of Cycling”.

2)    The Prime Minster has set out a vision for a travel revolution in England's streets, towns and communities, stating that: “When I was Mayor of London, one of the things I was proudest of was building some of the world's best cycle lanes”.

3)    The Government has announced £2billion of funding for walking and cycling.

4)    The announcement was accompanied by a document from the Department for Transport, entitled ‘Gear Change: A bold vision for cycling and walking’.

5)    Gear Change states: “Inadequate cycling infrastructure discourages cycling and wastes public money” and “In order to see the increases in cycling we want, the quality of cycling infrastructure installed on our roads must dramatically improve.”

6)    Alongside this document, the Department for Transport (DfT) published new cycling design guidance (LTN 1/20 Cycle infrastructure design) which sets out the much higher standards they will now require if schemes are to receive funding.

7)    The standards will be enforced by a new inspectorate, Active Travel England, and DfT will expect Local Authorities and developers to utilise the guidance in the design of their schemes regardless of whether they are seeking Government funding.

This Council resolves to:

a)    Support the Prime Minister’s “Gear Change” announcement.

b)    Ensure that all cycling infrastructure built in Shropshire conforms to the standards laid out in LTN 1/20.

 

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Julian Dean and duly seconded by Councillor David Vasmer.

 

To add to the motion:

In order to pursue the intentions of ‘Gear Change’ and the latest guidance from government on cycling and walking (LTN 1/20) council agrees to:

1)    Develop a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, including targets for increased cycling and reduced short car journeys for our towns and settlements, as recommended in LTN 1/20, to be brought to council prior to the May 2021 elections.

2)    Engage with local cycling groups to understand where people cycle and to design infrastructure collaboratively. 

3)    Develop pilot schemes for low-traffic neighbourhoods and streets in consultation with local members, providing high quality supporting evidence and presentations to the public to support such schemes; with a view to having schemes to present to the public in the early Spring 2021.

On being put to the vote the amendment was lost by the majority of Members voting against.

 

Members debated the substantive motion.

 

RESOLVED:  that the motion be supported.

 

 

2.  The following motion was proposed by Councillor Roger Evans and duly seconded by Heather Kidd.

 

Protecting the public’s say in the planning process

 

This Council notes:

1.   The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.

·         That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 147.

148.

Questions from Members pdf icon PDF 529 KB

To receive any questions from Members, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2. [report to follow]

Minutes:

The Speaker advised that the following questions had been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 15. A copy of the report containing the detailed questions and their formal response is attached to the signed minutes.

 

Received from Councillor David Vasmer and answered by Councillor S Davenport, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport in relation to the work of the Highways Consultant.  By way of supplementary question, Councillor Vasmer asked what value the Highways’ Consultant brought to the Council in light of what he was paid and whether the process of appointing consultants could be reviewed.  Councillor S Davenport advised that he would provide a written response.

 

Received from Councillor David Vasmer and answered by Councillor S Davenport, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport in relation to pedestrian safety.  Councillor Vasmer did not ask a supplementary question.

 

Received from Councillor Heather Kidd and answered by Councillor S Davenport, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport in relation to school transport.  By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Kidd asked if it could be taken into account that police do not register all accidents when providing statistics for reports and requested that junctions could be re-white lined where the road markings were missing.  Councillor Davenport replied that the white lining should be registered with the online Highways Members’ Portal.

 

Received from Councillor Roger Evans and answered by Councillor S Davenport, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport in relation to the management of the Highways contract.  By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Evans asked whether the information given to the Scrutiny Committee regarding the completion of Highways work was correct. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport responded that the work was still to be signed off by the new Assistant Director for Highways.

 

Received from Councillor Pam Moseley and answered by Councillor S Davenport, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport in relation to cycling.  By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Mosely asked when the existing cycling network would be brought up to an acceptable standard.  The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport responded that funding for the maintenance of cycle paths was dependent on the funding received from Central Government and once funding was received the work would be undertaken.

 

Received from Councillor Ruth Houghton and answered by Councillor S Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Assets, Economic Growth and Regeneration in relation to support for businesses.  By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Houghton referring to the identification of employment land ready for investment across the county referred to in the response to her question, asked when the Portfolio Holder would provide a full plan for this with actions across the county with timescales.  The Portfolio Holder for Assets, Economic Growth and Regeneration stated that a written response would be provided.

 

Received from Councillor Ruth Houghton and answered by Councillor L Picton, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Waste and Communications in relation to the impact of Covid-19 on the local economy.  By way of supplementary question Councillor Houghton asked would the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

149.

Exclusion of Press and Public

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.

Minutes:

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 items.

 

150.

Exempt Minutes of 16th July 2020

To approve as a correct record the exempt minutes of the Council meeting held on 16th July 2020. [To follow]

Minutes:

Members noted that there were no exempt minutes to consider.

 

151.

Alverley Industrial Estate [EXEMPT]

The exempt report of the Director of Place is attached.

 

Contact Mark Barrow   Tel 01743 258919

Minutes:

It was proposed by the Deputy Leader, Councillor S Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Assets, Economic Growth and Regeneration, and seconded by Councillor P Nutting, that the report of the Director of Place, Alveley Industrial Estate, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

 

RESOLVED:  that the exempt recommendation be approved as detailed in the exempt report.

 

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