The Deputy Leader and Portfolio for Corporate and Commercial Support presented a confidential report from the Director of Place on the Shrewsbury Business Park.

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.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial Support presented a report from the Director of Place setting out the next phase of work required to enable the Council to drive forward the ambition set out in the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan [SBTP] and the purchase of the three shopping centres in the town centre through a co-ordinated and cohesive delivery approach.

            RESOLVED:

i)       That an initial budget of £500,000 be approved to secure the appropriate resources and expertise to prepare a Strategic Development Framework and Masterplan to support the delivery of the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan (to include the redevelopment of Riverside) and the appointment of two dedicated posts to support this implementation.

ii)      That the reallocation of the New Homes Bonus (NHB) capital funding previously agreed to provide part funding for the project be approved.

iii)     That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Economic Growth, to procure, appoint and commence with the work required to create a Strategic Development Framework and Masterplan.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial Support presented a report from the Director of Place summarising the content of the tender response to administer the European Social Fund Community Grants scheme for the areas of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.

            RESOLVED:

i)             That Shropshire Council becomes the accountable body for the Community Grants Scheme, pending the [Education and Skills Funding Agency] ESFA decision, covering the European Social Funds [ESF] Transitional area of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.

ii)            That the development and signing of a Partnership Agreement between Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council to ensure successful delivery of the programme, be approved

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing Development presented a report from the Director of Place seeking approval for the application by Adderley Parish Council for the three Parish Council areas of Adderley, Moreton Say and Norton in Hales to be considered as a single Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the proposed Neighbourhood Area identified on the map in Appendix 2, covering the three Parish Council areas of Adderley, Moreton Say and Norton in Hales (minus the area already covered by the Market Drayton Neighbourhood Area), be agreed as an appropriate basis for the development of a Neighbourhood Plan and notifies Adderley Parish Council accordingly.

ii)    That if the proposed Neighbourhood Area is approved, the three Parish Councils will be able to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan for that area, which will be subject to public consultation, examination and local referendum as set out in Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012 as amended.  Assuming any subsequent local referendum if successful, Shropshire Council’s full Council will then be asked to adopt the final version of the Neighbourhood Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing Development presented a report from the Director of Place outlining the business case to establish a wholly owned Local Housing Company.

            RESOLVED:

            That the following be recommended to Council:

·         In principle that a Council Wholly Owned Local Housing Company be formed.

·         The outline governance and constitutional arrangements for the Company detailed in the report are agreed.

·         A full business case, business plan, financing and governance arrangements be developed by the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning & Housing Development; and be brought back for final approval.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [s151 Officer] outlining the treasury management activities of the Council in the last Quarter.

RESOLVED:

That the position as detailed in the report be accepted.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [s151 Officer] to determine and approve the Council Tax taxbase for Shropshire Council for 2019/20.

            RESOLVED:

            That the following be agreed and recommended to Council for approval:

i)             In accordance with the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018 to approve the revised discretionary power to levy a Council Tax premium in relation to dwellings which have been empty for more than two years i.e. increasing the premium to 100% in relation to dwellings which have been empty for more than two years and the resulting inclusion of an additional 503.34 Band D equivalents in the taxbase.

ii)            To approve the publication of a notice regarding the new discretionary Council Tax discount policy awarded in respect of vacant properties within 21 days of the determination.

iii)           To approve two amendments to the Council Tax Support Scheme to exempt claimants from the 20% minimum payment that are in receipt of Universal Credit that meet the qualifying criteria for the severe disability premium, and claimants in receipt of Universal Credit in receipt of limited capability for work related activity element in Universal Credit (that is the equivalent to the support element of employment and support allowance).

iv)           To approve the Council’s localised Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme in 2019/20 (as amended).  The scheme summary is attached at Appendix B.

On the assumption that the changes to the discount policy in relation to vacant dwellings detailed in Sections 2.1 and 7.3 of this report have been approved, Cabinet members are asked to agree and recommend to full Council:

v)            To approve, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Shropshire Council as its Council Tax taxbase for the year 2019/20, as detailed in Appendix A, totalling 111,240.10 Band D equivalents.

vi)           To note the exclusion of 9,211.79 Band D equivalents from the taxbase as a result of localised Council Tax Support.

vii)          To note continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy of 0% in respect of second homes (other than those that retain a 50% discount through regulation as a result of job related protection) and note the inclusion of 729.45 Band D equivalents in the Council Tax taxbase as a result of this discount policy.

viii)        To note continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy to not award a discount in respect of vacant dwellings undergoing major repair, i.e. former Class A exempt properties.

ix)           To note continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount policy in respect of vacant dwellings, i.e. former Class C exempt properties, of 100% for one month i.e. effectively reinstating the exemption and the resulting exclusion of 294.56 band D equivalents from the taxbase.

x)            To note continuation of the “six week rule” in respect of vacant dwellings, i.e. former Class C exempt properties.

xi)           To note the Council Tax Support Scheme amendments detailed in Section 2.3 and 6 have no impact on the taxbase determination.

xii)          To approve a collection rate for the year 2019/20 of 98.0%.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report from the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance [s151 Officer] that provided an update on work completed over the Autumn to enable a balanced budget to be set for 2019/20.

RESOLVED:

That the savings proposals be approved which will deliver a balanced budget as outlined in Appendix 4 to the report, enabling the Leader of Council to take his proposed budget to consultation before reporting to Council on 28 February 2019.

The Chairman of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee presented the final report from the  Welfare Reform Task and Finish Group that had focussed on measuring the impact of welfare reform on people in Shropshire and how the Council could best support local people in receipt of benefits.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the recommendations from the Welfare Reform Task and Finish Group, as supported by the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee be approved, as follows:

·         That a single process and procedure for managing applications for discretionary hardship support be produced;

·         That work be undertaken with partners to develop a single strategy for supporting people receiving benefits;

·         That any Welfare Strategy be focussed on supporting people into work;

·         That ways to better co-ordinate work to support individuals and families be explored with the Council’s partners

ii)            That a report on the steps to be taken to implement i) above be made to a future meeting of Cabinet

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 28 November 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.