Shrewsbury & Atcham
Borough Council

The Leader (Councillor Nutting) will propose the adoption of the recommendation of Cabinet, namely:

That, subject to the amendments set out below, the final draft of Shrewsbury 2020 be approved:

Paragraph 5.4

Add as (e):

"Continue to protect and enhance the unique historic assets and built environment of the town."

Paragraph 5.5

Amend (h) to read:

"Lobby for the development of the Shrewsbury North West relief road and improvements in air quality and reduction in cross town traffic, and continue to investigate ways of facilitating access to and from the town and pedestrianisation."

Amend (j) to read:

"Continue investment in Bus Park and Ride and the enhancement of existing sites and possibly in the future the development of a fourth site east of Shrewsbury."

Paragraph 7.13

Amend to read:

"Recommendation:

Increased investment and development of the human resources arm of the Council as a base to take forward a more innovative approach to HR strategy.

Further investment in training at all levels across the organisation will bring value through creating:

• Employees and Members more adaptable to change

• Employees and Members more versatile in the workplace

• Improvements in standards of working

• Improved efficiency

• Employees and Members more able to spot develop and deliver income opportunities."

Paragraph 8.15

Add the following additional sentence at the end:

" If there is to be a change to local governance in Shropshire then the Borough Council would be interested in a referendum of the people of Shrewsbury and Atcham or Shropshire to obtain their views on the matter."

Proposer: Councillor Thurston

That the recommendation be amended by the deletion and addition of words to include the following:

(a)  The provision of Affordable Rented Housing as a key objective;

(b)  Key milestone measures; and

(c)  That Cabinet be asked to set out a funding strategy to enable the objectives to be met.

The Leader (Councillor Nutting) will propose the adoption of the recommendation of Cabinet, namely:

That Council adopts the Race Equality Scheme 2006/2009 and Disability Equality Scheme 2006/2009 which sets out an action plan and timetable in compliance with the statutory code of practice.

The Leader (Councillor Nutting) will propose the adoption of the recommendations of Cabinet, namely:

(a)  That the scale of charges for licensing set out on page 35 of the report by the Head of Finance be approved.

(b)  That, subject to the Quarry Management Advisory Group reviewing the proposed charges for Fairs and Circuses in The Quarry and reporting thereon to the next Cabinet meeting, all the charges apart from (a) above, detailed in the appendices of the report by the Head of Finance be agreed to be effective from 26^th March 2007 unless otherwise stated.

To consider the recommendations from the Overview Committee to be held on 30^th November 2006. (To Follow)

The Chairman of the Licensing and Safety Committee (Councillor Rees) will propose and Councillor Mrs Allaway will second the recommendation of the Licensing and Safety Committee:

That the Statement of Principles for Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council be approved, published and advertised in accordance with Part 6.

Proposer: Councillor Bushell

Seconder: Councillor Mrs Parsons

That the recommendation be amended by the addition and deletion of words to read as follows:

That subject to Paragraph 9.25 being amended as set out below the Statement of Principles for Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council be approved, published and advertised in accordance with Part 6:

Door Supervisors - The Gambling Commission advises in its Guidance for local authorities, that licensing authorities may consider whether there is a need for door supervisors in terms of the licensing objectives of protection of children and vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling, and also in terms of preventing premises becoming a source of crime. It is noted that all contract staff who carry out functions that fall under Schedule 2 Part 1 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 at casinos or bingo premises will need to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA); however, in-house staff will not. This licensing authority therefore has specific requirements for in-house door supervisors working at casinos or bingo premises, which are 1:100 people, or part thereof. This is in recognition of the nature of the work in terms of searching individuals, dealing with potentially aggressive persons etc.

(Note: Both the Proposer and Seconder of the Recommendation support the above amendment.)

The Leader (Councillor Nutting) will propose that, under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council formally approves the reasons for the failure of Councillor Richey to attend meetings of the authority due to ill-health, and that the matter be reviewed at the meeting of the Council on 15^th February 2007.

To consider a report of the Independent Panel on Members Remuneration and the recommendations therein, namely:

(a)  That the allowance for the Chairman of the Audit Committee be set at the Basic Allowance plus 66.67%, and that this allowance be paid to the present incumbent of the post from the date of his appointment.

(b)  That the allowances for the Chairmen of the Licensing & Safety and Standards Committees be unchanged.

(c)  That the allowance for the Deputy Mayor be increased from 45% to 55% of the Basic Allowance.

(d)  That the allowance for the present Deputy Mayor be increased, pro rata to the proportion of his year of office that remains, from the date that this recommendation is approved by the Council.

(e)  That the allowance for the Mayor be unchanged.

(f)  That there be no change to the method of payment of Mayoral Allowances, as stipendiary allowances.

(g)  That the Deputy Mayor be entitled to claim travelling (and, of necessary, subsistence) allowances when he or she is representing the Mayor and if the Mayor's official car is not available for that function.

(h)  That if an Independent Member of the Standards Committee was to be appointed Chairman, that their allowance be 66.67% of the Basic Allowance.

The Chief Executive will report that Council at its meeting on 24^th April 2006 agreed the following: 

"This Council acknowledges the debate about unitary councils and approves the following:

(a)  No decision about the Council's position be made in advance of the Government White Paper due in the summer of 2006.

(b)  Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council require a full and independent financial appraisal of a variety of options for the future of local government in Shropshire before making any decision.

(c)  The District Auditor be asked to approve the accuracy of the financial options presented to the Council.

(d)  If change if proposed a referendum is required to show that the public support whatever is proposed.

(e) That the driving forces for change in Local Government organisation are value for money and service delivery."

The White paper has now been issued and the period for consultation ends on 25^th January 2007. The Working Group comprising Group Leaders and representatives has been meeting to consider the options following the presentation given by the Chief Executive to members. A full report on the options with the financial implications will be submitted to a proposed Special Council meeting on 23^rd January 2007.

The Audit Commission will be asked to look at the figures prior to the Council meeting, although it is understood from the White Paper that the Government, if there is to be change, will be using the Audit Commission to verify any business cases submitted.

The County Council at its meeting on 17^th November 2006 agreed to bid for unitary council status with the proposal to abolish the six councils in Shropshire and establish one unitary council to replace them. Oswestry Borough Council and South Shropshire District Council have also agreed to this. In light of this decision members have now requested that formal consideration be given to the holding of a referendum in accordance with the Council decision in April. The referendum is really a poll of public opinion and may be conducted under the provisions of various pieces of legislation. The costs of conducting a poll by the Electoral Reform Society is estimated to be £60,000. The detail of that is set out on the attached sheets as an explanation of the legal basis for this.

The benefits of conducting this poll will be to gauge public opinion and then to consider that prior to making a decision at the Special Council meeting in January. That decision will then be sent to the Department of Communities and Local Government by 25^th January 2007.

The following recommendations will be proposed by the Leader (Councillor Nutting) and seconded by the Deputy Leader (Councillor Roberts):

(a)  That the Electoral Reform Society be engaged to conduct a poll of public opinion to be held in January 2007 and the costs of £60,000 be met from interest from capital invested.

(b)  That a Special Council meeting be held on 23^rd January 2007 to consider a full report on the options and the result of the poll of public opinion.

(c)  That the two questions on the poll be based on (i) whether there is support for abolishing all six councils and creating a Unitary Council to replace them and (ii) in the event of a Unitary Council being supported whether there is support for the creation of a Town Council for Shrewsbury.

The Mayor will invite nominations in respect of the following vacancies:

(a)  Council for the Protection of Rural England (one vacancy);

(b)  Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (one vacancy);

(c)  Shropshire Hills – Environmentally Sensitive Area – Management Board (one vacancy);

(d)  Shropshire Victoria County History Advisory Board (one vacancy); and

(e)  Football Liason Committee (one vacancy in place of Councillor Roberts resigned).

The following motion, received in accordance with the Council's procedural rules and signed by Councillors Armstrong, Mrs Chebsey, Durnell, Farmer and Freestone will be proposed by Councillor Farmer and seconded by Councillor Thurston:

That the Council confirms the name for the new theatre as being Shrewsbury Theatre Severn.

16. MOTION RECEIVED ON NOTICE – CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The following motion, received in accordance with the Council's procedural rules and signed by Councillors Adams, Armstrong, Mrs Brennand, Cooke, Nutting, Rees, Mrs Williams and S J Williams will be proposed by Councillor Armstrong and seconded by Councillor Roberts:

"New Housing

That following the success of completing the building of the new livestock market and sports village which have been ambitions of the Borough for many years and the recent signing of a fixed price contract for the building of the new theatre now is the time to consider the major schemes for the future. These need to reflect the need to continue to deliver on housing promises of much needed affordable housing. We have already delivered about 350 dwellings and whilst we have a programme of nearly 500 units in the housing programme I believe that we should set aside a further £1m per year over the next ten years over and above that already committed to deliver housing for people in need.

Culture, Visitor Centre and Museum

The completion of the new visitor attraction is generating a great deal of interest and the funding bodies are looking for a serious commitment of faith from the Borough Council that is committed to the arts and culture. We have already invested £500,000 into the feasibility study. We promised we would set aside the £400,000, which is the sale proceeds from Clive House which with interest thereon is now worth £550,000. An additional £4m should also be set aside and we should seek grant aid support for the remainder of the scheme.

Swimming

We need to refurbish the swimming facilities. The public wants to keep swimming in the Town and swimming always has and will be safe in Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's hands. We will set aside £6m to carry out this refurbishment which will be part of an invest to save project and also seek Sport England grant aid to ensure that swimming is a key service for the future in response to the wishes of the public and the needs of the community.

Community and Environment Schemes

The community and environment programme of £5m, which we initiated in 2002, was a resounding success and brought many facilities and improvements all over the Borough. We want to do that again and therefore intend to set aside a community fund of £5m from which we will support initiatives across Shrewsbury and Atcham which accord to the community strategy needs at

£250,000 per year. The pressing and urgent social need to replace the Ditherington community centre to be funded as a one off item of £200,000. In addition a final one off offer of an additional £80,000 is made to the Belle Vue Old Potts railway community group to allow for the conclusion of this much need community project.

Supporting Voluntary Bodies

In 2002 we invested £5m from which revenue from interest on that sum was used to support grants to the voluntary sector which we have successfully worked with since that time. Those service level agreements expire in April 2007 and we need to show a continuing commitment to support those organisations and the valuable work they do in the future and therefore we should set aside £5m again and use the interest annually to support them

Public Toilets

Toilets and their provision have long been talked about and the new toilets in the refurbished music hall will meet many of the public needs. The new toilets at Abbey Foregate will meet the needs of tourists and visitors to that part of town. Frankwell is the next area and we wish to set aside £500,000 to finance them. This sum to include a one off offer to St Alkmund's church for the sum of £25,000 to supply much-needed toilets in this area of the town.as long as they are open even when the church is closed.

Sports Facilities

The new Sports Village has received national acclaim and we need to build on that. Sporting and leisure facilities at Monkmoor in terms of changing rooms, SCAT in terms of changing rooms, Roman Road access and some minor improvements elsewhere are now required to finalise the programme of works to ensure that Shrewsbury meets the needs into the next 25 years and so a further £2m is being set aside for them.

Second Sports Village

The new Sports Village at Shelton is already being progressed and it is proposed that a sum of £2m is set aside for the necessary landscaping and drainage works with changing accommodation is needed for that.

Indoor bowling

The contract for the indoor bowling is about to be signed so that part of the package of delivery is already in place.

Pride Hill Improvements

This has been a Council priority for over seven years. The County Council has said that it wishes to do the scheme in 2008. However, it needs an additional £200,000 to the £200,000 already agreed by the Council. That should be supported.

Darwin

Darwin and Shrewsbury as a leisure and educational destination, whether by river or foot, requires a major injection of capital to move the project forward. A bid for funding will be made to AWM and it is hoped like the South West Regional Development Agency did for Brunel this year, AWM will step forward to help drive this forward. Meanwhile the whole scheme which has gone through Overview Committee including access and pedestrianisation needs a capital fund to help drive it forward so a sum of £1m is being set aside for that.

These schemes are affordable within the existing capital receipts or those forecast over the next four years and together with the invest to save proposals and contributions from development and grants will make a major contribution to delivering the programme set out in the Delivering Priorities by 2020 document approved by Council at the last meeting.

Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council is an excellent Council and has a reputation for delivery and this programme seeks to set down the next phase of that so that the Council is working within and leading the community having listened in order to represent it and its interests into the next decade."

The following motion, received in accordance with the Council's procedural rules and signed by Councillors Adams, Armstrong, Mrs Brennand, Cooke, Nutting, Rees, Mrs Williams and S J Williams will be proposed by Councillor Price and seconded by Councillor Rees:

"There is also a need for delivering much needed adaptations for people with disabilities and whilst the Council has invested nearly £2m over the past three years that investment should continue for the future using receipts from right to buy sales to bolster the monies already available in the revenue budgets so that £700,000 per year in total before grants should be made available to meet the public's needs. The Council could therefore forego its Right To Buy receipts after 1st April 2008 when no allowance has been made for them in the Capital Programme so that those monies can be used to support disabled facilities grants in former council owned housing by Severnside Housing."

The Council will be asked to pass the following resolution in respect of the relevant paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

That the public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the item to be considered involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

To consider the exempt recommendations from the Special Meeting of Cabinet held on 21^st November 2006.

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