Shrewsbury & Atcham
Borough Council

PRESENT: The Mayor (Councillor Evans)

Councillors Adams, Mrs. Allaway, Armstrong, Barker, Bebb, Mrs Brennand, Bushell, Mrs. Chebsey, Clarke, Cooke, Durnell, Farmer, Freestone, Hendry, Jetson, Mrs. Jones, Kenny, Lord, Moore, Nutting, Mrs Owen, Owen, Parkhurst, Mrs Parsons, Price, Rees, Richey, Roberts, Sambrook, Mrs Sandford, Sheppard, Tandy, Thurston, Wagner, Ms Wild, Mrs Williams, J M Williams and S J Williams.

Officers in attendance: Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Head of Finance, Assistant Chief Executive (Monitoring Officer) and Democratic Services Manager

APOLOGY FOR ABSENCE: Councillor Townsend .

MINUTES: 4^TH December 2006 - confirmed

PRAYERS: Prayers were said by the Reverend Thomas.

The following member declared their personal interest in the item shown below:

The Mayor

Minute 03/07 – White Paper – Future of Local Government – Personal interest as a Board Member of the Shropshire Partnership.

The Mayor referred with sadness to the recent death of former Mayor George Adams (1995-1996) who had served as Borough Councillor for the Onslow Ward from 1980 through to 2000. He called upon the Group Leaders, who spoke in his memory and paid their respects for his service both to the Council and the local community. Councillors Ms Wild and Richey also paid tribute to him. Members and officers stood in silence for a few moments in honour of his memory.

At the invitation of the Mayor the Chief Executive then reported on the results of the Poll of public opinion as follows:

Poll On The Structure of Local Government In Shropshire

Which of the following options for local government in Shropshire do you prefer?

Option A – Two tier local government 18,201 67.2%

Option B – Single tier local government 8,886 32.8%

The number of valid votes cast was 27,087.

Poll On A Town Council For Shrewsbury

Should there be a Town Council for Shrewsbury?

Yes – 12,984 77.3%

No – 3,813 22.7%

The number of valid votes cast was 16,797.

The Mayor then reminded members that he would be hosting a Charity Ball on Friday, 2^nd March 207 at the Albright Hussey with the proceeds going towards his chosen charities. He also thanked the Deputy Mayor for attending several events during his absence from the borough on holiday.

It was proposed by Councillor Nutting and seconded by Councillor Armstrong:

1. In light of the critical examination of the criteria and rules for any bid being made, and the assessments that have independently been undertaken by the two consultants, it is considered that the bid for the establishment of a unitary county authority in Shropshire is not in the Government’s words "fit for purpose" and therefore should not be taken forward.
2. That the Council endorse the outline document "Enhanced Effective Two-tier Working" as setting the outline principles for the continuation and enhancement of effective two tier working in Shropshire.
3. That the results of the Poll be given to the Secretary of State.
4. That all the documentation produced should be submitted to the Government to evidence the retention of the two tier structure and rejection of the bid for unitary.

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Roberts and seconded by Councillor Hendry that the recommendations be amended by the addition of recommendations 5. to 8. below:

5. That the Council welcome the poll result and thanks the public for having voted in the poll. On the basis of the clear majority of the public against unitary government in Shropshire that Shropshire County Council, South Shropshire District Council and Oswestry Borough Council be invited to withdraw the bid for unitary status. To not withdraw the bid is a reflection of not listening to the public now their views have been so clearly expressed.

6. That in the event the bid remains submitted and in the event that despite the weight of evidence and public opinion against the business case and the creation of unitary government in Shropshire the Chief Executive prepare for judicial review of the Secretary of State's decision to progress with abolishing the six councils and creation of one unitary council.

7. That a formal complaint be made to the Audit Commission after numerous complaints from the public on the following issues:

• One-sided publicity from the County Council for the ‘one council’ case - which is contrary to the code
• The "Masterman" issue of attempting to influence the outcome of an online poll on the Radio Shropshire website by instructing Shropshire County Council employees how to override a security function and enable multiple voting
• A posting on the County Council blog stating that the poll had finished on the 19th of January, three days prior to the official closing date

8. That the Chief Executive bring forward more detailed proposals for the evolution agenda including the removal of duplication and addressing issues in the Local Government bill and ensuring devolution of key services to Districts where they can be locally determined and delivered for consideration by Cabinet and then a report can be presented to Council.

(At approximately 6.26 pm the meeting was adjourned to enable the Assistant Chief Executive (Monitoring Officer) to consider the implications for joint Borough and County Councillors in respect of recommendation 7. above. The meeting reconvened at 6.31 pm at which point he advised that County Councillors did not have a personal or prejudicial interest in the matter relating to Mr Masterman in paragraph 7 of the proposed amendment unless that person was a relative or a friend.)

On being put to the meeting the amendment was carried with 24 members voting in favour and 10 against. (Councillor Mrs Allaway asked that it be recorded that she had abstained from voting on the amendment.)

It was moved as a second amendment by Councillor Moore and seconded by Councillor J M Williams that the recommendation be amended by the addition and deletion of words to read as follows:

1. That the Council submit the outline document "Enhanced Effective Two-tier Working" as setting the outline principles for the continuation and enhancement of effective two tier working in Shropshire and all other districts and Shropshire County Council for consideration.
2. That the results of the Poll be given to the Secretary of State.
3. That all the documentation produced by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council in respect of retaining improved two tier working along with the findings of the consultant’s reports should be submitted to the Secretary of State as evidence to enable an informed decision to be taken.

On being put to the meeting the amendment was lost with 14 members voting in favour and 24 against.

The original motion as amended was then put to the Council and was carried. On the requisition of a member made before the vote was taken (and supported by at least five other members, who signified their support by rising in their place) the vote on the motion, was taken by way of roll call and was recorded as follows:

Councillors Adams, Armstrong, Barker, Bebb, Mrs Brennand, Cooke, Farmer, Hendry, Jetson, Mrs Jones, Lord, Nutting, Mrs Owen, Price, Rees, Richey, Roberts, Mrs Sandford, Sheppard, Thurston, Wagner, Ms Wild, Mrs Williams and S J Williams.

Councillors Clarke, Freestone, Kenny, Moore, Parkhurst, Mrs Parsons, J M Williams and The Mayor (Councillor Evans).

Councillors Mrs Allaway, Bushell, Mrs Chebsey, Durnell, Owen, Sambrook and Tandy.

6.00 p.m. – 7.15 p.m.