Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Alex Farrell and Rob Pritchard.

(Minutes of the Cabinet meetings on 2 December and 16 December 2021)

The minutes of the meetings held on 2 December 2021 and 16 December 2021 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor J Oates and seconded by Councillor M Bailey)

There were no Declarations of Interest.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NO. 1 Under Schedule 4, 13, Mr H Loxton asked the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Customer Services, the following question:-

On page 10 of the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2022/23 included in this evenings meeting it states “Income from the commercial/industrial portfolio has held up during the pandemic, but underlying market issues and the increase in online shopping (increased by the pandemic) mean that there is an immediate risk in relation to the income achievable from the Council’s commercial property portfolio including the Ankerside Shopping Centre and NCP car park, while not known at present, could result in a significant loss of income.”

While I can understand the NCP car park issue as the council own the land could you please confirm what commercial property is owned by the council in relation to Ankerside shopping centre?

Councillor Bailey gave the following reply:

Thank you, Mr Loxton. Tamworth Borough Council owns the Freehold of Ankerside.

Mr Loxton asked the following Supplementary Question:

If Tamworth Borough Council own the freehold that means that the person in charge of Ankerside leases the building from the Council and the reason I ask the question is (trying to be careful what I say) when people talk about Ankerside and the Council, it always seems to be that Ankerside is nothing to do with the Council and this would seem to suggest otherwise. Obviously if Tamworth Council has the freehold, Tamworth Council would want Ankerside filled as much as possible because if it is doing well that is good for the Council because they have the freehold.  It’s a bit of a surprise to see that they hold the freehold.  Do you think the Council have led the public, or made the public think that they don’t have anything to do with Ankerside from what they have said in the past.  Thank you.

Councillor Oates responded to the supplementary question:

The freehold owned by Tamworth Borough Council relates to the land that Ankerside stands on. Tamworth Borough Council have no responsibility for the building and no role in the running of the shopping centre or car parks.  So the commercial viability and usage of those stores has no impact on the Borough Council’s income from the freehold, the Borough Council has no influence on the use of the stores within Ankerside.

The Chair confirmed that he would invite the Chair of the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Committee to speak on the Committee’s recommendations in relation to the Curtain Wall tender when this item was considered at item 10 on the Agenda.

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

The Report of the Leader of the Council to approve the draft package of budget proposals (attached at Appendix A to the Report) to consult with the Joint Scrutiny Committee (Budget) on 26^th January 2022 and receive their feedback on the:

·       General Fund Revenue (GF) Budget and Council Tax for 2022/23;

·       Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2022/23;

·       Capital Programme – General Fund & HRA;

·       Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

RESOLVED That:

(Portfolio Holder for Finance and Customer Services)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Customer Services to report and seek endorsement from Members on the Business Rates income forecast for 2022/23.

RESOLVED that:

(Portfolio Holder for Environment, Entertainment and Leisure)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Planning, Economy & Waste to update Cabinet on changes to the Amington Community Woodland Project – an element of the Amington Golf Course Development Project.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Planning, Economy & Waste)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Planning, Economy & Waste sought delegated authority from Cabinet to allow the Assistant Director Growth and Regeneration to negotiate and agree to a Statement of Common Ground (SoCG) between the Council and Lichfield District Council (LDC) relating to issues surrounding the Lichfield District Local Plan 2040.

RESOLVED that:

1. Cabinet delegated authority to negotiate and sign a Statement of Common Ground with Lichfield District Council to the Assistant Director Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Planning, Economy and Waste.

(Moved by Councillor S Doyle and seconded by Councillor J Oates)

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Planning, Economy & Waste)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Planning Economy & Waste to seek approval of expenditure above £100k limit from a secured budget for the purpose of completing essential capital works at Tamworth Castle.

The Chair invited the Chair of the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Committee to report to Cabinet following that Committee’s consideration of this item at its meeting on 19^th January 2022. 

The Scrutiny Chair reported that the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Committee had resolved to recommend to Cabinet that:

1. Cabinet instruct that the contracted castle architects act as external quality assurance for the works;
2. previous contractors performance be taken into account in the tender appraisal.

The Portfolio Holder for Skills, Planning Economy & Waste confirmed his support for these recommendations.

Cabinet considered the recommendations in the Report and the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation, and amended recommendation 2 and added a further recommendation.

RESOLVED that: