Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M Bailey & J Oates

Councillor Alex Farrell left the meeting at 18.10 after Exclusion of Press & Public

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2022 were approved as a  record.

(Moved by Councillor A Farrell  and seconded by Councillor M Summers)

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NO. 1 Under Schedule 4, 13, Mr H Loxton will ask the Leader of the Council Councillor Jeremy Oates the following question:-

What engagement has taken place with residents in relation to the council’s annual fireworks display since the event last year?

Councillor J Oates gave the following answer:

There are many routes in which TBC engages directly with local residents and businesses.

Last year’s fireworks event saw unprecedented numbers of visitors to the Castle grounds. It was the first major outdoor event the Council had undertaken since the pandemic and visitors returned in their thousands.

As the biggest most popular event the council puts I feel sends out a clear message this event is enjoyed and welcomed by the majority.

We should always reflect and consider why we do anything we do as a council especially if, like outdoor events, we do not have to do anything as its not our duty to do so.

With regards the fireworks and other outdoor events we must review our approach regularly.

The councils position on outdoor events is simple, we put them on for people to enjoy but primarily they are put on to attract people to Tamworth and support the businesses we have here.

Specifically regarding fireworks displays many reviews have been taken over the last 16 years and the event has changed such as the removal of the bonfire. So why do we have a large fireworks display/event. The original reasons still stand –

Holding large events reduces the number of domestic displays and therefore reduces the sale of fireworks, the dangers of fireworks, the environmental impact in all forms of pollution (sound, light and the products of combustion)

Holding large events brings people together at a time of year in which many wouldn’t get together,

Holding the fireworks event brings people in to Tamworth. 

The last event was extremely busy and did result in some complaints mainly concerning parking,

To make people aware, these events take a lot of co-ordination and management and as such, the council establish what is called a SAG (Safety Advisory Group).  This group meets prior to the event being held (on a number of occasions) and then again after the event to discuss lessons learned and to make sure it is better next time around. This group is made up of all blue light services, local and County Council Officers, together with the appointed security team representatives and Health and Safety advisors.

 Since that time the security for the whole event has been reviewed and a revised event plan is in place which includes:

•           Consideration of additional road closures to ensure safe ingress and egress of visitors.

•           Additional signage to improve awareness will be in place around the Castle grounds.

•           Increased lighting within the Castle grounds

•           Additional noise monitoring

•           Allowing more space for the Fair to operate its rides

•           Tamworth Football Club opening their car park to provide more parking spaces.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

To receive any recommendations from the Chairs of the scrutiny committees

Report of the Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to update Cabinet and to make recommendations to it following consideration of matters by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.

At its meeting on 6th October 2022, the Corporate Scrutiny Committee received:

1.         The Gungate Regeneration Programme Terms of Reference report, prior to Cabinet receiving this item at its meeting on 10th November 2022; and

2.         A Street Market update

Following its consideration of the above items, the Corporate Scrutiny Committee agreed to make recommendations to Cabinet as set out below.

Recommendations

The Recommendation from the Chair of Infrastructure Safety and Growth Committee was discussed at item 6 on the agenda

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

Report of the Leader of the Council to update Cabinet on progress made towards achieving Net Zero Carbon.

The Chair of the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Committee updated Cabinet to make recommendations to it following consideration of matters by the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Committee

At its meeting on 26th September 2022, the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Committee received the Net Zero Carbon – baseline reporting item.  This item is due to be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 20th October 2022.

Following its consideration of the above item, the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Committee endorsed the baseline assessment and agreed to add a timescale to the report’s recommendation regarding the preparation of an Action Plan and accordingly the committee made the recommendation to Cabinet as set out below.

Recommendation

Net Zero Carbon – baseline reporting

The Committee RESOLVED it recommend to Cabinet that an Action Plan be prepared by 31 December 2024.

(Moved by Councillor S Goodall and seconded by Councillor S Peaple)

The Chair asked that it be noted that a letter as been forwarded by the MP regarding the third phase of the public de-carbonisation scheme  the MP added he will support any bids from Tamworth Borough Council.  (Letter attached)

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Homelessness Prevention and Social Housing)

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Social Housing and Homelessness Prevention to set out the detail informing the production of the Councils Annual Report for council housing tenants’ (2021/22).  The report also continues to highlight to Cabinet the Regulatory Social Housing’s requirements in relation to the Council’s stock retained service, the findings of the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Regulation Review 2021/22 and update Cabinet on the development of findings of the independent review of the Council’s compliance with the regulatory standards and the social housing white paper, across the range of responsible corporate teams.

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

Resolved:  that the recommendations in the report be approved

(Moved by Councillor R Pritchard and seconded by Councillor S Doyle)

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

Resolved:  that the recommendations in the report be approved

(Moved by Councillor S Doyle and seconded by Councillor M Summers)