Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L Bates, S Munn, G Pinner and S Pritchard.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 July were approved and signed as a correct record.

To receive any declarations of Members’ interests (personal and/or personal and   prejudicial) in any matters which are to be considered at this meeting.

When Members are declaring a personal interest or personal and prejudicial interest in respect of which they have dispensation, they should specify the nature of such interest.  Members should leave the room if they have a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of which they do not have a dispensation.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Brian Beale back to the Chamber.

Announcement by Councillor B Beale

Councillor Brian Beale thanked everyone for their good wishes and support through his illness. He is still undergoing Chemotherapy so until his strength returns he is glad that Councillor Greatorex has offered to step into the breach. He added that he will continue to serve as an elected member to the best of his ability.

Announcement by the Mayor

The funeral of John Betteridge, Mayor in 1964, took place today (13 September). The Mayor was pleased to see ten former Mayors and two Deputy Mayors at the funeral. A minutes silence was then observed.

Announcement by the Leader of the Council

The Leader appointed Councillor M Greatorex as a temporary replacement to the Community Safety Portfolio Holder for 2 months whilst Councillor B Beale undertakes chemo treatment.

Announcement by Councillor M Greatorex

He welcomed Councillor B Beale back and assured him that he would do his utmost to carry out the duties to the best of his abilities.

Announcement by Councillor J Garner

The Heart of England Britain in Bloom competition has now taken place. Tamworth Borough Council has been awarded a gold award and Bright Crescent has been awarded an outstanding achievement award in its own right.

Announcement by Councillor J Garner

The Joint Waste Management team have been awarded the Local Authority National Recycling Award of the Year. A plaque was presented to the Mayor.

Announcement by Councillor R Pritchard

The BMX Lottery Stage 2 funding application for £47,300 has been accepted and has full planning permission.

Announcement by the Mayor

A reminder that the Battle of Britain Parade would take place on Sunday 19 September and everyone is welcome to attend.

(i)                 To answer questions from members of the public pursuant to Procedure Rule No. 10.

(ii)               To answer questions from members of the Council pursuant to Procedure Rule No. 11

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL                NO 1.

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor C Cooke will ask the Portfolio Holder for Quality of Life, the following question:-

"This is a request for a breakdown of the latest figures for empty residential dwellings within Tamworth Borough.

The breakdown requested is

a.        Dwellings empty for less than 6 months 

b.        Dwellings empty for 6 months to two years 

    c.    Dwellings empty over two years?"

The Portfolio Holder for Quality of Life gave the following reply:

There are currently 392 dwellings that have been empty for less than 6 months, 217 have been empty for 6 months to two years and 60 have been empty for over two years. There are 12 Council properties currently on notice, 15 advertised and pre-allocated and 3 all viewed and signed up. We have set a target to bring 10 empty houses back into use per year.

Supplementary Question

“Do you believe that it is sufficient for only 10 houses a year to be brought back into use?”

Councillor M Oates gave the following reply:-

“The target of 10 has been exceeded, already 11 this year. Some we know the reasons why they are empty, some are subject to probate and some where residents are in hospital. Even if we brought all empty houses back into use we still wouldn’t have enough housing.”

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL                NO 2.

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor C Cooke will ask the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise, the following question:-

"In 2005 a report produced by outside consultants recommended new standards for Open Space in the Tamworth.  This has apparently been put on a back-burner. It was never consulted on therefore could never be adopted as policy.  Bearing in mind this was 6 years ago now, will the portfolio holder advise me if and when I can expect these proposed new standards are to be consulted upon with a view to adopting the new standards as Council policy?"

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise gave the following reply:

The Council has two adopted open space policies in its saved Local Plan (originally adopted in 2006, selected policies saved in 2009): ENV13: Protection of Open Space and ENV14: Open space for new developments. The latter policy sets a standard for the provision of new open space in new developments. This is a national standard and has been used since the Plan’s adoption.

The Council commissioned consultants to undertake a study to identify the local demand for open space, advise on standards based on assessments of local needs and identify specific needs, surpluses or deficiencies both now and in the future to inform the development of future planning policies.

This Open Space Study has informed the development of policies in the draft Core Strategy, the production of which has been delayed over a number of years due to delays in the production and adoption of the Regional Spatial Strategy Phase 2  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services seeking Members approval of the Annual Report on the Treasury Management Service and Actual Prudential Indicators 2010/11 was considered.

(Moved by Councillor R Pritchard and seconded by Councillor D Cook)

The Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer informing Members of the outcome of the visit from the Office of Surveillance Commissioner on 18 July 2011, and advising Members of proposed changes to the RIPA Policy arising therefrom was considered.

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor M Greatorex)

A third recommendation was added.

(Moved by Councillor J Faulkner and seconded by Councillor D Cook)