Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Foster.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 October were approved and signed as a correct record.

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

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.

None

(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 PUBLIC                NO. 1

Under Procedure Rule No 10, Mr K Forest, 64a Foxglove, Amington Tamworth will ask the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise, Cllr Steve Claymore, the following question:-

“The Council recently offered to help and support (excluding financing) to Tamworth Football Club.

During July/August this year I undertook a trading survey of the small businesses in Tamworth. The conclusions at the time were that 15% would go out of business within 12 months. Would the Council publicly offer the same help and support to the small businesses and encourage them to form a small business organisation to enable both the small traders and others to work together for the mutual benefit of all?"

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

The Council is fully committed to supporting local businesses and in particular small businesses and retailers in the town centre. We are very conscious of the tough trading times for small businesses and are actively supporting them to work together and with us.

We recognise that local traders need to support each other and that they can provide the ideas and in some cases resources needed to help themselves. We have already set up a number of schemes whereby small businesses can join together these include the TownSafe Scheme, the Tamworth District Tourism Association, the Business and Enterprise Partnership, and Place Group. All of which are supported by the Council. Further to this there is the Federation of Small Business and Chamber of Commerce.

Officers of the Council work through these forums and directly with traders to encourage positive relations and to implement initiatives to improve the vitality of the town centre.

It is worth taking this opportunity to thank Local businesses for their support such as Martin Smith from the SnowDome who chairs the Place Group, John Hill from Strykers who chairs the TDTA and the many small businesses involved in the TownSafe scheme. I would also like to promote business engagement with the new Town website established by the TDTA which seeks to promote the town to residents and visitors alike.

Supplementary Question

“I am aware that the Council is working hard to revitalise the town centre. But small businesses still blame the Council and the Council blames small businesses. Both have justification caused by the lack of understanding of the other’s problems. Small businesses are important to the town centre. But they must change attitudes to survive. An important key to that survival is for these small businesses to get organised, work together and promote each other in an informal way, and not just be individual businesses.

My supplementary therefore is this. Would the Council support and publicise this group approach, perhaps also publishing, via the press, the provision of the TBC officer contact with officer support?”

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

Given the economic situation we would encourage local businesses to work positively to improve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services & Assets)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and Assets presenting Members with the Mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and annual Investment Strategy was considered.

(Report of the Returning Officer)

The Report of the Electoral Registration Officer informing Members of the comments received from the recent consultation in respect of the review of polling districts and polling places undertaken in accordance with the Electoral Administration Act 2006 and to make recommendations relating to polling places within the Parliamentary Constituency that fall within the Borough of Tamworth was considered.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:   That members of the press and public be now excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that the business involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 and 3, Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Enterprise)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise informing Members of the proposal to extend the current Building Control Partnership, the benefits and risks to the Council and seeking approval to amend the existing legal agreement was considered.