Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M Gant, K Gant, G Hirons and M Thurgood

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2012 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.

Announcement by the Mayor

 

The Mayor thanked the outgoing Councillors N Oates, M Oates. G Pinner, A Lees and R Cook and presented them with certificates.

 

Councillor Clements spent a long weekend in Vaujours to celebrate 10 years of Twinning. She was presented with a wooden plaque for the Town Hall and a glass ornament for herself.

 

 

It was moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor R Pritchard that Rule 13 (l) be applied and the meeting was adjourned for 10 minutes while Councillors D Cook, R Pritchard, J Faulkner and R McDermid left the Chamber.

 

 

Announcement by Councillor R Pritchard

 

The community BMX track is now officially open and is proving to be very popular. He expressed his thanks to everyone who has been involved with this project.

 

The Mayor thanked Cllr R Pritchard for all his work to get this up and running.

(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 Corporate Services and Assets, the following question:-

 

"In January 2010 Tamworth Council was asked for information under a freedom of information request regarding the number of allotment sites and plots in Tamworth and the state of the waiting lists.  The reply from Tamworth's information officer on 19th January 2010 was that the information was not available to the Council as the Council leased out this land.

 

Could the portfolio holder explain to me how the Council can fulfil its legal obligations under the Section 23 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 to provide sufficient allotments sites within Tamworth if, by leasing out the land, it also fails to retain responsibilityfor monitoring and assessing the relevant information?"

 

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and Assets gave the following reply:

The Tamworth Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Association can at any time request the council seek to make provision for more allotment space. While many members, myself included, have had informal approaches from the public for more allotment space, no official request to increase allotment space have been received by the council from any person, group or organisation.

Local allotment associations running allotments is a good example of the “big Society” in action, and those who use them are best placed to manage the service.

Should you feel the desire to make representation to the Tamworth Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Association you can contact them by writing to

The Tamworth Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Association
Lichfield Road
Tamworth
Staffordshire
B79 7DE

Or by calling 01827 61792

However I will remind you that this council is a proactive council and it has just recently brought some disused allotment space in Glascote back into use. The council is also actively looking at other spaces in the Borough that might be suitable for increased allotment provision.

 

This is something we are doing in partnership with the Tamworth Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Association.

 

Supplementary Question

 

I am aware that the Tamworth Allotment Association currently has a waiting list. Could you look into this matter?

 

Councillor R Pritchard gave the following reply:

 

A Tamworth Borough Council officer has been in touch and there has been no official request for more allotment space.

 

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL                NO.2

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor C Cooke will ask the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and Assets, the following question:-

 

"Will the portfolio holder advise me of the total number of commercial properties owned by Tamworth Borough Council throughout the Borough and the percentage of those properties that are currently classed as unoccupied for whatever reason?"

 

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and Assets gave the following reply:

 

There are 66 commercial properties throughout the borough. 5 are currently void, however 3 of the void 5 are under offer. 2 of which already have agreed terms.

 

If the third has agreed terms, and along with the two  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To receive the membership of Cabinet for 2012/13 which will be circulated at the meeting

The membership of Cabinet for 2012/13 was received and circulated at the meeting as follows:

 

 

	Leader of the Council
	Cllr Daniel Cook
	Portfolio
	Corporate Assessments
	Engagement Overview
	Financial Planning
	Performance Management
	Member Development
	Strategic Overview
	Local Strategic Partnership
Economic Development & Enterprise	Core Services & Assets	Community Development
Cllr Steve Claymore	Cllr Rob Pritchard (Deputy leader)	Cllr Jeremy Oates
Portfolio	Portfolio	Portfolio
Heritage & Leisure	Corporate Finance	Safer & Stronger Communities
Tourism	Procurement	Community Safety
Town Centre Development	Audit & Governance	Tackling Crime
Education	Service Transformation	ASB Reduction
Business Liaison	ICT	Tackling Fear of Crime
Business Development	Human Resources	Integrated Enforcement
Development Management	Corporate Property	Civil Parking Enforcement
Building Control	Asset Management	Street Wardens
Voluntary Sector	Treasury Management	CCTV Management
Parks and Play	Revenues & Benefits	Community Development
Outdoor/Indoor Events	Legal Services	Locality Working
Market Development	Democratic Services	GP Commissioning / PCT Engagement
Local Plan	Car Parks	Healthier Lifestyles
LEP Board Member	Customer Services	Healthier Communities
Infastructure / Transport	Corporate Health and Safety	Police Commissioner
Housing	Environment & Waste Management	Reputation & Engagement
Cllr Michael Greatorex	Cllr Stephen Doyle	Cllr Lee Bates
Portfolio	Portfolio	Portfolio
Strategic Housing	Strategic Waste Management	PR Management
Homelessness Prevention	Refuse Collection	PR & Comms Overview
Housing Advice	Recycling Services	Tamworth Listens
Landlord Services	Waste Minimisation	Graphics
Decent & Affordable Housing	Community Health & Safety	Publications
Private Sector Housing	Licensing	Youth Council
Child Protection	Streetscene	Corporate Consultation
Safeguarding Children	Tamworth in Bloom Operations	Budget Consultation
Vulnerable Adults	Clean Streets Enforcements	HRA Consultation
Neighbourhood Renewal	Street Furniture Maintenance	Services for Young People
Healthier Housing		Tenant Engagement
Garages		HRA Public Relations
		Third Sector Engagement
		Place Steering Group
		Gateways Project
		Participatory Budgeting

 

To receive the constitution and membership of committees for 2012/13 which will be circulated at the meeting

The constitution and membership of Committees for 2012/13 was received and circulated at the meeting as follows:

 

BOROUGH OF TAMWORTH

 

CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEES 2012/13

 

CABINET

 

Councillors       Danny Cook             Leader with Portfolio

                          Robert Pritchard      Deputy Leader/Core Services & Assets Portfolio

                          Stephen Doyle         Environment & Waste Management Portfolio

                          Jeremy Oates          Community Development

                          Steven Claymore    Economic Development & Enterprise Portfolio

                          Michael Greatorex  Housing Portfolio

                          Lee Bates                Reputation & Engagement Portfolio                      

                         

 

 

ASPIRE & PROSPER SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Brian Beale  

                                 Garry Hirons

                                 Andrew James

                                 Richard Kingstone

                                 Matthew McDermid

                                 Simon Peaple

                                 Steven Pritchard

                                 Patrick Standen          

                                 Michelle Thurgood

                                

                                

HEALTHIER & SAFER SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Margaret Clarke

                                 Marion Couchman

                                 John Faulkner

                                 Ken Gant    

                                 Maureen Gant

                                 John Garner

                                 Andrew James

                                 Allan Lunn

                                 Evelyn Rowe

                                

                                   

 

PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Brian Beale      

                                 Steven Claymore 

                                 Chris Cooke

                                 Richard Kingstone

                                 Richard McDermid

                                 Ken Norchi

                                 Jeremy Oates

                                 Evelyn Rowe    

                                 Patrick Standen

                                 Michelle Thurgood

 

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Marion Couchman

                                 David Foster

                                 Ken Gant

                                 John Garner

                                 Eve Rowe

                                

 

Independent Members

                                 Cathy Tibbles   

                                 Richard Hughes  

                                 Colin Stalford

 

 

AUDIT & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Maureen Gant 

                                 Richard Kingstone

                                 Simon Peaple

                                 Peter Seekings

                                 Michelle Thurgood

 

LICENSING COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Brian Beale

                                 Tina Clements 

                                 Margaret Clarke

                                 Danny Cook     

                                 Chris Cooke

                                 Stephen Doyle

                                 Ken Gant

                                 John Garner

                                 Garry Hirons

                                 Andrew James

                                 Allan Lunn

                                 Matthew McDermid

                                 Ken Norchi

                                 Steven Pritchard

                                 Peter Seekings

                                

 

APPOINTMENTS AND STAFFING COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Danny Cook     

                                 John Faulkner

                                 Michael Greatorex

                                 Richard McDermid

                                 Robert Pritchard

                                

 

 

CHIEF OFFICER CONDUCT COMMITTEE

 

Councillors    

 

CABINET (GRANTS) SUB COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Lee Bates

                                 Steven Claymore

                                 Robert Pritchard

 

 

Staffordshire Connects (1 member)

 

Local Parking Board (4 members)

 

SCC Communities Crime & Culture Committee (1 member)

 

County Health Scrutiny Committee (1 member)

 

Andrew James

 

Compact Committee (3 members)

 

 

 

 

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise

 

RESOLVED:		That:
	1	The Tamworth Local Plan be approved by Council for Pre-Submission Publication and following consultation on soundness the Local Plan be submitted to the Secretary of State, in accordance with Regulations 27, 28 & 30 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (subject to recommendation (1a)   (a)    Subject to no fundamental objections to the soundness of the Local Plan being made during the Pre-Submission Publication Stage; and
	2	Authority is delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Enterprise, to make any typographical and formatting (including the insertion of photographs) amendments to the Local Plan prior to the Submission; and
	3	The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tamworth, Lichfield and North Warwickshire be approved with authorisation given to the Leader of the Council to sign the agreement and the Head of Planning and Regeneration to make minor amendments to the MoU as required.
	4	Paragraph 5.37 on page 52 of the Tamworth Local Plan ‘The updated SHMA identified that the split of affordable housing tenure should be 40% Social Rented and 60% Intermediate Tenure’.   be substituted with the following:   ‘The updated SHMA identified that the split of affordable housing tenure should be 50% Social Rented, 25% Affordable Rented and 25% Intermediate Tenure’
	5	Policy CP4   d) for on site provision 40% of units as social rented and 60% of units as intermediate   be substituted with the following:   ‘d) for on site provision 50% Social Rented, 25% Affordable Rented and 25% Intermediate Tenure’
(Moved by Councillor S Claymore and seconded by Councillor J Faulkner)

 

Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer

The report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer advising Members of required changes to the Constitution was considered.

 

RESOLVED		That:
	1	The changes to the Constitution be noted;
	2	The changes outlined in Appendix 1 to this report be approved;
	3	The following be added: 1.8       Decisions to be taken by the executive (c) The executive are to reply recommendations accepted from Full council or the scrutiny Committees within a 3 month period;
	4	The following be added at Article 10A – Nominations Committee: 10A. 02          Composition   (a)   Membership. The nominations committee will be composed of at least:   ·                    five councillors   ·                    one person who is not a councillor or an officer of the council.   (b)   Chairing the Committee. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman will be appointed in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.     (c)   Independent members. Independent members will be entitled to vote at meetings;     10A. 03          Role and Function   The Nominations Committee will have the following roles and functions:   1.      Consider nominations to be made to the Council pursuant to section 249(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for conferring the title of honorary aldermen or honorary alderwomen on persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Council.   2.      Consider nominations to be made to the Council pursuant to section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 to admit to be honorary freemen or honorary freewomen of the Borough of Tamworth persons who are of distinction and who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough.   3.      Maintain a publicly accessible application process for the two above honours   4.      Any approved applications are referred to Full Council for Full Council approval.   5.      Act as a sponsor to a new application, make referral to, or support an existing application that nominates a Tamworth resident to any outside bodies’ awards or recognition scheme.   6.      Seek nominations from the Tamworth public, persons worthy of public recognition for their service or work for the Borough of Tamworth.
	5	The following amendment be made to 11.2    Questions on notice at Ordinary Meetings of the Council:   Subject to Rule 11.4, a member of the Council may ask:   ·                    a member of the executive;   ·                    the chairman or vice-chair of any committee or sub-committee D-10     ·                    a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects Tamworth. Be removed and replaced with   11.2         Questions on notice at Ordinary Meetings of the Council   Subject to Rule 11.4, a member of the Council may ask:   ·                    any member in receipt of a Special Responsibility Allowance, except the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. D-10     ·                    a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects Tamworth.
	6	The following amendment be made to 6.03 Specific functions:   (iV) question members of the executive and committees and chief officers about their views on issues and proposals affecting the area; and   Be removed and replaced with:   (  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Report of the Leader of the Council and Monitoring Officer

The Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer seeking Council’s comments, endorsement and approval to the proposed draft Scheme of Delegation for officers was considered.

 

RESOLVED	That the revised Scheme of Delegation to Officers be adopted and approved.
	(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor R Pritchard)

 

Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer

The Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer advising Members on the number of complaints received for the year 1 April 2010 until 31 March 2011 in relation to breaches of the Code of Conduct since the local filtering regime was put in place in May 2008 was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

That the findings contained in the report be endorsed.

 

To receive the Calendar of Meetings for 2012/13

The Calendar of Meetings for 2012/13 was received and circulated at the meeting.

 

RESOLVED	That the Council meeting scheduled for 10 July 2012 be moved to 11 July.
	(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor R Pritchard)