Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L Bates, S Claymore, G Hirons and A James.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2013 were approved and signed as a correct record.

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

To receive any declarations of Members’ interests (pecuniary and non-pecuniary) in any matters which are to be considered at this meeting.

When Members are declaring a pecuniary or non-pecuniary 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 pecuniary or non-pecuniary 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 COUNCIL                NO.1

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

"How much will it cost if the Council takes back the Golf Course and reopens it, running it in house?

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise, the Leader of the Council gave the following Reply:

Thank you Cllr Couchman.

Madam Mayor, I realise this is a time of uncertainty for the golf club members, paying public and staff. We are, as members will be aware, looking at the options available to us, as a local authority. Firstly, I am cautious of public comment in regards to the future. We must remember that Tamworth Golf Centre LTD is a private company about to go through the liquidation process; the staff employed by the company have rights. Whether they see redundancy through the liquidation process or a government protection scheme, until the end of the liquidation process I wish to avoid comments that could affect their rights. At present I am aware there is a meeting of the liquidators on Thursday 21^st March.

As we all know the land remains in our ownership, thus the tax-payers ownership. It was clear that the company was no longer viable and could not meet its commitments. As I stated through the Tamworth Herald, I could not – and would not – justify any further change to the rent payments and other terms any further. It was time to take control of the situation in the benefit of the whole tax-payer. I have been working with the operator for some time, and I had personally led discussions which brought an earlier end to tipping on the site, agreed last year, I met the operator and stated we must now bring an end to the tipping.

We recognise that for the majority of the time the company ran the course, the Borough Council benefited financially from the arrangement. However I also recognise we had reached the point of no return. We must recall that by 2006 it cost the Council Tax payer about £60,000 to £80,000 per year to subsidise the golf course and this was not sustainable in the long term. We needed to do better with our assets.

At present there are a lot of variables that need to be understood. I am happy to personally meet with any member who wants taking through this, especially around costs of running the course. If the member wishes to contact me and arrange some time I would be more than happy to run through everything. However, I simply cannot at this stage in this arena quantify exactly the total costs of running the course in-house.

Supplementary question:

I’m glad you feel concerned about the Golf Course and the rights of the employees. Is it true that part of the Golf Course is designated for other use on it?

The Leader of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

(Report of the Chair of Audit and Governance Committee)

The Report of the Chair of Audit and Governance Committee advising Members on the action taken by the Audit and Governance Committee for the municipal year 2012/2013 was considered.

(Report of the Chair of Aspire and Prosper Scrutiny Committee) (To Follow)

(Report of the Chair of Healthier and Safer Scrutiny Committee) (To Follow)

The Annual Reports of the Chair of Aspire and Prosper Scrutiny Committee and of the Chair of Healthier and Safer Scrutiny Committee were received.

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

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise, presented by the Leader of the Council, informing Members on the progress of the Local Plan 2006/2028 examination, The Exploratory Meeting into the Local Plan, The Planning Inspector’s recommendation following the Exploratory Meeting and updating Members on the Memorandum of Understanding between Tamworth Borough Council, Lichfield District Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council and the work arising from Inspector’s notes and the Exploratory meeting recommendation letter was considered.

Councillor R Pritchard asked that Rule 14.10 (d) be moved.

A Motion was made to make the following amendment:

That a cross party working group comprising of three members of the controlling group and three members of the opposition be established to oversee the development of the revised plan.

(Moved by Councillor S Peaple and seconded by Councillor R McDermid)

This was carried.

(Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer)

The Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer advising Council of the recommendations of the Members Independent Remuneration Panel who have recently undertaken a review of Members Allowances in accordance with regulations was considered.

A Motion was made to make the following amendment:

To include attendance at seminars and training sessions within the attendance allowance.

(Moved by Councillor P Standen and seconded by Councillor P Seekings)

This was not carried.

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 Leader of the Council and Chairman of Appointments and Staffing Committee)

The Report of the Leader of the Council and Chairman of Appointments and Staffing Committee was considered.