Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 27^th October 2020 were approved and signed as a correct record with the agreed amendment to “Heart of Tamworth” from “Part of Tamworth” on Agenda item 4, Questions from members of the council no.3, supplementary from Councillor P Standen.

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)

Councillor R Pritchard made the following announcement -

“Thank you Madam Mayor with your indulgence Madam Mayor in light of our experiences this year and adapting to the format of meetings in this public health situation, I would like to move the following motions without notice under rule 4.2.27 and 4.13q

No 1 that the Council formally thank all officers for their efforts to ensure that this Council could still meet during the pandemic

No 2, that in order to help the authority begin to deliver the early stage of the reset and recovery plan, the Council continue to hold virtual meetings for the coming municipal year subject to legislation;

No 3 that we return to the constituted membership for Cabinet meetings, and;

No, 4 we ask Officers to continue to seek feedback to improve both members and the publics experience of virtual meetings and I hope for a seconder Madam Mayor.”

(Moved by Councillor R Pritchard and seconded by Councillor C Cooke)

A vote was taken the 4 motions were carried.

Councillor D Cook made the following announcement -

"Thank you Madam Mayor and Merry Christmas

Please can I ask Councillor and Officer Colleagues of Tamworth Borough Council to note my intention to resign as Leader of the Council.

I have been Leader of this Council for 11 years and 8 days, and other than my family, it has been the greatest privilege of my life and I hope you all agree I gave it my all. I never took it for granted and was honoured to be this Councils choice for so long.

During this period I have also held a full time day job and was for a couple of years of my leadership I was also a single father – again while fully employed in the demanding Logistics sector and Leader of this Council 24/7. That takes a lot of managing - and is exhausting. But I made it work as best as my abilities enabled.

However, 11 years is long enough for anyone to juggle these demands. Being Leader of TBC is all my youngest daughter remembers me ever being – she is actually in pieces knowing I do this because she sees it as part of who her father is.

For those who did not know, my wife Cllr Michelle Cook is pregnant and it is time for me to give her my fuller attention as well as my daughters.

Leadership has been a journey full of up’s and down’s, full of success and the odd failure. I have never believed I am infallible and I am certainly not perfect, but no one can be, certainly not when governing for 77,000 people and their complex needs and desires.

I am a great believer in “Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.” a quote from General John J. Pershing.

I say this because I recall a conversation as my leadership began so long ago with two former Council Leaders, Cllr Jeremy Oates and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NO. 1

Under Procedure Rule No 10, Paul Sharman of Tamworth will ask the Leader of the Council, Councillor D Cook  the following question:-

“Councillor Peaple asked for an information update on the acquisition of the Police Station at the October Council Meeting. He was in essence informed that negotiations were ongoing. What progress has been made in the intervening period and how much longer is our Council prepared to protract the negotiations, rather than simply issue a Compulsory Purchase Order so that its plans can be implemented in timely fashion and not be subject to the indeterminate delays created by the current owner?”

Councillor D Cook gave the following reply:-

“Thank you Madam Mayor,

Thank you for the question. There have been a number of meetings between the Police and the Borough Council since October in relation to the potential acquisition and future regeneration/development of their site.

You may be aware that the Police Station site has been marketed on the open market to enable its disposal. So far, purposeful discussions have been held to support the police in this process and to ensure that the Council’s aspirations for the site are reflected in any decisions taken by the Police for the future purpose of this site

At this point in time it is not felt that using CPO powers are helpful, especially as there are positive and proactive discussions underway. The Council is working with the current owners, their agent and potential purchasers in an attempt to arrive an outcome that is beneficial to all parties without the need to resort to using any process.

Making use of Compulsory Purchase Order powers is not something to be taken lightly and where possible other mechanisms to either acquire a site or achieve the desired outcomes for the site are preferable. A Compulsory Purchase Order always remains an option open to the Council but there are no guarantees that it will be granted and the process itself can be both time consuming and costly.

 In fact one of the tests for a successful CPO application is all parties have exhausted every avenue of negotiation and discussion – Clearly at this point in time we have not. Further, if we can facilitate and influence regeneration without acquisition it provides a more sustainable position for the wider site.

To deliver regeneration across the Gungate site will require a high level of investment. If we as a Council can get another party to deliver part of the plan and finance it that would take some pressure from us. We just need to ensure it all dovetails with our aspirations for the whole piece of regeneration that our town desperately needs.”

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NO. 2

Under Procedure Rule No 10, Mark Hopkins of Tamworth will ask the Leader of the Council, Councillor D Cook, the following question:-

“Under what circumstances might Council consider it appropriate for Councillors to promote non-Council events or business  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

(Update from the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Operational Services – to follow)

A petition was submitted to the Council on 15 October 2020 regarding the request for a bench to be placed at Wigginton Cemetery for Keeley Bunker. The petition contained 2,016 signatures.

Councillor D Cook proposed the following, to refer the policy to corporate scrutiny for immediate review and make all officer time required available

to fully understand the impacts of the policy and ensure corporate scrutiny can get this done by the end of January so not to prolong the matter further for Keeley‘s family

Motion without notice under rule 4.13 (n) to suspend a particular Council Procedure rule.

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

Rule 4.14.6 Amendment to motions

Council accept and action the petition this evening to agree to the bench in addition to sending the policy to Corporate scrutiny for review.

(Moved by Councillor Dr S Peaple and seconded by Councillor R Bilcliff)

After a vote this amendment was not carried

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

Councillor M Cook left the meeting at 18.58 and returned at 19.43 therefore an abstention was noted on all votes for this agenda item.

Further details are in the attached document.

Motions without notice rule 4.13

Interruption of the meeting rule 4.9.1

(Moved by Councillor P Standen and seconded by Councillor S Peaple)

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

The following motion was proposed, before acceptance of any re-organisation, merger or other arrangement which would result in Tamworth Borough Council being merged or otherwise combined with other local authorities’ bodies, that the matter be put to the electors of Tamworth in a local referendum

(Moved by Councillor J Faulkner and seconded by Councillor S Peaple)

After a vote this motion was not carried

Further details are in the attached document.

It was proposed by Councillor D Cook that agenda items 8, 9, 10and 11 are moved en bloc to agree to the recommendations with the exception of agenda item 8 in which motions 1 and 2 are moved to be agreed and 3 and 4 are to be referred to scrutiny. The below reflects this proposal.

After a unanimous vote this motion was carried.

This Council notes the enjoyment many people gain from firework displays and the major strides made in improving safety. In order to balance the wishes of those who enjoy fireworks responsibly with the needs of others. The following were proposed

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Finance)

The report advised members that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for working age customers for 2021/22 should include continued alignment to Applicable Amounts with those of Housing Benefit

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Finance)

The report advised Members of the Mid-year Review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy.

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Finance and the Monitoring Officer)

The report sought to obtain the Council’s approval to the refreshed Constitution (including the Scheme of Delegation).

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)