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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Town Hall, Market Street, Tamworth. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services 01827 709264 

Media

Items
No. Item

21.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M Bailey, M Cook, D Cook, A Cooper, A Farrell, R Kingstone, B Price, P Thurgood, J Wade and J Wadrup. 

22.

To receive the Minutes of the previous meetings pdf icon PDF 104 KB

To receive the minutes of the Meetings held on:

24 May 2022; and

5 July 2022

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 24th May 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.

 

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

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 5th July 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.

 

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

23.

Declarations of Interest

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. 

Minutes:

There were no Declarations of Interest.

24.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor, Leader, Members of the Cabinet or the Chief Executive

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor J Oates made the following announcements.

 

Thank you, Madam Mayor we all noticed on the way in there was a protest outside the Town Hall this evening. I wanted to acknowledge that protest and we welcome the expression of feeling and we thank the protestors who were in the main peaceful.  The difficulty is Tamworth Borough Council cannot do anything about who the MP is for Tamworth and have no say on the matter. If the protestors wish to make their views known, they need to address them to the MP. So we thank them for their expression of feeling, we acknowledge the feeling out there, we thank them for being well behaved but unfortunately Tamworth Borough Council cannot respond to this because it not within our remit as a local authority. 

 

My second announcement is the delight that Tamworth will be receiving the Queens Baton tomorrow evening. This is an event that will be running this afternoon and I’ve been informed that former Councillor Simon Peaple will be carrying the Baton for part of the leg as it runs through Tamworth. The Queens Baton goes round the World and round the Commonwealth States and it is about raising awareness of what is known as the friendly games.   So it is a privilege that Tamworth will be receiving that tomorrow evening and in support of that we have the Summer Festival of Events with free events and live screening of the commonwealth games in the Castle Grounds. Also want to raise awareness of the headline events both free and paid for

 

Finally Madam Mayor, there is a red weather warming and I’d like to put on record that we have sympathy and concern for the scenes we are seeing in and around London with the fires that have happened this afternoon and locally please everyone look after yourselves look after each other check on vulnerable people and stay safe.  It really is a health matter so take extra care to look after the vulnerable.  Thank you

 

The Mayor Councillor Moira Oates added that she would like to say thanks to Councillors who had called and helped whilst she was ill with covid. 

25.

Question Time: pdf icon PDF 63 KB

(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

 

Minutes:

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO. 1

 

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor Richard Ford will ask the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jeremy Oates, the following question:-

 

 

Tomorrow, Tamworth will be hosting the Queen's Baton Relay. The Baton will end its journey through Tamworth at a huge festival of sport and music in the Castle Grounds.

 

Tamworth has also secured the honour of being the only Commonwealth Games Festival Site in Staffordshire. Over the next three weeks live footage of the games will be shown in the Castle Grounds, accompanied by a three-week summer festival of sports, concerts and community events.

 

Will the Leader of the Council join me in congratulating all the Council staff and volunteers, who have worked so hard in securing and organising all these amazing events?

 

Councillor Oates gave the following answer

 

To say this is the biggest stage of events for Tamworth is an understatement.

 

3 weeks of community events, live screenings of the Commonwealth Games, cinema showings, sports demonstrations, everything from a Piggyback World Record Attempt to a silent disco to shows with world famous performers – Tamworth has it all available this summer. 

 

We kick off the events with welcoming the Queen’s Baton Relay tomorrow evening, following by a Queen tribute on the stage (a free event).

 

I hope to see you all there.

 

Of course, councillors this doesn’t just happen, it takes a huge effort, large resources and a team of officers who are all pulling out every stop to make this happen.

 

I welcome this opportunity to formally congratulate the staff in initially securing the ‘Live Site’ status (the only one in Staffordshire), and on developing a programme of events that has something for everyone.  It is one of our most inclusive summer programmes ever.

 

On behalf of all councillors, I want to thank all the staff involved and wish you every success.  We as councillors look forward to joining in the events and welcoming new and old visitors to the town as well as seeing our communities enjoying the summer.

 

Supplementary

 

Major events such as the Commonwealth Games are a platform for the host city and indeed the wider region to elevate their image and create long-lasting socio-economic benefits.  Tamworth as a unique opportunity to tap into these benefits that will come from us being in the Greater West Midlands area, it will help the region grow, encourage communities to realise their full potential and will live happier and healthier lives.  Can I ask the Leader what he believes will be the legacy of these games on Tamworth and what plans are in place to help realise this?

 

Councillor Oates gave the following response

 

In terms of legacy’s, it’s often easier to plan for a legacy and then miss the boat.  What we have done in Tamworth we have built on the opportunity that the Commonwealth Live site as brought to us, and we have built the Summer Festival of Events.  For me they are a key part  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Nomination to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on Dr Simon Peaple

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

That pursuant to Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Council in recognition of his services admit the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough to Dr. Simon Peaple

 

(Moved by Councillor R Pritchard and seconded by Councillor S Daniels)

 

 

 

 

 

27.

Nomination to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on Mr Ken Norchi

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

That pursuant to Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Council in recognition of his services admit the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough to Ken Norchi

 

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

 

28.

Petition - Castle Grounds Toilets pdf icon PDF 54 KB

(Presentation of the Petition by the Petition Organiser and debate by full Council)

Minutes:

A petition was submitted to the Council on 15th March 2022 seeking that the Borough Council opens the Castle Pleasure Grounds toilets every day.

 

   RESOLVED:

 

That Council

 

1.

Agreed that the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, take on the issues included in this petition specific to the castle grounds

 

2.

Agreed that the Health & Wellbeing Committee conduct a wider review of public toilet provision in Tamworth; and

 

3.

Agreed that recommendations are made to Cabinet at an appropriate time to be included in this year’s budget cycle

 

 

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

           

29.

Delegated Powers for Urgent Revocations and Suspensions for Taxi Licences pdf icon PDF 116 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Voluntary sector, Town Centre, Evening economy and Community safety)

Minutes:

Report of the Assistant Director Growth and Regeneration to in accordance with the proposal received from Licensing Committee recommend that Full Council delegates the power for urgent suspensions and revocations of private hire and hackney carriage driver’s licences as set out in this report in order to ensure public safety.

 

RESOLVED:

That Council

 

1.

Authorised the Assistant Director Growth and Regeneration (or Head of Environmental Health) in consultation with the Chair (or vice chair) be delegated to immediately suspend or revoke a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire vehicle driver’s licence where it is considered necessary in the interest of public safety; and

 

2.

agreed that a ‘fast track’ procedure be adopted to re-licence those drivers who have had their licence revoked but have subsequently been found to be fit and proper.

 

(Moved by Councillor M Summers and seconded by Councillor C Cooke)