Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Faulkner and P Seekings.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2013 were approved and signed as a correct record.

 

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

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.

Announcement by Councillor R Pritchard

 

The Tourist Information Centre has been awarded an accreditation from the Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark (SEQM)  for their work in reducing the environmental impact of their business.

(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 Housing, the following question:-

 

"Who will be responsible for the elderly tenants that will be decanted from Tinkers Green, ensuring that they are aware of the different types of tenancies that could affect their rights?"

 

The Portfolio Holder for Housing gave the following reply:

 

Cllr Couchman had an opportunity to talk this through with Officers on Friday 10^th May, so the points I set out should already be known to her:-

 

• Following Cabinet approvals in November 2012 and March 2013 plans are being progressed to regenerate Tinkers Green and the Kerria Centre.

• Specifically a draft decant policy was approved for consultation, along with approval to move 14 households in the bungalows on Cottage and Leisure Walk.  It was agreed that this was necessary to prevent any unnecessary anxiety to the older residents who had expressed an interest to move, as soon as possible.

• The moves are being co-ordinated by the housing options team within landlord services.  Public meetings with the 14 households were held directly following Cabinet in March in the localities.  Families and friends were invited to ask questions.

• In addition all 14 households have now been interviewed and details of their housing requirements logged. The landlord team know the occupants well and have been able to agree compensation packages and rehousing to suit all.

• In terms of different types of tenancies – all have expressed a desire to move into alternative council accommodation and will therefore have the same security of tenure - they will remain secure tenants.  None will have fixed term tenancies as this does not apply to sheltered or oap designated accommodation in any event. 

• A bus tour is being planned for all the 14 households to a selection of empty properties.  11 empty homes including bungalows, sheltered and other flats are undergoing works, including adaptations, to meet the needs of these residents.  They have been directly matched to properties, in accordance with the allocations policy, to ensure they move to properties most suitable for their needs, in terms of adaptations, family support, size etc.

• It is anticipated that half of the residents will move over the summers with the remainder moving before Christmas.

• It is intended to move in two phases, so no-one individual is left in cottage or leisure walk alone and isolated.

• Colleagues in asset management are already preparing for demolition works so that any opportunity for vandalism or ASB is limited when they are finally emptied.

• I would refer my colleagues to the councils web site where there is a dedicated page including frequently asked questions.  There is also the free phone number and dedicated email address if constituents wish to speak to an officer directly.

• We are also hoping to appoint a tenant friend shortly, who will be a dedicated officer and will ensure individual support and contact arrangements are agreed with residents going forward.  To reassure Cllr  ...  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 2013/14 was received and circulated at the meeting as follows:

 

 

Leader of the Council	Operations and Assets
Cllr Daniel Cook	Cllr Rob Pritchard (Deputy leader)
Portfolio	Portfolio
Corporate Assessments	Corporate Finance & procurement
Engagement Overview	Audit & Governance
Financial Planning	Service Transformation
Performance Management	HR and ICT
Member Development	Corporate/HRA commercial Property & Asset Management
Strategic Overview	Constitution
Strategic Partnerships	Treasury Management
Budget Consultation	Revenues & Benefits
Participatory Budgeting	Legal and Democratic Services
Tamworth Listens	PR and Coms Management (TBC & HRA)
Reputation	Corporate Consultation
Organisational Capacity	Graphics & Publications
	Car Parks
	Civil Parking Enforcement
	Customer Services
	Council Tax and NNDR
	Tourism
	Place Steering Group
	Outdoor Events
Community Development and Voluntary Sector	Economy and Education
Cllr Jeremy Oates	Cllr Steve Claymore
Portfolio	Portfolio
Safer & Stronger Communities	Town Centre Development
Community Safety, ASB Reduction & Crime	Town Centre Economy / Cultural Qtr
Tackling Fear of Crime	Education / Educational Attainment
Integrated Enforcement	Career Skills and Training
CCTV Management	Business Liaison
Community Development	Business Development
Locality Working	Development Management
Services for Young People	Building Control
Youth Council	Market Development
Police and Crime Commissioner Panel	Local Plan
Third Sector Engagement	Southern Staffordshire Partnership (SSP)
Voluntary Sector Engagement and Funding	LEP Board Member
Community Sports Activities	Infrastructure / Transport / LTB
Half Term / Summer Holiday Activities	Planning
Leisure Services & Sport	Decent & Affordable Housing Development
GP Commissioning / PCT Engagement	Gateways Project
Healthier Communities / Lifestyles	Heritage Conservation
Environment & Waste Management	Public Housing and Vulnerable People
Cllr Stephen Doyle	Cllr Michael Greatorex
Portfolio	Portfolio
Strategic Waste Management	Strategic Housing
Refuse Collection	Homelessness Prevention
Recycling Services	Housing Advice
Waste Minimisation	Landlord Services
Environmental Health	Private Sector Housing
Community Health & Safety	Child Protection
Corporate Health and Safety	Safeguarding Children
Licensing	Vulnerable Adults
Streetscene	Neighbourhood Renewal
Tamworth in Bloom Operations	Healthier Housing
Clean Streets Enforcements	Public Sector Garages
Street Furniture Maintenance	HRA Business Planning
Parks and Play	HRA Consultation
Nature Reserves	Tenant Engagement
Street Wardens	Decent Homes Standard
Integrated Enforcement

 

 

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 2013/14 was received and circulated at the meeting as follows:

 

BOROUGH OF TAMWORTH

 

CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEES 2013/14

 

CABINET

 

Councillors       Danny Cook             Leader with Portfolio

                          Robert Pritchard      Deputy Leader/Operations & Assets Portfolio

                          Stephen Doyle         Environment & Waste Management Portfolio

                          Jeremy Oates          Community Development & Voluntary Sector Portfolio

                          Steven Claymore    Economy & Education Portfolio

                          Michael Greatorex  Public Housing & Vulnerable People Portfolio

                                                        

 

 

ASPIRE & PROSPER SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Tina Clements

                                 Garry Hirons

                                 Andrew James

                                 Richard Kingstone

                                 Allan Lunn

                                 Matthew McDermid

                                 Simon Peaple

                                 Patrick Standen          

                                 Michelle Thurgood

                                

                                

HEALTHIER & SAFER SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Lee Bates

                                 Margaret Clarke

                                 Marion Couchman

                                 John Faulkner

                                 Andrew James

                                 Joan Jenkins

                                 Richard Kingstone

                                 Allan Lunn

                                 Evelyn Rowe

                                

                                   

 

PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Steven Claymore 

                                 Chris Cooke

                                 Maureen Gant

                                 Richard Kingstone

                                 Richard McDermid

                                 Ken Norchi

                                 Jeremy Oates

                                 Evelyn Rowe    

                                 Patrick Standen

                                 Michelle Thurgood

 

AUDIT & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Marion Couchman

                                 Ken Gant

                                 Maureen Gant 

                                 Simon Peaple

                                 Steven Pritchard

                                 Peter Seekings

                                 Michelle Thurgood

 

LICENSING COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Lee Bates

                                 Margaret Clarke

                                 Tina Clements

                                 Danny Cook     

                                 Chris Cooke

                                 Stephen Doyle

                                 Ken Gant

                                 John Garner

                                 Garry Hirons

                                 Andrew James

                                 Joan Jenkins

                                 Allan Lunn

                                 Matthew McDermid

                                 Ken Norchi

                                 Peter Seekings

                                

 

APPOINTMENTS AND STAFFING COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Danny Cook     

                                 John Faulkner

                                 Michael Greatorex

                                 Richard McDermid

                                 Robert Pritchard

                                

 

CABINET (GRANTS) SUB COMMITTEE

 

Councillors              Steven Claymore

                                 Stephen Doyle

                                 Robert Pritchard

 

 

Staffordshire Connects (1 member)

 

 

Local Parking Board (4 members)

 

Steve Claymore

Rob Pritchard

Patrick Standen

Michelle Thurgood

 

Staffordshire Joint Parking Board

 

Jeremy Oates

 

SCC Communities Crime & Culture Committee (1 member)

 

Tina Clements

 

 

County Health Scrutiny Committee (1 member)

 

Andrew James

 

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

The Report of the Leader of the Council seeking to advise Members of the particulars of each urgent executive decision and a summary of the matters in respect of which the decision was made under the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) Regulations 2012  Regulation 19 was considered.

 

RESOLVED:	That the Annual Executive Arrangements report be endorsed.
	(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor R Pritchard)

 

 

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

 

Appendix To Follow

The Report of the Leader to the Council and Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer seeking to obtain Council comments, endorsement and approval of the reviewed Constitution and Scheme of Delegation was due to be considered.

 

A Motion was made:

 

“That tonight Council re-adopt the current Constitution and Scheme of Delegation until 25^th June 2013. Thus a seminar/workshop for all members can be arranged before then on the changes to the Constitution and then the new Constitution debated and hopefully adopted at the Full Council meeting on the 25^th June 2013 and the Forward Plan be updated accordingly.”

 

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and moved by Councillor R McDermid)

(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 01 July 2012 until 30 April 2013 in relation to breaches of the Code of Conduct since the implementation of the part of the Localism Act 2011 which changed the system of regulation of Standards of Conduct for elected and co-opted Councillors was considered.

 

RESOLVED:	That the findings of the contents of the report be endorsed.
	(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor R McDermid)

 

 

To receive the Calendar of Meetings for 2012/13

The Calendar of Meetings for 2013/14 was received and circulated at the meeting.

 

RESOLVED

That this Council accept the calendar of meetings for 2013/14 before us this evening with one amendment. That the Planning Committee meeting on 21 May be delayed until the 11 June as the majority of members of this Council have a meeting to review the new arrangements at Whittington Barracks the evening of 21 May and then that the meeting on 18 June be cancelled and all business be taken to the meeting on 11 June.

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