Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M Bailey, B Clarke, S Daniels, D Cook, R Kingstone, J Oates, P Thurgood

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Mayor made the following announcement

My very first Mayoral charity event was held last week, tail end of last week, and it was a Motown Disco at Bolehall Manor Club and it raised £300 which is now lodged into the Mayoral Charity and has given us a brilliant kick-off, I must put on record my thanks to the organiser Lee Smart who did a fantastic job and to Andy the Manager  at Bolehall Manor who gave the venue free of charge and enabled us to get off to that sparkling start.  So thank you to them.  If anyone has any events or money raising things that they can think of that they would like to add to the Mayoral Charity I will ask Tracey again if she could to put on, to send out an email detailing the bank details to which any funds could be deposited into the Mayoral Charity.  It would be fantastic if anybody could come up with some good ideas that would give that a good boost.

The Chief Executive made the following announcement

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, yes, I do have an announcement, probably quite a life changing one for me, today I’ve formally given notice to The Leader of the Council of my intention to retire as of 31st March next year, I think getting to 60 is about the right time to go for me personally.  Lots of good things have happened in my tenure at Tamworth and I’ve been here about 20 years now.  It’s still a great place and I’ve still got a passion for it and I haven’t gone yet but I’m giving members plenty of time to choose a successor and you know I really believe in the place and we’re going far so yes thanks Mr. Mayor.

The Leader Councillor P Turner made the following announcement

Thank you I’d just like to say that on behalf of all of us Andrew we’d like to thank you sincerely for your service, I know you’ve not gone yet, and your continued support for the next few months until you do decide to sail off to the Isle of Wight or wherever you’re going, so on behalf of all of us I think we’ll all agree you’ve been a great servant to Tamworth and we thank you so much.

The Leader of the Opposition Councillor C Dean made the following announcement.

Thank Mr. Mayor – I’m quite surprised Mr. Barratt I’m really it’ll be a shame because with my new group we’re all just getting used to we’re so thankful for the support you and your Team have given so you will be sadly missed, really missed but I hope you will enjoy the next few months, and my team don’t make it too much of a struggle for you before you go.

Councillor R Pritchard made the following announcement  Thank you Mr Mayor can I just add my thanks to that of everybody else to Andy Barratt and having  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO. 1

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

During 2013-2014 Tamworth was represented by the then Mayor of Tamworth Alderman John Garner. John had a vision to celebrate Tamworth history and heritage as well as provide a focal point and attraction for sign posting and ultimately now a decade later a point to take selfies, This vision was for an sculpture of a saxon warrior and titled The Spirit of Tamworth.

This council made the commitment to support this sculpture and its location at the end of Ladybridge.

I understand that the project has been let down in terms of private sponsorship.

Could the leader detail both renewed support for this project and identify specific funding streams to ensure Alderman Garners vision is delivered and Tamworth’s history is celebrated with a new attraction?

The Leader gave the following answer

Answer

Yes, I would be happy to renew support for the Spirit of Tamworth, I agree that this public art would indeed provide Tamworth with a cultural and regenerative opportunity that we should support it.

On the subject of funding I am unable to identify any financial opportunities within the budget, given the many important things that require support across the Borough. That said, the regen team and the castle team are always horizon scanning for possible opportunities to pull in external funding for cultural and town centre activities. I will ask these services to identify possible opportunities that could support this project and provide assistance in preparing bids and application forms if necessary. 

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO. 2

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor Gareth Coates will ask the Portfolio Holder for Entertainment and Leisure, Councillor Andrew Cooper, the following question:-

First to thank the Leader of the council for keeping to his word and on the 14 day a bin was placed on Thackery Drive. Is it possible to either get an addition bin or a bigger bin outside the shops on Lakenheath? There is currently only one bin outside these shops and often 2 or 3 days after it’s emptied it is overflowing, during May half term there was litter all over the place as it’s near a park and I can only imagine over the summer it will get a lot worse. If it’s a bigger big that the council would be looking at putting there, can I suggest the Derby E Double Slimline Bin please, this bin is made by the current bin manufacturer the council use?

As Question 2 & 4 were similar Councillor A Cooper gave the following response to both Questions

There are currently over 800 litter bins in the borough and Tamworth Borough Councils remains committed to its priorities and we are working hard to keep Tamworth clean and tidy.

Instillation of new bins are generally carried out September through to March every year.  This allows us the opportunity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

(Details to follow)

The following Committee changes have taken place and agreed due to change in political blance. 

Appointments  and Staffing Sarah Daniles replaces Jan Wadrup

Planning  Jan Wadrup replaces Sarah Daniels

Nominations and Grants Carol Dean replaces Jan Wadrup

(Moved by Councillor J Harper and seconded by Councillor T Jay)

(Moved by Councillor J Harper and seconded by Councillor P Turner)

The item was deferred to be discussed at Council 19^th September.

(Moved by Councillor J Harper and seconded by Councillor J Wadrup)

Mrs Ruth Griffiths presented the following petition

A petition was submitted to the Council on 22^nd March 2023 to petition the council to Secure Dosthill Park so that travellers cannot gain entrance onto the park. Some work has been done to make a dirt mound around the perimeter but it isn't big enough and due to weather and people cycling over it the dirt isn't holding so isn't robust enough. It needs a lot more dirt.

Following on from debate the following motion was moved

That the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Committee pick up this item and see if they can come up with a way forward.   

(Moved by Councillor J Harper and seconded by Councillor C Bain)

To consider excluding the Press and Public from the meeting by passing the following resolution:-

“That in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meeting and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, and Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 & 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public  interest in disclosing the information to the public”

At the time this agenda is published no representations have been received that this part of the meeting should be open to the public.

(Moved by Councillor J Harper and seconded by Councillor T Jay)

(Leader of the Council)

Report of the Leader of the Council to request authority to take necessary action to conclude land ownership and assembly in order to mobilise the Gungate Regeneration Project.  Following on from the debate the following recommendations were approved. 

RESOLVED  That Council:

Approved the recommendations with changes to recomendation 1b and recommendation 1c.

            (Moved by Councillor J Harper and seconded by Councillor L Wood)

(Leader of the Council)

Report of the Leader of the Council and Chair of Appointments & Staffing Committee to seek approval for the appointment of Becky Smeathers as the Council’s Section 151 Officer.

(Portfolio Holder for Entertainment and Leisure)