Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J. Wadrup

The minutes of the meeting held on 20^th November 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor A Cooper and seconded by Councillor L Wood)

Councillor Dean declared an interest in item 9 as a member of The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust

Councillor R Kingstone declared an interest in item 9 as a member of the The Friends of Wiggington Park

I would like to invite councillors to the Mayors Christmas Carol Service on 15th and 16th December at St Editha’s Church.  And also invite Councillors to a Civic reception in the Town Hall on 16th December prior to the Carol Service.

And also draw your attention to a Mayoral Concert on February 10^th at Tamworth Assembly Rooms featuring Tony Christie.  Tickets are now on sale  and the proceeds will be raising funds for Dementia charities in Tamworth.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NO. 1

Under Procedure Rule No 10, Mr Huw Loxton, will ask the Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor T Jay, the following question:-

Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019 what have the council been doing to encourage people to use more sustainable modes of transport and encourage cycling and walking and reduce over reliance on the motor vehicle?

Answer

Thank you for your question. On this matter I have two points of clarification. Firstly, the climate change declaration that the Borough made in 2019 refers only to the operation of the Council and its services. Since the declaration a baseline assessment of Council operations has been undertaken and the authority is currently commissioning work on an action plan, building energy audits and an adaptation plan. In addition, the Council is in the process of appointing a climate change officer.

Secondly all matters related to travel and transport fall within the remit of the County Council.

Having said all of that, the Tamworth Local Plan does contain policies which seeks to support sustainable decision making in terms of managing change. Policy SU2 Delivering Sustainable Transport, states that Development should be accessible by walking, cycling and public transport and proposals should prioritise access by these modes of transport above the private car.

A recent example of implementing policy SU2 arose with a FHSF application relating to the new Flex building which is proposed close to the Middle entry passage and town hall. The County Council required additional cycle store in the pedestrian areas and additionally, to encourage staff associated with the proposed new building, 1 cycle storage space per unit. The Borough Council’s planning team requested that changes were made to proposals to ensure that the application was policy compliant.

Supplementary

The Local Government Associations’ Decarbonising transport series states that transport is the biggest emitter of carbon of any sector in the UK and to reach the target of net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner there will need to be a fundamental transformation of the way we move.  The climates parking policy briefing states it is essential to locate housing in the right places.  New developments in more accessible and central locations generate less car travel whilst increased residential densities are associated with lower transport CO2 emissions.  Parking for accessible developments can and should be limited.  Can I then ask what message with regards to your declared climate emergency do you think it sends out when a sustainable planning application recommended for approval by officers is turned down in the main for a lack of car parking provision despite having provision for 54 cycle parking places and being ideally placed to encourage the use of public transport

The acting Leader Councillor T Jay gave the following response

It is up to the Councillors and the Planning Committee to approve or not an application and if they have deemed it unfit with the number of spaces, they are right to do that.  I agree  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

The Leader, Councillor T Jay announced the intention to form a Conservative and Independent Futures coalition. Indicating there would be changes to Cabinet in due course.

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

Report of the Leader of the Council to declare that nature is in crisis and to commit to the recovery of nature across the Borough and wider Staffordshire.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder Operations and Finance)

Report of the portfolio holder for operations and finance to present to Members the Mid-year Review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder Operations and Finance)

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Finance to recommend that Cabinet and Council approves the implementation of a revised Council Tax Reduction scheme with effect from the 1 April 2024.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder Environmental Health and Community Partnerships)

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health and Community Partnerships to bring before Full Council the Licensing Committee recommendation that they consider the draft Charitable Collections Policy set out at Appendix 1 as suitable for adoption.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder Environmental Health and Community Partnerships)

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health and Community Partnerships to bring before Full Council the Licensing Committee recommendation that they consider the draft Sexual Establishment Policy set out at Appendix 1 and, subject to any recommended amendments, approve the draft policy for adoption.