Agenda and minutes

The meeting commenced with a minutes silence as a mark of respect following the death of Brian Leake, former Chief Executive.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L Bates, K Gant and R Kingstone.

The minutes of the meetings held on 25 June 2013 and 23 July 2013 were approved and signed as a correct record.

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

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.

None.

(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 PUBLIC                NO.1

Under Procedure Rule No 10, Mr K Forest, 64a Foxglove, Amington, Tamworth will ask the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education, Councillor S Claymore, the following question:-

"Could you please supply the housing completion figures for the 6 months up to 1^st April 2013?"

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education, Councillor S Claymore gave the following reply:

The Council estimates that for quarter 3 and quarter 4 of the monitoring year 2012 to 2013 there were 47 completed units. This gives an estimated total net completions for the year of 135.

As the question was asked by the Mayor in the absence of Mr K Forest, there was no supplementary question.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC                NO.2

Under Procedure Rule No 10, Mr K Forest, 64a Foxglove, Amington, Tamworth will ask the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education, Councillor S Claymore, the following question:-

"There is compelling evidence that housing occupiers are seeking to downsize for both market and social housing.  Based on the latest information could you please supply the percentages of anticipated housing needs for 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroomed properties for both the market and social housing?"

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education, Councillor S Claymore gave the following reply:

The Southern Staffordshire Districts Housing Needs Study and SHMA Update 2012, which is available on our website, says the following:

Based on the quantitative need modelling against residents’ aspirations, viability and the characteristics of the existing stock, the following market housing sizes are required in Tamworth: 4% 1 bed flat; 42% 2 bed flat/house/bungalow; 39% 3 bed house/bungalow; 15% 4 bed house.

For affordable dwellings, the comparable figures are 9% 1-bedroom; 50% 2-bedroom; 32% 3-bedroom and 9% 4-bedroom +.

As the question was asked by the Mayor in the absence of Mr K Forest, there was no supplementary question.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL                NO.1

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor J Jenkins will ask the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets, Councillor R Pritchard, the following question:-

"In view of the absence of Talkback deliveries in Wilnecote and other areas could the people of Tamworth be informed of the cost of this Summer's edition, the procedures to monitor its delivery, the results of those procedures and how these results fit in with the Council's policy on access to information by its taxpayers?"

The Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets, Councillor R Pritchard gave the following:

Thank you Mr Mayor,

Thank you for your question but as you already know the answer I’m not in a position to provide you with new information at this time.

As per the information already sent to you, officers routinely ask delivery companies to provide evidence of the areas it was delivered to. No issues have been identified as per the information provided and the council is satisfied it has been delivered in this instance.

The delivery company has agreed to carry out additional checks and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

(Report of Cabinet and the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

The Report of the Cabinet and the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets seeking approval for the Annual Report on the Treasury Management Service and Actual Prudential Indicators 2012/13 was considered.

That Article 6 of the Constitution – Overview and Scrutiny Committees; that the following be inserted at the end of 2.6.1 Terms of reference:- “That the chairs of scrutiny committees be selected from members of the opposition groups, to further the goals of holding the Executive to account and supporting the work of the Executive.”

The motion put forward to amend Article 6 of the Constitution to add “That the chairs of scrutiny committees be selected from members of the opposition groups, to further the goals of holding the Executive to account and supporting the work of the Executive” was moved by Councillor R McDermid and seconded by Councillor P Standen.

The motion was rejected.

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

The Report of the Leader of the Council and Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer regarding the proposed changes to the Constitution and Scheme of Delegation was considered.

(To receive the Outside Bodies List 2013/2014)