Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L Bates and S Pritchard.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 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.

Announcement by the Mayor

Councillors Barry and Sheila Pitt, Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Stoke on Trent, passed on their greetings and Peter Dartford from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has also passed his greetings on.

(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 C Cooke will ask the Portfolio Holder for Public Housing and Vulnerable People, Councillor M Greatorex, the following question:-

"Given that there were only four affordable homes built in Tamworth for the year ending 31st of March 2013, can the portfolio holder advise me what are the calculated expected needs for affordable housing for the current year, from 1st April 2013, and how much of that need is expected to be met by new built dwellings before the end of this current year?"

The Portfolio Holder for Public Housing and Vulnerable People, gave the following reply:

We anticipate 3 affordable housing completions this current financial  year.  This continued low number is due to the general downturn in the housing market.

However during the next financial year we expect to see a significant increase in the number of affordable homes including:

40 new homes built in partnership with Registered Providers on underused Council garage sites

6 units at Victoria Road developed by Waterloo Housing Association

New affordable homes arising from the work to bring Empty Homes back into use- anticipated 5.

In future years the Council has a pipeline of schemes which will be brought forward.  This includes further development of underused garages sites.  Section 106 opportunities at a range of sites and further opportunities via the work to bring Empty Homes back into use.   

Supplementary Question

Given that our Council has 2000 applications on the housing waiting list how does the portfolio holder ensure that the housing needs of such people are met?

The Portfolio Holder for Public Housing and Vulnerable People, gave the following reply:

We work closely with the private sector and are currently reviewing allocation procedure and the housing register. What we hope to do is tailor the need to satisfy demand. This is what we have in mind for this difficult problem.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL                NO.2

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor C Cooke will ask the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education, Councillor S Claymore, the following question:-

"Having noted that a revised Tamworth Local Plan was due out in September, can the Portfolio Holder advise me if there is as yet any revised timetable set for the amended Tamworth Local Plan and if so what date is it now expected to go out for public consultation?"

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education gave the following reply:

Thank you Councillor Cooke. When the decision was taken in March by Full Council to withdraw the Local Plan, areas of work were identified before a new plan could be consulted on. I do not believe a September date for consultation was given, however, officers have been progressing these workstreams with close supervision and guidance from the cross party sub group that was established also at Full Council in March. Some of these workstreams have taken longer than was originally envisaged and therefore it is my intention to take a draft  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

(Report of the Chief Executive)

The Report of the Chief Executive informing Members of the comments received from the recent consultation in respect of the review of polling districts and polling places undertaken in accordance with the Electoral Administration Act 2006 and the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 and making recommendations relating to polling places within the Parliamentary Constituency that fall within the Parliamentary Constituency that fall within the Borough of Tamworth was considered.

A motion was moved to amend the recommendations to include only recommendations 1 (a), 2 and 3

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

A further amendment was moved to include all the recommendations in the report.

(Moved by Councillor J Faulkner and seconded by Councillor S Peaple)

The amendment to the motion was not carried.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets presenting to Members the Mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy was considered.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets regarding the ongoing agreement of the Authority’s current Council Tax Reduction Scheme for Working Age customers, originally agreed at Council on 13 December 2012, including 1% up ratings to Applicable Amounts applied for 2014/15 was considered.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets providing the Council with a review and update of the Counter Fraud & Corruption Policy Statement, Strategy & Guidance Notes and the Whistleblowing Policy was considered.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education seeking approval of a Joint Committee, draft constitution and Terms of Reference and for the creation of a Joint Scrutiny Committee for the Supervisory Board of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) was considered.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environmental and Waste Management seeking Council approval of Tamworth’s Statement of Policy under the Gambling Act 2005 was considered.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management providing details of proposed Policy, Scheme of Delegation and fee structure applicable to the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 was considered.

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

The Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer providing the Council with the revised and updated Anti-Money Laundering Policy was considered.