Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L Bates, D Foster and P Seekings.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2014 were amended to remove the words ‘be prudent to’ from the supplementary question to Question No 5 and thereafter approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor S Claymore and seconded by Councillor D Cook)

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.

The Mayor invited Councillor K Gant to speak.

Announcement by Councillor K Gant

Tonight is a night tinged with sadness. As you will know this is my last Full Council meeting, I feel it is time for me to go after 30+ year’s service to the Borough where my loyalty has always been to the electorate who have returned me as their representative time after time.

I wish to pay tribute to ratepayers, Labour and the Conservative group who have always been kind and courteous to me. I can at least say I am leaving the Council sound in mind and body. My only regret is the loss of so many Councillor friends from both sides of the Chamber who died in their prime. Thank you all for your kindness over the years. It is a sad night for me.

 Announcement by Councillor D Cook

Councillor D Cook moved a motion under 4.23.1 to suspend rule 4.2.13 to allow the Council to receive a petition.

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and Seconded by Councillor S Peaple)

Councillor S Peaple presented the Mayor with a petition:

‘Tamworth Borough Council have made the decision to close down the Golf Course in March 2015 and possibly build houses on the land. We as the residents of Tamworth wish to oppose this as we should retain the Golf Course which allows adults and children affordable access to the sport and all the natural beauty of this green land.’

(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 asked the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education, Councillor S Claymore, the following question:-

“I am not happy as restrictions placed on my questions therefore I will retire and monitor.”

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC                NO.2

Under Procedure Rule No 10, Mr J Mitchell, 4 Benson View, Tamworth asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor D Cook, the following question after a short preamble:-

"Can I ask Councillor Danny Cook as Leader of the Council, in the 5 weeks prior to the delivery of the development literature, why was this Council not proactive in contacting residents who may be affected by the proposed development north of Brown’s Lane so they had an opportunity to express their views and concerns direct to this Council?"

Councillor D Cook gave the following reply:

Just to clarify, I have never met with a property developer in my life.

Thank you for your question Mr Mitchell.

I believe the local Councillor, Cllr Rob Pritchard, did a letter drop to every house on Browns Lane telling them about the application to Lichfield District Council, he also stated in the letter explicitly that an application would be received by Tamworth Borough Council and would be available to view online shortly afterwards, which it was. This was around mid January this year.

He also did a letter drop in November telling them about an exhibition by the developers on the same application.

I firmly believe in democratic representation in these matters and I congratulate Councillor R Pritchard on his pro-active stance in this matter.

Supplementary Question:

Can I ask his opinion on the 165 houses that may be developed, Lichfield District Council will require a contribution of £117,998 towards facilities in Lichfield. Can I ask Councillor D Cook for his comment on that please?

Councillor D Cook gave the following reply:

I share the same concerns if houses are build on the outskirts those residents will come to Tamworth to use facilities yet the money will go to Lichfield. It is difficult to enforce. The controlling group are opposed to development on Browns Lane and if 165 houses are built on Browns Lane will not lead to sustainable development in north of town in coming years.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC                NO.3

Under Procedure Rule No 10, Mr J Mitchell, 4 Benson View, Tamworth asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor D Cook, the following question after a short preamble:-

"Bearing in mind the potential impact these extra 500 houses may have on the area can I ask Councillor Danny Cook as Leader of the Council why TBC did not raise any objections or concerns to LDC building 500 extra houses for their own need north of Tamworth in Lichfield District?"

Councillor D Cook gave the following reply:

Thank you again Mr Mitchell.

Lichfield District Council has indicated a broad area for development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

(Report of the Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee)

The Report of the Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee advising Members on the action taken by the Audit and Governance Committee for the municipal year 2013/2014 was considered.

(Report of the Chair of Aspire and Prosper Scrutiny Committee) (To Follow)

(Report of the Chair of Healthier and Safer Scrutiny Committee) (To Follow)

The Annual Reports of the Chair of Aspire and Prosper Scrutiny Committee and of the Chair of Healthier and Safer Scrutiny Committee were received.

Councillor M Couchman requested that the following amendment be made to the Healthier and Safer Scrutiny Chair’s report:

Page 7 Out of Hours Doctors Service in Tamworth – ‘is happy’ be replaced with ‘is satisfied’.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets detailing Tamworth Borough Council’s proposed Pension Banding Policy required under the new LGPS 2014 regulations coming into force on 1 April 2014 was considered.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education seeking Council approval of the adoption of the new Statement of Community Involvement before it becomes policy was considered.

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

The Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer seeking the approval of Council for the appointment of an Independent Person and a reserve Independent Person in terms of the Localism Act 2011 and seeking approval of the allowances and expenses for the Independent Person role was considered.

RESOLVED:   That members of the press and public be now excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that the business involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 and 3, Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

The Report of the Leader of the Council detailing Tamworth Borough Council’s reviewed Pay Policy Statement so that statutory guidance as set out in S38 of the Localism Act 2011 is adhered to was considered.