Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S Goodall and G Hirons

The minutes of the meetings held on 14 July 2015 were approved and signed as a correct record.

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

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.

Councillor S Peaple made the following announcement:-

Can I formally extend my condolences on the passing of Councillor Knowles having had the privilege of serving with him in the past.

Councillor T Clements made the following announcement:-

Lin Street our Civic Officer for Tamworth Borough Council is retiring. As we all know Lin isn’t just an employee of Tamworth Borough Council. She has proven over the last 8 years that she has been with us that she is very passionate about Tamworth and the people that reside in it and having been Mayor in 2012/12 the woman is formidable of her representation across the whole of Staffordshire. I believe Lin has received many nice e-mails from other Civic Officers and former Mayors. So tonight on behalf of the Councillors in the council chamber we have got some presents to give Lin so if she would like to come forward and accept them?

The Chief Executive made the following announcement:-

Just to inform you that there will be a special meeting of Council called in January to discuss the Local Plan so I just wanted to give you advance notice tonight that a meeting will be convened in January to discuss the Local Plan

The Mayor made the following announcement:-

Can I remind everyone that it is the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain this year and it would be great to see as many of you as possible at the service at St Edithas Church this coming Sunday with the RAF to celebrate it. Also this is to recognise the people that gave their ultimate sacrifice. It’s at St Edithas Church at 11.00am on Sunday. I would like to see as many of you there as possible.

Councillor M McDermid made the following announcement:-

It is with great sadness that I make this statement. As over just 3 years as a Labour Councillor of the Castle Ward for Tamworth Borough Council today I resign my membership from the Labour Party. I wanted to make Tamworth a better place and to create and sustain a thriving local economy and make Tamworth a more aspirational and competitive place to do business and create a safe environment for the local people so they can reach their full potential for a longer life and healthy living. But when you are betrayed by the people that you trust like friends and colleagues in the Labour Party I just can’t carry on and how the values that I hold have been betrayed. Some people have betrayed years of friendship just to get in the spotlight and further their political career. I firmly believe that when you betray someone you betray yourself. I recognise that some of my constituents in the Castle Ward will feel let down by my decision. I apologise to them but I pledge to them that I will work hard to help them all up to the next election in May 2016. I am now an Independent Councillor and I know  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

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

"In assessing the traffic impact of the planned developments of 1100 houses in Amington, has the council taken account of the existing, and already growing, congestion around the entry and exit points on the A5 (T) leading to and from the M42 during the morning and afternoon commuting times?"

Councillor S Claymore gave the following reply:-

Yes.

As you are aware the submitted Local Plan seeks to allocate land in Amington as an urban extension for a minimum of for 1100 homes and associated infrastructure.

Since withdrawing the previous Local Plan from examination in 2013 the cross party working group, which you are a member, has met frequently to oversee the development of the plan with officers, since that decision and at those meetings the evidence base supporting the local plan has been discussed and signed off.

This includes advice from Highways England (formerly the Highways Agency) who are responsible for the strategic road network with regards to traffic impacts on the Strategic Road network from proposed developments. Highways England were involved in preparing the Local Plan from the beginning. It is important to emphasise that Highways England did not consider that the cumulative scale of development would result in significant negative impacts on the Strategic Road Network and that improvements have been identified should mitigation be required on a site by site basis.  

I also refer you to the Councils Constitution and Scheme of Delegation which gives the Council responsibility for determining planning applications to the Planning Committee.  

An application for 1100 homes and associated infrastructure was considered by the Planning Committee on the 4^th August.

In processing the application the Council consulted with Highways England (previously Highways Agency) for their views on the impact the proposed development would have on the Trunk Road network and also with the Staffordshire County Council as the Highway Authority for the local road network.

The impact of the proposed development on the A5 and M42 has been assessed by Highways England (HE), who following assessment of the detailed transport modelling had no objection to the development. The application was supported by traffic models which assessed the impact of the development for the opening year (development completed) both with and without the development. The models used were accepted and validated by HE and take account of traffic growth, and committed developments in the vicinity of the junctions.

In terms of the A5 Stonydelph junction the results of the modelling indicate that the development results in a minor deterioration in the overall model network performance in the am and pm peak. The model shows that a.m. peak has a minor impact on the A5 slip roads and carriageway. The pm peak shows some decrease in performance of the junction, with overall travel time increased by 5%. Within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

(Report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet)

The Report of the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive relating to key issues in the Government’s devolution agenda and the proposals to establish a West Midlands Combined Authority by 1 April 2016 were considered. Council were updated on discussions with Staffordshire local authorities on their ambitions, intentions and proposals relating to the devolution agenda and Council also considered the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting of 10^th September 2015

(Report of the Cabinet)

The Report of the Cabinet for the Annual Treasury Report is a requirement of the Council’s reporting procedures. It covers the Treasury activity for 2014/15 and the actual Prudential Indicators for 2014/15. The report meets the requirements of both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities. The Council is required to comply with both codes in accordance with regulations issued under the Local Government Act 2003. It also provides an opportunity to review the approved Treasury Management Strategy for the current year and enables Members to consider and approve any issues identified that require amendment.

Councillor Simon Peaple moved a motion which was accepted by the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer as potential complaint against the Leader of the Council, the Chair of Aspire and Prosper Scrutiny Committee and the Chair of Healthier and Safer Scrutiny Committee. The Solicitor to the Council indicated that the complaint would be processed according to the Policy for dealing with complaints against Members for an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct.

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

The Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer seeking to secure Council adoption of the revised Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk of Abuse and Neglect Policy.