Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M Bailey, M Summers and T Jay.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10^th December 2024 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor L Wood and seconded by Councillor M Couchman)

Councillor N Statham, declared an interest in item 6 as her employer is mentioned in one of the recommendations. 

The Mayor made the following announcement:

I have a couple of events coming up on 19^th February a Folk Music Concert at the Helping Hands Cafe to raise funds for my two charities, Changes and the Hygiene Bank.  Thank you of for the Councillors who have supported me so far raising funds for these charities. 

Councillor S Daniels made the following announcement.

Happy new year with our first meeting, Mayor you were there Tamworth versus Tottenham Hotspur, we know that score did not reflect how good that match was.  And if you get chance read the social media comments, we had people from around the world talking about our Town, Tottenham fans even saying, ‘they were robbed’ and they had to bring on their most expensive players versus the plumber!    I thought it was a really great day for the Town that bought us all together.  And speaking of things that will bring us together I am looking forward to you curryoake another fund-raising event but away from the fact it is going to be a fun night the know the importance is about fundraising and raising awareness.  I am a little bit nervous because you know me Mr Mayor, sometimes I go against protocol and can I invite one of the members of the opposition to speak because the 27^th January is an important date in the National Calendar and can I ask Cllr T Clements to what the British legion is doing for national Holocaust Memorial day  

Councillor T Clements

The Royal British Legion will be holding a short service of remembrance on Monday 27^th January at 11.00am outside St Editha’s church and a short remembrance so that we can remember and hop that none of these atrocities never happen again.     

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NO. 1

Under Procedure Rule No 10, D Maycock, will ask the Portfolio Holder for People Services, Engagement and Leisure, Councillor L Smith, the following question:-

Can Cllr Smith provide a detailed account of what actions he has personally overseen regarding the Armed Forces Covenant since it was added to his portfolio, including any interactions he has had with the Armed Forces Community?

 Response:-

Tamworth was formally awarded the Silver Employee Recognition Scheme in September 2024 to recognise support for armed forces veterans seeking employment and have met some of the standards for the Gold Award.  An updated plan Armed Forces Covenant plan, presented by the Portfolio Holder,  was overseen the by Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny on 16th July 2024  and September 2024.  The Committee endorsed a request to Cabinet for the appointment of an Armed Forces named Champion who was not a member of Cabinet.  The previous Cabinet member that had this under their portfolio was a member of the Armed Forces The nomination and naming of the champion is at the Leader of the Council' discretion and we have suggested that Cllr Clements should be the Armed Forces Champion. 

Supplementary

Can Cllr Smith confirm whether the council still stands by its commitment when re-signing the Armed forces covenant particularly those who have been injured or bereaved.

Answer

Yes definitely, the Council will be upholding everything to do with the Armed Forces Covenant

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NO. 2

Under Procedure Rule No 10, D Maycock, will ask the Leader, Councillor C Dean, the following question:-

Can Cllr Dean outline what measures the council has implemented to ensure financial assistance and support is accessible to the most vulnerable residents, including those affected by unaffordable housing costs?

Response:-

Tamworth Borough Council introduced from April 2024 a Banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme for those who are most financially vulnerable.

Banded schemes mean less changes during the financial year, less Council Tax adjustment notices issued, and less changes to instalment plans, which overall makes budgeting household bills much easier for residents.  We can confirm that this scheme will continue for the next financial year ensuring that we can support those most financially in need.

We will give financial guidance wherever possible but we also have a very good relationship with our third sector providers. For example Tamworth Advice Centre. We make referrals to them with the residents’ permission.

Realistic payment arrangements will be an option based on individual  circumstances. This has to be realistic as we have a duty to collect on behalf of all residents of the Borough.

There are council tax discounts and exemptions available dependant on the make-up of a household.

If a person is vulnerable we invite applications for a discretionary payment. This will be based on their income and expenditure.

In respect of Housing there is a discretionary housing payment process for those most in need. This too will be based on income and expenditure.

We would encourage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Local Government reorganisation.

Following the announcement of the abolition of district and borough councils.

A.    Tamworth Borough Council Objects to the proposals and reaffirms the importance of local service delivery and democracy

B.    Asks the MP to both condemn and oppose these changes in the House of Commons

C.    Consider transferring local cultural, historical, community, and recreational facilities to local parish councils.

Under rule 4.23.1 Councillor J Oates moved the suspension of rule 4.14.5 that A member who has spoken on a motion may not speak again whilst it is the subject of debate for the remainder of the meeting.

(Moved by Councillor J Oates and seconded by Councillor T Clements)

This motion was not carried

Council considered the following motion, notice of which has been duly give in accordance with Procedure Rule No. 4.12.1 by Councillors J Oates, S Smith, T Jay, M Summers and T Clements.

Marmion House

Council requests that Cabinet reviews the decision (re Marmion House) following the announcement of the abolition of district and borough councils, further spending on the temporary home of Tamworth Borough Council and its reception at Marmion House should be halted. This decision aligns with the government's devolution white paper, which signals the end of district councils.

Council considered the following motion, notice of which has been duly give in accordance with Procedure Rule No. 4.12.1 by Councillors J Oates, S Smith, T Jay, M Summers and T Clements.

Council requests that Cabinet reviews the decision (re Marmion House) following the announcement of the abolition of district and borough councils, further spending on the temporary home of Tamworth Borough Council and its reception at Marmion House should be halted. This decision aligns with the government's devolution white paper, which signals the end of district councils.

(Moved by Councillor J Oates and seconded by Councillor P Turner)

Councillor R Kingstone moved an amendment to the motion that the following is added -  that this council requests that the Cabinet halts the work on re-opening the Council Chamber at Marmion House and we continue to hold Council meetings at the Town Hall. 

(Moved by Councillor R Kingstone and seconded by Councillor S Doyle)

This amendment was not carried. 

Council then voted on the original motion

That Council requests that Cabinet reviews the decision (re Marmion House) following the announcement of the abolition of district and borough councils, further spending on the temporary home of Tamworth Borough Council and its reception at Marmion House should be halted. This decision aligns with the government’s devolution white paper, which signals the end of district councils.

(Moved by Councillor J Oates and seconded by Councillor P Turner)

This motion was not carried

To consider excluding the Press and Public from the meeting by passing the following resolution:-

“That in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meeting and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, and Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public  interest in disclosing the information to the public”

At the time this agenda is published no representations have been received that this part of the meeting should be open to the public

(Moved by Councillor L Wood and seconded by Councillor B Price)

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

Report of the Leader of the Council.