Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C Bain, B Clarke, T Jay and B Price

The minutes of the meeting held on 21^st January 2025 were approved and signed as a correct record.

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

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Mayor made the following announcement:

The Local Government Boundary Commission has considered the implications of the Government’s English Devolution White Paper on its work programme and the impact on the electoral review of Tamworth Borough Council. Following a meeting last week, the Board decided that, in light of these considerations, it would be appropriate to pause the review for the foreseeable future, therefore item 8 is deferred and as Item 6 is relevant to this item 6 will also be deferred

The Leader of the Council made the following announcements. 

The following amendments to Cabinet responsibilities:

Cllr N Arkney  - Markets

Cllr L Smith – Heritage

Cllr D Foster – Health & Safety

Cllr C Dean - Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

Cllr N Arkney Portfolio Holder Infrastructure, Heritage and Local Economy made the following announcement

I just want to say that it has been an honour to look after heritage for the short while I’ve had it.  It has been excellent to see how innovative and passionate the team looking after our heritage at Tamworth Borough Council is and how much community interest there is in Tamworth, including from our MP Sarah Edwards whose as been so enthusiastic about her support and last week brought Chris Bryant for a visit.  That said my Portfolio as been really busy this year so I am really grateful to my colleague  Cllr Lewis Smith for taking over heritage, considering his success in bringing  back face to face services in Tamworth Borough Council with the re-opening of Marmion House front desk and at his job as a history teacher and I am looking forward to see what he can bring to the heritage portfolio and markets seems to be closely link to local  economy and FHSF both of which form part of my portfolio it made sense to come to me.  

 The Leader of the Opposition Cllr J Oates made the following announcement

I would just like to take a moment to send my condolences to former Cllr Ron Cook on the passing of his wife last week.  Many people in the room will remember Brenda and behind every good politician there is a partner who is extremely frustrated and wound up, but they are always there when you get home.  Brenda fulfilled that beyond most people’s capacity, as Ron with his political history famously a Labour Mayor then Conservative Leader of the Council.  Within this game you sometimes lose your friends and colleagues, and I just wanted to pay tribute to Brenda in how she dealt with that and looked after Ron throughout the years, so just to express my sympathies and condolences to Ron Cook and wish him the best over the next couple of weeks which will be challenging for him. 

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NO. 1

Under Procedure Rule No 10, Simon Goodall, will ask the Leader of the Council, Councillor C Dean, the following question:-

In definition what is Tamworth Borough Council?

Response:-

Tamworth Borough Council is a local government authority responsible for providing a range of services in the borough of Tamworth

Supplementary

Why does it appear that the Chief Executive is the face of the Council quoting in official Council communications, appearing at the Tamworth FA Cup football match, then the whole of the Holocaust Wreath Laying ceremony does the Leader not agree that this is actually one of her duties and functions as the elected Leader

Response

As I am sure you will appreciate the Leaders job is quite busy I also have a full time day job and get to as many things as I can but there are always sometimes when people can’t be in every place and on both of those occasions I did have alternative things and just as a point of interest today at 11 o’clock I had 4 meetings at the same time so by the nature of that some things have to give.  

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NO. 2

Under Procedure Rule No 10, Simon Goodall, will ask the Leader of the Council, Councillor C Dean, the following question:-

Does the Leader agree that the Controlling group should be sweating all the assets of the Town for the betterment of the residents of Tamworth?

Response:-

The Council holds a number of commercial and industrial buildings for investment purposes.  Occupancy rates for these assets have typically been very good and they service a particular need for smaller businesses in Tamworth. The Council will continue to make best use of these assets as a means of generating income for the Council whilst at the same time providing business and employment opportunities. There is an ongoing piece of work around Asset Management to consider the future of the Councils assets to ensure that they achieve the best outcome for the council.

Supplementary

I think we have heard that the Council resources for the people of Tamworth is important to the Leader and so as this year’s budget is being voted on and passed tonight I would suggest some thought being given to Tamworth’s asset.  The real Mayors chain is largely ceremonial and while I appreciate the historical significance of the chain, I would have thought that prioritising the wellbeing of our residents is paramount in times of financial strain.  A couple of weeks ago the Leader quoted that the council finance were in a dire strait so in light of this and  the Local Government Reform when Tamworth Council will no longer exist using the monetary value of this asset could have a profound and lasting impact on the community, which I’m sure fits in with the controlling groups priorities, and wouldn’t dimmish the role of the authority of the Mayor for the short time TBC have one.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

That the matter of a Governance Review be referred to an appropriate Committee

That the matter of a Governance Review be referred to an appropriate Committee.

This item was deferred to be discussed along side the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s Review of Tamworth Borough Council Electoral Wards

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

Report of the Leader of the Council-

- To approve the Vision Statement, Priority Themes, Corporate Priorities and Plans and their inclusion in the Corporate Plan (attached at Appendix 1).

- To approve the recommended package of budget proposals (attached at Appendix 2) to enable the Council to agree the:

• General Fund (GF) Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2025/26;

• Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2025/26;

• 5 Year General Fund Capital Programme (2025/30);

• 5 Year HRA Capital Programme (2025/30);

• 3 Year General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) (2025/28); and

• 5 Year HRA Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) (2025/30).

- To comply with the requirement of the Council’s Treasury Management Policy in reporting to Council the proposed strategy for the forthcoming year and the Local Government Act 2003 with the reporting of the Prudential Indicators (attached at Appendix 3) and the requirement to prepare an annual Corporate Capital Strategy (Appendix A of the MTFS).

Councillor J Oates moved the following motion

Amend recommendation 12 that the £149,00 to be transferred to the General fund is revised to £49,000 and remove the Sunday parking fees.

(Moved by Councillor J Oates and seconded by Councillor R Kingstone)

A named vote was called for by Cllrs R Kingstone, S Doyle, M Summers, S Smith and J Oates

The motion was not carried

Councillor J Oates moved the following motions

Remove the Council tax increase from 2.99% to 1.5% and;

Award Tamworth Football Club the ground that they play on

(Moved by Councillor J Oates and seconded by Councillor R Kingstone)

A named vote was called for by Councillors J Oates, T Clements, S Smith, M Summers R Kingstone and S Doyle

The motion was not carried

A motion was moved under rule 4.13m to extend the meeting beyond 8.30pm

(Moved by Councillor M Summers and seconded by Councillor L Smith)

This motion was carried

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

Report of the Leader of the Council to set out the process and timetable for the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE) review of all electoral wards within Tamworth Borough Council.

The Mayor read out the following statement The Local Government Boundary Commission has considered the implications of the Government’s English Devolution White Paper on its work programme and the impact on the electoral review of Tamworth Borough Council. Following a meeting last week, the Board decided that, in light of these considerations, it would be appropriate to pause the review for the foreseeable future, therefore item 8 was deferred