Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 25^th March 2021 were approved as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor S Goodall and seconded by Councillor Dr S Peaple)

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive an update from the Chair

The Chair welcomed the new members of the Committee to the meeting and thanked the retiring members, and additionally noted that Councillor Tina Clements had been appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee at the full Council meeting on 20^th May 2021.

Update on responses received to Reports of the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Committee

The Chair reported that he had attended Cabinet on 8 April to support the recommendations within the CIL Spending Report, which had been considered by this Committee at its previous meeting.  The Chair reported that Cabinet had approved the Report’s recommendations.

(Discussion item)

The Chair reported that there had been no matters referred to this Committee by Cabinet or Council, other than the request for this Committee to consider the State of Tamworth Debate discussion as part of its work plans going forwards, which was considered later on the agenda.

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

The Chair invited the Leader of the Council to introduce the Future High Street Fund: Terms of Reference Report to the Committee.  The Leader of the Council provided an overview to the Committee on the extent to which the council could influence town centre activities and recent trends on high streets and how town centres were used.  He further drew the attention of the Committee to the appointment of two external executives to the Programme Board; the Chief Executive of South Staffordshire College and the Chief Executive of the Stoke-On-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Leader of the Council introduced the Assistant Director, Growth & Regeneration and the Project Officer to the meeting.  The Assistant Director highlighted to the Committee that the aim of this report was to set out clear governance arrangements in terms of decision making and the application of financial guidance, which allowed decisions to be taken quickly and at the appropriate level of seniority within the authority.  Following consideration by this Committee this report was due to be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 17^th June 2021 with recommendations to approve the report and to approve an indicative programme timeline in accordance with the terms of reference.

The Assistant Director provided an overview of progress to date on the project including commencement of enabling activity and the set up of the programme office as well an overview of the recruitment to posts and the arrangements put in place to continue with the current interim Programme Manager for a fixed three year period.  The Assistant Director highlighted to the Committee the importance of moving the project forward consistently over the full period in order to deliver the requirements in accordance with the programme required and that the proposed governance structure aimed to deliver that, and the Programme Board had been meeting regularly since February 2021. 

The Assistant Director reported that whilst the funding from the Future High Street Fund had to be spent by April 2024, work could continue beyond that date provided that the funding was from partner organisations. 

In terms of reporting arrangements, both Cabinet and this Committee would be updated quarterly on progress against delivery of the programme.

The Committee sought and received clarification in the following areas:

·       Programme – the extent to which the indicative programme included any contingencies where it was reported that the programme remained indicative and a working document, and whilst it had been prepared on a fairly conservative basis, it was likely to change over time.  Assurances were sought and received that once the programme was fixed, that progress would be reported to this Committee against that baselined plan.

·       Status of College funding – clarification was sought on the status of the College funding application where it was reported that whilst a round 1 bid had been made, as yet the College had not heard back from the Department for Education, which had been expected by this date.  Further clarification was requested on how far the council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

(Discussion item)

The Chair introduced this item and requested that members consider whether any of the discussion points at the State of Tamworth debate should be developed further into work plan items for this Committee.

From the discussion, the main areas for consideration by this Committee were:

·       The importance of green and open spaces and access to those;

·       The Green agenda, and in particular electric vehicle charging points.  One area for further consideration could be how the Garage Sites project could support the delivery further charging points;

·       Crime, including modern slavery and human trafficking.

It was agreed that these would continue to be considered through the municipal year as the work plan developed.

(Discussion item – link to Forward Plan is attached)

http://democracy.tamworth.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=120&RD=0&bcr=1

The Committee considered the Forward Plan and agreed that there was nothing specific at this time to bring forward onto the work plan, although the committee noted that the work on the Dry Recycling Contract renewal may be revisited.

(Update and discussion on the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Work Plan)

Following the consideration of the previous agenda items the Committee considered its work plan and agreed the following:

·       The possibility of looking at a broader item on community safety earlier in this municipal year which could look to consider E-scouters and E-bikes, CCTV and modern slavery.  Invitations for both the Tamworth Police Commander and the new Police, Crime and Fire Commissioner to attend the meeting.

·       To consider and provide (in advance) to external attendees questions / areas of focus which the Committee would like addressed.

·       Bring forward potentially to November 2021, the consideration of the Taxi Licensing Points System and invite the Chairman of the Taxi Drivers Association to attend that Committee meeting;

·       to update its work plan for 2021/22 as follows:

Infrastructure, Safety and Growth Scrutiny Work Plan

To receive updates from any Working Groups

The Committee agreed that the ICT Working Group had completed its work following agreement by Cabinet of the ICT Strategy at its April meeting, which the working group had reviewed with the Head of Technology.

The Chair aimed to provide an update on Fireworks to the next meeting in July.

The Committee agreed to consider further the requirement or otherwise to continue with the Events Working Group.