Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Doyle, Portfolio Holder for Skills, Planning, Economy and Waste, in respect of item 5 (Infrastructure Funding Statement) on the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the previous two meetings held on:

26^th September 2022; and

10^th  October 2022

The minutes of the meetings held on 26 September 2022 and 11 October 2022 were approved as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor S Goodall and seconded by Councillor M Cook)

In relation to item 9 (Working Group updates – Facilities for HGV Drivers in Tamworth)  on the agenda, Councillor M Cook recorded that she was employed by HS2 Limited.

There was no update from the Chair which was not otherwise covered on the agenda.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Skills, Planning, Economy & Waste)

The Chair introduced Mr Richard Powell, Planning Policy and Delivery Team Leader to the Committee for this item which was to seek the Committee’s endorsement of the recommendations that would be put before Cabinet on 15 December 2022 in relation to the publication of the Infrastructure Funding Statement for 2021/22.

It was reported that prior to approval by Cabinet the report would be updated to include the CIL Neighbourhood proportion spending, following the process previously considered by the Committee, such that Cabinet would agree the projects to be funded.

RESOLVED that the Committee endorsed the following recommendations to go to Cabinet:

1.            Regeneration projects within Tamworth remains the priority for spending the strategic element of CIL; and

2.            The draft Infrastructure Funding Statement at Appendix A be approved for publication on the Council’s website subject to confirmation of the final figures.

(Moved by Councillor M Cook and seconded by Councillor P Turner)

The Chair reported that he attended Cabinet on 20^th October 2022 regarding the Committee’s recommendation to include a timescale the preparation of the Action Plan in terms of the Net Zero Carbon Report being considered by Cabinet.  The Chair reported that Cabinet agreed that an Action Plan be prepared by 31 December 2024.

(Discussion item)

None at this time.

(Discussion item – link to Forward Plan is attached)

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

No further items were identified at this time.

To receive updates from any Working Groups

Councillor B Price provided an update on the Facilities for HGV drivers in Tamworth working group which had met and agreed that the focus of the working group would be on:

1.    Service station provisions, due to the relocation of a current provision as a result of HS2, and working with Highways England and the County Council, and Warwickshire County Council, with regard to provisions which could be provided at any new location

2.    Any provision within the Borough in terms of toilets and shower facilities to mitigate any littering in the Borough

3.    Market research with local businesses around the industrial estates to determine what they provided to people delivering and to determine if there was any local provision.

It was noted that the working group members planned to visit each of the industrial estates within the Borough to identify current provision and report back.

Councillor M Cook reported an interest in respect of her employment by HS2 Limited.

It was agreed that the Committee would support the continued involvement of Councillor S Daniels on the working group should she wish to continue to do so notwithstanding she was no longer a member of this Committee.

The Chair updated the Committee on information which had been received from the County Council in relation to the planned Travellers working group.  It was noted that this working group was intended to be a cross scrutiny group, with members of the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.  The Chair reported that there was work by Officers which was ongoing.

Councillor R Rogers joined the meeting at 6.17pm.

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

The Committee considered its work plan and updated it as follows:

Infrastructure, Safety and Growth Scrutiny Work Plan

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 paragraph 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.

(To receive an update)

The Committee discussed transport options into and around the Borough, including coverage and information provision in terms of the bus network and taxi coverage as well car parking arrangements. The Committee considered the potential funding routes for any proposals.

The Committee RESOLVED to recommend that Cabinet task relevant Officers to liaise with the partner organisations to identify any funding sources for the development of additional public transport links within the Borough.

(Moved by Councillor R Ford and seconded by Councillor S Peaple)