Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr M Bailey, B Price and N Statham

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 2^nd October 2024 were approved as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor L Wood and seconded by Councillor C Adams)

There were no declarations of interest

To receive an update from the Chair

None

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

·          

None

(Discussion item)

None

(Report of the Assistant Director, Partnerships)

Report of the Assistant Director – Partnerships to consider actions arising from the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership Plan 2023-2026, priorities, and progress to 30 September 2024.  The Assistant Director was joined by Inspector Stuart Coleman

Members sought clarification and asked questions on the following: 

With the community cohesion work on going work, what faith groups have been approached and have we gone to other Faith groups who might not be very well represented in Tamworth but will be represented very much in the region? – Cross section of groups including the Iman and the community in our small prayer room.  And we are working with the Heart of Tamworth, St Editha’s and  St Georges and  churches around the town. across section and the work that's going to happen with the Belong Network will be speaking to community groups and service users around the feelings around Community Cohesion in Tamworth

Heard reports from the Charity Street Angels that licensees are saying there is a large number of drugs around in the nighttime economy, what are the police doing to remove this? – The Safer Nights initiative as been reinstated.  As soon as we have intelligence individual premises are targeted. 

Concerns were also raised around County Lines arrests and children being exploited by gangs and then arrested.  – there will be children/young people involved but there will also be other options through safeguarding and support.  The police always pursue those further up the chain. 

Residential burglarises there were two spikes in the year do we know why? – First spike was caused by an individual and this person was eventually located and arrested.  The second spike was caused by a group of young people which was also challenged and suppressed. 

Members asked it to be noted that the dealing of these two spikes came down to good policing and would like to thank the team for dealing with this. 

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure, heritage and local Economy)

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure, Heritage and Local Economy to present the Asset Management Strategy linked to the Council’s built assets for approval, the report includes associated documents for Asset Management Plans, and linked policies for acquisition and disposal of built assets.

Councillor J Oates left the meeting and returned during the debate so did not vote on this item. 

Discussed driving forward growth in the town through heritage and discussed a recommendation that ask Cabinet to investigate by working with partners how we can maximise the usage of our historic buildings and increase visitors to the town. The Chair decided to defer this recommendation

The following recommendation was moved

When disposal of assets was being discussed all ward Councillors are consulted before a decision is made 

(Moved by Councillor M Couchman and seconded by Councillor M Clarke)

This recommendation was carried

This recommendation will be included in the Draft Disposals Policy (Appendix 4)

(Briefing note from the Operations Manager, Joint Waste Service)

Report of the Operations manager (JWS) to provide the Committee a quarterly update of the Joint Waste Service. This is a shared service that Lichfield District Council (LDC) deliver on behalf of both authorities.

The officer updated comparing the first 2 quarters of this year to the first 2 quarters of last yea

·       Missed down from 332 last year to 312 this year,

·       Resident participation  take up is 98% – 99% not all residents put out their bins out fortnightly.

·       Green bins as of September 2024 44,876 had subscribed to the scheme last year it was 44,085. 42% of Tamworth residents signed up to the service

·       Averaged 1,179 versus an average of 1,254 in previous year.  Officers do visit residents to help them to understand the system and improve going forward

·       Slight drop in recycling rates.  There is new recycling campaign aimed at educating residents on recycling, starts on 13^th November targeting Key stage 1 and 2 children and it’s a 3 year campaign sponsored by Staffordshire County Council. 

·       Transition to alternative fuels, looking at initial prices to transfer to all electric fleet. 

·       Dry recycling contract due for renewal, contract finishes in 2025 and looking to make an extension

To receive updates from any Working Groups

Councillor Price would update the committee on the HGV Driver’s Facilities Working Group at the next meeting, The Chair reported that there are now double yellow lines on both sides of the entrances to the Dunstall Park Estate and Brakes has now put a lorry park inside their premises. 

The Chair had submitted a work plan for fly tipping and suggested that the working group meet at the end of the next meeting. 

(Discussion item – link to Forward Plan is attached)

Browse plans - Cabinet, 2024 :: Tamworth Borough Council

No items were identified to be added. 

(Discussion item – to review the Infrastructure Safety & Growth Scrutiny Work Plan)

No changes

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”

“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”

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

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, recycling and Waste)

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, Recycling and Waste:

All recommendations in the report were approved

(Moved by Councillor M Clarke and Councillor L Wood)