(i) To answer questions from members of the public pursuant to Procedure Rule No. 10.
(ii) To answer questions from members of the Council pursuant to Procedure Rule No. 11
Minutes:
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO.1
Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor M Couchman will ask the Portfolio Holder for Housing, the following question:-
"Who will be responsible for the elderly tenants that will be decanted from Tinkers Green, ensuring that they are aware of the different types of tenancies that could affect their rights?"
The Portfolio Holder for Housing gave the following reply:
Cllr Couchman had an opportunity to talk this through with Officers on Friday 10th May, so the points I set out should already be known to her:-
Wider Project Update:-
Supplementary Question:
As Councillor Greatorex has said I am aware of the work of our officers and have asked the question tonight to put in the public domain the hard work of the officers to look after our tenants. Would he not agree with me they are doing sterling work?
The Portfolio Holder for Housing gave the following reply:
This reinforces the message to residents and has already been in the public domain. I agree with Councillor Couchman that the officers are doing sterling work.
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO.2
Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor M Couchman will ask the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management, the following question:-
"Can the Portfolio Holder update us with the progress of the Friends of the Cemeteries. Which cemeteries will be included and when will this project commence?"
The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management gave the following reply:
As is quite often the case with voluntary groups, the group has taken a little longer to form than envisaged, but they are still within the designated 12 months that was initially targeted.
Also the leader and founder of the group Stephanie has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to both the community, through her current volunteer work and also to members of her family.
So I will continue to support and try to match the same level of commitment I have seen in Stephanie.
There have been a number of volunteers and the group would appear to have a core membership of around six members who will look to open and close gates at Wilnecote, regular meetings are now in place with the key members. Some of who are seated here tonight.
The group has been given a draft constitution to consider and support in recruiting members. Also provision is made within the Council insurance to cover the Group for Public Liability when carrying out the given task.
The group are also looking to achieve charitable status and guidance has also been given to enable them to achieve this, some of the additional volunteers will be engaged in this aspect.
They have been fully supported throughout and any requests for assistance have been fully met by me and Council Officers.
The Council will shortly begin the process of procuring the necessary locks and keys for the group after the group can demonstrate a rota and a process for holidays/sickness, this topic is currently being discussed and arranged within the group.
“Which cemeteries will be included?”
You ask which cemeteries are included, initially only Wilnecote, this is due to the fact that no one has approached / expressed an interest to the Council to take on or see a similar project in the other Cemeteries in Tamworth. As stated originally our response would be community led.
The only other response I’ve received is a request that the gates be left alone in Wiggington and I have seen no reason to refuse this request.
This is one of the reasons why a community lead approach has been preferred over imposing a solution that would not meet the needs of the people in the community.
“When will this project commence?"
The Project commenced ten months ago, as designated in the original report to Full Council, in two months’ time we will review the status of the Project.
It is envisaged that the group will begin locking and unlocking the gates at Wilnecote by the end of June, if not before.
There was no supplementary question.
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO.3
Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor J Jenkins will ask the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise, the following question:-
"How many properties in the Borough will be affected by the plans for HS2?"
The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise gave the following reply:-
All of them. It is national infrastructure / public transport
The proposed West Midlands to Leeds route passes through a section (approximately 100m) of Tamworth but continues in close proximity to the County boundary as it passes through north Warwickshire.
It is not possible to estimate the number of properties that will be affected in Tamworth by HS2. HS2 is a national infrastructure project and therefore it is intended to be of benefit to the whole country, however some people/property/business will experience a direct negative impact from the route. The impact to property in Tamworth is expected to be minimal as it crosses only about 100m of the Borough Boundary, it would not be possible to quantify the impacts of noise / impact on visual amenity at this stage. Despite not being within the Borough, one of the biggest impacts to Tamworth is potentially the disruption caused by the route passing through Tamworth services and the temporary re-routing of the M42. This will have temporary impact – possible traffic delays, but a long term impact could be the relocation of the service station (it is not known where (if) it will go) and ensuring there is good access into the employment areas around J10.
At the same time as the route announcement the Government consulted on proposals to introduce an Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) for Phase Two. The scheme would protect the interests of mainly residential and small business owner-occupiers whose property values may be affected by the initial preferred route, station and depot options for Phase Two of the network and who can demonstrate that they have a need to sell their property within the life time of the EHS scheme. It would provide a mechanism by which those who meet the criteria can sell their property to the Government for the unaffected market value
Exceptional Hardship Consultation and Leaflets
Information provided by HS2 Ltd suggests that consultation on the initial preferred route will start in the summer 2013 and will be complete by the end of 2013/early 2014. Upon completion and analysis of the consultation responses, Government is expected to announce the preferred route and the decision to proceed by the end of 2014/early 2015. It is in 2015 where we expect detailed community engagement to start by HS2 Ltd as they refine the proposals and prepare information required for the Phase Two Hybrid Bill. At this stage exact timescales are unclear for Phase Two but it is expected that the Hybrid Bill will be deposited to Parliament before 2020 with construction starting in 2026 and the line becoming operational in 2032/33.
Background info
HS2 and Local Plans
High Speed 2 (Ltd) have no specific requirements for Local Authorities to incorporate Phase Two of HS2 in to their Local Plans. The Secretary of State intends to begin a consultation on a proposed phase two route in 2013. Following consultation, it is anticipated that the Secretary of State will make an announcement of the preferred route in 2014. As a result, the proposed phase two route may be subject to some change as a result of detailed consultation.
In advance of formal safeguarding, for phase one planning authorities which have no stations, HS2 Ltd have provided comments on, through the public consultation process, but have not worked specifically with the planning authorities to date, to ensure inclusion of HS2 in their Local Plans.
As discussed, HS2 Ltd intend to present separate hybrid bills to parliament to seek powers to deliver Phase One and Phase Two of HS2. Any safeguarding directions for HS2 will come from the Secretary of State.
HS2 Ltd do not expect Tamworth to provide safeguarding for HS2. However, reference to HS2 in the evolving Local Plan can be made, the safeguarding directions from Government will ensure that the required land for HS2 is safeguarded.
BACKGROUND TO HS2 – PHASE2
High Speed 2 (HS2) will be the UK’s new high speed rail network. The proposed new network will link London to the West Midlands (Phase One) and will expand in the future to connect Manchester and Leeds with Birmingham, London and Heathrow Airport (Phase Two). Phase One is anticipated to be operational by 2026 with Phase Two by 2032/33.
West Midlands to Leeds - Eastern Route
The eastern leg would serve stations in the East Midlands, South Yorkshire and Leeds.
The line would connect with the London to West Midlands leg to the east of Birmingham, near Junction 4 of the M6, and then follow the M42 corridor north-east towards Derby and Nottingham. The East Midlands Hub station would be located between these two cities at Toton, about a mile from the M1.
The line would head north, following the M1 corridor as it heads towards South Yorkshire. The station serving this region would be located at Meadowhall alongside the M1, between Sheffield and Rotherham. From here the line would pass to the east of Barnsley and connect to the East Coast Main Line nine miles to the south-west of York.
As with Manchester, Leeds would be served by a spur off the main line. It would run within the existing Castleford to Leeds railway corridor, passing the southern suburbs of Leeds before rising above street level into the new station at Leeds New Lane. The total route length would be 116 miles.
Supplementary question:
Will the portfolio holder specify the benefits of HS2 to the people of Tamworth?
The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise gave the following reply:
We don’t know how noisy it will be but we all want stations and no-one wants the tracks. We have to bring the economy this way to get rid of the North/South divide and create jobs out of London.
The construction element will create thousands of jobs in the area and British companies will provide materials. I am sure that the benefits will outweigh the negatives and our kids will thank us for supporting HS2 as we won’t be around by the time it’s completed.
People would not have wanted the M1, M6 or M42 but we wouldn’t want to be without them now.
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO.4
A further question was received from Councillor J Faulkner but this was withdrawn as Councillor Faulkner was absent from the meeting.
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO.5
Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor P Standen will ask the Leader of the Council, the following question:-
"At the budget council back in February this year, we were advised that ‘the Executive Board, a non-decision making forum of Cabinet members and Chief Officers have formed a working group with the intention of developing a ‘high level’ plan designed to tackle the forecast deficit long before it becomes a reality’. Can the Leader of the council advice if there have been any meetings of this group and if any conclusions regarding tackling forecast deficits have been arrived at?"
The Leader of the Council gave the following reply:
Thank you for your question Cllr Standen.
Mr Mayor, I could reply by advising Councillor Standen that since identifying the scale of the deficit every Executive Management Team meeting, which is monthly, has been dedicated to developing a Strategy and Action plan designed to tackle the deficit or the Tamworth Cliff as we call it.
Or Mr Mayor, I could reply by stating that we have adopted an outline Sustainability Strategy which incorporates a number of major work streams.
Or Mr Mayor, I could invite all Councillors interested in this matter to attend a Members workshop where I, the Chief Executive and others will present the strategy, discuss the work streams and set out the progress to date on the associated action plans. I guarantee this will be within a month. It is important all members understand the issues we face.
I hope this is acceptable to Cllr Standen
Thank you Mr Mayor.
There was no supplementary question.
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO.6
Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor A James will ask the Portfolio Holder for Housing, the following question:-
"Can the Portfolio Holder for Housing please confirm what percentage of residents directly affected by the redevelopment of Tinkers Green and the Kerria have indicated to the Council their wish to move to alternative properties in Tamworth?"
The Portfolio Holder for Housing gave the following reply:
In the feasibility study reported to Cabinet in November 2013, 80% & 85% respectively of those directly affected by the redevelopment of Tinkers Green and the Kerria had expressed an interest to move, 99% of those wish to move to properties within Tamworth.
These broad percentages are likely to change as people continue to move in and out of the above estates.
Notwithstanding that, as Councillor James will know, Cabinet approved a draft decant policy in March 2013 for consultation. We are hoping to recruit a tenant friend shortly who will be meeting with all residents to discuss their preferred options in relation to their rehousing requirements.
Supplementary question:
I would like to thank the Portfolio Holder for his informing reply, does he agree this figure shows that the majority of the residents directly affected support the redevelopment, whatever some people both from inside Tamworth and afar claim?
The Portfolio Holder for Housing gave the following reply:
Residents and others in Tamworth support respectively.
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NO.7
Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor M Clarke will ask the Portfolio Holder for Housing, the following question:-
"What measures are currently in place to monitor Private Landlords, presumably nationally accredited, to ensure we do not consign Housing List residents to less than acceptable standards of housing and conditions?"
The Portfolio Holder for Housing gave the following reply:
Chairman, Tamworth Borough Council has specific responsibilities under the Housing Act 2004 for licensing of qualifying HMO’s, that is, those consisting of 3 stories or more and occupied by 5or more households. These are responsibilities with which the council is 100% compliant. Work is being undertaken to consider options with regard to the possible implementation of an additional licensing for other HMO’s within the borough. If this option is considered to be viable it will be the subject of a report to Cabinet in the late autumn 2013.
The housing and health directorate currently manage a small number of Private Sector Lease properties and Social Lettings Agency properties. Both of these schemes have been the subject of previous reports to Cabinet.
Currently consultation is underway on changes proposed as part of the allocations policy review which would lead to some homeless households being placed into private rented property rather than Council or other social rented accommodation. Any such discharge, made under the provision of the Localism Act 2011, would need to comply with the ‘Homelessness (suitability of Accommodation) Order 2012 which came into effect on 9th November 2012. As this order principally mirrors legislation contained within the Housing Act 2004, the Council has applied these regulations to all PRS accommodation for a number of years.
In addition where a household is supported into PR accommodation with any of our other Homelessness prevention tools (ie bond scheme) the relevant property is also fully inspected in line with the HA 2004.
We don’t ‘monitor’ every private rented property but will investigate any complaints regarding condition or management issues. There are legislative requirements on landlords and we undertake prosecutions if needed, with a total of 5 successful prosecutions of failing landlords during 2012/13.
There are National Accreditation schemes for private sector landlords and we provide information on these but we don’t have a role in monitoring adherence to these. These schemes are entirely voluntary.
We provide advice and information to our Landlords Forum which is very well attended (50 plus landlords at the last meeting), and the private sector enforcement team will offer specific advice and guidance to any landlord within the Borough who may require.
Supplementary question:
When a Private Landlord is found wanting to any degree, whether regarding the standard of upkeep of the property, adding extra non-housing list tenants of their own, or criminal use of their property, are the Council’s resources adequate and what action can be and is being taken?
The Portfolio Holder for Housing gave the following reply:
Resources are adequate. We work with partners and will and do take action where required.