Agenda and minutes

There were no substitute members.

At this point of the meeting, Cllr. Jackson referred to Minute 10 and asked whether, in relation to the management of the car parks in Biddulph, an update had been received from the Internal Parking Board? The Chair and Andrew Stokes confirmed that no such response had yet been received and the query would be followed up.

DECIDED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2019 be APPROVED as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no urgent items.

      i.        Disclosable Pecuniary Interests;

     ii.        Other Interests.

There were no declarations made.

Question from Councillor Atkins:

Q1.      Following the very positive meeting between Leek Town Council and relevant District Officers regarding the use of the trestle market building for town events on Sundays, can I be reassured that the formal approval is being sought quickly, so that planning and marketing for these events can go ahead?

Response – Councillor Ralphs, Leader of the Council

“Leek Town Council requested a meeting with SMDC Officers to discuss the promotion of VE day activities, tourism promotion and use of the Trestle market building for Leek Town Council events and activities. The meeting was held on 31^st October when officers explained the current restrictions regarding capacity for events and the cost implications for hiring the Trestle Market. Leek Town Council members were advised that this meeting was to gather information and the discussion would be presented to Cabinet for a decision.

Leek Town Council were asked to present details of the proposed events in writing for consideration by Cabinet. This has now been received and officers are considering the issues regarding capacity and costs before presenting the information to the Cabinet.”

Supplementary 1 - Cllr. Atkins stressed that events were booked months in advance and the need for a timescale of approval was evident.

Cllr. Ralphs explained that, once the refurbishment and redecoration process was complete, there would be specialised stalls in place around the perimeter, with some traders’ goods left in situ. The possibility of other organisations using the Trestle Market for entertainment would be virtually non-existent.

Supplementary 2 – Given the level of investment involved and the fact that the building was unused for most of the week, this was disappointing. When would a final decision be made?

Cllr. Ralphs confirmed that a report would be presented for Cabinet and an immediate decision would be made.

Question from Councillor Yates:

Q2.      Considering the potential ongoing impact over the coming winter of heavy rainfall, and the fact that all local reservoirs are already at capacity, what additional resources are being deployed by relevant agencies including SMDC to ensure that stream beds, drainage channels and soakaways are being checked and adequately cleared?

Response – Councillor Ralphs, Leader of the Council

“A number of organisations are responsible for managing flood risk in the District.  Staffordshire County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority which maintains a strategy for local flood risk management in the area. The Environment Agency is responsible for the main rivers in the District whilst individual landowners are responsible for maintaining reservoirs, ditches, watercourses and culverts etc. The District Council is responsible for Hales Hall Pool in Cheadle for which it has a management plan in place which is regularly reviewed.

The District Council is also ready to provide support in cases of localised flooding which is provided by our Forward Control team. Residents are urged to sign up to the Government’s flood warning service for the latest information.  This can also be done by telephoning 0345 988 1188.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The report informed members of the Council’s overall financial, procurement and performance position for the period ending 30 September 2019 (“Second Quarter 2019/20”).

The position was summarised as follows:-

Queries were raised and clarification given on the following:-

·         Electoral Services Overspend – any cost direct to SMDC? (No, this related to the local election held in May 2019, with the total cost of £160,000 being spread over the 4 year term of a Council.)

·         The funding received for the Disabled Facilities Grants was £352,340 over the budgeted amount. Would this be carried over to future years if not spent? Also, what was the DFG waiting list time?(Yes, the surplus would be carried over. Waiting list details to be established and forwarded on.)

·         When would the Brough Park Children’s Play facility be built? (This featured in the Medium Term Financial Plan and budget was being arranged.)

·         What was the ‘Local Business Concordat’? (Details would be forwarded to members.)

·         Whose responsibility was it to clean highways when construction work caused problems? (It was the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

The report presented the Council’s finances over the 4 year period 2020/21 – 2023/24 and set out the context for the preparation of the 2020/21 budget which would be presented for approval by the Council in February 2020. All known factors had been taken into account but caution was expressed over a number of national issues:-

1.    Fair Funding review – this had been going on for a number of years and was still pending;

2.    Business Rates Retention reform – the Council already benefitted through its pooling arrangements with other authorities, but there were still major uncertainties;

3.    New Homes Bonus – changes were still possible.

Significant local matters to take into account were:-

1.    Substantial works to be undergone at Brough Park Leisure Centre, Leek as referred to in the question to the Portfolio Holder earlier in the meeting;

2.    More general changes to take place in leisure provision within the Moorlands;

3.    Climate Change – an Action Plan was to be developed;

4.    Fees & Charges – proposals to be developed;

5.    Reserves & Balances – review.

All the above matters were detailed in the Medium Term Financial Plan, which was appended to the report.

Members queried matters as follows (responses in brackets):-

·         When was the refurbishment of the Smithfield Bus Station toilets to take place? Maintenance and cleaning of toilets was generally not done well enough. Could we use local people to ensure our assets are better protected? (The order for the refurbishment works was authorised the day before this meeting, so work was to start imminently. A trial was taking place with Biddulph Town Council to manage the toilets and Town Hall at Biddulph. Discussions were also ongoing with a parish council on similar lines. The arrangement with Derbyshire County Council was nearing an end. A report was due in the near future.)

·         Provision of “Changing Places” within public toilets should be encouraged as this was a ‘draw’ for disabled visitors. (There was to be such a facility at Rudyard Lake, meeting the required specification.)

·         Leisure improvements – how would we monitor this? How much would SMDC be putting in? The proposals appeared to be merely ‘titivation’. (The current Parkwood contract was for 5 years on a reduced fee to give time for full consideration. The report identified works as follows:-

Cheadle – replace the entire Leisure Centre

Leek – replace the Swimming Pool and refurbish the dry side

Biddulph – general investment was needed

The likely sum required for the works was £19m. Partnerships were being sought in the Health/Education/Private Sector/National Grant Funding fields. The existing Cheadle site could be used or an alternative location. Would we continue with a contract or would the centres be run by local Trusts?(Sports agencies looked upon Trusts far more favourably in terms of grant allocation). The HPBC contract was ending at the same time, so economies of scale could apply. It was clear at this early stage that external support (investment) was essential. Parkwood had to operate at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Corporate Plan 2019-2023 was adopted at Full Council on 16 October 2019 and set out the high level aims and objectives for the district and the specific priority actions to be undertaken over the life of the plan. The report set out the proposed communication and engagement process for the plan and gave a progress update on work done so far to create new performance framework, together with the next steps for member engagement in the process.

The Communication and Engagement Plan and New Performance Measures (gap analysis) were appended to the report and the intention was to bring both back to the Panel’s February 2020 meeting, with a view to commencing performance recording in 2020/21.

DECIDED – That the Panel NOTE the report.

Any additional items to be added to the Work Programme:-

      i.        Chairman’s items;

     ii.        Members’ items;

    iii.        Forward Plan.

Andrew Stokes advised that a report on the Empty Property Strategy would be presented to the February 2020 Panel.

DECIDED – That the Work Programme for the remainder of 2019/20 be AGREED.

The Chair to move:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 10 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

DECIDED:-

That pursuant to Section 100A (2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that exempt information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the paragraphs indicated

(Paragraph 3 – Financial or business affairs of any particular person)

The Exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2019 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.