Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Julia Buckley, Steve Charmley, Rachel Connolly, Gerald Dakin, Tracey Huffer, Kevin Pardy and Robert Tindall

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 December 2024

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2024, as circulated with the agenda papers, be approved and signed as a correct record.

To receive such communications as the Chairman, Leader and Head of Paid Service may desire to lay before the Council.

Chairman’s Engagements

The Chairman referred Members to the list of official engagements carried out by himself and the Vice Chairman since the last meeting of the Council on 12 December 2024, which had been emailed prior to the meeting.

To receive any questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14. Deadline for notification is 12.00 noon on Friday 21^st February 2025

PETITION

A petition, bearing over 1000 signatures has been received from Huw Rees, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme.  The petition requests that the Council:

Uphold the Listed Buildings Act 1990 to restore the New Market Buildings, a grade II listed building in Bridgnorth that has fallen into a dangerous state of disrepair. If the owner does not make repairs within a reasonable timeframe, we call for a Compulsory Purchase Order to bring the building back into public ownership.

Public Questions

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Terri Trickett, Carolyn Mahy, Victoria Moore, Jon Moore, Shauney Connor and Frank Oldaker. A copy of the questions and the responses provided are available from the web page for the meeting.

Public Questions Council 27 February 2025 with Responses.pdf

Petition

A petition, bearing over 1000 signatures has been received from Huw Rees, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme. The petition requested that the Council:

Uphold the Listed Buildings Act 1990 to restore the New Market Buildings, a grade II listed building in Bridgnorth that has fallen into a dangerous state of disrepair. If the owner does not make repairs within a reasonable timeframe, we call for a Compulsory Purchase Order to bring the building back into public ownership.

In presenting his petition Mr Rees outlined the history of the building and commented that one use for the building once refurbished could be as a community hub.

Several Members commented that the New Market Hall was an important building and should be maintained.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Assets thanked Mr Rees for bringing his petition.  He advised Members that the Council had carried out some work on the building to make it safe, the cost of which would be reclaimed through a charge on the building.  He stated that the Council was trying to maintain a dialogue with the owner of the building to ensure its retention.

The Portfolio Holder proposed that the Council hold a meeting with the petitioner, MP for South Shropshire and other stakeholders to take the matter forward to ensure the long-term future sustainability of the building.

Following a vote it was RESOLVED

That the Council hold a meeting with the petitioner, MP for South Shropshire and other stakeholders to take the matter forward to ensure the long-term future sustainability of the building.

To receive any questions from Members, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2. Deadline for notification is 12.00 noon on Friday 21st February 2025

The Chair advised that 6 questions had been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.

Question from Councillor Simon Harris regarding obtaining extra funding to assist with caring for Shropshire’s rough sleepers.  There was no supplementary question

Question from Councillor Rob Wilson regarding the road surface on Shelton Road.  There was no supplementary question

Question from Councillor Roy Aldcroft regarding abandoned trailers on the A53.  In response to a supplementary question the Portfolio Holder agreed to update Councillor Aldcroft with timescales for the removal of the trailers

Question from Councillor Pam Moseley regarding a new road layout at Belvidere Road/rail bridge. In response to a supplementary question the Portfolio Holder agreed to update Councillor Moseley with timescales for the works

Question from Councillor Rosemary Dartnall regarding the Toucan Crossing on Oteley Road ,  By way of supplementary question Councillor Dartnall asked for an update on the timescales for the proposed works and suggested that in the interim cyclists be diverted to remain on the path to ensure their safety.

Question from Councillor David Vasmer regarding the North West Relief Road. There was no supplementary question.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by Councillor Lezley Picton, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Policy and Strategy, Improvement and Communications, and seconded by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities that the report of the Executive Director, Resources, and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

By way of amendment Councillor Rosemary Dartnall proposed that recommendation 3.1 be amended to read:

“3.1. It is recommended that members consider the recommendations set out below in five separate sections (A to E). Each of the five sections will be voted on as an individual component of the financial strategy.”

This was seconded by Councillor Roger Evans

On taking a vote the amendment was not supported

By way of amendment Councillor Roger Evans proposed that Section A be voted on separately to Sections B to E.  This was seconded by Councillor Andy Boddington

On taking a vote the amendment was not supported

On being put to a recorded vote with 39 Members voting for, 17 against and 10 abstentions as follows:

For

Councillors Aldcroft, Anderson, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Bird, Broomhall, Burchett, Butler, Carroll, Davenport, Elner, D Evans, Gill, Gittins, Harris, Hignett, Hunt, Hurst-Knight, M Jones, S Jones, Lea, Luff, Lumby, Macey, Morris, Motley, Mullock, Nellins, Picton, Potter, Price, Schofield, Thomas, Towers, Turley, Wild, B Williams and Wynn

Against

Councillors Bentick, Boddington, Davies, R Evans, Green, Hartin, Houghton, R Huffer, Kidd, Minnery, Parry, Sherrington, Taylor, Vasmer, Wagner, M Williams and Wilson

Abstentions

Councillors Bagnall, Clarke, Dartnall, Dean, J Evans, Halliday, Kerr, Moseley, Mosley and Parsons

RESOLVED: 

In respect of council tax:

1)    Approve a 4.99% Council tax rise (a 2.99% increase to Council tax and a 2% increase to Adult Social Care Precept) resulting in a basic amount of council tax for a Band D property of £1,806.67 in the billing authority’s area, calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (section 42b).

2)    In accordance with the provisions of Section 40 (2) of the 1992 Act, approve the amount of Council Tax calculated for each category of dwelling in the billing authority’s area to be as follows:

3)    approve a total precept of £219,282,837.

4)    approve the formal council tax resolution as set out in Appendix 4 to determine the levels of Council Tax for Shropshire Council for 2025/26.

In respect of the revenue budget:

5)    approve the 2025/26 gross budget of £767.007m outlined in the Budget Book at Appendix 3.

6)    note the key changes to the MTFS since the January update as outlined in Appendix 1:

·       the public consultation and related findings

·       the collaborative budget process and findings

·       the Financial Settlement and implications for the Council

·       the Collection Fund outturn and the impact on next year

·       the latest budget forecast for the current year and the resulting likely impact on reserves in this year and next (also included in the MTFS  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities, and seconded by Councillor Simon Jones that the report of the Executive Director, Resources, and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

RESOLVED: 

That Members

1.    Note the breakdown of the total income for 2024/25 and 2025/26 and that the proposed 2025/26 charges for discretionary services represent £55.117m of the £103.858m of income derived from Fees and Charges.

2.    Approve the charges for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 3 to be implemented from 1 April 2025.

3.    Note that as previously agreed, any changes to fees and charges proposed by Shropshire Community Leisure Trust Ltd. in relation to the outsourced leisure facilities will only be referred to Cabinet and Council for approval if the proposed increases exceed Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the preceding November.

4.    Note that the proposal in adult social care services for Assistive Technology and Maintenance Charges is under consultation.

5.    Revise housing rents as follows (subject to restrictions or exemptions identified in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill):

                           I.         Social Housing rents for 2025/26 are increased by 2.7% from 7th April 2025.

                         II.         Affordable rents for 2025/26 are increased by 2.7% from 7th April 2025.

                        III.         Shared Ownership rents continue to be set at 2.75% of the outstanding capital value of the home at the time of sale and thereafter increased each April in accordance with the terms specified in the lease agreements.

                       IV.         All accommodation charges for 2025/26 are increased by 2.7% from 7th April 2025.

                         V.         Service charges continue to be set based on actual cost

Report of the Executive Director, Resources is attached

Contact:  James Walton.  Tel. 01743 258915

It was proposed by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities, and seconded by Councillor Brian Williams that the report of the Executive Director, Resources, and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed.

RESOLVED:

That Full Council: -

1.    Approve, with any comments, the Treasury Strategy for 2025/26, set out in appendix 1 (parts 1-3).

2.    Approve, with any comments, the Investment Strategy, set out in Appendix 1 (part 4) in accordance with the DLUHC Guidance on Local Government Investments.

3.    Approve, with any comments, the Prudential Indicators, set out in Appendix 1 (part 5), in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003.

4.    Approve, with any comments, the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement, set out in Appendix 1 (part 6).

5.    Authorise the Section 151 Officer to exercise the borrowing powers contained in Section 3 of the Local Government Act 2003 and to manage the Council’s debt portfolio in accordance with the Treasury Strategy.

6.    Authorise the Section 151 Officer to use other Foreign Banks which meet Link’s creditworthiness policy as required.

7.    Authorise the Section 151 Officer to increase the PRS Loan Facility from £10m to up to £30m, pending Housing Supervisory Board consultation and cabinet approval.

Report of the Chief Executive is attached

Contact:  Andy Begley, 01743 258675

It was proposed by Councillor Lezley Picton, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Policy and Strategy, Improvement and Communications, and seconded by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Resources and Communities that the report of the Chief Executive, and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed

RESOLVED:

That Council

Notes the continued work being undertaken to resize and rightsize the Council to ensure delivery of the proposed new operating model, delivering a sustainable and agile organisation of the future and

·       Approves the proposed updated new operating model

·       In accordance with Article 12.2 (a) of Part 2 of the Constitution, receives this report of the Head of Paid Service outlining the proposed new staffing structure of the Council, including the number and grades of posts in the senior management team that will enable delivery of the new operating model which is designed to effectively discharge the functions that the Council is responsible for.

Report of the Assistant Director – Homes and Communities is attached

Contact Jane Trethewey  Tel: 01743 254917 

It was proposed by Councillor Ian Nellins,  Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, and seconded by Councillor Roy Aldcroft that the report of the Assistant Director – Homes and Communities, and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed

RESOLVED:

That Council

1.    Consider the Waste Prevention Strategy for Shropshire 2024-2030 in terms of its aim to reduce waste, reduce council expenditure on waste management, and deliver environmental, economic and social benefits.

2.    Adopt the Waste Prevention Strategy for Shropshire 2024-2030.

3.    Agree the recommendation of Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee (12/09/24) for Shropshire Council to phase out the use of disposable cups on all its sites; and extend this approach to single use plastics where possible.

4.    Agree a relaxation to the HWRC booking system to remove the need for cars to book, thus enabling domestic users easier access to HWRC sites to separate their waste into the correct recycling streams.

Report of the Assistant Director – Homes and Communities is attached

Contact Jane Trethewey  Tel: 01743 254917 

It was proposed by Councillor Dean Carroll, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Assets, and seconded by Councillor Mark Jones, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration that the report of the Assistant Director – Homes and Communities, and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed

RESOLVED

That Council approve

1.    An increase in the HRA permitted borrowing envelope from £122m to a maximum of £174m as per the schedules in section 7 of HRA Business Plan to fund a new development programme to deliver 509 units in the next five years.

2.    The reletting of properties at target rent at the change of tenancy in line with government guidelines, delivering a saving of £5.9m over the life of the current plan, the equivalent of funding 50 new affordable homes, and allowing STaR Housing to limit their additional borrowing ask to the maximum of £174m.

3.    The setting of HRA budgets in line with the overall programme values as set out in tables in section five.

Report of the Executive Director of People is attached

Contact Tanya Miles Tel: 01743 255811

It was proposed by Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education, and seconded by Councillor Peggy Mullock that the report of the Executive Director of People and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed

RESOLVED

3.1. That Council agree the Participation and Impact Strategy for young people and note the ambitions set out in the strategy

3.2. Endorse the Council’s commitment to ensuring that children and young people have

influence over decisions and actions on services that affect them

Report of the Executive Director of People is attached

Contact Tanya Miles Tel: 01743 255811

It was proposed by Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education, and seconded by Councillor Nick Bardsley that the report of the Executive Director of People and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed

RESOLVED

That Council approves the replacement of the Children’s Improvement Board with the establishment of a Children’s Partnership Ambitions Board with the Draft Terms of Reference set out at Appendix 1 and Draft Action Plan set out at Appendix 2.

Report of the Portfolio Holder Finance Corporate Resources and Communities is attached.

It was proposed by Councillor Gwilym Butler, Portfolio Holder for Finance Corporate Resources and Communities that the report and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

Councillor Butler presented and amplified his report and responded to questions, concerns and comments.

Report of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee is attached

Councillor Peggy Mullock, Chair of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented the annual report of the Committee for 2023-24. She outlined the work that had been carried out by the Committee and thanked members of the committee and officers for all their work.

Members noted the contents of the report

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health is attached

It was proposed by Councillor Cecilia Motley, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health that the report, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations therein be received and agreed.

Councillor Motley presented and amplified her report and responded to questions, concerns and comments.

It was proposed by the Chairman Councillor Vince Hunt and seconded by the Vice Chairman Councillor Brian Williams that the amendments to committee membership as set out in the agenda papers be agreed.

RESOLVED:

That the amendments to committee membership as set out in the agenda papers be agreed.

The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:

Motion received from Councillor David Vasmer and supported by the Liberal Democrat Group

North West Relief Road Inquiry

1.    The original cost of the North West Relief Road was £71m in 2019 and, on this basis, the Government pledged funding of £54m with a clear warning that any cost increases would be the responsibility of Shropshire Council. That meant the total cost to Shropshire Council at that time was estimated at £17m.

2.    In 2021 on the basis of the Outline Business Case the cost of the NWRR was estimated at £81m meaning that the cost to Shropshire Council had now risen to £27m

3.    Before Christmas Shropshire's External Auditor confirmed that the cost of the NWRR had now gone up to £178m and Shropshire Council's contribution to £124m

4.    The Environment Agency were never happy about the route of the road since a major roundabout junction was placed directly over ground from which much of Shrewsbury's water is drawn and have therefore been very reluctant to support the application because the spillage of any toxic substance would make the ground water unusable while piling work could also damage the town's water supply

5.    The NWRR will be a major contributor to the release of carbon which was underestimated when the road was first planned. Recently Shropshire Council has been forced to admit that the contribution has more than doubled from 26,711 tonnes of carbon to 55,904. Originally it had been estimated that the scheme's impact could be mitigated by 2030 but now Shropshire has asked the Northern Planning Committee to revise a condition so that it has until 2050 to offset the road's emissions.

6.    A substantial amount of money has already been spent on a road that does not have planning permission or an approved Full Business Case. In the current budget there is provision for £44.8m to be spent on the NWRR

7.    That Shropshire Council has commissioned utility diversion work before the NWRR has secured a decision planning notice or a commitment from the Government for extra funding.

This Council Notes

1.    Shropshire Council has failed to hit numerous deadlines so that a road that was originally planned for completion in 2020 has not been started

2.    Recently Shropshire Council's External Auditor was highly critical of Shropshire Council for failing to make plans in the event of the Road being cancelled and for failing to oversee the planning and preparations for the Road properly.

This Council will appoint a North West Relief Road Inquiry, funded from the development reserve and the invest to save reserve which contain in total £7.9m.to consider:

1.    Management of the project 

2.    The decision-making process

3.    Whether there was sufficient scrutiny and challenge within the Council 

4.    Whether there was effective separation of powers between the Council as a developer and as a planning authority

5.    Whether alternative options were considered, both with regard to traffic mitigations for the town – especially given the additional travel demands likely to result in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

To receive the reports of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority arising from its meetings held on 5 December 2024 and 11 February 2025

It was proposed by Councillor David Minnery that the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority, be received and noted.

 RESOLVED:

That the report of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority be noted.

To resolve that, in accordance with the provisions of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.4 [3] of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items

RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with the provisions of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.4 [3] of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items

To approve as a correct record the exempt minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 December 2024

RESOLVED:

That the Exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2024, as circulated with the agenda papers, be approved and signed as a correct record.

Exempt report of the Assistant Director – Homes and Communities is attached

Contact Jane Trethewey  Tel: 01743 254917 

It was proposed by Councillor Dean Carroll, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Assets, and seconded by Councillor Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder For Climate Change, Environment and Transport that the report of the Assistant Director – Homes and Communities, and the recommendations contained therein, be received and agreed

RESOLVED

That the recommendations contained in the report be agreed