There were no apologies for absence.

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.

Councillor Roger Evans declared an interest in item 10 Recommendation for Pontesbury Neighbourhood Plan to Proceed to Referendum as he was a member of the Neighbourhood Plan Group and would retire to the audience after making a brief statement.

Councillor Cecilia Motley declared an interest item 12 Local Plan Examination in Public – Response to Inspector’s Stage 1 Interim Findings and would leave the room.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2023

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive any questions from members of the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14. Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Thursday 13 June 2023

A public question was received from Dr Alison Caffyn in relation to the recent ruling of the Planning Inspector into the Footbridge Farm intensive poultry unit (IPU) planning appeal at Tasley, Bridgnorth.

The full question and response provided is available from the webpage for the meeting: Public Question Response - Cabinet 19.7.23.pdf (shropshire.gov.uk)

To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Thursday 13 July 2023

There were no members’ questions.

There were no scrutiny items.

Lead Member - Councillor Robert Macey - Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital

Report of James Walton, Executive Director of Resources

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:-

·         Agreed the need to support the Council’s drive to digital services by reducing CSC telephone service opening hours whilst still providing a telephone service for those residents unable to transact online.

·         Agreed the revised opening times of the Customer Service Centre general calls as 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday, but with a trial period of opening of up to 6pm starting on or after 21^st August 2023, on one of those days in order to consider any change in the level of demand for later opening.

·         Delegated the implementation of these proposals to the Executive Director of Resources in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital introduced the report which outline the revised opening hours of the Customer Services Centre.

Members were advised that more focus was being placed on outgoing, proactive calls to reach the most vulnerable and ensuring our resources were in the right place. The proposed hours of operation were as a result of a consultation and met the demand during the hours in which the most calls were received, including one late night per week.

It was reiterated that this was not a closure of the Customer Services Centre and that people would still be able to contact the Council by telephone, acknowledging the rurality of the county and broadband connectivity issues. There would be continued improvement to the experience of residents who wish to contact the council and this will be reviewed over the coming months.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:-

·         Agreed the need to support the Council’s drive to digital services by reducing CSC telephone service opening hours whilst still providing a telephone service for those residents unable to transact online.

·         Agreed the revised opening times of the Customer Service Centre general calls as 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday, but with a trial period of opening of up to 6pm starting on or after 21^st August, on one of those days in order to consider any change in the level of demand for later opening.

·         Delegated the implementation of these proposals to the Executive Director of Resources in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital.

Lead Member - Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight - Portfolio Holder for Children and Education

Report of Tanya Miles, Executive Director of People

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:-

·       Authorised the consultation process as set out in section 2 to removal all discretionary areas of home to school travel assistance (other than in exceptional circumstances)

·       Expect a future report setting out the outcome and recommendations arising from the consultation process.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Education presented the report which sought permission to consult on the removal of all discretionary provision (other than in exceptional circumstances) of home to school transport, this is Nursery and Post 16 SEND and mainstream Post 16 students.

The importance of acknowledging that the purpose of the report was solely to seek permission to go out to consultation was expressed and members were reminded that no decisions had been made. The outcomes of the consultation, together with recommendations, would be brought back to a future Cabinet meeting.

Much partnership work was taking place with organisations such as the County Councils Network and the SEN Strategic Board to look at anomalies between education and transport and to ensure children were able to be educated locally.

The consultation would allow the views of those in need to be considered as well as providing members with an opportunity to put forward alternative proposals.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:-

·         Authorised the consultation process as set out in section 2 to removal all discretionary areas of home to school travel assistance (other than in exceptional circumstances)

·         Expect a future report setting out the outcome and recommendations arising from the consultation process.

Lead Member - Councillor Richard Marshall - Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

·       Accepted the position as set out in the report and agrees that the Council extends, with variations, the Shrewsbury Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (No.1) 2017, as set out in Appendix A (“the Order”), with an effective commencement date of 1 August 2023.

·       For the purpose of discharging the Order instructed the Executive Director: Place to publish and cause to be erected notices in accordance with Regulations made under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

·       Delegated authority to the Executive Director: Place to engage with West Mercia Police and to agree a new Memorandum of Understanding to specify enforcement responsibilities and any other requirements under the Order (as extended) and, where necessary, to amend or create any further Memoranda of Understanding at any time during the period that the Order (as extended) is in force.

·       Delegated authority to the Executive Director: Place and any other Executive Director holding responsibility for functions relevant to the Order (as extended) to engage with any other organisation, not being part of Shropshire Council, where officers of that organisation have been authorised by Shropshire Council to undertake enforcement responsibilities under the Order (as extended), and to define those enforcement responsibilities and any other requirements within an agreed Memorandum of Understanding and, where necessary, to amend or create any further Memoranda of Understanding at any time during the period that the Order (as extended) is in force.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing introduced the report which sought approval for a renewal from 1 August 2023 of the Shrewsbury Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order for three years with variations to give extra powers to the Police and to the Council to address specific anti-social behaviours.

Concern was raised that the definition of anti-social behaviour could be misinterpreted as behaviour which was deemed ‘outside of the norm’, which could affect those with neurodivergences. It was clarified that personnel would be trained and would use their discretion in line with legislation and that this mechanism to combat anti-social behaviour was not aimed at specifical individuals.

Members noted that there was an ongoing partnership with the Detached Youth Work team in order to address issues such as anti-social behaviour and alcohol and drug consumption. Members were encouraged to report any such incidents to licencing and the police.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

·         Accepted the position as set out in the report and agrees that the Council extends, with variations, the Shrewsbury Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (No.1) 2017, as set out in Appendix A (“the Order”), with an effective commencement date of 1 August 2023.

·         For the purpose of discharging the Order instructed the Executive Director: Place to publish and cause to be erected notices in accordance with Regulations made under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

·         Delegated authority to the Executive Director: Place to engage with West Mercia Police and to agree a new Memorandum of Understanding to specify enforcement responsibilities and any other requirements under the Order (as extended) and, where necessary, to amend or create any further Memoranda of Understanding at any time during the period that the Order (as extended) is in force.

·         Delegated authority to the Executive Director: Place and any other Executive Director holding responsibility for functions relevant to the Order (as extended) to engage with any other organisation, not being part of Shropshire Council, where officers of that organisation have been authorised by Shropshire Council to undertake enforcement responsibilities under the Order (as extended), and to define those enforcement responsibilities and any other requirements within an agreed Memorandum of Understanding and, where necessary, to amend or create any further Memoranda of Understanding at any time during the period that the Order (as extended) is in force.

Lead Member - Councillor Richard Marshall - Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed:

·       The Pontesbury Neighbourhood Development Plan meets the ‘Basic Conditions’ and all the other legal requirements as summarised in the Independent Examiner’s Report, subject to the modifications proposed in the Schedule of Modifications (Appendix 2);

·       The required modifications be agreed, and that the final ‘referendum’ version of the Pontesbury Neighbourhood Development Plan (June 2023) (Appendix 3) proceed to local referendum;

·       The referendum area be that as defined as the designated area to which the Neighbourhood Development Plan relates, i.e. the Pontesbury parish boundary.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Policy and Improvement introduced the report which sought Cabinet approval to proceed to local referendum on the Pontesbury Neighbourhood Development Plan.

After making a brief statement in favour of the proposal, Councillor Roger Evans joined the audience for the remainder of the item after declaring an interest.

Pontesbury Parish Council were thanked for the work that they have carried out in bringing the proposals together.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed:

·         The Pontesbury Neighbourhood Development Plan meets the ‘Basic Conditions’ and all the other legal requirements as summarised in the Independent Examiner’s Report, subject to the modifications proposed in the Schedule of Modifications (Appendix 2);

·         The required modifications be agreed, and that the final ‘referendum’ version of the Pontesbury Neighbourhood Development Plan (June 2023) (Appendix 3) proceed to local referendum;

·         The referendum area be that as defined as the designated area to which the Neighbourhood Development Plan relates, i.e. the Pontesbury parish boundary.

Lead Member - Councillor Richard Marshall - Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations (2012) (as amended), Cabinet approved the adoption of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site Supplementary Planning Document (Appendix 2) to provide guidance on application of Local Plan policies and form a material consideration in the planning application process.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Policy and Strategy, Improvement and Communications presented the report which sought Cabinet approval to adopt the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site Supplementary Planning Document, to provide guidance on application of Local Plan policies and form a material consideration in the planning application process.

Members thanked the local planning group and officers for the amount of work which had been carried out. This had been a joint effort from a cross-party team at Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations (2012) (as amended), Cabinet approved the adoption of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site Supplementary Planning Document (Appendix 2) to provide guidance on application of Local Plan policies and form a material consideration in the planning application process.

Lead Member - Councillor Richard Marshall - Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

·       That Cabinet approved the response to the Local Plan Inspectors’ Interim Findings (Appendix 2), alongside the additional Sustainability Appraisal Report (Appendix 3); the Housing and Employment Topic Paper (Appendix 4); the Green Belt Topic Paper (Appendix 5); the revised Local Development Scheme (LDS) (Appendix 6); and the Updated Schedule of Main Modifications (Appendix 7), and agreed that these documents can be submitted to the Local Plan Examination.

·       That Cabinet agreed that if through further discussions with the Inspectors it is considered appropriate to do so, that the additional material provided in Appendices 2-7, alongside any other necessary material, can be consulted on in line with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), and relevant national regulations.

After declaring an interest, Councillor Cecilia Motley left the meeting for the duration of the item.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Digital presented the report which sought Cabinet approval to submit additional material to the Local Plan Examination as a response to the Inspectors’ Interim Findings into the Local Plan.

The additional material had been prepared specifically to respond to the Inspectors’ Interim Findings into the Local Plan following the Stage 1 hearing sessions in July 2022 and January 2023. These Interim Findings were included as Appendix 1 to the report, with supplementary material at Appendices 2 – 7.

Members noted the significant amount of work which had been carried out by officers and a cross-party group and congratulated them for their efforts.

RESOLVED:

·       That Cabinet approved the response to the Local Plan Inspectors’ Interim Findings (Appendix 2), alongside the additional Sustainability Appraisal Report (Appendix 3); the Housing and Employment Topic Paper (Appendix 4); the Green Belt Topic Paper (Appendix 5); the revised Local Development Scheme (LDS) (Appendix 6); and the Updated Schedule of Main Modifications (Appendix 7), and agreed that these documents can be submitted to the Local Plan Examination.

·       That Cabinet agreed that if through further discussions with the Inspectors it is considered appropriate to do so, that the additional material provided in Appendices 2-7, alongside any other necessary material, can be consulted on in line with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), and relevant national regulations.

Lead Member - Councillor Richard Marshall - Portfolio Holder for Highways and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet confirmed the designation of West Felton as a Conservation Area, based on the revised amended area boundary, included in Appendix 1, following formal consultation.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Policy and Strategy, Improvement and Communications introduced the report which asked Cabinet to consider the proposal to designate West Felton as a conservation area and sought approval to finalise the designation following formal consultation.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet confirmed the designation of West Felton as a Conservation Area, based on the revised amended area boundary, included in Appendix 1, following formal consultation.

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 12 A 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 the consideration of the following item.

Lead Member - Councillor Lezley Picton - Leader and Portfolio Holder for Policy and Strategy, Improvement and Communications

Report of James Walton, Executive Director of Resources

RESOLVED:

To recommend to Council that recommendation D, as set out in the report, be approved.

RESOLVED:

To recommend to Council that recommendation D, as set out in the report, be approved.