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.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2023.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2023 were 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 12 October 2023.

To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Thursday 12 October 2023.

Lead Member - Councillor Gwilym Butler - Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources

Report of Ben Jay, Assistant Director of Finance & ICT (Deputy s151 Officer)

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet

a)    Noted the increased gap in 2024/25 and the reasons for it

b)    Noted that further information will be forthcoming on how the Council will meet the needs of social care clients and service users earlier in future, and supports Officers in the urgent preparation of effective plans

c)     Similarly, noted that further information on TOM proposals will also be forthcoming and urges Officers to brings those plans forward for implementation and delivery rapidly.

d)    Noted that the reserves position, previously a cause for considerable concern, is much improved – but also notes that action on current year pressures is needed to safeguard that improved position (including sufficient mitigation of current demand pressures through the remainder of this year and into future years).

e)    Noted that, despite some deterioration in outlook in the near-term, the MTFS continue to demonstrate that the outlook is expected to improve substantially in the coming years.

f)      Noted the changes to some of the savings plans (virements) set out in the March 2023 Budget Council meeting have seen changes at values in excess of £1m, and so Member approval is requested to confirm these changes (see attachment to Appendix 1, specifically savings EFF102 (TOM projects @ -£3m), EFF105 (GLR-led savings @ +£1m) and EFF108 (Corporate Grants @ +£2m). 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 £ £ £ £ £ Remaining Gap to be Funded @ March Council 1,096,536 2,166,643 2,819,557 3,714,543 NA change - inflation and budget pressures 22,470,200 18,800,248 15,512,067 12,225,150 5,222,191 Remaining Gap to be Funded @ October Cabinet 23,566,736 20,966,891 18,331,624 15,939,693 5,222,191 Funding Gap 3

Also Cabinet noted the removal of EFF10 (Market management @ -£1.3m) and the replacement with over-achievement of EFF06 (Reablement) and EFF07 (care at home).

Lead Member - Councillor Gwilym Butler - Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources

Report of Ben Jay, Assistant Director of Finance & ICT (Deputy s151 Officer)

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommend to Council to:

1.     Approve the actual 2022/23 prudential and treasury indicators in this report

2.     Note the annual treasury management report for 2022/23

Lead Member - Councillor Dean Carroll - Portfolio Holder for Housing and Assets

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

To approve and adopt the Sustainable Affordable Warmth Strategy, attached at Appendix I.

Lead Member - Councillor Chris Schofield - Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed:

1.     The Cleobury Mortimer Neighbourhood 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)

2.     The required modifications be agreed, and that the final ‘referendum’ version of the Cleobury Mortimer Neighbourhood Development Plan (September 2023) (Appendix 3) proceed to local referendum.

3.     The referendum area be that as defined as the designated area to which the Neighbourhood Development Plan relates, i.e. the Cleobury Mortimer Town Council boundary.

4.     The Executive Director of Place be authorised to exercise all the relevant powers and duties and undertake necessary arrangements for the Cleobury Mortimer Neighbourhood Development Plan final referendum version (September 2023) (Appendix 3) to now proceed to referendum and for the referendum to take place asking the question ‘whether the voter wants Shropshire Council to use this neighbourhood plan for the Cleobury Mortimer neighbourhood plan area to help it decide planning applications in this neighbourhood area’.

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

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

1.     To approve the transfer of the operation of SpArC Leisure Centre in Bishop’s Castle to the Shropshire Community Leisure Trust, as part of the existing leisure contract, until 31 July 2027.

2.     To delegate responsibility to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Digital and Culture, for undertaking necessary due diligence and thereafter finalising negotiations and completing the transfer to the current leisure management contract with Shropshire Community Leisure Trust.

Lead Member - Councillor Mark Jones - Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

3.1.     That Cabinet:

3.1.1. Approved the submission of a planning application for the demolition of the Riverside shopping centre and the former Riverside medical practice, and enabling work, construction of the proposed park and temporary greenspace (as set out in the Council report 6 July 2023), all aligned to the Levelling Up Fund bid award for the Smithfield Riverside Redevelopment Programme (Project 1) of £14.85m.

3.1.2. Agreed to commencement of the stakeholder engagement and public consultation programme on the emerging masterplan for Smithfield Riverside.

3.2.     Delegated responsibility to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Portfolio Holders for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, Economic Growth and Regeneration and Housing and Assets, to progress the capital project (item 3.2.1 above), to include, but not limited to, the following:

3.2.1. Finalise the masterplan for the wider Smithfield Riverside redevelopment area following the outcomes of the stakeholder engagement and public consultation programme, as provided for in Recommendation 3.1.2 above, and for inclusion in a further report for final approval by Council.

3.2.2.  Finalise planning strategy for future phases of development for the Shrewsbury Town Centre Redevelopment Programme: Smithfield Riverside Phase One, following the outcomes of the stakeholder engagement and public consultation programme, as provided for in Recommendation 3.1.2 above, and for inclusion in a further report for final approval by Council

3.2.3. Undertake an options and feasibility study for the retention, reconstruction and/or replacement of Ravens Meadow multi-storey car park, necessary to inform future phases of the Smithfield Riverside masterplan, and for inclusion in a further report for final approval by Cabinet and Council.

3.3.     That Cabinet agreed to recommend to Council to:

3.3.1. Progress the above works as a capital project to completion of contract documentation and receipt of tenders, for demolition, enabling works and construction of the park and associated temporary greenspace within the Levelling Up Fund bid award for the Smithfield Riverside Redevelopment Programme (Project 1) of £14.85m.

Lead Member - Councillor Dan Morris - Portfolio Holder for Highways

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

1.     That Cabinet approved an eight-week consultation exercise to introduce a Public Space Protection Order for the administrative area of Shropshire Council. Details and purpose of the PSPO are contained in Appendix A and consultation materials in Appendix B.

2.     Following the conclusion of the consultation a further report will be presented to Cabinet for final approval of the PSPO and relevant publicity materials.

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

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed to:

1.     Establish a Joint Committee with Herefordshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council to (a) oversee, manage and distribute the assets, functions and responsibilities of the Marches Enterprise Partnership and (b) exercise executive functions as listed in paragraph 7.9 below.

2.     Delegate to the Executive Director Place in consultation with the Executive Director Resources, authority to make necessary arrangements, as the accountable body, for the management of resources, staff and responsibilities of the LEP in accordance with Government guidelines.

3.     Delegate authority to the Executive Director Resources and Executive Director Place, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to establish appropriate management arrangements, including funding and staffing for the Council to discharge its responsibility as the ‘Accountable Body’.

4.     Delegate to the Executive Director Place, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Executive Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer), authority to agree the final Terms of Reference with partner councils.

Lead Member - Councillor Chris Schofield - Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services

Report of Mark Barrow, Executive Director of Place

RESOLVED:

1.     That Cabinet considered and approved the response to the Government’s consultation on reforms to Plan making reforms as set out in Appendix 2 to this report.

2.     That authority be given to the Executive Director of Place to agree any additional minor changes to the Council’s response to the consultation ahead of its submission to the Government on 18 October 2023.

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 confirm the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2023.

RESOLVED:

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2023 were confirmed as a correct record.

To note that the next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 22 November 2023 at 10.30am.