Councillors and Decision Making

To confirm the minutes of the special and ordinary meetings of the Council held on 11 September 2014.

Members are 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 commencement of that item.

The Leader of the Council may give an oral report on matters of significance to the Borough, comment upon the Cabinet decisions or make any announcements. Cllr S Davies will present to The Council APSE’s Horticulture Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Finalist Award. Cllr A England will present to the Finalist APSE’s Horticulture Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Award

To note the Mayoral Engagements undertaken since the Council meeting held on 11 September 2014.

To receive any questions from the public which have been submitted under Council Procedure Rules 7.11 and 7.12. The session will last no more than 15 minutes, with a maximum of 2 minutes allowed for each question and answer. Questions can be asked of the Leader and Cabinet Members. The following question to the Cabinet Member: Housing, Development & Borough Towns has been submitted by Mr K Mallard: “Telford has a large quantity of brownfield sites, and greenfield sites should only be preferred by councils for development in exceptional circumstances. What criteria are used for the exceptional circumstances for the proposed housing development of 2658 houses on valuable farmland and greenfields surrounding Breton Park Retirement Village, Muxton?”

To receive the report on the Cabinet decisions made since publication of the last Council meeting agenda. Cabinet Members may speak on these decisions and Members may ask questions of the relevant Cabinet Member for the purposes of clarification only. Members are asked to note the additional delegations to officers granted at those meetings.

(I) Award of the Design & Build Contract for Lawley Village Primary School Recommended– that a capital approval and estimate of £4.5m in respect of Lawley Village Primary School be approved. (ii) Extension to the Gypsy & Traveller Site at Lodge Road, Donnington Wood Recommended that – (a) short term Prudential Borrowing of £775,000, as detailed in the report be approved; (b) the capital receipt realised from the sale of land at Snedshill for employment purposes is used to repay the short term borrowing as detailed in the report. (iii) Regeneration of Hollinswood Centre Recommended – that Prudential Borrowing of £200,000 be approved if the capital receipts funding as detailed in the report is not secured. (iv) Financial Monitoring 2014/15 Recommended – that the new allocations and slippage detailed in the report, along with the funding changes to the capital programme, including the transfer to the Community Pride Fund, be approved

Audit Committee. At its meeting held on 16 September 2014, the Audit Committee made the following recommendation to Council. Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy Recommended – that the updated Policy be adopted.

To note the following resolved and draft Minutes: Audit Committee – 16 September 2014, Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee – 1 September 2014, Co-operative & Communities Scrutiny Committee – 19 August 2014, Health & Wellbeing Board – 24 September 2014 , Planning Committee – 3 September, 24 September, 15 October and 5 November 2014, Scrutiny Management Board – 19 September 2014.

To answer questions received under Council Procedure Rule 7. N.B. In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 7.4 there will be a maximum of 30 minutes allowed for questions and answers. Any question not answered within the 30 minute time limit will receive a written reply within 5 working days.

(I) Councillor S Davies will move, in accordance with Council procedure rule 11, the following motion: “This Council congratulates the Administration, Council Staff, Employers and Partners in reducing Youth Unemployment in the Borough by almost a third over 12 months, bringing rates of Youth Unemployment in line with regional levels, with the fall being at a steeper rate than regional comparators. This Council demands that the Minister for Employment meet with the relevant Cabinet Member and Officers of the Council and match fund the £1.3m this council has invested into reducing Youth Unemployment to demonstrate that Telford and Wrekin Young People matter to the government.” The motion will be seconded by Councillor K.R. Guy. (ii) Councillor S Bentley will move, in accordance with Council procedure rule 11, the following motion: “This Council once again calls upon the Administration to abandon Section 106 payments and contributions made by developers towards infrastructure requirements in the Borough and adopt the alternative CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) in its place.” The motion will be seconded by Councillor A.J. Eade.