Agenda and minutes

Councillor Cox was a substitute for Councillor Roberts.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 January 2024, be approved as a correct record.

There were none.

      i.        Disclosable Pecuniary Interests;

     ii.        Other Interests.

There were none.

Members received a report which introduced a new Communications Strategy which would guide the Council’s communications work and activities over the next three years.

Good communication is fundamental to the work of local authorities including Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. The Local Government Association sums it up well:

“Our customers should know what is available, why we have taken the

  decisions we have and how they can access our services. They must be

  able to trust not just what we tell them but that we will engage with them

  and place them at the core of our thinking. Trust builds and maintains our

  reputation; brings customers, partners, stakeholders and staff on the

  journey we have mapped out and enables us to achieve our aims and

  objectives, be they at a broad place-based level or pertaining to specific

  behaviour influencing campaigns.”

Members thanked Officers for their report and remarked that communications was heading in a positive direction. They advised to use all aspects of social media to convey factual information but expressed caution at the use of AI.

Members advised that they want fast, clear and agile responses to enquiries and commented that Democratic Services were currently setting the standard for the Council.

Members suggested that communications should be more engaging with the use of photographs, that methods should be used to target the younger age demographic and increase engagement with all members of the public. Buxton and Leek college media department and Outside were suggested local resources.

Members agreed that a resident newsletter be formatted in addition to the business newsletter, the Principal Policy Officer (Communications) agreed to investigate this. Democratic Services were asked to review the option of streaming some council meetings on YouTube and to re-establish a youth council.

RESOLVED:

That the report be recommended to Cabinet for approval.

Members received a report asking them to consider the outcomes from the Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Review which took place on the 5th November 2024.

Members commented that they wanted to continue to improve on scrutiny, that the wording of minutes should include who was responsible for reviewing the suggested action and the local plan review timetable should be made clear. Members congratulated the entire team and reflected on the excellent working relationship between members and Officers.

Members requested the word “noted” on reports be replaced with “challenge and advise on any further information or action required”. Democratic Services agreed to communicate this to report writing Officers.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received.

Officers introduced the policy and advised of no material changes to the existing policy. They advised that the review had been undertaken to protect assets after considering the implications of Local Government Reorganisation.

Members raised concerns about the level of resources available to effect community asset transfers and whether those receiving the asset had the ability to manage it in the future. Members suggested ward councillors be advised of what assets were in their ward.

The Director for Resources advised members that they were in the process of extending partnerships with existing suppliers to allow SMDC to have the capacity and capabilities to transfer assets in a timely manner. He further advised that the revised policy included ward councillor engagement and due diligence to ensure the asset:

·         be transferred to the correct collective who had the abilities to maintain

·         would not be transferred for future commercial gain

·         would remain for the use it was intended.

He further advised that when resources were in place, an asset register review would be conducted.

RESOLVED:

That the policy be recommended to Cabinet for approval.

Members were asked to consider the Call-in request of the Cabinet decision in relation to the Car Parking Strategy and that it be considered in accordance with the Council’s Call-in Procedure.

The Portfolio Holder clarified that no pricing changes would be made to free carparks while asset transfers were being progressed.

That trials would take place on:

·         Up to three suitable sites for ANPR;

·         On one suitable site for cashless payments; and

·         On one suitable site for overnight parking.

The results of the trials would be reported back to this committee in 12 months.

Members discussed the cost of implementation, positive approach for tourism, communication submitted by Cheadle Town Council from it’s meeting on 24 February 2025 and timeframes for implementation. Members then voted to decide if the decision would be referred back to Cabinet.

The Chair requested that Democratic Services email the letter from Cheadle Town Council to members present at the meeting.

RESOVLED:

That the decision NOT be referred back to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

That Local Government Reorganisation reports be returned to this committee.