Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2024, be approved as a correct record.

·         Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

·         Other Interests

There were none.

(At least two clear days notice required, in writing, to the Proper Officer in accordance with Procedure Rule 15).

Question received from Cllr Callum Beswick:

"The SMDC lengthsman grant (administered by AES) provides vital support to our town and parish councils, to enable them to maintain the appearance of our towns and villages to the highest of standards. I am aware that the grant has been fixed at £400 for at least the last 15 years. Given that the minimum wage has almost doubled during this time, and the council's priority action in the corporate plan to improve relationships with town and parish councils, will the portfolio holder commit to increasing the size of this important grant?"

Response from Councillor M Swindlehurst, Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Tourism:-

It has been a cash limited contribution with the parish raising any additional monies required via its precept. No increase to this amount has been included in the MTFP and to do so would require additional budget growth, adding to the pressure on the Council’s budget. We do have a range of further initiatives that can support towns and parishes in placemaking.  We welcome discussions, either at an individual parish level, or collectively through the parish assembly. 

Responses to supplementary questions included the ways that towns and parishes could be supported with green spaces and access to grant opportunities. Members were informed that Officers and technical companies had a wide range skill set and could support towns and parishes.

Any additional items to be added to the Work Programme:

·         Chair’s Items

·         Members’ Items

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be noted.

Members received a presentation from AES which gave a summary of the last financial year. It included KPI’s, Finances and Simpler Recycling and depots.

Members thanked AES for the presentation. They discussed the process for cleansing problem areas, challenges presented by the waste reforms, trends in complaints, bin review and the effects on residual weight. Members further asked about staff pay, size of bin wagons, bin wagon routes, frequency of pavement and road sweeping and whether all areas across the District were included in the schedule. The process of memorial safety testing was explained.

Members suggested that KPI reports should include separate percentages for waste data flow and that KPI’s should be bench marked against other local authority data.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be received.

In February 2024 Cabinet approved the new Staffordshire Moorlands Green Spaces Strategy which is a 10-year document that identifies key areas which the Council will focus its resources on, whilst working collaboratively with partners and local stakeholders. The Strategy identifies five strategic priorities along with a set of guiding principles to ensure that any development, projects and changes are delivered in an appropriate, affordable and sustainable manner and are in line with the agreed approach.

Members thanked Officers for their involvement. Members discussed the involvement of community groups, local schools and parish councils with the strategy. The Portfolio Holder informed members on the progress of the Green Space Development Fund and the timescales for the completion of the  guidance document.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the report be received.

2.    That an update on the progress of the Green Space Strategy be bought to this committee for discussion.

The Chair to move:-

 “That pursuant to Section 100A (2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that exempt information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the paragraphs indicated.”

The Chair moved:

That pursuant to Section 100A (2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that exempt information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the paragraphs indicated.

Members received a presentation on the regeneration of Leek Town Centre through the Levelling Up Funding project.