Agenda and draft minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday, 11th February, 2025 2.00 pm

Venue: The Council Chamber, Moorlands House, Stockwell Street, Leek. View directions

Contact: Linden Vernon Email:  linden.vernon@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk or Tel: 01538 395613 

Media

Webcast: View the webcast

Items
No. Item

38.

Minutes of the previous meeting (previously circulated) pdf icon PDF 188 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

DECISION:

 

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3 December 2024, be approved as a correct record.

 

39.

Declarations of Interest, if any

1.    Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

2.    Other Interests

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations made.

40.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 178 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

DECISION:

 

That the Forward Plan be approved for publication.

 

41.

Wildfires Public Space Protection Order

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was reported that the above agenda item would be addressed shortly via a Cabinet Delegated decision.

42.

Third Quarter Finance, Procurement & Performance pdf icon PDF 394 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to inform members of the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 31 December 2024 (“Third Quarter 2024/25”). The report was considered by the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee on 4 February 2025.

 

Options considered:

 

Detailed Analysis was contained within the main body of the report.

 

DECISION:  

 

That the Third Quarter 2024/25 financial, procurement and performance position detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at 3.3 of the covering report be noted.

 

43.

2025/26 Budget & Medium Term Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2028/29 pdf icon PDF 409 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to present the proposed Budget for 2025/26, updated Medium-Term Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2028/29, Capital Strategy 2025/26, proposed Fees and Charges for 2025/26 and Procurement Forward Plan 2025/26. The report was considered by the Finance and Performance Committee on 4 February 2025.

 

Options considered:

 

This report recommended a Council Tax level and associated budget, Medium Term Financial Plan, Capital Strategy (and future capital programme) and Fees & Charges for 2025/26 designed to best deliver the Council’s corporate priorities within a balanced budget. Other options were feasible, but any alternatives would need to robustly identify the service and financial implications, in order to satisfy the Council’s Section 151 Officer (under the Local Government Finance Act 1988, section 114) of the need to deliver a balanced budget.

 

DECISION:  

 

That Cabinet members support the following recommendations to Council:

 

1.     Approves the General Fund Budget for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix A (section 8)

 

2.     Approves the revised Medium-Term Financial Plan (2025/26 to 2028/29) as detailed in Appendix A, including the revised Capital Programme (attached at Annex A)

 

3.     Approves the Capital Strategy 2025/26 as set out in Appendix B

 

4.     Approves the proposed Fees and Charges for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix C

 

5.     Approves the proposed Procurement Forward Plan for 2025/26, providing the authority to procure based on procurement activity detailed in Appendix D

 

6.     Approves a Band D Council Tax of £173.04 for 2025/26 (2.99% change from 2024/25)

 

7.     Approves a Band D Council Tax of £56.13 for Leek and £11.29 for Biddulph for 2025/26 in respect of Special District Expenses

 

8.     Notes the Chief Finance Officer's view that the level of reserves are adequate for the Council based on this budget and the circumstances in place at the time of preparing it (Appendix A, Annex C)

 

 

44.

Business Rates Reliefs and Council Tax Reduction and Premiums pdf icon PDF 230 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to update the above existing policies with changes made by Government, and to confirm that there will be no changes made to the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the financial year 2025/26.

 

Options considered:

 

None. The Council must adhere to legislative requirements.

 

DECISION:  

 

The Cabinet recommend to Full Council that the updated policies are approved.

45.

Growth Strategy 2025-2028 pdf icon PDF 467 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to approve the proposed Staffordshire Moorlands Growth Strategy (2025-2028).  The draft Growth Strategy was considered by the Growth and Economy Committee on 22 January 2025.

 

Options considered:

 

There were no options to consider at this stage.

 

DECISION:  

 

That the Growth Strategy attached at Appendix A to the report be approved.

46.

Revised Local Development Scheme pdf icon PDF 240 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report considered and sought to agree a revised Local Development Scheme that established the timetable for the Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan and other planning policy documents.

 

Options considered:

 

The Council must publish an updated Local Development Scheme to meet Government requirements. The timescales proposed for the Local Plan were considered to be the most expedient possible having regard to the requirements in the regulations and the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement and the level of resource available to support plan making.

 

DECISION:  

 

1.     That the content of the revised Local Development Scheme be noted.

 

2.     That officers be authorised to send a copy of the revised Local Development Scheme to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by the 6th March 2025.

 

47.

Werrington - Neighbourhood Area Designation pdf icon PDF 299 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report considered an application from Werrington Parish Council to designate a Neighbourhood Area for the parish of Werrington.

 

Options considered:

 

The Council must designate the neighbourhood area to meet its obligations as set out in the report.

 

DECISION:  

 

That the designation of the whole of the parish of Werrington as a Neighbourhood Area be approved.

 

48.

Car Parking Policy Changes pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report set out potential routes to maximise the Council’s car park assets for the purposes of:

 

  • People - that they provide spaces needed in the district for the benefit of the community (including businesses) with charges that are fair and equitable;
  • Planet - minimise environmental impacts; and
  • Pounds - generate appropriate levels of net income.

 

The report was considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 29 January 2025.

 

Options considered:

 

Seven policy options had been explored within the report with four intended for implementation either fully or on a trial basis. Alternative options were i) implementing the remaining three options and ii) making no changes to Council’s parking policy. (Not recommended)

 

DECISION:  

 

1.     Charges for car parks that are free currently (see section 9 for details of affected sites) would be subject to consultation regarding the potential for community asset transfers with local town and parish councils over the next three months prior to changes being implemented.

 

2.     Automatic number plate recognition on three sites on a trial basis with a view to wider roll-out subject to the results of trials be approved

 

3.     Introduction of cashless only payments on one site on a trial basis with a view to wider roll-out subject to the results of trials be approved.

 

4.     Introduction of overnight charging on one site on a trial basis with a view to wider roll-out subject to the results of trials be approved.

 

5.     All changes would require deeper exploration to identify the most suitable locations, frameworks for delivery, and clear communication and publicity.

 

49.

Cost of Living Update

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was reported that the above agenda item would be addressed shortly via a Cabinet Delegated decision.

 

50.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

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 the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential 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 100 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

“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 the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential 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 100 I (1)  of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

 

51.

Exempt minutes of the previous meeting (previously circulated)

Minutes:

DECISION:

 

That the exempt minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3 December 2024, be approved as a correct record.

 

52.

Application to Write off non recoverable debt

Minutes:

The Cabinet approved a report that sought to write off balances which were deemed non recoverable.