The Leader of the Council, Councillor Abi Brown, updated members on the headline activities undertaken by the Administration since the previous meeting which included a number of celebrations in parks and open spaces bringing together heritage and culture across the City with events such as the Armed Forces Day celebrations, Stoke-on-Trent Pride, Etruria Canal Festival and the new butterfly art installation at Trentham.  She spoke about work that her colleagues were doing to promote summer activities using the hashtag ‘MyStokeStory’ and work that continued on a number of key projects and initiatives linked to economy and regeneration, children’s services, public health and wellbeing.  She concluded by updating the Council on the recent LGA Annual Conference that she had attended.

(a)  Long Service Award

The Lord Mayor presented Councillor Sheila Pitt with a Long Service Award in recognition of her twelve years of service as an Elected Member and the City Council joined the Lord Mayor in congratulating her. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Pervez and Councillor Chetwynd each complimented Councillor Pitt on the fair and friendly manner in which she always undertook her role. They commented on the passion that she demonstrated for the communities that she represented and considered the award to be extremely well deserved.

(b)  UK Housing Award

The Lord Mayor commented on the Council’s recent achievement in being named ‘Council of the Year’ at the UK Housing Awards 2019. She presented Councillor Conteh with the Award and the Council joined her in congratulating all those that had been involved. 

Councillor Conteh confirmed that he was extremely proud to accept the Award on behalf of the Council and he expressed thanks to the officers involved.

(c)  Composition of Shadow Cabinet

The Lord Mayor advised the Council that she had agreed to bring forward the above business that she had been consulted on that day, in order to avoid unnecessary delay.

In accordance with Article 8.02 of the City Council’s Constitution, Councillor Pervez notified the City Council of the composition of the Shadow Cabinet as set out below:

Members declared interests, as indicated, in accordance with the provisions of the City Council’s Constitution on the issued listed below:

The City Council received details of two petitions received since the last ordinary full City Council meeting, in relation to the issues listed below:-

(a)  Petition requesting the communal grass in the Wendover Grove area, Berryhill, Bucknall to be cut more often.

(b)  Petition requesting the City Council to extend the proposed introduction of double yellow lines on both sides of Barlaston Old Road up to the junction of Burrington Drive.

On the motion of Councillor Kelsall, seconded by Councillor S. Bowers, it was:-

The City Council received details of three public questions submitted under Council Procedure Rule 8 and the respective responses provided by Cabinet Members, as set out below. 

Question 1: Submitted by Hayden Herbert-Jackson, Telford, addressed to the relevant Cabinet Member, Councillor Powell-Beckett - Cabinet Member for Housing.

“Fortior Homes Limited is listed in companies house as a private limited company and owns at least three properties within the current selective licensing designated areas.

These properties were acquired between August - December 2018.

As at 15th March 2019 the authorities public register shows no licences had been issued for any of these properties.

Another local authority who operates a similar private trading company has previously provided written confirmation that if selective licensing was introduced they would be required to apply for licences as in the same manner as an individual private landlord.

The Governments list of exemptions does not appear to give such companies any special privileges.

Please confirm if Fortior Homes have received written dispensation from the Government for the need to apply for licences and if not, what exemption do you suggest applies?”

Response provided by the Cabinet Member for Housing (Councillor Powell-Beckett):-

Fortior Homes Limited has applied for five licences and I can confirm that draft licences were issued on 13^th May and 20^th May following completion of all necessary paperwork and payment. The full licences have subsequently been issued after the statutory consultation period. The licenses were applied for by Fortior Homes on the following dates:

·         Property 1 –22/11/18  

·         Property 2 –22/11/18

·         Property 3 –12.02.19

·         Property 4 –12.02.19

·         Property 5 – 5.04.19

Question 2: Submitted by David Lovegrove Telford, addressed to the relevant Cabinet Member, Councillor, Conteh - Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City.

“In the authority’s proposals to extend selective licensing it intends to introduce 25 performance measures on a monthly/quarterly basis for the next 5 years.

Few of these measures have been documented on previous schemes yet no additional licensing costs are proposed to cover the considerable administration burden.

None of these 25 measures extend to recording the financial viability of these proposals and at the same time FOI requests by myself and other landlords seeking transparency over the running costs of the current schemes have been refused on the basis it would take you to long to find the information. It was acknowledged the pilot schemes in Tunstall lost the tax payer a minimum of £70,000 and we calculate the current schemes even more.

In these times of austerity should running costs not be your first performance measure and will you authorise the information sought to be released?”

Response provided by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City (Councillor Conteh):-

The performance measures which have been proposed for the 14 Selective Licensing Schemes formed part of the Cabinet Report and appendices. These performance measures were approved by Cabinet on 15^th January 2019. The financial monitoring of Schemes will form part of the   Management Account monitoring activities.

If you  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The City Council received details of a Member question submitted under Council Procedure Rule 9 and the response provided by the Leader of the Council, as set out below:

Question: Submitted by Councillor Blurton addressed to the Leader of the Council (Councillor Brown)

 “What is the council’s current usage of single use plastic and does the council have a plan in place to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, this use?” 

Response provided by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Brown)

Whilst there are general environmental stewardship requirements contained in procurement documentation these are not specific to single-use plastics. The City Council does not currently hold data on the specific usage and it has not to date adopted a policy position on the use of such items.

Supplementary question asked by Councillor Blurton

“One tonne of plastic is the equivalent to 120,000 carrier bags.  In the UK alone, we create 3million tonnes of plastic waste annually, 56% of which is all packaging.  Councillors may be aware that nearby councils, such as Gloucestershire County Council, have already pledged to be plastic free by 2020.  This includes cutting out single use plastics such as bottles, plastic cups, cutlery, drinking straws and things like the cartridges that go into your coffee machines. Whilst the elimination of plastic in its entirety is perhaps for another generation, it’s our duty to make a start today and pave the way for that generation.  I therefore ask the Leader whether she will pledge to work with and support me in reducing the city Council’s use of disposable plastic, sometimes called single use, with the ultimate objective of being single use free by 2023.”

In responding to the supplementary question, Councillor A. Brown thanked Councillor Blurton for using the facility to submit a member question and acknowledged her campaign around plastic free July in which she was using the hashtag  ‘whatcanido’,  She stated that as a city she thought there was an increasing focus on this issue and she cited some examples of some of the initiatives being undertaken which included the free re-fill facility in the City Centre and the Life Unwrapped stall at Longton Market. She thought it was really important for the Council to be seen to be providing leadership on the issue and confirmed that she was therefore more than happy to commit towards being a single use plastic free council by 2023.

Consideration was given to proposals to change the membership and delivery of the Corporate Parenting Panel with the aim of bringing together elected councillors and multi-agency partners to ensure that the best interests of all children in care in Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s care were given the highest priority.

The importance of the Corporate Parenting Panel agenda being led by a core group of Members was acknowledged, which would provide consistency and oversight of the quality of services being provided to children in care and care leavers and it was proposed that a Panel of 9 Members was appointed which should reflect the political make-up of the Authority.  The report set out additional representatives that would form part of the new Panel and suggested that it reviewed its Terms of Reference based on best practice to ensure that they were fit for purpose. The Council was advised that arrangements would be made for the Panel to meet a minimum of six times per year.  

A schedule will be circulated at the meeting.

A schedule of nominations to committees, panels and outside bodies was circulated at the meeting.

The City Council received the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report outlining the work of the four overview and scrutiny committees and the task and finish groups during the period May 2018 to April 2019.

In moving a motion to note the report, Councillor Pervez drew members’ attention to the four task and finish reviews that had been undertaken resulting in 46 recommendations for change.  He also commented on the statutory guidance on overview and scrutiny in local government which had been published by the Government in May 2019, and he outlined some of the key components which included the importance of a cultural commitment to scrutiny by the council. He urged colleagues to read the guidance if they had not done so.

Councillor Pervez noted that one of the areas for improvement going forwards was public engagement and he stated that each of the overview and scrutiny committees had now identified future work areas, some of which were highlighted.

Councillor Wanger seconded the motion to note the report and it was:

The City Council received the Audit Committee Annual Report reviewing activity during the 2018/19 municipal year which included an overview of the membership of the Committee and meetings during the year, as well as training and self-assessment work that had been undertaken in accordance with recognised good practice.

It was noted that the production of an annual report helped to support the annual governance statement and contribute to the council’s governance framework.

Consideration was given to proposals to increase the Capital Programme by £4.75m for the acquisition of vehicles and plant to replace the current fleet provided to the City Council’s Housing Maintenance Company, Unitas, The report submitted outlined proposals for the City Council to continue providing a fleet management and maintenance service to Unitas which had been considered by the Cabinet.  The Cabinet had approved the commencement of a procurement process for various vehicles and plant, subject to the City Council agreeing the change to the Capital Programme.

During the debate on this item, the financial and commercial considerations in relation to the proposals were discussed.

The City Council received a report of the Chairman of the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel.

Councillor Wazir asked how many new officers had been added to Staffordshire Police, given that 69 additional officers had been earmarked to be recruited for 2018/2019 and 2019/2020.  The City Council’s representative on the Police, Fire and Crime Panel confirmed that a response would be provided to Councillor Wazir and circulated to all elected members.

(a)  Local Youth Services Provision - Submitted by Councillor Ashworth and Councillor Watson)

Stoke-on-Trent City Council notes that:

·         The 2019/20 budget included £3.25 million investment in a central ‘youth hub’ in Hanley

·         One central youth hub would not meet the needs of young people in the city

·         Evidence shows that young people will not travel to a City Central location and would benefit more from localised community youth services

·         There are areas across Stoke-on-Trent with very little youth provision but considerable social need

·         Lack of suitable youth services has been strongly linked to increases in antisocial behaviour and reduced social mobility

This council resolves to:

·         Cancel plans to build an unsuitable central youth hub in Hanley

·         Re-allocate these funds for the provision of community youth services in Burslem, Tunstall, Longton, Fenton, Stoke and Hanley

·         Ensure a fair distribution of services between all six towns of Stoke-on-Trent based on the needs of the young people and their families.

(b)  The Climate Change Emergency (Submitted by Councillor Ashworth and Councillor Chetwynd

Introduction

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warn that we have 12 years to make the necessary changes to limit a rise in global temperatures to 1.5^oC. Failure to act will see a marked increase in sea levels and flooding, extreme and abrupt changes to weather patterns, crop failures, extinctions of plant, insect and animal species and global economic disruption and crisis. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that we have experienced locally highlight why this is such an important issue for Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

At the Global Climate Talks in Poland last December the UK, along with over 200 nations, agreed action on climate change with a much greater role strongly implied for Local and Regional Authorities like Stoke-on-Trent City Council in assisting Governments to achieve their carbon emission savings.

This Council therefore:

1.    Declares a Climate Emergency which involves taking actions in the clauses a to f.

2.    Notes that our current targets are inadequate to respond to the challenge of keeping global temperature rises below 1.5 ^oC. This Council requests that: 

(a)  the Cabinet set up a Stoke-on-Trent Climate Change Liaison Group immediately to respond to this challenge, that meets in public with wide representation including Councillors, residents, young citizens, both Universities and other relevant parties.

(b)   the Cabinet through this Group sets a new target for Stoke-on-Trent to be carbon neutral and develops an action plan by the end of 2019, to achieve this.

(c)   the relevant cabinet member with responsibility for climate change should take proactive steps to include young people and the public in the process.

(d)  resolves to work with other local authorities and public, private and voluntary sector partners on carbon reduction projects to ensure the UK can deliver its climate commitments.

(e)  requests a report from our pension funds and our investment managers on our levels of investment in the fossil fuel industry.

(f)    Council calls on the Government to provide the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 29.

(a)          Local Youth Services Provision

The following motion was moved by Councillor Simcock and seconded by Councillor Watson:-

That Stoke-on-Trent City Council notes that:

·         The 2019/20 budget included £3.25 million investment in a central ‘youth hub’ in Hanley

·         One central youth hub would not meet the needs of young people in the city

·         Evidence shows that young people will not travel to a City Central location and would benefit more from localised community youth services

·         There are areas across Stoke-on-Trent with very little youth provision but considerable social need

·         Lack of suitable youth services has been strongly linked to increases in antisocial behaviour and reduced social mobility

That this council resolves to:

·         Cancel plans to build an unsuitable central youth hub in Hanley

·         Re-allocate these funds for the provision of community youth services in Burslem, Tunstall, Longton, Fenton, Stoke and Hanley

·         Ensure a fair distribution of services between all six towns of Stoke-on-Trent based on the needs of the young people and their families.

On being put to the vote, following a detailed debate, the motion did not receive the majority support of the Council and was therefore defeated.

(b)          The Climate Change Emergency

The following motion was moved by Councillor Ashworth and seconded by Councillor Chetwynd:-

Introduction

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warn that we have 12 years to make the necessary changes to limit a rise in global temperatures to 1.5^oC. Failure to act will see a marked increase in sea levels and flooding, extreme and abrupt changes to weather patterns, crop failures, extinctions of plant, insect and animal species and global economic disruption and crisis. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that we have experienced locally highlight why this is such an important issue for Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

At the Global Climate Talks in Poland last December the UK, along with over 200 nations, agreed action on climate change with a much greater role strongly implied for Local and Regional Authorities like Stoke-on-Trent City Council in assisting Governments to achieve their carbon emission savings.

This Council therefore:

1.      Declares a Climate Emergency which involves taking actions in the clauses a to f.

2.    Notes that our current targets are inadequate to respond to the challenge of keeping global temperature rises below 1.5 ^oC. This Council requests that: 

(a)  the Cabinet set up a Stoke-on-Trent Climate Change Liaison Group immediately to respond to this challenge, that meets in public with wide representation including Councillors, residents, young citizens, both Universities and other relevant parties.

(b)  the Cabinet through this Group sets a new target for Stoke-on-Trent to be carbon neutral and develops an action plan by the end of 2019, to achieve this

(c)   the relevant cabinet member with responsibility for climate change should take proactive steps to include young people and the public in the process.

(d)  resolves to work with other local authorities and public, private and voluntary sector partners on carbon reduction projects to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

·         Minutes of the Audit Committee (14/3/19, 23/5/19 and 30/5/19)

·         Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board (28/3/19)

·         Minutes of the Human Resources Committee (23/5/19))

·         Minutes of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (23/5/19 and 28/5/19)

·         Minutes of the Planning Committee - Development Management (27/3/19, 18/4/19 and 23/5/19)

·         Minutes of the Standards Committee (23/5/19)

·         Minutes of the Adults and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee (7/3/19, 18/4/19 and 23/5/19)

·         Minutes of the Children’s and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee (4/4/19 and 23/5/19)

·         Minutes of the City Renewal Overview and Scrutiny Committee (14/3/19, 25/4/19 - 2 meetings, 23/5/19)

·         Minutes of the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee (28/2/19, 11/4/19 and 23/5/19)