Public Session
1
Priority Business (if any)
To dispose of any business required by statute or by the Council's Procedure Rules to be brought before the Council before any other business.
68
There was no priority business.
To approve the minutes of the meeting of Council of 10 December 2024.
69
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Council meeting of 10 December 2024 be approved and signed by the Chairman.
3
Apologies
To receive any apologies for non-attendance.
70
Apologies were given by Councillors A Adams, R Lees BEM, V Merrick, J Michell, C Steel, K Williams and V Wilson.
4
Declarations of Interest
To receive any declarations of interest.
71
Declarations of interest were submitted by Councillors P Allen, P Davis, C Evans, H Adams, S Harper-Wallis, V Kelly, R Heseltine for Agenda Item 8, Member Allowances due to their membership of Perton and Penkridge Parish Councils.
5
Questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 11.4
Note: A Councillor may ask the Chairman of the Council, a member of the Cabinet or the Chairman of any Committee, Sub-Committee or Panel a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the District of South Staffordshire provided that:-
(a) they have given at least seven working days' notice in writing of the question to the Chief Executive; or
(b) the question relates to urgent matters, they have the consent of the Cabinet Member to whom the question is to be put, and the content of the question is given to the Chief Executive by 11.00 a.m. on the day of the meeting. Every question shall be put and answered without discussion but the person to whom the question has been put may decline to answer.
72
There were no questions.
Report of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Kath Perry MBE
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RESOLVED: that Members note the Leader's Report.
Report of the Committee Chairmen
74
RESOLVED: that Members note the Committee Updates.
Report of Independent Remuneration Panel - to be presented by the Chairman of Standards and Resources Committee on behalf of the Panel
75
RESOLVED: that Members:
1) approve the recommendation of the Remuneration Panel for the Chairman/Vice-Chairman allowances and approves the 2025/26 allowances:
a) That the Chairman receives 50% of the allowance at the start of their year in office (May), the other 50% is held in a budget to be drawn from after 6 months when required.
b) That the Vice-Chairman’s allowance is kept in a budget (not paid in advance), together with the Chairman’s 50% and drawn from as and when needed. The remaining balance (if any) of the budget at the end of the year, will be released back to Council savings.
2) Note the recommendation to Parish Councils that there be no change to the member allowance scheme but recommendation to be made to Parish Councils that schemes are formally reviewed and advertised on an annual basis.
Report of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Kath Perry MBE
76
In accordance with legal requirements, a named vote was undertaken with all members present voting for the Recommendations with the exception of Councillors Dufty, Harper-Wallis, Harrison and Spruce who abstained.
RESOLVED: that Members:
A) Approve this report together with the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (Appendix 1), revenue estimates and capital programme for the 2025/26 budget.
B) Note the Section 25 Statement (Appendix 2), updated MTFS position and the revised revenue estimates for 2024/25 and 2025/26.
C) Pass a resolution in the form attached at Appendix 3.
D) and that The Leader of the Council be authorised to make any necessary amendments to include any late information or to correct any errors or omissions.
Report of Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) and Finance Manager (Deputy Section 151 Officer)
77
RESOLVED: that Members note and approve the indicators, limits and policies detailed below, in accordance with the Treasury Management Strategy.
1) The Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2025/26 - 2029/30 contained within Appendix A of the report.
2) The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement contained within Appendix A (paragraph 2.3) which sets out the Council’s policy on MRP.
3) The Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 - 2029/30 contained within Appendix A.
4) The Authorised Limit Prudential Indicator contained within Appendix A (para 3.2).
5) The Investment Strategy 2025/26 contained in the Treasury Management Strategy (Appendix A), and the detailed criteria (included in Appendix B).
Report of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Kath Perry MBE
78
RESOLVED: that Members approve that the Capital Strategy appended to this report is approved to supersede the interim Capital Strategy approved in February 2024 as intended at that time.
Report of the Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Mike Davies
79
RESOLVED: that Members approve that the Council’s Constitution be updated to incorporate the wording set out in Appendix 1.
13
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements which the Chairman wishes to bring to the attention of the members.
Note: Members, officers, and the public are requested to stand at the conclusion of the meeting whilst the Chairman and Vice-Chairman leave the Council Chamber.
80
The Chairman of the Council, Councillor Dan Kinsey BEM, firstly notified Members of the recent passing of the Mayor of Newcastly-under-Lyme Borough Council, Councillor Barry Panter. The Chairman and his Consort had recently attend a number of events including a Charity Ball at Alton Towers Resort. The Chairman alongside other Members attended the opening of the new Lidl store in Wombourne. The Chairman is hosting a charity 70s v 80s event on 28 February in Wombourne and encouraged all to attend alongside the Civic Dinner which is being held on 28 March.