Meeting Details

Meeting Summary
Council
5 May 2026 - 18:30 to 19:06
Occurred
Council Chamber
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Agenda

Meeting Details
Public Session
1 Election of Chairman of the Council

To elect the Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2026/27

(The new Chairman of the Council will be invested with the chain of office and, having taken the chair, will sign the declaration of acceptance of office)

 

01

Councillor Victor Kelly was proposed by Councillor David Williams and seconded by Councillor Bernard Williams and it was

RESOLVED: that Councillor Victor Kelly be elected Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2026/27.

2 Election of Vice-Chairman of the Council

To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2026/27

 


02

Councillor Martin Perry was proposed by Councillor Vince Merrick and was seconded by Councillor Mike Davies and it was

RESOLVED: that Councillor Martin Perry be elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2026/27.

3 pdf Minutes (59Kb)
To approve the minutes of the Council meeting of 24 February 2026. 
03
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Council meeting of 23 February 2026 be approved and signed by the Chairman. 
4 Apologies

To receive any apologies for non-attendance.
04
Apologies were received from Councillors H Adams, J Ashley, B Bond MBE, R Duncan, S Duncan, S Harper-Wallis, J Hill, D Holmes, R Nelson, R Reade, G Spruce and W Sutton.
5 Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest.
05
There were no declarations of interest.
6 Notification by the Leader of the Council of the Councillors Appointed to the Cabinet

 

The Leader of the Council will inform the Council of:-

(1) the Councillors she has appointed to the Cabinet for the Municipal Year 2026/27 and the Lead Responsibilities they will each hold

(2) the Member of the Cabinet she has appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council for the Municpal Year 2026/27

 

06

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Kath Perry MBE, announced her Cabinet as follows:

Community Services Councillor Mike Davies
Corporate Services Councillor Kath Perry MBE
Estates, Assets and Commercial Services Councillor David Williams
Planning and Enterprise Services Councillor Mark Evans
Regulatory Services Councillor Rita Heseltine
Welfare Services Councillor Meg Barrow

 

The Leader confirmed the Deputy Leader would be Councillor David Williams.

7 Annual Review of the Constitution
Report of the Monitoring Officer
07

It was proposed by Councillor Kath Perry MBE and seconded by Councillor David Williams and 

RESOLVED: that Members approve:

(a) the revised Constitution and it be adopted by Council and replace all previous versions of the Constitution.

8 Political Balance
Report of the Monitoring Officer
08

It was proposed by Councillor Kath Perry MBE and seconded by Councillor David Williams and 

RESOLVED: that Members approve the overall proportions for committees as set in paragraph 3.7 and the allocations set out in paragraph 3.8. 

9 Audit and Risk Committee

 

(a) To appoint 8 members to the Audit and Risk Committee

(b) To elect the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

(c) To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

 

09

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27

(a) an Audit and Risk Committee be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillor A Adams, C Evans, D Holmes, J Michell, M Perry, S Szalapski, W Fisher and S Dufty.

(b) Councillor J Michell be appointed Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee. 

(c) Councillor A Adams be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee. 

10 Licensing and Regulatory Committee

 

(a) To appoint 15 members to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee

(b) To elect the Chairman of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee

(c) To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee

 

10

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27

(a) a Licensing and Regulatory Committee be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillor A Adams, M Barrow, V Chapman, R Duncan, C Evans, R Heseltine, V Kelly, V Merrick, J Michell, B Williams, P Allen, R Nelson, S Harper-Wallis, G Burnett and J Brindle.

(b) Councillor V Merrick be appointed Chairman of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee.

(c) Councillor M Barrow be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee. 

11 Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

(a) To appoint the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(N.B. the Constitution specifies that:-

(i) the Overview and Scrutiny Committee shall comprise all members of the Council who are not members of the Cabinet

(ii) the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee may not also chair the Wellbeing Select Committee)

(b) To elect the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(c) To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

11

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27

(a) an Overview and Scrutiny Committee comprising all members of the Council who are not members of the Cabinet be appointed in accordance with the constitution of the Council.

(b) Councillor D Kinsey BEM be appointed Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(c) Councillor M Jackson be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

12 Asset Scrutiny Panel

 

(a) To elect 7 members to sit on the Asset Scrutiny Panel

(b) To elect the Chairman of the Asset Scrutiny Panel

(c) To elect the Vice- Chairman of the Asset Scrutiny Panel

 

12

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27

(a) an Asset Scrutiny Panel be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillors V Chapman, P Davis, S Duncan, M Perry, W Sutton, B Cope, Dr P Harrison MBE.

(b) Councillor P Davis be appointed Chairman of the Asset Scrutiny Panel.

(c) Councillor S Duncan be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Asset Scrutiny Panel. 

13 Wellbeing Select Committee

 

(a) To appoint a Wellbeing Select Committee comprising 12 members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (plus the County Council Lead Member for Health Scrutiny [as a full voting member of the Select Committee] in accordance with the agreement with Staffordshire County Council)

(i) The Wellbeing Select Committee is the Council's Crime and Disorder Committee for the purposes of the Crime and Disorder (Overview and Scrutiny) Regulations 2009

(ii) The Wellbeing Select Committee will discharge the Council's responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2001 and the National Health Service Act 2006 in accordance with the agreement between Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council (including scrutiny of proposals for and by health service organisations and the promotion of health and wellbeing activities in the district)

(iii) The Chairman of the Wellbeing Select Committee may not also chair the Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(b) To elect the Chairman of the Wellbeing Select Committee

(c) To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Wellbeing Select Committee

 

13

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27

(a) a Wellbeing Select Committee be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillors H Adams, V Chapman, S Duncan, C Evans, J Hill, D Holmes, W Sutton, S Szalapski, B Williams, R Nelson, Dr P Harrison MBE, J Ashley.

(b) Councillor H Adams be appointed Chairman of the Wellbeing Select Committee.

(c) Councillor S Szalapski be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Wellbeing Select Committee.

14 Planning Committee

 

(a) To appoint 18 members to the Planning Committee

(b) To elect the Chairman of the Planning Committee

(c) To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Plannign Committee

 

14

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27

(a) a Planning Committee be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillors H Adams, M Barrow, V Chapman, P Davis, R Duncan, C Evans, R Heseltine, J Hill, D Holmes, M Jackson, R Reade, W Sutton, B Cope, C Steel, S Harper-Wallis, G Spruce, G Burnett, J Ashley.

(b) Councillor B Cope be elected Chairman of the Planning Committee.

(c) Councillor R Duncan be elected Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee. 

15 Standards and Resources Committee

 

(a) To appoint 12 members to the Standards and Resources Committee

(N.B. (i) The Leader of the Council and the Chairman of the Council may not be members of the Standards and Resources Committee

(ii) No more than 1 member of the Cabinet may also be a member of the Standards and Resources Committee)

(b) To elect the Chairman of the Standards and Resources Committee

(c) To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Standards and Resources Committee

(d) To co-opt 6 Parish Councillors to the Standards and Resources Committee in a non-voting capacity

 

15

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27

(a) a Standards and Resources Committee be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillors B Bond MBE, P Davis, S Duncan, D Holmes, R Reade, S Szalapski, B Williams, V Wilson, P Allen, Dr P Harrison MBE, F Hopkins, J Brindle.

(b) Councillor D Holmes be appointed Chairman of the Standards and Resources Committee.

(c) Councillor P Davis be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Standards and Resources Committee.

(d) Parish Councillors M Davies, K Elder, L Emery, C Taylor, Dr R Taylor, R Tucker be appointed to the Standards and Resources Committee. 

16 Standards and Resources Sub-Committee - Hearings

 

(a) To appoint 6 members of the Standards and Resources Committee to the hearings Sub-Committee

(b) To co-opt 3 Parish Councillors to the Sub-Committee

 

16

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27

(a) a Standards and Resources Hearings Sub-Committee be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillors P Allen, B Bond MBE, S Duncan, D Holmes, F Hopkins, B Williams. 

(b) Parish Councillors C Taylor, R Taylor, R Tucker be appointed to the Standards and Resources Hearings Sub-Committee.

17 Standards and Resources Sub-Committee - Assessment

 

(a) To appoint 6 members of the Standards and Resources Committee to the Assessment Sub-Committee

(b) To co-opt 3 Parish Councillors to the Sub-Committee

 

17

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27

(a) a Standards and Resources Assessment Sub-Committee be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillors J Brindle, M Davies, Dr P Harrison MBE, R Reade, S Szalapski, V Wilson. 

(b) Parish Councillors M Davies, L Emery, K Elder be appointed to the Standards and Resources Assessment Sub-Committee.

18 Disciplinary and Grievance Appeals Committee

 

To appoint 7 members to the Disciplinary and Grievance Appeals Committee

(i) This Committee must include at least one member of the Cabinet

(ii) No member of this Committee may also be a member of the Investigatory and Disciplinary Committee

 

18
RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27 a Disciplinary and Grievance Appeals Committee be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillors R Heseltine, M Jackson, D Kinsey BEM, V Merrick, R Perry, C Steel, Dr P Harrison MBE.
19 Disciplinary and Grievance Committee

 

To appoint 7 members to the Disciplinary and Grievance Committee

(i) This Committee must include at least one member of the Cabinet

(ii) No member of this Committee may also be a member of the Disciplinary and Grievance Appeals Committee

 

19
RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27 a Disciplinary and Grievance Committee be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillors H Adams, J Michell, K Perry MBE, M Perry, D Williams, W Fisher, S Dufty. 
20 Personnel Committee
To elect 6 members to the Personnel Committee
20
RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27 a Personnel Committee be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising Councillors D Holmes, D Kinsey BEM, K Perry MBE, D Williams, B Cope, F Hopkins.
21 Appointment of Representatives to Serve on Outside Bodies

To make appintments to outside bodies as follows:-

 

(Note: All appointments to be made for the Municipal Year 2026/27 unless otherwise stated)

 

(1) STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL:-

 

(a) Corporate Parenting Panel

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(b) Health Select Committee

 

Nomination of 1 member and 1 substitute member

 

(N.B. This Committee comprises 8 County Councillors and 8 District/Borough Councillors. The District/Borough members are Chairmen of their Council's Health Scrutiny Committee/Panel. It is recommended that the member nominated also serves as Chairman of the Wellbeing Select Committee)

 

(c) Staffordshire Planning Forum

 

Nomination of 1 member and 1 substitute member

 

(2) Bilbrook Playing Fields Committee

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(3) 2078 Boscobel Squadron Air Training Corps

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(4) Campaign to Protect Rural England

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(5) Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Committee

 

Nomination of 1 member and 1 substitute member

 

(6) Codsall Village Hall and Playing Fields Committee

 

Nomination of 2 representatives

 

(7) Environmental Protection UK

 

Nomination of 2 members

 

(8) Forest of Mercia Members' Advisory Panel

 

Nomination of 2 members

 

(9) Four Ashes Energy Recovery Facility Local Liaison Committee

 

Nomination of 3 members

 

(10) Hilton Main Recreation and Social Welfare Fund Grant Panel

 

Nomination of 1 member (who must be a member for a ward formerly part of Cannock Chase Rural District Council)

 

(11) iESE

 

Nomination of 1 representative

 

(12) Leisure Centre Management Committees

 

(a) Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre

 

Nomination of 2 members

 

(b) Codsall Leisure Centre

 

Nomination of 2 members

 

(c) Wombourne Leisure Centre

 

Nomination of 2 members

 

(13) Local Government Association

 

(a) Association

 

Nomination of 2 members (Primary Representative and 2nd Representative)

 

(b) Local Councils' Network

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(14) Marsh Recreation Ground and Community Centre Trust

 

Nomination of 1 representative

 

(15) Midlands Joint Advisory Clean Air Council

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(16) Monckton Recreation Management Committee

 

Appointment of 1 member

 

(17) PATROL (Traffic Penalty Tribunal) Adjudication Joint Committee

 

Nomination of 1 member and 1 substitute member

 

(18) PFCC Strategic Community Safety Forum

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(19) Saredon Quarry Liaison Committee

 

Nomination of 1 representative

 

(20) Seisdon Quarry Liaison Committee

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(21) Shoal Hill Common Joint Committee

 

(N.B. The provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 re political balance apply to this Committee)

 

Nomination of 3 members (1 of whom must be the member for Hatherton)

 

(22) Sow and Penk Internal Drainage Management Board

 

Nomination for the appointment of 1 representative (by agreement with Stafford Borough Council)

 

(23) Staffordshire Destination Management Partnership Board (Enjoy Staffordshire)

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(24) Staffordshire Joint Police and Crime Panel

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(25) Staffordshire Leaders Board

 

Nomination of 1 representative

 

(26) Staffordshire Playing Fields Association

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

(27) Staffordshire Sustainability Board

 

Nomination of 1 representative

 

(28) Trysull and Seisdon Playing Fields Committee

 

Nomination of 1 representative

 

(To hold office from AGM of the Management Committee in October to the AGM in October the following year)

 

(29) West Midlands Employers

 

Nomination of 2 representatives

 

(30) Wolverhampton Business (Halfpenny Green) Airport Consultative Committee

 

Nomination of 2 representatives who must either be members or employees of the Council

 

(31) Wombourne and District Community Association

 

Nomination of 1 member

 

21

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27 the following appointments be made to Outside Bodies;

(1) STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL:-

(a) Corporate Parenting Panel

Councillor Wendy Sutton

(b) Health Select Committee

Chairman of Wellbeing Select Committee Councillor Helen Adams

(Substitute – Councillor Sue Szalapski)

(c) Staffordshire Planning Forum

Cabinet Member for Planning and Enterprise Services Councillor Mark Evans (Substitute - Councillor Kath Perry MBE)

(2) Bilbrook Playing Fields Committee

Councillor Gary Burnett

(3) 2078 Boscobel Squadron Air Training Corps

Councillor Rob Duncan

(4) Campaign to Protect Rural England

 Cabinet Member for Community Services - Councillor Mike Davies

(5) Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Committee

Cabinet Member for Planning and Enterprise Services - Councillor Mark Evans (Substitute - Councillor Mike Davies)

(6) Codsall Village Hall and Playing Fields Committee

 Councillors Meg Barrow and Val Chapman

(7) Environmental Protection UK

Cabinet Member for Community Services - Councillor Mike Davies and Councillor Matthew Jackson

(8) Forest of Mercia Members' Advisory Panel

Councillors Bob Cope and David Williams

(9) Four Ashes Energy Recovery Facility Local Liaison Committee

Cabinet Member for Community Services Councillor Mike Davies plus Councillors Bob Cope and Wendy Sutton

(10) Hilton Main Recreation and Social Welfare Fund Grant Panel

Councillor Bob Cope

(11) iESE

Councillor Kath Perry (MBE)

(12) Leisure Centre Management Committees

(a) Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre

Councillors Ray Perry and Bernard Williams

(b) Codsall Leisure Centre

Councillors Meg Barrow and Val Chapman

(c) Wombourne Leisure Centre

Councillors Dan Kinsey BEM and Victoria Wilson

(13) Local Government Association

(a) Association

Primary Representative – Leader of the Council

Second Representative – Deputy Leader of the Council

(b) Local Councils' Network (formerly District Councils' Network)

Leader of the Council

(14) Marsh Recreation Ground and Community Centre Trust

Councillor Greg Spruce

(15) Midlands Joint Advisory Clean Air Council

Cabinet Member for Estates, Assets and Commercial Services Councillor David Williams

(16) Monckton Recreation Management Committee

Councillor Andy Adams

(17) PATROL (Traffic Penalty Tribunal) Adjudication Joint Committee

Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services Councillor Rita Heseltine (Substitute - Cabinet Member for Community Services Councillor Mike Davies)

(18) PFCC Strategic Community Safety Forum

Councillor Vince Merrick

(19) Saredon Quarry Liaison Committee

Councillor Bob Cope

(20) Seisdon Quarry Liaison Committee

Councillor Victoria Wilson

(21) Shoal Hill Common Joint Committee

Councillors Helen Adams, Bob Cope and David Williams

(22) Sow and Penk Internal Drainage Management Board

Councillor Victor Kelly (by agreement with Stafford Borough Council)

(23) Staffordshire Destination Management Partnership Board (Enjoy Staffordshire)

Cabinet Member for Planning and Enterprise Services Councillor Mark Evans

(24) Staffordshire Joint Police and Crime Panel

Leader of the Council (Substitute Councillor Vince Merrick)

(25) Staffordshire Leaders Board

Leader of the Council

(26) Staffordshire Playing Fields Association

Councillor Mike Davies

(27) Staffordshire Sustainability Board

Cabinet Member for Community Services Councillor Mike Davies

(28) Tryshull and Seisdon Playing Fields Committee

Councillor Victoria Wilson

(To hold office from AGM of the Management Committee in October 2026 to the AGM in October 2027)

(29) West Midlands Employers

Confirmation of appointment of the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council

(30) Wolverhampton Business (Halfpenny Green) Airport Consultative Committee

Councillor Victoria Wilson (vacant seat pending Himley and Swindon by-election)

(31) Wombourne and District Community Association

Councillor Dan Kinsey BEM

22 Independent Members' Remuneration Panel

 

To appoint an independent remuneration panel comprising of up to 5 members to consider:

(a) the Members' Allowances Scheme

(b) Parish Councillors' remuneration arrangements

 

22

RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27 an Independent Members' Remuneration Panel be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the Council comprising;

Mr R Garbett Retired Businessman

Mr A McLaughlin Local Businessman

Mr J Giffard Former Chief Constable of Staffordshire

23 Appointment of Independent Person and Associate Independent Person

 

To appoint the following Independent Person for the forthcoming Municpal Year:

Torquil Goodwin

To appoint the following Associate Independent Person for the forthcoming Municpal Year:

William Stevenson

 

23
RESOLVED: that Mr Torquil Goodwin be appointed as the Independent Person for the Municipal Year 2026/27 and Mr William Stevenson be appointed as Associate Independent Person for the Municipal Year 2026/27.
24 Appointment of Independent Members of Complaints Panel

 

To appoint the following Independent Members to the Council's Complaints Panel for the forthcoming Municipal Year:

Nicola Davies, Stephen Cork and Adrian Hamlyn

 

24
RESOLVED: that for the Municipal Year 2026/27 S Cork, N Davies and A Hamlyn be appointed as Independent Members to the Council's Complaints Panel. 
25 Calendar of Meetings 2026-2027
To approve the Calendar of Meetings 2026 - 2027
25
It was proposed by Councillor Kath Perry MBE and seconded by Councillor David Williams and RESOLVED: that the calendar of meetings be approved. 
26 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.
26
There were no questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 11.4. 
27 Allocation of Reserves
Report of the Finance Director
27

It was proposed by Councillor Kath Perry and seconded by Councillor David Williams and

RESOLVED: that Members approve:

(a) that the following reserves are actioned:

£1.950m from the Business Rates Reserve to the LGR Reserve

£1.500m from the Business Rates Reserve to the Community and Business Investment Fund Reserve

(b) that the Temporary Accommodation reserve is redesignated as the Homelessness Prevention Reserve (to include temporary accommodation provision and welfare support).

28 Chairman's Announcements

To receive any announcements which the Chairman wishes to bring to the attention of the members.
28
The Chairman of the Council, Councillor Victor Kelly, announced that his chosen charity is Compton Care. The Chairman's Civic Sunday will take place on 5th July. The Chairman hopes to organise a charity football match, a sky dive and a bingo evening to raise funds for his chosen charity. 

Additional Meeting Documents

Declarations of Interests

Member NameItem Ref.DetailsNature of DeclarationAction
No declarations of interest have been entered for this meeting.

Visitors

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