Agenda and draft minutes

The meeting of the Council will be called to order to receive Her Worship The Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The meeting of the Council was called to order to receive the Deputy Mayor.

To receive apologies for absence from Members to determine the quorum of the meeting in accordance with Rule 7 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

An apology for absence was received from the Mayor, Councillor J K Chohan.

A further apology for absence was also received from Councillors H E Darling, J K Ford, G G Hunt and R E R Morris.

It was moved by the Deputy Mayor, seconded by the Leader of the Council, and

BY GENERAL AFFIRMATION:

Councillor R H Adams be appointed as an Assistant to the Deputy Mayor (in the Chair) for the duration of this meeting only.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

The Leader of the Council declared a pecuniary interest with regard to item 12 of the agenda, insofar as she had a beneficial interest in the subject property to which the proposed Planning Revocation Order related and therefore confirmed she would leave the Civic Suite during consideration of the same.

To read, confirm and approve the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 19 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 July 2025 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

There was no Action List arising from the previous meeting.

There was no Action List arising from the previous meeting.

To consider any Motions on Notice in accordance with Rule 14 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

Proposed by Councillor Michael H Charlesworth

The Council gave consideration to the Motion on Notice (as set out at page 8 of the agenda reports pack) slurry spreading on fields. 

It was moved by Councillor M H Charlesworth, seconded by Councillor N V Joshi, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The motion be approved.

To receive any Petitions, Deputations and, or, to answer any Questions by Members or the Public in accordance with Rule(s) 11, 12, 13 and 10 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Petitions Procedure Rules respectively.

Question by Councillor Michael H Charlesworth

The Head of Built Environment, on behalf of the Leader of the Council, provided the response (as set out on page 10 of the agenda reports pack) to the Question on Notice (as set out on page 9 of the agenda reports pack) as posed by Councillor M H Charlesworth in relation to land at Ellis Farm, Kilby Bridge.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor in accordance with Rule 2 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The list of Official Engagements attended by The Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor be noted.

To receive any statement from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Article 2.9.2(ii) of Part 2 of the Constitution.

The Leader of the Council presented a statement outlining her recent work and meetings she has attended, the administration’s plans and an overview of recent decisions taken since the previous meeting of the Council, together with fielding questions in relation to her statement. This included an update as to the position on Local Government Re-organisation, and her wider observations and concerns regarding recent anti-migration activity.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer / Section 151 Officer

The Council gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 13 – 16 of the agenda reports pack which provided information on the approach for setting the 2026/27 budget and updated Members on the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP)

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor I K Ridley and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The Budget Approach for 2026/27 be agreed; and

(ii)     The updated MTFP budget gaps be noted.

Report of the Legal & Democratic Services Manager / Monitoring Officer (Solicitor)

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 17 – 21 of the agenda reports pack) and the addendum (as set out at pages 3 – 11 of the agenda update) which asked Members to consider the most up to date position regarding the review of political proportionality and the implications upon membership of Council bodies.

It was moved by the Deputy Leader of the Council, and seconded by the Leader of the Council and

RESOLVED THAT:

The report and addendum be deferred for consideration at the next meeting of the Full Council on 28 October 2025 following discussion of the same at the Constitutional Working Group on 24 September 2025.

Votes For                   17

Votes Against           3         

Abstentions              1

Report of the Legal & Democratic Services Manager / Monitoring Officer (Solicitor)

Having declared a pecuniary interest, the Leader of the Council left the Civic Suite and took no part in the debate on the item of business and voting thereon.

The Council gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 22 - 25 of the agenda reports pack) which asked Members to approve a Planning Revocation Order to revoke planning permission 25/00204/FUL.

It was moved by the Leader of the Opposition, seconded by Councillor C S Gore and

DEFEATED THAT:

To ensure openness and transparency, the Council requests its external auditors or any other relevant independent body to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding this event, recognising that this represents a serious breach of planning procedure, with findings to be published in a public report.

Votes For                   3

Votes Against           17

Abstentions              0

A recorded vote on the above amendment was requested however failed to secure the agreement of half the Members present.

It was moved by the Deputy Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor D A Gamble and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The making of a Revocation Order under section 97 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to revoke planning permission 25/00204/FUL be approved;

(ii)     Officers be authorised to complete all associated statutory publicity, notification and procedural requirements in relation to the making of Revocation Order; and

(iii)    the Revocation Order be confirmed (and the permission revoked) if no objections are received by the Secretary of State from any interested person(s) following the expiration of the relevant notice period.