Agenda and minutes

The members had before them:

A.         The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

B.         Eight questions submitted to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services (previously circulated); and

C.        The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 September 2014 (previously circulated).

To receive apologies and invite any Councillor to declare any interest in any of the items on this Agenda.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr S C Cross and Mr J W Parish.

Four declarations of other interests disclosable were made:

Mrs L R Duffy - Agenda item 6 - Chairman of the Fire Authority Audit and Standards Committee.

Mr P Grove - Agenda item 5 - in receipt of police pension.

Mr A C Roberts - Agenda item 9 - Notice of Motion 2 - Trustee of St. Richard's Charity.

Mr C B Taylor - Agenda item 9 - Notice of Motion 2 - Owner of a small business.

To allow a member of the public to present a petition or ask a question relating to the functions of the Council, or to make a comment on any matter on the agenda.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Head of Legal and Democratic Services  in writing or by e-mail indicating both the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case Wednesday,12 November 2014). Further details are available on the Council’s website. Enquiries can also be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed below.

There was no public participation at this meeting.

To approve as a correct record and authorise the signing of the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2014 (previously circulated electronically).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements to be made by the Chairman.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Baker back to the Council after a recent illness.  The Chairman referred members to the printed announcements.

An opportunity for Councillors to ask questions of the Police and Crime Commissioner about his Police and Crime Plan 2013 – 2017.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Mark Yates, the Chief Fire Officer, to the meeting.  The Chairman of the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority, Mr D W Prodger, presented his report to the Council and he and Mr Yates answered questions asked by members of the Council.

To consider the annual report of the Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Authority (red pages) and to receive any answers to any questions asked about this report. It is planned that the Chief Fire Officer will attend this meeting to answer any questions on operational matters.

The Council had before it a report on two amendments to the Capital Programme.  The first was a scheme to improve the public realm in Kidderminster town centre and the other referred to a financial exercise completed which updated the expenditure profile of the Capital Programme over the current and future financial years.  A revised Capital programme was attached to the report as an Appendix.  In the debate, the local member expressed his full support for the proposal in Kidderminster.

RESOLVED that:

(a)          the Capital Programme Cash Limits be updated to include the £1.5 million investment to improve the Public Realm in Kidderminster town centre; and

(b)          the Capital Programme and cash limits as set out in the Appendix attached to the report be approved.

To consider the reports of the Cabinet and to receive answers to any questions asked on those reports.  Matters which require a decision by Council are on yellow pages. Matters upon which decisions have been taken by the Cabinet are on white pages.

The Leader of the Council reported the following topics and answered questions in relation to a number of them:

·         Worcestershire Next Generation

·         Delivering the Corporate Plan - FutureFit Update

·         Worcestershire Parkway Regional Interchange

·         Commissioning of IBS Schools Service

·         Fair Funding Consultation Outcomes 2015-16 National and Local Changes to the Funding Arrangements for Schools - Revisions to the new Local Funding Formula for Worcestershire Mainstream Schools

·         Worcestershire Safeguarding Children's Board Annual Report 2013/14

·         A440 Southern Link Road Dualling Phase 3

·         Transfer of Kingsford Forest Park to the National Trust

·         Scrutiny Report - Reducing Crime Against People at Risk

·         Commissioning of ICT Infrastructure (Managed Services)

·         Resources Report

-   Revenue Budget Monitoring 2014/15 Outturn Forecast as at 31 August 2014    

-   FutureFit Programme Update

-   Capital Programme Budget 2014/15 Actual Expenditure as at 31 August 2014

-   Digital Strategy

-   Welfare Reform Act - Replacement of Social Fund

To receive the report of the Chief Executive and any answers to questions on it (cream pages).

The Chairman introduced and welcomed to the meeting Mr Bill Longmore and his Deputy Mr Barrie Sheldon.  Mr Longmore gave a brief presentation on his work as Police and Crime Commissioner since his election in November 2012 and then answered a wide range of questions posed by members.

The Chairman thanked Mr Longmore and Mr Sheldon for their attendance.

To receive the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services on any Notices of Motion received by him (lilac pages).  Councillors are asked to note that any Notices of Motion must be receivedby the Head of Legal and Democratic Services no later than noon on Thursday, 6 November 2014.

The Chief Executive presented her report to Council which covered various topics including:

·         Worcestershire Resident Priorities

·         New Ways of Working

·         Delivering the Corporate Plan; FutureFit

-      Open for Business

-      Health and Wellbeing

-      Children and Families

-      Environment

-      Delivering Within our Means

-      Looking Ahead

The Chief Executive then answered a broad range of questions from members.

The Chairman thanked the Chief Executive for her report.

To give the Council an opportunity to debate the long-term strategic document  setting out a vision for the future of Worcestershire (blue pages).

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of: Mrs E A Eyre, Mr A I Hardman, Mr J P Campion and Mr S E Geraghty as set out in the agenda papers.

The Motion was moved by Mr A I Hardman and seconded by Mrs E A Eyre who both spoke in favour of it.

The Council agreed to consider and deal with the Motion on the day.

It was then moved by Mrs P Agar and seconded by Mr P Denham as an amendment that the final paragraph be replaced with:

"The Council urges the government to take the opportunity now for a radical English Devolution settlement devolving power to councils in England and to create new Passenger Transport Authorities with responsibility for regulating all public transport including fare structures, under democratic local control in each council area."

The amendment was debated during which the following principal points were made:

·         the amendment was complementary to the original motion and would ensure growth in the local economy.  Other members stated that the amendment was unnecessary as the original motion had the necessary flexibility and breadth

·         the amendment would be a boost for local people, it would safeguard the environment, cut pollution and set the scene for growth

·         that central planning of public transport would allow the Council to have greater influence on routes and services and enable an integrated transport system to be created.  Other members suggested that the county lacked the scale of transport infrastructure which allowed the city region examples quoted to operate successfully

·         the amendment would safeguard public transport for the future and assist the people of the county.

On being put to the meeting this amendment was lost.

·         the motion would guarantee influence for county councils and mirror the demands made by cities and regions

·         it would place power closer to the communities and redress the trend of power being centralised close to the seat of national government

·         it would be a practical example of localism and would ensure powers were reclaimed

·         the motion captured a new mood for devolution and should be welcomed.

The Council then debated the original Motion.

On being put to the meeting the Motion "This Council notes the statement made by the Prime Minister following the 'No' vote in the Scottish Referendum and in particular welcomes the formation of a Cabinet Sub-Committee to examine English constitutional change and the continuing commitment that "power can and must be devolved more locally".

This Council commends the 'One Place, One Budget' initiative taken by the County Council's Network and chaired by the Leader of Surrey County Council, which creates an ambitious vision for public services to be more closely controlled by local people.  This envisages a new devolution settlement between Whitehall and the counties to move decisions about how all local services are delivered closer to the people affected by those decisions.  This would deliver better public services, reverse decades of centralisation and revitalise UK democracy.

This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1618.

To receive answers to any questions asked by Councillors (orange pages). 

(Members are reminded of the timescale adopted by Council for notice of questions. A Councillor may only ask a question if:

·         it is delivered in writing to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services by noon on Monday 10 November 2014, or

·         if it relates to urgent business, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services is notified at least half an hour before the start of the meeting).

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mr P M McDonald, Mr A Fry, Ms P Agar, Mr L C R Mallett, Ms P A Hill, Mr G J Vickery and Mr P Denham:

"We believe that retail is a key industry which employs many local residents.  Council calls upon the OSPB to establish a Task and Finish Group working with District Councils and other agencies to encourage inward retail investment into the county, and it will investigate ways to provide help and support to Worcestershire retailers and small business owners located in our high streets and shopping centres."

The Motion was moved by Mr P M McDonald and seconded by Mr L C R Mallett who both spoke in favour of it.

The Council agreed to consider and deal with the Motion on the day.

A debate ensued during which the principal points were made by Members speaking in favour of the motion:

·         it would help address some of the pressures faced by small businesses and would help revitalise high streets

·         it should be a main strand of local economic development

·         not only about shops on local streets it was also about creating the right environment for small business possibly including assistance with website development

·         it would indicate a joined-up approach and send a clear signal that Worcestershire was "Open for Business".

Members also spoke against the motion and made the following principal points:

·         it was the wrong mechanism to use

·         this could have been added to the OSPB Work Programme in a less formal way

·         that this was more a matter for district councils to consider.

On a named vote the Motion was lost.

Those voting in favour were:

Ms P Agar, Mrs S Askin, Mr J Baker, Mr C J Bloore, Mr P Denham, Mr A Fry, Ms P A Hill, Mr R C Lunn, Mr L C R Mallett, Mr P M McDonald, Mrs F M Oborski, Mrs E B Tucker, Mr R M Udall and Mr G J Vickery (14).

Those voting against were:

Mrs P E Davey, Mr R C Adams, Mr R W Banks, Mr M Bayliss, Mr A N Blagg, Mrs S L Blagg, Mr M H Broomfield, Mr J P Campion, Mr S J M Clee, Mr N Desmond, Mrs L R Duffy, Mrs E A Eyre, Mr S E Geraghty, Mr W P Gretton, Mrs J M L A Griffiths, Mr A I Hardman, Mrs A T Hingley, Mrs L C Hodgson, Mr C G Holt, Mr I Hopwood, Mr A P Miller, Dr K A Pollock, Mr D W Prodger, Mr A C Roberts, Mr J H Smith, Mr R J Sutton, Mr C B Taylor, Mr P A Tuthill, and Mr G C Yarranton (29).

Mr P J Bridle and Mr J W R Thomas abstained (2).

To consider the report of the Planning and Regulatory Committee (white pages - attached) which summarises the decisions taken at the meetings held on 23 September and 4 November 2014.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mr P M McDonald, Mr A Fry, Ms P Agar, Mr R M Udall, Ms P A Hill, Mr G J Vickery, Mr P Denham and Mr L C R Mallett:

"With the ever growing gap between employees within this Council we call upon the Cabinet Member responsible to consider inviting an independent body agreed by leaders of all political parties to undertake a review of salary structures within the County Council to ensure a fairer balance of remuneration among our employees."

The Motion was moved by Mr P M McDonald and seconded by Mr G J Vickery who both spoke in favour of it.

The Council agreed to consider and deal with the Motion on the day.

A debate ensued during which the following principal points were made:

·         there was a growing disparity in the wage scales and the motion was intended to address this

·         the County Council should aspire to pay the living wage and act as a beacon within the local economy

·         low paid workers needed to be protected following an extended wage freeze.

Other members suggested

·         the motion would not address the problem of low pay and departing from nationally agreed wage scales would not protect the Council's workforce

·         this was an ill thought out attack on Chief Officers' and Head of Service pay and was neither relevant or appropriate

·         the Council was a fair employer and would not condone this attempt to undermine the foundations of the current wage structure.

On a named vote the Motion was lost.

Those voting in favour:  Ms P Agar, Mr J Baker, Mr C J Bloore, Mr P Denham, Mr A Fry, Ms P A Hill, Mr R C Lunn, Mr L C R Mallett, Mr P M McDonald, Mr R M Udall and Mr G J Vickery (11).

Those voting against:  Mrs P E Davey, Mr R C Adams, Mrs S Askin, Mr R W Banks, Mr M L Bayliss, Mr A N Blagg, Mrs S L Blagg, Mr P J Bridle, Mr J P Campion, Mr S J M Clee, Mr N Desmond, Mrs L R Duffy, Mrs E A Eyre, Mr S E Geraghty, Mr W P Gretton, Mrs J M L A Griffiths, Mr A I Hardman, Mrs A T Hingley, Mrs L C Hodgson, Mr C G Holt, Mr I Hopwood, Mr A P Miller, Dr K A Pollock, Mr D W Prodger, Mr J H smith, Mr C B Taylor, Mr J W R Thomas, Mrs E B Tucker, Mr P A Tuthill and Mr G C Yarranton (30).

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mrs E B Tucker, Prof J Raine, Mr M E Jenkins, Mrs S Askin, Mrs F M Oborski and Mr T A L Wells as set out in the agenda papers.

The Motion was moved by Mrs E B Tucker and seconded by Mrs S Askin who both spoke in favour of it.  The motion was altered with the consent of the signatories present so that the word "workers" at the end of the first paragraph was replaced with "walkers".

The Council agreed to consider and deal with the Motion on the day.

With the agreement of the signatories of the Notice of Motion present at the meeting it was agreed to alter the Motion so that the word "increase" in the second paragraph was replaced with the word "review".

A debate ensued during which the following principal points were made:

·         footway maintenance had been allowed to fall victim to budget reductions and a serious backlog of work had developed

·         many faults fell below intervention level and this increased the backlog further

·         that if capital funding could be found to address this need that would be acceptable

·         increases to this budget head could only be found by reductions elsewhere and the Council would face some stark choices

An amendment to paragraph 2 so as to increase the total highways maintenance budget allocated to footways maintenance was moved and seconded.  On being put to the meeting this amendment was lost.

On a named vote the Motion as altered "This Council recognises the importance of the simple activity of walking and getting out of the house as part of a healthy lifestyle.  Safe footways are especially important for the elderly if they are to feel confident enough to walk to their local shops and services and continue to take part in their community.  We are concerned that the county's footways budget of only £800,000 in 2014/15 is totally inadequate to maintain our footways and that the inspection criteria are insufficiently rigorous to identify where the surface is unsafe for less able walkers.

We call on the Cabinet to increase the proportion of the total highways maintenance budget that is allocated to footway maintenance in 2015/16 and to consider a new capital project for footway improvements in the coming year to be spread across all councillors' divisions" was agreed.

Those voting in favour:  Mrs P E Davey, Mr R C Adams, Mrs S Askin, Mr R W Banks, Mr M L Bayliss, Mr A N Blagg, Mrs S L Blagg, Mr P J Bridle, Mr J P Campion, Mr N Desmond, Mrs L R Duffy, Mrs E A Eyre, Mr S E Geraghty, Mr W P Gretton, Mrs J M L A Griffiths, Mr A I Hardman, Mrs A T Hingley, Mr S L C Hodgson, Mr I Hopwood, Mr A P Miller, Dr K a Pollock, Mr D W  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1621.

Eight questions had been received by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and had been circulated before the meeting.  All the questions were asked (or taken as read).  All answers are enclosed with these Minutes.

In view of the time it was agreed to defer this debate to the next scheduled meeting of the Council.

The Council received the report of the Planning and Regulatory Committee containing a summary of decisions taken.