Agenda and minutes

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 A A J Adams, Mr M H Broomfield, Mrs J L M A Griffiths, Mr P Grove, Mr L C R Mallett and Prof. J W Raine.

Two declarations of Other Disclosable Interests were made by:

Mr C J Bloore - whose future Father-in-Law had a business involving bees (Agenda item 6 - Notice of Motion 2).

Dr K A Pollock - as a member of Tenbury Boxing Club (Agenda item 3).

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,8 July 2015). Further details are available on the Council’s website. Enquiries can also be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed below.

Two petitions were presented at the meeting and one person addressed the Council on Agenda Item 5(a)(i).

Mrs Rosemary Henderson presented a petition seeking the application of a 20 mph speed limit in Tennis Walk, Worcester and adjacent highways.

Ms Ruth Forecast spoke on Agenda item 5(a)(i) and outlined to members the proposals to welcome Syrian refugees to the Malvern area.

Mrs Kathleen L'Enfant presented a petition which sought a review of the roundabout and traffic calming measures on the A449 in Broadwaters, Kidderminster.

The Chairman thanked all those who had taken part in the public participation process.  The petitioners would receive responses from the appropriate person in due course.

To approve as a correct record and authorise the signing of the Minutes of the annual meeting held on 14 May 2015 (previously circulated electronically).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements to be made by the Chairman.

The Chairman referred to the printed Announcements which had been circulated to all members.  He particularly drew attention to the Charity Day being arranged on 2 October 2015.

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

The Council had before it a report from Cabinet in relation to a Notice of Motion referred there on 12 February 2015.

The report set out that the Council had referred the following Notice of Motion to Cabinet for advice:

The County Council wishes to play its part in the humanitarian relief programme for Syria by responding to the UK Government's call for local authorities to host small numbers of refugee families – doing so by asking the relevant Cabinet Members with Responsibility to consider providing their support and expertise to a Malvern Hills District Council-led initiative to host up to twelve such families.

We would ask Cabinet Members with Responsibility to consider committing to working collaboratively with Malvern Hills District Council and other local agencies, initially to develop a support framework and strategy as the basis of an application to the Home Office's Syrian Vulnerable Persons' Relocation Scheme (and, if successful, to participate in the implementation of the strategy by receiving, welcoming and supporting Syrian families through their process of resettlement)."

The Leader of the Council confirmed that the Cabinet had considered a report on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme which listed the implications for the Council of putting forward an application to the Home Office's Syrian Vulnerable Persons' Relocation Scheme.

The Cabinet had also considered a suggestion by the original mover of the Notice of Motion (Prof. J W Raine) that the Cabinet should agree to seek information from other host authorities, contact the Government to seek reassurance, and write to MPs to seek support. 

The Cabinet believed that to prevent disadvantage to existing residents who needed to remain the first priority, the current financial climate signing up to an unquantifiable financial risk that could have long-term implications which could not be justified.

The Cabinet had therefore recommended that the Notice of Motion was not supported at this stage due to the financial implications, unquantifiable risks and that there was no guarantee of funding from Government beyond the first year, as detailed in the report.

The Cabinet had also agreed that the scheme continued to be monitored and the situation reviewed should the funding arrangements from the Home Office change and any decision to progress the scheme be delegated to the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Transformation and Commissioning.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Transformation and Commissioning also explained why the Cabinet had recommended the course of action it had.

The signatories of the Motion present at the meeting confirmed that they wished it to be dealt with as originally printed and was accordingly moved by Mrs F M Oborski and seconded by Mrs S Askin.

It was then moved by Mr P M McDonald that the words "and we call on the Government to fund refugees fully throughout their residency" be added to the Motion.  With the agreement of the signatories of the Motion present the Motion was so altered to become the substantive motion before Council.

A debate ensued during which the following principal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1680.

The Cabinet had considered a report on resources for Post-16 Supported Living Accommodation.  The report set out proposals to include a sum of £1million in the Capital Programme.  The aim of the proposals was to offer a significantly better service at reduced cost, compared with some of the external provision, by having direct access to the Council's own property. 

The Cabinet had recommended that Council approved the addition of £1 million to the Capital Programme for the development of in-house Post-16 Supported Living Accommodation within Children's Services to be funded by revenue savings from the project.

RESOLVED that the addition of £1million to the Capital Programme for the development of in-house Post-16 Supported Living Accommodation funded as set out in paragraphs 9 – 11 of the report be approved.

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

·         FutureFit:  Commissioning of Learning and Achievement

·         Update on Commissioning of Adult Social Care Services

·         Resources Report (21 May 2015)

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 received by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services no later than noon on Thursday, 2 July 2015.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mr P Denham, Mrs P Agar, Mr P M McDonald and Mr R M Udall.

The Notice of Motion was moved by Mr P Denham and seconded by Mrs P Agar who both spoke in favour of it as providing a potential improvement for the short and medium-term.

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

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways acknowledged that he would be happy to look into the matter and report to Cabinet in accordance with the Motion.

On being put to the meeting the Motion was carried.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mr A N Blagg, Mr A I Hardman and Mrs E A Eyre.

The Notice of Motion was moved by Mr A N Blagg and seconded by Mrs E A Eyre who both spoke in favour of it.  In response to a query it was explained that the Motion did not affect planning policy.

The Motion being in relation to the exercise of an executive function then stood referred to Cabinet for a decision.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mrs E B Tucker, Mr T A L Wells, Mrs F M Oborski, Professor J W Raine and Mrs S Askin.

The Notice of Motion was moved by Mrs F M Oborski and seconded by Mrs E B Tucker who both spoke in favour of it.

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

A debate ensued during which the following principal points were made in favour of the Motion:

·         the need to encourage community-led initiatives to tackle obesity issues, rather than seeking to impose top-down solutions.

·         that the role of local authorities as planning authorities, guardians of public health and advisors to schools should be focussed on creating an environment in which healthy eating, exercise and a healthy lifestyle became paramount.

·         schools were doing much good work already and could enhance this to become the bedrock of healthy eating for the next generation.

·         curriculum changes, the removal of school kitchens and a change to the contents of school vending machines had created an environment for unhealthy eating and a new balance had to be established.

·         that the Council was in a position to take a wide-ranging strategic approach and could also tackle issues such as safer routes to school, encouraging walking and cycling as well as guidance to schools and in this way play a pivotal role.

Members also spoke against the Motion citing:

·         the role of scrutiny in gathering evidence and disseminating good practice.

·         that schools were often bombarded with information and advice and what was needed was signposting to existing relevant information.  There was also a responsibility for parents to ensure their children ate healthily.  Much was already being done and achieved and as such the Motion was superfluous.

·         that resentment had built up against a 'Big Brother' approach to what many considered personal lifestyle choices.  Schools were already in receipt of often large quantities of relevant information.  Society was aware of the healthy eating messages and how to act on that advice.

On being put to the meeting the Motion was lost.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mr P M McDonald, Mr G J Vickery, Mr R M Udall and Mr C J Bloore.

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

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

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

·         that any public money being spent in the county should be accounted for, especially at a time of unprecedented public sector austerity.

·         any system which meant that money could be spent by an unelected person who in turn was not responsible to the Council was out of step with the modern world.

·         that even the scrutiny process seemed unable to obtain the reassurance that every penny of public money was accounted for.

Other members spoke against the Motion saying that:

·         the system was open and transparent and this Motion was a thinly-veiled attack on the monarchy. 

·         the people of Worcestershire valued the role of the monarchy and the monarch's representative in the county.

·         the Lord Lieutenant was an excellent ambassador and did sterling work in the community and across the county and his involvement was well organised.

·         this was not the subject of public concern it was portrayed to be.

It was moved by Mr J H Smith and seconded by Mrs L C Hodgson under PSO 19.12.1(ii) 'that the question now be put'.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that this closure motion could only be put if the Chairman considered that the matter had been sufficiently discussed.  The Chairman so indicated and after the mover's Right to Reply and on being put to the meeting Council RESOLVED 'that the question now be put'.

On a named vote the Motion was lost. 

Those voting in favour:

Mrs P Agar, Mr J Baker, Mr C J Bloore, Mr P Denham, Mr A Fry, Ms P A Hill, Mr R C Lunn, Mr P M McDonald, Mr R M Udall and Mr G J Vickery (10).

Those voting against:  Mr I Hopwood, Mr R C Adams, Mr A T Amos, 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 S C Cross, Mrs P E Davey, Mr N Desmond, Mrs L R Duffy, Mrs E A Eyre, Mr S E Geraghty, Mr W P Gretton, Mr A I Hardman, Mr M J Hart, Mrs A T Hingley, Mrs L C Hodgson, Mr C G Holt, Mr A P Miller, Mrs F M Oborski, Dr K A Pollock, Mr D W Prodger, Mr A C Roberts, Mr J H Smith, Mr R J Sutton, Mr C B Taylor, Mrs E B Tucker, Mr P A Tuthill, Mr T A L Wells and Mr G C  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1686.

To receive the reports of (a) the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care (attached) and (b) the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Localism and Communities (to follow), on current issues and proposed developments within their areas of responsibility and to receive answers to any questions on them (green pages).

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care presented her report which covered a number of overarching issues:

·         Adult Social Care generally

·         Day Service Review

·         Supported Employment 

·         Working with Partners

·         Digital Access Website

·         Provider Markets

·         Carers

·         Safeguarding

·         Staffing

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility answered questions about the report which included:

·         market place resilience.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility commented on the problems of pay scales in other jobs and the attractive rates of pay which made it difficult to recruit to the residential care sector.  The Living Wage would clearly impact on this and the situation would be monitored closely.

·         what support was available for microbusinesses in the area of social care.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility outlined the help in kind and the limited opportunities for support with some set up costs.

·         CCGs and the main challenges to be faced in the next few years.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility acknowledged it would be a challenging time and covered a number of specific issues including changes in supply and demand, health integration and combined authorities.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility also referred to the Patient Flow Centre, patient triage and GP surgeries where there would be access to social work support.

·         the Ability House at the University of Worcester and what an excellent training resource it was.

·         the difficulties of retaining staff at the end of their training period.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility referred to this as a perennial problem but was being addressed by examining and enhancing remuneration packages.

·         deferred payments and the effects of these on Council budgets.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility explained how measures were being put in place to 'even out' some of the peaks and troughs of cash flow.

·         the Cabinet Member with Responsibility also commented on the early days of the Safeguarding Board and some of the work undertaken.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for her report.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Localism and Communities presented her report which covered a number of overarching issues:

·         Libraries

·         New Libraries

·         Adult Learning

·         The Joint Museum Service

·         Arts Service

·         Archives and Archaeology Service

·         Worcestershire Youth Music Service and the Music Education Hub

·         Corporate Information Management Unit (CIMU)

·         Registration and Coroner Service

·         Countryside Services

·         Gypsy and Traveller Service

·         Voluntary and Community Sector

·         Regulatory Services

·         The Hive

·         Act Local 

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility answered questions about the report which included:

·         an update on the facilities at Redditch Library and the new users at the building.

·         the current status of the mobile library service following remodelling.

·         an update on remodelling of services at Bromsgrove Library.

·         the possibility of reviewing the opening hours of the Archives and Archaeology Services.

·         instrumental music tuition.

·         retention and disposal of country parks.

·         animals grazing on verges.

·         the likely withdrawal from the Regulatory Services shared service and whether district councils could take on some of the regulatory and trading standards roles. 

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility undertook to:

·      give details of the Joint Committee's work via the Member Portal.

·      give details of the Regulatory Services work via the Member Portal.

·      give written responses regarding fees and Hive footfall.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for her report.

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 6 July 2015 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. )

Thirteen questions had been received by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and had been circulated before the meeting.  Twelve questions were asked.  All answers are enclosed with these Minutes.

To consider the reports of the Audit and Governance Committee (attached), the Pensions Committee (attached), the Planning and Regulatory Committee (attached) and the Standards and Ethics Committee (to follow - after the meeting which takes place on 1 July 2015) (all on white pages) which summarise the decisions taken by those bodies.

The Council received the report of the Audit and Governance Committee containing a summary of decisions taken.

The Council received the report of the Pensions Committee containing a summary of decisions taken.

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

The Council received the report of the Standards and Ethics Committee containing the summary of decisions taken.