Agenda and minutes

The members had before them

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

B.    6 questions submitted to the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance (previously circulated); and

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2021 (previously circulated).

To receive apologies and invite any councillor to declare any interest in any of the items on the agenda.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Kyle Daisley, Aled Evans, Luke Mallett, and Dan Morehead.

Cllr Tracey Onslow declared an interest as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner in relation to Agenda item 6 – Notice of Motion 2.

Cllr Beverley Nielsen declared an interest as a director of the newly formed company, Malvern Hills Arts and Community College Ltd in relation to Agenda item 7 – Question Time – Question 6.

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 Assistant Director for Legal and Governance in writing or by e-mail indicating both the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the Monday before the meeting (in this case 12 July 2021). Further details are available on the Council’s website. Enquiries can also be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed below.

Please note that due to Covid requirements places at the meeting are limited. All members of the public who wish to attend the meeting should register by e-mail with the officer below and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Cllr Lynn Denham presented a petition concerning the reinstatement of the school crossing patrol at Stanley Road Primary School on the corner of Stanley Road and Wylds Lane. Cllr Denham asked for the patrol to be reinstated as a matter of urgency due to the danger the busy area posed to school children crossing the road. Over 400 parents, children and teachers had signed the petition to reinstate the patrol.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Denham for the contribution and said she would receive a written response from the relevant cabinet member.

To approve as a correct record and authorise the signing of the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2021 (previously circulated electronically).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements to be made by the Chairman.

The Chairman informed Members of his attendance at Bewdley Town Council where he witnessed the new Mayor, Councillor Paul Harrison, take office.

The Chairman thanked the Vice Chairman, Councillor Chris Rodgers, for attending the Armed Forces Day ceremony in his place.

Finally, the Chairman informed Members of his recent visit to the Guildhall in Worcester for a remembrance service in respect of the events surrounding the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.

To consider the reports of the Cabinet and to receive answers to any questions asked on the report of Cabinet – Summary of decisions taken.

The Leader of the Council reported the following topics and questions were answered on them:

·         Children's Homes and Semi-Independent Accommodation

·         Blakedown Rail Station Car Park Extension

·         Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring - Financial Outturn for 2020/2021.

To receive the report of the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance on any Notices of Motion received by him.

Councillors are asked to note that any Notices of Motion must be received by the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance no later than noon on 6 July 2021.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Cllr Mel Allcott, Cllr Lynn Denham, Cllr Dan Boatright, Cllr Richard Udall, Cllr Luke Mallett, Cllr Jake Satterthwaite and Cllr Josh Robinson.

The motion was moved by Cllr Dan Boatright and seconded by Cllr Lynn Denham who spoke in favour of it, and Council agreed to deal with it on the day.

The following amendment was moved by Cllr Tony Miller and Seconded by Cllr Marc Bayliss:

“Climate change is already causing a serious problem for our communities across Worcestershire and society across the world. The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5% calls for urgent action within 12 years to protect people from the consequences of irreversible climate change. All governments, national, regional, and local have a duty to act.

Council declares a climate emergency and commits to doing the following:

·         Endorse the Councils ambitious Net Zero Carbon Plan.

·         Continue to work with our partner authorities to review and update all relevant strategies.

·         Establish a Member Advisory Group to assist with the future revision of plan and report annually on actions taken.

·         This Council reaffirms the target of reaching net carbon neutral by 2050 in line with the Government’s target.”

In the ensuing debate, the following points were raised:

·         Although the target date of 2050 for becoming net carbon neutral aligned with the government target, it was an unambitious target. It was argued that the target of 2035 was achievable with the right investment strategies. The target of 2050 would be too late to achieve the necessary decrease in temperatures which was required

·         Members described how the global effects of climate change were observable, most recently with the wildfires which had devastated parts of North America. The climate emergency was happening in the present moment. Urgent, systemic change was required, and it was argued that the amendment to set a 2050 target was not soon enough to tackle the crisis

·         The proposed amendment with a 2050 target was more realistic as it enabled the Council to achieve it in a sustainable manner while allowing the Council to provide the level of service provision to meet the needs of the residents of Worcestershire at an affordable cost

·         The amendment aligned the target with the current Government programme. Members outlined several of the different dates which had been set by the Government for climate change targets. It was not necessary to select 2035 as the target for Worcestershire, especially if it would be neither achievable nor viable

·         It was necessary to consider what the Council had already achieved with regard to protecting the environment. The work undertaken with small businesses to reduce power consumption was given as an example. It was hoped that the target would be achieved before 2050 however a date should not be selected which was unachievable

·         The claim that the UK’s climate change strategies were ‘world-leading’ was disputed.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2283.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Cllr Mel Allcott, Cllr Richard Udall, Cllr Dan Boatright, and Cllr Lynn Denham.

The motion was moved by Cllr Richard Udall and seconded by Cllr Natalie McVey who spoke in favour of it, and Council agreed to deal with it on the day.

The following amendment was moved by Cllr Karen May and seconded by Cllr Tracey Onslow:

“Council notes with deep regret the decision of WMRSASC to close its waiting list for counselling services. Council calls upon the Cabinet Member with Responsibility to convene an urgent meeting of all associated partners to develop a strategic and sustainable long-term plan for the West Mercia Rape and Sexual Assault Support Centre”.

Cllr Richard Udall gave prior notice that he was willing to accept the amendment. Members spoke in favour of the amendment with the following points being made:

• The Cabinet Member for Health and Well-being outlined the current situation regarding funding for the Centre, which in this instance dealt with counselling for historic sexual violence.  It was a complex landscape and it was not clear where responsibility for funding this service lay locally, but she indicated that a long-term sustainable solution was being sought with partners
• Councillors agreed that it was essential to continue to support the victims of rape and sexual violence.
• The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Well-being agreed to provide updates or a report to Cabinet if appropriate on progress made with the actions in the amendment.

On being put to a vote, the amendment was carried and put as the substantive motion which was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED: “Council notes with deep regret the decision of WMRSASC to close its waiting list for counselling services. Council calls upon the Cabinet Member with Responsibility to convene an urgent meeting of all associated partners to develop a strategic and sustainable long-term plan for the West Mercia Rape and Sexual Assault Support Centre”.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Matt Jenkins, Cllr Beverley Nielsen, Cllr Martin Allen, Cllr Natalie McVey and Cllr Tom Wells.

The motion was moved by Cllr Beverley Nielsen and seconded by Cllr Tom Wells, who both spoke in favour of it, and Council agreed to deal with it on the day.

In the ensuing debate, the following points were raised:

• Recent Department for Transport data showed that 56% of vehicles did not observe the 30mph speed limit; the costs of dealing with road traffic accidents was in excess of the costs of prevention and a multi agency approach was required to change behaviour
• There was concern in the community about speeding
• Road safety was an integral part of any activity or construction scheme on the highway network. Worcestershire Highways was already treating road safety as a top priority
• The number of Police-reported casualty accidents in Worcestershire had been declining since 2015. The 2019 figure was 878 which was 20% lower than in 2015. Casualties had not reached 1,000 since four years previously, contrary to what was stated in the motion
• 12% of casualty accidents involved a pedal cyclist and 10% a motor cyclist, contrary to the statement that these made up 50% of casualty accidents as stated in the motion. The overall casualty rates in Worcestershire were below the national average
• Speeding enforcement was a matter for the police, not Worcestershire Highways. The Association of Chief Police Officers set and used national standards of speed enforcement which would be the speed limit, plus 10%, plus 2%. These standards were based on legal and practical reasons relating to the accuracy of speedometers and speed cameras
• Regardless of this motion, the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport would be meeting the Police and Crime Commissioner to discuss improving road safety across Worcestershire. He welcomed any suggestions of issues to be raised with the Commissioner
• It was argued that an increase of 1mph above the speed limit should not result in a fine. A sensible and flexible approach to dealing with speeding was necessary.
• The UK planned to follow the EU in the implementation of new legislation which provided that speed limiters were to be fitted on all new cars from 2022. This would prevent new cars from being able to drive above the speed limit
• Residents were writing to Councillors every day about the issue of speeding expressing their concern. A cultural shift in attitudes to speeding was required.

On being put to the vote, the motion was lost.

Council adjourned between 11.55am and 12.10pm

To receive answers to any questions asked by Councillors.

(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 Assistant Director for Legal and Governance by noon on 6 July or

·         If it relates to urgent business, the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance is notified at least half an hour before the start of the meeting and the Chairman agrees the matter is urgent’.)

Six questions had been received by the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance and had been circulated in advance of the meeting. The answers to all the questions are attached in the Appendix.

To consider the reports of Committees and to receive answers to any questions asked on those reports as follows:

a)    Pensions Committee; and

b)    Planning and Regulatory Committee.

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

In the ensuing debate, The Chairman of the Pension Committee undertook to provide a written response to a query about the level of investment by the Pension Fund into fossil fuel companies compared to the national level.

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