Agenda and minutes

The members had before them

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

B.    5 questions submitted to the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance (previously circulated); and

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 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 Adams, Akbar, Gretton, Miller, and Udall.

Cllr Onslow declared an interest in Agenda item 6 as the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia.

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 6 September 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.

Lucy Harrison presented a petition for a crossing on Batchley Road, Redditch.

Simon Grimsley presented a petition against the building of a bridge over the A38 in Bromsgrove.

Mary Turner commented and asked a question about climate change.

The Chairman thanked all the public participants for their contribution and said they 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 15 July 2021 (previously circulated electronically).

RESOLVEDthat the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements to be made by the Chairman.

Noted.

An opportunity for councillors to ask questions of the Police and Crime Commissioner about his priorities and local policing plans. It is planned that the Chief Constable will also attend this meeting.

The Chairman welcomed Mr John Campion, the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, to the meeting. The Chairman also welcomed and introduced Mr Anthony Bangham, the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police.

Both the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable gave a brief presentation of their respective roles, their vision for the future and the current state of policing in Worcestershire. The Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable then answered a wide range of questions posed by members.

The Chairman thanked Mr Campion and Mr Bangham for their attendance. On behalf of the Council, the Chairman wished Mr Bangham a happy retirement.

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 Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care reported the following topics and questions were answered on them:

·         A Review of Day Opportunities for Adults with Learning Disabilities; and

·         A Review of Replacement Care Provision for Adults.

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 31 August 2021.

The Notice of Motion was ruled out of order as it was substantially similar to a motion considered within the last 6 months as set out in the Constitution of the Council and not considered at the meeting.

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

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

The following amendment was moved by Cllr Alan Amos and seconded by Cllr Adam Kent:

“Council is aware of government policy to cease the production of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. Furthermore, Council wishes to see the expansion of electric charging facilities to enable more people, especially those without any off-street parking, the ability to charge their vehicles. Council calls upon the Cabinet Member with Responsibility to consider how best to meet this potential demand, if there could be a revenue generating opportunity for the Council and where they could be located to maximise usage but without causing an obstruction or a hinderance to other road users.”

In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:

·         The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport commented that a Council policy had been adopted in relation to on-street electric charging machines and this policy was constantly reviewed. Government funding for EV charging installations at a number of locations had been sought. There was also a requirement in the streetscape design guide for all new developments to provide more on-site off-street EV charging points. There were issues with the installation of EV charging points where there was little provision for off-street parking. These issues included access to facilities, maintenance costs and exacerbation of congestion on the road network. The practicalities of enforcement was a further issue. In the future, the private sector would become the main supplier of charging points as the market could react quicker to meet demand and competition would drive prices down and offer improved choice. The County Council would have an enabling role and safeguard the integrity of its assets. It was likely that electricity as a fuel source would be time-limited as the use of hydrogen evolved. Eventually fuel station forecourts could be the main charging points for motorists

·         There was a need for more charging points and the concept of the Council becoming more entrepreneurial as it embraced a new local carbon economy was welcomed. The priorities set out in the Worcestershire Energy Strategy included overcoming infrastructure and development barriers, promoting low carbon transport and Active Travel. It was important to recognise that low carbon transport particularly electric vehicles represented the main opportunity to achieve rapid de-carbonisation

·         It was disappointing that the reference to a member advisory group (MAG) had been removed from the original motion because it was important to understand all the needs of residents across the county. There was an in-built inequality at present for those EV users who did not have a driveway which prevented them from installing a charging  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2296.

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

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

The following amendment was moved by Cllr Matt Dormer and seconded by Cllr Simon Geraghty:

“Council is concerned about the growing humanitarian and refugee crisis after the recent collapse of the government in Afghanistan.

Council welcomes the call to do all it can to aid the resettlement of Afghan refugees and to co-ordinate assistance, help and support for any Afghan refugees coming to Worcestershire by working with our district partners, and also voluntary community sector groups. This engagement has already started.”

In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:

·         The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities considered that the original motion did not make sufficient reference to partnership working. Under the UK Resettlement Scheme, the Council had committed to resettling a further 50 people over the next 12 months. This Scheme was a 5 year programme with a greater emphasis on language development and work training. Under the Afghan Relocation Strategy ,the Council had committed to resettling 30 families. It was important to note that under this scheme, individuals had a good understanding of the English language and were not refugees. The scheme was only expected to last a year. Under the new Afghan Resettlement scheme, the Government had committed to resettling 25k people over the next 5 years of which this Council had committed to 200 individuals over that period. Details of the scheme were awaited. Appropriate and suitable properties for long term use were being sourced throughout the county for all these schemes. A resettlement team was in place to co-ordinate the provision of housing and other resettlement requirements. He also paid tribute to the work of the volunteers supporting the welcome groups

·         The Leader of the Council paid tribute to the partnership working with district councils, housing associations and community groups under these resettlement schemes. It was intended to build on the work already undertaken to support Syrian refugees to support these initiatives. The Council had a good track record in this area working as One Worcestershire and would continue to co-operate with partner organisations

·         Tribute was paid to the work of the voluntary sector in the Bromsgrove and Redditch districts. Donations were still required for a number of essential items. The main limiting factor was availability of properties because the Government did not want to draw down from social housing. It was hoped that housing would be provided from within the private sector

·         Everything possible must be done to support these refugees which included unaccompanied children. Worcestershire should become a county of sanctuary for refugees

·         Whilst the reference to partnership working in the amendment was welcomed, the reference in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2297.

To consider the future work programme recommended by the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board.

The Council considered the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2021/22.

In the ensuing debate, the following points were raised:

•      The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board introduced the report and congratulated the Scrutiny Panel chairs for their work to date and scrutiny members, particularly those members who were new to the scrutiny function. He also thanked the Vice-Chairman for his support. The purpose of scrutiny was to add value to the decision-making process. Scrutiny subject matter would be measured against timeliness, relevance, and the likelihood of a positive outcome

•      The Vice-Chairman thanked the Chairman for his leadership. He was particularly keen for all members to be involved in scrutiny even if they were not a panel member. The work programme was interim up to May 2022 so that it could be developed over subsequent years.

RESOLVED that the 2021/22 Scrutiny Work Programme be endorsed.

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 31 August 2021 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’.)

Five 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 report of Audit and Governance Committee and to receive answers to any questions asked on it.

The Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee introduced the report and commented that it was anticipated that this Council would be the first County Council in the country to have its Statement of Financial Accounts signed off by the external auditor unqualified and on time at the meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee on 24 September. He thanked the Chief Financial Officer and his team for their professionalism. It was anticipated that only 35% of councils would sign off their accounts on time. The work of the Finance team had been recognised nationally, having been shortlisted by CIPFA for two national awards in relation to Financial Reporting and Investing in Apprenticeships.

In response to a query about the overall opinion of Moderate Assurance for Council’s control environment, the Chairman commented that he was comfortable with an overall moderate assurance level. He emphasised that the culture and ethos of Internal Audit had been overhauled in recent months and was now heading in the right trajectory.

In relation to a query about the five debts for social care service clients/cases and the c£1m relating to social care accrued accommodation costs, the Chairman commented that level of outstanding debt in social care was one of a number of areas identified by the Committee as an issue. The Committee had focused on tackling outstanding debt with officers and a centralised team had been established. In addition, the Committee had a standing item on debt management on each agenda.

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