Agendas, Meetings and Minutes - Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: County Hall, Worcester

Contact: Simon Lewis  Committee Officer

Media

Items
No. Item

Available papers

The members had before them

 

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

 

B.    10 questions submitted to the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance (previously circulated); and

 

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2021 (previously circulated).

Additional documents:

2301.

Apologies and Declaration of Interests (Agenda item 1)

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Evans, Eyre, Hopkins, Mallett, May, Morehead and Muir.

 

2302.

Public Participation (Agenda item 2)

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 8 November). Further details are available on the Council’s website. Enquiries can also be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed in this agenda and on the website.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Elizabeth Evans and John Dawson presented a petition to request a lowering of the speed limit in Hanbury village from 40mph to 30mph throughout the village and to reduce the limit further outside Hanbury CofE First School to 20mph.

 

Joanna Kane and Jo Baker presented a petitionto keep our library at the heart of Redditch - with a guaranteed plan and full services”.

 

John Chatwin presented a petition to request traffic calming measures in Leach Heath Lane, Rubery.

 

The Chairman thanked all the public participants for their contribution and said they would receive a written response from the relevant Cabinet Member.

 

2303.

Minutes (Agenda item 3)

To approve as a correct record and authorise the signing of the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2021 (previously circulated electronically).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

2304.

Chairman's Announcements (Agenda item 4) pdf icon PDF 202 KB

To receive any announcements to be made by the Chairman.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Noted.

2305.

Fire and Rescue Authority (Agenda item 5) pdf icon PDF 371 KB

To consider the annual report of the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority to be presented by  Cllr Kit Taylor, Chairman and to receive answers to any questions asked about this report. It is planned that the Deputy Chief Fire Officer will attend the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Mr Keith Chance, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, to the meeting. The Chairman of the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr Kit Taylor, presented his report to the Council and he and Mr Chance answered questions asked by members of the Council.

2306.

Constitutional Matters (Agenda item 6) pdf icon PDF 197 KB

To consider the appointment of the Vice-Chairman of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the appointment of the Vice-Chairman of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

In the ensuing debate, the appointment of Mrs Smith was commended to Council on the basis of her experience and knowledge in this area.

 

RESOLVED that the nominee of the District Council representatives on the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC), Mrs Frances Smith, be appointed as Vice-Chairman of HOSC.

2307.

Reports of Cabinet (Agenda item 7) pdf icon PDF 220 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

·         School Sufficiency and Organisation for the Pershore Education Planning Area

·         Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans

·         Worcestershire Bus Service Improvement Plan

·         Establishment of a Charitable Body to Support Museum Funding

·         Adult Social Care – Annual Local Account

·         Resources Report – Revenue Budget Monitoring – Month 4 (31 July) 2021/22.

2308.

Notices of Motion - Notice of Motion 1 - Automated external defibrillators (Agenda item 8) pdf icon PDF 234 KB

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 2 November 2021.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Cllr Emma Stokes, Marcus Hart, Cllr Ian Hardiman, Cllr Bob Brookes, Cllr Emma Marshall, Cllr Alan Amos, Cllr Adrian Hardman, Cllr Kyle Daisley, Cllr Simon Geraghty, Cllr David Chambers, Cllr Scott Richardson Brown and Cllr Richard Morris.

 

The motion was moved by Cllr David Chambers and seconded by Cllr Ian Hardiman 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 made:

 

·         How many local residents know the location of the nearest defibrillator in their locality, the importance of a defibrillator and how to use it? In the case of a cardiac arrest, the correct and timely use of a defibrillator could increase the chances of survival from 10% to 50%. The motion asked that the relevant cabinet members work with relevant agencies, officers and partners to raise the profile of automated external defibrillators; to inform residents of their location; encourage anyone with a defibrillator to register it with the ambulance service: and inform residents of their importance. There were applications that helped users to locate defibrillators but many residents were unaware of these apps. Members could encourage parish and town councils to install at least one defibrillator locally

·         The process of defibrillator location was not easy and the records available on applications/web sites were incomplete, possibly as newly installed defibrillators had not yet been registered. Councillors could take a lead role in not only highlighting the location of defibrillators in their division but also by undertaking training in their use and thereby encouraging others to be trained

·         The professional advice when someone was suffering a heart attack was to dial 999 before taking any further action but it would be beneficial to know where the nearest defibrillator was located in the first instance. The Cabinet Member was unable to attend the meeting today but had indicated that she would keep members updated on the progress on the implementation of this motion

·         It was important to remove blocks to the installation of defibrillators for example expensive insurance premiums.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion which was agreed unanimously.

 

RESOLVED “This Council notes that across Worcestershire, sadly far too many people still lose their lives as a result of cardiac arrest.

 

This Council resolves to call upon the relevant Cabinet Member(s) with Responsibility to work with all relevant agencies and partners and our own officers to raise the profile and locations of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) across Worcestershire to ensure residents from across the County know the importance and location of them.

 

This Council requests the relevant Cabinet Member(s) with Responsibility update members following the conclusion of this work.”

2309.

Notices of Motion - Notice of Motion 2 - Not every disability is visible (Agenda item 8)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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, Cllr Lynn Denham, Cllr Josh Robinson, and Cllr Luke Mallett.

 

The motion was moved by Cllr Dan Boatright 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 Adrian Hardman and seconded by Cllr Marcus Hart:

 

This Council notes that:

 

In the UK 1 in 5 people have a disability. 80% of these disabilities are invisible. The charity Crohn's and Colitis UK is encouraging venues providing accessible public toilets to install new signage. This is to help stop stigma and discrimination towards people with 'invisible illnesses' such as Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis.

 

There have been instances nationally where such individuals using an accessible toilet have been accused by staff members of being ineligible to use them, including those with temporary impairments, such as having knee surgery or a broken bone. This has caused considerable distress to individuals and unnecessary conflict. 

 

The Government has decided recently that large accessible toilets for severely disabled people - known as Changing Places - will be made compulsory for large new buildings, such as shopping centres, supermarkets, sports and arts venues, in England from 2021. The signs produced by the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK have two standing figures and a wheelchair user with the words Accessible Toilet and the logo 'Not every disability is visible'.

 

Council resolves to ask the Cabinet member to aim to put in place arrangements for the Council in partnership with the District Councils of Worcestershire, and following consultation with HOSC and the Health and Well-Being Board as to whether it is helpful to have a different sign from the recognised standard to:

 

1.    Ensure that accessible toilets on Council premises bear these signs, including library facilities in shared spaces or rented from other organisations (such as the Hive or Pershore Library);

2.    Work with contractors, service providers and companies renting county council owned premises to do likewise with their accessible public toilets;

3.    Seek advice from the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK on the information and training we should provide to Council employees. This is to ensure they understand these illnesses and to prevent potential embarrassment for those who suffer with them;

4.    Work with schools and libraries to promote inclusive attitudes to disabilities to prevent potential embarrassment.

5.    Ensure that any Changing Places toilets in county buildings are properly signposted for visitors; and

6.    Ensure that the requirement to provide new Changing Place toilets is included within the Council's future plans for new public buildings in the County.”

 

In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:

 

·         The motion was important because accessible toilets and the appropriate signage gave people with a disability the confidence to use them and provided a lifeline. Because not all disabilities were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2309.

2310.

Notices of Motion - Notice of Motion 3 - Health impacts of pandemic (Agenda item 8)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This Notice of Motion was withdrawn by the signatories to the motion prior to the meeting.

 

 

2311.

Notices of Motion - Notice of Motion 4 - Shortage of seasonal workers (Agenda item 8)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

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

 

The following amendment was moved by Cllr Marc Bayliss and seconded by Cllr Adam Kent:

 

“Worcestershire County Council recognises the need to continue to support the horticultural industry, which is core to our county and reputation. It is suffering for its third year running under the allocations of the pilot Seasonal Workers Scheme, which has not been made permanent as a piece of legislation, making it challenging for these businesses to plan ahead for the next year. These businesses pay good salaries, National Living Wage as a minimum, offer good conditions and the sector is world renowned for innovation, investing around 5% annually in R&D – more than twice the government’s national R&D target.

With the black pear as the symbol of our county and our fruit growers continuing to face challenges, we urge active engagement by our Cabinet with this vital sector on behalf of our county.

This Notice of Motion:

1.    Calls on Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economy & Skills to continue to have regular discussions with local farmer and fruit grower representatives from the NFU in our county; and

2.    Consider what more the County Council, working in partnership with district councils, can do to support this important sector of our economy.”

 

In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:

 

·         Horticulture was a key sector in the local economy with good wages and high levels of innovation. Recruitment had been an issue in the sector which had led to a huge wastage of crops. The Seasonal Workers Scheme was falling short of the number of workers required in the industry and its timing left farmers with very little opportunity to implement their plans for 2020/21. Attempts to recruit local workers had failed to produce the numbers required. An emergency response to the shortage of seasonal workers was requested from the Cabinet Member

·         Produce was rotting in fields and farmers had stopped plans for planting next year due to the shortage of labour. Following Brexit, it had become harder to recruit workers from abroad. The attempts to recruit local workers had proved to be unsuccessful. There was a reduction in the country’s food security at the same time as an increase in the travelling distance of food. Pressure should be placed on the Government to make the Seasonal Workers Scheme permanent and to increase the minimum worker target up to 80k

·         The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Skills acknowledged the important role that the horticulture and agriculture sector played in the local economy as well as its culture, history and heritage. He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2311.

2312.

Notices of Motion - Notice of Motion 5 - Declare a Biodiversity Emergency (Agenda item 8)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was insufficient time to consider this motion within the allotted 90 minute time limit for the consideration of Notices of Motion.

 

2313.

Report of the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Well-being (Agenda item 9) pdf icon PDF 238 KB

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Well-being on current issues and proposed developments within her area of responsibility and to receive answers to any questions on the report.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Well-being was unwell and unable to present her report

 

In her absence, a number of questions were asked by members and the Chairman indicated that written answers would be provided. (A copy of the questions and answers is attached as Appendix 1 to these Minutes)

2314.

Question Time (Agenda item 10) pdf icon PDF 218 KB

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 2 November 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’.)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Ten questions had been received by the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance and had been circulated in advance of the meeting. 7 were answered on the day. The answers to all the questions are attached as Appendix 2.

2315.

Reports of Committees - Audit and Governance Committee (Agenda item 11(a)) pdf icon PDF 157 KB

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

 

a)    Audit and Governance Committee;

b)    Pensions Committee;

c)    Planning and Regulatory Committee; and

d)    Standards and Ethics Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The Chairman of the Committee introduced the report and commented that it was very disappointing that the final Statement of Accounts had not been signed-off to-date due to factors beyond the Council’s control. The Council had made every effort to ensure that its working papers were submitted to the external auditor in order and on time. The Council had a good relationship with the external auditor, Grant Thornton. Grant Thornton’s advice prior to the last Council meeting was that the Council was on track to be one of the first in the country to sign-off their accounts. However, due to a last minute technical issue, further examination of all local authority accounts was required by external auditors nationally. This meant that by the sign-off date, only 9% of councils had had their accounts signed-off on time. At the present time, only 18% of councils had had their accounts signed-off. External auditors had been faced with a more detailed process over a shorter period of time together with a national shortage of external auditors. He was comfortable with the work carried out by this Council and that the Accounts would be signed off with an unqualified audit in the coming weeks.

 

He also referred to the excellent progress that continued to be made in relation to Income and Debt Management. The function had now been centralised with an Income and Debt Manager appointed. Outstanding debt, both short and long term was reducing.

 

 

2316.

Reports of Committees - Pensions Committee (Agenda item 11(b))

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The UK average fossil fuel investment had been reported as £100m compared to Worcestershire Pension Fund which had been quoted as £122m. It was therefore queried when pension investment would move away from fossil fuels and into more greener schemes. In response the Vice-Chairman of the Pensions Committee commented that the questioner had misinterpreted the figures and not recognised the size of the LGPS in her calculations, which at 3.6bn was far larger than any other such scheme in the country. The Worcestershire Pension Fund’s investment in fossil fuel was under 4% across the whole of the scheme and work was in progress for a transition.

2317.

Reports of Committees - Planning and Regulatory Committee (Agenda item 11(c))

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

2318.

Reports of Committees - Standards and Ethics Committee (Agenda item 11(d))

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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