Agenda and minutes

The members had before them:

A.         The Agenda papers (previously circulated).

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

C.        The Minutes of the Council held on 9 July 2015 (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 C J Bloore, Mr W P Gretton, Mr R J Sutton and Mr C B Taylor.

Six declarations of Other Disclosable Interests were made by:

Ms P Agar - Member of Worcester City Council (Agenda item 5(a) Cathedral Square).

Mr M L Bayliss - Cabinet Member, Worcester City Council (Agenda item 5(a) Cathedral Square).

Mr S E Geraghty - Member of Worcester City Council (Agenda item 5(a) Cathedral Square).

Mrs L C Hodgson - Member of Worcester City Council (Agenda item 5(a) Cathedral Square).

Prof J W Raine - Work colleagues who were members of the IRP (Agenda item 7).

Mr J H Smith - Wife was the nominee for Vice-Chairmanship of HOSC (Agenda item 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 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,16 September 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:

·         Mrs Sue Wolfendale addressed the Council on the continuing plight of refugees fleeing the hostilities in Syria.  She made reference to attempts being made both  locally and nationally to offer homes to the displaced and to the Government's recent promises of assistance.  She presented a petition.

·         Mr Tom Hall addressed the Council on problems being experienced by full-time students in relation to fares for public transport.  These related mainly to cross-border difficulties experienced by students attending courses not available within Worcestershire.  He presented a petition.

The Chairman thanked them both for taking 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 meeting held on 9 July 2015 (previously circulated electronically).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 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 drew attention particularly to the Charity Day being arranged on 2 October 2015 and to Mr T A L Wells running for charity in the Worcester 10 kilometre race.  The Chairman also made reference to Mrs E B Tucker's Ruby Wedding Anniversary.

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 on the Youth Justice Plan for 2015/16.  The report contained the Cabinet's recommendations for approval of the Plan with reasons and made reference to an electronic link to the full document.

RESOLVED that the West Mercia Youth Justice Plan 2015/16 be approved.

The Council had before it a report on two recommended additions to the Capital Programme one of which related specifically to the Energy Efficiency Spend to Save Fund.  The report contained details and costings of both proposals being recommended for inclusion by the Cabinet.

RESOLVED that the Energy Efficiency Spend to Save Fund addition to the Capital Programme as set out in paragraph 13 of the report be approved and that the capital budget cash limits be updated accordingly; and

The Council had before it a report on two recommended additions to the Capital Programme one of which related specifically to the scheme for the development of Cathedral Square in Worcester.  The report contained detailed costings of both proposals being recommended for inclusion.

RESOLVED that the Worcester Cathedral Square addition to the Capital Programme as set out in paragraph 17 of the report be approved and that the capital budget cash limits be updated accordingly.

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

·         Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation Strategy 2015-17

·         Malvern Vale - Development of a New School Facility

·         Public Health Ring Fenced Grant

·         Corporate Risk Update

·         Balanced Scorecard - FutureFit Performance Update

·         Resources Report

-      FutureFit Programme Update

-      Revenue Budget Monitoring 2015/16 Outturn Forecast as at 31 May 2015

-      Cabinet Programme Budget Monitoring:  2014/15 Actual Expenditure as at 31 May 2015

-      Annual Statutory Financial Statements 2014/15.

To consider a report from the Head of Legal and Democratic Services on (a) the appointment of a Vice-Chairman of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and (b) a revised date for the July 2016 meeting of the County Council (Yellow pages).

The Council had before it a report containing the nomination of the district council members of HOSC, Mrs Frances Smith, for Vice-Chairmanship of that Committee.

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

The Council had before it a report recommending a change in the date of the meeting in July 2016 owing to a clash with the recently announced date of the 2016 Local Government Association conference.

RESOLVED that the Council meeting in July 2016 be now held on Thursday, 14 July 2016 and not 7 July 2016 as agreed previously.

To consider the interim report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on Members' allowances (yellow pages – attached).

The Council had before it the interim report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on Councillors' Allowances (IRP).  A covering report within the main agenda papers outlined why the IRP report had been commissioned, a reference to the conclusions of the IRP, a reference to a further report to be made in Autumn 2016 by the IRP and proposals to extend the term of office of the current members of the IRP to conclude the in depth work currently being undertaken.

The Leader of the Council commented that members' allowances had been frozen in 2008 and not increased since and the recommendation of the Panel in relation to a 1% uplift in the basic allowance was both realistic and sensible. He paid tribute to the members of the IRP and supported the extension of their term of office to allow them to conclude their further review of Special Responsibility Allowances.

RESOLVED that:

(a)                      the interim report  of the Independent Remuneration Panel on the Members' Allowances Scheme be endorsed,

(b)                      Council notes that the Panel will report again in Autumn 2016; and

(c)                      the term of office of the current members of the Independent Remuneration Panel be extended for the remainder of the life of this Council.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion standing in the names of Mrs E B Tucker, Mrs S Askin, Mr M E Jenkins and Mrs F M Oborski.

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

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

An amendment to the effect that a full debate be conducted on this issue by the end of November rather than the end of September was moved by Mr A I Hardman and seconded by Mr M L Bayliss. The amendment read:

"Emerging legislation includes provision to allow for the devolution of powers from the UK Government to some of England’s towns, cities and counties.  Worcestershire County Council and the six district councils have commissioned consultants KPMG to work on the county’s future devolution options and assist in the drawing up of firm recommendations to the Government.

So far any formal involvement and input from County Councillors into the process has been confined to members of the controlling administration.  The devolution debate includes consideration of important options for the future of our county.

It is vital that the views of all Councillors be heard on this matter so that they can be considered and included in the KPMG recommendations to Government and therefore this Council requests that a full debate be conducted on this issue by the end of November".

Council then debated the amendment during which the following principal points were made:

·         members needed to be in a position sooner rather than later to respond to the issues raised by the devolution debate

·         all members should be involved in formulating the Council's response at the earliest stage not just a select few

·         a suggestion was made that the OSPB could be involved in the development of policy on this issue

·         that the new timescale proposed by the amendment would allow a full consideration of the options open to the County Council and a full and open debate on what was best for the people of Worcestershire

·         the Leader clarified that this would allow a debate at November Council and he also committed to a cross-party member briefing during October.

On being put to the meeting this amendment was carried and became the substantive Motion which was subsequentlycarried.

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

"The County Council notes the recent Government statement that the ‘Vulnerable Persons' Relocation Scheme’, in place since early 2014, will be expanded, with an additional 20,000 people currently living in camps in Syria, Turkey and Jordan being resettled in the UK by 2020.

The Council recognises the urgent need for action and is determined to play its part, together with partner agencies and authorities, in accommodating an equitable and realistic number of refugees here in Worcestershire as soon as it is practicable to do so.

Accordingly, we would ask the Leader of the Council and  the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Transformation and Commissioning  to press the Government that  adequate funding will continue beyond the first year and to use their delegated authority to work with partner authorities and  local agencies, to formulate an application to the Home Office's Syrian Vulnerable Persons' Relocation Scheme".

The Notice of Motion was moved by Mr T A L Wells and seconded by Prof J W Raine who both spoke in favour of it.

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

A number of members spoke in favour of assisting refugees fleeing from the conflict in Syria and the general tenor of the debate was to offer to help and supporting 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 P M McDonald, Mr C J Bloore, Mr R M Udall, Mr L C R Mallett and Ms P Agar.

The Motion was moved by Mr P M McDonald and seconded by Mr R M Udall.  The mover then spoke in favour of the Motion.

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

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Transformation and Commissioning told the Council that the Motion was based on an incorrect interpretation of the information.  The total training budget was less than the figure quoted (£3.9m) and had provided training for nearly 75,000 individuals.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility quoted the actual number of redundancies over this period (322) and therefore using a unit cost measurement, believed thet actual cost was £17,000 at most. He also pointed out that in some instances the Council had a legal duty to train staff.

On being put to the meeting the Motion was lost.

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, 10 September 2015.

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

The Notice of Motion was formally moved by Mr P M McDonald and seconded by Mr R M Udall who both reserved their right to speak.

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

The Leader of the Council explained that there were no current plans to become involved with any combined authority but if we were then perhaps some form of referendum or wide consultation should be undertaken.

With this assurance from the Leader of the Council the signatories present at the meeting withdrew their Motion.

To receive the reports of (a) the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment (attached) and (b) the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for  Children and Families (to follow) on current issues and proposed developments within their areas of responsibility and to receive answers to any question on them (green pages).

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment presented his report which covered a number of overarching issues:

·         Strategic planning and environmental policy

·         sustainability

·         climate change strategy

·         Worcestershire County Council Carbon Management Plan

·         Carbon reduction commitment

·         Warmer Worcestershire

·         Green Deal Communities Fund

·         Electric vehicle charge points

·         Eco schools

·         Resource Efficient Worcestershire

·         Environment and Energy Expo

·         Public Sector sustainability

·         Scientific Services

·         Waste Disposal

·         Flood risk management.

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

·         whether the Council was going to be in a position to meet its CO2 reduction target.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility said all the signs were that the Council was well on the way and would meet the emission targets set

·         a particular problem in Redditch with home insulation schemes going awry.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility said this was an isolated incident which had now been resolved.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility was thanked for the way the scheme had operated in Wyre Forest area

·         the number and location of electric vehicle charging points currently available.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility referred to the process of encouraging provision of such charging points and influencing their location.  The absence of a charging point in the town of Bromsgrove was noted.

·         uses of high- and low-grade energy from EfW plants and how this might be applicable to the plant in Hartlebury. The Cabinet Member with Responsibility said all possibilities to maximise energy efficiency were being explored

·         household waste reduction rates and how they had not improved.  The Cabinet Member with Responsibility mentioned several reasons for this and reassured Council that a close eye was being kept on the situation

·         energy reduction targets and conversion of street lamps to lower energy types and night time dimming or switch off.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility promised:

·         a written response on the extent of grants made available under the Traditional Orchard Restoration Project and what future grants would be given

·         to circulate details of eco-schools to all members.

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

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families presented his report which covered a number of overarching issues:

·         education and skills

·         GCSE performance

·         commissioned services

·         Open for Business agenda

·         Connecting Schools and Business programme

·         school funding

·         early help and prevention

·         Safeguarding Peer Review

·         Troubled Families Programme

·         children's social care

·         child protection plans

·         multi-agency safeguarding

·         provider services

·         finance summary.

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

·         the relative pupil performance of Worcestershire students and how this compared to the national average

·         how any improvement was to be made in overall performance when the budget was being reduced and commissioned-out services had to contain some form of profit element

·         that the area's children should be achieving much better results despite the vagaries of the funding system given the socio-economic profile of the county

·         how the Council would deliver effective services given the budget was now 46% lower than its level in 2013/14 

·         A brief explanation of the role of the virtual headteacher.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility promised to circulate to all members the Local Government Association publication on tackling child sexual exploitation.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for his 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 14 September 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. )

Seven questions had been received by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and had been circulated before the meeting.  Questions were asked and answers given.  (All answers are enclosed with these Minutes.)

To consider the report of the Planning and Regulatory Committee (attached – white pages) which summarises the decisions taken by that body.

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