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

 

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2022 (previously circulated).

Additional documents:

2362.

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 Salman Akbar, Brandon Clayton, Aled Evans, Peter Griffiths, Paul Harrison, Aled Luckman, Jo Monk, Craig Warhurst.

 

2363.

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 working day before the meeting (in this case 13 July 2022). 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:

Dr David Nicholl asked a question about traffic issues in Stoke Prior.

 

Elena Round asked a question about Education Health Care Plans.

 

The Chairman thanked Dr David Nicholl and Elana Round for their contributions and said they would receive a written response from the relevant Cabinet Member.

 

2364.

Minutes (Agenda item 3)

To approve as a correct record and authorise the signing of the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2022 (previously circulated electronically).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2022 be confirmed as correct record and signed by the Chairman.

2365.

Chairman's Announcements (Agenda item 4) pdf icon PDF 199 KB

To receive any announcements to be made by the Chairman.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Noted.

2366.

Reports of Cabinet - Matters requiring a decision by Council - Worcestershire Minerals Local Plan (Agenda item 5 (a)) pdf icon PDF 230 KB

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

 

a)    Reports of Cabinet – Matters which require a decision; and

b)    Report of Cabinet – Summary of decisions taken.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council considered the Worcestershire Minerals Local Plan.

 

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills introduced the report and commented that the Council had been working off saved policies from the 1997 Minerals Local Plan. This new Plan had been subject to extensive rounds of consultation with the public as well as an Examination in Public conducted by a Government inspector and had been found to be sound. Approval of the main modifications to the Plan was required . These modifications did not significantly alter the Plan. However, the Council had no option other than to accept these modifications or would be required to draw up and consult on a fresh plan. There was a statutory requirement for the Council to adopt a Minerals Local Plan to ensure a steady supply of minerals to meet local and national demand, the bulk of which being sand and gravel. The Plan had been subject to scrutiny at OSPB and Cabinet and no substantive matters had been identified. The details of the sites for extraction would be subject to consultation and adoption by Council at a later date.

 

In the ensuing debate, the following points were raised:

 

·         Along with sand and gravel, the mineral working in the county also provided a supply of brick clay, silica sand, brine, building stone, crushed rock and coal 

·         There was a perception among some local residents that the wording of the Plan was skewed in favour of developers

·         Silica dust was known to cause uncurable cancer and the report stated that minerals development could result in negative impacts on health and well-being of local residents as a result of changes to the environment and amenity impact. Mental and physical health could be impacted with vulnerable groups being particularly at risk. The report also referred to the harm of air pollutants to human health. The report set out a number of safeguards but the 200 metres buffer zone to the nearest residential properties which had been in the existing plan had been omitted and ought to be reinstated. It was therefore requested that consideration of the Plan be deferred to enable Cabinet to revisit this particular issue

·         Dust emissions from mineral working could travel as far as 500 metres in certain weather conditions. The re-introduction of the 200 metre buffer zone would be an important modification to the Plan and would give some protection to local residents

·         The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills considered that a balanced approach had been adopted in the Plan that met the needs of developers, residents and business. Policy 28 of the Plan concerned amenity and required any proposed minerals development to demonstrate that throughout its lifetime, taking into account the cumulative effects of multiple impacts of the site or number of sites, the proposed development would not cause unacceptable harm to sensitive receptors from a number of factors including dust. He considered that this gave the necessary level of protection to neighbouring residential properties.

 

On a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2366.

2367.

Reports of Cabinet - Summary of Decisions Taken (Agenda item 5(b))

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

·         Worcestershire Adults Safeguarding Board Annual Report 2020/21

·         Resources Report – Provisional Financial Results 2021-22

·         Local Government Ombudsman Report

·         Household Support Fund.

2368.

Constitutional Matters (Agenda item 6) pdf icon PDF 147 KB

To consider (a) Health and Wellbeing Board and Integrated Care System Update; and (b) Approval of extension of time for non-attendance at meetings.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(a)  Health and Wellbeing Board and Integrated Care System Update

 

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Well-being introduced the report and commented that a refresh of the membership of the Health and Well-being Board was required as a result of changes made to legislation as Clinical Care Group were being replaced by the NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board as well as the establishment of the Integrated Partnership Assembly. The Terms of Reference of the Integrated Partnership Assembly would be reported to the September 2022 Cabinet meeting. The Health and Well-being Strategy would have an integral role within the Integrated Care Strategy (ICS). She thanked all residents who had responded to the consultation on the proposed strategy. The key aspect of the review was to prevent people entering the system in the first place and enable better quality of life through living at home with longer with better outcomes. District councils were important partners and would now have voting rights on the Board. The LEP, voluntary and community and Social Enterprise Alliance had also been invited to be members of the Board. She set out the aims of and the approach to be taken by the Board.

 

In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:

 

·      The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care commented that the proposals would lead to a more community-led NHS in the county with a focus on prevention. The ICS working with the NHS would remove the carer/provider split that currently existed with equal partnership arrangements on the Board. He welcomed the introduction of district councils to the Board because in order to manage a prevention-focused approach, the provision of housing was a key element for health. The Council would be focusing on how prevention could be achieved with key decisions being made by the frontline workforce. The ICS would provide opportunities to work on shared priorities. The current focus on acute hospital provision was not working

·      This approach had potential to work but there were remained significant cultural and financial differences to overcome between social care, local government and the NHS

·      The work of the district councils had a significant impact on the health of local residents and therefore their inclusion on the Health and Well-being Board was welcomed.

 

RESOLVED: that

 

(a)        the revised terms of reference for the Health and Wellbeing Board as attached at the appendix to the report be approved; and

 

(b)        the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance be authorised to update the constitution accordingly.

 

 

(b)  Approval of extension of time for non-attendance at meetings

 

Council considered the approval of extension of time for non-attendance at meetings for Councillor Jack Satterthwaite.

 

In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:

 

·      Unfortunately, there were occasions when poor health impacted on the ability of a councillor to undertake their role and it was necessary to allow time for them to recover. Cllr Satterthwaite was recovering from his illness and it was hoped that he would be able  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2368.

2369.

Notices of Motion - Notice of Motion 1 - Universal free bus travel for all residents in Worcestershire (Agenda item 7) pdf icon PDF 294 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 5 July 2022.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Motion was withdrawn by the signatories in advance of the meeting.

2370.

Notices of Motion - Notice of Motion 2 - CPR Training (Agenda item 7)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Cllr David Chambers, Cllr Linda Robinson, Cllr Bob Brookes, Cllr Adrian Kriss, Cllr Peter Griffiths, Cllr Mike Rouse, Cllr Matt Dormer, Cllr Karen May, Cllr Shirley Webb, Cllr Kyle Daisley, Cllr Alistair Adams, Cllr Marcus Hart, Cllr James Stanley, Cllr Allah Ditta, Cllr Craig Warhurst, Cllr Alan Amos, and Cllr Steve Mackay.

 

The motion was moved by Cllr David Chambers and seconded by Cllr Linda Robinson who both spoke in favour of it.

 

The following amendment was moved by Cllr Luke Mallett and seconded by Cllr Richard Udall:

 

“This Council recognises and values the work undertaken by various bodies to promote CPR Training throughout Worcestershire and the resulting outcomes in saving the lives of many people of all ages.

 

This Council resolves to call upon the relevant Cabinet Members with Responsibility to work with relevant agencies and partners and our own officers to support and encourage all schools in Worcestershire with year 7 and above, to offer CPR training programmes in their areas.

 

Council recognises the involvement of members in supporting local CPR training initiatives, providing equipment, such as defibrillators and resuscitation dolls and, indeed, pump prime funding volunteer community first response schemes, via the Divisional Fund.

 

Council asks the Cabinet Member with Responsibility to work with partners to audit the availability of CPR training and defibrillators across the County and to bring a report back to Cabinet as to how funding could be provided to help us save more Worcestershire lives from being cut short.

 

The Council requests the relevant Cabinet Members with Responsibility update Members following the conclusion of this work.”

 

The mover and seconder of the motion accepted the amendment. Members spoke in favour of the amendment with the following points being made:

 

·         If all cardiac arrests took place in hospitals then the survival rate would be much higher. Of the 30k cardiac arrests that took place out of hospital (often at home), only 10% of patients survived. If a defibrillator was not available then the practice of CPR was the next best option to treat a cardiac arrest. A mass CPR training programme across the county would be welcomed. Initially, CPR training should be introduced in schools to all students in year 7 and above. The public might feel anxious about undertaking CPR believing that the patient was being hurt but doing nothing was far worse

·         If this country adopted a joined-up approach to life saving as had been adopted by countries such as Norway, Sweden and New Zealand, 5k lives could be saved every year. Effective CPR nearly doubled the survival rate of patients. All councillors had a role in encouraging town and parish councils to offer their support for the programme of training. The training programme could also be offered to all Council officers and members

·         The British Heart Foundation had indicated that just 22% of the population would be confident enough to use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2370.

2371.

Notices of Motion - Notice of Motion 3 - Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (Agenda item 7)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Cllr Beverley Nielsen, Cllr Martin Allen, Cllr Natalie McVey, Cllr Matt Jenkins 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 Mike Rouse and seconded by Cllr Marc Bayliss:

 

This Council recognises the current Government's stated aim to increase journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030 to help lower congestion. Council commits to working closely with District, Borough and City Councils across Worcestershire in pursuing Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans, through pro-active dialogue and engagement with bid submissions, match funding where appropriate and backed by a strong business case. Council reaffirms its commitment to providing the travelling public with safe, affordable and reasonable choices about how they move to provide residents with the confidence to make informed and well-supported choices.

 

The mover and seconder of the motion accepted the amendment. Members spoke in favour of the amendment with the following points being made:

 

·         The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans provided an opportunity to introduce a module shift in travel to enable bikes or by e-bikes to replace a percentage of car trips similar to the approach taken in the Netherlands. If more could be invested in travel for the least affluent members of society then it could have an impact on obesity levels. Public Health England had suggested that the NHS could save £17bn as a result of the health benefits associated with active travel. Active travel could help improve air quality in Worcestershire. There were opportunities for cost benefit improvements from reduced costs relating to the lack of equality, physical inactivity, greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of traffic noise which according to the Cabinet Office was costing between £38-49 bn a year. Bid writing, match-funding and identified goals in developing local cycling and walking infrastructure plans would be welcomed

·         Electric bikes had a key role in increasing active travel because they were able to replace car travel for many journeys, opening up longer distances. However the Council had a poor reputation in respect of active travel and had failed to receive Government funding. Much could be learned from the approach taken in the Netherlands which had separated cycle paths, protected junctions, ample cycle parking, 20mph sped limits in urban areas and shorter and more direct cycle routes. A dedicated active travel budget, engagement with user groups, and partnership working was key. A change of mind set towards active travel which gave people a choice was vital

·         The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport commented that the Council did have a good and improving record on providing cycling and walking infrastructure. It was important that the public had a module choice of active  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2371.

2372.

Report of the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Corporate Services and Communication (Agenda item 8) pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Corporate Services and Communication on current issues and proposed developments within his area of responsibility and to receive answers to any questions on the report.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Corporate Services and Communication presented his report to Council which covered various topics.

 

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Corporate Services and Communication answered a broad range of questions from members.

 

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Corporate Services and Communication for his report.

2373.

Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2022/23 (Agenda item 9) pdf icon PDF 129 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

In the ensuing debate, the following points were raised:

 

·         The Chairman of the OSPB thanked officers and members for their work in supporting the scrutiny process . The work programme was a flexible document and subject to change during the year. Scrutiny would have a key role in policy development and quality assurance. Scrutiny was very much concerned with outcomes on investment. HOSC was now meeting on a monthly basis and it was important that the health service was held to account for their actions 

·         The Vice-Chairman of OSPB commented that the programme included a greater focus on policy development. He drew particular attention to the scrutiny work in relation to nationally important issue such as the adult patient discharge service and the flexibility that allowed the scrutiny work on the support provided for Ukrainian refugees

·         It was requested that the delivery of the EV charging points be prioritised in the work programme

·         In response to the issues experienced recently in Telford, it was requested that the Children’s Panel consider, as a priority, the impact of missing children and the associated dangers of sexual abuse in the county.

 

RESOLVED that the 2022/23 Scrutiny Work Programme be endorsed.

 

 

2374.

Question Time (Agenda item 10) pdf icon PDF 213 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 5 July 2022 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:

Nine 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

2375.

Reports of Committees - Pensions Committee (Agenda item 11 (a)) pdf icon PDF 151 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

2376.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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