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 14 July 2022 (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 Brandon Clayton, Lynn Denham, Matt Dormer, Elizabeth Eyre, Laura Gretton, Bill Hopkins, Luke Mallett, Dan Morehead, Kit Taylor, Craig Warhurst.

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 7 September). 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.

Mr Trevor Knight, Chair of Governors of Pinvin Federation of Schools presented two petitions requesting an urgent review of school bus policy and ensure that a school bus is provided for the multiple children living in Tibberton who attend St Nicholas C of E Middle School, Pinvin and Pershore High School.

The Chairman thanked Mr Knight for his contributions and said he 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 14 July 2022 (previously circulated electronically).

RESOLVED that subject to typographical amendments to Minute no. 2371, to replace the word ‘module’ with ‘modal’, the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2022 be confirmed as correct record and signed by the Chairman.

In response to a point of order raised by Cllr Josh Robinson, the Chairman indicated that he would ensure that a response would be provided as soon as possible to Dr Nicholl’s question raised at the July Council meeting. In addition, he would ensure that evidence be provided to Cllr Robinson that the roads in Bromsgrove had been treated for weeds as promised in the answer to his Question 1 at the July Council meeting.

To receive any announcements to be made by the Chairman.

Noted.

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:

·         Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2020/21

·         Malvern Hills Art College

·         Shrub Hill Quarter.

To consider (a) Integrated Care Partnership and Integrated Care Partnership Assembly; (b) Independent Remuneration Panel; and (c) Arrow Valley West By-Election.

(a)     Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) and Integrated Care Partnership Assembly (ICPA)

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Well-being introduced the report and commented that the proposed changes to integrated care were being introduced to develop a strategy involving all partners to address the care needs of the population. This approach would include preventative actions to provide better outcomes in life and lead to less pressure on adult social care and the health service. She outlined the objectives of the ICPA Terms of Reference set out in the Appendix to the report.

On being put the vote, the resolution was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED: that

a)    the terms of reference for the Integrated Care Partnership Assembly attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

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

(b)   Independent Remuneration Panel

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and commented that the Remuneration Panel usually met once per term. It was necessary to go through an advertising process to fill vacancies on the Panel. On final selection, details of the Panel would be brought back to Council and the Panel could then commence its work. A report of the findings of the Panel would be brought to Council next year.

On being put the vote, the resolution was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED that:

a)    the reconstitution of the Independent Remuneration Panel with 5 members be approved and that recruitment of members to the Panel is undertaken as set out at paragraph 12 of the report;

b)   the terms of reference as set out in Appendix 2 to the report be approved;

c)    the Chief Executive be authorised to make all necessary arrangements to put the recommendations in this report into effect and to bring recommendations for membership to Council for approval in due course; and

d)   it is intended that the Panel will commence work on reviewing the Members Allowances scheme as soon as practicable in order to make recommendations to the Council in 2023.

(c)  Arrow Valley West By-Election

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and congratulated Cllr Andy Fry for his success at the recent Arrow Valley West By-Election. The outcome of the by-election meant that political balance needed to be adjusted with two seats allocated to the Unity Group that were previously allocated to the Conservative Group. He proposed that these seats be allocated onto the Audit and Governance Committee and the Adult Care and Well-being Panel. The former holder of the seat in Arrow Valley West had previously sat on the Audit and Governance Committee. There was also a vacancy on the Adult Care and Well-being Panel. These changes would cause the least disruption to the work of Council and maintain stability. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Marcus Hart and became the substantive motion.

An amendment was proposed by the Leader of the Unity Group, Cllr Mel Allcott and seconded by Cllr Richard Udall that a member of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2382.

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 30 August 2022.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Cllr Emma Stokes, Cllr Emma Marshall, Cllr Alan Amos and Cllr Bob Brookes.

The motion was moved by Cllr Emma Stokes and seconded by Cllr Emma Marshall who both spoke in favour of it.

In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:

·         This motion sought to deliver cycling competency and confidence to school children and teenagers, the family that is a bit “wobbly”, and e-cycle users. Cyclists needed to have the skills to be able to share road space with other road users because of the lack of protection afforded to them. Bikeability had reported that their level 3 proficiency scheme was not being taken up by some middle and high schools in the county. This was a matter that could be addressed with headteachers by the relevant Cabinet member. Bikeability training could give parents more confidence to allow their child to travel to school on a bike and thereby reducing traffic. In particular, this training would provide advice on how to access the more complex road junctions in the county

·         Bikeability Plus offered families the opportunity to learn together to build confidence, which in turn gave parents the confidence to allow their children to cycle to school and elsewhere and give them independence. It allowed families to create memories together and improve health. The introduction of a “try before you buy” scheme might encourage families to take up cycling more readily if they were worried about the investment commitment

·         The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities endorsed all modes of transport of which cycling was an important element. The Council did have a Bikeability programme for school children but the number of instructors had reduced. This was due to recruitment issues which had resulted in double the number of placements but half the number of instructors. He undertook to investigate whether any funding could be made available for Bikeability for adults

·         Even with the provision of training, many people felt vulnerable cycling along the county’s busy roads. Alongside training, the county needed to improve the cycling infrastructure including more dedicated cycle routes and off-carriageway cycling

·         This motion built on the Government’s changes to the Highway Code to create a safer environment for cyclists on roads

·         There were many people who would wish to cycle but lived in areas where they had experienced incidents and lost confidence. Bikeability had a role in building that confidence back. It was particularly important to focus on dangerous junctions to make them safe for cyclists

·         The focus on Bikeability training for e-bike users was welcomed because different skills were needed

·         The introduction of cycle training should hopefully reduce the need for draconian action to be taken against dangerous cycling behaviour

·         Bikeability was important but only addressed a small part of the concerns of residents about cycling. The top three concerns being the lack of cycling infrastructure, the volume and speed of traffic, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2383.

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

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

The following amendment was moved by Cllr Richard Morris and seconded by Cllr Emma Marshall and accepted as an alteration by the mover and seconder of the motion which therefore became the substantive motion:

“Council calls upon the Cabinet Member with Responsibility (CMR) for the Environment with officers to bring a report to the Environment Member Advisory Group to outline the legal obligations and powers available to the council and to explore how Worcestershire County Council, in partnership with District Councils, the Environment Agency and other partners, can all contribute to improving river water quality in Worcestershire. The Member advisory Group will advise the CMR for the Environment on next stages if required.”

In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:

·         River pollution was a serious risk to public safety and the impacted negatively on the environment. A number of serious national contamination incidents had impacted on biodiversity and endangered public health. Water pollution incidents were occurring every day in this county and river health was declining. The Environment Agency (EA) appeared to be unable to act and had had its budget massively reduced in recent years. It was only able to respond to the most serious cases. The Council needed to help the enforcement agencies with their work, meet its own obligations and educate and raise awareness

·         The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment commented that the responsibility for water quality rested with the water companies and the EA. However, it was important to understand the local situation and determine what action the Council could and should take within a partnership role. The amendment proposed to bring the matter to the Environment Member Advisory Group so it could be examined more fully with cross party involvement. He set out a number of areas where the Council was already involved in water quality enhancement work. Gloucestershire County Council had recently completed a scrutiny exercise on water quality and it seemed sensible to use their findings rather than repeat the scrutiny process in this council. Although the Government had taken major steps to improve water quality, it was unacceptable that water companies continued to discharge sewage into rivers. The targets in the Environment Act would act as powerful tools to ensure that water companies improved water quality and biodiversity. He gave an assurance that the findings of the MAG would be made public at some point

·         Work was being undertaken to create fish corridors to enable fish to follow their usual migratory patterns and allow fish populations to thrive. It was important to prevent plastics entering watercourses and work with farmer to encourage working practices that were friendly to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2384.

There was insufficient time to consider this motion.

To receive the reports of the Cabinet Members with Responsibility for Children and Families, and Education on current issues and proposed developments within their area of responsibility and to receive answers to any questions on these reports.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families presented his report to Council which covered various topics.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families answered a broad range of questions from members.

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

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education presented her report to Council which covered various topics.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education answered a broad range of questions from members.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education for her report.

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 30 August 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’.)

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 the Audit and Governance Committee and to receive answers to any questions asked on that report.

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