Agenda and minutes

The members had before them:

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

B.    8 questions submitted to the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance (previously circulated); and

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023 (previously circulated).

A Minute’s silence was held and tributes paid to Cllr Andy Roberts who had sadly passed away.

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 Salman Akbar, Martin Allen, Aled Luckman, Luke Mallett, Emma Marshall, Natalie McVey, Linda Robinson, Craig Warhurst.

Cllr Andy Fry declared an interest in Agenda item 5 (b) Reports of Cabinet -Summary of Decisions Taken - Relocation of Redditch Library - Public Consultation Results.

Cllr Dan Boatright-Greene declared interests in Agenda item 9 – Question Time – Question 5 as a governor of a county-nominated school and the Virtual School.

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 September 2023). 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.

Sarah Jaffray asked a question about the impact of the access to and from the Beacon Heights development on St Andrews Road, Thurlstane Road and predominantly Court Road, Malvern.

Melissa Poulton asked a question about Active Travel.

Carolyn Withington presented a petition concerned with reducing the volume, speed and size of vehicles and non-residential use of Court Road, Malvern.

The Chairman thanked Sarah, Melissa and Carolyn 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 13 July 2023 (previously circulated electronically).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 those reports as follows:

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

b)    Report of Cabinet – Summary of decisions taken.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and commented that it was in line with CIPFA best practice for the Treasury Management Annual Report to be reported to Council. The Annual Report had also been considered by Cabinet and the Audit and Governance Committee. He drew members attention to the Capital Financing Requirement, external borrowing and the associated costs as well as the interest received on investments set out in the report.

RESOLVED that the 2022-23 Treasury Management Annual Report in accordance with the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy be noted.

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

·         Adult Social Care - Local Account 2022-23

·         Relocation of Redditch Library - Public Consultation Results.

To consider and approve the draft submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on the initial consultation for the review of county council electoral boundaries.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and commented that officers had consulted and engaged with all members of the Council in relation to the Council’s submission to the Electoral Boundary Commission. He drew members’ attention to two minor amendments to the submission:

·         Page 49 headed Worcester City Summary – The fifth paragraph down mentioned the Ward of St Peter and should read the Ward of Battenhall

·         Page 69 – The report should state “move in” not “move out” 375 electors and instead of “from Bewdley” it should state “to Bewdley”.

The total number of 57 councillors previously suggested by the Council had been approved by the Commission as the guiding number albeit the Commission could still alter it slightly.

He paid tribute to the work of the staff in Legal and Democratics Services who had worked hard with members to help formulate the proposals being put before Council. The Council’s proposals would be submitted to the Boundary Commission but that did not preclude councillors from submitting their own views either individually, as part of the community or though parishes. The Commission would listen to all views before submitting their own conclusions which were expected in early 2024. A report would be brought to Council at that point.

In the ensuing debate, the electoral services staff were thanked for their work in undertaking the review. There was a culture of identity especially amongst neighbouring parish councils that needed to be recognised in the Review, for example the movie of the parish of Hill and Moor out of the Pershore Division would have major impact locally as well as weakening the voice of local people in the Pershore Division.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The draft response to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE) initial consultation be approved; and

b)   The Assistant Director for Legal and Governance be granted delegated authority in consultation with the Leaders of the political groups, to submit the response to the LGBCE.

Two abstentions were recorded during the vote.

To consider a report on Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Member Bodies.

The Chairman welcomed Cllr Steve Mackay to the position of Cabinet Member for Children and Families.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and commented that following the very sad passing of Cllr Andy Roberts and the appointment of Cllr Steve Mackay, there was a necessity to make changes to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED that:

a)    Cllr David Chambers be appointed as Chairman of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel and Cllr David Ross be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel; and

b)   Cllr David Chambers be appointed as a Member of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board.

To receive the report of the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance on any Notices of Motion received by her.

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 September 2023.

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Cllrs Beverley Nielsen, Matt Jenkins, Natalie McVey, Malcolm Victory and 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 Mike Rouse:

“Agreement has already been reached with the Chair of the Environment O&S Scrutiny Panel that LTP5 will be on their workplan. However, it is important that members are actively involved in the preparation of Local Transport Plan 5, rather than scrutinising the final version.

Hence, Council proposes the following approach is taken:

1.    Engagement with local members during the consultation process and the formulations of LTP5 is undertaken by the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Panel, providing transparency of the emerging document for members and to ensure their views can feed into this strategy during development and be actively considered during drafting.

2.    Following the examples of many other LTPs, Worcestershire should actively promote walking, cycling and public transport as part of a holistic transport mix which balances the needs of the economy, society and the environment.”

Those in favour of the amendment commented:

·         The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills commented that the Council would continue to promote all modes of transport recognising the balance between protecting the environment but allowing people freedom to travel. He envisaged that the banning of cars would not be included in LTP5 guidance. He noted the unpopularity with the public of proposals elsewhere in the country to limit private car use. It was not appropriate to compare transport issues in a rural county such as Worcestershire with large metropolitan cities

·         It was important to provide links between the bus and rail network to ensure that people were able to move around the county on bicycles using public transport

·         The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport reiterated that the Council had no intention of restricting the freedom of choice of local residents to move around. The original motion made no reference to engagement with district councils and the local community. Worcester City Council had made no attempt to engage the County Council when developing the Worcester City Plan and Transport Strategy. This Council had established a number of means to engage different aspects of the local community including disabled users. The extra funding provided by the Government for Active Travel had not prevented an increase in the number of vehicles on the road. It was important to specifically address issues where and when they occurred. This Council had provided major funding support to ensure that bus services continued to operate in the county. Overview and Scrutiny was the most appropriate route for these issues to be addressed.

Those against the amendment commented:

·         Although the involvement of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2471.

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

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

The following amendment was moved by Cllr Marcus Hart and seconded by Cllr Tracey Onslow:

“Council welcomes the roll out of Libraries Unlocked, which will allow residents to access libraries for extended hours.  However, libraries will still need librarians. Council calls upon the Cabinet Member with Responsibility to ensure all Libraries have a minimum of six staffed hours Monday to Saturday, which will allow the libraries to continue to remain as a community hub and as a staffed resource.”

Those in favour of the amendment commented:

·         The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities commented that St John’s Library currently had 48 opening hours a week. Under Libraries Unlocked that would increase to 72 opening hours a week. As a result, access to the community would be increasing in every library in the county. Libraries Unlocked had opened in Stourport and Droitwich and received positive feedback from local residents. Where residents worked full-time and had a busy Saturday, the only time available to visit the library was the evening. Under Libraries Unlocked the community hub aspect would be expanded and allow more time for lonely residents to go to the library. There would be a reduction in staffing hours but there would remain provision in the day for staff to deal with queries. All 21 libraries had been kept open. This approach had been adopted after extensive research and consultation and had been based on a needs-led approach. It was not discriminatory against any library users. He thanked the volunteers for their work in helping to support library provision in the county

·         In response to a point of clarification, the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities confirmed that the amendment referred to six staff hours from Monday to Saturday, not daily as stated in the original motion

·         The amendment meant that the libraries would have extended hours for use by the community. The Council was keen to improve and extend the library service to improve access to the local community

·         The Droitwich Library had become more popular since the introduction of the Libraries Unlocked scheme. It opened up libraries to younger members of the community, for example through an outreach youth provision. The library was open until 8pm at night which provided extended provision for local residents

·         In total, there would be 141 manned hours of library provision across the City of Worcester allowing significant opportunity for residents to access their local library. Libraries Unlocked was just another example of customer self-service, an approach that was being successfully introduced across all sectors

·         Libraries Unlocked enabled the Council to make far better use of its assets than had been previously possible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2472.

There was insufficient time to consider this motion.

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 September 2023; 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’.)

Eight questions had been received by the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance and had been circulated in advance of the meeting. The answers to seven questions were provided at the meeting. Question three was withdrawn by the questioner at the meeting. The answers to all the other 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 Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee expressed his gratitude to the Strategic Director of People, the Strategic Director of Economy and Infrastructure, the Chief Financial Officer and the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services for attending the meeting in July to assist the Committee with its deliberations.

Noted.