Agenda and minutes

None

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, three working days before the meeting (in this case Monday 4 January 2021).  Further details are available on the Council's website.  Enquiries can also be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed on the meeting page on the Council website.

There were six public participants:

1.     Janice Bell asked a question about how the Council’s £10 million cutting congestion programme would be compatible with the Government’s commitment to cut carbon gasses, how much consideration had been given to encouraging alternative transport and how the Council would ensure that climate change was central to all decisions that were made in all areas of the budget?

2.     Alan Spencer asked that following the announcement that combustion engine vehicles would be banned by 2030, did the Council have a plan for the upgrade of homes, commercial and council locations to include vehicle charging points?

3.     Rosemary Wormington commented that she was shocked that the budget report made no mention of climate change and asked how the Council would urgently address the greenhouse gas emission reductions for the whole of Worcestershire, not just its direct services, as she felt it was the Council’s duty to take a leadership role in guiding businesses and residents towards zero carbon emissions.

4.     Dr Johnny Birks also pointed out that the budget report did not mention climate change and asked if the Council – in drafting its budget and financial plan –recognised its duty to protect Worcestershire’s residents and businesses against the impacts of climate change that would dwarf those of the Covid pandemic?

5.     Susan Porter asked how the funding that the Council had received for active travel would impact on climate change targets and reduce traffic, pollution and carbon emissions?

6.     Philip Oliver did not join the meeting but his question about tree planting would be answered by the relevant Cabinet Member.

The Minutes of the meeting of 10 December 2020 have been previously circulated.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 December 2020, were agreed to be a correct record of the meeting and would be signed by the Chairman.

The Leader, also the Cabinet Member with responsibility for finance, introduced the report. He highlighted that the report was the draft budget upon which views and comments would be sought. The budget would return to Cabinet and then Council in February. The draft was being presented later than normal due to Covid and the fact that funding information from the Government had not been available.

It was pleasing that the budget being proposed was a balanced budget and it supported vulnerable people with increased investment in adult’s and children’s services which was needed as they were demand led services.

The most recent Viewpoint Survey had shown that satisfaction with the Council had risen and satisfaction in Worcestershire as a place to live had increased. The public’s priorities remained good roads, a reduction in congestion and improved public transport; this was being addressed with £10 million to cut congestion, £6 million investment in roads, £4 million in pavements as well as flood mitigation work and investment in street lighting. This contributed to the Council’s climate commitment and supported economic recovery.

With regard to Council tax it was recognised that there needed to be a balance between paying for Council services and financial pressures on Worcestershire residents. The proposed 2.5% increase equated to a 68p a week increase for a Band D property, which meant Worcestershire remained in the lowest 25% of Local Authority Council tax rates.

Cabinet Members made the following contributions:

·       The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Services explained that due to the current situation with Covid, the review of future funding of Adult Social Care and the new Local Government Finance System had not happened and Local Authorities had only received a one year settlement. There was not a clear way forward but he praised the government for telling Local Authorities to spend what was needed with regard to dealing with Covid and the Government had met the costs. The Council had £11.3 million of cost pressures but was still internally reforming and working to provide services as efficiently as possible. He felt the proposed budget provided stability. He also welcomed the £1.5 million for flooding mitigation.

·       The Cabinet Member for Children and Families supported the proposed budget with £7.7 million to deal with pressures in children’s services such as home to school transport and an extra £4.2 million to help vulnerable children to be kept safe and £2.6m million for accommodation. A contingency amount would be available to help deal with the wide variance of cost which was needed for specialist care. Following improvements in Children’s Services, the Council continued work to strengthen families which was in the best interests of the children and meant that the number of children entering care in Worcestershire was lower than in its statistical neighbours. He felt incredible progress had been made due to work by Catherine Driscoll and Tina Russell and their staff, but there was no room for complacency and more work was required. He recognised that Covid  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2017.