Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Meeting.

Apologies were received from Cllr Kyle Daisley, Cllr Shirley Webb, Mark Hughes (Parent Governor Representative) and Tim Reid (Church Representative).

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 on the working day before the meeting (in this case 16 November 2021).  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.

None.

(previously circulated)

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 October 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Indicative timing: 2.05pm – 3.15pm

In attendance for this discussion:

Yvonne Pepper  - Road Safety Manager, West Mercia Police

Dave Perridge – Operations Manager, West Mercia Police

Anna Higgins – Engagement and Campaigns Manager, West Mercia Police

Bob Haynes  - Traffic Management Advisor (Worcestershire), West Mercia Police

Paul Middlebrough - Assistant West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner

Superintendent Steph Brighton, West Mercia Police (South Worcestershire)

Superintendent Mark Colquhoun, West Mercia Police (North Worcestershire)

The Board as the Council’s designated Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee had identified as part of its work programme that it would like to look at howthe County Council could support its Councillors to empower communities to manage speeding in Worcestershire. Key partners involved in this area had been invited to attend and contribute to this discussion.

A presentation was made by the West Mercia Police Road Safety Team (as detailed in the Agenda) which set the scene for the ensuing discussion. 

The following main areas were discussed:

·         The number of roads applicable to the 9 Community Speed Watch Schemes in Worcestershire varied according to the location and risk assessment.

·         In response to a Members question about whether the 32 fatalities in South Worcestershire between 2018-2020 as opposed to 21 in North Worcestershire suggested that the roads in South Worcestershire were more dangerous than North Worcestershire, it was explained that in order to explain the reasons for the difference in numbers, there would need to be analysis taking into account population and use of the roads.

·         The number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) as a result alcohol and drugs was increasing. It was suggested that this was a theme which could be related to changes in behaviour patterns resulting from Covid.  Further analysis would however be required however to substantiate this.

·         The Board would be provided with further data in respect of the number of KSI’s relating to speeding.

·         Where a pattern to collisions was identified, resources would be put in place to understand the reasons why, however it was suggested that fatal accidents were often random.

·         In response to a Member suggestion that rural roads could be speeding hotspots, it was explained that this was not necessarily the case and that excessive speed for the circumstances could be an issue and be addressed via education on speed awareness and focused campaigns eg Dying 2 Drive, Be Safe, Be Seen.

·         The Assistant PCC explained that as part of his role, he would be working with the hard to reach communities of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The PCC was very keen to deploy resources to educate communities in the widest way and had allocated £0.5m to road safety education.

·         There was a general consensus that education was key in tackling speeding in communities and it was agreed that the Road Safety Team would provide data to show how driver education has changed patterns of behaviour.

·         The Road Safety Team provided education to 6^th forms and young people up to the age of 24.  Most schools received the Programme on an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1220.

Indicative timing 3pm-3.30pm

The Board was asked to consider the feedback provided by Scrutiny Chairmen following the discussion of performance information for Quarter 2 (July to September 2021) and in-year budget monitoring information relating to period 6 of 2021/22. In addition, Panels had started to explore the emerging pressures and challenges in relation to the 2022/23 Budget and Chairmen would provide some initial feedback in advance of a more detailed discussion at the Board’s 15 December meeting.

Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Councillor Mike Rouse)

During the Panel’s discussion of quarterly Performance and in-year Budget Monitoring, Members took the opportunity (as suggested by the Leader of the Council) to discuss emerging pressures and challenges for services in relation to the 2022/23 Budget. The themes of the challenges coming through were around cost of transport, energy, pay and staffing. The Panel was concerned about the impact of the pressures and the resultant impact on Council budgets and services.

Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr Alastair Adams)

A Budget Task Group of the Panel had an initial meeting on 9 November to start looking at the data provided.

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Cllrs Brandon Clayton)

At its meeting on 3 November, the Committee received an explanation about  Public Health Ring-fenced Grant (PHRFG) of approximately £30m.

Indicative timing 3.30-4.00pm

Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr Alastair Adams)

At its recent meeting, the Panel had received the Flood Risk Management Annual Report/Update on Flooding 2020/21.

In addition, a Task Group of the Panel had started to look at 3-year cost centre trends as part of the Budget Scrutiny process.

Adult Care and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr Richard Morris)

At its recent meeting, in addition to performance and in-year budget monitoring the Panel had looked at compliments and complaints relating to Adult Social Care Services, the Council’s approach when people who have been self-funding their own care in residential/nursing care homes, reach the threshold for financial support and also received  an update on the Review of Council provided Day Services for adults with learning disabilities.

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) (Cllr Brandon Clayton)

On 18 November, a Task Group of the HOSC would be meeting to discuss delays in ambulance at Worcestershire hospitals with all system partners.  This was as an area of concern and in particular, regular and significant delays.

Cabinet Forward Plan

It was agreed that consideration would be given to adding the following items to the Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel Work Programme:

·         Worcestershire Rail Investment Strategy

·         Waste Management Contract

·         Storm overflows.