Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Church Representative, Tim Reid.

The Chairman highlighted that Councillors Matt Dormer and Brandon Clayton were Executive Members of Redditch Borough Council and for Agenda item 5 (Update on the proposal to relocate Redditch Library) they were in attendance in their capacity as witnesses rather than Board Members.

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 23 June).  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.

There were 3 public participants, Ronnie Webb, Emily Tyrrell and Oliver Hale who made comments in relation to Agenda item 5 - The Update on the proposal to relocate Redditch library.

The Chairman thanked the speakers for their comments and advised that they would each receive a written response.

(previously circulated).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 April 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman introduced the report and in doing so reminded Members of the Board that the discussion and questions should focus on the Worcestershire County Council perspective.

The Chairman of the Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel (C&C Panel) was invited to provide an update to the Board following the C&C Panel’s consideration of this matter on 8 June.

The C&C Panel Chairman advised that the Panel had thoroughly scrutinised the 4 key areas: the consultation process, commercial arrangements, operational conditions and collaboration opportunities (detailed in the minutes of the meeting and referenced in the Agenda report). In addition, Appendix 1 to the Agenda report included a summary of the key points made by the Panel (which would be submitted to Cabinet), the comments also included those matters that were still outstanding at the time of the C&C Panel meeting. It was confirmed that the floor plans were now available and had been included in the Agenda (with large-scale versions available for viewing at the meeting). The C&C Panel Chairman believed that the Panels work in relation to the proposal to relocate Redditch Library had been a good example of pre-scrutiny and that the Panel had not received any evidence to suggest that the proposal would lead to a reduction in the service offer to the residents of Redditch or that there would be increased costs incurred by the County Council.

The Cabinet Member with Responsibility (CMR) for Communities commented that he was grateful for the Scrutiny carried out and for the feedback received through the consultation survey. The Cabinet would make a decision on 20 July. The CMR reassured the Board that he had an open mind and was in listening mode.

The Chairman invited Councillor Dormer to provide an overview of the proposal from the perspective of Redditch Borough Council. Councillor Dormer explained that the background to the successful Town Deal bid had 3 main elements: the digital innovation skills hub, public realm improvements and a plaza area to enable connection and flow in the Town Centre. The relocation of the library was fundamental to acquiring a space to be able to create the new plaza. Consultants had advised that the library building was the major block to opening up the town centre. Councillor Dormer understood the concerns but there were huge benefits for the Town Centre which included opening up the side of the Kingfisher Shopping Centre which would encourage food and beverage outlets to locate in this area, which they were keen to do. The plaza would add vibrancy to the town centre and boost the evening economy, which was greatly needed, especially to encourage younger people to remain in the town. In summing up, Councillor Dormer indicated that Redditch Borough Council felt that this project was a catalyst for improving the future of Redditch. The Government grant meant that the huge benefits to be gained for Redditch residents would be achieved at no cost to Redditch Borough Council taxpayers,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1325.

The Scrutiny Panel Chairmen/Lead Members provided an update on recent Scrutiny meetings and activities.

Adult Care and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr Shirley Webb)

The Panel was due to meet on 2 July and as part of the preparation for the discussion of Assistive Technology Panel Members had been offered the opportunity to visit to the Heart of Worcestershire College to view two flats which had been created to display the technology, which enabled people to remain living independently.

Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr Steve Mackay)

The Chairman provided feedback from the Panel’s recent meeting which had included updates on:

• Get Safe -  the strong partnership working in place with the Police, Education, Health and Young Solutions, the learning from the tragic death of a young person in 2019 which had resulted in recommendations which were now followed by all agencies, including the audits of cases discussed at Missing Intervention or Multi Agency Child Exploitation meetings. Ten recent cases had been examined and none were found unsafe, with no remedial action required. The key message was also reinforced that MACE meetings should never take the place of child protection procedures when the threshold for statutory intervention had been met.
• Update on SEND Accelerated Progress Plan and Worcestershire Strategy for SEND - There were 4 remaining areas of weakness identified at the November 2021 inspection. The DfE had recognised the huge amount of work that had taken place to make the required improvements, and the value of all contributors including the Parent Carer Forum and school representatives. A further update would be provided later in the year.
• Worcestershire Children First Independent Fostering Service Ofsted Inspection - The Chairman was pleased to report that following an Ofsted inspection in September 2021, when a ‘requires improvement’ judgement was received, a re-inspection in February 2023 had now resulted in an overall grade of ‘Good’.

Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr Emma Stokes)

The Chairman provided feedback from the Panel’s recent meeting,

highlighting that the proposal to relocate the Redditch Library had been the major focus of the meeting. An update received on Libraries Unlocked had also been considered.

Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Cllr Matt Dormer)

The Chairman explained that the Panel had been due to meet at Bromsgrove District Council but this had been rearranged to a later date. The main highlight of the Panel’s meeting was a Workforce Skills update and the Panel had particularly focused on ways to engage with young people.

Environment Overview and Scrutiny Meeting (Cllr Alastair Adams)

The Chairman provided feedback from the Panel’s recent meeting including:

• Street Works - the Panel had requested detailed information on a number of areas relating to the co-ordination, compliance and control of Street Works activities on the highway, including road closure diversions, reinstatement defects, Section 58 restrictions – protection of resurfaced footways and carriageways, Emergency and urgent work permit applications and the Lane Rental Scheme feasibility. The Chairman commented on the huge increase in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1326.