Agenda and minutes

The Leader welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Councillor Izzy Seccombe invited Councillor Peter Butlin to address the meeting, who announced that a joint venture, spearheaded by Warwickshire County Council had won a major national property award.

Councillor Butlin proudly advised that ‘Develop Warwickshire’ had won the prestigious ‘Deal of the Year – Residential’ award at the RESI Awards in London last night.  Develop Warwickshire would see WCC, Warwickshire Property & Development Group and Countryside Partnerships bring sites forward for housing across the county for the next 30 years, creating thousands of homes and new jobs for local people.  The team had been up against very strong competition and had come out on top against a shortlist of 15.  Councillor Butlin thanked all of the officers involved for their hard work, especially the Strategy and Commissioning Manager, Chris Kaye, and his team for their dedication in helping to deliver housing for the people of Warwickshire.

The Leader added her congratulations and reiterated that this award set Warwickshire apart.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andy Jenns and Wallace Redford and officers, Nigel Minns, Strategic Director for People.   Councillors Judy Falp and Sarah Boad were welcomed to the meeting.

There were none.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2023.

The minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 18 April 2023 were agreed as an accurate record.

To note any requests to speak on any items that are on the agenda in accordance with the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme (see footnote to this agenda).

There was none.

Cabinet are asked to consider proposals for allocating resources in the Education (Schools) Capital Programme to the specific projects set out in the report.

Councillor Kam Kaur introduced the report which outlined proposals for allocating resources in the Education (Schools) Capital Programme to two schemes; Oak Wood Secondary School (Nuneaton) and Bunting Pre School (Stratford upon Avon).

Councillor Kaur provided background to each of the schemes and clarified the financial details including recent increased costs.

Councillor Peter Butlin supported the report and highlighted that recommendation 1) would be considered at Council the following week.  He reiterated that the costings for Bunting Pre School were as a result of increases in inflation.  Councillor Butlin concluded by applauding the Oak Wood Secondary School scheme which would help to continue to deliver vocational training and prepare individuals for the workplace in the north of the county.

Councillor John Holland welcomed the proposals and queried whether schools were able to contend with the necessary adaptations required, considering the larger proportion of SEND pupils in mainstream schools.

In response, Councillor Kaur confirmed that this was managed on a priority and demand basis, with officers working with the education departments to ensure that appropriate adaptations were managed and completed.

The Leader reiterated the need for SEND places in both special and mainstream schools due to increased demand.  She reminded the meeting that it was vital to deliver the service to ensure that every child was given the chance to be the best they could be and thanked Councillor Kaur and the team for their work.

Councillor Kaur proposed the recommendations and it was

Recommended to Council that:

1)    £2.714 million be added to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at Oak Wood Secondary School;

Resolved that:

2)    Subject to Council's agreement to the required addition to the Capital Programme in respect of Oak Wood Secondary School, the Strategic Director for Resources is authorised to enter into a Deed of Surrender with the Department for Education (DfE) in relation to Unit 1, Bermuda Innovation Centre on terms and conditions considered acceptable to him;

3)    Subject to successful completion of the Deed of Surrender (referred to at Recommendation 2), the Council is authorised to lease Unit 1 and Unit 9 Bermuda Innovation Centre to Central England Academy Trust on terms and conditions considered acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources;

4)    The addition to the Capital Programme of £0.072 million funded from developer contributions is approved to deliver the scheme at Bunting Pre School; and

5)    Subject to Council’s agreement to the required additions to the Capital Programme, the Strategic Director for People, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, is authorised to invite tenders and enter into the appropriate contracts or (where the scheme is school/provider led) to make the necessary funding arrangements for these schemes on terms and conditions considered acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources.

To consider approving Warwickshire County Council’s Adult and Community Learning Service’s Accountability Agreement (2023/24) and authorise the Strategic Director for People to submit the Accountability Agreement to the Department for Education by 31 May 2023.

Councillor Kam Kaur introduced the report which sought Cabinet’s approval for Warwickshire County Council's Adult and Community Learning Service's Accountability Agreement (2023/24) attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Councillor Kaur outlined the recommendations and explained that the requirement for the Accountability Agreement had emerged from the government’s Skills for Jobs White Paper.  She reiterated that this was not new funding but due to the provision being in excess of £1million, the authority were required to produced and submit the agreement to the Department of Education by 31 May 2023.

Councillor Kaur expressed her thanks to the Adult and Learning Community Board who had supported the work at each stage and recognised the partners who had also contributed throughout.  She felt that the document was an example of great co-production and showed how the Council worked together with partners in a positive way.  Prior to moving the recommendations, Councillor Kaur thanked all the officers involved.

Resolved

That Cabinet:

1)    Approves the Accountability Agreement (2023/24) for Warwickshire County Council’s Adult and Community Learning Service (ACL), attached at Appendix 1; and

2)    Authorises the Strategic Director for People to submit the Accountability Agreement to the Department for Education by 31 May 2023.

Cabinet is asked to note the progress made on the development of options and priorities for a potential future Devolution Deal for Warwickshire, authorise further engagement with partners and note the content of the recently agreed West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) ‘Deeper Devolution Deal’.

Councillor Izzy Seccombe introduced the report and outlined the progress made so far.  She thanked all those Members who had volunteered to be part of the Member Working Group and noted the work undertaken so far.

Councillor Seccombe recognised the West Midlands Combined Authority ‘Deeper Devolution Deal’, and a summary of the main aspects were attached in Appendix 1 to the report.

The report also noted the strong working relationships with the District and Borough Council’s and Councillor Seccombe noted that these may go through a period of reset following the recent local elections.  The Leader of the Council had written to the Secretary of State in March 2022, expressing the Council’s interest in being invited to commence negotiations on a Devolution Deal for Warwickshire but as yet had not received a response.

Councillor Sarah Boad addressed the meeting and referred to the recent changes in political control at various Councils.  She queried the timescales involved as she did not feel a great deal of progress had been made.

Councillor Seccombe noted the comments and reiterated that whilst there may be new Portfolio Holder representatives at District and Borough Council levels, the County Council would be looking to reaffirm its’ position.  She highlighted the importance of continuing the work to establish a strong economy in the County that would benefit everyone.

The Leader proposed the recommendations as laid out, and it was

Resolved

That Cabinet:

1)    Notes the progress made to date on the development of options and priorities for a potential future Devolution Deal for Warwickshire and authorises further engagement with partners, based on the proposals set out in Appendix 2; and

2)    Notes the content of the recently agreed West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) ‘Deeper Devolution Deal’ and the potential elements of interest and benefit for Warwickshire Councils as Non-Constituent Members and supports ongoing engagement with the West Midlands Combined Authority to maximise the opportunities for Warwickshire from the WMCA Devolution Deal.

To consider the refreshed Integrated Delivery Plan (IDP) for the period April 2023 to March 2025.  This supports the Council Plan 2022-27, approved by Council in February 2022.

The report sought approval for the refreshed Integrated Delivery Plan (IDP) for the period April 2023 to March 2025.  The IDP supported the Council Plan 2022-27 which was approved by Council in February 2023. 

Councillor Izzy Seccombe introduced the report and advised that this was a five year rolling plan, expressing the Council’s medium-term ambitions and objectives.  The IDP would be refreshed annually and looked at the next two years, showing how the budget would be split and delivered through the different departments.

The Leader proposed the recommendation as laid out, and it was

Resolved that Cabinet approves the refreshed Integrated Delivery Plan attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

To receive and consider the recommendations made by the GP Services Task and Finish Group, following their review and subsequent report.

Councillor Margaret Bell introduced the report which outlined the recommendations from the GP Services Task and Finish Group and which were for action by the County Council and the wider Coventry and Warwickshire health system.

Councillor Bell provided background to the work, explaining that in March 2021 the Adult Social Care and Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee had proposed the establishment of the Task and Finish Group to look at GP Services in the area.  She noted that the work had been taking place whilst the CCG’s were being transformed into the ICS, making it harder to work against a moving background. 

Appendix A to the report outlined the recommendations made by the group and Members noted that the report would also be submitted to the Health and Wellbeing Board for consideration.

The Chair of the Task and Finish Group, Councillor Judy Falp, addressed the meeting and expressed her thanks to the officers involved, especially Paul Spencer, Senior Democratic Services Officer.  She advised that it had not been an easy piece of work to scope due to the breadth of health services and hoped that the recommendations would be supported, with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee enabled to monitor progress.

Councillor Izzy Seccombe supported the proposal of continued overview of the work and recognised that the changes around health would be imperative moving forwards.  She reminded Members that they were the vehicle for encouraging good communication in their areas.

Councillor John Holland concurred with the comments made and recognised the role of the scrutiny committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board in leading on the issues being raised.  He recognised the very difficult job of the GP’s and the challenges being encountered by residents and hoped that with all partners working together, the situation could be improved and some of the problems solved.

Councillor Andy Crump supported the recommendations and reflected on his experience dealing with residents who were often confused about who to speak to and what was happening in their area.  He felt that recommendation 3 was key, encouraging patient involvement and engaging with partners.

The Leader recognised that all Members were affected by these issues and queried if some would appreciate understanding more about the systems and processes currently in place.  She suggested a briefing for wider members of the Council in six months’ time to help understand the changes and to enable Councillors to feedback to the ICS.

Councillor Bell agreed to take the suggestion back to officers and recognised the importance of good communications.  She thanked the Task & Finish Group for their hard work and proposed the recommendations as laid out.

It was therefore,

Resolved that Cabinet approves the recommendations made for actions by the County Council and the wider Coventry and Warwickshire health system as set out in the report of the GP Services Task and Finish Group (TFG) and as detailed below:

1)    That coordinated communications activity continues to be undertaken to explain to the public the revised primary care service delivery rationale.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

A report seeking approval to progress with a National Capital Grant fundingproposal for the development of a specialist supported housing scheme.

Councillor Margaret Bell introduced the report which sought approval to progress with the development of a specialist supported housing scheme.  The scheme would accommodate people with autism or autism and learning disabilities who require specifically adapted and single occupancy accommodation with care support.

Councillor Bell explained that the aim was to reduce the number of people in inpatient settings, helping to bring them back into the community.  She provided an overview of proposed development which would provide six self-contained bungalows with front and rear gardens.

Councillor Peter Butlin applauded the work and explained the costs involved.  He felt that, whilst there was a cost to the authority, it was important to make provision for children and young adults with specific needs and to give them the opportunity to have their independence whilst functioning within the community.

Councillor John Holland welcomed the report but raised a concern about the number of people struggling to receive a diagnosis of autism.  In response, Councillor Bell assured the meeting that the Council was very aware of the problems encountered with getting a diagnosis and confirmed that the team were on target to reduce the waiting time to 13 weeks.

Councillor Izzy Seccombe added her support to the project and was excited to see the development progress.  She reiterated that the project was aimed at people with long term needs and challenges, enabling them to live independently with support, gain employment, travel and socialise.

Councillor Sarah Boad also welcomed the report, stating it was lovely to see a development of this type in the south and middle of the County.

Having considered the report and having heard from those present, Councillor Bell moved the recommendations as laid out.  It was therefore,

Resolved

That Cabinet:

1)    Supports in principle the proposed use of a vacant Warwickshire County Council site, the Shortwoods site in the North of the County (North Warwickshire Borough area) for the establishment of six units of ‘Building the Right Home’ supported housing as part of the Transforming Care agenda, for people with autism or autism and learning disabilities;

2)    Authorises the Strategic Director for People, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care & Health, to commence a procurement process for the appointment of a registered housing provider to develop a bid to NHS England (NHSE) on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board to secure ‘Building the Right Home’ Capital Grant funding for the capital costs of this proposed development and to deliver the scheme; and

3)    Subject to the required capital funding for the scheme being secured:

a)    authorises the Strategic Director for People to enter into all relevant contracts for the design, build and management of the scheme on terms and conditions acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources;

b)    authorises the Strategic Director for Resources to enter into all property related agreements that he considers necessary on terms and conditions acceptable to him, including authority if necessary to grant a 125-year lease at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider passing the following resolution:

‘That members of the public be excluded from the meeting for the items mentioned below on the grounds that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972’.

Resolved:

That members of the public be excluded from the meeting for the item mentioned below on the grounds that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider a report requesting approval to start a procurement exercise for the bulk haulage of municipal waste and to award contract(s) for these services.

Councillor Heather Timms introduced the item and summarised the exempt report.

Resolved:

That the recommendations as set out in the exempt report be approved.

The meeting ended at 14:37