Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Paul Williams - Democratic Services Team Leader 

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Items
No. Item

1.

General

Additional documents:

1(1)

Apologies

Additional documents:

Minutes:

No apologies were received.

1(2)

Members' disclosure of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made.

1(3)

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 315 KB

 

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2020.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting of 10 September 2020 were agreed.

1(4)

Public Speaking

 

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).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no public speakers

2.

Devolution and Local Government Reform pdf icon PDF 92 KB

 

A decision to be made under the Council’s Urgency Procedure regarding Devolution and Local Government Reform.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Izzi Seccombe (Leader of Council and Chair of Cabinet) reminded members of the process followed to date. The outcome of the 22 September meeting of Council had been reported to the Secretary of State Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick MP on the 23 September. The Secretary of State had, in turn, indicated that the White Paper is likely to be published in October. He accepted that he had yet to receive the County Council’s case for change report but agreed that once he received it he would place it before the Prime Minister. Members were reminded that the decision of whether or not to submit the Case for Change rested with Cabinet.

 

Councillor Seccombe submitted that the principal concern must be to achieve the best outcome for all residents and communities. Without change it was probable that taxes would need to be increased or services reduced. The third option was to consider organisational changes which would lead to greater efficiencies and cost savings.

 

Recognising that the Pandemic has led to the situation where people are losing their jobs and houses, the responsible solution is to ask the Secretary of State to invite all councils in Warwickshire to make a submission. Councillor Seccombe closed by stating that she favoured a single unitary council model but acknowledged that this would require testing. Only when the Secretary of State had invited that submission could consultation commence.

 

Councillor Helen Adkins (Leader of the Labour Group) stated that the County Council was attempting a “power grab”. The desire for consultation was being ignored. Councillor Adkins requested sight of all correspondence on the matter between the Council’s leadership and government. This was agreed to by Councillor Seccombe.

 

Councillor Keith Kondakor recognised the need for reform of local government in Warwickshire but stated that whilst pace would be required so too would a degree of care. It was stressed that there are some services that should not be forgotten. For example, council housing in Nuneaton and Bedworth is very important. Councillor Kondakor added that staffing especially at district and borough councils is a major problem. In Nuneaton there are not enough staff to undertake air quality or biodiversity work. The staff in councils work very hard but there is not enough of them. A wholesale move to Warwick would be inappropriate he stated. Finally it will be very important to get the democratic structures right.

 

Councillor Jeff Morgan (Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services) reminded members that the Conservative election manifesto 2019 gave a clear statement on devolution. The White Paper will expand on this. The case for local government reform was clear with overspends in key children’s services areas. Unitarisation would bring economies of scale and greater empowerment to town and parish councils.

 

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) asked whether the Resolution from Council would be sent to the Minister and whether, following the invitation to district and borough councils to make a joint submission, any responses had been received.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Exclusion of Press and Members of the Public

 

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 Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972’.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The resolution was agreed.

4.

Consideration of the Exempt Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 10 September 2020

 

To consider the exempt minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 10 September 2020

Minutes:

The exempt minutes were agreed as an accurate record.