Agenda and minutes

Councillors Barbara Brown, Tracey Drew, John Horner, David Humphreys, Mejar Singh and Robert Tromans.

None.

Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 December 2021.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 December 2021 were agreed as an accurate record for signing by the Chair.

The Chair noted that on 6 February 2022 Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee and indicated his intention to send a letter on behalf of the Council to Her Majesty to congratulate her as she celebrated this unprecedented anniversary. 

This report outlines the content of the Council Plan 2022.  Council is asked to approve the Plan and supporting State of Warwickshire evidence base.

Councillor Isobel Seccombe moved the motion and presented the Council Plan which built on the draft version presented to Cabinet in December.  She noted that the style and presentation of the plan had been developed to ensure the final, adopted version was publicly engaging and provided clarity on the priorities and actions of the Council going forward. This included more clearly setting out the Council’s ambitions for Warwickshire, along with the three strategic priorities and seven areas of focus on page 5 of the plan.  The Plan, which would be a working document, provided the principles for budget setting and service delivery.   Councillor Seccombe also reflected on the State of Warwickshire report and her pride in the Council’s achievements in the previous two years to support vulnerable residents and build a community that was responsive to those in need.  She also welcomed the introduction of the Warwickshire Recovery and Investment Fund to support the business sector.

Councillor Andy Jenns welcomed the plan and noted the wide consultation that had taken place with the public, partners, staff and trade unions. 

Councillor Bill Gifford welcomed the Plan.  He stated that residents were frustrated at the delays in Leamington (‘Leamington Closed for Business’) caused by the Rail and Utility companies being given the maximum time not the minimum time to complete their works, in contrast to the approach of the County Council.  He considered that the Council should share best practice with partners.  He also commented that the Council could communicate bad news better not just good news.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse noted the strategies hyperlinked within the Plan but considered that there were more that could be included.  He reflected upon emerging themes and data regarding exploitation of children and adults and expressed the view that this could have been reflected further across the priorities.

Councillor Jeff Morgan reflected on the position with regard to education in Warwickshire, which was generally good, but expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of Nuneaton Academy which created a gap in the excellent provision across Warwickshire and the impact that this had on children in the area. 

Councillor Will Roberts noted the objectives in the Plan to tackle the climate emergency but did not feel that the aims of 2030 and 2050 made for a sufficient priority, particularly when compared with the West Midlands.  His view that there was not enough emphasis on the climate emergency in the Plan and he, therefore, could not support it.

Councillor John Holland expressed some reservations about the Plan, particularly noting the impact of the Levelling Up agenda and the different priorities across the north and south of the county and urged that steps be taken to provide for local decision making to support local needs and delivery.

Councillor Kam Kaur expressed pride in the Plan and thanked the officers involved in its creation.  She considered that the Plan set out the Council’s ambitions, underpinned by the MTFS, and she noted the host of individuals whose views had played an important role  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

This report seeks Council approval for the 2022/23 Budget and authorisation for work to continue on ensuring that the 2022-27 Medium Term Financial Strategy is aligned with and supports the delivery of the Council’s ambitions as set out in the Council Plan.

Councillor Peter Butlin, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property introduced the item by thanking officers for their assistance and hard work in developing the budget.  He also thanked the budget working group for their assistance in developing the proposals. He then proceeded to set out the Conservative Group’s budget proposals as contained in the appendix to the published report. In doing so he emphasised the following points.

• The challenges presented by the pandemic and the response of the Council and residents of Warwickshire to remain true to its ambition and vision.
• The strong financial base that allowed the Council to deliver on its ambitions and make a positive and lasting impact for the benefit of the people and communities of Warwickshire.  The proposed budget continued to ensure that the Council’s finances were robust and sustainable.
• The Council’s commitment to the most vulnerable in the community, particularly highlighting investment of over £14 million to meet the growing numbers of elderly citizens and vulnerable adults who needed help and support; more than £10 million in children’s social care services to meet the costs arising from the increasing numbers of children and families needing support; and just over £13 million to support children and young people with disabilities and those with Special Educational Needs.
• Continuing to seek efficiencies to deliver better value for money to taxpayers; driving cost reductions through investment in digital, data and automation, adopting more commercial approaches and continuing to support investment that provided for buoyant business and household taxbases
• Provision for a £5 million programme over the following three years to invest in digital technology and automation.
• Investment of over £3 million over the following five years to provide targeted support for young people to improve mental health, well-being and resilience, and provide activities that distracted from crime and county lines, meaning fewer children and young people entering the criminal justice system.
• Investment of £1.5 million in the Fire and Rescue Service to develop and embed joined-up approaches to fire prevention, protection and response as well as the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, making Warwickshire a safer place to work and live.
• Investing over £43 million in transforming Nuneaton town centre through investments in the transport infrastructure and the creation of a new library and business centre as part of a commitment to working with communities and partners to reimagine town centres and create vibrant, quality neighbourhoods.
• Investment of almost £0.5 million supporting early years providers, so that more children living in the most disadvantaged parts of the county would be school ready and could reach their potential.
• Investment of £450,000 a year to create the capacity to drive forward progress towards net zero targets for 2030 and no later than 2050 and to work with partners to plant a tree for every resident in Warwickshire.
• Provision for £120 million for investment through the Warwickshire Property and Development Group to deliver over 2,000 homes initially, 95,000 square feet of industrial space and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Following consideration by Cabinet on 25 January 2022 this report is presented to Council for approval.

Councillor Peter Butlin, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property introduced and moved this report, noting that the external requirement to set a Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy now had more significance due to the implications of the Warwickshire Property & Development Group and Warwickshire Recovery and Investment Fund.  Councillor Warwick seconded the motion.  There being no questions or comments on the report, Councillor Butlin thanked the finance teams for their excellent work and a vote was taken.

Vote

A vote was held. The motion was agreed unanimously

Decision

Resolved that:

1.     The Treasury Management Strategy for 2022/23 (Appendix 2 to the report) be approved with effect from 1st April 2022.

2.     The Investment Strategy for 2022/23 (Appendix 3 to the report) be approved with effect from 1 April 2022.

3.     The revised lending limits for the Warwickshire Property Development Group come into immediate effect (Appendix 3 to the report, Annex 7).

4.     The County Council requires the Strategic Director for Resources to ensure that gross borrowing does not exceed the prudential level specified (Appendix 2 to the report, Section 3.13, Table 10 “Authorised Borrowing Limit”).

5.     The County Council requires the Strategic Director for Resources to ensure that gross investment in non-Treasury investments does not exceed the prudential levels specified (Appendix 3 to the report, Annex 7).

6.     The County Council delegates authority to the Strategic Director for Resources to undertake delegated responsibilities in respect of both strategies (Appendix 2 to the report, Annex 7, and Appendix 3 to the report, Section 2.5).

The County Council requires the Strategic Director for Resources to implement the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy (Appendix 2 to the report, Section 2.8-2.20).

To consider any other items that the Chair considers are urgent.

None.