Venue: Council Chamber, Shire Hall. View directions
Contact: Deb Moseley Democratic Services Team Leader
No. | Item |
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General Additional documents: |
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Apologies for Absence Additional documents: Minutes: Councillors Barbara Brown, Tracey Drew, John Horner, David Humphreys, Mejar Singh and Robert Tromans. |
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Members’ Disclosures of Pecuniary and Non-pecuniary Interests Additional documents: Minutes: None. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 December 2021. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 December 2021 were agreed as an accurate record for signing by the Chair. |
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Chair's announcements Additional documents: Minutes: 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. |
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Our Council Plan 2022 This report outlines the content of the Council Plan 2022. Council is asked to approve the Plan and supporting State of Warwickshire evidence base. Additional documents:
Minutes: 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. |
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2022/23 Budget and 2022-27 Medium Term Financial Strategy 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. Additional documents:
Minutes: 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.
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Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy Following consideration by Cabinet on 25 January 2022 this report is presented to Council for approval. Additional documents:
Minutes: 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). |
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Any Other items of Urgent Business To consider any other items that the Chair considers are urgent. Additional documents: Minutes: None. |