Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair for the ensuing municipal year. The Chair to make a declaration of acceptance of office.

Councillor Isobel Seccombe, seconded by Councillor Andy Crump proposed that Councillor Chris Mills be elected as Chair of Council for the ensuing year.

There were no other nominations.

Resolved:

That Councillor Chris Mills be elected as Chair of Warwickshire County Council for the municipal year 2024/2025.

Vote of thanks to the retiring Chair

Councillor Chris Mills led a vote of thanks for the outgoing Chair, Councillor Christopher Kettle, noting that he was an exceptional and well-respected Chairman.

In response, Councillor Kettle reflected on the diverse range of events he had attended during his year in office and highlighted some of the key memories he held.  He had proud to follow in the footsteps of his late father and expressed thanks to individuals who had supported him in the role.

Resolved:

That the Council records its appreciation for Councillor Christopher Kettle’s service as Chair of the Council for 2023/24.

To elect a Vice-Chair for the ensuing municipal year. The Vice-Chair to make a declaration of acceptance of office.

Councillor Margaret Bell proposed that Councillor Andy Jenns be elected Vice-Chair of Council for the ensuing year and was seconded by Councillor Martin Watson.

There were no other nominations.

Resolved:

That Councillor Andy Jenns be elected as Vice-Chair of Warwickshire County Council for the municipal year 2024/2025.

Councillors Judy Falp, Pete Gilbert, Dale Keeling and Daren Pemberton.

None.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 19 March 2024 were agreed as a true record.

Retirement of Virginia Rennie, Director of Finance

The Chair announced the upcoming retirement of Virginia Rennie, Director of Finance at the end of August.  He extended the Council’s thanks and best wishes to Mrs Rennie.

Councillor Peter Butlin, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, noted that Mrs Rennie had been instrumental to his success in his role and applauded her expertise and professionalism. 

Councillors Jerry Roodhouse, Jonathan Chilvers, Sarah Feeney and Christopher Kettle also commented on their positive experience working with Mrs Rennie, thanked her for her service and wished her well in her retirement.

British Data Awards

The Chair announced that the Council’s Business Intelligence Team was Highly Commended in the BI Solution of the Year category at the British Data Awards on 8 May. 

Councillor Yousef Dahmash, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation explained that the commendation recognised the team’s work in developing a Serious Violence Needs Assessment to identify areas of need in Warwickshire based on a wide range of available partnership data.  Community Safety Partners in Warwickshire were actively using the tool to focus limited resources in a more effective way and the tool was also considered best practice locally, with other reports based on the report targeting other work streams such as suicide prevention.

Councillor Isobel Seccombe, Leader of the Council, moved that Council agree proposals tabled at the meeting with the following amendments:

Corporate Parenting Panel - Councillor Justin Kerridge to replace Councillor Brett Beetham.

Councillor Peter Butlin, Deputy Leader, seconded the proposals, which were put to the vote and agreed as set out below.

Resolved:

1.     That the Council confirms the Committee structure and delegations of non-executive functions to member bodies as set out in the Constitution

2.     That the number of places on Council Committees be as follows:

That the Council agrees the appointment of members to the Committees and other bodies as set below:

Opposition Group Spokespersons are indicated for Overview and Scrutiny Committees (Sp)

Councillor Isobel Seccombe, Leader, proposed that the annual report be received by Council and was seconded by Councillor Adrian Warwick, Chair of the Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chairs of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees each highlighted the work of their Committee and paid tribute to the invaluable support provided by Officers, Vice-Chairs, and particularly the Democratic Services Team.  Councillor Jonathan Chilvers expressed support for more engagement with service users as a way to triangulate evidence during in-depth scrutiny reviews.

Resolved:

That Council notes the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2023-24.

Councillor Yousef Dahmash presented the annual report on the use of the Council’s urgency and call-in procedures, and noted that several urgent decisions had been required during the course of the year but that the call-in process had not been utilised at all over the same period. Councillor Isobel Seccombe seconded the proposal to note the report echoing the view that the processes worked well.

Resolved:

That Council note the report.

Councillor Kam Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Education, moved the recommendation as set out in the report.  Councillor Peter Butlin seconded the recommendation.  A short debate ensued during which Councillor Jonathan Chilvers raised future budget pressures caused by the lack of Department for Education Basic Needs capital grant allocation in 2025/26 and Councillor Tracey Drew questioned the availability of active travel routes. Councillor Marian Humphreys welcomed the investment in specialist resourced provision.

In reply, Councillor Butlin referred to the inadequacy of Section 106 Agreements which were based on static prices and did not allow for inflation.  He noted that where feasible net zero options would be explored and considered but the timely provision of school places was paramount in those considerations.  Councillor Kaur noted increasing demand for school places, the Council’s participation in the government’s Delivering Better Value Programme together with the associated increase in specialist resourced provision, and engagement with schools and district and borough councils to deliver active travel schemes.

Resolved:

That Council:

1.     Approves the addition of £16.467m to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at Lighthorne Heath Primary School to be funded from developer contributions, the School Condition Allowance and the Department for Education (DfE) Basic Need Grant;

2.     Approves the addition of £15.573m to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at Shottery St Andrews CofE Primary School to be funded from developer contributions, the School Condition Allowance, an education capital receipt and the DfE Basic Need Grant;

3.     Approves the addition of £5.347m to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at Myton Gardens Primary School. This will be funded by developer contributions and the DfE Basic Need Grant.

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

None.