Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from the following Councillors:

Neil Dirveiks

Dan Gissane

Jeff Morgan

Bill Olner

Wallace Redford

Kate Rolfe

Apologies were received from the following Councillors:

Neil Dirveiks

Dan Gissane

Jeff Morgan

Bill Olner

Wallace Redford

Kate Rolfe

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 December 2019.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 17 December 2019 were agreed as an accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 17 December 2019 were agreed as an accurate record.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Council,

Leader, Cabinet Members or Chief Executive.

A series of announcements were made to Council.

1)    The recent death of ex-County Councillor Peter Barnes was announced by the Chair. Peter served on the County Council between 2001 to 2013. As a member of the Liberal Democrat Group he served his community of Bidford-on-Avon and in that time served on a number of committees including the Regulatory Committee and Stratford-on-Avon Area Committee. In addition, he sat on the Royal Shakespeare Company Community Forum and the Marsh Farm Liaison Group. For the 2009/2010 municipal year Peter was Chair of Council, a role he is known to have thoroughly enjoyed. Members who knew Peter may or may not know that he was a gifted maker of corn dollies.

Council was informed that Peter Barnes’ funeral had been attended by the Chair and Monica Fogarty (Chief Executive). That the chapel at the funeral was full said much for the esteem that Peter Barnes was held in.

Members paid tribute to Peter Barnes and Council stood in silent memory.

2)    Councillor Peter Gilbert informed Council that as it met so HRH Prince Charles was visiting locations in Warwickshire including Bedworth.

3)    The Chair and Council thanked the Fire and Rescue Service for it’s very recent work dealing with the consequences of two major storms which had hit the UK.

4)    Council was informed of a recent visit by 60 children from Thomas Jolyffe School in Stratford-upon-Avon. The children had debated matters in the Council chamber. 

A series of announcements were made to Council.

1)    The recent death of ex-County Councillor Peter Barnes was announced by the Chair. Peter served on the County Council between 2001 to 2013. As a member of the Liberal Democrat Group he served his community of Bidford-on-Avon and in that time served on a number of committees including the Regulatory Committee and Stratford-on-Avon Area Committee. In addition, he sat on the Royal Shakespeare Company Community Forum and the Marsh Farm Liaison Group. For the 2009/2010 municipal year Peter was Chair of Council, a role he is known to have thoroughly enjoyed. Members who knew Peter may or may not know that he was a gifted maker of corn dollies.

Council was informed that Peter Barnes’ funeral had been attended by the Chair and Monica Fogarty (Chief Executive). That the chapel at the funeral was full said much for the esteem that Peter Barnes was held in.

Members paid tribute to Peter Barnes and Council stood in silent memory.

2)    Councillor Peter Gilbert informed Council that as it met so HRH Prince Charles was visiting locations in Warwickshire including Bedworth.

3)    The Chair and Council thanked the Fire and Rescue Service for it’s very recent work dealing with the consequences of two major storms which had hit the UK.

4)    Council was informed of a recent visit by 60 children from Thomas Jolyffe School in Stratford-upon-Avon. The children had debated matters in the Council chamber. 

Cabinet Portfolio Holders: Councillors Kam Kaur and Peter Butlin

This report outlines the content of the Council Plan 2025 and the planned work to ensure its accessibility. Council is asked to approve the plan.

Resolved:

That Council approve the Council Plan 2025.

Councillor Izzi Seccombe (Leader of the Council) moved the recommendation and was seconded by Councillor Kam Kaur (Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation).

In introducing the Council Plan 2025 Councillor Seccombe expressed a common desire to make Warwickshire the best it can be. She noted that Warwickshire is in good shape but that, like other councils, Warwickshire County Council is required to manage reduced resources and increasing demand for services. The Council’s finances are healthy, and this can be attributed to good financial management by officers. Savings of £58.5m will be required over the next three years but there will continue to be the need to protect the most vulnerable in society whist working to stimulate the economy in the light of the upcoming government comprehensive spending review.

Council was reminded of many of its achievements. These include a 29% increase in the number of social workers, greater commercialism, the acquisition of the Pears Centre in Exhall for the delivery of special care services for young people, the success of the reablement service, the continuing delivery of safe and well inspections by the Fire and Rescue Service, support for the local economy and young people seeking to become work ready and the condition of the County’s highway network.

Councillor Seccombe emphasised the need to take account of and mitigate against climate change adding that population growth and increasing demand for services will make it of greater importance that communities are able to support themselves.

It was emphasised that the new plan has a focus on enhancing service delivery and not on the need to make savings.

Amendment 1 – Liberal Democrat.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Sarah Boad (Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) who reserved the right speak, comprising 3 elements. This stated, 

“Amendment 1.1

Page 7 Climate Change

In box ref UN amend to read as follows "we will make sure our work is in line with the Committee on Climate Change and UN Sustainable Development Goals".

https://www.theccc.org.uk

Home - Committee on Climate Change

The UK has committed to becoming a Net Zero economy by 2050. Meeting that goal requires a transformation in land use across the UK. Read our new report.

www.theccc.org.uk

Amendment 1.2

Page 3 Vision

Priority Warwickshire's Communities

Add extra section Work with partners to reduce the level of Child Poverty across Warwickshire.

Amendment 1.3

Page 3 Vision

Priority Warwickshire's economy

Add extra section, become a leader by working with partners, Universities in creating a circular economy for Warwickshire.

Also Change box with UN goals (is in line with the Committee on Climate Change and UN Sustainable Development Goals).

In support of the Liberal Democrat Group amendments, Councillor Roodhouse expressed his general support for the plan but made the following points.

·         The UN sustainability goals as cited in the plan are very aspirational. It is the Committee on Climate Change that undertakes work on risk. The Council should base its objectives on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Councillor Peter Butlin

A report that asks Council to agree the 2020/21 Budget and authorise work to continue on ensuring the 2020-25 Medium Term Financial Strategy is aligned with and supports the delivery of the Council’s ambitions as set out in the Council Plan 2025.

Resolved

That Council agrees the 2020/21 Budget and authorises work to continue on ensuring the 2020-25 Medium Term Financial Strategy is aligned with and supports the delivery of the Council’s ambitions as set out in the Council Plan 2025.

Councillor Peter Butlin (Deputy Leader – Finance and Property) moved the motion and was seconded by Councillor Izzi Seccombe. (See appendices A1 and A2 to these minutes). Councillor Butlin thanked officers for their hard work as well as thanking Councillor Seccombe for her leadership. Council was informed that the whilst the medium-term financial context was less certain the authority was a strong resilient position. Investment is required in services for residents, high streets, vulnerable adults and the creation of a commercial property company.

Unlike the position in some neighbouring local authorities, reserves, Councillor Butlin stated, are healthy. Value for money allied to high quality outcomes are constantly sought with the Council building on work that has already been done.

Further investment will be required in children with special educational needs as well as in assistive technology for vulnerable adults. In addition, there is a need for spending on superfast broadband, road safety and cycleway provision.

The Council plans to invest in the provision of digital services, a reduction in its accommodation requirements, the maximisation of the benefits of land ownership and support for small and start up businesses.

Two further areas for investment were highlighted. These were the possible development of an equivalent to the new Pears Centre for the south of the county and 5G.

Amendment 1 – Labour Group

Councillor Richard Chattaway proposed the amendment as set out in appendix B to these minutes. Councillor Helen Adkins seconded the amendment.

Councillor Chattaway made the following points.

1.    The budget set should be aimed at providing services.

2.    The Council has been required to make £33m of cuts over the last 5 years. A further cut to the local government budget is expected.

3.    Reserves are currently around £9m. A further £80m – £90m of savings will be required over the next 6 years.

4.    Redundancies are being made that undermine the ability to deliver services.

5.    The Council needs to be clear on what its requirements will be around property/accommodation.

6.    Expenditure on IT does not always enhance service delivery.

7.    The capital programme has seen a degree of slippage.

8.    Domestic abuse, whether mental or physical, requires further investment.

9.    Public transport should be green, cleaner and cheaper.

10.The Labour Group would commit to turning street lights back on at night once LEDs are more prevalent.

11.Regarding the Fire and Rescue Service resources for an additional 21 firefighters are included in the Labour Group proposals.

12.Car parking charges should be limited in order to protect town centres by not deterring people from visiting them.

13.More trees should be planted. Many of these could be put on County Council land.

14.Electric vehicle charging points should be installed and to reduce single use plastic bottles water fountains be provided.

15.Waiting times are too long for special education assessment and more should be done to promote men’s health, address drug and alcohol addiction and domestic violence.

16.Capital should be used to enhance town  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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

There were no urgent items.