Agenda and decisions

To receive any petitions submitted in accordance with the Council’s Petitions Scheme.

To note any requests to speak on any item on the agenda in accordance with the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme (see note at end of the agenda).

That Council supports the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2023.

To consider the following motions submitted by members in accordance with Standing Order 5:

(1)      Joint Labour and Liberal Democrat Motion

SEND Training for Elected Members

           We recognise as a Council that all children have the right to an education that meets their needs and helps them to flourish. As a Council we recognise that there is now greater knowledge of the support needs of children and families. We also recognise that these needs have changed over time with greater understanding of the issues and will continue to grow especially around needs associated with health and mental health.

This Council and Councillors have statutory duties and make judgements and influence decisions about how Special Educational Needs provision is implemented within Warwickshire.   Our decisions always have an impact, and can have a life-changing effect on children and their families.

Considering the growing pressures, it is vital that our knowledge and understanding is current. This needs to include increasing our shared understanding of the challenges facing parents and children, alongside looking towards best practice to improve what we do.

Therefore, the County Council resolves itself to the upskilling of Councillors by providing annual mandatory training for all elected members. Before serving on any panels, scrutiny committees and other bodies that handle the provision of Childrens Services members will need to have attended the training and development sessions. These sessions will be co-produced in partnership between Warwickshire County Council's SEND services and families of children with SEND. This training and development should be delivered as soon as possible, and no further than three months away.

           Proposer: Councillor Barbara Brown

           Seconder: Councillor Jerry Roodhouse

(2)      Conservative Motion

West Midlands Investment Zone

           The Investment Zone represents a multi partner project that has the potential to bring very large-scale inward investment to the Coventry and Warwickshire sub-region.  Over recent years, the proposition has advanced to the point of national support being imminent.  The potential to bring forward such a large-scale project was recognised some time ago as beyond the scope of just Warwickshire County Council and Warwick District Council in whose Authorities most of it resides.  We therefore recognise the value of this becoming a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) priority and the ability for them to bring the large-scale investment into the region to realise this project. Jobs for a new generation and wider opportunities for businesses will undoubtedly flow should this move forward, bringing growth that we should all welcome.

This Council wholeheartedly welcomes the project and would wish to place on record its thanks to all those partners and wider agencies for their support, including Warwick University and our Business Community through their various agencies.

This Council resolves to write a letter of support to the Secretary of State for BEIS (Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) and to invite Coventry City Council, Warwick District Council and the WMCA to co-sign the same, endorsing our full support and backing as partners wishing to deliver this project for the region and the country.

           Proposer: Councillor Martin  ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

(1)      SEND Training for Elected Members

We recognise as a Council that all children have the right to an education that meets their needs and helps them to flourish. As a Council we recognise that there is now greater knowledge of the support needs of children and families. We also recognise that these needs have changed over time with greater understanding of the issues and will continue to grow especially around needs associated with health and mental health.

This Council and Councillors have statutory duties and make judgements and influence decisions about how Special Educational Needs provision is implemented within Warwickshire.  Our decisions always have an impact, and can have a life-changing effect on children and their families.

Considering the growing pressures, it is vital that our knowledge and understanding is current. This needs to include increasing our shared understanding of the challenges facing parents and children, alongside looking towards best practice to improve what we do.

Therefore, the County Council resolves itself to the upskilling of Councillors by providing annual mandatory training for all elected members. Before serving on any panels, scrutiny committees and other bodies that handle the provision of Childrens Services members will need to have attended the training and development sessions. These sessions will be co-produced in partnership between Warwickshire County Council's SEND services and families of children with SEND. This training and development should be delivered as soon as possible, and no further than three months away, subject to the business of scheduled Council panels, scrutiny committees and other bodies continuing in the interim whilst the training of councillors is undertaken.

(2)      West Midlands Investment Zone

The Investment Zone represents a multi partner project that has the potential to bring very large-scale inward investment to the Coventry and Warwickshire sub-region.  Over recent years, the proposition has advanced to the point of national support being imminent.  The potential to bring forward such a large-scale project was recognised some time ago as beyond the scope of just Warwickshire County Council and Warwick District Council in whose Authorities most of it resides.  We therefore recognise the value of this becoming a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) priority and the ability for them to bring the large-scale investment into the region to realise this project. Jobs for a new generation and wider opportunities for businesses will undoubtedly flow should this move forward, bringing growth that we should all welcome.

This Council wholeheartedly welcomes the project and would wish to place on record its thanks to all those partners and wider agencies for their support, including Warwick University and our Business Community through their various agencies.

This Council resolves to write a letter of support to the Secretary of State for BEIS (Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) and to invite Coventry City Council, Warwick District Council and the WMCA to co-sign the same, endorsing our full support and backing as partners wishing to deliver this project for the region and the country.

A period of up to 40 minutes is allocated for questions to the Leader, Cabinet    Portfolio Holders and Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

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