Agenda item

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 Watson

 

           Seconder: Councillor Isobel Seccombe

(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) SEND Training for Elected Members

 

Councillor Barbara Brown moved the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Jerry Roodhouse:

 

“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.”

 

In proposing the motion, Councillor Brown stated that the decisions made by Council had a profound effect on the life chances of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.  She shared her personal circumstances and experiences of SEND and stressed the importance of all councillors having knowledge and understanding of the issues being faced.  She emphasised the need for mandatory training that was co-produced with parents and carers and an enhanced level of training for those sitting on scrutiny bodies with a remit that covered SEND. 

 

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse seconded the motion and reserved his right to speak.

 

Amendment:

 

Councillor Tim Sinclair proposed the addition of the words “subject to the business of scheduled Council panels, scrutiny committees and other bodies continuing in the interim whilst the training of councillors is undertaken” to the end of the final paragraph of the original motion.  Councillor Brett Beetham seconded the amendment and reserved his right to speak.

 

The amendment was accepted as friendly.

 

Debate:

 

Councillor Bill Gifford welcomed the motion and considered it important for all members to attend training, not just those on committees whose remit included SEND, in order to better support and understand residents seeking assistance.  The training, therefore, was not only about decision-making but also about being equipped to support parents or signpost them to appropriate sources of assistance.  He also reflected on the benefits of previous training opportunities and the positive benefits that children with SEND brought to school culture and the wider community.

 

Councillor Isobel Seccombe thanked the public speakers and those who had engaged with her in recent weeks.  She noted the commitment of the Council’s officers to SEND and the Council’s positive track record on delivering development opportunities and continuous learning for its Members.  She welcomed the proposed training which she considered to be a step forward and noted that three dates for training had already been circulated and she urged councillors to accept them. This training was being developed with input from Warwickshire Parent Carer Voice and IMPACT (the Young Person’s Forum for SEND).  Councillor Seccombe also informed Council that she had been exploring opportunities to develop a workshop with input from parents/carers, young people, teachers and other professional in order to create a lasting resource and record of the Warwickshire journey.

 

Councillor Judy Falp recognised the additional challenges of being a parent to a child with special needs.  She also reflected on previous training opportunities and acknowledged that some committees already required a regular training commitment specific to their remits so she welcomed the broadening of this practice that would result from the motion.

 

Councillor John Holland supported the motion and noted the sanction of exclusion from the specified committees and panels in the event of non-attendance at the training. He supported the approach to the training and urged for the involvement of Councillors Brown and Roodhouse in the co-production efforts.

 

Councillor Penny-Anne O’Donnell welcomed proposals for training and urged councillors to book their places as soon as possible.  She supported the proposal for annual training as she recognised that the terminology associated with SEND changed regularly.  She particularly appreciated co-production efforts as this would give a voice to communities not normally heard.

 

Councillor Brett Beetham welcomed the proposed approach to the development of training and emphasised the need to listen to and learn from Warwickshire residents.  He shared his personal experience of caring for an individual with autism and explained that even with this experience, he understood his knowledge was not complete as individual needs differed. 

 

Councillor Tracey Drew also welcomed the motion and the co-production for training to draw on the expertise of those with lived experience. She considered it would be important to drawn on the wealth of expertise available and emphasised the importance of understanding terminology and the use of language to focus on the support individuals required rather than the health issues involved as there was a clear difference between physical or learning difficulties and ill health. 

 

Councillors Marion Humphreys, Andy Crump and Tim Sinclair also shared their personal lived experiences and encouraged councillors to attend any training offered.

 

In seconding the motion, Councillor Jerry Roodhouse explained that the essence was about respecting individual difference and creating awareness.  He noted the funding challenges faced in the SEND arena and associated campaigning by the Local Government Association and County Councils Network.  He considered that co-production was important to create a culture of information and engagement and an understanding of the lived experience in relation to SEND.  He considered that it would be helpful for training sessions to be held away from Shire Hall and suggested that the audience could be widened to colleagues at district and borough councils.  He concluded that it was imperative for councillors to understand the societal change that was happening and the demand for SEND services. 

 

Responding to the debate, Councillor Brown thanked the chamber for its support for the motion and considered that efforts in co-production would provide an initiative and opportunity that could be revisited to maintain a level of expertise and evaluation of ongoing performance.

 

Vote:

 

The motion was unanimously supported.

 

Resolved:

 

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.

 

(b) WM Investment Zone

 

Councillor Martin Watson moved the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Peter Butlin:

 

“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.”

 

In proposing the motion, Councillor Watson emphasised the role of the WMCA in making the initiative a reality and the importance of the opportunity that was being presented in terms of job creation and growth. 

 

Councillor Peter Butlin seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.

 

Debate:

 

Councillor John Holland commented on the differing forms of governance at regional, county and district levels and the importance of working together.  He emphasised the importance of creating highly skilled job opportunities and the involvement of local universities to educate individuals who were suitable candidates to take up those roles.  He also commented on the environmental impact in terms of increased traffic and the application of the Local Transport Plan.

 

Councillor Sinclair noted the county’s success in the region and encouraged partners to focus their attention on the overall achievement that was being sought.

 

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers welcomed the motion and the opportunity presented by the creation of the WM Investment Zone and extended his thanks to the previous administration of Warwick District Council for their role in bringing this initiative together, and also to WMCA and Coventry City Council.

 

Councillor Jenny Fradgley noted the positive impact that the initiative would bring but expressed caution and the need to maintain scrutiny on the development.

 

Councillor Bill Gifford recognised the negotiations that had happened behind the scenes.  He considered that there were learning opportunities for other regions in terms of the level of growth that had been generated in Warwickshire and Coventry; particularly noting that there were more industrial jobs per head in Warwick District than in Birmingham.  Councillor Gifford hoped that this would prove to be a beneficial initiative for all involved.

 

Councillor Parminder Singh Birdi welcomed the proposal and the partnership working that had taken place.

 

Councillor Peter Butlin emphasised the opportunity that the WM Investment Zone offered to the region, not just in terms of jobs but in the potential to attract other industries to the area, and cited the example of the MIRA Technology Park.  The highways infrastructure to support the Gigafactory was already in place and there were clear links with Devolution and the skills agenda with local universities being key to the development.  The initiative was for the people of Warwickshire and improving job prospects going forward.

 

Councillor Martin Watson emphasised the outcomes of the initiative in terms of employment, attracting highly skilled jobs to the region and future proofing technologies.  He welcomed the addition of Warwick District Council as a non-constituent member of the WMCA to support governance of the WM Investment Zone and ensure that Warwickshire voices were heard.

 

Vote:

 

The motion was carried by a majority (one abstention).

 

Resolved:

 

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.