A period of up to 40 minutes is allocated for questions to the Leader, Cabinet Portfolio Holders and Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees.
Minutes:
A series of questions to Portfolio Holders were asked by members.
Question 1 – Scrapped Weddington GP Surgery – Asked by Councillor Keith Kondakor
Over the last 9 years the project to build a GP surgery in the Weddington division has obtained a site from the Church Field developer and over £900,000 in approved section 106 contributions. The site had outline permission for the surgery and is spade ready. There a GP keen to get a new surgery going if it was built.
There are no GP surgeries in my division and a very rapidly expanding population due to 7 approved housing developments. It is expected that next month the North Warwickshire CCG will formally scrap this project and instead expect residents to wait for a large PFI like funded health centre on a County Council owned site, which is unlikely to happen soon, if ever.
We need the County Council, a commercial firm or community organisation to own the building to get round the new NHS privatisation rules.
Can Warwickshire County Council intervene so that we can have new GPs before winter 2021/22?
Answer to question 1 given by Councillor Les Caborn
The site in question has a complicated history. There are two options being considered; a surgery at Church Field and a health and leisure hub at Top Farm. The funding of any scheme has yet to be agreed and it will be the CCG governing body that makes the final decision. The CCG has suggested that a temporary solution might be found in St Nicholas.
In response Councillor Kondakor observed that a five consulting room practice was required immediately. An overly large facility provided in ten years would not provide the solution.
Question 2 – Warwickshire Property Company – Asked by Councillor Clive Rickhards
Given that the proposed Warwickshire Property Company will be wholly owned by the Council and will set certain targets what assurances are there on the nature of democratic control and scrutiny of the company?
Answer to question 2 given by Councillor Izzi Seccombe.
Work on the property company has been on-going since the May 2020 meeting of Cabinet. No final decisions have been taken and all are subject to legal advice. Further reports will be submitted to Cabinet and Council in October. The intention is that whatever form the project takes it will be subject to close scrutiny.
Question 3 – Cambourne Way/Eastboro Way – Asked by Councillor Keith Kondakor
After just over 2 years the 30 MPH speed signs have finally been reinstalled at the junction of Camborne Drive and Eastboro Way. Would I be correct in thinking the County Council has a legal requirement to reinstall 30MPH signs after road schemes remove existing signs and how many speed signs have been reported to the council in Warwickshire over the last 2 years? Has there been more that have taken over a year to be reinstated?
Answer to Question 3 given by Councillor Izzi Seccombe
A full response could not be given at the meeting. This was however promised. In the meantime, evidence suggested that there had been no long-standing requests for a replacement sign. Only the one that had prompted the replacement.
Question 4 – Covid -19 and Inequalities – Asked by Councillor Helen Adkins
What is the County Council presently and actively doing to prevent the inequalities across Warwickshire further impacting upon such residents during the rest of the COVID crisis? And will the Council undertake a report focusing on the inequalities across the County and the impact such inequalities has had/will continue to have on the COVID pandemic?
Answer to Question 4 given by Councillor Les Caborn
A report on Covid-19 and black and minority ethnic communities by Cabinet. The County Council is aware of the issue and is working hard to address it.
In response Councillor Adkins observed that there are communities in Warwickshire other than black and minority ethnic.
Question 5 – Black Lives Matter – Asked by Councillor Corinne Davies
In light of the BLM movement, is the Council monitoring its policies to ensure they prioritise diversity and inclusion within the County’s workplaces?
Answer to Question 5 given by Councillor Kam Kaur
The County Council works hard to restrict any discrimination. Black and minority ethic employees comprise a greater proportion of the workforce than is reflected by the national average. Strong messages regarding Black Lives Matter have been conveyed by the Council and work continues to encourage people from black and minority ethnic communities to join the workforce.
Question 6 – Care Homes and Covid-19 – Asked by Councillor Dave Parsons
What is the Council doing to ensure that further outbreaks of COVID are prevented in care homes? Furthermore, what is the Council doing to ensure there is adequate PPE and protection for staff in care homes, in the light of a possible second surge during the winter?
Answer to Question 6 given by Councillor Les Caborn
A care homes outbreak control plan has been developed and the Council is working with all care homes to manage the situation. The aim is to embed training and good practice in care homes so that they can manage themselves. This is all part of the Covid-19 resilience process.
A system of mutual aid calls has been established that enables parties to ask question of guest speakers.
Question 7 - Students Returning to Leamington – Asked by Councillor Helen Adkins
How is the Council preparing for the return of 6,000 students, many of whom will be international students, to Leamington in the coming months?
Answer to Question 7 given by Councillor Les Caborn
The County Council is working with landlords’ associations and is in touch wit the welfare departments of the local universities. A more comprehensive answer was promised.
Question 8 – Full time Education Leavers – Asked by Councillor John Holland
This year many people leaving full time education will be unable to find employment. What is the County Council planning to support these young people?
Answer to Question 8 given by Councillor Colin Hayfield
Most young people when leaving school will move on to further education or training. Around 1000 may end up with no firm destination. This figure will be monitored throughout August. For those who are unable to find employment or training then the NEETs system will support them. The system applied this year will not be significantly different from that of previous years.
Question 9 – Funding for maintained Nursery Schools – Asked by Councillor Caroline Philips
Would the County Council be prepared to join a campaign for improvements for funding to maintained nursery schools?
Answer to Question 9 given by Councillor Colin Hayfield
The Council is proud of the six maintained nursery schools in Warwickshire. The government is unclear on what it plans to provide in the way of support. The County Council would engage with a campaign to see funding increased.
Question 10 – Coventry City FC’s proposed new stadium – Asked by Councillor Keith Kondakor
Coventry City FC has announced that it is planning to construct a new stadium on land close to Warwick University. If this project proceeds will the County Council insist on the construction of a new railway station to serve it?
Answer to Question 10 given by Councillor Peter Butlin.
A new station would be sought as part of the project. There is much work to be done to secure funding and relevant permissions.