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 were asked by members.
1) Question to Councillor Butlin from Councillor Kondakor – Warwickshire Property and Development Company
The Warwickshire Property development company business case assumes a strong and consistent rise in house prices that is well above the general rate of inflation for every single year. That business case will have been done a considerable time ago before we had any significant impact of the multiple waves of Covid and the massive reduction in trade with the EU.
Will this council undertake a full remodelling of the business case using realistic estimates this summer once these impacts can properly be assessed but before major commitments are made to the Warwickshire Property Development Company, yes or no?
Answer
Councillor Butlin stated, “Whilst I hear the point Cllr Kondakor makes, no, we do not intend to undertake any remodelling of the business case at this time. The business case has had the benefit of input from external professional advisors and has also been the subject of sensitivity analysis. Any further remodelling would significantly delay getting the company up and running and operational at a time that we now need to press forward with recovery. There is also a risk that any remodelling exercise we undertake now could itself be out of date within a relatively short space of time.
Instead, there will be an annual review and update of the business plan and in our role as shareholder we will be expecting the company to closely review and monitor key house price information and wider economic conditions as they bring forward individual sites for development. In addition, for each individual site, a detailed scheme development plan will be brought forward to Cabinet for consideration which will enable costs, pricing and market conditions to be considered at the right time - before any building work starts on site but not too far in advance. This is critical given the business plan covers a period of more than 20 years.
The Council's Medium-Term Financial Strategy has taken a prudent view on the possible numbers it included from the business case and has also established a specific reserve to manage any short-term volatility in returns.
These are very uncertain times, and the Council has rightly put in place a robust way to both test and regularly monitor the business case and its delivery, to cover both uncertain and more normal times which we expect to see over the lifetime of the property company. We are committed to taking action which supports Warwickshire’s economy by utilising our surplus land and supporting and working with business in creating jobs and homes for our residents. We will work with our public sector partners, utilise our collaboration pilot with Homes England and work with the private sector. We are confident that this will support the economic recovery and have already put in place robust and timely review arrangements to ensure delivery by the company.
In response Councillor Kondakor asked by what percentage house prices would have to fall before a review would be triggered?
Councillor Butlin assured council that house building is very buoyant. The market is strong. However, before any development commences the state of the market will be re-assessed.
2) Question to Councillor Crump from Councillor Falp – Safeguarding of Women
Councillor Falp asked that in response to the death of Sarah Everard in London, what is the council doing to safeguard women.
Answer
Councillor Crump stated that he had been shocked at the death of Sarah Everard. The matter was set to be discussed at the Community Safety Partnership Board. The council supports a number of bodies including the Violence Against Women and Girls Board. This has a sub- group that looks at emerging trends in matters such as domestic violence and women’s refuges. Councillor Crump added that in a recent community safety survey 89% of respondents had stated that they were not concerned of being attacked by a stranger.
3) Question to Councillor Clarke from Councillor Chilvers – A46 Link Road Scheme
Do you agree with me that given COVID, the huge expense, the Climate Emergency and the motion raising serious concerns recently passed by Warwick District Council that all further work on the A46 Link Road scheme should be stopped whilst a full re-evaluation of the initial assumptions made is conducted?
Answer
Councillor Clarke responded that he does not agree with Councillor Chilvers. A recent survey on the project had attracted over 500 responses. Various comments had been made and these were being analysed. Once the results have been collated, so further consideration will be given to the scheme.
In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Chilvers Councillor Clarke agreed that the project is exciting and will open up new opportunities for service delivery on the area.
4) Question to Councillor Clarke from Councillor Chilvers – Leamington Town Centre
Warwick District Council have recently been awarded £10m of the £15m applied for from the future High Streets Fund for Leamington Town Centre. Part of the initial bid was connecting walking and cycling routes that would considerably improve access to the Town Centre and improve air quality. Would the portfolio holder be concerned if these vital elements were lost because the full amount of funding wasn't received?
Answer
Councillor Clarke responded stating that he was pleased that Warwick District Council had received £10m adding that funding will be subject to future review. The allocation is lower than the original bid, but the district council is amending its plans accordingly. There is a lot of money being invested in cycle routes with an objective of creating an east to west route across the town centre.
Councillor Chilvers asked for details of the scaling back of the scheme. Councillor Clarke stated that he will provide this information when he receives it.
5) Question to Councillor Clarke from Councillor Phillips – Part Night Streetlighting
Councillor Phillips asked whether, following the murder of Sarah Everard, a review will be undertaken into part night street lighting.
Answer
Councillor Clarke responded stated that of the 50k streetlights in Warwickshire 35% remain on all night and 65% operate on a part night basis. Since part night lighting was introduced energy bills have been reduced by 57%. The situation is constantly monitored. Lights are left on all night at certain road junctions or where there are considered to be other hazards. There has been no increase in crime reported since the introduction of the scheme and there are no plans to undertake a review of the arrangements.
In response Councillor Phillips suggested that a review is required and asked that one be undertaken by the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
6) Question to Councillor Caborn from Councillor Jenns – Covid-19 Vaccination
Councillor Jenns commented on the success of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Warwickshire and asked that a letter be sent from the council thanking those involved.
Answer
Councillor Caborn agreed to this adding that he would also write to Nadhim Zahawi MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment to thank him. The letter will be signed by the Leader.
7) Councillor Cargill to Councillor Crump – Stratford Fire Station
Councillor Cargill noted that comments in social media have suggested that there are plans to close Stratford Fire Station. He asked if this is the case.
Answer
Councillor Crump, having paid tribute to the crew at Henley in Arden Fire Station which is now operating on a 24/7 basis stated that the are no plans to close Stratford Fire Station.
8) Councillor Seb Gran to Councillor Seccombe – Regeneration of Bedworth
Councillor Gran requested renewed commitment from the Leader of the Council to the regeneration of Bedworth.
Answer
Councillor Seccombe stated that she is happy to support any plans for the regeneration of the town. Transforming Bedworth is gaining traction, but a plan needs to be developed on which any funding bids can be based.
9) Councillor Golby to Councillor Seccombe – West Midlands Combined Authority
Councillor Golby asked the Leader whether she could provide any information on reports of increasing pressure for the council to become full members of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Answer
Councillor Seccombe explained that as a non-constituent member of the Combined Authority the council pays £25K per annum. Were it to be a full member it would be required to pay £650k. By joining the Combined Authority the council would need to relinquish control over transport and highways budgets as well as that for adult learning. For these reasons there is no desire at this stage to become full members of the Combined Authority.
10) Councillor Fradgley to Councillor Clarke – Rail Services at Kenilworth Station
Councillor Fradgley asked what efforts are being made to secure the resumption of services to and from Kenilworth station.
Answer
Councillor Clarke stated that discussions have been held with West Midlands Railways over the matter. The rail operating company has explained that the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on staff. There is only a small cohort of staff with the knowledge that enables them to operate trains into Kenilworth. However, many staff have been absent owing to sickness or the need to shield. It is hoped that as the situation eases so the company will be able to reintroduce services.
Any future issues around punctuality will be a matter for the DfT and the Franchise Regulator.
Councillor Seccombe stressed that the council, having worked hard to see the station in Kenilworth rebuilt, will now push hard to get services reinstated.
11) Councillor Kondakor to Councillor Clarke – Nuneaton Station
Councillor Kondakor noted that whilst there are road schemes proposed for Nuneaton, he would prefer to see a new entrance installed at Nuneaton station. In addition, he would like to see Chiltern Railways operate services from Nuneaton to Leamington via Kenilworth.
Answer
Councillor Clarke stated that the council has no control over developments at Nuneaton station. Nevertheless, the council is working with the rail operators in an attempt to get a new entrance installed.
Regarding the transfer of services to Chiltern Railways, this is not something the council can have any direct influence over. It can only respond to consultations when franchises are set to be renewed.
12) Councillor Rolfe to Councillor Seccombe
Councillor Rolfe asked whether the widespread deployment of LEDs in streetlights that can be easily controlled would enable discussions between communities and the council over which can be left on overnight.
Answer
Councillor Seccombe observed that the murder of Sarah Everard had prompted a series of comments at the council meeting. Personal safety is paramount, but a sense of proportion should be maintained. Streetlighting was not a factor in the death of Sarah Everard. Her death was a very rare incident with men four times more likely to be attacked on the street than women. If streetlights are to be left on all night, this will carry a financial cost that will be required to be met from budgets for other services. People should feel safe on their street and efforts should be made to ensure that.