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

(1)      Liberal Democrat Motion

This Council has responsibility for flood resilience and has been successful in leveraging funding from the Environment Agency to deliver flood prevention schemes, it also partners with the River Severn Partnership and the River Trent Partnership which is a group of local authorities working together to gain extra funding from government for flood prevention works.

This Council also recognises the amount of planned growth in housing across the County.  Weather patterns are changing, and we now see increasingly heavy rain falls which are creating drainage issues especially on highways in urban areas.

The County Council acting as the highway authority, uses its climate change adaptation policy as a framework of action where it needs to adapt to these more frequent changes in weather.

This Council therefore

1.        Requests that the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Climate & Culture arranges for a review to be conducted to ensure that effective drainage policies are fully considered.

and

2.        Invites Seven Trent Water to explain its adaptation policies in relation to drainage matters and to explore closer working relationships with elected members in the Divisions they represent.

Proposer: Councillor Jerry Roodhouse

Seconder: Councillor Bill Gifford

(2)      Conservative Motion

This Council has made the commitment within the Council Plan 2020-2025 - 'We will partner with our communities to plant a tree for every Warwickshire resident'.  In order to meet this commitment, this Council supports the:

1.              Production of a Tree/Woodland Strategy for Warwickshire (with an offer to the District and Borough Councils to co-produce the Strategy) with the key priorities of connecting green corridors, increasing biodiversity and increasing tree coverage

2.              Production of a costed action plan for consideration with target dates for the provision of the tree cover within the county to meet this commitment

3.              Identification of land that could be used for tree planting, including land owned by the County Council, such as country parks, particularly to support the Queens Green Canopy

4.              Acceleration of the development of a costed business case of options, to include the option of establishing a tree nursery within the county, to secure a reliable tree supply for the future

5.              Investigation of the opportunities for community orchards to help improve the supply of fresh, local produce and boost the health of residents;

6.              Proposal to work with the voluntary sector to deliver tree planting plans, including via Borough, District and Parish Councils;

7.              Involvement of schools, colleges and universities and their pupils and students in carrying out tree planting and woodland maintenance;

8.              Identification and documentation of sources of funding available to the Council and voluntary organisations to pay for tree planting;

9.              Reporting of progress on the commitment on a regular basis to the cross party Climate Change Working Party.

Proposer: Councillor Tim Sinclair

Seconder: Councillor Adrian Warwick

(3)      Labour Motion (1)

This Council notes that two of our blue light services serve the county of Warwickshire, that is Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.  Our ambulance service is provided via West Midlands Ambulance Services. This Council considers that the NHS should consider the option of establishing a Warwickshire Ambulance Service, as separate from the West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Proposer: Councillor John Holland

Seconder: Councillor Barbara Brown

(4)      Labour Motion (2)

This Council notes the statement by the Chancellor in his October budget speech stressing the importance of the first 1001 days of life.  Accordingly, this Council supports the development of a costed business case to consider the relaunch of Sure Start Children’s Centres in the county.

Proposer: Councillor Barbara Brown

Seconder: Councillor Sarah Millar

1.        Flood Alleviation and Drainage

The Liberal Democrat Group proposed the following motion as set out on the agenda:

“This Council has responsibility for flood resilience and has been successful in leveraging funding from the Environment Agency to deliver flood prevention schemes, it also partners with the River Severn Partnership and the River Trent Partnership which is a group of local authorities working together to gain extra funding from government for flood prevention works.

This Council also recognises the amount of planned growth in housing across the County.  Weather patterns are changing, and we now see increasingly heavy rain falls which are creating drainage issues especially on highways in urban areas.

The County Council acting as the highway authority, uses its climate change adaptation policy as a framework of action where it needs to adapt to these more frequent changes in weather.

This Council therefore

1. Requests that the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Climate & Culture arranges for a review to be conducted to ensure that effective drainage policies are fully considered.

and

2. Invites Seven Trent Water to explain its adaptation policies in relation to drainage matters and to explore closer working relationships with elected members in the Divisions they represent.”

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse moved the motion, seconded by Councillor Bill Gifford.

Amendment

Councillor Heather Timms proposed a friendly amendment. This was seconded by Councillor Isobel Seccombe who reserved her right to speak. The amendment stated:

“This Council?has responsibility for flood? resilience and has been successful in leveraging funding from the Environment Agency?to deliver flood prevention schemes. The Council has strong relationships with partner organisations including the Environment Agency, Districts and Boroughs and Severn Trent. The council has joined , it also partners with the River Severn Partnership and the River Trent Partnership which are is a groups of local authorities working together to gain extraattract additional funding from government for flood prevention works.

This Council also recognises the amount of? planned growth in housing across the County.??Weather patterns are changing, and we now see increasingly heavy rain falls which?are?creating drainage issues especially on highways in urban areas.?

The County Council acting as the highway authority, uses its climate change adaptation policy as a framework of action where it needs to adapt to these more frequent changes in weather.???

This Council therefore

1.     Would support a proposal being brought forward for a flood alleviation and flood adaptation summit with key partners Requests that the Portfolio Holder?for?Environment, Climate & Culture arranges?for?a review?to be conducted?to ensure that?effective?planning and drainage?policies?are fully considered. 

           and

2.     Requests that the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee considers undertaking a review of this Council’s flood alleviation and drainage policies and Iinvites Seven Trent?Water, the Environment Agency and other partners to provide evidence for this review, in order to develop?to explain its adaptation policies?in relation to drainage matters?and to explore closer working relationships between partners and councillors in their individual with elected members in the Divisions they represent.”

The amendment was accepted by Councillor Roodhouse as a friendly amendment.

Debate

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers expressed support for the motion as he noted that flooding could be a disruptive and traumatic event.  He considered that the maintenance of drainage was one of the most important aspects of the Council’s maintenance. 

Councillor Sarah Feeney observed and suggested that one of the areas Scrutiny could consider was the effect in urban areas where parking was an issue that impeded jetting teams.  She felt that this was an issue that would increase exponentially with car ownership and, therefore, the number of contractors used and how they were mobilised was a key issue.

Councillor Jeff Clarke observed that drainage affected all areas and was a wide-ranging issue that he would welcome for scrutiny at Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

Councillor Bill Gifford observed that the Council had some responsibility for flooding, but the point needed to be made to Severn Trent that they had a responsibility to work with the Council and take responsibility when necessary.

Councillor Isobel Seccombe welcomed the acceptance of the friendly amendment and noted that her personal concerns were about the way the whole system worked. 

Councillor Heather Timms thanked Councillor Roodhouse for accepting the friendly amendment which she felt had given the motion more power.  She had been excited by the prospect presented by the River Severn Partnership of leveraging government funding to the region and noted the similar the opportunities presented by the River Trent Partnership.  In the division that she represented flooding from the River Avon had a real impact on local people and businesses.  She concluded by thanking Councillor Clarke for welcoming the issue for scrutiny and encouraged all members to get involved.

Vote:

A vote was held, and the amended motion was agreed unanimously.

Resolved:

This Council has responsibility for flood resilience and has been successful in leveraging funding from the Environment Agency to deliver flood prevention schemes. The Council has strong relationships with partner organisations including the Environment Agency, Districts and Boroughs and Severn Trent. The council has joined the River Severn Partnership and the River Trent Partnership which are groups of local authorities working together to attract additional funding.

This Council also recognises the amount of planned growth in housing across the County.  Weather patterns are changing, and we now see increasingly heavy rain falls which are creating drainage issues especially on highways in urban areas.

The County Council acting as the highway authority, uses its climate change adaptation policy as a framework of action where it needs to adapt to these more frequent changes in weather.  

This Council therefore

1.        Would support a proposal being brought forward  for a flood alleviation and flood adaptation summit with key partners to ensure that effective planning and drainage policies are fully considered.

and 

2.        Requests that the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee considers undertaking a review of this Council’s flood alleviation and drainage policies and invites Seven Trent Water, the Environment Agency and other partners to provide evidence for this review, in order to develop relationships between partners and councillors in their individual Divisions .

2.        Tree Planting

The Conservative Group moved the following motion as set out on the agenda:

“This Council has made the commitment within the Council Plan 2020-2025 - 'We will partner with our communities to plant a tree for every Warwickshire resident'.  In order to meet this commitment, this Council supports the:

1.        Production of a Tree/Woodland Strategy for Warwickshire (with an offer to the District and Borough Councils to co-produce the Strategy) with the key priorities of connecting green corridors, increasing biodiversity and increasing tree coverage

2.        Production of a costed action plan for consideration with target dates for the provision of the tree cover within the county to meet this commitment

3.        Identification of land that could be used for tree planting, including land owned by the County Council, such as country parks, particularly to support the Queens Green Canopy

4.        Acceleration of the development of a costed business case of options, to include the option of establishing a tree nursery within the county, to secure a reliable tree supply for the future

5.        Investigation of the opportunities for community orchards to help improve the supply of fresh, local produce and boost the health of residents;

6.        Proposal to work with the voluntary sector to deliver tree planting plans, including via Borough, District and Parish Councils;

7.        Involvement of schools, colleges and universities and their pupils and students in carrying out tree planting and woodland maintenance;

8.        Identification and documentation of sources of funding available to the Council and voluntary organisations to pay for tree planting;

9.        Reporting of progress on the commitment on a regular basis to the cross party Climate Change Working Party.”

Councillor Tim Sinclair moved the motion. In doing so he noted the benefits of trees and spending time in nature, the valuable environmental contribution of trees in relation to carbon collection, flooding and the provision of habitats.  A commitment had been made to plant a tree for every resident and this motion represented a practical plan to achieve this objective.

Councillor Adrian Warwick seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.

Amendment

Councillor Jenny Fradgley proposed a friendly amendment which was seconded by Councillor Kate Rolfe. The amendment stated,

“This Council has made the commitment within the Council Plan 2020-2025 - 'We will partner with our communities to plant a tree for every Warwickshire resident'.  In order to meet this commitment, this Council supports the:

1.              Production of a Tree/Woodland Strategy for Warwickshire in partnership with the Soil Association and the Forestry Commission (with an offer to the District and Borough Councils to co-produce the Strategy) with the key priorities of connecting green corridors, increasing biodiversity and increasing tree coverage

2.              Production of a costed action plan for consideration with target dates for the provision of the tree cover within the county to meet this commitment

3.              Work with all elected members to increase biodiversity by identifying land in their County Divisions that could be used along with the identificationIdentification of land that could be used for tree planting, including land owned by the County Council, such as country parks, particularly to support the Queens Green Canopy

4.              Acceleration of the development of a costed business case of options, to include the option of establishing a tree nursery within the county, to secure a reliable tree supply for the future

5.              Investigation of the opportunities for community orchards to help improve the supply of fresh, local produce and boost the health of residents;

6.              Proposal to work with the voluntary sector to deliver tree planting plans, including via Borough, District and Parish Councils;

7.              Involvement of schools, colleges and universities and their pupils and students in carrying out tree planting and woodland maintenance;

8.              Identification and documentation of sources of funding available to the Council and voluntary organisations to pay for tree planting;

9.              Reporting of progress on the commitment on a regular basis to the cross party Climate Change Working Party.”

Councillor Sinclair did not accept the amendment, stating that the original motion allowed an acceleration of activity which was not supported by the proposed amendment. 

Debate

Councillors Jerry Roodhouse and Bill Gifford expressed sadness that the friendly amendment had not been accepted as a genuine attempt to increase partnership working.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers welcomed the effort that had been put into presenting this strategy but, in the context of carbon reduction, he cautioned against accepting funds from investment schemes without considering the wider overall impact. He noted that it was important not to provide opportunity for organisations to support tree planting locally to offset pollution/habitat destruction in another part of the world.

Councillor Pemberton also supported the importance of ensuring that any carbon credit schemes were locally based, and outlined the approach of local planning authorities to provide further clarification on this point.

Councillor Clare Golby noted that some of the most deprived areas in the county would not have green space to accommodate tree planting and it was important to look for alternative arrangements for residents in those areas.

Councillor Drew sought assurance that the motion included a commitment to plant the right tree in the right place and she saw value in a partnership approach to support this. 

Councillor Will Roberts noted that the organisations included in the amendment were experts in the field and expressed bafflement as to why it was considered working in partnership with them would slow down the process.  He supported the amendment.

Councillor Kate Rolfe, who had seconded the amendment, extolled the virtues of partnership working and urged Councillor Sinclair to reconsider accepting the amendment to include working with partnership bodies.

Councillor Adrian Warwick seconded the motion and in doing so he noted the desire to get the work done and make the area better.  He observed that consultation could be included as part of the process, but not tying other bodies to the work allowed a quicker response. 

Councillor Timms welcomed the motion.  She expressed her pride in the initiatives that she had led in the county regarding climate change and considered that the motion accelerated that work.  She noted the Council’s commitment to partner with its communities, ie the whole of Warwickshire, and she considered that the motion strengthened that commitment due to reference to a Tree and Woodland Strategy for Warwickshire.  She noted that talks had also commenced with the Woodland Trust.  She particularly welcomed the tree nursery, as it provided an opportunity to engage all the residents in Warwickshire and provide home grown trees to feed into the strategy. She welcomed Warwickshire as a green and pleasant place to live and wanted to see that legacy endure for future generations.

Councillor Butlin celebrated the wellbeing impacts of trees and the duty of the Council to ensure that Warwickshire remained green. 

Councillor Sarah Boad encouraged councillors and residents to identify suitable places for tree planting but did not see why the Woodland Trust or Forestry Commission should not be included in planning.  She considered that more creative debate about the location of trees was needed.  She shared an anecdote which demonstrated how protective residents were of the trees in their area and, echoing the sentiments of those before her, celebrated partnership working and urged the acceptance of the amendment.

Councillor Sarah Feeney reiterated the comments of Councillor Golby, noting that tree planting was a wider issue than focussing on country parks as not all residents could get to them and it was important to consider other areas for planting.

Councillor John Holland was supportive of joint working with the borough and district councils, noting that Warwick District Council was also looking at a tree planting scheme.  He noted that it was important to create a joined-up approach and work together.

Councillor Justin Kerridge reflected on comments about the lack of green space in urban areas and considered this issue needed a wider approach which could see regeneration projects include tree planting.

Councillor Jack Kennaugh supported the motion, noting that he too represented an urbanised area and welcomed any planting schemes.

Councillor Jenny Fradgley considered that tree planting was one of most difficult undertakings for community groups, as it was important to ensure several factors were right, particularly citing the species of tree, the space, the location of utilities, and highways policy.  The presence of a partnership allowed for a clear policy and rules to exist. 

Councillor Sinclair replied that he recognised the importance of planting the right tree in the right place and that the motion represented an investment in the future. 

Vote:

A vote was held, and the amendment was lost.   A further vote was held on the substantive motion and was carried.

Resolved:

This Council has made the commitment within the Council Plan 2020-2025 - 'We will partner with our communities to plant a tree for every Warwickshire resident'.  In order to meet this commitment, this Council supports the:

1.        Production of a Tree/Woodland Strategy for Warwickshire (with an offer to the District and Borough Councils to co-produce the Strategy) with the key priorities of connecting green corridors, increasing biodiversity and increasing tree coverage

2.        Production of a costed action plan for consideration with target dates for the provision of the tree cover within the county to meet this commitment

3.        Identification of land that could be used for tree planting, including land owned by the County Council, such as country parks, particularly to support the Queens Green Canopy

4.        Acceleration of the development of a costed business case of options, to include the option of establishing a tree nursery within the county, to secure a reliable tree supply for the future

5.        Investigation of the opportunities for community orchards to help improve the supply of fresh, local produce and boost the health of residents;

6.        Proposal to work with the voluntary sector to deliver tree planting plans, including via Borough, District and Parish Councils;

7.        Involvement of schools, colleges and universities and their pupils and students in carrying out tree planting and woodland maintenance;

8.        Identification and documentation of sources of funding available to the Council and voluntary organisations to pay for tree planting;

9.        Reporting of progress on the commitment on a regular basis to the cross party Climate Change Working Party”

3.        Ambulance Services

Councillor John Holland moved the following motion, seconded by Councillor Sarah Feeney.

“This Council notes that two of our blue light services serve the county of Warwickshire, that is Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service. Our ambulance service is provided via West Midlands Ambulance Services.

This Council requests that an invite be sent to the Chief Executive of the West Midlands Ambulance Service in order to consider how the ambulance service can be strengthened for the residents of Warwickshire and to agree an action plan.”

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse proposed the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor Bill Gifford.

“This Council notes that two of our blue light services serve the county of Warwickshire, that is Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.  Our ambulance service is provided via West Midlands Ambulance Services. This Council requests that an invite be sent to the Chief Executive of the West Midlands Ambulance Service in order to consider how the ambulance service can be strengthened for the residents of Warwickshire and to agree an action plan along with the consideration of considers that the NHS should consider the option of establishing a Warwickshire Ambulance Service, as a standalone unit separate from the West Midlands Ambulance Service. ”

Councillor Margaret Bell proposed an amendment to the Liberal Democrat amendment which was seconded by Councillor Jo Barker who reserved her right to speak.  The amendment stated

“This Council notes that two of our blue light services serve the county of Warwickshire, that is Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service. Our ambulance service is provided via West Midlands Ambulance Services.

This Council requests that an invite be sent to the Chief Executive of the West Midlands Ambulance Service in order to consider how the ambulance service can be strengthened for the residents of Warwickshire and to agree an action plan along with the consideration of establishing a Warwickshire Ambulance Service, as a standalone unit separate from the West Midlands Ambulance Service.”

The amendment was accepted by Councillor John Holland.

In moving the amended motion Councillor Margaret Bell stated that the reason for the proposed deletion was rooted in a discussion that Scrutiny had been involved in with the Ambulance Service, which highlighted the systemic issues that were faced.  She welcomed a conversation with the Ambulance Service Chief Executive to put forward an action plan for Warwickshire to improve services for residents.  However, she did not think it would be possible to engage the Chief Executive on a reorganisation of the Service.  She noted the history to the formation of the West Midlands Ambulance Service which shaped her belief that it would not be profitable to push for a change of structure.  However, this did not prevent the ambition to seek to improve services for residents and she was therefore happy to support the proposal to meet and devise an action plan, concluding that the Blue Light Collaboration Board was the best forum to facilitate the discussion.

Debate

Councillor Sarah Boad stated her belief that the Ambulance Service was struggling to cope and maintain the level of required service.  She noted the efforts of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service in relation to the Hospital to Home initiative.  She stated that it was important to ensure residents received the best deal possible and supported the motion to achieve that aim.

Councillor Isobel Seccombe expressed the view that the amendment improved the motion to the extent that it focussed on what was possible and allowed a dialogue to be opened with the Ambulance Service and for work to take place in partnership.

Councillor Robert Tromans echoed previous comments, agreed that the Blue Light Collaboration Board was the appropriate forum for discussion and expressed his hope that the Ambulance Service would engage.

Councillor Jo Barker supported the view that it was important to ensure the Ambulance Service was working as well as it could for the benefit of residents.

Councillor Sarah Feeney stated that the Ambulance Service was not currently delivering for residents, particularly noting her concern that a petition from Rugby residents regarding the removal of a casual ambulance station had not been responded to. She argued that a level of accountability was needed and that if the motion did not deliver a viable action plan, that the issue should return to Full Council for consideration.

Councillor Holland supported the view that residents needed a first class Ambulance Service and he considered a blue light service for Warwickshire was needed.

Vote:

A vote was held, and the amended motion was agreed by a majority.

Resolved:

“This Council notes that two of our blue light services serve the county of Warwickshire, that is Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service. Our ambulance service is provided via West Midlands Ambulance Services.

This Council requests that an invite be sent to the Chief Executive of the West Midlands Ambulance Service in order to consider how the ambulance service can be strengthened for the residents of Warwickshire and to agree an action plan.”

The meeting adjourned at 12.40pm and reconvened at 1.00pm.

4.        Relauch of SureStart

The Labour Group proposed the following motion as set out on the agenda.

“This Council notes the statement by the Chancellor in his October budget speech stressing the importance of the first 1001 days of life.  Accordingly, this Council supports the development of a costed business case to consider the relaunch of Sure Start Children’s Centres in the county.”

Amendment

Councillor Sarah Boad proposed a friendly amendment. This was seconded by Councillor Jerry Roodhouse who reserved his right to speak. The amendment stated,

“This Council notes the statement by the Chancellor in his October budget speech stressing the importance of the first 1001 days of life.  Accordingly, this Council will further supports the early years development especially increasing wrap around family support services and requests that of a costed business case to consider this and the relaunch of Sure Start Children’s Centres in the county is developed.”

The amendment was accepted by Councillor Holland as a friendly amendment.

In moving the amended motion Councillor Boad reflected on the history of SureStart in Leamington and the subsequent opening of Children’s Centres.  She considered that whilst services were still available, they were perhaps not working as well as they might as they were serving big areas without being funded sufficiently.  She wanted to see an increase in wrap around family support services.  The first three years of life were very important and she noted the impact of the Pandemic on young children and the lack of opportunities for nursery/parent and toddler groups.  She thanked the Labour Group for bringing forward the motion and accepting amendment.

In seconding the motion Councillor Roodhouse observed that wrap around services were key to the motion.  He stated there were children and families suffering through the Pandemic and there was a need for services in the community to support them.

Debate

Councillor Jeff Morgan recognised the sentiments of the motion and the crucial 1001 days in early years support.  However, he stated that he could not support the motion as the Council was already doing the work referred to and there was a significant amount of data available to demonstrate the positive impact that the Children and Family Centres were having. 

Councillor Isobel Seccombe supported Councillor Morgan’s comments, reflecting on the creation of family hubs and outreach facilities to meet the needs of children

Councillor Judy Falp also reflected on the inception of SureStart and, whilst she understood Councillor Morgan’s comments, she did not consider that the family hubs concentrated on the first 1001 days of life.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers supported Councillor Falp’s view and reflected on the decline in school readiness which had been noted in recent years.  He considered that there would be benefits to undertaking research in this area and it would be interesting to see if investment in the first 1001 days reduced issues in the school system in terms of savings on SEND provision.

Councillor Caroline Phillips was supportive of the motion considering that the crucial focus on early years had been lost with the introduction of family hubs.  She considered that support for new mothers was vital as they did not always have generational support and SureStart was a way to plug that gap.  She welcomed a shift in focus on to new mums and babies.

Councillor John Holland considered that SureStart supported the levelling up agenda.  He suggested that evidence demonstrated that SureStart was one of the best investments made by the public sector.  He noted that supporting families and stopping deprivation saved money in schools and public services.  He had crafted the motion in such a way that he hoped it would receive cross party support. 

Vote

A vote was held, and the motion was defeated.