Agenda and minutes

Councillors K Allsopp and J Fairburn submitted their apologies.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous Council meetings held on 5 February and 28 February 2019.

The minutes of the Council meetings held on 5^th and 28^th February 2019 were presented.

  RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Council meetings held on 5^th and 28^th February were approved as a correct record.

To receive declarations of interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct (Members are directed to the guidance sheet attached)

Councillor Mackiewicz made a declaration of interest as a Director of AMPA Associates Ltd who provided contracts procured by Solihull Council.

Councillor Adeyemo made a declaration of interest on the basis a relative worked in the Council’s Income and Awards department.

To receive petitions from Members of the Council.

The following petitions were submitted:

·  Councillor Allen submitted a petition from local residents, calling for the introduction of a pedestrian crossing, leading from Nethercote Gardens across the Colebrook Road.

·  Councillor T Hodgson submitted a petition from local residents, requesting for the introduction of traffic calming measures on Middleton Road and Velsheda Road.

·  Councillor Wilson submitted a petition from local residents, calling for a safer solution to the drainage issues at the new Bellway housing development at Arran Way, Smith’s Wood.

·  Councillor L McCarthy submitted a petition from local residents, calling on the Council to explore implementing traffic calming measures on Rowood Drive.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor, Leader of the Council or Members of the Cabinet.

Mayor’s Ball

The Mayor expressed her thanks to everyone who attended the Mayor’s Ball on 6^th April 2019. She highlighted the funds raised for local charities, including Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Great British Spring Clean

The Mayor also expressed her thanks to the local residents who participated in the Great British Spring Clean Litter Pick events across the Borough.

The Leader of the Council also made the following announcements:

Local Election Compact

The Leader highlighted that, with the Local Elections scheduled for 2^nd May, all the political groups were invited to sign an elections compact, which set out principles for how the campaign should be conducted.

Mayoral Elect

The Leader detailed how Councillor Davis was the proposed mayoral nomination for the 2019-2020 municipal year.

To receive a presentation from Ian Reid the Chief Executive of Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Ltd.

Council received a presentation from Ian Reid, the Chief Executive of Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Ltd. He informed Members of the mission of the Games, as well as the anticipated trade and tourism benefits. Responses were provided to the points raised by Members.

To answer questions asked by residents of the Borough under Standing Order 9 and to hear petitioners or deputations in accordance with Standing Order 12.

Mrs Mabbott asked the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health a question concerning her niece. The Cabinet Member responded to the points raised. As part of her response, the Cabinet Member confirmed her offer still stood to meet with Mrs Mabbott and her family outside of the meeting, to discuss any matters further.

Mr Fanning made a deputation in support of Dial, which Hazel Dawkins read on his behalf. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health responded to the points raised. Again, as part of her response, she offered to arrange a meeting with Mr Fanning, to discuss any matters further. 

To answer questions asked under Standing Order 8 by Councillors (30 Minutes)

Councillor Cole to Councillor Courts Cabinet Member for Managed Growth

‘There are two housing developments on Cooks Lane, one development just over the boundary in Birmingham for 49 homes and the other in Solihull, advertised as Lake View for 50 plus homes. Both construction sites are at the same level of development.

The Birmingham development is fenced off and no families have been allowed to move in. 

The Solihull development has families taking possession as soon as the home is completed; as this is still an active construction site should these families be allowed to move in.’

The Cabinet Member responded:

·  Phased handover of homes was both normal and sensible, provided safety and management issues were dealt with, like the collection of rubbish.

·  With any large site, there was a great risk of burglary, and getting early occupations was sensible.

·  He had raised with officers a number of matters concerning the Babbs Mill development. He had been advised that all of the planning conditions at Babbs Mill had been discharged and there were no outstanding planning matters.

Councillor Cole expressed concern there were currently no bin collections provided on the site, due to accessibility issues. He queried whether the Council had a policy statement that could be issued to tenants, which provided health and safety information, plus advice.

The Cabinet Member explained that, for new phased developments, black bins were provided, to allow temporary collections. He also detailed how the Council was happy to provide advice and guidance to new residents. The Cabinet Member also emphasised that, when developers sold these new properties, they had a responsibility to convey information about local facilities and services.

Councillor Wilson to Councillor Rolf Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities and Partnership

‘Please can the Cabinet Member update Council on the support that the Council is giving DIAL and the CAB to help them continue to operate in Solihull.’

The Cabinet Member responded:

·  The support provided included help to access other funding streams, accommodation and infrastructure support. 

·  In the short term they had arranged for them both to have council office accommodation for the next 12 months whilst they re-established themselves. 

·  They were in regular dialogue with the CEO’s of both organisations to see how support could be provided in future. 

Councillor Wilson requested whether, if DIAL continued for another 12 months at Kingshurst, they could have indefinite support to stay there. The Cabinet Member explained it wasn’t possible to provide such assurances at that point, emphasising the significant volume of voluntary sector organisations throughout the Borough.

Councillor Wilson queried whether the Council had any plans to support voluntary sector organisations, such as DIAL, to access grant funding. The Cabinet Member confirmed they did look to provide such support to local voluntary sector organisations.

Cllr L McCarthy to Cllr K Grinsell Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health

‘Cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease, but whilst 99.8% of cases are preventable the number of women attending their smear  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

To deal with any Topic of Debate submitted.

No topic of debate was submitted.

To deal with any notices of motion submitted.

No Notice of Motion was submitted.

To present for approval the 2019 Solihull Council Plan Update

The Leader presented for approval the 2019 Solihull Council Plan Update.

Councillor Burn proposed an amendment to the Council Plan, which was seconded by Councillor T Hodgson.  The amendment read as follows:

On page 7 of the Council Plan, in the ‘Green Prospectus’ section, replace bullet point 7 with:

‘Implementation of an action plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Then insert a new bullet point as follows: ‘Provide borough-wide leadership through development of a Solihull-wide climate change strategy to include a borough-wide measure of carbon emissions and an ambitious target for reduction.’

The amendment was put and lost.

  RESOLVED 

  Council approved the Solihull Council Plan Update 2019.

To receive the following recommendation:

Remuneration Committee 26 March 2019

Minute 5 Solihull Council Grading Structure (pages 211-212)

RESOLVED:

That Full Council be Recommended to agree to the introduction of the revised grading structure and its transitional arrangements with effect from 1 October 2019 as well as the protection arrangements outlined in paragraph 4.10. of the report and detailed in the appendices to the minutes.

Council received the following recommendation:

Remuneration Committee 26 March 2019

Minute 5 Solihull Council Grading Structure

RESOLVED:

That Full Council agreed to the introduction of the revised grading structure and its transitional arrangements with effect from 1 October 2019 as well as the protection arrangements outlined in paragraph 4.10. of the report.

To receive a summary of decisions, reports from and to deal with any subsequent questions in relation to the following Cabinet Portfolios:

a) Leader of the Council Cabinet Report (pages 43-51)

b) Cabinet Member for Resources and Delivering Value (pages 53-60)

c) Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities and Partnerships (pages 61-65)

d) Cabinet Member for Managed Growth (pages 67-71)

e) Cabinet Member for Children Education and Skills (pages 73-80)

f)  Cabinet Member for Environment and Housing (pages 81-86)

g) Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health including Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board minutes (pages 87-102)

h)  Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways (pages 103-107)

(i) Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure and Sport (pages 109-115)

Leader of the Council Cabinet Report

The Leader advised Council of the main decisions taken at the Cabinet meetings on 7 February and 7 March and also provided a summary of the meetings he had been involved in on behalf of Solihull and the West Midlands Combined Authority. He also responded to a Member question concerning the remediation activities being undertaken across the region to reduce pressure for housing development on the Borough’s green belt.

Cabinet Member for Resources and Delivering Value

The Cabinet Member advised Council of the decisions taken at his decision making session held on 25^th March 2019.

Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities and Partnerships

The Cabinet Member informed Members of the decisions made at her decision making session held on 20^th March 2019.

The Cabinet Member responded to the concerns a Councillor raised, regarding shopping trollies left in watercourses within the Chelmsley Wood and Kingshurst and Fordbridge wards.

A Councillor also raised concerns regarding rogue traders and unsolicited phone calls. The Cabinet Member responded to the points raised.

Cabinet Member for Managed Growth

The Cabinet Member advised Council of the decisions taken at his decision making session held on 19^th March 2019.

The Cabinet Member responded to queries raised by a Member regarding the condition of Damson Parkway, following the initial works undertaken as part of the development of the Jaguar Land Rover logistics hub.

A Member raised queries regarding tree felling undertaken in Bills Wood, as part of a EU Regional Development Funded habitat and nature improvement project. They questioned whether it would be possible to hold a follow-up meeting with local residents, to clarify the next steps for the area. The Cabinet Member responded to the points raised.

Cabinet Member for Children Education and Skills

The Cabinet Member informed Council of the decisions taken at his decision making sessions on 25^th February and 26^th March 2019.

A Member highlighted the Motion regarding female sanitary products in Schools. They queried the research being undertaken regarding the provision of sanitary products in Primary Schools. The Cabinet Member explained the research conducted so far demonstrated there were no issues within the Primary sector. He confirmed he would look to respond to the Councillor once the research was completed.

Following a query from a Member, the Cabinet Member provided an update on the recruitment of Educational Psychologists.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Housing

The Cabinet Member advised Members of the decisions taken at his decision making session on 27^th March 2019. He also responded to a query regarding the additional Summer Green Waste collection service.

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health including Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board minutes

The Cabinet Member informed Council of the decisions made at her decision making session on 26^th February 2019.

Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways

The Cabinet Member advised Members of the decisions made since the last Council meeting regarding his portfolio.

Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure and Sport

The Cabinet Member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

To receive the Annual Scrutiny Report 2017/2018 for information.

Council received the Annual Scrutiny Report 2017/2018 for information.

The minutes of the following Scrutiny Board are presented for information:

a)  Resources and Delivering Value (pages 143-158)

b)  Health and Adult Social Care (pages 159-166)

c)  Economic Development and Managed Growth (pages 167-182)

d)  Children’s Services, Education and Skills (pages 183-190)

e)  Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services (pages 191-203)

The minutes of the following Scrutiny Board were received for information:

Resources and Delivering Value

Health and Adult Social Care

Economic Development and Managed Growth

Children’s Services, Education and Skills

Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services

The minutes of the following Committees are presented for information:

a)  Audit Committee (pages 205-210)

b)  HS2 Implementation Advisory Group ( to follow)

c)  Remuneration Committee (pages 211-217)

The minutes of the following Committees were presented for information:

Audit Committee

HS2 Implementation Advisory Group

Remuneration Committee

The Chief Executive to report on any urgent matters.

The Chief Executive informed Members of the actions undertaken to remove an unexploded device from Streetsbrook Road.

To answer any remaining questions not dealt with under item 8.

There were no remaining questions under Standing Order 8.

That, pursuance of Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for the remainder of the business to be transacted, on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information in terms of paragraph 3 of Part 9 of Schedule 12A to the said Act

That, in pursuance of Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for the remainder of the business to be transacted, on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information in terms of Schedule 12A to the said Act.

The following private minutes are presented for information:

a)  Resources and Delivering Value Scrutiny Board (pages 219-221)

b)  Audit Committee (pages 223-227)