Agenda and minutes

Councillors S Ashraf MBE, K Hawkins and F Nash submitted their apologies.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous Council meetings held on 9 April and 14 May 2019.

The minutes of the Council meetings held on 9^th April and 14^th May 2019 were presented.

  RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Council meetings held on 9^th April and 14^th May 2019 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. He also made a declaration of interest in respect of Acom.

Councillor Adeyemo made a declaration of interest, on the basis he worked for a company on the panel of insurers in regards to the construction of HS2.

To receive petitions from Members of the Council.

The following petitions were submitted:

·  Councillor Tildesley submitted a petition on behalf of local residents objecting to the proposed expansion of St Augustine’s School and instead requested for a new school to be built within or close to recent housing developments.

·  Councillor Sleigh submitted a petition on behalf of residents of Chelmsley Lane and The Orchard, Marston Green, calling upon the Council to develop a parking restriction scheme to protect the roads from all day parking and long term parking.

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

The Mayor informed Council of a range of civic events that he had recently attended and supported. He also welcomed the newly elected Councillors to the meeting.

The Leader of the Council informed Members how the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) had recently held its Annual General meeting, where Councillor Bob Sleigh OBE was appointed as Deputy Mayor and he was appointed as Portfolio Holder for Environment, Energy and HS2. He also detailed how the WMCA had declared a climate emergency and vowed to take urgent action to cut harmful emissions.

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 Middleton made a deputation on behalf of Whitefield’s Road Action Group, expressing their concerns regarding the proposal to expand St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School. Mrs Middleton was introduced by Cllr Tildesley. The Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills responded to the issues raised.

Ms Donald made a deputation to Council, in support of Dial. Ms Donald was introduced by Councillor Cole. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health provided a response to the matters raised.

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

Councillor Rebeiro to Councillor Tildesley Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism and Sport

‘The Commonwealth games come to Birmingham in just under 3 years in 2022. The Australian Minister for the Games, Kate Jones, said the Gold Coast 2018 Games have provided a transformational and enduring legacy and importantly a global reputation as a tourism destination and more active communities. 20,000 pieces of sports equipment were gifted to schools, councils, sporting organisations and communities. The Legacy Report was published on 4 April 2019 and following the recent visit to Birmingham by the Commonwealth Games Federation Coordination Commission and before that the presentation to Council on Tuesday 9 April 2019 from Ian Reid, the Chief Executive of Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Ltd, can the Cabinet Member please update Council on the preparations Solihull is undertaking to maximise the tourism benefits and legacy planning for the Borough and the resources committed to doing so.’

The Cabinet Member responded:

·  The Commonwealth Games represented an important opportunity for the Borough to promote local assets to regional, national and international tourist markets.

·  In the run-up to the games, work was being carried out at regional level with the Department of Culture Media and Sport to lever in additional national investment to maximize the returns from tourism, trade and inward investment.

·  This included building on learning from the 2018 Gold Coast Games to maximise the projected impact of the Games on tourist numbers both in the lead up to the Games, during the Games and, capitalising on international media coverage, in the period September 2022 to 2023. The Council would continue to work with the WMCA and other partners on this.

·  In tandem, the Council was also reviewing how they marketed the borough as a great place to work, visit and stay, building local branding and presence through the Destination Solihull website and by developing a more comprehensive approach to tourism across the Borough. 

Councillor Rebeiro asked a supplementary question, where he requested for the Cabinet Member to meet with Ward Members and local stakeholders from Knowle, to link the area with the plans the Council was currently undertaking to maximise the tourism benefits stemming from the Games.

The Cabinet Member confirmed he would be happy to do this. He emphasized how he wished to work with colleagues from across the Borough, to ensure Solihull gained the maximum value from the Commonwealth Games.

Councillor Wilson to Councillor Courts Leader of the Council

‘On 1st May 2019, the UK Parliament followed the lead of 109 UK Councils in declaring a climate emergency. On 28th June, Cllr Courts proposed a motion to declare a climate emergency in the West Midlands to the WMCA Board, which was vocally supported by Cllr Sleigh and unanimously passed. Will the Leader now be consistent and declare a Climate Emergency in Solihull tonight?’

The Leader responded:

·  It was recognised the Green Group had previously submitted a petition on declaring a Climate Emergency – the Leader explained this had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

To deal with any Topic of Debate submitted.

No topic of debate was submitted.

To deal with any Motions submitted.

No notice of motion was submitted.

To receive the following recommendations from Committees

Audit Committee 17 June 2019

Minute 9 Treasury Management Outturn Report 2018/19 (page 142)

RESOLVED

That Full Council on 9^th July 2019 be recommended to approve the Treasury Management Outturn Report 2018/19 attached at Appendix A.

Governance Committee 25 June 2019

Minute 11 Appointment of  Honorary Alderman (page 157)

RECOMMENDED:

I.  That the nomination relating to Mr David Bell be accepted, and

II.  A Special meeting of the Council be convened immediately prior to the scheduled meeting on 8th October 2019 to confer on Mr David Bell the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough of Solihull.

Audit Committee 17 June 2019

Minute 9 Treasury Management Outturn Report 2018/19

RESOLVED

That Full Council approved the Treasury Management Outturn Report 2018/19 attached at Appendix A to the minutes.

Governance Committee 25 June 2019

Minute 11 Appointment of Honorary Alderman

RESOLVED

I.  That the nomination relating to Mr David Bell be accepted, and

II.  A Special meeting of the Council be convened immediately prior to the scheduled meeting on 8th October 2019 to confer on Mr David Bell the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough of Solihull.

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

a)  Cabinet and Leader Portfolio (Economy) (pages 21-28)

b)  Cabinet Resources– (pages 29-32)

c)  Cabinet Stronger and Safer Communities (pages 33-37)

d)  Cabinet Climate Change, Planning and Housing  (pages 39-44)

e)  Cabinet Children Education and Skills  (pages 45-49)

f)  Cabinet Environment and Highways  (pages 51-53)

g)  Cabinet Adult Social Care –to include Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board minutes (to follow)(pages 55-59)

h)  Cabinet Growth and Infrastructure  (pages 61-63)

i)  Cabinet Leisure, Tourism and Sport (pages 65-69)

Cabinet and Leader Portfolio (Economy)

The Leader informed Council of the main decisions taken at the Cabinet meetings on 11^th April and 13^th June. He also informed Members of the work undertaken in respect of his Economic portfolio.

Cabinet Resources

The Cabinet Member advised Members of the decisions made at his decision making session held on 28^th May 2019.

Cabinet Stronger and Safer Communities

The Cabinet Member informed Council of the decisions made through this Portfolio since the last Full Council meeting, and also highlighted instances of good news and issues of interest.

The Cabinet Member responded to queries a Councillor raised regarding the blue badge scheme.

One Councillor detailed how they welcomed the litter enforcement action undertaken within Solihull town centre – they queried when this could be introduced in other areas of the Borough. The Cabinet Member responded to the points raised.

The Cabinet Member responded to questions a Councillor raised concerning Animal Welfare Regulations and fee setting.

Cabinet Climate Change, Planning and Housing

The Cabinet Member informed Council of the decisions made at his decision making session on 30^th May 2019.

A Councillor highlighted queries in regards to the development of an Electric Vehicle Strategy. The Cabinet Member responded to the issues raised.

A Councillor raised queries, as the Cabinet Member report made reference to the development of an action plan to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon by 2025. The Cabinet Member responded to the points raised.

The Cabinet Member responded to questions a Councillor raised regarding the Wildlife Ways programme.

Cabinet Children Education and Skills 

The Cabinet Member informed Council of the decisions made at the meetings held on 23^rd May and 20^th June 2019.

Cabinet Environment and Highways

The Leader presented the report on behalf of the Cabinet Member.

One Councillor raised queries regarding the Strategic Environment contract – the Leader responded to the points raised.

A Councillor raised the issue of fly tipping on non-Council owned land – the Leader responded to the issues raised.

One Councillor highlighted queries regarding the Council’s targets on recycling rates – the Leader responded to the questions raised.

Cabinet Adult Social Care

The Cabinet Member advised Members of the decisions made at her decision making session on 26^th June 2019. She also presented the minutes of the most recent Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board meeting. The Cabinet highlighted, in particular, the Board’s call to action for MMR vaccines.

A Councillor referenced  the ‘Chatty Café’ programme within the Borough, to help address social isolation – the Cabinet Member emphasised she welcomed this initiative and requested for Councillors to encourage participation.

Cabinet Growth and Infrastructure 

The Cabinet Member updated Members on the work undertaken for his portfolio.

A Councillor highlighted the airport and questioned the delivery of the Air Quality Strategy. The Cabinet Member responded to the issues raised.

One Member flagged up how the Cabinet Member report made reference to A45 Damson Parkway improvements and requested for this upgrade to take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

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

a)  Resources and Delivering Value (pages 71-88)

b)  Children’s Services, Education and Skills (pages 89-96)

c)  Economic Development and Managed Growth (pages 97-112)

d)  Health and Adult Social Care (pages 113-125)

e)  Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services (pages 127-140)

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

a)  Resources and Delivering Value

b)  Children’s Services, Education and Skills

c)  Economic Development and Managed Growth Reference was made to the accuracy of minute 6, which would be considered by the Board at their next meeting.

d)  Health and Adult Social Care

e)  Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services

The minutes of the following Committees are presented for information:

a)  Audit Committee (pages 141-153)

b)  Governance Committee (pages 155-158)

The minutes of the following Committees were presented for information:

a)  Audit Committee

b)  Governance Committee

To receive the following reports from the Chief Executive:

a)  Scrutiny Boards Terms of Reference (pages 159-164)

b)  Outside Body Appointment  - West Midlands Rail Ltd (pages 165-166)

Scrutiny Boards Terms of Reference

The Chief Executive invited Members to consider the Scrutiny Boards’ Terms of Reference.

  RESOLVED

Full Council approved the Scrutiny Boards’ Terms of Reference for the municipal year 2019/20 as at Appendix 1 to the report.

Outside Body Appointment – West Midlands Rail Ltd

The Chief Executive invited Members to appoint a Principal Director and a substitute Director to represent the Council on the Board of West Midlands Rail Limited.

  RESOLVED

That Council appointed Councillor I Courts as Principal Director and Councillor Mrs K Grinsell as substitute Director to represent the Council on the Board of West Midlands Rail Limited.

The Chief Executive to report on any urgent matters.

There were no urgent matters.

To answer any remaining questions not dealt with under item 7.

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 17 April 2019 (page 167)

b)  Audit Committee 17 June 2019 (page 169)

The following private minutes were presented for information:

a)  Resources and Delivering Value Scrutiny Board

b)  Audit Committee