Agenda and minutes

Councillor Dr Sexton and Councillor Wilson submitted their apologies.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous Council meeting held on 3 December 2020.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 3 December 2019 were presented.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 3 December 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.

Councillor Adeyemo made a declaration of interest, on the basis he worked for a company that provided insurance in regards to the HS2 project.

To receive petitions from Members of the Council.

Councillor Tildesley submitted a petition on behalf of local residents, which requested Solihull Council reduce the speed of vehicles that use Dorchester Road.

Councillor Tildesley also submitted a petition on behalf of residents of Cherrington Way, which requested Solihull Council to provide restricted parking for residents of Cherrington Way.

Councillor Ryan submitted a petition on behalf of residents of Worcester Walk, Marston Green and surrounding areas which called on Solihull Council and Solihull Community Housing to inspect the trees on Worcester Walk and to consider reducing the crown of the trees.

Councillor Adeyemo submitted a petition which requested that Solihull Ambulance Station to remain open.

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

The Mayor made the following announcements:

LGBT+ History Month and LGBT+ Pride Month

The Mayor announced that the Council would fly the Rainbow Flag on two occasions annually – the first working day of LGBT+ History Month in February and then again to mark LGBT+ Pride Month in June. This would improve the visibility and promote the rights and welfare of LGBT+ communities who live, work or visit the Borough.

New Director

The Mayor welcomed the new Director of Economy and Infrastructure, Mary Morrissey.

Fairtrade Fortnight

The Mayor explained that the Council would support the Fairtrade Fortnight from February 24^th to 8^th March 2020. Events included the Fairtrade Cake Competition and the Fairtrade Trail. This was the Council’s tenth anniversary of having Fairtrade Borough status.

Mayor’s Ball

The Mayor’s Ball would take place on 14^th March with entertainment and food.

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.

No questions or deputations were received.

To answer questions asked under Standing Order 8 by Councillors.

Councillor Howell to Councillor Mackiewicz Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Planning and Housing

“I noted the Cabinet Member’s concern during the Economic Development Scrutiny Board regarding the air pollution caused by cars idling outside schools. Can the Cabinet Member outline the approach being taken by the Council to address this?”

The Cabinet Member responded with the following points:

·  Air quality monitoring had taken place since 2017 around the Borough, which included a number of schools. The data recorded showed that none of the locations within the monitoring programme have exceeded nitrogen dioxide limits to date. Further initiatives had been undertaken to improve air quality further.

·  This included a new campaign called Engines Off: Young Lungs at Work which aimed to achieve an 80% reduction in the number of drivers who left their engine running. This was achieved through an awareness campaign within schools, where students write to their parents about the issue. Councillors and officers would then arrange to visit the area and have friendly non-confrontational conversation to help inform and reinforce the key messages. Further educational and awareness campaigns were being looked into.

Councillor Howell responded by asking if enforcement had been considered.

The Cabinet Member explained that notice had to be given when conducting enforcement action, which can make drivers turn off their engine to prevent being fined. As the problem was widespread, it would be more effective to conduct advisory campaigns for parents.

Councillor Howell  asked how residents or schools could get involved.

The Cabinet Member suggested to lobby head teachers to sign up to the campaign. The best solution would be to walk children to school where possible.

Councillor McCarthy to Councillor Meeson, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills

“From January schools were able to opt in to receive free sanitary products for students. How many Solihull schools have currently opted in?”

The Cabinet Member responded by outlining that:

·  Schools across the Borough had acted proactively to address the issue, with a number of schemes already operating both within schools and through other community groups.

·  A survey could be undertaken to see which schools had applied to change their current arrangements for free sanitary products.

·  A fund of £6.9 million had been distributed via the UK network of Community Foundations from the Tampon Tax Community Fund to help women and girls experiencing issues such as period poverty, domestic or sexual abuse and mental health problems.

Councillor McCarthy to Councillor Grinsell Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health

“Seven months ago the government committed to reviewing the six month life expectancy rule for those with a terminal illness trying to claim social security. Since then there has been very little progress, yet in that time 1,000 people have died of Motor Neurone Disease. Many of those died waiting for their benefits. Will the Cabinet Member commit to writing to the Government to urge them to continue this review so that those with a terminal illness no longer have to experience long waits and work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To deal with a Topic of Debate submitted by Councillor Adeyemo which reads:

Proposed Closure of Solihull Ambulance Station

The West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has made the decision to close the Ambulance Station/Hub currently located at Solihull Hospital.  This decision was taken in November 2019, without reference to, or consultation with local residents or Members at Solihull Council.

I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues are of the opinion that the Ambulance Station at Solihull Hospital is a critical component of NHS services currently being delivered from Solihull, the loss of which, in our opinion, will significantly impact Ambulance response times across the borough.

We also feel that Members must be given the opportunity to discuss and debate this important issue and request a report back to Council at the next Full Council meeting.

A Topic of Debate submitted by Councillor Adeyemo which reads as follows was debated at Council:

Proposed Closure of Solihull Ambulance Station

“The West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has made the decision to close the Ambulance Station/Hub currently located at Solihull Hospital.  This decision was taken in November 2019, without reference to, or consultation with local residents or Members at Solihull Council.

I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues are of the opinion that the Ambulance Station at Solihull Hospital is a critical component of NHS services currently being delivered from Solihull, the loss of which, in our opinion, will significantly impact Ambulance response times across the borough.

We also feel that Members must be given the opportunity to discuss and debate this important issue and request a report back to Council at the next Full Council meeting.”

Members debated this topic.

During the debate it was noted that the issue was to be scrutinised at the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board on Tuesday 25^th February.

The following motion has been received from Councillor Buxton-Sait

“This Council Resolves to :

(i)  encourage all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised locally in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.

(ii)  actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of loud fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including what can be done to mitigate the risks like buying quieter fireworks.

(iii)  encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks.”

Councillor Buxton-Sait proposed the following motion, seconded by Councillor Macnaughton

“This Council Resolves to:

1. Encourage all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised locally in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.
2. Actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of loud fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including what can be done to mitigate the risks like buying quieter fireworks.
3. Encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks.”

Councillor Rolf suggested that the motion be referred on to the Safer Solihull Board.

Councillor Buxton-Sait agreed with this suggestion, and the motion was referred on to the Safer Solihull Board.

To inform Council of the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme from April 2020. Full Council is required to approve the Council Tax Reduction Scheme by 11 March each year. (The Appendix referenced in the report has been published as a supplement)

Council received the following recommendation from the Cabinet Member for Resources which Full Council was required to approve.

RESOLVED

That Council approved the recommendation from the Cabinet meeting of 13 June 2019 that the current scheme continues and no changes are made to the Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme from April 2020

To receive the following recommendations from Committees:

Audit Committee 7 January 2020

Minute 7 Treasury Management Strategy 2020/21 to 2029/30 (page 170)

RESOLVED

The Committee recommended that Full Council approves:-

(i)  The Treasury Management Strategy 2020/21 to 2029/30 including the Debt and Investment Strategy and Treasury and Prudential Indicators contained within and specifically;

(ii)  The Authorised Limit Prudential Indicator detailed within paragraph 3.2.2 of Appendix A;

(iii)  The further Prudential Indicators for 2020/21 to 2022/23 contained within the extract from the Corporate Capital Strategy 2020/21 to 2029/30 (Appendix B); and

(iv)  The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement contained within the extract from the Corporate Capital Strategy 2020/21 to 2029/30 (Appendix B).

Governance Committee 14 January 2020

Minute 6 Community Governance Review - Parish of Tidbury Green (page 202)

RECOMMENDED:

1.  That Council approve the final recommendation of the community governance review of the parish of Tidbury Green to increase the number of Councillors on the Council from 5 to 7; and

2.  That the Head of Legal & Democratic Services be authorised to make a Reorganisation Order to give effect to the proposal.

Minute 7 Polling District and Polling Place Review (page 202-203)

RECOMMENDED:

1.  That Council approves the revised polling district and polling place scheme, as detailed in the Electoral Services Manager’s report and appendices; and

2.  That Council delegates authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the relevant Ward Members to make any future amendments to the scheme.

Minute 8 Standing Order 32 - Sealing of Documents (page 203)

RECOMMENDED:

That the post holders listed below be authorised to witness the Council’s seal for the purposes of Standing Order 32: –

·  Chief Executive

·  Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive

·  Director of Economy & Infrastructure

·  Director of Children’s Services and Skills

·  Director of Adult Care & Support

·  Director of Public Health & Commissioning

·  Solicitor to the Council

·  Head of Legal and Democratic Services

·  Legal Services Team Leader for Property and Contracts

Remuneration Committee 21 January 2020

Minute 6 Pay Policy Statement 2020 (page 140-141)

RESOLVED

That Full Council be  recommended to approve the Council’s Pay Policy Statement attached at Appendix A.

Council received the following recommendations from Committees:

Audit Committee 7 January 2020

Minute 7 Treasury Management Strategy 2020/21 to 2029/30

  RESOLVED

  That Full Council approved:

1. The Treasury Management Strategy 2020/21 to 2029/30 including the Debt and Investment Strategy and Treasury and Prudential Indicators contained within and specifically;
2. The Authorised Limit Prudential Indicator detailed within paragraph 3.2.2 of Appendix A;
3. The further Prudential Indicators for 2020/21 to 2022/23 contained within the extract from the Corporate Capital Strategy 2020/21 to 2029/30 (Appendix B); and
4. The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement contained within the extract from the Corporate Capital Strategy 2020/21 to 2029/30 (Appendix B).

Governance Committee 14 January 2020

Minute 6 Community Governance Review – Parish of Tidbury Green

RESOLVED

That Full Council approved:

1.  The final recommendation of the community governance review of the parish of Tidbury Green to increase the number of Councillors on the Council from 5 to 7; and

2.  That the Head of Legal & Democratic Services be authorised to make a Reorganisation Order to give effect to the proposal.

Minute 7 Polling District and Polling Place Review

RESOLVED

That Full Council approved:

1.  The revised polling district and polling place scheme, as detailed in the Electoral Services Manager’s report and appendices; and

2.  That Council delegates authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the relevant Ward Members to make any future amendments to the scheme.

Minute 8 Standing Order 32 – Sealing of Documents

RESOLVED

That Full Council approved:

That the post holders listed below be authorised to witness the Council’s seal for the purposes of Standing Order 32:

·  Chief Executive

·  Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive

·  Director of Economy & Infrastructure

·  Director of Children’s Services and Skills

·  Director of Adult Care & Support

·  Director of Public Health & Commissioning

·  Solicitor to the Council

·  Head of Legal and Democratic Services

·  Legal Services Team Leader for Property and Contracts

Remuneration Committee 21 January 2020

Minute 6 Pay Policy Statement 2020

RESOLVED

Full Council approved the Council’s Pay Policy Statement.

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 and Portfolio (Economy) Report

(pages 23-28)

b) Cabinet Member for Resources (pages 29-31)

c) Cabinet Member for Stronger and Safer Communities (pages 33-35)

d) Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing (pages 37-43)

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

f)  Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways (pages51-57)

g) Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health including Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board minutes (pages 59-74)

h)  Cabinet Member for Growth and Infrastructure (pages 75-79)

(i) Cabinet Member for Leisure Tourism and Sport (pages 81-85)

The Leader and Cabinet Members updated Council on their respective portfolios and responded to any queries raised by Councillors:

Leader of the Council, Cabinet and Portfolio (Economy) Report

The Leader informed Council of the main decisions taken at the Cabinet Meetings on 5^th December 2019 and 9^th January 2020. He also informed Members of the work undertaken in respect of his Economic portfolio.

Cabinet Member for Resources

The Cabinet Member advised Members of the decisions made at the decision making session held on 8^th January 2020. The Cabinet Member also drew Members attention to the unconscious bias e-learning course which was available to Councillors. This would help Members to be more aware of their unconscious biases and would provide advice on the way to adjust their automatic patterns of thought.

A Member asked about the specifications for the new industrial boilers that had been fitted in the Council House. The Cabinet Member responded and explained further details would be passed to the Councillor.

Cabinet Member for Stronger and Safer Communities

The Cabinet Member advised Members of the decisions made at the decision making session held on 27^th January 2020.

One Councillor asked about the arrangements for users of Olton Library while it was being refurbished, and whether they could have the proposed updated alteration plans. The Cabinet Member responded that users would have to use Lyndon Library while Olton Library was unavailable, and copies of the alterations would be made available to the Councillor.

The Cabinet Member echoed thanks that a Councillor raised for the work done by residents to refurbish the Space in Kingshurst.

A Councillor asked when the review would take place into the opening hours of Solihull Connect. The Cabinet Member explained that it would take place later on in the year.

The Cabinet Member responded to questions about access to Libraries for community groups.

Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing

The Cabinet Member informed Council of the decisions made at the decision making session on 20^th January 2020. The Cabinet Member wished to express his thanks for the hard work of Ashley Lane in relation to SCH who had passed away.

The Cabinet Member responded to a question on off-site affordable housing.

A Councillor asked if the Parish Councils would be able to get involved with the Solihull Air Quality Monitoring Programme. The Cabinet Member supported the suggestion and asked the Councillor to contact him.

Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills

The Cabinet Member informed Council of the decisions made at his decision making session on 23^rd January 2020.

A Member asked about the waiting times and funding shortfall for children who used the Solar service. The Cabinet Member explained that Solar had accessed further funds to cope with winter pressures, and that the ambition for the service was to reduce waiting times further.

One Councillor asked for assurance that BAME and LGBT+ children would be supported with mental health challenges that they may face. The Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

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

a)  Resources and Delivering Value (pages 87-89)

b)  Health and Adult Social Care (pages 93-98)

c)  Children’s Services, Education and Skills (pages 101-106)

d)  Economic Development and Managed Growth (pages 107-126)

e)  Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services (pages 127-134)

The minutes of the following Scrutiny Board were presented 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)  Remuneration Committee (pages 135-141)

b)  Licensing Committee (page 165)

c)  Audit Committee (pages 167-200)

d)  Governance Committee (page 201)

e)  HS2 Implementation Advisory Group (to follow)

The minutes of the following Committees were presented for information:

·  HS2 Implementation Advisory Group

·  Remuneration Committee

·  Audit Committee

·  Governance Committee

To receive the following report form the Chief Executive:

a)  Leader's Schemes of Delegation to Officers (provided for information only)

The Chief Executive presented a report on the Leader’s Schemes of Delegation to  Officers for information.

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.

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

To receive for information the following sets of minutes:

a)  Resources and Delivering Value Scrutiny Board (pages 215-216)

b)  Audit Committee (pages 217-219)

The following private minutes were presented for information:

·  Appeals Committee

·  Audit Committee