Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Fairburn.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the previous Council meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6^th October 2020 were approved.

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 as he was employed by a company who provided insurance to HS2 Ltd.

Councillor Hawkins made a declaration of interest in relation to the Remuneration Committee recommendations.

To receive petitions from Members of the Council.

Councillor Mrs Holl-Allen submitted a petition on behalf of Knowle residents in relation to the redevelopment of Wyndley Garden Centre.

Councillor McCarthy submitted a petition on behalf of local residents which requested Solihull Council abandon plans to relocate the Household Waste Recycling Centre and Moat Lane depot to Damson Parkway.

Councillor Karen Grinsell submitted a petition on behalf of residents ofStanway Road, Cropthorne Road and Welford Road requesting that a road safety audit take place at the junction of Stanway Road and the A34 Stratford Road, followed by a consultation with local residents about the options for traffic calming measures.

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

The Mayor invited Members to make a Christmas donation, as corporate parents, for looked after children and care leavers within the Borough.

The Leader of the Council made a statement on the fire that had taken place at Redwood House and responded to questions from Councillors. West Midlands Fire Service and Solihull Community House were praised for their response and support provided to local residents. The Mayor requested that a letter be sent to West Midlands Fire Service to thank them for their response to this incident.

The Deputy Leader made an announcement about the Winter Support Scheme which targeted the most vulnerable residents in the Borough during the winter with e-vouchers.

The Cabinet Member for Resources made a statement on the discretionary use of COVID-19 Additional Restrictions Business Support Grants, with a focus on the leisure and hospitality sector.

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.

Mr Cressman a resident and local business man made a deputation about business rates and the future of businesses after COVID-19. Councillor Sleigh responded that business rates were not set by the Local Authority, and they were under review by Central Government.

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

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

“In light of a number of extra care/retirement facilities being proposed and already built in Shirley can the Cabinet Member explain what the planning policy of the Council is regarding this type of facility?”

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing responded that the Solihull Local Plan from 2013 did not have a specific policy on housing accommodation for older and disabled people as national policy did not require this. Therefore plans needed to be assessed on their own merits and in more general terms against the policies of the Plan, and national guidance. As Solihull had an older population and assessments undertaken considered there would be a need for more retirement and extra care housing. This would be through the existing supply and the new approach laid out in the draft Local Plan.

Councillor Parker asked how the Council Planning policy was proposed to change in the draft local plan and how it would manage the growth of the retirement facilities.

The Cabinet Member outlined that the draft Local Plan included policy P4E which specifically focused on housing for older and disabled people. This would enable proposals to be considered against a specific policy basis, and enable suitable accommodation to be approved and reject unsuitable proposals.

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

“Can the Cabinet Member advise when the further evidence for the Local Plan Review, dated from October 2020, was made publicly accessible on the Council’s website?”

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing replied that there were 150 documents available online on 30^th October when the plan was published, four documents had been subsequently added which were all supplementary information. Adjustments to published documents with minor amendments had also taken place, which was common practice.

Councillor McLoughlin asked for clarification about how this information was publicised.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that changes would not be publicised as they were minor changes to ensure problems that had been identified were rectified.

Councillor K Thomas to Councillor Hawkins, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Highways

“Whilst I am delighted that Solihull Council is planting 250,000 trees, why are we not maximising the benefit of our tree planting by planting as many as possible lining streets and car parks?  I was told many of the trees being planted are quite small trees - saplings which are not suitable for street locations. We need trees lining our streets and car parks to provide the shade we need as temperatures continue to rise.”

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways confirmed all planting options available had been explored. The Council was on target to plant 250,000 trees over the next 10 years as well as the shorter target of 25,000 trees in the winter planting season.

Councillor Thomas asked what could be done to plant these on car parks or roads in the future.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To advise Members no Topic of Debate has been submitted.

There was no topic of debate.

To receive the following Motion from Cllr Caudwell which reads:

“Multiple issues have been identified in the evidence base published in support of the Local Plan Review. The Council acknowledges that failing to correct these issues would expose the Plan to the risk of legal challenge and so jeopardise its adoption, and therefore agrees to:

1.  Address the issue identified;

2.  Re-issue the corrected evidence base with a schedule of corrections; and

3.  Extend the consultation exercise for a period of three weeks post-reissue, to allow residents to consider and amend their responses as necessary.”

Councillor Caudwell introduced the motion which was seconded by Councillor McLoughlin.

“Multiple issues have been identified in the evidence base published in support of the Local Plan Review. The Council acknowledges that failing to correct these issues would expose the Plan to the risk of legal challenge and so jeopardise its adoption, and therefore agrees to:

1.  Address the issue identified;

2.  Re-issue the corrected evidence base with a schedule of corrections; and

3.  Extend the consultation exercise for a period of three weeks post-reissue, to allow residents to consider and amend their responses as necessary.”

Following a debate, the motion was put and lost.

The following Councillors requested to place on record that they voted for the motion:

Councillors Ashraf, Allen, Adeyemo, Burn, Caudwell, Hamilton, T Hodgson, Macnaughton, McCarthy, McLoughlin, Sexton, Slater, K Thomas, Williams, Wilson.

To deal with the following recommendation from the following Committee:

Governance Committee 16 November 2020

Minute 5 Calendar of Meetings 2021-22 (Page 226)

RESOLVED:

That the calendar of meetings for 2021/22 be recommended to Council for approval.

Licensing Committee 27 November 2020

Minute 4 Statement of Licensing Policy(Page 201)

RESOLVED

Members approved the updated document and recommended its ratification and adoption by Full Council on 8 December 2020.

Governance Committee 16 November 2020 - Minute 5 Calendar of Meetings 2021-22 

The Chairman of the Governance Committee invited Members to approve the Calendar of Meetings 2020/21.

RESOLVED:

That the calendar of meetings for 2021/22 be approved.

Licensing Committee 27 November 2020 - Minute 4 Statement of Licensing Policy 

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee invited Members to approve the Statement of Licensing Policy.

RESOLVED

That the Statement of Licensing Policy be approved.

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 19-24)

b) Cabinet Member for Resources (pages 25-29)

c) Cabinet Member for Stronger and Safer Communities (pages 31-35)

d) Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing (pages 37-45)

e) Cabinet Member for Children Education and Skills which includes the Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2019-2020 – (pages 47-99)

f)  Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways (pages 101-108)

g) Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health including Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board minutes  (pages 109-126)

h)  Cabinet Member for Growth and Infrastructure (pages 127-129)

(i) Cabinet Member for Leisure Tourism and Sport (pages 131-135)

Councillor Courts – Leader of the Council

The Leader advised Council of the decisions taken at the Cabinet meetings on 1 October, 5 November and 3 December 2020 and provided a summary of the meetings and activities he had been involved in on behalf of Solihull and the West Midlands, as well as an update on the economic strategy responsibilities of his portfolio.

Councillor K Thomas asked how many Council employees would continue to work from home long term and what would the free office space be used for. The Leader confirmed that there was an expectation of 40% of the workforce returning to the office in the future, and the spare space would be used initially for staff based in other buildings.

Councillor Sleigh – Cabinet Member for Resources

The Cabinet Member for Resources advised Council of the decisions taken at the decision sessions on 20 October and 1 December 2020.

Councillor Rolf – Cabinet Member for Stronger and Safer Communities

The Cabinet Member for Stronger and Safer Communities advised Council of the decisions taken at the decision session on 27 October 2020, and provided a summary of activities since the last Full Council meeting.

Councillor Cole asked about the plans to reopen smaller libraries within the Borough, with a focus on Kingshurst Library. The Cabinet Member confirmed that libraries would reopen slowly to ensure maximum safety, and would provide a written response on the specific query.

Councillor Mackiewicz – Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing

The Cabinet Member advised Council of the decisions taken at decision sessions on 29 October and 12 November 2020.

Councillor Meeson – Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills.

The Cabinet Member advised Council of the decisions taken at decision sessions on 21 October and 30 November 2020 and presented the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report.

Councillor McCarthy asked what percentage of EHCP Annual Reviews were overdue. The Cabinet Member advised he would provide a written response.

Councillor Hawkins – Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways

The Cabinet Member advised Council of the decisions taken at decision sessions on 13 October and 25 November 2020.

Councillor K Grinsell – Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health and the minutes of the Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board

The Cabinet Member advised Council of the decisions taken at decision sessions on 15^th October and 26^th November 2020 and the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing board held on 10^th November 2020. The Cabinet Member also provided an update on the current COVID-19 situation locally.

The Leader of the Council thanked everyone who worked to support the COVID-19 effort.

Councillor Richards – Cabinet Member for Growth and Infrastructure

The Cabinet Member advised Council of the decisions taken at the decision session on 22 November 2020.

Councillor Tildesley – Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism and Sport

The Cabinet Member advised Council of the decisions taken at the decision session on 2^nd November 2020.

To receive for information the Scrutiny Annual Report.

The Chairman of the Resources and Delivering Value Scrutiny Board presented the report.

RESOLVED

That Council noted the Scrutiny Annual Report

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

a)  Resources and Delivering Value (pages 147-156)

b)  Children’s Services, Education and Skills (pages 157-168)

c)  Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services (pages 169-176)

d)  Economic Development and Managed Growth (pages 177-182)

e)  Health and Adult Social Care (pages 183-187)

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

·  Resources and Delivering Value (12 October and 9 November 2020)

·  Children’s Services, Education and Skills (3 November 2020)

·  Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services (4 November 2020)

·  Economic Development and Managed Growth (19 November 2020)

·  Health and Adult Social Care (23 November 2020)

The minutes of the following Committees are presented for information:

a)  Remuneration Committee (pages 189-190)

b)  HS2 Implementation Advisory Group (pages 191-195)

c)  Audit  Committee (pages 197-198)

d)  Licensing Committee (pages 199-201)

e)  Governance Committee (pages 225-226)

The minutes of the following committees were presented for information:

·  Remuneration Committee (26 October 2020)

·  HS2 Implementation Advisory Group (29 October 2020)

·  Audit Committee (2 November 2020)

·  Licensing Committee (5 November and 27 November 2020)

To receive the following reports:

a)  Minutes of the WMCA Overview and Scrutiny Minutes

The minutes of the WMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee were presented for information.

To deal with any questions by Leaders of political groups to the Leader of the Council, a member of the Cabinet, a Chairman of a Committee, Board, Sub-Committee or Task and Finish Group.

There were no questions received.

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.

No questions remained.

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, 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.

To receive for information the following sets of minutes:

a)  Appeals Panel (pages 243-247)

b)  Audit Committee (page 249)

c)  Resources and Delivering Value Scrutiny Board (pages 251-253)

To receive for information the following sets of minutes:

·  Appeals Panel (8 October, 5 November and 25 November 2020)

·  Audit Committee (2 November 2020)

·  Resources and Delivering Value Scrutiny Board (9 November 2020)