Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllrs B Groom, R Long, K Macnaughton, L McCarthy, J Ryan and S Sheshabhatter

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

Councillors Mackiewicz and Gough declared a pecuniary interest in relation to item 9 on the agenda and left the room, when this item was considered.

To receive petitions from Members of the Council.

None received.

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

The Mayor made the following announcements:

Ukraine One Minute Silence

There will be a national minute's silence at 11:00am on Friday 24 February in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which the Council would be marking.

Mayor of Solihull’s Funding Raising Concert.

The Mayor invited Members to a concert on Friday 24 March 2023, money raised will be going to vulnerable young people, carers and OVOS.

The Leader of the Council then advised Members on:

Solihull Police Station Update

The Leader confirmed that the Councill House was one of a number of options being explored for offering a site for this essential service.

Nomination for Mayor 2023 to 2024

The Leader advised that the Conservative nomination for Mayor 2023/24 would be Cllr Mrs Holl-Allen MBE.

Cllr Mackiewicz Cabinet Portfolio for Climate Change, Planning and Housing advised Members on:

Local Plan Update

The Cabinet Member provided Council with an update on the progress and clarification on the Local Plan.

Cllr Thomas Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group- advised Council that Cllr Laura McCarthy had recently given birth to a baby girl. On behalf of the Council the Mayor congratulated Cllr L McCarthy and her partner on the arrival of their daughter.

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.

None received.

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

1)   Cllr Thomas to Cllr Howell Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Leisure

For years Councillors in Elmdon and Lyndon have been trying to get their badly deteriorated tennis courts in Elmdon and Olton Jubilee Parks refurbished and whilst the council has never been able to afford the £50,000 required to do each of these, they did find £600,000 to refurbish the outdoor pitch at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, as well as finding a further £267,000 to cover the overspend. Why can the council find 8.5 times the money for one pitch, but not the money for two tennis courts?

The Cabinet Member advised that the football pitch at Tudor Grange forms a key part of the leisure centre contract which is currently provided by Everyone Active. Both the Council and Everyone Active have responsibility for the maintenance of the pitch and a condition survey identified the need to replace the pitch and reconfigure the pitch size to meet the Football Association's current guidance for the layout of pitches. The pitch is a key asset of the Leisure contract and must be maintained to meet standards as set out in the contract. There is heavy demand for this facility from a large local catchment area including 6-a-side leagues, college use, sports clubs and private leisure hires all of whom pay a fee for usage. Prior to Covid, the pitch was generating £116,000 per annum towards the operation of the Leisure contract. The refurbished facility opened over the August bank holiday 2022 and indications are that previous annual income levels are likely to be exceeded.

Opportunities to further develop tennis provision within Solihull’s Parks and Open Spaces are continuing to be explored with prioritisation based on current local provision and usage.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), supported by additional Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) funding are currently working with Local Authorities to deliver tennis court refurbishments across the UK. Council Officers are working with the LTA to scope out priority sites that would benefit from this funding and the improvement works required. Following an initial review by the LTA, Elmdon Park has been highlighted as a priority asset to put forward to the current bidding stage, based on current usage monitored through the live booking system. Officers will continue to work with the LTA to develop a bid for the facility and support them with their further feasibility investigations. 

While Olton Jubilee Park courts formed part of the initial scoping out works by the LTA, they were not taken forward on this occasion due to requiring significant intervention and funding if they were to be brought back into use. Officers continue to keep this site in mind should there be any future opportunities for LTA funding, as well as remain alert to other opportunities that may support the development of this facility.

2)  Cllr Carthew to Cllr Karen Grinsell Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Partnerships and Wellbeing

Since lockdown, residents have been struggling with changes to access and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To deal with any Topic of Debate submitted.

None received.

To deal with any motions received.

None received.

The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the council tax premiums for empty properties and second homes with effect from 1 April 2024 onwards.

The Leader of the Council presented a recommendation from Cabinet in relation to the Council Tax Premiums for Empty Properties and Second Homes.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That changes to the long-term empty premium so that with effect from 1 April 2024 the council tax premium is applied after the property has been empty and unfurnished for 12 months rather than 24 months be approved; and

(ii)  That the decision from Cabinet on 9 February 2023 that a 100% council tax premium for furnished empty properties (known as second home) is not implemented at this stage and is instead deferred to a later date once the legislation is passed and more information is known be noted.

(Having declared a pecuniary interest Cllrs Mackiewicz and Gough left meeting when this item was considered.)

a) To receive the recommendations of Cabinet and approve the CouncilBudget for 2023/2024, the Medium Term Financial Strategy and theCorporate Capital Strategy, including the Council’s strategy on the flexible use of capital receipts and the annual MRP Statement, and the proposed carbon budget setout in:

(i) The Leaders Report to the Cabinet meeting on 9 February 2023

(pages 15-22)

(ii) The Cabinet minutes from 9 February 2023 (pages 23-24)

(iii) The Cabinet report from 9 February 2023 on the Budget andMedium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 – 2025/26 (pages 25-152)

(For reference the recommendation from Cabinet reads:

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 – 2025/26, as updated in the Leaders report, and the Capital Strategy (incorporating the Council’s strategy on the flexible use of capital receipts and the annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement) be recommended for approval by Full Council;

(ii)  That the fees and charges proposed within each portfolio (Appendix F of the report of the Acting Chief Executive) be recommended for approval by Full Council;

(iii)  That the Council’s carbon budget, as outlined at paragraph 3.36 and detailed in Appendix G of the report of the Acting Chief Executive, be recommended for approval by Full Council;

(iv)  That an increase of 2.99% in the level of general council tax in 2023/24 (to £1,388.02 at Band D), be recommended to Full Council for approval;

(v)  That an increase of 2.00% in the level of the social care precept in 2023/24 (to £204.72 at Band D), be recommended to Full Council for approval; and

(vi)  That a budget for 2023/24 of £199.250 million funded by total Band D council tax of £1,592.74, be recommended to Full Council for approval.)

(b) To calculate the sums required for the purposes of sections 31A, 31B and

34-36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and to set the Council Tax for2023/24 in accordance with section 30 of the same Act. (pages 153-157)

A named vote will be held in relation to (a) and (b) above and on any proposedAmendments

The Leader presented the recommendation from Cabinet in relation to the Council Budget for 2023/2024, the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Corporate Capital Strategy, including the Council’s strategy on the flexible use of capital receipts and the annual MRP Statement, and the proposed carbon budget.

That Council:

(i)  Approves the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 – 2025/26, as updated in the Leaders report, and the Capital Strategy (incorporating the Council’s strategy on the flexible use of capital receipts and the annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement);

(ii)  Approves the fees and charges proposed within each portfolio (Appendix F of the report of the Acting Chief Executive);

(iii)  Approves the Council’s carbon budget, as outlined at paragraph 3.36 and detailed in Appendix G of the report of the Acting Chief Executive;

(iv)  Approves an increase of 2.99% in the level of general council tax in 2023/24 (to £1,388.02 at Band D);

(v)  Approves an increase of 2.00% in the level of the social care precept in 2023/24 (to £204.72 at Band D); and

(vi)Approves a budget for 2023/24 of £199.250 million funded by total Band D council tax of £1,592.74.

The following amendment was proposed by Cllr McLaughlin and seconded by Cllr Caudwell:

“That following the motion passed by Council on 7 February 2023, Council RESOLVE to use a one-off amount of £50,000, funded from the Budget Strategy reserve, to progress the following initiatives

·  Take a proactive role in identifying and promoting opportunities for renewable community energy and commercial renewable energy provision in Solihull.

·  Investigate the potential for collective purchase schemes for renewable energy and insulation.

·  Promote the Government endorsed quality scheme ‘Trustmark’ to help ensure households have access to accredited and regulated suppliers.

·  Begin installing photovoltaic panels on all suitable Council owned buildings at the soonest available viable opportunity.

·  Encourage the use of brownfield land for renewable energy, recognising that Green Belt land will come under pressure due to the character of the Borough.

·  Make sure promoters are aware that Very Special Circumstances will need to be robustly demonstrated for any Green Belt proposals, including how alternative solutions, including brownfield land, have been considered and why any proposed site is the most appropriate. Any local community benefits should also be clearly identified.”

Following a debate on the amendment a named vote was held.

The following Members voted in favour of the amendment:

Councillors Adeyemo, Allen, Ashraf, Brain, Burrow, Butler, Carthew, Caudwell, Clements, Courts, Dicicco, Donnelly, Feeney, Gethen, Gibbin, Gough, K Grinsell, R Grinsell, Hamilton, Hawkins, Hodgson, Hogarth, Mrs Holl-Allen, Holt, Howell, Mackenzie, Mackiewicz, M McCarthy, McLoughlin, Meeson, Moses, O’Nyons, Parker, Pinwell, Qais, Rebeiro, Rymer, Sandison, Dr Sexton, G Sleigh, B Sleigh, Thomas, Tildesley, A Wilson, M Wilson.

.

The amendment was carried.

The substantive motion was then debated, and a named vote held.

The following Members voted in favour of the substantive motion:

Councillors Adeyemo, Burrow, Butler, Carthew, Clements, Courts, Dicicco, Feeney, Gethen, Gibbin, Gough, K Grinsell, R Grinsell, Hawkins, Hodgson, Hogarth, Mrs Holl-Allen, Holt, Howell, Mackenzie, Mackiewicz,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.