Agenda item

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 and Lead Member for the Economy

(pages 29-42)

b) Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Partnerships and Wellbeing including *Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board minutes (*to follow) (pages 43-48)

c) Cabinet Member for Resources (pages 49-51)

d) Cabinet Member for Communities and Leisure (pages 53-61)

e) Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing (pages 63-68)

f) Cabinet Member for Children and Education (pages 69-74)

g)  Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure (pages 75-81)

h) Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health (pages 83-89) 

The Council received a summary of decisions, reports and dealt with any subsequent questions in relation to the following Cabinet Portfolios:

Leader of the Council and Lead Member for the Economy

The Leader presented his report and drew attention to the Devolution Deal that had recently been secured by the West Midlands Combined Authority. Cllr M McLoughlin asked the Leader a question relating to 1.5.2 The Commissioners Report, he thanked Sir Alan Wood CBE for the work he had done in Solihull and sought clarification from the Leader as to whether any future child’s deaths would be taken as seriously as the tragic case of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. The Leader highlighted the immense focus on Children’s Services at the moment and reassured the Chamber that it was a big focus for the Cabinet Member, himself as the Leader, the Deputy Leader and Officers. He added that it is sad that there continues to be cases up and down the Country but that any future case in Solihull would of course be treated with the same level of scrutiny.

Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Partnerships and Wellbeing

The Deputy Leader presented her report and drew attention to the success of the local Apprentice Show held recently and informed Council about the recent visit from Sir Chris Witty, Chief Medical Officer – England, to the Borough. There were no questions.

Cabinet Member for Resources

The Cabinet Member presented his report highlighting the changes to Bereavement Services and the latest Debt Monitoring Position. Cllr K Thomas asked the Cabinet Member about the increase in residents seeking support from the Council due to the Cost-of-Living Crisis and whether the Council had the resource, both financial and staffing, to keep up with the demand. The Cabinet Member detailed how the support received from HM Government was supporting this work alongside schemes the Council were delivering from its own budget and that this would be secured for this Financial Year. The Cabinet Member also highlighted how the Universal Credit split showed how this was an issue not isolated to one area of the borough with 55% of claimants deriving from the North with 45% from the South.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Leisure

The Cabinet Member presented her report and congratulated Tracey Williams, Solihull Heritage and Local Studies Librarian, on her shortlisting for a prestigious national award which celebrated the achievements of library workers. The Cabinet Member informed Council that a further round of the Solihull Voluntary Sector Resilience Fund would be released in May. Cllr R Grinsell asked the Cabinet Member to pass on his thanks to all those involved in the Langley School Mental Health Ambassadors scheme to which she replied she would. Cllr L McCarthy echoed Cllr R Grinsell’s remarks and asked the Cabinet Member if the scheme could be rolled out across other schools in the borough. The Cabinet Member agreed the scheme was a great one and that she would enquire as to whether it could be rolled out on a wider basis.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate Change Planning and Housing

The Cabinet Member presented his report and drew attention to 1.4.2 which highlighted how the Local Plan had been paused pending confirmation on the new NPPF guidance. There were no questions.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Education

The Cabinet Member presented his report and highlighted sections on the Commissioners Report, work that was ongoing to identify a regional improvement partner, the development of new improvement plans, staff appointments and finally the timeline for the next Ofsted inspection. There were no questions.

Cabinet Portfolio for Environment and Infrastructure

The Cabinet Member presented his report and there were no questions.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health

The Cabinet Member presented his report and highlighted the great work that was going on at Park View Café and Employment Opportunities for People with Learning Disabilities and The Honeycomb Café. There were no questions.