Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Burn, Cole and Ryan.

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

The minutes of the meetings held on 13^th April and 18^th May 2021 were presented for approval.

RESOLVED

The minutes of the meetings held on 13^th April and 18^th May 2021 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 which provided contracts procured by Solihull Council. Councillor Kathryn Thomas stated that she worked for Jaguar Land Rover.

To receive petitions from Members of the Council.

Cllr Tildesley handed in a petition  to refuse Planning Application No 2021/00905- 74 residents call upon Solihull Council to refuse planning application No 2021/00905, for the development of Land at the Rectory, Church Hill Road, Solihull to build 54 residential apartments for older people.

Cllr Tildesley handed in a petition to refuse Planning Application No 2021/01569 – 64 residents call upon Solihull Council to refuse Planning Application No 2021/01569 for the erection of a 2 storey and single storey side extension, with loft conversion with side dormer at 11 Bryanston Road, Solihull.

Cllr O’Nyons handed in a petition from 20 residents of Kents Close requesting that the Council put in place a parking restrictions at school times, allowing residents only parking.

Cllr Butler handed in a petition from 22 residents of Hay Lane requesting that the Council introduce a parking restriction and or notices/signage within the turning head of Hay Lane, adjacent to the A3400. Vehicles are being left in the turning head which is making it near impossible for cars, deliveries and refuse lorries to turn around and thus causing a danger to pedestrians and cyclists.

Cllr Courts handed in a petition from 116 residents from Dorridge and Bentley Heath objecting to the proposed Telecoms mast at the junction of Slater Road and Widney Road Planning Application No 2021/01609.

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

Mayor’s Announcements

Remembering Srebrenica – The Council would be marking remembering Srebrenica Day on 11 July 2021 and would be flying the flag from the top of the Council House.

Louise Rees Director of Children’s Services and Skills – On behalf of the Council the Mayor thanked Louise for her years of service to the Borough and wished her a happy retirement.

Award of the George Cross to the NHS - Following the award of the George Cross to the NHS, the Mayor paid tribute to the work done by the NHS, and recognised the NHS, Social Care and front line workers day held on 5 July, and also the recent national thank you day which recognised the efforts of organisations and individuals throughout the Covid pandemic which included so many Council staff.

Civic Sunday – This event would be taking place on 25 July 2021, and representatives from the NHS and health colleagues would be invited, as well as representatives from Solihull Faith Forum, in addition to Councillors.

Flooding in the Borough – The Mayor thanked Council staff and the emergency services, for their recent actions to tackle the serve flooding which had recently affected parts of the Borough.

AGM of Solihull Faith Forum – The Mayor recently attended the AGM, and referenced the work done by the Ordinary Magic Charity, which provides mental health support for children, young people and families. The Charity had recently opened the Magic Bean Café in Solihull High Street, with all the profits from the café going to support work with children.

Covid Up Date - The Deputy Leader provided Members with a Covid-19 update.

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 (30 Minutes)

Cllr Laura McCarthy to Cllr Hawkins Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Infrastructure

What is the current council policy on charging for residential rodent control for households who are unable to afford £144 for the three treatments required?

The Cabinet Member advised that SCH were committed to deliver pest control services to residents in Solihull in an affordable way.

All costs of the required course of treatments are discussed with the customer directly and if the payment cannot be made in one go a flexible payment arrangement is agreed. In exceptional circumstances the costs are waived.

Cllr Dr Sexton to Cllr Holt Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Skills

Please could you provide the following statistics around EHCP applications in 2020:

a.  How many were made;

b.  How many were responded to;

c.  How many were initially declined;

d.  Of those, how many were appealed;

e.  Of those, how many decisions were overturned prior to tribunal;

f.  How many cases went to tribunal; and

g.  How many decisions were overturned at tribunal?

The Cabinet Member advised that during 2020:

·  326 new requests for EHCPs were received;

·  Out of the initial 326 requests received, 66 were declined due to insufficient evidence of SEND and 23 later declined following full assessment as needs did not necessitate statutory intervention;

·  A total of 66 decisions were challenged by parents through the mediation process;

·  42 of the mediation cases were resolved without the need for tribunal

·  7 cases went to a tribunal hearing

·  4 decisions were overturned at tribunal

·  A total of 273 plans were finalised (“responded to”) in 2020 but this will include requests made prior to 2020

Cllr Dr Sexton asked two supplementary questions, one in the context of parents who would struggle to access the appeal process in relation to incorrectly rejected cases and whether any analysis had been done on what the education quality impact had been, and wanted clarification on what steps were being taken to ensure inclusivity in schools, as well as what steps where being taken to reduce the number of incorrectly rejected applications.

The Cabinet Member shared concerns regarding appeals going through the tribunal system as it was important that Council worked with families and built good relationships. The Cabinet Member advised that progress was being made in special education needs and schools had been encouraged to adapt their procedures and practices to ensure they were inclusive and the standard of education met children’s needs.

Cllr Brain to Councillor Karen Grinsell Deputy Leader

On matters relating to the Integrated Care Systems (ICS) Board which is noted in the Council Deputy Leader’s report on Page 31, can I clarify:

a)  Does this Board meet in public and are minutes of Board meetings available to the public?

b)  Are there any Members of this Board from the Private Health Sector?

The Deputy Leader advised that at present the BSOL ICS Board does not meet in public however, we anticipate that this will change under legislation being introduced which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To deal with any Topic of Debate submitted.

There was no topic of debate.

To receive any Notices of Motion.

There was no notice of motion.

To deal with a number of recommendations from Committees:

Remuneration Committee 2 June 2021

Minute 5 Catering Management of Change (page 172)

The Remuneration Committee RESOLVED:

a)  to approve the redundancy and pension strain costs where they are at a level that this is required by the Council’s Pay Policy Statement; and

b)  to recommend to Council the payment of severance costs (£110,078) in relation to the Quality Assurance Manager as required by the Council’s Pay Policy Statement.

Audit Committee 14 June 2021

Minute 10 Treasury Management Outturn Report 2020/21 (page 174)

RESOLVED

The Committee recommends that Council approves the Treasury Management Outturn report 2020/21 attached at Appendix A.

Governance Committee 23 June 2021

Minute 7 Appointment of Honorary Aldermen (page 190)

RECOMMENDED:

1.  That the nominations relating to Mrs Flo Nash, Mrs Glenis Slater, Mr Ted Richards OBE and Mrs Kate Wild be accepted, and

 2.  A Special meeting of the Council be convened immediately prior to the scheduled meeting on 5th October 2021 to confer on Mrs Flo Nash, Mrs Glenis Slater, Mr Ted Richards OBE and Mrs Kate Wild the title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough of Solihull.

The following recommendations were considered by Council.

Remuneration Committee 2 June 2021

Minute 5 Catering Management of Change

The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee proposed the recommendation.

RESOLVED:

Council approved the payment of severance costs (£110,078) in relation to the Quality Assurance Manager as required by the Council’s Pay Policy Statement.

Audit Committee 14 June 2021

Minute 10 Treasury Management Outturn Report 2020/21

The Vice-Chairman of the Audit Committee proposed the recommendation.

RESOLVED

Council approved the Treasury Management Outturn report 2020/21 attached at Appendix A.

Governance Committee 23 June 2021

Minute 7 Appointment of Honorary Aldermen

The Chairman of the Governance Committee proposed the recommendation.

RESOLVED

Council approved the nominations relating to Mrs Flo Nash, Mrs Glenis Slater, Mr Ted Richards OBE and Mrs Kate Wild be accepted, and that a special meeting of the Council be convened immediately prior to the scheduled meeting on 5th October 2021 to confer on Mrs Flo Nash, Mrs Glenis Slater, Mr Ted Richards OBE and Mrs Kate Wild 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) Leader of the Council and Lead Member for the Economy

(pages 21-28)

b) Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Partnership and Wellbeing including Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board minutes (pages 29-42). The minutes include the Boards agreed amendment to the Boards Terms of Reference (pages 43-57)

c) Cabinet Member for Resources (pages 59-63)

d) Cabinet Member for Stronger and Safer Communities (pages 65-73)

e) Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing (pages 75-81)

f) Cabinet Member for Children Education and Skills (pages 83-88)

g)  Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure (pages 89-93)

h) Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health (pages 95-101) 

i) Cabinet Member for Leisure Tourism and Sport (pages 103-107)

Councillor Courts- Leader of the Council

The Leader advised Council of the decisions taken at Cabinet on 17 June 2021 and he’s information report in relation to the economic strategy responsibilities of he’s portfolio. Within the economic report, the Leader highlighted the work of Solihull for Success Team. The Leader advised that he had continued to meet small business across the borough and discussions had been wide ranging.

Cllr Allen questioned when the Shirley Economic Plan could be seen by ward members. The Deputy Leader advised that the Plan would be available in the next few months and there would be Member engagement and scrutiny of the Plan.

Cllr Laura McCarthy queried what was being done to support smaller shopping areas within the Borough. The Leader advised that this was a particular area he was focussed on and Officers were on hand to support local businesses, If Members knew of any specific issues they were invited to report them.

Councillor Karen Grinsell – Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Partnership and Wellbeing, including the Solihull Wellbeing Board Minutes

The Deputy Leader referenced the meetings of the Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board held on 20 May, 15 June and 21 June. The Deputy Leader highlighted the new Terms of Reference for the Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board, which had been agreed and incorporated the arrangements for the development of the Integrated Care System (ICS).

Cllr Dr Sexton asked who represented the Council on the ICS NHS Board and the ICS Partnership Board. The Deputy Leader advised that these two Boards were in shadow form and would come into effect from April 2022. The Chief Executive represented the Council, and in his absence it was the Director for Public Health.

Cllr Dr Sexton referenced the development the Health Inequality Strategy and questioned what the arrangements were for Member engagement. The Deputy Leader confirmed that the next stage was to seek public engagement on the strategy and seek the views of Scrutiny and Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board.

Cllr Kathryn Thomas referenced the increased additional car parking spaces at Riley Drive, Smith’s Wood and questioned how these had been funded. The local ward Member (Cllr Hamilton) advised the additional spaces had been funded by Solihull Community Housing (SCH) and not the Council.

Cllr Hogarth congratulated SCH with regard to their sprinkler programme.

­Councillor Sleigh OBE – Cabinet Member for Resources

The Cabinet Member advised Council of the decisions taken at the decision sessions held on 19 April, 27 May and 1 July. The Cabinet Member highlighted a number of issues including the fact that Council Tax and Business Rate collections were the highest in the West Midlands and the development of a policy to deal with requests to waiver the discount repayable following a Right to Buy purchase. The Cabinet Member was also pleased to report that following support from the Council Solihull Community Boxing Club would shortly be moving into their new premises.

Cllr McLoughlin in relation to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

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

a)  Resources and Delivering Value (pages 109-119)

b)  Economic Development and Managed Growth (pages 121-143)

c)  Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services (pages 145-150)

d)  Children’s Services, Education and Skills (pages 151-158)

e)  Health and Adult Social Care (pages 159-160)

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

·  Resources and Delivering Value (6^th April 2021)

·  Economic Development and Managed Growth (18^th March and 7^th June 2021)

·  Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services (9^th June 2021)

·  Children’s Services, Education and Skills (10^th June 2021)

·  Health and Adult Social Care (14^th June 2021)

The minutes of the following Committees are presented for information:

a)  Call-In Committee (pages 161-169)

b)  Remuneration Committee (pages 171-172)

c)  Audit Committee (pages 173-187)

d)  Governance Committee (pages 189-190)

The minutes of the following Committees were presented for information:

·  Call In Committee (24^th May 2021)

·  Remuneration Committee (2^nd June 2021)

·  Audit Committee (14^th June 2021)

·  Governance Committee (23^rd June 2021)

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.

No questions were received.

To receive the following reports:

a)  Leader’s Scheme of Delegation to Officers (Information Report) (page 191)

To advise Council of amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers made by the Leader of the Council, as required under the Cabinet Procedure Rules in the Council’s Constitution.

b)  Leader’s Scheme of Delegation to Cabinet Members (Information Report) (page 193)

To advise Council of amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to Cabinet Members made by the Leader of the Council, as required under the Cabinet Procedure Rules in the Council’s Constitution.

c)  Appointment of Acting Director of Children's Services (pages 195-196)

To ask Council to make an interim appointment to the statutory role of Director of Children’s Services pending a permanent appointment being made to this post.

The Chief Executive presented three reports:

·  Leader’s Scheme of Delegation to Officers (Information Report)

·  Leader’s Scheme of Delegation to Cabinet Members (Information Report)

·  Appointment of Acting Director of Children's Services

RESOLVED

Council approved that Tim Browne is appointed to the statutory role of Director of Children’s Services from 17th July 2021 until a permanent appointment to the roles is made, in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Children Act, 2004.

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.

Cllr Brain to Cllr Holt Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Skills

Can the Cabinet Member confirm the number of under 18s placed by SMBC within HMO settings, tabulated year on year from April of each year and what additional safeguarding is in the place, given that HMOs are largely off the radar in terms of member scrutiny?

Cllr Brain agreed to receive a written response to the question.

Cllr Kathryn Thomas to Cllr Courts Leader of the Council

Given the town centre master plan involves replacing the core building and Homer Road Police Station with 200,000ft2 of office space, 65 residential units, and 200,000ft2 of active ground floor use, but nowhere in the master plan does it give any details of where the police station, library or theatre are due to be relocated. Please could the council leader explain what the plans are for these facilities?

The Leader of the Council advised that at the end of last year the Council launched a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to the market inviting interest in the future redevelopment of the existing Council House site. The proposed scheme includes provision for a new enhanced arts, cultural and civic hub that would replace the existing core building. This would provide the opportunity for the accommodation needs for the police station in Solihull, and indeed for enhancing it, although the Labour Police & Crime Commissioner has failed to respond to my request to him to commit to retaining and investing in Solihull Police Station’s future.

The Masterplan represents guidance for future aspiration for the use of particular sites and overall development rather than a detailed plan; any proposals are subject to the usual scrutiny, consultation and planning processes. 

Cllr K Thomas sought clarification regarding accommodation for a police station and the Leader restated that he had approached Police and Crime Commissioner on this matter but had yet to receive a response. The Leader advised that the Council had campaigned to protect the police station and invited all Members to support his request and for a better police service in Solihull.

Cllr Thomas to Cllr Hawkins Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Infrastructure

Stats in the media indicate that less than 10% of household plastic is re-cycled, with much being shipped overseas to be burnt or dumped. Whilst I know that sorting is essential to enable effective recycling, this is not building capacity within the UK to recycle. What plan does Solihull council have to build up a local re-cycling facility?

The Cabinet Member advised that plastic collected at the kerbside or deposited at Bickenhill Household Waste Recycling Centre is currently taken to a Material Recovery Facility in Birmingham, where the mixed material including plastic is separated into different material fractions. Plastic that is of high enough quality to be sold is then baled and sold on by our reprocessor.  Material that is not suitable for recycling is sent to a separate processing facility that converts refuse into fuel. This is then used as a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

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 the following private minutes

a)  Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board

The private minutes of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board held on 14^th June 2021 were presented for information.