Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Macnaughton and Councillor Ashraf.

The Mayor’s Chaplain in conducting prayers, referenced the recent deaths of David Bradnock the former serving HM Deputy Lieutenant and former Cllrs John Braham, Honorary Alderman Norman Davies and Michael Sheridan.

The Chaplain then lead prayers for Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Council held a minute’s silence in the memory of Arthur.

The Chief Executive advised Council of several reviews and investigations which would be taking place in the next few months in light of the tragic murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 5^th October 2021 were presented for approval.

RESOLVED

The minutes of the meeting held on 5^th October 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.

To receive petitions from Members of the Council.

The following petitions were submitted:

• Councillor Sheshabhatter submitted a petition on behalf of residents to oppose the plans to build houses on the Simon Digby site.

• Councillor Sheshabhatter presented a petition on behalf of a local resident to request Solihull Council consider the possibility of the creation of a BMX track in Chelmsley Wood.

• Councillor O’Nyons submitted a petition on behalf of Lyndon residents to ask Solihull Council to investigate and implement traffic calming measures on Daylesford Road.

• Councillor Cole submitted a petition on behalf of residents of Cooks Lane, Kingshurst, to request Solihull Council enter a meaningful discussion with West Midlands Police to enforce the 7.5 tonne weight restriction on Cooks Lane.

• Councillor Brain submitted a petition on behalf of residents from Kingshurst and Fordbridge for assistance to keep the hairdresser open during Kingshurst regeneration.

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

The Mayor made the following announcements:

·  Councillors were invited to make a Christmas donation, as corporate parents, for looked after children and care leavers within the Borough.

·  Solihull talking newspaper for the blind had received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services at an event the Mayor had been able to attend.

·  The Mayor had attended a number of events which included the switch on of Diwali lights, Christmas lights and a Menorah.

·  The Mayor’s Christmas cards were designed by Art at the Heart which was a charity which supported young people to access art. Two young people had created the cards which the Mayor would use.

The Leader expressed his shock and sadness at the news of the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. The Leader welcomed the recent announcements into the reviews into how this could have occurred within the Borough. The Leader also requested an independent verification of Solihull Council’s involvement with Arthur’s life.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills conveyed his anger and heartbreak at the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and reaffirmed that he would support the subsequent investigations. The Cabinet Member highlighted that staff within Solihull Council were devastated by Arthur’s death, as they had a passion to support and protect young people and their families.

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 Howell to Cllr Rolf Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Stronger and Safer Communities

Like many Wards, Meriden has a large number of active litter picking volunteers who go out on a very regular basis. How will the Council’s new Environmental Crime Strategy help to maintain the enthusiasm of these volunteers and achieve the right balance of proactive activity & enforcement action, to achieve a reduction in litter in our Borough? 

In response the Cabinet Member laid out the ongoing Love Solihull support for Meriden Ward that will continue to be provided as before and then explained how the work delivered through the strategy would dovetail with this valuable effort:-

•   All registered litter pickers are provided with health and safety guidance and offered a set of litter picking equipment – registration and information available on council website - we also act as a point of contact for assisting with any issues / concerns they encounter while litter picking, not all of which can be directed to Connect.

•   Organise collection of full Love Solihull bags – currently supported by Amey.

•   Equipment provided to Meriden PC litter picking group.

•   Supported ‘Keep Meriden Tidy’ event, across Meriden constituency, organised by Saqib Bhatti MP – 3rd-4th July.

•   Provision of equipment where needed.

•   Organise collection of full bags.

•   Promoted GB Spring Clean 2021 – Keep Britain Tidy campaign to all litter picking groups – in Meriden Ward we supported Berkswell PC with their GB Spring Clean – equipment, bag collection, supporting documents to assist safe delivery.

•   Shortly we will be providing group leaders with signage supplied by Keep Britain Tidy to– ‘This area was cleaned by local volunteers’ – to raise awareness of the work of volunteers.

•   Balsall Common litter picking group – working with BC group leader to develop plan for promoting positive behaviours around the issue of litter.

•   Met with members of group as well as ward Councillors and Saqib Bhatti MP to discuss potential interventions from a Love Solihull perspective (education and community support).

•   Engaged with local schools to support Balsall Common litter picking group, including Balsall Common Primary School.

•   Workshop with School Eco-Council: 17 November.

•   Community litter pick with Love Solihull and Rachel (BC litter pickers): Friday 10th December.

•   Radio podcast with Love Solihull and Rachel: Friday 14 January.

•   BC Primary are already signed up to the 2022 Spring Clean campaign.

The Environmental Enforcement Strategy is designed to complement the work that volunteers in Meriden and throughout the borough carry out to ensure that Solihull is kept clean of litter as well as supporting the work of Love Solihull.

The strategy lays out a course of action, as well as a regular programme of reporting of activities and figures to address the enforcement of legislation to address littering, dog fouling and fly tipping.

In a supplementary question Cllr Howell wanted confirmation that the Council had a robust approach to enforcement action, so persistent offenders could be prosecuted.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To deal with any Motions submitted.

There was no notice of motion.

To deal with a recommendation from Audit Committee and Licensing Committee:

Audit Committee 8 November 2021 (page 153)

Minute 9 The National Scheme for Auditor Appointments

  Recommendation:

That full Council approves that the Council joins the national scheme for auditor appointments, with effect from April 2023.

Licensing Committee 22 November 2021 (page 212)

Minute 4 Gambling Act 2005 – Review of Statement of Principles

RESOLVED

The Licensing Committee:

1. Noted the comments made during consultation and approved the final

draft of the Statement of Principles subject to two minor amendments as

follows:-

· Paragraph 14.9 bullet points 2 and 4 the term ‘vulnerable persons’

be replaced by ‘persons in vulnerable circumstances’.

2. Recommend to Full Council that the Statement of Principles is adopted.

Treasury Management Strategy 2022/23 to 2031/32

The Chairman of Licensing Committee introduced the following recommendation:

Licensing Committee 22 November 2021

Minute 4 Gambling Act 2005 – Review of Statement of Principles

RESOLVED

The Statement of Principles was adopted.

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 29-52)

c) Cabinet Member for Resources (pages 53-54)

d) Cabinet Member for Stronger and Safer Communities (pages 55-63)

e) Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing (pages 65-69)

f) Cabinet Member for Children Education and Skills (pages 71-73)

g)  Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure (pages 75-82)

h) Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health (pages 83-91) 

i) Cabinet Member for Leisure Tourism and Sport (pages 93-94)

Councillor Courts – Leader of the Council

The Leader advised Council of the decisions taken at Cabinet on 14 October and 11 November 2021 and provided Members with an update on the economic strategy responsibilities of his portfolio.

Councillor K Grinsell – Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Partnership and Wellbeing

The Deputy Leader referenced some of the partnership working which had taken place and referenced meetings of the Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board which had met on 18 September and 16 November 2021.

Cllr K Thomas questioned what was being done to improve cross boarder working in relation to children services? The Cabinet Member advised that if Members had any specific issues, they should raise them with her.

Councillor Sleigh OBE – Cabinet Member for Resources

The Cabinet Member advised Council that no decision sessions had been held since the last Council meeting. However, the Cabinet Member highlighted that additional Restrictions Grant Funding had been received (£1.5m) and had already been distributed. The Cabinet Member was also pleased to announce the opening of new venue for Solihull Boxing Club, which the Council had supported.

Councillor Rolf – Cabinet Member for Stronger and Safer Communities

The Cabinet Member advised Council of decisions taken at her decision sessions held on 19 October and 24 November 2021.

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

The Cabinet Member advised Council of decisions taken at his decision session held on 1 November 2021. The Cabinet Member highlighted the work relating to Green Homes Local Authority Delivery Scheme and the Schools Engagement – Climate Conference.

Councillor Holt – Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills

The Cabinet Member advised Council of decisions taken at his decision session held on 23 November 2021. Cllr K Thomas asked what the Council was doing in relation to challenging the government over the inadequate funding of the High Needs block in the DSG, which appeared to be a national problem. The Cabinet Member advised that the Council continued to have a dialogue with government on this matter.

Councillor Hawkins – Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure

The Cabinet Member advised Council of decisions taken at his decision sessions held on 6 October and 18 November 2021. The Cabinet Member took the opportunity to confirm that there would be no changes to the household waste and recycling schedule over the Christmas and New Year period.

Councillor Dicicco – Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health

The Cabinet Member advised Council of decisions taken at his decision sessions held on 25 October, 4 November and 30 November 2021.

Councillor K Grinsell – Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism and Sport

The Cabinet Member advised Council of decisions taken at her decision session held on 2 December 2021. The Cabinet Member highlighted from the report the successful funding bid from the Commonwealth Games Legacy funding, the relaunching of Solihull on the Move and the Sustain Shirley Fashion Show.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that further provision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To receive for information the Scrutiny Annual Report.

The Chairman of the Resources and Delivering Value Scrutiny Board presented the Annual Scrutiny Report for information.

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

a)  Resources and Delivering Value (pages 105-118)

b)  Children’s Services, Education and Skills (pages 119-124)

c)  Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services (pages 125-131)

d)  Economic Development and Managed Growth (pages 133-142)

e)  Health and Adult Social Care (pages 143-149)

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

·  Resources and Delivering Value (7 October 2021 and 2 November 2021)

·  Children’s Services, Education and Skills (3 November 2021) 

·  Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services (4 November 2021)

·  Economic Development and Managed Growth (8 November 2021)

·  Health and Adult Social Care (9 November 2021)

The minutes of the following Committees are presented for information:

a)  Licensing Committee (pages 151-153)

b)  HS2 Implementation Advisory Group (pages 205-210)

c)  Audit Committee (pages 211-213)

d)  Governance Committee (pages 215-216)

The minutes of the following Committees are presented for information:

·  HS2 Implementation Advisory Group (20 October 2021)

·  Licensing Committee (22 November 2021) 

·  Audit Committee (8 November 2021)

·  Governance Committee (16 November 2021) 

To receive the following reports:

a)  Minutes of the WMCA Overview and Scrutiny Minutes (pages 217-226)

b)  West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority (pages 227-233)

Minutes of the West Midlands Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee (6 September and 14 October 2021)

Councillor Dicicco presented the Minutes of the WMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee Minutes for information.

Councillor Caudwell asked whether changes to bus routes through Castle Bromwich without consultation was bought up at the latest meeting. Councillor Dicicco explained that the Mayor of the West Midlands had raised important points about current bus services, as they were important to improve connectivity for jobs.

Councillor R Grinsell highlighted that this point had been raised at the Transport Delivery Committee and a response had been provided by Transport for West Midlands.

Councillor Caudwell asked that at a future WMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting whether Councillor Dicicco could raise the issue of collaborative powers of the Mayor, such as shared access to household waste centres for neighbouring Local Authorities. Councillor Dicicco confirmed that they would do this if the opportunity arose.

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority Report

Councillor Hogarth MBE presented the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority report 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.

Councillor Laura McCarthy asked what measures had been included in the strategy to tackle violence against women which focussed on the improvement of male behaviours and attitudes.

Councillor Rolf (CPH Stronger and Safer Communities) agreed to provide a written response to Councillor McCarthy.

a) Appointment of Independent Member of Audit Committee

To invite Council to approve the re-appointment of Mr Tony Beirne as an independent Member of the Audit Committee.

The Chief Executive presented the report on the Appointment of Independent Member of Audit Committee.

RESOLVED

Council approved the re-appointment of Mr Tony Beirne as an Independent Member of the Audit Committee.

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 seek approval of costs associated with the Management of Change in the Catering Division of the Resources Directorate.

To receive for information the private minutes from:

a)  Audit Committee (pages 241)