Agenda and decisions

No apologies were received.

No declarations were received.

No Questions were received.

A deputation was received from Mr Ian Wallace regarding the Wildlife Ways project in Water Orton Road, Castle Bromwich.

To receive recommendations for consideration arising from the Economic Development and Managed Growth Scrutiny Board meeting held on 15^th January 2020.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing:

RESOLVED:

(i)  To agree that future Air Quality Monitoring reports submitted to Council Committee and Scrutiny Board meetings include:

(a)  Historical, quantifiable benchmarking data; and,

(b)  Year on year air quality monitoring data, including any form of adjustment data that may have been applied.

(ii)  To agree that a Communications Plan be developed to publicise the Council’s Air Quality Monitoring, Bio-Diversity, Walking and Cycling Strategies, Life Ways Project, Clean Air 2020 Project and the Active Travel Strategies to support wider community engagement; and,

(iii)  To agree that in implementing any Communication Plan to support (ii) above, that the Council makes use of its social media platforms to promote Council strategies seeking to deliver clean air, zero carbon, sustainable travel and bio-diversity within the borough.

(iv)  To agree to seek further funding opportunities and resource to deliver the Solihull Electric Vehicle Strategy 2020, in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority and Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, through delivery of the West Midlands Industrial Strategy; and,

(v)  To agree to further explore joint procurement and fleet management arrangements with Solihull Community Housing in order to increase the electric vehicle fleet available to the Council.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing:

RESOLVED:

(i)  To approve the proposed response to the Government Consultation on First Homes; and,

(ii)  To agree to delegate to the Director of Economy and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Planning and Housing, to make minor amendments to the First Homes Consultation response before it is submitted.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing:

RESOLVED:

(i)  To review the draft Authority Monitoring report, detailed in Appendix A to the report.

(ii)  To approve the draft Authority Monitoring report which includes the following additional information:

Ø  The SLP does not have an indicator with regard to housing for disabled and older people but recognises the growing need for homes which are suitable for both older people and younger adults with disabilities.

Ø  The Council works with social care commissioners and developers to help bring forward additional accommodation to help meet these needs.

Ø  The table below shows additions of specialist ‘extra care’, both market and affordable, and care bed spaces (i.e. in care homes or other communal type establishments) during the period April 2014 to March 2019[1].

    Extra Care  Bedspaces in  Total

  Independent Units  Communal

  Establishments

Completed or Under

Construction Apr 14 to Mar 19  619  502  1,121

Not Commenced  44  64  108

Total   663  556  1,229

 (iii)  To approve to delegate to the Director of Economy and Infrastructure to make minor alterations to the Authority Monitoring Report before its final publication in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Planning and Housing.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing:

RESOLVED:

(i)  To endorse the 23019/20 Revenue and Capital financial monitoring forecast as at 31^st December 2019; and

(ii)  To note the Portfolio’s progress against the latest 3 years savings targets in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) as detailed in Appendix A to the report.