Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Bisset, Laurenson and Norfolk.

To receive any declarations of interest.

The following declarations of interest were made:

Councillors Altaf and Hassan – Minute 63 (Notice of Motion –  Additional Licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation) - As owners of Houses in Multiple Occupation. Councillors Altaf and Hassan left the meeting for consideration of this item.

Of the meeting held on 17^th October 2022 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th October 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive any communications the Mayor may wish to make.

Rob Peachey

The Mayor informed the Council that funeral for former City Councillor Rob Peachey would be held on 13^th December at 3.15pm at Worcester Crematorium, with the wake to be held afterwards at the Guildhall.

Remembrance Sunday

The Mayor thanked all those who had attended this year’s Remembrance Day service. It was especially pleasing to be able to welcome the Queen's Royal Hussars, who were granted the Freedom of the City in 2014. They had very much enjoyed being in Worcester and they hoped to return here soon.

Christmas Fayre 2022

The Mayor informed the Council that he will be attending the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, 1^st December.

Knitted Christmas Tree

The Mayor informed the Council that on Thursday, 1^st December he would  be unveiling a special Christmas tree in the Guildhall, courtesy of the St. John’s Councillors, made from knitted squares from a cross section of the community in St. John’s.

The Mayor’s Charity Christmas Concert

The Mayor stated that this concert by the Elgar Chorale takes place on Wednesday, 7^th December at 7.30pm in the Assembly Room and tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre or the Civic Office.

Response from King Charles III to Letter of Condolence

The Mayor informed the Council that a letter of thanks had been received from the King, expressing thanks for the condolences which had been conveyed on behalf of the Council to the King upon the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Refreshments

The Mayor invited all present to join him for refreshments in the Assembly Room following the meeting, including cake to mark his 60^th birthday.

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any matter on the Agenda or within the remit of the Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

Marilyn McCarthy, Chair, The Swan Food Project will ask:

“We invite Councillors with interests in wildlife, environment, culture, history and tourism to join us to explore ways to give the swan sanctuary, established by the City Council and the Cathedral in the early eighties, a more formal and organised identity. We propose the creation of a 'Worcester Swan Sanctuary Trust' to enhance swan welfare, infrastructure, visitor experience and community engagement. Will the City Council agree to meeting with us?”

Marilyn McCarthy, Chair of the Swan Food Project, spoke to the Council in respect of Worcester Swan Sanctuary. She invited Councillors with interests in wildlife, environment, culture, history and tourism to join in exploring ways to give the Swan Sanctuary a more formal and organised identity.

Edward Kimberley spoke in support of the Notice of Motion relating to Houses in Multiple Occupation.

The Mayor thanked both speakers for their representations.

The Joint Leader of the Council, or the Chair of any Committee or Sub-Committee, to take any questions that may be submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.

The Council considered the following questions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.

To consider any Notices of Motion submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.

1.    Proposed Amendment to Council’s Constitution

The Council notes that:

1.   Public participation in Committee meetings should offer a meaningful opportunity for residents to engage with local democracy. Residents should be able not only to raise questions and share their views on matters discussed by the Committees of this Council; they should be also entitled to receive responses to their questions raised in the Committee meetings.

2.   The current Constitution does not guarantee that residents must receive answers to their questions and therefore it may create a serious doubt whether the Council listens to and seriously considers the views and suggestions raised by residents.    

3.   In order to rectify this democratic deficiency and enhance the sense of accountability of Elected Members and Council Officers, this motion asks the full Council to amend our Constitution where it states that ‘Any question shall be directed at the Chair who may reply orally at the meeting, or in writing following the meeting or who may decline to reply; or who may ask an Officer so to reply on his or her behalf.’ (Part 5 Committee Procedure Rules, 10.4.3).

4.   The Council is therefore being asked to accept the material amendment resulting in the following wording: “The Council values opinions and welcomes questions of the public. Shall there be any questions directed at the Chair, the Chair shall be obliged to reply orally at the meeting, or in writing following the meeting; or shall ask an Officer so to reply on the Chair’s behalf.” 

5.   Furthermore, one may be under the impression that the Council’s present Constitution does not give sufficient weight and acknowledgement to the importance of petitions put forward by members of public.

6.   The relevant section of our Council’s Constitution states that: ‘Any petition shall be received by the Chair without response’ (10.4.2).

7.   Whereas it is right and proper to allocate sufficient time for considering petitions of residents, acknowledging the receipt of a petition should be an important and clear sign that the views of residents matter. Thus is the nature of democracy.

8.   Therefore, the Council is happy to accept an amendment that would affect the wording regarding petitions from members of public by stating that: “Any petition shall be received by the Chair who will who be obliged to acknowledge its receipt and will endeavour to respond in writing to its content. The Chair may delegate the formal reply to the petition to an Officer.”

Proposed by: Councillor Piotrowski

2.    Voter ID

In April 2022 the Elections Act came into effect. This rules that all voters for English or UK-wide general election must show photographic identification.

Voter ID is completely unnecessary and all the evidence indicates that it is likely to particularly suppress turnout amongst disadvantaged groups. 

Furthermore, there is specific concerns about its rollout for local election across England in May 2023.

Election officials as quoted by The Guardian on 10^{th  ...  view the full agenda text for item 63.}

The Council considered the following Notices of Motion, which had been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8:

1.    Proposed Amendment to Council’s Constitution

The Council notes that:

1.     Public participation at Full Council and in Committee meetings should offer a meaningful opportunity for residents to engage with local democracy. Residents should be able to raise questions and share their views on matters discussed by Full Council and its Committees, and they should also be entitled to receive responses to their questions.

2.     The current Constitution does not guarantee that residents will receive answers to their questions and therefore residents may doubt whether the Council listens to and seriously considers their views and suggestions.    

3.     In order to rectify this democratic deficiency and enhance the sense of accountability of Elected Members and Council Officers, this motion proposes that:

a)    Part 4 Council Procedure Rules, 10.3.5 is changed from ‘Any question shall be directed at the Leader of the Council or the chair of the relevant committee who may reply orally at the meeting, or in writing following the meeting or who may decline to reply; or who may ask an Officer so to reply on their behalf.’ to: ‘The Council values opinions and welcomes questions of the public. Should there be any questions directed at the Leader of the Council or the Chair of any Committee, they may reply orally at the meeting, or in writing following the meeting; or may ask an Officer so to reply on their behalf.’

b)    Part 5 Committee Procedure Rules, 10.4.3. is changed from ‘Any question shall be directed at the Chair who may reply orally at the meeting, or in writing following the meeting or who may decline to reply; or who may ask an Officer so to reply on his or her behalf.’ to: ‘The Council values opinions and welcomes questions of the public. Should there be any questions directed at the Chair, the Chair shall be obliged to reply orally at the meeting, or in writing following the meeting; or shall ask an Officer so to reply on the Chair’s behalf.’

4.     Furthermore, the Council’s present Constitution does not give sufficient weight and acknowledgement to the importance of petitions put forward by members of public.

5.     In order to rectify this democratic deficiency and enhance the sense of accountability of Elected Members and Council Officers, this motion proposes that:

a.     Part 4 Council Procedure Rules, 10.3.4 is changed from: ‘Any petition shall be received by the Mayor without response’’ to: Any petition shall be received by the Mayor, who will be obliged to acknowledge its receipt and will endeavour to respond in writing to its content. The Mayor may delegate the formal reply to the petition to an Officer.’

b.     Part 5 Committee Procedure Rules, 10.4.2. is changed from ‘Any petition shall be received by the Chair without response’ to: ‘Any petition shall be received by the Chair, who will be obliged to acknowledge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

To consider the election of the Joint Leader(s) of the Council.

The Council considered the appointment of Joint Leaders, following the resignation of Councillor Bayliss.

It was proposed by Councillor Stanley and seconded by Councillor Geraghty that Councillor Mitchell be nominated.

There were no further nominations.

Upon being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council agree that Councillor Mitchell be elected to the position of Joint Leader of the Council.

Council agrees the Response set out in Appendix 1 as its collective response to the draft recommendations published by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England and authorises the Corporate Director - Planning and Governance to submit this document to the Commission, on behalf of the Council.

The Council considered a report on the Local Government Boundary Commission’s proposals “New Electoral Arrangements for Worcester City Council, Draft Recommendations, November 2022.” The Commission’s consultation on this document would close on 25^th January 2023 and, following consultation with the Leaders of the Council’s four Political Groups, a document had been produced to set out the Council’s response to these draft recommendations. This response is supported by all four of the Political Group Leaders. Political Groups and individual Councillors may also submit their own comments to the Commission.

It was proposed by Councillor Denham and seconded by Councillor Mitchell, and upon being put to the vote it was unanimously agreed and

RESOLVED: That Council agree the response set out in Appendix 1 to the report as its collective response to the draft recommendations published by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England and authorises the Corporate Director - Planning and Governance to submit this document to the Commission, on behalf of the Council.

To receive reports on matters which by law or in accordance with the Constitution are referred to Council for decision.

None.

To receive a report, if necessary.

The Joint Leader stated that, in the light of his appointment, he wished to propose two amendments to membership of Committees.

Firstly, the Joint Leader is a member of the Joint Consultative and Safety Committee. He therefore proposed that he be appointed to replace Councillor Bayliss on this Committee.

Secondly he wished to tender his resignation as a member of the Planning Committee. Accordingly, the Council were invited to appoint a replacement. He proposed that Councillor Stanley be appointed to the Committee and also appointed as Chair.

Finally, the Joint Leader paid tribute to Councillor Bayliss for his service as Joint Leader.

The proposals were seconded by Councillor Bayliss. There were no other nominations. Upon being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council approve the following appointments:

Joint Consultative and Safety Committee – Councillor Mitchell in place of Councillor Bayliss

Planning Committee – Councillor Stanley in place of Councillor Mitchell, with Councillor Stanley as Chair.

None.