Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Bisset, S. Ditta and Stephen.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Of the meeting held on 21^st February 2023 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st February 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive any communications the Mayor may wish to make.

Response to the Petition presented at February Council

The Mayor stated that there was a Notice of Motion on the agenda regarding the petition which had been presented at the last meeting of Council regarding toilet facilities for lorry drivers. This matter would therefore be discussed later in the meeting.

Visit to Gheluveld

The Mayor stated that he had attended the unveiling and service of re-dedication of the First World War Memorial to the Worcestershire Regiment in Gheluveld, Belgium on 24^th March 2023. Representatives of the Worcestershire Ambassadors, Mercian Regiment and Regimental Association had also attended, along with Councillor Agar, the Armed Forces Champion. The Mayor had then gone onto the Menin Gate, where he laid a wreath. He thanked all those who had attended or sent messages of support. He also thanked the Belgian hosts.

Mayor-Ale-Trail

The Mayor stated that he was continuing to visit city pubs to highlight the role they play in their communities and to highlight his charities.  So far, he had visited about 20, with about 40 remaining, and he invited Members to join him in visiting pubs in their local area.

Worcester Concert Brass

The Mayor thanked all those that attended this charity evening on 17^th March 2023 including members of the Ukrainian community.

Coronation Big Lunch

The Mayor stated that letters had gone out to charity and volunteering organisations inviting them to nominate people from their organisation, in recognition of a personal contribution to charitable and volunteering work within the Community, to attend a Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday, 7^th May as part of the celebrations for the coronation of King Charles III.

Refreshments

The Mayor invited everyone present to refreshments in the Mayor’s Parlour following the conclusion of the Council meeting.

Retiring Councillors

The Mayor paid tribute to those Councillors who were retiring in May and were therefore attending their last meeting of the Council, namely Councillors Bayliss, Hassan, Mackay and Stafford. The Leader and other Members also paid their own tributes.

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.

None.

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 question submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.

At this point in the meeting there was an adjournment to enable a number of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

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

Call for a Review of Professional Driver Facilities

Council recognises the petition presented to Council on 21 February 2023, regarding facilities for professional drivers in the city. In response, Council calls upon the Managing Director to write to the County Council to request a strategic review, (which should include seeking support and advice from the Road Haulage Association), to consider the adequacy of the current provision and suitability of secure rest facilities and overnight parking for professional drivers within the county, working with partners to improve the provision of such facilities in Worcester.

Proposed by: Councillor Lawrance

Cultural Development Fund Arts Legacy

Council is grateful for the Cultural Development Fund Arts Council grant.   The Arches and Festivals program has been enjoyed by many people in Worcester since 2019.

We are concerned that as this funding comes to an end we will be unable to continue the citywide festivals programme.  

Places like Worcester no longer meet the national priority needs for Arts, and Culture Funding but we want to build on 'our reputation as a centre of art and culture to national and international audiences.

Therefore Council resolves to ask the Managing Director to write to our MP and to DCLG to lobby for further funding.

Proposed by: Councillor Riaz

River Severn

The River Severn is undoubtedly one of the biggest assets that our city has and it forms an integral part of life for those who live around it. Over the years it has been a haven for wildlife, an essential transport route, a great place for leisure activities and a vital source of water for people living and working in its catchment.

However, The River Severn was also ranked as the most polluted river in the country in 2021, and had seen 28,741 hours of sewage pumped into it on 2,656 occasions by Severn Trent Water in 2021 alone.   

Meanwhile, The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which oversees all things to do with the environment and agriculture, from farming inspections and nature restoration to cracking down on environmental vandalism including fly-tipping and sewage spills, has experienced a real-term cut of 10.6% over the last two years, equating to £496.8m.

That level of cuts leaves DEFRA effectively toothless and impotent in the face of powerful water companies who dump sewage into our rivers. Urgent action must be taken. 

This Council resolves to ask Manging Director to write to Worcester MP Robin Walker and Daniel Kawczynski MP for Shrewsbury, who have formed a caucus of MPs representing constituencies along the length of the River Severn, asking them as a matter of urgency to lobby the government to reverse the cuts to DEFRA's budget and thereby restore the agency's ability to tackle the illegal sewage spills and other harmful acts of environmental barbarism affecting the River Severn.   

Proposed by: Councillor Piotrowski

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

Call for a Review of Professional Driver Facilities

Council recognises the petition presented to Council on 21 February 2023, regarding facilities for professional drivers in the city. In response, Council calls upon the Managing Director to write to the County Council to request a strategic review, (which should include seeking support and advice from the Road Haulage Association), to consider the adequacy of the current provision and suitability of secure rest facilities and overnight parking for professional drivers within the county, working with partners to improve the provision of such facilities in Worcester.

The proposer, Councillor Lawrance and the seconder, Councillor Riaz both spoke in support of the Motion.

In accordance with the rules set out in the Constitution, Councillor S. Hodgson proposed an amendment to the Motion. The amendment was seconded. The seconder then withdrew and as there was no other seconder, the amendment did not proceed. Members then spoke on the Motion.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 7.2 a named vote was requested and supported by four Members. On being put to the vote, the Motion was agreed and it was

RESOLVED: That the Council request the Managing Director to write to the County Council to request a strategic review, (which should include seeking support and advice from the Road Haulage Association), to consider the adequacy of the current provision and suitability of secure rest facilities and overnight parking for professional drivers within the county, working with partners to improve the provision of such facilities in Worcester.

Cultural Development Fund Arts Legacy

Council is grateful for the Cultural Development Fund Arts Council grant. The Arches and Festivals program has been enjoyed by many people in Worcester since 2019.

We are concerned that as this funding comes to an end, we will be unable to continue the citywide festivals programme.

Places like Worcester no longer meet the national priority needs for Arts, and Culture Funding but we want to build on 'our reputation as a centre of art and culture to national and international audiences.

Therefore, Council resolves to ask the Managing Director to write to our MP and to DCLG to lobby for further funding.

The proposer, Councillor Riaz and the seconder, Councillor Denham both spoke in support of the Motion.

Other Members spoke on the Motion, following which the Motion was put to the vote. The Motion was agreed and it was

RESOLVED: That the Council request the Managing Director to write to Robin Walker, MP and to the DCLG to lobby for further funding.

River Severn

The River Severn is undoubtedly one of the biggest assets  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

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

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

That the Council adopts the Capital Strategy and Investment Strategy for 2023/24.

The Council considered a referral report presented by Councillor Denham, Vice-Chair of Policy and Resources Committee.

The Committee at its meeting on 21^st March 2023 had considered a report on the Capital Strategy for 2023/24 – 2025/26 and Investment Strategy for 2023/24 – 2025/26. The Committee agreed to recommend the Council to adopt both Strategies.

The Capital Strategy and Investment Strategy are required under statutory guidance and form part of the Policy and Budgetary Framework. In accordance with the Constitution, changes to the Policy and Budgetary Framework are reserved to full Council to determine.

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

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to adopt the Capital Strategy for 2023/24 – 2025/26 and Investment Strategy for 2023/24 – 2025/26.

That the Council approves the amendments to Parts 5, 12 and 18 Appendix A (Scheme of Delegation) of the Constitution affecting the discharge of Planning functions, as set out in Appendix 1, and delegates authority to the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance to make any relevant minor changes prior to adoption.

The Council considered a referral report from the Chair of Planning Committee.

The Committee its meeting on 23^rd February 2023 considered a report on proposed amendments to the Constitution affecting the discharge of Planning functions. The Corporate Director – Planning and Governance had requested a review to ensure that best practice was being applied, and with the benefit of the experience of the new management team now in place.

The amendments were in particular relating to Parts 5 (Committee Procedure Rules), 12 (Planning Good Practice Protocol) and 18 Appendix A (Scheme of Delegation).

The Committee had agreed to recommend to Council the adoption of the amendments, with delegated authority to the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance to make any typographical or formatting changes.

Following the recent meeting of the Place and Economic Development Committee, the Corporate Director - Planning and Governance had identified another amendment to Part 12 which would be helpful, and which can be made as a minor change under the Corporate Director’s delegated authority. The change was to reflect the fact that the annual report to Planning Committee report addressing performance of the service.

In the ensuing debate, clarification was sought in respect of a number of issues:

·        Paragraph 8.1 of the Good Practice Protocol – A question was raised about whether Councillors can be involved in pre-application discussion with constituents.

·        Paragraph 8.2.2 of the Good Practice Protocol – A question was raised regarding pre-planning application advice and the extent to which applicants and agents can be confident that this will be consistent with Officer comments when a formal application is submitted.

·        Part 18 Appendix A - It was clarified that the Committee had agreed that any reference to the Chair of Planning should include the Vice-Chair.

In response to these points, the Council were advised that these matters can be addressed by delegating authority to the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance to make any relevant minor changes to the wording in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair.

It was proposed by Councillor Stanley and seconded by Councillor Agar and on being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council approve the amendments to Parts 5, 12 and 18 Appendix A (Scheme of Delegation) of the Constitution affecting the discharge of Planning functions, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, and delegates authority to the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance to make any relevant minor changes in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Planning Committee prior to adoption.

That the Council adopt the amendments to Part 4 of the Constitution, sections 8 and 9, as set out in Appendix 1.

The Council considered a referral report presented by the Vice-Chair of Audit and Governance Committee.

The Committee at its meeting on 22^nd March 2023 had considered a report on proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution, specifically Part 4, Council Rules of Procedure, relating to Motions, and to a lesser extent, Questions.

The outcome of the Committee’s deliberations was to refer a limited set of amendments to Council for adoption. These were attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

It was proposed by Councillor Barnes and seconded by Councillor Piotrowski and on being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to adopt the amendments to Part 4 of the Constitution, sections 8 and 9, as set out in Appendix 1.

That the Council receives the Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report 2021/22.

The Council considered a referral report presented by the Vice-Chair of Audit and Governance Committee.

The Annual Report for the 2021/22 municipal year was considered by the Committee at its meeting on 22^nd March 2023 and Members of the Committee approved the document. The full Committee report and the Annual Report are attached to the Council report for information.

It was proposed by Councillor Barnes and seconded by Councillor Piotrowski and on being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council receive the Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report 2021/22.

1.       That the Council agrees to adopt the revised Member Code of Conduct, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report and authorises the Monitoring Officer to take the necessary actions to amend the Constitution and implement the new Code; and

2.       That the Council approves a number of general dispensations under the Localism Act 2011, as set out in paragraph 4.4 of this report, for all councillors of Worcester City Council, to remain in force from the date of resolution for a period of four years, and agrees that the granting of individual dispensations under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011 be delegated to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee.

The Council considered a referral report from the Chair of Standards Committee.

At the meeting on 7^th March 2023, the Standards Committee considered a report on a number of ethical standards matters. The Committee resolved to refer two separate items on to Council for approval:

(i)   Adopting a new Code of Conduct for Members;

(ii)  Adopting a new four-year scheme of general dispensations under the Localism Act 2011.

The report summarised the proposals. The revised Code was appended to the report.

It was proposed that general dispensations to speak and vote on the following items are granted to all Worcester City Council Members and that those dispensations will remain in force for the four-year period permissible under the Localism Act:

•    Determining an allowance (including special responsibility allowances), travelling expense, payment or indemnity given to Members;

•    Housing: where the Member (or spouse or partner) holds a tenancy or lease with the Council as long as the matter does not relate to the particular tenancy or lease of the Member (their spouse or partner);

•    Housing Benefit: where the Councillor (or spouse or partner) receives housing benefit;

•    Any Ceremonial Honours given to Members;

•    Setting the Council Tax or a precept under the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 (or any subsequent legislation); 

•    Setting a Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme or Local scheme for the payment of business rates (including eligibility for rebates and reductions) for the purposes of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 (or any subsequent legislation); and

•    Matters relating to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

In addition to the general dispensations, it was proposed that an individual Member may apply to the Standards Committee for a dispensation where a specific matter affects them.

It was proposed by Councillor Allcott and seconded by Councillor Roberts and on being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council:

1.   agree to adopt the revised Member Code of Conduct, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report and authorises the Monitoring Officer to take the necessary actions to amend the Constitution and implement the new Code; and

2.   approve a number of general dispensations under the Localism Act 2011, as set out above, for all councillors of Worcester City Council, to remain in force from the date of resolution for a period of four years, and agrees that the granting of individual dispensations under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011 be delegated to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee.

To receive the report of the Children and Young People’s Champion.

The Council received a report from the Champion for Children and Young People, Councillor Matt Lamb, setting out the achievements and highlights over the last 12 months. Following his presentation, there was an opportunity for Members to ask questions.

To receive a report, if necessary.

None.

None.