Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Bisset, Ditta, Laurenson, Piotrowski, Round and Sadiq.

To receive any declarations of interest.

The following declarations of interest were made:

Councillors Lawrance and Lewing – Minute 41 (Referral Report from Communities Committee 7^th June 2023 - Provision of a New Artificial Grass Pitch at Perdiswell) – As members of Perdiswell Gym

Councillor Hodgson – Minute 35 (Warndon Parish Council / St Peter The Great County Parish Council: Review of Election Arrangements) – As a member of Warndon Parish Council

Councillor Ali – Minute 42 (Referral Report from Licensing and Environmental Health Committee, 19th June 2023 - Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Age Policy Review) – As a licensed hackney carriage driver.

Of the meetings held on 16^th May 2023 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Annual and Extraordinary meetings of the Council held on 16^th May 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive any communications the Mayor may wish to make.

Civic Service

The Mayor thanked everyone who attended the Civic Service on 25^th June.

Armed Forces Day and Windrush Commemoration

The Mayor stated that he had been pleased to represent the Council at Armed Forces Day and the well-attended Windrush 75 years commemoration.

Remembering Srebrenica Memorial Event

The Mayor highlighted this event, which he had attended earlier in the day.

Mayor’s Charity

The Mayor provided the Council with some information on his charity for the year, Age UK, and the reasons why he had chosen it.

Charity Cycle Ride

The Mayor informed the Council that he is planning a family cycle ride for charity, date to be determined.

SHIFT Scheme

The Mayor encouraged Members to use a bicycle for Council business. He explained that the Council will make a contribution via the SHIFT scheme to the Mayor’s charity for every kilometre cycled.

Inaugural Banquet

The Mayor explained that, due to the current economic position the Council finds itself in, and the general cost of living crisis which has affected many local residents, it would be highly inappropriate for the Council to pay for a banquet. He would instead use some of the money to make a donation to the Mayor’s charity and also to pay for a meal at St Paul’s Hostel. This will take place on the first Monday in December and he invited Members to help serve food on the night. He intended to use any money left over and the remaining budget for the annual banquet to cover the cost of any reasonable requests for a Guildhall room booking made by Worcester-based charities and not-for-profit organisations. He invited Members to let him know of any organisation which would benefit from this.

Civility in Public Life

The Mayor highlighted the recent training organised both at County Hall and online, which he considered very useful. He was pleased that Members of this Council generally work together in a constructive way. There was no place for personal attacks and he hoped all Group Leaders would support him in this respect.

Refreshments

The Mayor invited everyone present to join him for refreshments in the Mayor’s Parlour at the end of the meeting.

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.

Elaine Watt spoke regarding the Pride flag currently flying at Cathedral Square. In summary, she expressed the view that, whilst inclusion and diversity should be celebrated, this is a divisive flag which represents gender ideology and untruths. The Council has a duty to protect the well-being of young people and she asked that the flag be removed and residents should have their say around what the flag represents and how it affects our society.

The Mayor acknowledged her representations and stated that a written response would be provided.

The Joint Leaders 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.

None received.

The Mayor informed the Council that no Notices of Motion had been received.

1.     That the Council agrees changes to Committee membership for 2023/24; and

2.     That the Council authorises the Monitoring Officer to update the terms of reference of Joint Consultative and Safety Committee to reflect that member appointments to this body shall be the four Political Group Leaders, or their Deputy Group Leaders in cases of unavailability.

The Council considered a report on changes proposed by Group Leaders to Committee membership for 2023/24.

Firstly, the Green Group Leader proposed to remove Councillor Piotrowski from Policy and Resources Committee and appoint Councillor Lewing; and to remove Councillor Lewing from Place and Economic Development Committee and appoint Councillor Piotrowski.

Secondly, the Political Group Leaders had agreed that the councillor representation on the Council’s consultative trade union and safety committee should be the four Political Group Leaders, or their Deputy Group Leaders in cases of unavailability. They wished to amend the terms of reference of the Joint Consultative and Safety Committee accordingly. It was proposed by Councillor Denham and seconded by Councillor Allcott that the terms of reference of Joint Consultative and Safety Committee be amended to reflect this.

RESOLVED: That the Council agrees:

1.    to remove Councillor Piotrowski from Policy and Resources Committee and appoint Councillor Lewing; and to remove Councillor Lewing from Place and Economic Development Committee and appoint Councillor Piotrowski; and

2.    to authorise the Monitoring Officer to update the terms of reference of Joint Consultative and Safety Committee to reflect that member appointments to this body shall be the four Political Group Leaders, or their Deputy Group Leaders in cases of unavailability.

1.     That Council resolves to undertake a public consultation on the options set out in this report between July and September 2023 on Parish Council election arrangements in relation to their 4-year election cycle;

2.     That Council delegates to the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance responsibility for implementing the consultation; and

3.     That Council notes, that on the conclusion of the consultation a further report will be made to Council for consideration and approval of the appropriate option.

The Council considered a report on a request from both Warndon Parish Council and St. Peter the Great County Parish Council to the Council to conduct a review, including carrying out a public consultation process, of its election arrangements for those Councils.

The Monitoring Officer presented the report and explained that in February 2022, the Council resolved to change from elections by thirds to whole council elections every 4 years as from 2024. As a result of this decision, Warndon Parish Council and St Peter the Great Parish Council, who also hold whole council elections every 4 years, have a different 4-year election cycle.

Both parish councils had expressed their view to the Deputy Returning Officer for Worcester that with limited budgets, self-funding whole parish elections would not be sustainable. Both parish councils had published a formal notice stating that the parish council is minded to request that Worcester City Council conducts a review, including carrying out a public consultation process, of its election arrangements.

It was recommended that the consultation process is carried out between July and September 2023. On the conclusion of the consultation, and by the end of the year, a further report would be brought to Council for consideration and approval.

It was proposed by Councillor Murray and seconded by Councillor Norfolk and on being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council agrees to:

1.    undertake a public consultation on the options set out in this report between July and September 2023 on Parish Council election arrangements in relation to their 4-year election cycle;

2.    delegate to the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance responsibility for implementing the consultation; and

3.    note that on the conclusion of the consultation a further report will be made to Council for consideration and approval of the appropriate option.

That the Council agrees to the amendments to the Group Leaders Protocol set out in Appendix 1.

The Council considered a report on proposed amendments to the Group Leaders Protocol (Part 15 of the Constitution), which was subject to annual review. The Monitoring Officer presented the report and explained that, subsequent to the Annual Council meeting, the Joint Leaders have suggested a set of minor amendments to the Protocol so that the document reads clearly and consistently throughout and accurately reflects the operating arrangements which are in place. The draft amendments were set out in the report. They did not represent any change to adopted policy or governance arrangements.

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

RESOLVED: That the Council agrees to the amendments to the Group Leaders Protocol set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

To receive the report of the Member Champion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

The Council received a report from the Member Champion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Councillor Norfolk, who summarised progress and achievements over the last 12 months. Following her presentation, there was an opportunity for Members to ask questions.

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 agrees an amendment to the capital programme of £30,000 for the delivery of additional works at the site, as outlined within the attached report.

The Council considered a referral report from the Chair of Environment Committee on additional works which had been identified for the creation of a “Park of Peace” in memory of those killed in a bombing raid on the Meco Works during World War 2.

At its meeting on 14^th March 2023, the Committee had agreed a proposal for the provision of additional facilities including a kickabout area, a boardwalk, steps, and link paths across the wetland to create a north-south route for pedestrians walking around the park. Additional capital funding of £30,000 was required for the delivery of additional facilities.

In the ensuing discussion, Councillor Lamb made reference to the Wild About Worcester Way and expressed the hope that the Environment Committee would consider whether this can be extended to include the Memorial Park and other parts of St. John’s.

It was proposed by Councillor Lewing and seconded by Councillor Cookson and on being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council agrees an amendment to the capital programme of £30,000 for the delivery of additional works at the site, as outlined within the attached report.

1.     That the Council agrees the inclusion of the provision of a new Changing Places Toilet at the Cornmarket in the Council’s Capital Programme; and

2.     That the Council agrees to adjust the Capital Programme to include £60k of grant funding for the project and £20k supported by borrowing.

The Council considered a referral report from the Chair of Policy and Resources Committee on the provision of a new Changing Places Toilet at the Cornmarket.

At the meeting on 23^rd May 2023, the Committee had considered a report on a proposal to convert vacant space at the Cornmarket Public Conveniences into a Changing Places Toilet. Confirmation of a £60k Government grant was received in March 2022, including a contribution to servicing and maintenance in the initial years as well as conversion and fit out costs.

Building costs have risen significantly since estimates were provided for the original grant application and with the inclusion of the remedial work, the Government grant was insufficient to cover the cost of all items. An additional £20k was therefore required from the Council’s own funds, in order to be able to award the contract for works and successfully complete the project.

The Committee had agreed to recommend the Council to include this project in the Council’s Capital Programme and to fund the additional costs by borrowing.

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

RESOLVED: That the Council agrees:

1.    the inclusion of the provision of a new Changing Places Toilet at the Cornmarket in the Council’s Capital Programme; and

2.    to adjust the Capital Programme to include £60k of grant funding for the project and £20k supported by borrowing.

That the Council approves the use of land at Perdiswell for the provision of a new Artificial Grass Pitch, as set out within the attached report.

The Council considered a referral report from the Chair of Communities Committee on the provision of a new Artificial Grass Pitch on land at Perdiswell.

At the meeting on 7^th June 2023, the Committee had considered a report on a proposal to construct a new 3G Artificial Grass Pitch, to be located to the side of the building in the area of land between the Football Foundation changing accommodation (attached to Perdiswell Leisure Centre) and the six existing grass football pitches.

The Committee approved the business case for the proposal and agreed to the release of the ‘in principle’ capital allocation of £200k previously approved at Council on 5^th July 2022, which represents the Council’s financial contribution to the AGP project. It was noted that the Committee had agreed the inclusion of a 10% biodiversity net gain in delivering this project.

It was proposed by Councillor Riaz and seconded by Councillor Ali and on being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council approves the use of land at Perdiswell for the provision of a new Artificial Grass Pitch, as set out within the attached report.

That the Council agrees to:

i.    Approve an amendment to the existing hackney carriage and private hire vehicle policy, to include that ‘No lower or upper age limit restrictions will apply in respect of ‘all fully electric’ new and replacement hackney carriage and private hire vehicles presented to the Council for licensing’; and

ii.   Approve an amendment to the existing hackney carriage vehicle age policy, to state ‘The current lower vehicle age limit applicable to all new, replacement and temporary hackney carriage vehicles is 5 years from the date of first registration’.

The Council considered a referral report from the Chair of Licensing and Environmental Health Committee on a proposal to amend the Council’s hackney carriage and private hire vehicle age policies

At the meeting on 19th June 2023, the Committee considered the results of a consultation exercise and the comments put forward by the respondents, and agreed to recommend the Council to amend the current policy, as follows:

•    Proposal 1 - Introduce a new licensing policy for fully electric vehicles only, where there are no lower or upper age limit restrictions on vehicles which can be licensed with the Council as either a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle.  All other conditions and policy implications will still apply.

•    Proposal 2 - Amend the current hackney carriage vehicle age policy, by increasing the lower age limit restriction from 3 years to 5 years.

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

RESOLVED: That the Council agrees to:

1.    approve an amendment to the existing hackney carriage and private hire vehicle policy, to include that ‘No lower or upper age limit restrictions will apply in respect of ‘all fully electric’ new and replacement hackney carriage and private hire vehicles presented to the Council for licensing’; and

2.    approve an amendment to the existing hackney carriage vehicle age policy, to state ‘The current lower vehicle age limit applicable to all new, replacement and temporary hackney carriage vehicles is 5 years from the date of first registration.’

That the Council receives the Planning Committee Annual Report 2022/23.

The Council considered the Planning Committee Annual Report 2022/23. The Chair of Planning Committee presented the report and highlighted the main points of the report, which showed how the Committee had successfully achieved its objectives over the last year and the main areas of focus and overall work programme for the Committee. The report also addressed the improvements in performance of the Planning service as a whole over this year and highlighted learning points for further consideration.

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

RESOLVED: That the Council receives the Planning Committee Annual Report 2022/23.

That the Council receives the Standards Committee Annual Report 2022/23.

The Council considered a referral report from the Chair of Standards Committee on the Annual Report of the Committee, which provided a summary of the work undertaken by the Committee in the 2022/23 municipal year.

It was proposed by Councillor Lawrance and seconded by Councillor Desayrah and on being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council receives the Standards Committee Annual Report 2022/23.

To receive a report, if necessary.

None.

None.