Agenda

Venue: The Guildhall, High Street, Worcester WR1 2EY

Contact: Claire Chaplin, Democratic and Civic Services Manager - Tel: 01905 722005 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 166 KB

Of the meeting held on 11th July 2023 to be approved and signed.

4.

Mayor's Communications

To receive any communications the Mayor may wish to make.

5.

Public Participation

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.

6.

Questions

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.

7.

Notice of Motion

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

 

Violence Against Women

 

According to national crime statistics in the UK, on average one woman is killed by a man every three days.

 

Council notes:

 

  1. Sexual violence, sexual harassment, and domestic abuse remain endemic in our society, highlighted most recently by the appalling murders of Sabina Nessa, Sarah Everard and sisters Bibba Henry and Nicole Smallman:
  • According to national crime statistics in the UK, on average one woman is killed by a man every three days.
  • A 2021 YouGov national survey on behalf of UN Women UK found that among women aged 18-24, 97 per cent said they had been sexually harassed while 80 per cent of women of all ages said they had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.
  • A recent OFSTED review into sexual harassment in schools has found that sexual harassment, including online sexual abuse, has become 'normalised' for children and young people.
  • The ONS reported that last year alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man.
  • The Government's End-to-End Rape Review found that only 1.6 per cent of rape cases brought to the police result in a charge.
  1. Those from minority backgrounds experience sexual abuse disproportionately:
  • ONS figures for 2019 show that disabled women were more than twice as likely to experience domestic abuse than non-disabled women.
  • LGBT+ people are significantly more likely to experience domestic abuse, with 13 percent of bisexual women facing intimate partner abuse in 2019/20, according to Stonewall.
  • In 2019, 60 per cent of UK police forces admitted referring victims of crime to the Home Office for immigration purposes, harming migrant women.
  1. White Ribbon UK is the leading charity with a mission to end male violence against women and part of the global White Ribbon movement which arose from a campaign started by men in Canada in 2004:
  • They mark White Ribbon Day annually on 25th November, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, by encouraging men and boys to pledge never to take part in, condone or stay silent about violence against women and to make this by wearing a white ribbon on the day and for a week or two afterwards.
  • White Ribbon UK operate a system of male Ambassadors, female Champions and Youth Advocates, as well as having specific materials to support primary and secondary schools, all with the aim of encouraging men to take the pledge and help to eradicate violence against women.
  1. That hate crime particularly directed against minority groups and the LGBTQ Community have increased dramatically caused in part by increases in transphobic rhetoric in the public domain.

 

Council believes:

 

  • Male violence against women and girls is part of a broader culture of misogyny in society.
  • Perpetrators of serious violence usually have a history of inflicting abuse and harassment against women and girls.
  • Tackling violence against women and girls means dismantling this culture.
  • It also means tackling other forms  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

8.

South Worcestershire Local Development Scheme 2023-2026 pdf icon PDF 121 KB

That Council approves the South Worcestershire Local Development Scheme 2023-2026 in the form set out at Appendix 1 and authorises the Corporate Director - Planning and Governance to make any necessary minor amendments before publication on the Council’s website.

 

 

Additional documents:

9.

Review of Political Balance on Committees and Sub-Committees 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 88 KB

That the Council agree the allocation of seats between Political Groups to take effect from the date of the Council meeting, pending a further review in due course as a result of the forthcoming by-election in the Warndon Parish South Ward.

 

Additional documents:

10.

Appointment of Members to Committees pdf icon PDF 87 KB

That the Council agrees changes to appointments of members to Committees for 2023/24.

 

11.

Report from the Relevant Committee on Matters which are Referred to Council for Decision

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

11a

Referral Report from Communities Committee, 25th January 2023 - Draft Worcestershire Housing Strategy 2021-2040 pdf icon PDF 104 KB

That the Council agrees to adopt the Worcestershire Housing Strategy 2021 – 2040 (Appendix 2).

 

 

Additional documents:

11b

Referral Report from Environment Committee, 18th July 2023 - Bereavement Services Facilities Review pdf icon PDF 79 KB

That the Council agrees an amendment to the capital programme of £250,000 to complete the work referred to in recommendation 1.2 in the attached report.

 

Additional documents:

11c

Referral Report from Policy and Resources, 25th July 2023 - Medium Term Financial Plan - Progress Update pdf icon PDF 101 KB

That the Council agrees an adjustment to the capital programme of £710,240 to enable progress on energy cost reduction works on Council assets.

 

Additional documents:

11d

Referral Report from Policy and Resources Committee, 25th July 2023 - Treasury Management Annual Report 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 89 KB

That the Council receives the Treasury Management Annual Report 2022/23.

 

Additional documents:

12.

Report of Member Champion for Armed Forces pdf icon PDF 118 KB

To receive the report of the Member Champion for Armed Forces

13.

Report from the Joint Leaders of the Council on Any Matters Which They Are of the Opinion Require Urgent Consideration by the Council

To receive a report, if necessary.

14.

Items Involving the Disclosure of Exempt Information

The Council is invited to pass the following resolution:-

 

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act.

 

PART II

(ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND DECISION IN PRIVATE)

15.

Any Exempt Issues

To consider any exempt matters which might arise.