Issue - meetings

A period of up to one hour is allocated to consider the motions on notice.  This may only be extended with the agreement of the Council.

The Chairman advised that 2 Motions on Notice had been received for consideration at the meeting.

Levelling Up Funding in Bromsgrove

Council considered the following Motion on Notice that was submitted by Councillor S. Robinson:

“Keep Bromsgrove’s levelling up funding in Bromsgrove

Council calls on the Leader of Bromsgrove District Council to lobby Worcestershire County Council to reinvest the proceeds from the sale of the Bromsgrove Library site into improvements for Bromsgrove High Street.”

The Motion was proposed by Councillor S. Robinson and seconded by Councillor R. Hunter.

In proposing the Motion, Councillor Robinson commented that she welcomed the funding that had been received from the Government for High Street improvement works as well as the work that had already been undertaken by Bromsgrove District Council and Worcestershire County Council in respect of High Street improvements. The purpose of the Motion was to ensure that funding that had been received by Worcestershire County Council for the sale of the former library site, was reinvested in Bromsgrove town centre.  The High Street was a significant hub in Bromsgrove town centre, where businesses were based and events took place.  There was a need to ensure that the appearance of the High Street was presented well.  Councillor Robinson expressed the view that unfortunately there were some issues with the appearance of the High Street, for example, the tarmac on the road was in a poor condition, following work by utilities companies and, although work was being undertaken to address this situation, more could be done to improve the urban environment.

In seconding the Motion, Councillor Hunter commented that the Motion did not propose that the money from the sale of the former library site should be taken from Worcestershire County Council.  Instead, the Motion was calling for Bromsgrove District Council to ask Worcestershire County Council to invest the income from the sale in Bromsgrove town centre.  Councillor Hunter expressed the view that the urban environment, including street furniture, was in need of improvement and that there needed to be an increase in investment in the town centre.  Concerns were also raised about the condition of bus shelters situated in the town centre and the need for these to be improved.

During consideration of this item, an amendment was proposed to the Motion.  This amendment was proposed by Councillor L. Mallet and seconded by Councillor H. Rone-Clarke. 

The wording of the amended Motion was proposed as detailed below:

“Keep Bromsgrove’s levelling up funding in Bromsgrove

Council calls on the Leader of Bromsgrove District Council to lobby Worcestershire County Council to reinvest the proceeds from the sale of the Bromsgrove Library site into improvements for Bromsgrove High Street and the Leader and relevant Portfolio Holder should come to the next Council meeting to speak on the schemes that are planned for the High Street.”

In proposing the amendment, Councillor Mallett commented that in previous years funding had been allocated to works, although he expressed the view that this had not always achieved best value  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30