Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D.J. Nicholl and D.G. Stewart.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15^th May 2024 be approved as a correct record.

Chairman

The Chairman announced that the Council had been informed that former Chairman of the Council, Craig Lanham, sadly passed away in May 2024. As a mark of respect, the Council observed a minute’s silence in his memory.

The Chairman and Council congratulated Councillor Sam Evans who had recently qualified as a solicitor.

Councillor Evans studied A Level law whilst at Sixth Form at South Bromsgrove High School and graduated from the University of Worcester with a first class LLB Law Degree in 2019.  He then worked at a high street law firm and studied a LLM with the Legal Practice Course at BPP in Birmingham, graduating in late 2021.  He qualified as a solicitor on 1st March this year.

Head of Paid Service

The Head of Paid Service announced that item 13 on the agenda for the meeting, Council Productivity Plan, would not be considered by the Council as it was a matter decided by Cabinet.

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to former Councillor Lanham, who represented Norton and Stoke Heath and was Chairman 2006-07. 

The Leader reported that further to an approach by a Councillor, she had contacted Worcestershire County Council to ask that the District Council was informed in advance of any major works planned to take place in the District.  The Assistant Director of Highways at the County Council had agreed to inform Councillors and the Council of any extensive works planned for the District.

The Leader was delighted to report that Lickey End Recreation Ground and Sanders Park had both been awarded the Green Flag award.  The award was run by Keep Britian Tidy and was internationally acclaimed.  She commended the work of Council employees and supported the observation of a Councillor about the work undertaken by local residents in Lickey End which contributed to maintenance of the park and local environment.

A period of up to 15 minutes is allowed for members of the public to make a comment, ask questions or present petitions.  Each member of the public has up to 3 minutes to do this.  A councillor may also present a petition on behalf of a member of the public.

Dr Ian Pogson asked the Council what the plans were for the old Fire Station and the old Library in the centre of town.

Councillor S. Baxter, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Regeneration, replied that

“The site was originally owned by the Fire Service (56%) and Worcestershire County Council (44%).  It was extensively marketed over a number of years post the library relocating in 2015.   A number of interested parties came forward, but none of them were able to present a business case that stacked up financially.  All potential partners only looked at the demolition of the site as it was not commercially viable to refurbish.  A full environmental survey has been undertaken and has identified the need for full remediation works involving the Environment Agency. 

Bromsgrove District Council took the decision to apply for LUP (Levelling Up Fund) money and as a result of the successful bid we have procured the site.

This site is being demolished using LUP monies from central government. These funds were made available to move forward vacant sites in centres such as Bromsgrove which were not financially viable for redevelopment without further support. Planning consent for demolition has been secured and a demolition company that can manage land contamination procured. The approval of the contractor is set out in a report that was discussed at Cabinet this evening and was reviewed by Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 11th July.  All timescales to date accord with funding conditions, which require the site to be cleared.  

Following the clearance of the site this land will form part of the Strategic Development Plan for Bromsgrove town centre.”

Members were informed that there had been no urgent decisions since the previous meeting of the Council.

The covering report for this item is contained wthin this agenda pack. The appendix to the report will follow in a supplementary papers pack.

The Council considered a report setting out proposals for changes to the political balance of the Council following changes in the membership of political groups.

RESOLVED that

1)              for the remainder of the 2024/25 Municipal Year, the Committees set out in the table in Appendix 1 of the report be appointed and that the representation of the different political groups on the Council on those Committees be as set out in that table until the next Annual Meeting of the Council, or until the next review of political representation under Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, whichever is the earlier.

2)              Members be appointed to the Committees and as substitute members in accordance with nominations to be made by Group Leaders.

The Council considered a report setting out governance proposals for the appointment of Statutory Officers, including the establishment of a Joint Appointments Committee with Redditch Borough Council.  It was suggested that the joint committee was the most effective approach to the administration of the recruitment process. 

In proposing the report, Councillor K. May referred to the recommendations relating to the pay for the Chief Executive role.  It was noted that there was an error at paragraph 4.1 in the report, where the current starting salary for the Chief Executive role should be £142,251 (not £142,663).  The Council had received advice from West Midlands Employers that the top increment of the salary for the role should be increased by 1.31% in order to remain competitive.  Councillor S. Baxter seconded the recommendations.

RESOLVED that

1)    A Joint Appointments Committee (JAC) be established, to replace the current Appointments Committee, for Bromsgrove District Council (BDC) with Redditch Borough Council (RBC) of 10 Councillors (5 from each authority, which must include both Leaders) with terms of reference as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

2)    The Joint Appointments Committee is directed to appoint a subcommittee of 6 members (3 from each authority), which will form the final interview panel for the appointment of the Head of Paid Service and S151 Officer and make recommendations to the JAC.

3)    To appoint 5 members from Bromsgrove District Council to the JAC in accordance with para 2.2 of the report.

4)    To authorise the Monitoring Officer to update the Constitution, including any consequential amendments required as a result of the above.

5)    To approve a 1.31% increase to the top increment of the Head of Paid Service grade.

6)    To approve a revised Pay Policy to include changes to Head of Paid Service grade and the introduction of a new grade between top of NJC Grade and Hay Grades.

Councillor P.M. McDonald, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, presented the Board’s Annual Report for 2023-24. 

During consideration of the report Members referred to the positive impact of the work of the Board and thanked the members and officers who supported it.  Arising from a question, it was noted that the review of the implementation of the new Governance arrangements of the Council was planned for November 2024.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Board Annual Report 2023-24 be noted.

As the former Chairman of the Committee was not at the meeting, this item was deferred.

To consider the recommendations from the meeting(s) of the Cabinet held on 17^th July 2024.

As this Cabinet meeting will be taking place earlier in the day on the day of the Council meeting any recommendations arising will be tabled at the Council meeting.

A recommendation from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17^th July 2024 was presented for the Council’s consideration.

The Council Plan

Councillor K. May proposed the approval of the Council Plan and this was seconded by Councillor S. Baxter.  The Plan would set the strategic direction of the Council for the next four years and inform the business planning process for services in order to meet the priorities set out.  Councillor May outlined the process of compiling the Plan and referred to consideration of it by Overview and Scrutiny Board at its meeting on 11^th July.  Arrangements for monitoring implementation and progress of the Plan were also explained.

RESOLVED that the Council Plan 2024-2027 be approved.

Questions on Notice will follow in a supplementary papers pack to this agenda.

To deal with any questions on notice from Members of the Council, in the order in which they have been received.

A period of up to 15 minutes is allocated for the asking and answering of questions.  This may be extended at the discretion of the Chairman with the agreement of the majority of those present.

Each elected Member due to ask a question, may ask up to one supplementary question which must be based on the orginal question or the answer provided to that question.

The Chairman advised that one question on notice had been received for this meeting.

Question submitted by Councillor S. Robinson

“Is the Council looking for a better long term solution to managing 30 mins free parking than having to print off and display a ticket each time?”

Councillor S. Baxter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration responded:

“The new system has only just been introduced and with our current parking machines and technology it is currently the only sensible way of achieving the 30 minutes free parking. This will be kept under review and as and when technology allows, we will review the situation.  It is worth noting that with the current pay and display system users get a ticket to be displayed which confirms when the 30 minutes runs out.”

Councillor Robinson commented that residents had referred to the complexity of adding extra time to their parking beyond the 30 minutes.  However, she appreciated that this would be kept under review.  Councillor Baxter reiterated that currently the Council was constrained by the technology available. 

Motions on Notice will follow in a supplementary papers pack to this agenda.

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 three Notices of Motion had been submitted for this meeting.

Young People and Democracy

The Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor R. Hunter:

“Council notes with concern the growing levels of despondency with democracy amongst young people.

Council commits to take reasonable steps within our community to promote the benefits of local democracy to young people, and where practicable engage them in democratic processes, as appropriate to the Council’s remit as a district local authority. 

Council resolves to investigate options by the end of the calendar year, in partnership with local schools and youth groups, to involve local young people in the democratic process. This will include exploring the possibility of inviting young people to give a ‘thought for the day’ presentation at the beginning of Council meetings.”

In proposing the motion, Councillor Hunter referred to the connections between young people and the Council and Councillors which already took place and explained that the motion sought to build on this.  He considered that the Council should seek to renew its relationships with young people to encourage the continuation of democracy.

The Motion was seconded by Councillor S. Robinson. She referred to the work already being carried out and suggested that more could be done to stimulate interest in democracy in children and young people, in a politically neutral way.

During consideration of the Motion the following were the main points raised:

·       The Policy Team already had links to various youth groups in the District and it was suggested they could meet with Group Leaders to consider how the desire to increase participation by young people could be developed. 

·       Involving young people and children in Council meetings might have safeguarding and resource implications which would need to be explored.

·       A member reported on a youth council which had been set up during the covid pandemic and had been supported by various parts of the Council.

·       The view was expressed that engaging young people should include understanding their environment and what they were capable of delivering, in partnership with the Council and Councillors.

·       It was important to involve young people in democracy, but attending formal Council meetings was unlikely to be attractive to them.

·       A member reported on work being carried out by parish Councils including visiting schools to engage with young people and setting up youth councils.  It was acknowledged that not all areas of the District were parished.

·       A member outlined a proposal to involve young people in the review of play areas in the District and suggested that a formalised process for engaging with young people might help the Council with future consultation work.

·       The view was expressed that engaging with young people should aim to enable them to tell the Council what was important to them.  This could be achieved in a number of ways and the Council should be innovative in its approach.

RESOLVED that

1)    Council notes with concern the growing levels of despondency with democracy amongst young  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29\24

There was no urgent business on this occasion.