Agenda item

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 highlighted that two Motions on Notice had been submitted for consideration at the Council meeting.

Flooring in Social Housing

Councillor R. Hunter presented the following Motion on Notice for Members’ consideration, in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.

“Council calls on Cabinet to ask officers to work with Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT) and central government to explore opportunities to end the practice of letting social housing without adequate flooring in Bromsgrove. This will include exploring whether BDC and its successor authority can be included in the national working group and pilot.”

In presenting the motion, Councillor R. Hunter noted that it was not a mandatory requirement for floor coverings to be provided as part of a tenancy agreement. It was highlighted that the Government had recently published an updated Decent Homes Standard which set out that a national working group and pilot would take place to consider the matter of funded flooring for social housing tenants.

The motion was proposed by Councillor R. Hunter and seconded by Councillor S. Ammar.

In seconding the motion, Councillor S. Ammar acknowledged that this matter was of importance to those living in the District with enhanced vulnerabilities and those with less than average disposable incomes.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Licensing and WRS, outlined that a meeting was due to take place with BDHT, in consultation with Councillor R. Hunter to discuss the matter and provided assurances that he supported the motion in principle.

Members subsequently debated the motion and agreed that they supported the motion and outlined that finished flooring, in most circumstances, was necessary to provide a safe, comfortable and warm home.

In summing up Councillor R. Hunter thanked Members for supporting the motion and stressed the importance of a safe, secure and appropriate home to support the wellbeing of tenants.

RESOLVED that

“Council calls on Cabinet to ask officers to work with Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT) and central government to explore opportunities to end the practice of letting social housing without adequate flooring in Bromsgrove. This will include exploring whether BDC and its successor authority can be included in the national working group and pilot.”

Production of a Business Prospectus

Councillor S. Ammar presented the following Motion on Notice for Members’ consideration, in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.

‘’Council understands the importance of attracting small and medium businesses and helping them grow and thrive in our area.

Council asks the Cabinet to consider producing a concise Business Prospectus bringing together useful information about available grants, incentives, guidance, and clear signposting of business opportunities in the north of the County. This will be a single market-ready document to be distributed across Bromsgrove and subject to agreement from Redditch Borough Council and Wyre Forest District Council across North Worcestershire. This document would be made available at Council offices and published digitally on the Council’s website.

The Business Prospectus will act as a springboard to establish the new local authority as a champion of local small and medium businesses. It will make it easier to do business in our area, showcase credible projects and the support available and demonstrate the Council’s commitment to local economic development’’

In presenting the motion, Councillor S. Ammar noted that the proposal would assist entrepreneurs in establishing a business and would support both the District’s economy, and small and medium sized businesses.

The motion was proposed by Councillor S. Ammar and seconded by Councillor K. May.

In seconding the motion, Councillor K. May acknowledged that Bromsgrove had the highest number of start-ups within Worcestershire and that the consolidation of information in one place would support entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Members subsequently debated the motion and acknowledged the challenges facing small and medium businesses owners in the current economic climate and supported efforts to consolidate useful information in one place.

It was acknowledged that local businesses supported the local economy and boosted footfall on the high street and in other population centres within the District.

In summing up Councillor S. Ammar thanked Members for supporting the motion and paid tribute to local business owners.

RESOLVED that

‘’Council understands the importance of attracting small and medium businesses and helping them grow and thrive in our area.

Council asks the Cabinet to consider producing a concise Business Prospectus bringing together useful information about available grants, incentives, guidance, and clear signposting of business opportunities in the north of the County. This will be a single market-ready document to be distributed across Bromsgrove and subject to agreement from Redditch Borough Council and Wyre Forest District Council across North Worcestershire. This document would be made available at Council offices and published digitally on the Council’s website.

The Business Prospectus will act as a springboard to establish the new local authority as a champion of local small and medium businesses. It will make it easier to do business in our area, showcase credible projects and the support available and demonstrate the Council’s commitment to local economic development’’