To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors BC Baker, TL Bowes, PGH Cutter, AW Johnson, SM Michael and WC Skelton.

Agenda item 8 – Youth Justice Plan 2018/19

Councillor RJ Phillips declared an other declarable interest as a magistrate.

Agenda item 12 – Notices of Motion Under Standing Orders

The following declared other declarable interests as recipients of pensions from the Worcestershire Local Government Pension Fund: Councillor MD Lloyd Hayes

Councillor PP Marsh and DB Wilcox.

Councillor RI Matthews declared an other declarable interest as a recipient of a police pension.

Councillor RJ Phillips declared an other declarable interest as a member of the Worcestershire Local Government Pension Fund Committee and as Chairman of the Local Government Pension Scheme Advisory Board.

Councillor NE Shaw declared an other declarable interest as a member of the Worcestershire Local Government Pension Fund Board.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2018.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the Chairman and Chief Executive’s announcements.

Council noted the Chairman’s and chief executive’s announcements as printed in the agenda papers.

The Chairman provided the following updates:

·        He paid tribute to Councillor Powers who had chosen to step down as Group Leader of the It’s Our County Group (IOC) after 5 years, thanking him for his contribution to the work of the council.

Councillor Powers thanked the Chairman, commented on the arduous nature of a group leader’s role and his decision to step aside, and complimented the ability of his successors.

The Chairman noted that IOC had agreed a co-leadership of Councillors Harvey and Seldon.  Because such an arrangement was not provided for in the Constitution, IOC had advised that Councillor Seldon would act as leader for council purposes until the New Year with Councillor Harvey than fulfilling that role from a date to be confirmed.

Councillor Seldon paid tribute to the work of Councillor Powers.  He also announced that IOC had appointed Councillor Summers as mental health champion and liaison with the health trusts in the county.

·        The Chairman highlighted arrangements associated with remembrance day 2018 marking 100 years since the end of the first world war hostilities, details of which would be notified to members.

·        He congratulated Hereford, Leominster, and Ledbury on their success in winning gold awards in the Heart of England Bloom awards praising the extensive efforts of the communities involved.

The chief executive highlighted the following of his published announcements: the refurbishment of High Town; Hereford, the positive report in The Guardian on Herefordshire’s welcome to families coming to the county as refugees; the fact that the council had joined a regional approach to recruiting children’s social workers; the programme of flu vaccinations for council employees; the completion of the Homefirst service staff consultation enabling a move to 7 day extended hours greatly increasing the capacity of the service; participation in a pilot initiative that had involved producing a series of podcasts addressing key themes in teen health that had been nominated for an Audio and Radio Industry award; and the postponement of the care heroes flash mob event (to be rescheduled before Christmas), part of a piece of work assisting people in entering the adult social care profession.

In response to a question critical of performance in Children’s Services over a period of time, during which it was observed it had been under his overall control, the chief executive commented that he would be content to discuss the concerns raised with the questioner.  He advised that he was working closely with the director for children and families to improve services and that progress was being made in what were highly challenging services across the country.  He highlighted that the recent Ofsted inspection of local authority children’s services had not found any instances of any child being unsafe.

To receive questions from members of the public.

Deadline for receipt of questions is 5:00pm on Monday 8 October.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting.

A copy of the public questions and written answers, together with supplementary questions asked at the meeting and their answers,   is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 1.

To receive any written questions from members of the Council.

Deadline for receipt of questions is 5:00pm on Monday 8 October.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting.

A copy of the Member questions and written answers, together with supplementary questions asked at the meeting and their answers, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 2.

To decide the allocation of seats on committees and other bodies to political or other groups in accordance with the political balance rules.

Council was invited to approve the allocation of seats to political groups following changes to group affiliations in the elected membership.

The solicitor to the council introduced the report.

A member expressed disappointment that the two non-aligned members on the council were not being offered the opportunity to take up seats on Committees.

The solicitor to the council confirmed that the law required seats on Committees to be allocated in accordance with the political proportionality of the Council as a whole.  The only way that this provision could be disapplied was by Council voting to do so, with no one voting against.  She also confirmed that a political group, such as a non-aligned group, could be established if it comprised more than one councillor.

RESOLVED:  That the allocation of committee and outside body seats to political groups as set out at paragraphs 7 and 8 of the report be approved.

To approve the Youth Justice Plan 2018/19.

Council was invited to approve the Youth Justice Plan 2018/19.

The cabinet member – young people and children’s wellbeing introduced the report.

She highlighted performance in the county against the three national indicators which formed the basis for the action plan for 2018/19:

·        there had been a reduction in the number of first time entrants into the youth justice system. The actual numbers were very small, less than 0.5% of young people aged 10-17 in the county.  It was nevertheless important to work to continue to reduce this number.

·        the use of custody was also reducing and the rate was better than for West Mercia and England;

·        proportionately more young people were reoffending than in the West Mercia area as a whole but they were re-offending with less frequency.

She added that the service had been subject to an inspection at the end of 2017/18 and judged as requiring improvement overall.  Across the 12 inspection standards seven were rated good, four requiring improvement and one inadequate.  The latter was in relation to sharing information and partnership working.  This assessment on this standard applied to the whole of West Mercia. Herefordshire social care staff were working with the local youth justice team to enable access to systems to improve joint working.

The following principal comments were made in discussion:

·        A question was asked about the issues underlying priority 2.1 of the Plan (p66 of the agenda papers): “improve multi-agency engagement at high risk and decision making meetings”, as this seemed to be an ongoing issue and in particular working with the police.  The cabinet member commented that it was a case of seeking continuous improvement in collaborative working. In relation to working with the police there were some specific areas regarding the application of thresholds where improvement needed to be made.

·        In response to questions the director for children and families clarified joint working arrangements including the Youth Justice Service, the multiagency service hub and the allocation of an officer to work directly alongside the police in relation to child sexual exploitation issues. He reported that the recent Ofsted inspection had recognised the council’s service for missing children was working well.

·        In relation to knowledge of low level youth offending in communities the cabinet member commented that she clearly had to rely on information from the Children’s Safeguarding Board and the Community Safety Partnership and other similar reports.  The director undertook to share information in relation to the query raised previously at children and families scrutiny committee regarding the non-criminalisation of children under 18.

·        The cabinet member acknowledged the importance of children’s safeguarding observed that the council’s work in this area had been recognised by Ofsted and provided assurance that there was no complacency.

·        It was suggested that youth work and groups made a significant contribution to reducing crime and it was asked what support was being provided in this area.  The cabinet member commented whilst recognising the importance of youth work it was hard to quantify the extent of that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

To consider recommendations arising from community governance reviews.

Council was invited to consider recommendations arising from Community Governance Reviews.

The Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee introduced the report. He highlighted amendments to the recommendations as set out in the published supplement and thanked officers for their work on the reviews.

RESOLVED:

a) Orders be made to give effect to the following with changes taking effect from 1st April 2019 (‘the effective date’):

I.          That the parish boundary between the Bishopstone group parish and the Stretton Sugwas parish be moved between Stoney Street and Credenhill ward to enable the following properties (Bradworthy; Pear Tree Cottage; Elandwin; the Boundary; Longhope; Old Weir Cottage; Sugwas Pool Cottage; Miramar; Anchorage; Heathmere, and St. Margaret’s) to be moved from the Bishopstone district group parish to Stretton Sugwas parish, and that this proposal does not require other changes to the existing governance arrangements for the parishes affected;

II.         That consequent upon this change being made that the council recommend to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) that the boundaries of the Stoney Street and Credenhil ward be changed to ensure coterminosity with the new parish boundary;

III.        The number of seats on Brockhampton group parish be reduced from 15 to 10 to better reflect the number of electors; the ratio of parish council seats will be 5 for the Linton Parish group member (a reduction of 1 seat); 4 for the Norton parish group member (a reduction of 2 seats) and 1 for the Brockhampton parish group member (a reduction of 2 seats), and that the electoral arrangements will remain unchanged in all other respects.

IV.        The existing parish councils of Kilpeck, Kenderchurch, St. Devereux, Treville and Wormbridge that make up the existing Kilpeck group parish council shall all be dissolved;  the existing parishes of Kilpeck, Kenderchurch, St. Devereux, Treville and Wormbridge that make up the existing Kilpeck group parish council shall all be abolished;  and to form a new  parish as shown on the map in appendix C and that the new parish shall be represented by a Parish Council); the name of that new parish council shall be ‘Kilpeck Parish Council, and that the electoral arrangements will remain unchanged in all other respects

V.         The number of seats on Peterchurch parish council be increased from 8 to 9 to accommodate current and future population growth, and that the electoral arrangements will remain unchanged in all other respects

VI.        That the ward and parish boundary in the Moreton on Lugg parish and the parish of Wellington be moved between Queenswood and Sutton Walls to enable two properties, namely Aylus Cottages, to move from the parish of Moreton on Lugg into the parish of Wellington (Marked A on the map contained in Appendix E and G) and that this proposal does not require other changes to the existing governance arrangements for the parishes affected;

VII.       That consequent upon this change being made that the Council recommend to the LGBCE that the boundaries of the Queenswood and Sutton Walls ward be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To approve the making and publication of a Notice, Under Section 75 of the Local Government Act, 1972 to a change of name of Cradley parish Council to Cradley and Storridge Parish Council.

Council was invited to approve the making and publication of a Notice under Section 75 of the Local Government Act 1972 to change the name of Cradley Parish Council to Cradley and Storridge Parish Council.

The solicitor to the council introduced the report.

RESOLVED:  That the name of Cradley Parish Council be changed to Cradley and Storridge Parish Council with effect from 12 October 2018.

To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council in July 2018.

Council received an update on the work of the Cabinet since Council’s previous meeting on 13 July 2018.

The Leader introduced the report, highlighting the launch of and desire to promote the care heroes website; a council tax reduction for care leavers; success of the community brokers team; schools performance results; the recognition of the need to do more to improve educational outcomes for looked after children; the visit from members of the House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy; and the launch of the quarterly council publication ‘Herefordshire Now”.

The following issues were raised in discussion:

·        A member welcomed the introduction of a bike share scheme in Hereford city, the council’s support for cycling and highlighted the opportunity to bid for national funding for a closed cycling track that could be at the heart of encouraging cycling.  He also urged that old railway lines across the county be developed for cycling which would amongst other things contribute to the income from tourism.

·        Referring to the sale of land and buildings within the Enterprise zone at Rotherwas an assurance was sought that disposals would not limit the potential for a route of an eastern bypass for the City.  The Leader noted that this matter had been previously been discussed by council.  The focus of economic development was linked to the western bypass.

·        In response to a question about representation of small and medium enterprises at the visit from the House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy the Leader agreed to provide detail to members.

·        A member expressed dissatisfaction that elected members had not been invited to the Select Committee’s visit and about communication with him both about the event and generally as local ward member.  The Leader replied that the event had not been arranged by the council.  He had sent the councillor information about the event in advance of it.  He recognised the importance of there being engagement with local ward members.

·        It was noted that, as referred to at paragraph 11 of the report, Council had resolved in July to ask the Leader to consider an additional objective for the chief executive to “champion high standards of conduct and a strong commitment to public service throughout the council.”  As the report said, the Leader had decided not to include such an additional objective as it restated what was a general requirement of all managerial posts.

Several members questioned the decision not to include the proposed additional objective. It was suggested that the decision was contrary to council’s wishes, in itself unwelcome, and did not set a good example.  The objective’s inclusion would have demonstrated public facing leadership on these issues in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee on Standards of Public Life in its report in 2013, “A review of best practice in promoting good behaviour in public life”, that chief executives of all organisations delivering public services should take personal responsibility for ethical standards in their organisations.  The Leader’s decision was to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

To consider Notices of Motion.

Council was invited to consider a motion on the Worcestershire Local Pension Board.

Councillor Marsh, proposer of the motion, confirmed that, in accordance with Standing Order 4.1.111, with the consent of the seconder, Councillor Harvey, she wished to alter the published motion to a version now to be seconded by Councillor Phillips.  The Chairman read the following altered motion to the meeting:

“We welcome the reduction in fossil fuel investments held by Worcestershire pension fund in recent years and call on our Herefordshire Council representatives on the Worcestershire Local Government Pension Fund board and committee to work with Worcestershire Fund to update their responsible investment strategy and seek alternatives to investments in fossil fuels.

In particular we urge them to advise the Fund to:

·        provide regular information on the results of the Fund’s policy of engagement with its fossil fuel and other carbon intense holdings; and

·        review their Statement of Investment principles and Responsible Investment principles in the next year, including undertaking a carbon risk audit.”

In moving the motion Councillor Marsh made the following principal points:

·          The fund was administered by Worcestershire County Council and there were 22 contributing members.  Herefordshire Council had some limited influence having one representative on the Pension Fund Board and, one on the Pension Fund Committee because it was the second largest member.

·          Other contributing members were also looking at the issues raised in the motion, the two proposed actions of which represented first steps.

·          The fund had already made some reduction in investments held in fossil fuels.  This was not clear on the website and she hoped that the motion would contribute to a move to greater transparency.

·          The intergovernmental panel on climate change had concluded that urgent action on climate change was needed.  Measures took some years to take effect.  The Council had had a carbon reduction plan in place for itself and the County for some time.  The wish was to see the pension fund investments reflect the council’s approach.  She outlined progress on a range of measures the council had initiated to reduce carbon usage. 

·          There were investment opportunities in new technologies and approaches and the Government had stated that pension funds could take climate change into account as a financially material consideration.

Councillor Phillips seconded the motion making the following principal points:

·        It was to be welcomed that the fund had already reduced investment in fossil fuels from 5% to 1.5%.

·        The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) was a defined benefit scheme and if there was not a sufficient return on investment employers (effectively council taxpayers) would have to increase their contributions. 

·        The LGPS was the only funded public sector scheme so required a responsible investment strategy.  New ministerial guidance was currently awaited.

·        Local authority responsibility for public health presented another dilemma for funds in balancing their fiduciary duty.  At the same time as seeking to reduce smoking the local authority pension funds held investments in tobacco companies because of the high return available.  However, the investment strategy was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

The next meeting of Council takes place on 15 February 2019.

It was noted that the date of the next meeting was 15 February 2019.