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Weekly updates
Knowsley Council Approves Solar Farm and Children's Care Home
In the past week, the Knowsley Council has held one meeting. Here are the details:
- Planning Committee - Thursday 27 June 2024
The most impactful meeting this week was the Planning Committee, which approved three significant applications, including plans for a new solar farm and a children's care home. The committee also approved a request by Miller Homes to change the tenure of some of their new-build homes from shared ownership to social rent.
Key Discussions and Decisions
Larkins Farm Solar Farm
The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission for a new solar farm at Larkins Farm on Gillings Lane in Knowsley. The solar farm, proposed by Neighbourhood Services Company, will provide enough energy to power approximately 500 homes, representing 0.72% of the total electricity demand of residential dwellings in the borough.
The proposal was deemed to be inappropriate development as it is located in the Greenbelt. However, planning officers recommended it for approval, arguing that the proposal represented very special circumstances
, as set out in paragraph 156 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The NPPF states that:
The essential characteristics of the Green Belt are its openness and its permanence.
Planning officers argued that the solar farm would deliver wider environmental benefits and would help the council to meet its climate emergency and net-zero targets. In particular, the development is predicted to create a 70% biodiversity net gain through the creation of wildflower meadows on the site.
The applicant's agent, Mr Carr, told the committee that the scheme has been reduced from its early concept design
because the local electricity infrastructure would not support a larger development. Mr Carr argued that the solar farm represented a significant benefit for Knowsley and that it would deliver more than just the green energy
.
18 Kerr Close Children's Home
The committee voted to approve the change of use of 18 Kerr Close from a dwelling to a children's care home, despite receiving 20 objections to the proposal from local residents.
The application, submitted by Florida Care, sought permission to change the use class of the property from Class C3 (Dwellinghouses) to a Class C2 (Residential Institutions) property. Planning officers recommended the application for approval, arguing that the site was in a sustainable location and that the change of use would not result in a material change in the level of noise or traffic.
Local residents raised concerns about the impact of the development on crime and antisocial behaviour in the area. Planning officers addressed these concerns, reporting that Merseyside Police, the Architectural Liaison Officer and Children's Services had all been consulted on the application and had not raised any objections.
The applicant's agent, Claire Fifton, the Director of Operations for Florida Care, addressed the committee. Ms Fifton explained that the home would house a maximum of three children and would be run as a family home. She told the committee that Florida Care takes several steps to allay the fears of local residents when opening a new home, saying:
So we send all the neighbours of each home a letter, we explain who we are, what we're doing, we give them my contact details, the website and ask them to go on, have a little look and then they can contact me to discuss any concerns that they may have.
Councillor Tony Brennan welcomed the application but raised concerns about the number of similar applications being considered by the committee. He asked the officers to explain how big the need for this type of accommodation was and what the regulatory arrangements were for such properties.
Karen Jude, the service manager for children's homes in Knowsley, explained that there was a huge need for residential care places for looked after children. Ms Jude explained that the council is seeking to grow both its residential and its fostering provision so that it can accommodate looked after children locally. She told the committee that:
We want to keep our children that are cared for within their own community so they can attend their own schools, that we can support them in the right way and that they're accessible and we have oversight to that.
Ms Jude went on to explain that children's care homes are subject to a high level of oversight. They are regulated by Ofsted, which undertakes a thorough inspection process. Ms Jude explained that:
Any incidents have to be reported to Ofsted, the inspection process is extremely thorough and they are highly regulated.
Councillor Carl Bell also welcomed the development but expressed concerns about the number of applications being considered. He said that he was concerned that someone [is] finding a way of making more profit
by selling properties to companies like Florida Care.
The committee's legal advisor explained that members could not consider the applicant's motives when determining the application. He advised that members should make their decision based on the merits of the scheme alone.
Affordable Housing Tenure at East of Hale Wood
The committee considered a request by Miller Homes to change the tenure of their affordable housing provision at their East of Hale Wood development in Halewood.
The committee originally granted planning permission for 162 dwellings at East of Halewood in February 2021. The development included 18 affordable homes, with nine at affordable rent and nine for shared ownership1. Miller Homes, in partnership with For Housing, requested permission to change the tenure of all 18 properties to social rent.
The committee was told that there had been limited interest in the shared ownership properties but that there is considerable demand for two-bedroom properties at social rent in the area.
Councillor Graham Morgan welcomed the proposal, noting that it represented an improvement on the scheme that was originally approved. He did, however, express concern at the number of developers seeking to change their affordable housing commitments after receiving planning permission, saying that it was becoming a habit
.
Kevin Appleton, the council officer responsible for the report, explained that, in this case, the change requested by the developer was positive and represented an improvement in the provision of affordable housing in the borough.
Understanding the Planning Committee
The Planning Committee is responsible for making decisions on a wide range of planning applications, from small household extensions to major housing developments. The committee ensures that developments comply with local and national planning policies and considers the impact on the community and environment.
This week's discussions highlight the council's ongoing efforts to balance development needs with environmental sustainability and community wellbeing. The approvals for the solar farm and children's care home reflect the council's commitment to renewable energy and supporting vulnerable children, while the change in affordable housing tenure aims to address local housing needs.
-
Shared ownership is a scheme where buyers purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining share. ↩
Knowsley Council's New Audit Plan and STAR Procurement Highlights
Stay informed with the latest updates from Knowsley Council's Governance and Audit Committee. This week, key decisions were made regarding the external audit plan for 2023/
In the past week, the Knowsley Council has held one meeting. Here are the details:
- Governance and Audit Committee - Monday 17 June 2024
The most impactful meeting this week was the Governance and Audit Committee, which focused on the presentation by STAR Procurement and the Council's external audit plan for the 2023/24 financial year.
Key Discussions and Decisions
STAR Procurement Presentation
The meeting featured a detailed presentation from Lorraine Cox, Director of STAR Procurement, and Elizabeth McKenna, Assistant Director. STAR Procurement is a public sector shared service hosted by Trafford Council, providing procurement services to six councils, including Knowsley.
We are your internal team that does procurement for Knowsley Council; we just happen to do the same thing for six councils.- Lorraine Cox, Director of STAR Procurement
STAR's Role and Achievements
STAR Procurement has been operational for over ten years and includes councils from Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region. The presentation highlighted STAR's role in providing risk assurance, governance, and performance management in procurement activities. Key achievements include a compliance rate of 92.2% for on-contract spend and significant cashable savings for councils.
Strategic Focus Areas
The presentation also covered STAR's strategic focus areas, including:
- Compliance with the upcoming Procurement Act 2023, which introduces significant changes to procurement law effective from 28 October 2024.
- Enhancing local spend within the Liverpool City Region.
- Implementing a social value policy tailored to Knowsley's corporate priorities.
Our ambition is to ensure rigorous processes and controls are in place to keep the council's procurement activities safe.- Elizabeth McKenna, Assistant Director of STAR Procurement
External Audit Plan for 2023/24
John from Grant Thornton presented the external audit plan for the 2023/24 financial year. Grant Thornton is the newly appointed auditor for Knowsley Council, taking over from Mazars.
Key Audit Areas
The audit will focus on several significant risk areas:
- Management Override of Controls: Ensuring no inappropriate journal entries or management biases affect the financial statements.
- Valuation of Land and Buildings: Assessing the professional judgments involved in property valuations.
- Valuation of Pension Assets and Liabilities: Evaluating the assumptions and data used in pension valuations.
We will conduct a detailed program of work to gain the necessary assurance on these areas.- John, Grant Thornton
Audit Logistics and Timeline
The audit will be conducted from September to December 2024, with the final report expected in January 2025. The proposed audit fee is approximately £323,000.
Understanding the Governance and Audit Committee
The Governance and Audit Committee plays a crucial role in overseeing the council's financial reporting, risk management, and internal control processes. It ensures that the council's financial statements are accurate and that there are robust systems in place to manage risks and achieve value for money.
This week's discussions highlight the council's commitment to maintaining high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability in its procurement and financial activities. The collaboration with STAR Procurement and the detailed audit plan by Grant Thornton aim to enhance the council's operational efficiency and financial integrity.
Knowsley Council Approves New Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Tackles Youth Mental Health
In the past week, the Knowsley Council has held two meetings. Here are the details:
- Health and Wellbeing Board - Tuesday 11 June 2024
- Merseyside Police and Crime Panel - Thursday 13 June 2024
The most impactful meeting this week was the Health and Wellbeing Board, which covered several key areas related to public health and wellbeing in Knowsley.
Key Discussions and Decisions
Governance Arrangements
The meeting began with the appointment of Councillor Dal Arnelle as the chairperson for the session, standing in for Councillor Christine Bannon. The board then reviewed and agreed on the governance arrangements for the 2024-25 municipal year. This included noting the formal governance framework and agreeing to monitor its operation throughout the year.
Annual Report for 2023-24
The board reflected on its achievements over the past year, focusing on the implementation of the joint health and wellbeing strategy. Key priorities included reducing health inequalities and improving mental health and wellbeing. The report highlighted significant progress in these areas, including successful deep dives into specific topics such as housing and health, adult mental health, and childhood obesity.
Overall good progress has been made on the implementation of the strategy influencing the social determinants of health and delivery of statutory duties.- Richard Halford, Consultant in Public Health
Children and Young People's Mental Health
A major focus of the meeting was on children and young people's mental health. Representatives from various organisations, including Listening Ear, Mersey Care, and Zuntold, presented their work under the Thrive model. This model aims to provide holistic and accessible mental health support for young people.
The Thrive model sees young people holistically and understands that for some young people's mental health, they might need different sorts of help at different times.- Elaine Basswood, LCO and founder of Zuntold
The presentation included data on service delivery, performance, and the collaborative efforts under the COGS (Collaborative Offer for Good Mental Health Services) initiative. The board discussed the importance of early intervention and the need for continuous improvement in mental health services.
Smoking, Vaping, and Tobacco Control Strategic Action Plan
Natalie Halloran from the Public Health team presented a draft strategic action plan for 2024-2027 aimed at creating a smoke-free Knowsley. The plan includes five key delivery themes: prevention and education, denormalising smoking, enforcement against illicit tobacco, supporting smokers to quit, and tailored support for priority groups.
Our ambition is to create a smoke-free Knowsley, reducing smoking-related harm and inequalities.- Natalie Halloran, Public Health Speciality Registrar
The board was asked to provide feedback on the action plan and support its implementation.
Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment
Richard Holford outlined the requirements and steps needed to produce a statutory pharmaceutical needs assessment by 30 September 2025. The board agreed to the proposed arrangements and the appointment of Sarah McNulty as the board-level sponsor.
Merseyside Police and Crime Panel
The Merseyside Police and Crime Panel meeting on Thursday 13 June 2024 saw the re-election of Councillor Barbara Murray as Chair and the appointment of Brian Tadeo as Deputy Chair. The panel discussed various topics, including the need to fill a long-standing vacancy for an independent member, the adoption of unchanged procedural rules, and the handling of complaints against the Police and Crime Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.
For more details, you can refer to the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.
This week’s discussions highlight the council's ongoing efforts to improve public health, mental health services, and police accountability within the community. The strategic plans and collaborative initiatives discussed aim to address key issues and enhance the wellbeing of Knowsley residents.
Knowsley Council Update: Police Accountability and Community Engagement in Focus
In the past week, the Knowsley Council has held two meetings. Here are the details:
- Merseyside Police and Crime Panel - Monday 20 May 2024
- Employment and Appointments Committee - Friday 24 May 2024
The most impactful meeting this week was the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel, which focused on the reappointment hearing of Councillor Jeannie Bell as the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Merseyside.
Key Discussions and Implications
Responsibilities and Achievements
Councillor Bell provided a detailed account of her responsibilities and achievements over the past year. Her primary role involves supporting the Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, in delivering the Police and Crime Plan. This includes scrutinizing the performance of Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, leading the Women's Services Alliance, and relaunching the Modern Slavery Network. She also works on neurodiversity in the criminal justice system and the national addictions portfolio with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.
I am passionate about these projects and plan to further develop the gambling side of the portfolio.- Councillor Jeannie Bell
Police and Crime Plan
Councillor Bell highlighted her role in both delivering the current Police and Crime Plan and developing the new one. She emphasized her work on hate crime and equalities, and her pride in seeing neurodiversity included in the plan. Her involvement in the Women's Services Alliance aims to address the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on women.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Councillor Bell discussed her ability to communicate the views of the Police and Crime Commissioner effectively. She provided an example of her work with the Modern Slavery Network, where she successfully engaged multiple partners and integrated county lines into the network's agenda.
It is crucial to communicate the Commissioner's priorities and ensure buy-in from all stakeholders.- Councillor Jeannie Bell
Accountability and Community Needs
The panel explored how Councillor Bell holds the Chief Constable to account. She described her experience chairing a scrutiny meeting and her approach to balancing challenge and support. For instance, she worked on improving call waiting times for 999 and 101 by visiting the emergency call centre and then challenging the Chief Constable on areas for improvement.
Councillor Bell also provided examples of her engagement with elected members and community leaders to ensure community needs are understood and addressed. She discussed barriers such as political affiliations and how she worked to overcome them by maintaining good working relationships with councillors from all parties.
Independence and Transparency
Councillor Bell explained how she handled potential conflicts of interest by stepping down from her cabinet member role in St. Helens Borough Council and seeking advice from her monitoring officer. She emphasized maintaining transparency in her decision-making process, including reporting key decisions on the Police and Crime Commissioner's website and being open to public and community scrutiny.
I always seek advice from my monitoring officer and maintain transparency in my decision-making process.- Councillor Jeannie Bell
The meeting concluded with Councillor Bell expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Deputy PCC and describing the role as one of the most rewarding she has ever done. The panel then moved to a private session to deliberate on their findings.
Employment and Appointments Committee
The Employment and Appointments Committee met on Friday 24 May 2024. We do not yet have a summary for this meeting. Since it is very recent, this may be because we have not yet processed it. Please check back later.
This week’s discussions highlight the ongoing efforts to improve police accountability, community engagement, and transparency within the Merseyside Police framework. The reappointment of Councillor Jeannie Bell as Deputy PCC underscores the council's commitment to these priorities.
Recent meetings
Knowsley Children and Families Board - Tuesday, 19th November, 2024 3.30 pm
This meeting has been cancelled.
Cabinet - Wednesday, 20th November, 2024 5.00 pm
We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 19th November, 2024 6.00 pm
This meeting has been cancelled.
Children Scrutiny Committee - Thursday, 14th November, 2024 6.00 pm
This meeting has been cancelled.
Knowsley Schools Forum - Thursday, 14th November, 2024 3.30 pm
We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Inclusive Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 12th November, 2024 6.00 pm
This meeting has been cancelled.
Health and Wellbeing Board - Tuesday, 12th November, 2024 2.00 pm
The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.
Governance and Audit Committee - Monday, 11th November, 2024 6.00 pm
This meeting has been cancelled.
Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System Joint Health Scrutiny Committee - Friday, 8th November, 2024 2.00 pm
We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Planning Committee - Thursday, 7th November, 2024 6.00 pm
The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.
Upcoming meetings
Stronger Communities Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 26th November, 2024 5.00 pm
Licensing Sub Committee - Friday, 29th November, 2024 1.00 pm