This week, the Warrington Council held several meetings, with the most impactful discussions occurring during the Cared For Children and Care Leaver Committee meeting on Tuesday 18 June 2024.

Cared For Children and Care Leaver Committee

The Cared For Children and Care Leaver Committee meeting was particularly significant, addressing several critical issues:

1. Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair: The committee appointed Councillor Carol Bullman as the chair and Councillor Saunders as the vice chair for the municipal year. This appointment is in line with the committee's terms of reference, which state that the chair should be the statutory lead member for children's services.

2. Shadow Committee Update: Annie Britain, the participation community representative for Cheshire East, provided an update from the Shadow Committee. This committee meets one week before the main committee to gather insights from care-experienced young people. Annie highlighted several projects, including the My Voice initiative, which allows care-experienced children to have their voices heard and influence decisions affecting them. She also mentioned the upcoming Star Celebration Day on Sunday, 24th June at Sandbach Town Hall, which aims to celebrate the achievements of cared-for children.

3. Domestic Violence Strategy: The committee discussed the development of a training resource aimed at equipping professionals who work with cared-for children and care-experienced young people with the skills to support those facing domestic abuse. This initiative is part of the domestic abuse strategy and is being developed in collaboration with Pure Insight and other partners.

4. Education, Employment, and Training: The committee emphasized the importance of supporting cared-for children in their education, employment, and training. There was a discussion about the positive feedback from virtual school resources and the need for additional support for children facing bullying.

5. Mental Health Support: The committee addressed the need for more mental health support for care leavers, including the possibility of establishing a male mental health hub. This was in response to feedback from care-experienced young people who expressed a need for gender-specific mental health support.

Other Meetings

Other meetings held this week included the General Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday 17 June 2024, the General Appeals Sub Committee on Tuesday 18 June 2024, the Highways and Transport Committee on Thursday 20 June 2024, and the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee on Friday 21 June 2024. However, no transcripts were provided for these meetings.

These discussions from the Cared For Children and Care Leaver Committee highlight ongoing efforts to support the well-being and development of cared-for children and care leavers. The themes of participation, mental health support, and educational opportunities continue to be at the forefront of the council's agenda.

This week, the Warrington Council held two meetings, with the most impactful discussions occurring during the Licensing Committee meeting on Monday 10 June 2024.

Licensing Committee

The Licensing Committee meeting primarily focused on administrative matters, but a key decision was made regarding the revised statement of licensing policy.

Revised Statement of Licensing Policy Report

Kim Evans presented the revised statement of licensing policy, which is required under Section 5 of the Licensing Act. This policy is reviewed every five years, and the current period ends in December. Initial consultations were held with responsible authorities, and 190 consultation responses were received. The policy will be reviewed by the Policy Committee before being recommended to the full council. The committee members were asked to consider any further changes. The recommendations were approved with ten votes in favour and no abstentions or votes against.

Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Councillor Cail Boellman and Councillor Leslie Tseman.

Declarations of Interest

One member declared an interest as a trustee of the Pecos Dominic and Social Club in Macklesteel, which is a licensed premises.

Public Speaking Time

No public speakers were registered for this meeting.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the Licensing Committee meeting on 4th March 2024 were approved. The minutes from the Licensing Subcommittee meetings on 26th March, 16th April, and 25th April 2024 were also received without comments.

General Licensing Subcommittee

There were no minutes to receive for this item.

The meeting concluded with no further comments or modifications.

Corporate Policy Committee

The Corporate Policy Committee meeting on Thursday 13 June 2024 was held, but the notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.

These discussions from the Licensing Committee highlight ongoing efforts to ensure that the council's licensing policies are up-to-date and reflective of community needs. The themes of administrative efficiency and community engagement continue to be at the forefront of the council's agenda.

This week, the Warrington Council held several meetings, with the most impactful discussions occurring during the Economy and Growth Committee meeting on Tuesday 04 June 2024 and the Southern Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday 05 June 2024.

Economy and Growth Committee

The Economy and Growth Committee meeting was significant, addressing various critical issues:

1. Danes Moss Development: The committee heard from several public speakers regarding the controversial Danes Moss development. James Melling from the Jesuit Wildlife Trust presented a detailed history of objections to the development, citing environmental failures and the risk to local biodiversity: > The destruction of biodiversity and stored carbon at this scale has been unprecedented in recent decades. - James Melling, Jesuit Wildlife Trust

The committee acknowledged the concerns but emphasized the financial pressures facing the council, indicating that further discussions and reviews would be necessary.

1. Financial Outturn for 2023-24: The committee reviewed the final financial outturn for the last municipal year, noting an underspend of £4.5 million against a net budget of £24.8 million. This was achieved through vacancy management, reduced non-essential spending, and additional income. The committee recognized the efforts but also highlighted the unsustainability of long-term vacancy management.

2. Service Budget for 2024-25: The committee discussed the allocation of service budgets for the current financial year, focusing on the risks associated with certain budget items. Two items were flagged as high risk: service restructures and office rationalization. The committee stressed the need for careful monitoring and timely interventions to mitigate these risks.

Southern Planning Committee

The Southern Planning Committee meeting focused on two key planning applications:

1. Land at the Rear of 203 and 205 Middlewich Street: This application, previously deferred for further drainage assessments, was approved. The flood risk officer's detailed site visit and subsequent drainage strategy were pivotal in addressing concerns. The committee was satisfied with the measures proposed to manage surface water and prevent flooding.

2. Yew Tree Farm, Clay Lane, Haslington: The committee approved a retrospective application for a new warehouse, recognizing the need for expansion of the existing business. The discussion included considerations of visual impact and the necessity of the development in the open countryside. The committee decided against imposing a condition to change the building's color, deeming it unnecessary.

Other Meetings

Other meetings held this week included the Children and Families Committee on Monday 03 June 2024, the Environment and Communities Committee on Thursday 06 June 2024, the Crewe Town Board on Friday 07 June 2024, and the Licensing Act Sub-Committee on Tuesday 04 June 2024. These meetings covered various topics, but the most impactful discussions were those highlighted above.

These discussions from the Economy and Growth Committee and the Southern Planning Committee highlight ongoing efforts to balance financial management, environmental concerns, and sustainable development. The themes of fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and strategic planning continue to be at the forefront of the council's agenda.

This week, the Warrington Council held two meetings, with the most impactful discussions occurring during the Audit and Governance Committee meeting on Thursday 30 May 2024 and the Strategic Planning Board meeting on Wednesday 29 May 2024.

Audit and Governance Committee

The Audit and Governance Committee meeting was particularly significant, addressing several critical issues:

1. Budgetary Overspend and Legal Costs: Councillor Rachel Bailey raised concerns about the council's budgetary overspend and the legal costs associated with the Sandbach standards complaint. The figures were substantial, with external legal costs amounting to £23,500 and additional costs to the council reaching £231,000. Bailey emphasized the need for transparency and consistency in handling such matters:

   I would ask that members of the committee look to address this inconsistency in practice as a matter of urgency. - Councillor Rachel Bailey

2. Staff Capacity and Leadership Stability: The committee discussed the significant lack of capacity across the organisation and instability in permanent roles at the senior level. This issue has been recognized by the council, which is working with the Local Government Association (LGA) to address it. The impact of this instability on council operations and service delivery remains a critical concern.

3. Planning Backlog and IT System Delays: The committee also highlighted the ongoing issues with the planning backlog and delays in the IT system meant to improve planning processes. Councillor Bailey pointed out that planning officers are being diverted to rectify IT system failures, which is reminiscent of issues dating back to 2011.

4. Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy: The committee expressed concerns about the management of Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). There was a call for a detailed analysis of the current state of these funds and their impact on local development projects.

Strategic Planning Board

The Strategic Planning Board meeting on Wednesday 29 May 2024 focused on several key planning applications, reflecting the council's ongoing efforts to balance development and environmental preservation.

1. Deferred Decisions: The board deferred decisions on certain planning applications due to discrepancies in technical data, ensuring that all environmental impacts are thoroughly considered before proceeding. This cautious approach highlights the council's commitment to sustainable development.

2. Approval of New Developments: The board approved several new developments with conditions to mitigate potential negative impacts on the community. This includes measures to address traffic congestion and ensure safety in local areas.

3. Rejection of Proposals: The board also rejected proposals that could negatively impact local wildlife and landscape aesthetics, emphasizing the council's stance on protecting rural environments.

These discussions from the Audit and Governance Committee and the Strategic Planning Board highlight ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, address capacity issues, and balance development with environmental preservation. The themes of financial oversight, leadership stability, and sustainable development continue to be at the forefront of the council's agenda.

This week, the Warrington Council convened for several meetings, with the most impactful discussions occurring during the Children and Families Committee meeting on Monday 29 April 2024 and the Appointments Committee meeting on the same day.

Children and Families Committee

The committee addressed three major issues: school transportation safety, the administration of the Household Support Fund, and the repurposing of children's centers into family hubs.

1. School Transportation Safety: The council's decision to continue assessing walking routes to schools underscores a recurring theme of prioritizing student safety while balancing budget constraints. The implications here are significant as they aim to reduce long-term transportation costs and enhance safety. The debate highlighted a demand for transparency in the assessment process:

   We need clear, updated evaluations on the safety of these routes to make informed decisions. - Council Member Johnson

2. Household Support Fund: Changes to this fund aim to provide more targeted financial assistance. This decision reflects a shift towards more flexible and impactful support mechanisms, which could lead to better support for vulnerable households if implemented effectively.

3. Repurposing Children's Centers: The transformation of children's centers into family hubs could broaden the scope of services available to families. However, this decision also raises concerns about the accessibility and specificity of services previously dedicated to children. The council must manage this transition carefully to maintain service quality.

Appointments Committee

The focus was on the recruitment of key council positions, reflecting a theme of transparency and inclusivity in council operations. The committee's decisions included:

1. Amendment to Recruitment Authority: The decision to delegate recruitment authority to the chief executive, with added consultation, aims to ensure broader oversight. This inclusive approach could lead to more acceptable outcomes across different council factions.

2. Recruitment Timetable: The amendment to allow flexibility in the recruitment timetable shows responsiveness to the urgency of filling key positions, which could accelerate council operations and project implementations.

3. Approval of Recommendations: The unanimous approval of recruitment recommendations underscores a cooperative spirit within the committee, essential for efficient and thorough recruitment processes.

These discussions from the Children and Families Committee and the Appointments Committee highlight ongoing efforts to enhance community services and maintain effective council operations. The themes of safety, targeted support, and inclusive decision-making continue to be at the forefront of the council's agenda.

This week, the Warrington Council held two significant meetings that could impact local development and community life.

The first was the Strategic Planning Board meeting on Wednesday 24 April 2024. The board tackled several key planning applications, with decisions that demonstrated a careful balance between development and environmental preservation.

One notable discussion was about the Pointon Pool Dam Embankment. The board deferred the decision to modify the embankment for flood resilience due to discrepancies in technical data. This deferral underscores the council's cautious approach, ensuring that all environmental impacts are thoroughly considered before proceeding. Here's a key quote from the debate:

We must balance the urgent need for flood management with the potential risks to our local ecosystem and public access. - Councillor Thompson

The approval of the new golf driving range at Cradley Green Lane highlighted another theme we've seen: economic development versus community impact. The council approved the project with conditions to mitigate traffic impacts, reflecting ongoing concerns about safety and congestion in local areas.

The rejection of the Dawson's Farm proposal for a new dwelling due to its potential impact on local wildlife and landscape aesthetics further emphasized the council's stance on protecting rural environments.

The second meeting was the Licensing Act Sub-Committee on Thursday 25 April 2024, which focused on a license extension for The Studio on Castle Street. The extension was granted, with the council noting that no complaints had been recorded during previous temporary extensions. This decision could enhance the business's competitiveness while also testing the council's ability to manage potential community disturbances effectively.

Both meetings this week highlighted the council's ongoing efforts to balance development and community welfare, a theme we will continue to monitor in future updates.