Decision

(1)      Green Motion -
Supporting Climate Change Emergency in Warwickshire
 
At a meeting of the Warwickshire County
Council on Thursday 25 July 2019, Warwickshire County Council
unanimously declared a climate change emergency. 
 
This newly formed Council should move forward
in a pragmatic manner, securing a greener future, promoting energy
security whilst always considering the cost impact on consumers and
business in Warwickshire.
 
This Council recognises:
 
1.    
The declaration of the climate emergency by Warwickshire County
Council on 25th July 2019 which was voted for unanimously.
2.    
That scientific evidence clearly states climate change is happening
and impacts the lives of Warwickshire residents including through
increased risk of events such as flooding as highlighted by
Warwickshire Fire Service.
3.    
The importance of supporting the green economy which brings
investment, jobs and skills to Warwickshire, and helps to reduce
residents’ bills, helps make the UK a world leader in clean
energy generation and contributes towards giving the UK sovereignty
over its energy security.
 
This Council resolves to:
 
1.    
Continue to recognise the climate emergency unanimously declared in
2019 by Warwickshire County Council;
2.    
Continue to explore opportunities for flood protection schemes for
residents and energy efficiency measures which save the Council,
schools and residents money;
3.    
Re-establish the climate cross-party working group to review and
update the impact of climate change on the council and the
residents of Warwickshire, reporting back no later than 6 months
from its first meeting;
4.    
Continue to explore constructing new Warwickshire County Council
buildings to be carbon neutral; and
5.    
To ensure that the supply of green energy hardware is not from
sources using slave, child or exploitive labour.
 
 
(2)      Liberal Democrat Motion
– Local Transport
 
This Council notes:
 
1.    
The Government’s June 2025 Spending Review confirmed a
£2.3 billion investment in local transport through the Local
Transport Grant (LTG), of which, the funding for Warwickshire over
the four year period 2026/27 to 2029/30
will total £66 million.
2.    
The Government Spending Review 2025 states also that local leaders
can choose to support schemes in line with local priorities for
transport maintenance and enhancements, including improving public
transport and making our streets safer for pedestrians and
cyclists.
3.    
The announcement in the Spending Review of an extension in the
£3 National Bus Fare Cap until March 2027 which will help
reduce the cost of everyday journeys for working residents in all
parts of Warwickshire.
 
This Council believes that practical action to
encourage and enable more use of (i) public transport, by bus and
train, and (ii) active travel schemes, through walking and cycling,
will help residents in all parts of Warwickshire to improve their
physical and mental health and wellbeing, boost local economic
growth and reduce carbon emissions in Warwickshire.
 
This Council therefore reaffirms its
commitment to:
 
1.    
The Local Transport Plan (LTP4), approved by Full Council in July
2023, which prioritises active travel at the top of
Warwickshire’s transport hierarchy;
2.    
The Warwickshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan
(LCWIP), approved by Cabinet in February 2024;
3.    
The Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and Warwickshire Enhanced
Partnership (EP), approved by Cabinet in May 2024 for a
two year period from 2024/25 to 2025/26
and the additional funding for 2025/26 approved by Cabinet in July
2025;
4.    
The Warwickshire Rail Strategy 2019-2034, approved by Council in
July 2020 which outlines service enhancements across the
county’s rail network; and Requests the Portfolio Holder for
Transport and Planning to bring forward updated plans to the
Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee by no later than
December 2025 setting out how Warwickshire’s LTG allocation
will be utilised.
 
 
(3)      Labour Motion - Keeping
Children in Care Close to Home
 
This Council recognises:
·      
The importance of stability, continuity, and connection for
children and young people in care.
·      
That being placed far from home can disrupt education, friendships,
cultural identity, and emotional wellbeing.
·      
That proximity to family, friends, and familiar surroundings can
significantly improve outcomes for children in care, including
mental health, educational attainment, and long-term
stability. 
·      
That the Children Act 1989 and
subsequent statutory guidance emphasise the duty of local
authorities to place children within their local area wherever
possible.
·      
That national data shows a significant proportion of looked-after
children are placed outside their home local authority, often due
to placement shortages.
·      
That children placed far from home are more likely to experience
multiple placement moves, school
disruption, and reduced contact with family.
 
This Council believes:
·      
That every child in care deserves the opportunity to grow up in a
setting that maintains their connection to their community and
family, unless it is clearly not in their best interests.
·      
That local authorities must be supported and resourced to develop
sufficient, high-quality local placements to meet the needs of
children in care.
 
This Council resolves to:
1.    
Commit to a “Close to Home” principle, that works
towards ensuring that children in care are placed as near as
possible to their family, school, and community, unless
safeguarding concerns, or specific needs dictate otherwise.
2.    
Subject to available funding, review and seek to expand local
placement capacity, including fostering, residential, and kinship
care options, to reduce reliance on out-of-area placements.? Engage
with all providers to encourage homes in Warwickshire.
3.    
Continue to work collaboratively with regional partners to develop
a shared placement strategy that prioritises proximity and
continuity for children.
4.    
Publish annual data on the number and proportion of children placed
out of area, with a plan to reduce this over time.
5.    
Involve children in care and care leavers in shaping placement
policies and decisions, ensuring their voices and preferences are
considered.