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Weekly updates
Cabinet Approves Pershore School Changes & EV Strategy
In the last 7 days (since Saturday 22 June 2024), the council has held the following meetings:
- Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board - Monday 24 June 2024 (Cancelled)
- Pensions Committee - Tuesday 25 June 2024
- Cabinet - Thursday 27 June 2024
Cabinet Meeting
The Cabinet convened on Thursday 27 June 2024 and made two significant decisions. Firstly, they approved the publication of statutory notices relating to the reorganisation of schools in Pershore. Secondly, they adopted the county's new Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy.
Pershore Education Pyramids
Worcestershire County Council is proposing to reorganise education in Pershore by changing the age range of Abbey Park Middle School, St Nicholas C Of E First School, and Drakes Broughton Middle School. If implemented, the changes would see all three schools become primary schools from September 2025. The Cabinet heard representations from three members of the public, all opposed to the scheme.
Councillor Marcus Hart, the Cabinet Member for Education, outlined the two options facing the council:
The first option would be to cease to maintain Abbey Park Middle School and Drakes Broughton Middle School from 31 August 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter and to change the age ranges of those schools and those of St Nicholas C of E First School... the second option is to make no change to the current structure of schools in the Pershore Education Planning Area.
Ultimately, the Cabinet voted unanimously to approve the publication of statutory notices about the scheme. This means the council will now carry out a formal consultation on the proposals.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy
The meeting also discussed the adoption of the county's new Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy. The strategy sets out how the council will work to ensure that there are enough electric vehicle charging points to meet the needs of residents and businesses. The strategy was developed following a review of the council's existing provision of charging points.
Councillor Simon Geraghty, the Leader of the Council, explained the need for a more comprehensive approach:
We recognise the vital role of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in enabling and encouraging the mass adoption of electric vehicles.
The new strategy sets out several objectives, including:
- Increasing the number of charging points in the county.
- Ensuring that charging points are located in convenient and accessible locations.
- Making it easier for people to pay for charging.
The strategy was welcomed by members of the cabinet. Councillor Ken Pollock, the Cabinet Member for Economy and Infrastructure, said:
This strategy provides a clear roadmap for the delivery of a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging points across Worcestershire. It will help to make the county a more attractive place to live, work and invest.
The Cabinet voted unanimously to adopt the strategy.
Resources
The Cabinet received an update on the council's financial position. The report showed that the council is facing several financial challenges, including the rising cost of social care and the impact of inflation. The report also highlighted several risks to the council's finances, including the potential for a recession and the uncertainty surrounding future government funding. The cabinet discussed the council's financial plans for the coming year and agreed to several measures to address the financial challenges facing the council.
Pensions Committee Meeting
The Pensions Committee convened on Tuesday 25 June 2024 to note the minutes of their sub-committees, namely the Pension Board and the Pension Investment Sub-Committee, from their meetings in June 2024. The Committee received an update on the Worcestershire Pension Fund's annual accounts, discussed the Local Government Pension Scheme's update, reviewed training updates, and deliberated on the UK Stewardship Code.
Pension Fund Annual Accounts
The Committee reviewed the Worcestershire Pension Fund’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024 (PC 2024 06 25 Pension Fund Annual Accounts Cover Report_WIP).
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Update
The Committee received a report on the key issues and developments relating to the LGPS (PC 2024 06 25 LGPSC Update).
This included:
- A verbal update on the McCloud Remedy and the implementation of the Policy Statement on Member Communications. The McCloud Remedy came about because of legal changes to public service pensions in the UK that were introduced in 2015. These changes, under the Public Service Pensions Act 2013, meant that younger members of pension schemes would be moved from older schemes with more generous benefits to new schemes with less generous benefits. Older members were protected from this transition by 'transitional protection', which meant they could stay in the older schemes. The Court of Appeal found that this amounted to age discrimination. The McCloud Remedy is the name given to the steps being taken to remedy this discrimination1.
- An update on the outcome of the Local Government Pension Scheme Advisory Board (LGPSAB) meeting on 17 May 2024. The LGPSAB is an independent body that provides advice to the UK Government on matters relating to the LGPS. It consists of employer and member representatives from across the LGPS in England and Wales. The LGPSAB met in May to discuss several topics including the McCloud Remedy, climate change, and the cost of living crisis.
Training Update
The Pensions Committee examined a report detailing training undertaken by committee members and officers (PC 2024 06 25 Training Update). Notably, there was a decrease in engagement with the online training app.
However, engagement levels with the online training app, which provides refresher sessions on topics such as governance and fiduciary duties, have seen a decrease from last quarter.
The Committee was informed that this dip in engagement was possibly due to members prioritizing other training commitments.
UK Stewardship Code
The Committee was presented with the annual report on the Worcestershire Pension Fund's (WPF) compliance with the UK Stewardship Code 2020 (PC 2024 06 25 UK Stewardship Code Cover Report).
The UK Stewardship Code 2020 sets out high standards of stewardship for those investing money on behalf of UK savers and pensioners, and those who support them.
The report outlined WPF's stewardship activities and highlighted their commitment to responsible investment principles. The Committee subsequently approved the WPF’s 2024 Stewardship Code Report.
Cancelled Meetings
The Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board scheduled for Monday 24 June 2024 was cancelled.
-
The McCloud Remedy is a response to the Court of Appeal's ruling that the transitional protections offered to older members of public sector pension schemes, when reforms were introduced in 2015, were discriminatory on the grounds of age. ↩
Council Backs Volunteer Initiatives with £50,000 Grant – Key Decisions This Week
In the last 7 days (since Saturday 08 June 2024), the council has held the following meetings:
- Pension Investment Sub-Committee - Monday 10 June 2024
- Pension Investment Sub-Committee - Wednesday 12 June 2024 (Cancelled)
- Joint Museums Committee - Wednesday 12 June 2024
- Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 13 June 2024 (Cancelled)
- Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Monday 10 June 2024
Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel
The Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Monday 10 June 2024 focused on the role of volunteers in Worcestershire and the council's efforts to support and expand volunteer services.
Volunteering in Worcestershire
The panel discussed the importance of volunteering, particularly in the post-COVID-19 world. The council highlighted the positive impact of volunteering on both the community and the volunteers themselves. Volunteering helps reduce social isolation, teaches new skills, and improves overall well-being.
Volunteering not only has a positive impact on the services we deliver across the whole of the public sector, but it also has a positive impact on the health of the individual from a health and community perspective.- Karen May, Cabinet Member for the Community
The council is working to support volunteers through various initiatives, including the Worcestershire Volunteer Fair and the development of a county-wide volunteer portal funded by a £50,000 grant from the Department of Health and Social Care. This portal aims to streamline volunteer recruitment and engagement across the health and care system.
Financial Contributions of Volunteers
The financial contributions of volunteers were also discussed. For example, the archaeology service benefited from approximately £45,000 worth of volunteer contributions, and the Citizens Advice Bureau reported over half a million pounds worth of volunteer activity. The council is looking to better capture and demonstrate the financial value of volunteer work.
Support for Volunteers
The panel addressed the need for consistent support for volunteers, including the reimbursement of expenses to ensure that volunteering is accessible to everyone. The council is working on standardizing processes across different teams to provide equal support to all volunteers.
Future Plans
The council plans to continue supporting and expanding volunteer services, with a focus on engaging young people and promoting the benefits of volunteering. The panel emphasized the importance of a strong, well-coordinated voluntary sector in supporting the community, particularly in areas such as adult and children's care.
Meetings Without Available Transcripts
The Pension Investment Sub-Committee on Monday 10 June 2024 and the Joint Museums Committee on Wednesday 12 June 2024 were held, but no video broadcasts or transcripts are available for these meetings.
Cancelled Meetings
The Pension Investment Sub-Committee scheduled for Wednesday 12 June 2024 and the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee scheduled for Thursday 13 June 2024 were both cancelled.
Tackling Social Care, Public Health, and Foster Care: Key Updates from Worcester Council
In the last 7 days (since Saturday 18 May 2024), the council has held the following meetings:
- Adult Care and Well Being Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Monday 20 May 2024
- Health and Wellbeing Board - Tuesday 21 May 2024
- Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Wednesday 22 May 2024
- Planning and Regulatory Committee - Tuesday 21 May 2024 (Cancelled)
- Cabinet - Thursday 23 May 2024 (Cancelled)
Adult Care and Well Being Overview and Scrutiny Panel
The Adult Care and Well Being Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Monday 20 May 2024 focused on several critical areas: social care, safeguarding, and direct payments.
Social Care and Safeguarding
Mr. Maurice highlighted the additional resources allocated to social care, noting improvements in safeguarding processes. He emphasized the importance of understanding self-neglect, particularly in relation to declining cognitive function. Podcasts are being used to raise awareness about financial scams and executive function.
The rapid building process for safeguarding has continued to be beneficial, allowing for quicker learning and engagement with serious incident reviews.- Mr. Maurice
Exploitation Strategy and Rough Sleeping
The council has made significant progress in addressing rough sleeping, involving people with lived experiences and relevant bodies. The complex and high-risk management process (CALM) was praised for its innovative approaches, such as holding meetings in informal settings like coffee shops.
Staffing Concerns
Staffing in the adult care sector remains a critical issue. Despite an increase in medical school places, there is concern about a future shortage of nurses. Strategies to retain staff and attract new entrants are needed, given the growing number of adults with complex needs and an aging population.
Direct Payments
The uptake of direct payments in social care remains below the national average. The council is working on a review to streamline processes and make direct payments more accessible and manageable for individuals.
Health and Wellbeing Board
The Health and Wellbeing Board on Tuesday 21 May 2024 focused on public health initiatives and community support programs.
Public Health Review
Lisa Macklin presented the Public Health Review for 2023-2024, highlighting achievements such as the Stay Connected Pledge and the launch of the joint local health and well-being strategy. Key outcomes included improvements in health visiting services, reduced smoking rates during pregnancy, and increased vaccination rates.
Reducing Smoking in Pregnancy
Claire Mitchell and Hailey Darnell discussed the partnership approach to reducing smoking in pregnancy. The integrated antenatal and postnatal smoking services have led to a decrease in smoking rates at the point of delivery from 13.1% in 2019 to under 9% in 2023.
Tackling Loneliness and Isolation
The Tackling Loneliness and Isolation Action Plan was presented by Lucy Chick and Lucy Bird. The Stay Connected Community Grant Program was highlighted as a successful initiative, funding various community projects aimed at reducing isolation.
Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel
The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Wednesday 22 May 2024 covered several important topics.
Foster Care and Children's Placements
The council emphasized the challenge of finding family care placements for children in need. A three-step process is followed to find family care: Connected Persons, Mainstream Foster Care, and Independent Foster Care. Despite a rise in family members willing to support children, there is still a shortage of foster carers.
Project Efficiency
The council is working with Empower, a consulting firm, to identify opportunities for children in residential settings to transition to family placements. The Valuing Care
approach helps match the needs of children with the skills of foster carers.
Recruitment and Retention of Foster Carers
The council discussed the importance of recruiting and retaining foster carers. They are working on improving their recruitment process and have seen a 73% increase in foster carers in some areas.
Skills and Investment in Education
The council has been working with the Careers and Enterprise Company to improve careers education in schools. They have implemented the Gatsby benchmarks and have seen significant improvements. Worcestershire is now in the top three areas for careers education.
Future Workforce in Social Care
Efforts to engage the future workforce in social care were discussed. The council has been working with local colleges to run engagement events for young people interested in health and social care careers.
Cancelled Meetings
The Planning and Regulatory Committee scheduled for Tuesday 21 May 2024 and the Cabinet scheduled for Thursday 23 May 2024 were both cancelled.
Recent meetings
Cabinet - Thursday, 21st November, 2024 10.00 am
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.
Corporate Parenting Board - Wednesday, 20th November, 2024 2.00 pm
We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Pension Board - Tuesday, 19th November, 2024 10.00 am
We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Wednesday, 20th November, 2024 10.00 am
We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Health and Wellbeing Board - Tuesday, 19th November, 2024 2.00 pm
The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.
Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Monday, 18th November, 2024 10.00 am
The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.
Malvern Hills National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee - Friday, 15th November, 2024 10.00 am
We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
Standards and Ethics Committee - Thursday, 14th November, 2024 10.00 am
This meeting has been cancelled.
Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 12th November, 2024 10.00 am
The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.
Council - Thursday, 7th November, 2024 10.00 am
The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarised.
Upcoming meetings
Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Monday, 25th November, 2024 2.00 pm
Planning and Regulatory Committee - Tuesday, 26th November, 2024 10.00 am
Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Wednesday, 27th November, 2024 10.00 am
Pension Investment Sub-Committee - Friday, 29th November, 2024 10.00 am