The Worcestershire County Council met to discuss a range of issues, including treasury management, school places, local government reorganisation, and climate change. Councillors approved a healthcare parking permit scheme, but rejected a motion to withdraw the council's bid for a single unitary authority. They also agreed with the scientific consensus that man-made climate change exists.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

• Healthcare Parking Permit Scheme
• Local Government Reorganisation
• Climate Change
• Worcester City Secondary School Places
• County Hall Disposal
• Electric Vehicle Charge Points
• Treasury Management Annual Report
• Audit and Governance Committee Reports
• Standards and Ethics Committee Report
• Public Participation
• Chairman's Announcements
• Question Time

Healthcare Parking Permit Scheme

The council voted to develop proposals for a county-wide healthcare parking permit scheme. The motion, put forward by Councillor Mel Allcott, Chair of the Adult Care and Well Being Overview and Scrutiny Panel, and seconded by Councillor Dan Boatwright-Green, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, recognised the challenges faced by community nurses and healthcare workers who need to park in residential areas while providing essential in-home care.

Councillor Allcott highlighted the safety concerns for healthcare workers walking long distances with heavy equipment, especially at night. She also noted that other councils, such as Oxfordshire, Cornwall, and Bradford, have similar schemes in place.

Councillor Richard Udall, Labour Group Leader, expressed support but raised concerns about the wording of the motion, referencing a previous scheme in Worcester City that had low take-up. Councillor Alan Amos, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Business and Skills, supported the motion in principle but emphasised the need for thorough consultation with healthcare providers and district councils to ensure the scheme is properly implemented and enforceable.

Councillor Adam Kent, Conservative Group Leader, also supported the motion, subject to caveats, and questioned whether social care professionals would be included in the scheme. Councillor Karl Perks, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport, expressed reservations, citing concerns about the management, funding, and operational details of the scheme, as well as the potential cost increases for those receiving care.

The approved motion instructs officers to develop proposals for a scheme that allows verified healthcare professionals to park in restricted zones while conducting home visits, consulting with stakeholders to design a practical and affordable system. The financial cost of the scheme is to be met by the employing healthcare providers, not individual staff or the local authority. A report outlining a delivery plan, including costings and eligibility criteria, is expected within six months.

Local Government Reorganisation

The council rejected a motion to withdraw its bid for a single unitary authority for Worcestershire and instead support a proposal for North and South Worcestershire unitary authorities. The motion was proposed by Councillor Sam Evans and seconded by Councillor Dan Boatwright-Green.

Councillor Evans argued that a single super council would be too distant from local communities and that a North and South model would be more democratically representative. He cited the Shape Worcestershire survey, which showed public support for the North and South model.

Councillor Kent spoke against the motion, arguing that a split would destroy the identity of Worcestershire and risk financial collapse in the north and chaos for social care services across the board. He stated that the previous Conservative administration had supported a one Worcestershire platform.

Councillor Riaz spoke in favour of the motion, stating that Worcester City's official position is to support two unitaries.

Councillor Taylor spoke against the motion, stating that the financial and economic case for a single unitary authority is compelling.

Councillor Morris spoke against the motion, stating that the government's dithering and changing guidelines means that the council should unite as Worcestershire.

Councillor James spoke against the motion, stating that the motion was politically motivated by the Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Birch spoke against the motion, stating that the motion was politically motivated and that the survey had limited responses.

Councillor Bowen spoke against the motion, stating that splitting Worcestershire in two would cause huge damage and disruption to services for children and families.

Councillor Price spoke against the motion, stating that the motion was built on double standards and that the councillors presenting the motion had brought no evidence, no financial plan, no service model, no costings, nothing.

Councillor Hart spoke against the motion, stating that government should work with the willing, and government should not do this by stealth.

Councillor Perks spoke against the motion, stating that the survey had limited responses.

Councillor Alcott spoke for the motion, stating that five out of six districts have now voted in favour of North and South.

Councillor Hardman spoke against the motion, stating that the PwC report is flawed.

Councillor Wells spoke for the motion, stating that Price Waterhouse Cooper would be able to make a compelling case for the two council route.

Councillor May spoke against the motion, stating that she did not campaign on a one Worcestershire platform and that the PWC work didn't go far enough in terms of outcomes.

Councillor Moorhead spoke against the motion, stating that the motion was designed to completely remove the one Worcestershire option.

Councillor Kiersey spoke against the motion, stating that the liberals were trying to score cheap political points.

Councillor Miller spoke against the motion, stating that the parish councils that he had been talking to about unitary over the past few months had said that they don't know and don't understand the whole ramifications of what is being asked.

Councillor Josh Robinson spoke for the motion, stating that it is quite clear people out there want people to make a decision and stick to that decision unless the facts change.

Councillor Allen spoke against the motion, stating that he was concerned about the five districts and that he was more interested in looking at both reports.

Councillor Boatwright Green spoke for the motion, stating that there has been a massive lack of leadership in this council.

The motion was defeated by a named vote, with 15 in favour, 37 against, and 1 abstention.

Climate Change

The council agreed with the scientific consensus that man-made climate change exists. The motion was proposed by Councillor Dan Boatwright-Green and seconded by Councillor Chris McSweeny.

Councillor Boatwright-Green presented evidence for man-made climate change, including rising global temperatures and extreme weather events. He cited the impact of flooding on the New Road location home of the Worcester County Cricket Club, as a local example of the effects of climate change.

Councillor Shaw spoke against the motion, arguing that the climate has changed throughout millennia and that there is an agenda at play.

The motion was carried by a named vote, with 28 in favour, 20 against, and 4 abstaining.

Worcester City Secondary School Places

Councillor Stephen Foster, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities, addressed the issue of insufficient secondary school places in Worcester City. The council has a duty to ensure sufficient school places are available for all children and young people residing in the county¹.

Forecasts indicate a need for additional places in September 2026 and 2027, with a peak in demand expected in 2029. The south area of Worcester faces the largest demand.

Cabinet approved a recommendation to increase places at Malvern secondary schools for the 2026 and 2027 intake years to address the immediate need. They also authorised a feasibility study on the potential partial use of the County Hall site to meet the sufficiency needs for secondary education places beyond 2028.

During the discussion, Councillor Udall expressed concern that the proposed actions may not go far enough, particularly given the expansion of West Worcester. Councillor Riaz raised concerns about the lack of consultation with local residents regarding proposals at County Hall. Councillor Belk Green suggested working with developers in the Parkway Newtown area to accelerate investment in schools.

Councillor Foster stated that the likelihood of a new high school at St. John's is nil, given the council's financial situation. He confirmed that there would be consultation with local residents and that mobile classrooms would not be used in Worcester schools for September 2026 or 2027.

County Hall Disposal

The council continued discussions regarding the disposal of County Hall, with Councillor Rob Wharton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Finance and Efficiency, outlining the financial context.

Cabinet authorised the Chief Executive to make the necessary legal arrangements for the relocation of the council's data centre to Pershore Civic Centre and to secure alternative provision for the Record Office. They also authorised the Strategic Director of Economy and Infrastructure to disconnect and resupply services to the Countryside Centre and to retain land for car parking.

Councillor Hardman suggested involving the NHS in discussions about the future of the site, while Councillor Belk Green expressed concerns about handing over the asset to developers without any caveats on how it will be used. Councillor Allen asked for confirmation that any decision regarding the disposal of County Hall would come to full council for a vote.

Councillor Wharton stated that the feasibility study will consider all options and is due to be received at the end of the month. He estimated that the receipt from the sale of County Hall would be received in 2027.

Electric Vehicle Charge Points

The council discussed Worcestershire's electric charge point delivery programme, which aims to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the county.

Councillor Cross inquired about the council's policy on on-street charging for properties without driveways. Councillor Hardman suggested that the council should be mindful of alternative strategies, such as battery swapping, while Councillor Josh Robinson asked whether there are any plans to use Worcestershire Council taxpayers' money to extend the programme.

Councillor Perks stated that the use of charging points across pavements is at the user's risk and that there are no current plans to use taxpayers' funding for the programme.

Treasury Management Annual Report

Councillor Rob Wharton introduced the Treasury Management Annual Report for the financial year 2024-25, highlighting that it was a backward look at the council's treasury management performance. He moved the recommendations in paragraph 1, which were seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jo Monk.

Councillor Kent asked how much of the £600 million debt was owed to the government through the Public Works Loans Board². Councillor Birch stated that over 50% of the borrowing is owed to the government.

Audit and Governance Committee Reports

Councillor Dan Birch, Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, presented the committee's annual report, summarising its performance against its terms of reference and highlighting significant issues considered during 2024/25. He noted that the committee continues to monitor the work program going forward and has had lengthy discussions about how and what they wish to discuss including treasury management and the topic of training.

Councillor Alcott welcomed the recommendations, particularly the inclusion of a timescale for the monitoring officer to acknowledge a complaint and conclude the filtering stage.

Standards and Ethics Committee Report

Councillor Sam Evans presented the Standards and Ethics Committee report, thanking members for their service and inviting councillors to attend committee meetings.

Councillor Alcott welcomed the recommendations, in particular the one to include a timescale for the monitoring officer to acknowledge a complaint five days and a timescale to conclude the food for the stage within 28 days.

Public Participation

The council heard from three members of the public during the public participation section of the meeting:

• Esther Gray presented a petition regarding lower speed limits and road safety measures in Ruby location.
• Christopher Baker asked a question about the speed limit through the village of Hanley Castle location on the B4211.
• Reverend David Haslam asked for assurances that all residents of the county will be treated in all public services with fairness and equality.

Chairman's Announcements

Councillor Louis Stephen, Chair of the Council, made several announcements, including:

• The death of former Hereford and Worcester County Councillor Pat Raven.
• The death of Catherine, the Duchess of Kent.
• The Public Health Team winning a Local Government award for their 'We are Westlands Project' location.
• Worcestershire County Council reaching the finals of the Connected Britain Awards 2025 for its 'Network on Wheels' project.

Councillor Harbner noted the death of Dame Stella Rimmington, an ex-employee of the County Council, who was the first female head of MI5³.

Question Time

During question time, councillors asked questions of cabinet members on a range of topics, including:

• Worcestershire On Demand Veteran bus journeys
• Gigabit Broadband
• Libraries
• Committee and Panel vacancies
• Staff fire and re-hire
• Impact of house building on the infrastructure of the A38
• Flag Removal
• Public Right of Way Maintenance
• Display of flags on Council property
• Upton Library
• Civil ceremonies