Councillor Chris McSweeny

Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Monday, 22nd September, 2025 1.00 pm

The Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel met to discuss tourism in Worcestershire, government policies to support the Worcestershire economy, and the performance and budget for 2025/26. The panel also discussed and agreed to revisions to its work programme for the coming year. A recommendation was made for Worcestershire County Council to consider a plan to improve accessibility at Alvechurch Station.

Council - Thursday, 11th September, 2025 10.00 am

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.

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 8th September, 2025 2.00 pm

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss community engagement in health improvement, review the committee's work programme, and identify priorities for the future. Councillors heard about several initiatives aimed at empowering local communities to take an active role in improving their health and wellbeing, including the Priority Neighbourhood Development Programme, school grants, and the use of green spaces. The committee agreed to continue its focus on reviewing the 2022-2032 health and wellbeing strategy and empowering the new council formed after local government reorganisation to continue and build on current work.

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 30th July, 2025 10.00 am

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss routine immunisation in Worcestershire, and to review their work programme. The committee heard that Worcestershire has a high level of population protection against vaccine preventable diseases, but it is important that uptake is maintained or improved, and that vaccinations are a key part of NHS winter planning and resilience. The committee agreed to send a letter thanking the presenters for their attendance, requesting comparable data around similar councils, and setting objectives to be achieved in the next 12 months.

Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Tuesday, 15th July, 2025 2.00 pm

The Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel met to discuss digital infrastructure and connectivity, performance and budget monitoring, and the work programme for the coming year. The panel heard that mobile coverage and performance is not as good as claimed by Mobile Network Operators, and agreed to ask Councillor Amos, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Business and Skills, to lobby government for local authorities to have more influence over the location of masts and poles. The panel also discussed the year-end budget, hearing that the council had overspent by £6.2 million, and set the work programme for the coming year.