Councillor Marcus Hart

Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board - Wednesday, 24th September, 2025 10.00 am

The Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board (OSPB) met to discuss the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership's (WLEP) annual report, noting its progress against the Plan for Growth (2020-2040) and agreeing to transfer WLEP activity into the Economy Overview & Scrutiny Panel's work programme from 2026/27. The board also reviewed and updated its work programme and the Cabinet Forward Plan, and considered suggestions for a new Scrutiny Task Group.

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.

Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board - Thursday, 24th July, 2025 10.00 am

The Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board (OSPB) met to discuss local government reform in Worcestershire, progress on child and adolescent mental health services, and the board's future work programme. The board agreed to write to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive to ask for the administration's position on local government reorganisation as soon as possible, and to conduct the consultation as early as possible in September.

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.