Councillor Matthew Jones

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.

Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Monday, 14th July, 2025 10.00 am

The Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel met to discuss the Streetscape Design Guide, performance and budget monitoring, and the work programme for the coming year. The panel discussed the Streetscape Design Guide at length, and agreed that the Cabinet Member should ensure that the design code for Wychavon is matched up with the Streetscape Design Guide. The panel also requested further information on training for public rights of way, and data on planning applications.

Council - Thursday, 10th July, 2025 10.00 am

The Worcestershire Council meeting included discussion of the Malvern Hills Bill, the revised capital programme, and a summary of decisions taken by the Audit and Governance Committee, the Pensions Committee, and the Planning and Regulatory Committee. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss several notices of motion and answer questions.

Council - Thursday, 22nd May, 2025 10.00 am

Worcestershire County Council met to elect a new chair and vice-chair, appoint a leader of the council, and discuss political structures and committee appointments. Councillor Louis Stephen was elected as the new Chair of the Council, and Councillor Paul Bennett was appointed as Vice-Chair. The council also agreed to permit hospital overspill parking at County Hall and install more Beryl Bike bays.