Agenda

To receive any apologies for absence.

Members to declare any interests in matters to be discussed at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 26 July 2022 as a correct record.

To consider any urgent business (with prior approval by the Mayor).

To receive announcements from the Mayor.

To receive petitions under Standing Order No. 5.

To consider written questions under Standing Order No. 6 to:-

(a)     the Mayor;

(b)     the Leader of the Council;

(c)     any other member of the Cabinet;

(d)     any person appointed to preside at a committee, sub-committee or panel;

(e)     the members of the Council nominated pursuant to Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985, on the discharge of the functions of the following Joint Authorities:-

(i)            West Midlands Combined Authority (the Leader);

(ii)           West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority (Councillor

Jalil);

(iii)         Transport for the West Midlands (Councillor

Webb);

(f)      a nominated member appointed by the Council to the Board of Sandwell Leisure Trust;

(g)     a member of the Council who is, as a result of action taken by or on behalf of the Council, a member or director of any company.

To consider proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution.    

To approve changes as part of the Scrutiny Review.

To consider the revised political balance and appointments to committees.

To receive the annual report of Scrutiny Boards for 2021-2022.

To receive the annual report of the Audit and Risk Committee 2021- 2022.

To receive updates from the Council’s lead representatives on:-

(a) West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority;

(b) Transport for the West Midlands;

(c) West Midlands Police and Crime Panel;

(d) West Midlands Combined Authority.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 20 July, 17 August and 28 September 2022 and consider the recommendation arising:-

(a)     Proposal to Declare the Whole of Sandwell as a Smoke Control Area.

To receive the minutes of the Budget and Corporate Scrutiny Management Board held on 28 July, 8 August, 22 September and 13 October 2022.

To receive the minutes of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee held on 21 July 2022.

To consider the following motions received under Standing Order No. 7:-

17(a)NHS

         Proposer:  Councillor Padda

         Seconder: Councillor Webb

         This council notes:

1.    The vital role played by NHS staff and other essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK.

2.    The demands by the Royal College of Nursing for urgent action by governments across the UK to tackle the issues of nursing shortages and fair pay for nursing staff.

3.    A recent survey of 150 hospital chief executives, by NHS Providers, revealed 27 per cent have set up food banks to support staff 

4.    Only 56% of new people joining the UK nursing register in 2021 were educated and trained in the UK, exposing a longstanding over-reliance on international recruitment potentially at a cost to other countries needing to retain their workforce. Giving nurses a fair pay rise would be cheaper than recruiting new nurses from abroad as nursing staff seek opportunities elsewhere. 

This Council calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care urging them  to take action to deal with the issue of low pay amongst nursing and other NHS staff by agreeing to a pay increase in line with inflation in order to prevent the drift away from nursing, and avoid having to recruit from abroad or using agency staff to fill vacancies.

17(b)Road Closures for Coronation

         Proposer: Councillor W Gill

         Seconder: Councillor Dunn

That this Council recognises the historical significance of the coronation of HRH King Charles III which is planned for May 6^th, 2023, and therefore resolves to invite the executive to consider waiving the fees for temporary road closures over this weekend to allow the residents of Sandwell to come together to celebrate.

To receive the recommendations of the Chief Officers Terms and Conditions Committee.