Mayoral West Midlands Combined Authority consultation begins

A consultation on the Mayoral West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Functions Scheme starts on Monday 4 July at 9:00am and runs until midnight on Sunday 21 August.

Having negotiated and accepted the Devolution Agreement with government, the seven constituent councils and the Combined Authority have approved the creation of a mayoral combined authority. This includes the election of a mayor and the associated Mayoral WMCA Functions Scheme. It is this Functions Scheme that is being consulted on.

The ‘Scheme’ is the legislation that says how the Mayor and the WMCA will make decisions, who will be responsible for what and how the Mayor will work with the WMCA board.

Findings from the consultation will be sent as part of the Mayoral WMCA Functions Scheme to inform the decision making of the Secretary of State (SoS) and Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) before an Order could be laid before Parliament. 

It will give the SoS an understanding of what the public think of the functions and responsibilities of a Mayoral WMCA and how the Scheme meets the SoS’s key tests of whether they promote efficient and effective governance and their impact on local community identity.

The consultation is available on the WMCA website, along with the supporting documents which provide all the background information to help people come to a view on how the WMCA and mayor will work together.

The consultation will also be available in hard copy upon request at libraries and some council public buildings across the region (see the relevant local authority website for more information).

Councillor Bob Sleigh, Chair of the WMCA and Leader of Solihull Council said:

 “We have created the WMCA with the clear purpose of improving the prosperity of the region for its people and businesses. Government has recognised that we can work together effectively, which is why we have been able to negotiate a devolution agreement that brings an extra £36.5 million a year to the region over the next 30 years – resulting in an £8 billion investment package.

“A condition of this first Devolution Agreement was an elected mayor, which we have been able to accept because of the significance of the Agreement to the region’s economy.

“The idea of a mayor for the WMCA area is to provide a strong voice for the region. They would also be an ambassador for the area, selling it on the global stage. They would be the point of contact when the Government want to speak to ‘the West Midlands’ and be responsible for driving the Devolution Agreement within government and the region.

“The detail in the Functions Scheme should demonstrate that we have given much thought to how a Mayoral WMCA will work effectively to deliver the Devolution Agreement.

“I encourage residents, businesses, community groups and partners from across the region to complete the consultation and have their say.”

Trenchside commemoration of the Battle of the Somme

On Friday 1 July, Solihull Council will be holding a commemorative service to mark the centenary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme.  The event will be taking place at 10am at CTC Kingshurst Academy, where they have built a life-size replica of a WWI trench – the only one of its kind in the area.

The Battle of the Somme is seen as representing the brutality and futility of much of the fighting during the war and the first day of the battle was the bloodiest in British military history, with the British Army suffering over 56,000 casualties.

24 men who had lived or studied in Solihull died on the first day; many of them part of the Royal Warwickshire regiment. In total 127 Silhillians died in WWI between July and November 1916 (the duration of the battle).

The event at CTC Kingshurst will see the 24 men remembered, as well as poetry readings from students and a minute’s silence.  There will also be an exhibition on the Royal Warwickshire Regiment featuring genuine battlefield relics and information about local people who served.

The Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Mike Robinson, will lead the service; he said “The Battle of the Somme was one of the most devastating battles in British history. This commemoration event will be a fitting tribute to those who fell from across the country but particularly from Solihull.

“The trench at CTC Kingshurst is a great way to help people understand what the men on the front line experienced.”

Although this event is invite-only, the following day (Saturday 2nd) there is an open day for the public to visit the trench and see the exhibition. There will an opportunity for children to take part in activities including rope climbing, practicing medical dressings and looking out into no man’s land through periscopes.

Appeal for Information on Solihulls war dead

Solihull Council’s heritage team are appealing for information concerning those who died on the first day of the Battle of Somme on 1 July 1916. 24 men who were residents, or went to school in the borough, lost their lives in the bloodiest day in British Military history.

A special exhibition at the Core called ‘Solihull Remembers’ opened on Saturday 25 June and commemorates the men who died and has further information about those died throughout the course of the war.

The men who died in the fighting on the first day are:

John Balkwill
Geoffrey Jermyn Brand
James Burton
John Thomas Churchill
Harold Clifton
Frederick Percy Cooper
Thomas Cooper
William Henry Furse
Robert Quilter Gilson
John Herbert Hockley
Walter Jennings
Horace Birchall Jones
Maurice Nicholl Kennard
Stratford Walter Ludlow
John Palmer Lyndon
Alfred Mutlow
Harry Rudd
Richard James Smith
George Arthur Smitten
Donald George Harding Truman
Leslie Waters
Albert Weale
James Webster
Willingham Franklin Gell Wiseman

Between July and November 1916, 127 men from Solihull died during the course of the Battle of the Somme.

If you have any information on any of the men, please email heritage@solihull.gov.uk.

Changes to mobile library service

Changes to mobile library service

Solihull Council is making changes to its mobile library service.

The mobile library service which is run in partnership with Warwickshire County Council, brings books, audio books and other library services direct to people who cannot access community libraries. The service is free of charge and there are no charges for fines or reservations.

Following a survey with people who use the service, the mobile library will stay longer at the Cheswick Green and Hockley Heath stops.

Four new stops will also be created at St Francis Lodge, Solihull; Chestnut Court, Castle Bromwich; Kingslea Road, Shirley and Farmhouse Way, Monkspath.

The full mobile library timetable can be found at: www.solihull.gov.uk/Portals/0/libraries/Mobile_library_timetable.pdf or for more information call 01926 851 031.

Solihull Local Plan Review – an update

The Local Development Schme is available to view online and contains projected timescales for the review:

Scope, Issues and Options Consultation November 2015 – January 2016

Draft Local Plan Autumn 2016

Publication of Submission Draft Spring 2017

Submission to Secretary of State Summer 2017

Adoption of Local Plan Review Winter 2017

If you have any further queries, please contact the Local Plan Review teamm at psp@solihull.gov.uk

Premises Licence request at Shell Box Trees

An application for a variation to the Premises Licence has been received in respect of Shell Box Trees, Stratford Road, Hockley Heath, B94 6NS. The application is to extend hours for sale of alcohol to 0600-2300hours, remove and add licensing conditions and update plans.

The application can be viewed using this link http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Business/Licences/entertainmentandalcohollicences/entertainmentalcohollicencingrepresentations

Should you wish to make a representation it must relate to the effect of the licence on the promotion of the licensing objectives:-

· Prevention of crime and disorder;

· Public safety;

· Prevention of public nuisance; and

· Protection of children from harm

Any representation must be made in writing by 12th July 2016, to the Licensing Manager, Moat Lane Depot, Solihull, B91 2LW, or by email to licensing@solihull.gov.uk

Mayoral powers to be debated at Solihull Council

A meeting of Solihull Council will be considering a report on the Draft Mayoral Functions Scheme for the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) on Thursday 26 May, 6pm.

The Council will examine the WMCA Governance Review, which details how the Mayor and WMCA will be governed.  The review explains the democratic arrangements which underpin the Draft Mayoral Functions Scheme, which the seven constituent WMCA councils are being asked to approve before a public consultation on the scheme in June and July.

The scheme envisages the Mayor chairing a WMCA board which is made up of the leaders of the seven constituent councils.

An elected Mayor is a condition of this first Devolution Agreement, which will bring £36.5m of extra investment per annum over the next 30 years, alongside devolved powers from Westminster.  These include improving transport connectivity, investment into infrastructure and a regional review of skills provision and employment support to ensure local people can make the most of the job opportunities that will come from this investment.

A Mayor will control the five year transport budget; be responsible for a key route network (integrated transport offer across trains and buses); have finance responsibilities, alongside being able to raise a mayoral precept and a business rate supplement (although these will need LEP and council leaders’ approval).

A WMCA Mayor will have other responsibilities around training for work, the HS2 Growth Strategy and initiatives aimed at driving up productivity and economic growth, although any decisions would require majority approval of the WMCA board and will be subject to local democratic scrutiny.

A consultation regarding the proposals in the Draft Mayoral Function Scheme is required under legislation by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.  This two month consultation is expected to begin at the end of June, with an election for the mayor on 4 May 2017.

Councillor Bob Sleigh, Leader of Solihull Council, said:

“We have worked long and hard across the West Midlands to establish the WMCA. We have shown government we can work together effectively. This is why we have been able negotiate a devolution agreement that brings an extra £36.5 million a year to the region over the next 30 years – altogether an £8 billion investment package.

“As PwC and Grant Thornton recently reported, the WMCA and our devolution agreement with government has ‘provided councils with the ability to go further and faster in exploiting the economic potential of the area’, which meets Solihull’s economic-plus test.

“At every stage of this journey we have carefully considered the benefits to be gained, both for the region and in my case, Solihull.  A condition of this first Devolution Agreement was a Mayor.  Because of the significance of the Agreement to the future prosperity of Solihull and the region, it’s a condition we can accept.  Also, the Mayoral Functions Scheme will see the mayor working with the leaders and not separately or above us.

“To reassure everyone the Mayor will not come with planning powers.  Planning powers will remain with each constituent council and through each council’s Local Plan.  Also a Mayor’s budget will require the WMCA cabinet to approve it. 

“Agreeing to the Mayor and this Devolution Agreement is about new powers coming from Westminster to the region, which I feel should be celebrated and embraced as much as the £8 billion investment into the region has been.

“It is clear from the governance arrangements that a Mayor will have to work with the leaders, and vice-versa.  The partnership approach with the Mayor, leaders, LEPs and non-constituent members working together for the region will be about building a strong voice for the region, a voice that government cannot ignore.

“Devolution gives us powers and opportunity that we would not otherwise get. The Mayoral role, through our work with government, will operate within an already strong local democratic system and therefore I believe we can continue to work with this approach.

Opening of The Core in Solihull – home to the library, arts facilities and key services for residents

Mayor opens The Core, Solihull

The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Michael Robinson, officially opened The Core last Friday, 20 May.

The Mayor was joined by representatives from Arts Council England, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and fellow councillors to celebrate the grand opening of Solihull’s flagship community building.

The £2.3 million refurbishment of The Core (formerly known as the Central Library & Arts Complex) aimed to improve the existing facilities within the building and bring a number of key services for residents together under one roof.

The Core is home to a library, theatre and café bars (Encore and Ovations), Solihull Connect, heritage and courtyard galleries and a Community Advice Hub.

Solihull’s voluntary and community sector is also now based at The Core, bringing organisations such as Age UK Solihull, Citizens Advice Solihull Borough and Relate into one central location.

The Mayor said “It was an honour to open such a fantastic facility in the heart of Solihull.

“The Core is a testament to how Solihull Council is investing in the borough’s libraries, culture and community.

“It is wonderful that our residents will be able to access so many different and important services in one place. I will certainly be a regular visitor!”

Mobile Library – longer stays at the Miller and Carter

Romeo – Kenilworth Mobile Library

K Route

The Library will be available on these Fridays 2016

January  8, 29 February  19 March  11
April 1, 22 May  13 June  3, 24
July  15 August 5, 26 September 16
October  7, 28 November 18 December 9

 

Stop No Location Stop Name Arrive Depart Stay
1 Lapworth 15 Chapel Lane 09:15 09:25 10
2 Lapworth 179 Chapel Lane 09:30 09:40 10
3 Cheswick Green Community Centre 10:00 11:00 1 hour
4 Hockley Heath Miller and Carter Restaurant 11:15 12:00 45
5 Kemps Green Umberslade Hall 13:20 13:40 20
6 Henley Hillfield House 13:50 14:10 20
7 Kenilworth Willow Meer 14:45 15:00 15
8 Kenilworth Adcock Drive 15:00 15:15 15

 

Criminals and the warmer weather

Hockley Heath Parish Council have been asked to warn local residents that the recent good weather has brought a spike in thefts with the rural areas being targeted for car key burglary and theft of vehicle consoles in the last few days.   Although the weather is very relaxing, its important that residents close and secure doors and windows at night and make sure that vehicles are locked.

Please make sure to lock windows when leaving your house and keep your car secure.