The Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on 17 September, and among the topics discussed were updates on walking and cycling schemes, the A46 project, highways maintenance, school keep clear zones, economic development, and the integrated performance report. Councillor Jennifer Warren will write to the leader of the council to ask him to clarify his comments on cycling. The committee also agreed to add monitoring progress on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) to their work programme.

Walking and Cycling Schemes

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers asked Councillor Jennifer Warren, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, for an update on walking and cycling schemes with external funding. Councillor Warren responded that a policy was being developed with officers to revisit all cycling walks and walkways, starting in Weddington. Councillor Chilvers sought confirmation that external funding already received for walking and cycling schemes would not be returned. Councillor Warren stated that no decisions had been made, as she was reviewing everything she was taking on as a portfolio holder.

Councillor Warren clarified that projects were removed from the local transport plan motion for ease, not because she thought they should not be delivered. She also requested the committee's agreement to write to the leader regarding concerning comments about cycling infrastructure, which was approved.

A46 Project

Councillor Lorraine Grocott asked for an update on the long-delayed £57 million A46 project. Councillor Warren stated she was reviewing the A46, forensically visiting figures and planning a site visit. She confirmed it would come to the council, but there was no update for the meeting. She also agreed to engage with the local division member and that she was willing to talk to anybody about it.

It was noted that the item had been moved back to the following cabinet meeting. Councillor Chilvers requested a confidential session to get an update, but this was deemed inappropriate as it was not on the agenda.

Highways Maintenance Contract

The committee received an update on the procurement of the highways maintenance contract 2026. An invitation would be sent to group leaders and their deputies to discuss priorities and frustrations, to feed into the dialogue phase of the procurement.

Delegated Budgets

There had been a lot of work done to improve transparency and management of the delegated budget scheme for members. A version one of a delegated budgets Power BI report¹ had been created, which would be a web link for members showing all the schemes, current spend, when they were logged and the current process stage. The system was planned to be live in October, and feedback would be taken from members.

Skills and Employability

David Ayton-Hill, Director of Transport and Economy, provided an update on skills and employability work. The Connect to Work programme, funded by the Department of Work and Pensions, would receive £8.3 million over five years to support economically inactive individuals with barriers to work. Additionally, the Department of Education provided just under £700,000 for pilot training work, with tenders going out for skills programmes in construction, manufacturing, digital skills, and management and leadership. The adult community learning function had moved to the employability and skills area to better align with business needs.

Transport Strategy and Road Safety

Mr Ayton-Hill reported that phase one of the School Keep Clear project was complete, with improved lining and signing at 72 schools and active enforcement by civil enforcement officers. New pay and display machines were being installed in town centres, starting in Leamington Spa. Lillian Hunter had started as the new head of service for transport delivery.

Councillor Peter Gilbert asked Mr Ayton-Hill if there were enough hackney carriages with wheelchair access available to be costs. Mr Ayton-Hill responded that they transport a huge range of children, and that they try to make all of the buses, minibuses and taxis as accessible as possible. He noted that there are shortages of transport operators with the relevant vehicles in certain places, which puts pressure on the system and limits competition.

Councillor Peter Gilbert asked Mr Ayton-Hill about a school in his division called Rugby High School, and that they've got incorrect timings on their signage and he couldn't get it updated because of the scheme. Mr Ayton-Hill responded that as they look at tranche two, local councillors can request priorities for schools in their area.

Councillor Dale Bridgewater asked how many enforcement officers there were, and if the general public could take photos and send them in. Mr Ayton-Hill responded that there were 35 or 36 civil enforcement officers, and that they allocate them out and they have targeted periods and patrols to go out and do that to cover all those schools and other locations. He noted that individuals can take photos and send them to the police through Operation Snap.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers asked about the overspend of up to £51.7 million on home to school transport. Mr Ayton-Hill responded that there was no magic bullet, and that it's lots of smaller incremental changes they're making that they're trying to drive down those costs. He noted that using their own resources and operating their own fleet was a particular area where they can deliver some reasonable savings on particular routes.

Councillor Senthil Karadiar spoke about Boughton Leigh Infant School, where the people took away all the signs and everything, resurfaced it, and then forgot to put the zigzag lines. He noted that when they put the zigzag line back on track, they haven't put the double yellows which is edging on to the zigzag line. Mr Ayton-Hill apologised if the communications have not been as effective as they should have been.

Councillor Chris Morris stated that the enforcement is clearly not a deterrent, and asked what can be done to make the deterrent bigger. He also asked about the CBS Arena, and that there were at least 100 cars that were parked illegally. Mr Ayton-Hill responded that it's an active programme they're working with NSL on, and they've extended the coverage out to those additional streets.

Councillor Lorraine Grocott thanked the director of highways for his support with the Birmingham Road road improvement scheme.

Councillor Senthil Karadiar stated that the school designs which we have at the moment is expecting parents to bring the children by walking to the school, and asked if there was anything to do with the infrastructure itself that we can change to facilitate the modern world.

Community Safety

Mr Ayton-Hill reported that Warwickshire had seen a number of protests over the summer, and the community safety team had been working with the police, communities, and local councils to ensure the protests were run safely.

Economic Development Update

Isobel Woods, Head of Economy and Skills, presented an update on economic development, referencing the Warwickshire Economic Growth Strategy, 2024 – 2034 and its Delivery Plan 2024 – 2026. The unemployment rate remained flat at 2.8%, below the UK and West Midlands averages. The county continued to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), exceeding other areas in the UK.

Ms Woods highlighted the strong performance in the first quarter, with 278 businesses receiving support, £1 million in loans issued, and 52 new jobs created. The Business Energy Advice Service continued for another year, funded by a £1.5 million grant. The Rural England Prosperity Fund was launched, offering £200,000 in capital grants for rural businesses in North Warwickshire and Stratford district.

Ms Woods noted challenges in the automotive sector, with recent announcements from Geely, Lotus, and Polestar moving operations out of the UK. The council was working with national government and offering redundancy support, including job fairs and recruitment events. The interactive futures event took place in June, and the Tour of Britain was successful in profiling Warwickshire to a global stage.

Quarter 1 Integrated Performance Report 2025/26

Mark Ryder, Executive Director for Communities, introduced the Quarter 1 Integrated Performance Report 2025/26, highlighting key successes and areas needing attention. Councillor Jonathan Chilvers asked about the delayed projects related to climate change, and Councillor Jonathan Chilvers asked if the Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) for adoption in 2024/25 had been formally signed off and agreed. David Ayton-Hill responded that they were still in the process of being drafted.

Councillor Luke Cooper raised concerns about fly-tipping and the accessibility of household waste recycling centres. Councillor Darren Cheshire responded that fly tipping was brought up at the last waste partnership meeting and it's something that they want to address.

The committee agreed to add monitoring progress on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) to their work programme.