Apologies for absence were received from Councillor George Adamson (Cannock Chase), Lee Barron (TUC Midlands), Jonathan Browning (Coventry & Warwickshire LEP), Councillor Yvonne Davies (Sandwell), Councillor David Hitchiner (Herefordshire), Councillor Abdul Khan (Coventry), Councillor Syeda Khatun (Sandwell), David Lane (Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee), Councillor Sebastian Lowe (Rugby), Councillor Peter Nutting (Shropshire), Councillor Jeremy Oates (Tamworth), Tim Pile (Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP), Stewart Towe (Black Country LEP) and Councillor Lisa Trickett (Overview & Scrutiny Committee).