Agenda item

Motions

For debate and decision on the day, unless the Chairman decides otherwise.

The following motion was submitted to the last meeting on 26 February 2014 but was deferred to this meeting at the request of the proposer and seconder.

Motion 701 - Female Genital Mutilation

This Council notes that the number of women and girls living with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the UK is more likely to be around 170,000 -almost three times the existing official figures – and that 65,000 girls aged 13 and under are at risk of mutilation in this country.

This Council is aware that in spite of the UK law in 1985 banning what was then termed ‘female circumcision’ there has not been a single successful prosecution in the country.

This Council is concerned that this abusive practice is being carried out in areas within our own county and that more needs to be done to raise awareness, investigate concerns and secure prosecutions.

This Council recognises the importance of a multi-agency approach that primarily involves education, health and local authorities, the police and the CPS in appropriately coming together to share data and raise awareness.

This Council welcomes the decision that doctors and nurses in the UK are now to be told to log details of injuries suffered by victims of FGM. It has been reported that by September, all acute hospitals will have to reportthis data to the Department of Health, on a monthly basis.

This Council requests for these figures to be monitored and evaluated also by the Health and Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee in order to see how big a problem these crimes really are in Gloucestershire and for this particular committee to determine what steps are being taken to stop the practice from happening to children in Gloucestershire.

Proposed by Cllr Colin Hay

Seconded by Cllr Sarah Lunnon

The following motions had been received by the deadline of 10am on Monday, 10 March 2014:

Motion 702 – Concessionary bus passes

The County Council has recently renegotiated a concessionary fares agreement with Stagecoach. However, it still remains the case that older people and people with disabilities will not be able to use their bus passes before 9.30 in the morning, causing considerable inconvenience to those who use their bus passes to attend medical appointments, work and training.

This Council recognises the significant inconvenience the 9.30 rule causes older people and people with disabilities living in Gloucestershire’s rural and suburban areas. This Council mandates the Cabinet Member responsible to review the 9.30 rule and to renegotiate with Gloucestershire’s bus service providers to allow older people and people with disabilities to use their bus passes from 8.30 onwards.

Proposed by Cllr Lesley Williams

Seconded by Cllr Tracy Millard

Motion 703 – Member questions

This Council notes the increasing number of questions submitted to Council and Cabinet meetings. There have been close to 100 questions submitted to the last two Council meetings alone.

The impact on the work of Cabinet Members and senior officers who prepare responses is of serious concern when they should be working on behalf of council taxpayers to deliver quality services to the residents of Gloucestershire.

The Constitution Committee should therefore be asked to consider making a recommendation to the Council that the current rules relating to member questions be amended to ensure that a question is only answered at Council or Cabinet if a member has previously submitted it in writing to the relevant Cabinet Member and, in the opinion of the member, a satisfactory response has not been received within 10 working days.

Proposed by Cllr Colin Guyton

Seconded by Cllr Alan Preest

Motion 704 – Hunting Act

The Hunting Act is the UK’s most successful piece of wild animal legislation, with an average of one prosecution a week. However, this Council is troubled that this landmark piece of animal welfare legislation is now under real threat following confirmation from the Prime Minister that the Government is seeking to amend the law to allow the hunting of wild animals with dogs.

This Council opposes Coalition Government plans to amend the Hunting Act in order to legalise hunting of wild animals with dogs again in England and Wales.

This Council therefore asks the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State urging him not to amend the Hunting Act and not to relax the law regarding hunting with dogs in any way that would legalise the killing of wild animals in Gloucestershire.

Proposed by Cllr Lesley Williams

Seconded by TBC

Motion 705 – The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

This Council recognises the valuable contribution that LGBT people make to Gloucestershire and we welcome the annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on 17 May 2014.

While attitudes towards LGBT have improved in our society, this Council recognises Homophobia and Transphobia remains a problem especially in schools and in sport. Internationally, this Council also recognises that in many parts of the world LGBT people are being persecuted and face violence because of their sexuality.

This Council is proud to be an LGBT friendly employer and we support the district council partners, the police, the NHS and voluntary organisations who will mark this day with events, campaigns and statements of support.

To raise awareness about the harm of Homophobia and Transphobia in our society, this council resolves to raise the rainbow flag over Shire Hall on 17 May to reaffirm that Homophobia and Transphobia are unacceptable wherever they occur, whether in the UK or around the world. This Council also takes this opportunity to express its support for Gloucestershire Pride that will be held on Saturday, 14 June 2014.

Proposed by Cllr Lesley Williams

Seconded by Cllr Barry Kirby

Motion 706 – Regionalisation of Emergency Services

This Council notes that the national Labour Party is once again proposing regionalisation of emergency services. This Council notes that the failed regional fire control scheme cost taxpayers over £500,000,000 and that regionalisation of Gloucestershire's ambulance service has led to significant concerns about its performance. This Council notes that Labour's current plans would undermine policing in Gloucestershire and calls on all political parties to abandon plans for top-down regionalisation.

Proposed by Cllr Mark Hawthorne

Seconded by TBC

Motion 707 – EU funding for flood recovery

This Council is aware of the damage caused to farms and businesses during the recent floods costing small businesses in Gloucestershire, Somerset and other ‘flood- hit’ areas £830 million.

This Council notes that after the widespread flooding in 2007, Britain received £127 million from the EU’s Solidarity Fund.

This Council supports those MEPs who are calling to secure help from the Solidarity Fund to alleviate the damage done during the recent floods in the South West of England.

This Council also knows that last month (February 2014) Gloucestershire’s economic partnership GFIRST LEP applied for an additional £35.7million worth of EU funding to help support local businesses and jobs.

This Council recognises that such funding is one of the many benefits of being members of the European Union.

This Council believes that the UK’s exit from the EU would adversely affect the farming industry and businesses operating in Gloucestershire.

This Council therefore requests for the Chief Executive to write to the MEPs in the South West supporting calls for extra funding to assist in the recovery to the recent floods from the EU Solidarity fund.

Proposed by Cllr Jeremy Hilton
Seconded by Cllr Bernard Fisher

Minutes:

Motion 701 - Female Genital Mutilation

Cllr Colin Hay proposed and Cllr Sarah Lunnon seconded the following motion:

This Council notes that the number of women and girls living with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the UK is more likely to be around 170,000 -almost three times the existing official figures – and that 65,000 girls aged 13 and under are at risk of mutilation in this country.

This Council is aware that in spite of the UK law in 1985 banning what was then termed ‘female circumcision’ there has not been a single successful prosecution in the country.

This Council welcomes the decision that doctors and nurses in the UK are now to be told to log details of injuries suffered by victims of FGM. It has been reported that by September, all acute hospitals will have to report this data to the Department of Health, on a monthly basis.

This Council requests for these figures to be monitored and evaluated also by the Health and Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee in order to see how big a problem these crimes really are in Gloucestershire and for the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee to determine what steps are being taken to stop the practice from happening to children in Gloucestershire.

Members paid tribute to the young woman in Bristol for her bravery in coming forward to highlight the practice of FGM and its devastating impact on those affected. FGM was recognised as child abuse and it was important that awareness of the practice was raised in local communities and amongst education, health and social care professionals. The education system provided a safe environment for young people to talk about their experiences and it was hoped that they could be encouraged to come forward.

It was noted that the Council was already working with the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children’s Board to raise awareness of the issue. Frontline staff were receiving training on how to recognise potential cases of FGM and support was also available from the voluntary sector. However, the opportunity to review the current arrangements and monitor progress was welcomed.

On being put to the vote, the motion received unanimous support.

RESOLVED that

This Council is aware that in spite of the UK law in 1985 banning what was then termed ‘female circumcision’ there has not been a single successful prosecution in the country.

This Council welcomes the decision that doctors and nurses in the UK are now to be told to log details of injuries suffered by victims of FGM. It has been reported that by September, all acute hospitals will have to report this data to the Department of Health, on a monthly basis.

This Council requests for these figures to be monitored and evaluated also by the Health and Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee in order to see how big a problem these crimes really are in Gloucestershire and for the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee to determine what steps are being taken to stop the practice from happening to children in Gloucestershire.

Motion 702 – Concessionary bus passes

Cllr Lesley Williams proposed and Cllr Tracy Millard seconded the following motion:

This Council recognises the significant inconvenience the 9.30 rule causes older people and people with disabilities living in Gloucestershire’s rural and suburban areas. This Council requests the Cabinet Member responsible to review the 9.30 rule and to talk with Gloucestershire’s bus service providers and the County Council’s health partners to explore the implications of allowing older people and people with disabilities to use their bus passes from 8.30 onwards.

In moving the motion, Cllr Lesley Williams stated that she was proud of the scheme which provided free bus travel for older people and people with disabilities. She was concerned, however, that the 9.30 start time was discriminating against some people and was having a serious impact on their lives. She recognised that there would be a cost to extending the scheme but she felt that the matter needed to be addressed. Cllr Tracy Millard referred to the people who needed to travel before 9.30 to reach day centres and educational establishments. She was also concerned that vulnerable people were simply being turned away from buses without any explanation. This might mean that they lost their confidence and were less inclined to use their bus passes.

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive proposed and Cllr Mark Hawthorne seconded the following amendment to the motion (see shaded text):

This Council notes that Government funding only refunds the Council for concessionary fares after 9.30, and that this rule was introduced by the previous Government. This Council further notes that, despite this, Gloucestershire County Council already spends over £100,000 each year in subsidising earlier use of concessionary passes and that, extending this to cover all pre 9.30 bus services could give rise to very significant costs, running into millions of pounds over the life of the contract.

This Council recognises the significant inconvenience the 9.30 rule causes older people and people with disabilities living in Gloucestershire’s rural and suburban areas. This Council requests the Cabinet Member responsible to review the 9.30 rule and to talk with Gloucestershire’s bus service providers and the County Council’s health partners to explore the implications of allowing older people and people with disabilities to use their bus passes from 8.30 onwards.

Cllr Will Windsor Clive and Cllr Mark Hawthorne stated that they were happy to look at the issues. They noted that the concessionary fares scheme had been underfunded from the outset, and there would be significant costs associated with an earlier start time for all services. Running one extra bus could cost as much as £130,000. They suggested that the Cabinet Member take the issue forward with ‘Shadows’ and any interested members from other groups. This would provide an opportunity to look at those bus routes where there might be some additional capacity and to look specifically at the needs of disabled people. The Council budget had recently been agreed and any changes would have to be found from the funds already allocated for concessionary fares.

Other members believed that a wider review was required and questioned the need for any time limits to be applied to the scheme. They noted that many older people and people with disabilities needed to start their journeys before 8.30 each day. A member called on health service providers to take account of the concessionary fares scheme in setting times for appointments.

On being put to the vote, the amendment and substantive motion received unanimous support.

RESOLVED that

This Council recognises the significant inconvenience the 9.30 rule causes older people and people with disabilities living in Gloucestershire’s rural and suburban areas. This Council requests the Cabinet Member responsible to review the 9.30 rule and to talk with Gloucestershire’s bus service providers and the County Council’s health partners to explore the implications of allowing older people and people with disabilities to use their bus passes from 8.30 onwards.

Motion 703 – Member questions

Cllr Colin Guyton proposed and Cllr Alan Preest seconded the following motion:

This Council notes the increasing number of questions submitted to Council and Cabinet meetings. There have been close to 100 questions submitted to the last two Council meetings alone.

In moving the motion, Cllr Colin Guyton stated that so many questions were now being submitted to meetings that there was not always enough time available for members to ask supplementary questions. He also expressed concern at the resource implications with officers spending a great deal of time drafting responses. He believed that the overhead cost might amount to as much as £1.5 million each year.

In seconding the motion, Cllr Alan Preest said that members could ask Cabinet Members and officers questions outside Council and Cabinet meetings and, in his experience, information was provided quickly. If less time was taken up on questions at meetings then more time could be allowed for other items of business.

A number of members spoke strongly against the motion. They believed that asking questions at Council and Cabinet meetings was a fundamental principle of democracy. The Cabinet Member could be asked a question in public and the answer included in the minutes as part of the public record. It was important that members were able to raise the concerns of their constituents in a formal meeting such as Council or Cabinet. Democracy should not only be done but was also seen to be done. Introducing a scheme that required members to ask their questions beforehand would increase the workload of officers and result in an added layer of bureaucracy.

Other members spoke in support of the motion. They noted that there were ample opportunities to speak to Cabinet Members and officers outside meetings. They believed that some of the questions were frivolous and they called for members to exercise restraint.

RESOLVED that

This Council notes the increasing number of questions submitted to Council and Cabinet meetings. There have been close to 100 questions submitted to the last two Council meetings alone.

A motion for a recorded vote had been proposed and seconded. The voting was as follows:

For (25) – Phil Awford, Dorcas Binns, Rob Bird, Tony Blackburn, Jason Bullingham, Andrew Gravells, Colin Guyton, Tim Harman, Mark Hawthorne, Tony Hicks, Richard Leppington, Paul McLain, Patrick Molyneux, Nigel Moor, Shaun Parsons, Alan Preest, Vernon Smith, Lynden Stowe, Ray Theodoulou, Brian Tipper, Pam Tracey, Robert Vines, Stan Waddington, Roger Wilson and Will Windsor-Clive.

Against (25) – David Brown, Chris Coleman, Dr John Cordwell, Iain Dobie, Bernard Fisher, Jasminder Gill, Joe Harris, Colin Hay, Jeremy Hilton, Paul Hodgkinson, Barry Kirby, Sarah Lunnon, Steve Lydon, Paul McMahon, Tracy Millard, Graham Morgan, Brian Oosthuysen, David Prince, Nigel Robbins, Norman Stephens, Klara Sudbury, Mike Sztymiak, Simon Wheeler, Lesley Williams and Suzanne Williams.

The motion was carried on the Chairman’s casting vote.

Motion 704 – Hunting Act

Cllr Lesley Williams proposed and Cllr Klara Sudbury seconded the following motion:

This Council opposes the Prime Minister’s plans to amend the Hunting Act in order to legalise hunting of wild animals with dogs again in England and Wales.

In moving the motion, Cllr Lesley Williams expressed serious concern at the Prime Minister’s plans to amend the Hunting Act to legalise hunting with dogs again in England and Wales. This would allow a pack of dogs rather than the two dogs presently permitted to flush out foxes. She believed that there was no place for fox hunting in a modern civilised society. She said that it was inhumane, cruel and ineffective.

In seconding the motion, Cllr Klara Sudbury believed that fox hunting was cruel and the Prime Minister was trying to appease the pro-hunt minority. She stated that amending a clause within the Hunting Act was a devious way of reintroducing fox hunting without going through a proper democratic process.

Some members spoke strongly against the motion. They stated that the minor amendment to the Act suggested was simply to allow farmers to control foxes which were killing lambs in large numbers. This was a particular issue for Welsh hill farmers and experiences in Scotland had shown that using packs of dogs was far more effective and humane than using just the two dogs permitted under the current legislation. If farmers were not able to control foxes then their farms would no longer be viable and there would be a serious knock-on effect on the management of the countryside. They stressed that the change was in no way related to fox hunting with horses. People should be careful not to confuse the popular image of ‘men in red coats on horses’ with the control of foxes with dogs.

Other members spoke strongly in support of the motion. They believed that it was not about the control of foxes with dogs but about opening the door again to the sport of fox hunting. They said that killing any wild animal for sport was abhorrent and should not be tolerated in modern society.

On being put to the vote, the motion was not supported.

A motion for a recorded vote had been proposed and seconded. The voting was as follows:

For (23) – David Brown, Chris Coleman, Dr John Cordwell, Iain Dobie, Bernard Fisher, Jasminder Gill, Joe Harris, Colin Hay, Jeremy Hilton, Paul Hodgkinson, Barry Kirby, Sarah Lunnon, Steve Lydon, Paul McMahon, Tracy Millard, Graham Morgan, Brian Oosthuysen, Nigel Robbins, Klara Sudbury, Mike Sztymiak, Simon Wheeler, Lesley Williams and Suzanne Williams.

Against (23) – Phil Awford, Dorcas Binns, Rob Bird, Tony Blackburn, Jason Bullingham, Andrew Gravells, Tim Harman, Mark Hawthorne, Tony Hicks, Paul McLain, Patrick Molyneux, Nigel Moor, Shaun Parsons, David Prince, Vernon Smith, Norman Stephens, Lynden Stowe, Ray Theodoulou, Brian Tipper, Robert Vines, Stan Waddington, Roger Wilson and Will Windsor-Clive.

Abstentions (3) - Colin Guyton, Richard Leppington and Alan Preest.

The motion was defeated on the Chairman’s casting vote.

Motion 705 – The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Cllr Lesley Williams proposed and Cllr Barry Kirby seconded the following motion:

This Council recognises the valuable contribution that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT) people make to Gloucestershire and we welcome the annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on 17 May 2014.

To raise awareness about the harm of Homophobia and Transphobia in our society, this Council resolves to raise the Rainbow flag over Shire Hall on 17 May to reaffirm that Homophobia and Transphobia are unacceptable wherever they occur, whether in the UK or around the world. This Council also takes this opportunity to express its support for Gloucestershire Pride that will be held on Saturday, 14 June 2014.

Members across the chamber spoke strongly in support of the motion. They were proud that the Council was an LGBT friendly employer that supported events in the local community. Action was being taken in schools through anti-bullying initiatives and on-line training to raise awareness of LGBT issues would form part of equality and diversity training for staff. The Council always supported the Gloucestershire Pride March and flew the Rainbow flag at Shire Hall.

It was recognised, however, that LGBT people were being persecuted in other parts of the World and more could be done to prevent discrimination in the UK. Although it was a significant move to allow same sex marriages, some political parties in the UK openly opposed such positive steps. It was particularly important to provide support for young people who were coming to terms with their sexuality. It was hoped that the district councils in Gloucestershire would join the County Council in supporting the LGBT community.

On being put to the vote, the motion received unanimous support.

RESOLVED that

Motion 706 – Regionalisation of Emergency Services

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive proposed and Cllr Jeremy Hilton seconded the following motion:

In moving the motion, Cllr Will Windsor-Clive noted how effective and cost efficient the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was in comparison to other areas. He believed that council taxpayers should receive the service that they were paying for locally and that top down regionalisation of the emergency services should be avoided. He noted the difficulties being experienced with ambulance response times following the reorganisation of the service to one covering the whole of the South West. He also referred to the importance of retaining policing at a local level.

In seconding the motion, Cllr Jeremy Hilton said that it was about collaboration not about reorganising services at a regional level. He referred to the difficulties being experienced by the ambulance service and the failure of the last Government’s plans to regionalise fire control.

A member spoke strongly against the motion. He said that there was nothing wrong with the Labour Party proposing a ‘zero based’ review of administrative structures to ensure that services were being provided in the most effective way. He stressed that no decisions had been taken on preferred structures for the future and all options remained open. He noted that a study undertaken in 2010 under the Coalition Government had identified potential savings by joining up some specialist services.

RESOLVED that thisCouncil notes that the national Labour Party is once again proposing regionalisation of emergency services. This Council notes that the failed regional fire control scheme cost taxpayers over £500,000,000 and that regionalisation of Gloucestershire's ambulance service has led to significant concerns about its performance. This Council notes that Labour's current plans would undermine policing in Gloucestershire and calls on all political parties to abandon plans for top-down regionalisation.

A motion for a recorded vote had been proposed and seconded. The voting was as follows:

For (42) – Phil Awford, Dorcas Binns, Rob Bird, Tony Blackburn, David Brown, Jason Bullingham, Chris Coleman, Dr John Cordwell, Iain Dobie, Bernard Fisher, Andrew Gravells, Colin Guyton, Tim Harman, Joe Harris, Mark Hawthorne, Colin Hay, Tony Hicks, Jeremy Hilton, Paul Hodgkinson, Richard Leppington, Sarah Lunnon, Paul McLain, Patrick Molyneux, Nigel Moor, Shaun Parsons, Alan Preest, David Prince, Vernon Smith, Norman Stephens, Lynden Stowe, Klara Sudbury, Mike Sztymiak, Ray Theodoulou, Brian Tipper, Pam Tracey, Robert Vines, Stan Waddington, Simon Wheeler, Kathy Williams, Suzanne Williams, Roger Wilson and Will Windsor-Clive.

Against (8) – Jasminder Gill, Barry Kirby, Steve Lydon, Paul McMahon, Tracy Millard, Graham Morgan, Brian Oosthuysen and Lesley Williams.

Abstention (1) – Nigel Robbins

Motion 707 – EU funding for flood recovery

Cllr Jeremy Hilton proposed and Cllr Bernard Fisher seconded the following motion:

This Council is aware of the damage caused to farms and businesses during the recent floods costing small businesses in Gloucestershire, Somerset and other ‘flood- hit’ areas £830 million.

This Council notes that after the widespread flooding in 2007, Britain received £127 million from the EU’s Solidarity Fund.

This Council supports those MEPs who are calling to secure help from the EU Solidarity Fund and the UK Government to alleviate the damage done during the recent floods in the South West of England.

This Council also knows that last month (February 2014) Gloucestershire’s economic partnership GFirst LEP applied for an additional £35.7million worth of EU funding to help support local businesses and jobs.

This Council recognises that such funding is one of the many benefits of being members of the European Union.

This Council believes that the UK’s exit from the EU would adversely affect the farming industry and businesses operating in Gloucestershire.

This Council therefore requests for the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and MEPs in the South West supporting calls for extra funding to assist in the recovery to the recent floods from the EU Solidarity fund and the UK Government.

In moving the motion, Cllr Jeremy Hilton noted the benefits of being in Europe and seeking funds from the EU and the UK Government to protect homes and businesses from flooding in Gloucestershire. He understood that it was the Treasury that had to make an application for EU funds and he called upon the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne proposed and Cllr Vernon Smith seconded the following amendment (see scored through and shaded text):

This Council notes the letter from Liberal Democrat Flood Minister Dan Rogerson MP to Julie Girling MEP, in which he revealed his decision not to apply for flood funding.

This Council recognises that such funding is one of the many benefits of being members of the European Union.

This Council believes that the UK’s exit from the EU would adversely affect the farming industry and businesses operating in Gloucestershire.

This Council therefore requests for the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and MEPs in the South West supporting calls for extra funding to assist in the recovery to the recent floods from the EU Solidarity fund and the UK Government.

This Council therefore requests the Chief Executive to write to Dan Rogerson MP, Minister for Flooding, calling on him to ensure that sufficient funding is available to meet all the costs resulting from the recent flooding in Gloucestershire, whether from the EU Solidarity Fund, or through other routes.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton indicated that he was not prepared to accept the amendment and called for his original motion to be withdrawn. On being put to vote, the Council did not support the motion being withdrawn.

The amendment was supported and it was

RESOLVEDthat

This Council notes the letter from Liberal Democrat Flood Minister Dan Rogerson MP to Julie Girling MEP, in which he revealed his decision not to apply for flood funding.

This Council therefore requests the Chief Executive to write to Dan Rogerson MP, Minister for Flooding, calling on him to ensure that sufficient funding is available to meet all the costs resulting from the recent flooding in Gloucestershire, whether from the EU Solidarity Fund, or through other routes.