Agenda item

To consider Notices of Motion Submitted under Standing Order B37

Minutes:

Notice of Motion 1

 

It was moved by County Councillor David O'Toole and seconded by County Councillor John Shedwick that:

 

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is rated outstanding and was awarded the Fire Service of the Year Award in 2023. They have transformed the way they fight fires using aerial intelligence by leading nationally on the use of drones, and since expanded the use of drones in underwater searches. They also lead on canine innovation with the introduction of dogs and handlers in search and rescue operations both at home and worldwide emergencies.

 

In May 2018 this Council supported a Notice of Motion to keep the Fire Authority separate from the control of the then Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Clive Grunshaw, and over the last three years this Council was safe in the knowledge that this was supported by the recent PCC, Andrew Snowden.

 

This Council resolves:

 

(i)  To ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to the current PCC for confirmation that he supports the continuing independence of the Fire and Rescue Authority from the Police.

(ii)  To ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire and all Lancashire MPs to seek their support for our outstanding Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, and their commitment to the service remaining independent from the Police.

 

The following Amendment was proposed by County Councillor Nikki Hennessy and seconded by County Councillor Sean Serridge:

 

To delete the following:

 

"In May 2018 this Council supported a Notice of Motion to keep the Fire Authority separate from the control of the then Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Clive Grunshaw, and over the last three years this Council was safe in the knowledge that this was supported by the recent PCC, Andrew Snowden".

 

And to amend the start of resolution (i) to read:

 

"To ask the Chair of the Lancashire Fire Authority and the Interim Chief Executive to write to the current PCC……"

 

Following a period of debate and on being put to the vote, the Amendment was LOST.

 

There being no further Amendments, the substantive Motion was put to the vote and in accordance with Standing Order B46(6), a recorded vote was taken. The names of the county councillors who voted for or against the Motion and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (73)

 

Aldridge

Cullens

Hurn

Rear

Whittaker

Ali

Cunliffe

Iqbal

Rigby, S

Whittam

Arif

De Molfetta

Kay

Riggott

Williamson

Ashton

Dowding

Khan, H

Salter

Woollam

Bailey

Edwards

Khan, N

Schofield

Yates

Berry

Fillis

Lewis

Serridge

 

Britcliffe

Gardiner

Malik

Shedwick

 

Brown

Gibson

Maxwell-Scott

Singleton

 

Buckley

Gooch

Mein

Smith

 

Burrows

Goulthorp

Mirfin

Snape

 

Cheetham

Green

Morris

Sutcliffe

 

Clarke

Hartley

O'Toole

Swarbrick

 

Clempson

Haythornthwaite

Oakes

Tomlinson

 

Clifford

Hennessy

Parr

Towneley

 

Collinge

Hind

Pattison

Turner

 

Couperthwaite

Hindle

Pope

Vincent

 

Cox

Holgate

Purcell

Westley

 

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

The substantive Motion was CARRIED. It was therefore:

Resolved: - That:

 

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is rated outstanding and was awarded the Fire Service of the Year Award in 2023. They have transformed the way they fight fires using aerial intelligence by leading nationally on the use of drones, and since expanded the use of drones in underwater searches. They also lead on canine innovation with the introduction of dogs and handlers in search and rescue operations both at home and worldwide emergencies.

 

In May 2018 this Council supported a Notice of Motion to keep the Fire Authority separate from the control of the then Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Clive Grunshaw, and over the last three years this Council was safe in the knowledge that this was supported by the recent PCC, Andrew Snowden.

 

This Council resolves:

 

(i)  To ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to the current PCC for confirmation that he supports the continuing independence of the Fire and Rescue Authority from the Police.

(ii)  To ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire and all Lancashire MPs to seek their support for our outstanding Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, and their commitment to the service remaining independent from the Police.

 

Notice of Motion 2

 

It was moved by County Councillor Sue Whittam and seconded by County Councillor Charles Edwards that:

 

Lancashire’s Family Hubs are vital in supporting children, young people and families to succeed in life. Early education in oral hygiene is a core offer at our Family Hubs and good dental hygiene contributes to long-term health, overall wellbeing and plays an important role in childhood development such as early speech and socialisation. The effects of poor dental health continue to contribute to poor health with age and future problems are already signalled through the levels of tooth decay clearly exhibited as infants and young people throughout our communities. In Lancashire, the average number of teeth (1.16) affected by decay per child is significantly worse than the England average (0.80), whilst 27.4% of Lancashire 5-year-olds display obvious, visible dental decay as opposed to the average of 23.7%.

 

This Council resolves to ask the Interim Chief Executive to:

 

(i)  Write to the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing to seek assurance that Lancashire will receive tangible support and secure funding for the ongoing pioneering work of our self-funded Family Hubs.

(ii)  Write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Chief Executive of NHS England to request immediate discussions to extend the scope of the National Contract to increase availability of dental care for Lancashire residents through the inclusion of academic institutions with dental training programmes within our footprint.

(iii)  Write to Chief Executive of NHS England to ask for continued commitment and funding to the 'Smile4life' programme as part of the NHS Dental Recovery Plan.

 

On being put to the vote the Motion was CARRIED.

 

It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Lancashire’s Family Hubs are vital in supporting children, young people and families to succeed in life. Early education in oral hygiene is a core offer at our Family Hubs and good dental hygiene contributes to long-term health, overall wellbeing and plays an important role in childhood development such as early speech and socialisation. The effects of poor dental health continue to contribute to poor health with age and future problems are already signalled through the levels of tooth decay clearly exhibited as infants and young people throughout our communities. In Lancashire, the average number of teeth (1.16) affected by decay per child is significantly worse than the England average (0.80), whilst 27.4% of Lancashire 5-year-olds display obvious, visible dental decay as opposed to the average of 23.7%.

 

This Council resolves to ask the Interim Chief Executive to:

 

(i)  Write to the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing to seek assurance that Lancashire will receive tangible support and secure funding for the ongoing pioneering work of our self-funded Family Hubs.

(ii)  Write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Chief Executive of NHS England to request immediate discussions to extend the scope of the National Contract to increase availability of dental care for Lancashire residents through the inclusion of academic institutions with dental training programmes within our footprint.

(iii)  Write to Chief Executive of NHS England to ask for continued commitment and funding to the 'Smile4life' programme as part of the NHS Dental Recovery Plan.

 

Notice of Motion 3

 

It was moved by County Councillor Mark Clifford and seconded by County Councillor Steve Holgate that:

 

Following the Labour Party's great success in the July 2024 general election, the new Labour Government has announced Britain will become a clean energy superpower by 2030. The devolution deal for Lancashire will also mean the Combined County Authority receiving £20 million in capital funding to support local priorities, including innovation led growth and net zero ambitions across Lancashire.

 

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

 

(i)  Continue to support and promote local community net zero heat and energy partnerships via the Northwest Community Energy Fund on behalf of the Northwest Net Zero Hub and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

(ii)  Prioritise net zero by investing and accelerating our own clean energy production on Council owned land and assets including solar and onshore wind turbines with extra energy production being used to supply local businesses and homes. Example - Central Lancashire Development, etc.

(iii)Urge the Lancashire Combined County Authority to use its new devolution powers in adult education to upskill our workforce ready for the Net zero green job revolution.

 

The following Amendment was proposed by County Councillor Shaun Turner and seconded by County Councillor Ash Sutcliffe:

 

Following the Labour Party's victory in the July 2024 general election, the new Labour Government has announced Britain will become a clean energy superpower by 2030.

 

This Council notes:

 

(i)  The historic Lancashire Devolution transfers new powers and funding to the Lancashire Combined County Authority to support businesses and residents across Lancashire, alongside £20 million of capital funding to invest in local priorities including innovation led growth and net zero ambitions across Lancashire.

(ii)  The Prime Minister's recently announced new mission to put the country on track for at least 95% clean power by 2030, a watering down of his manifesto promise prior to the general election.

 

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

 

(i)  Continue to support and promote local community net zero heat and energy partnerships via the Northwest Community Energy Fund on behalf of the Northwest Net Zero Hub and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

(ii)  Prioritise net zero and continue to implement the findings of the County Council's own 2023 Low Carbon Feasibility Study on Council owned land and assets including solar and onshore wind technologies.

(iii)Request the Interim Chief Executive to write to:

 

·  the Combined County Authority, once formally constituted, to urge it to use its new devolution powers in adult education to continue to prioritise upskilling our workforce ready for the Net Zero green job revolution.

·  the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to seek a further £1.8m allocation for Northwest Net Zero Hub, matching the allocation awarded by the previous Conservative Government.

Following a brief adjournment and period of debate and on being put to the vote, the Amendment was CARRIED. The Amendment therefore became the substantive Motion.

 

There being no further Amendments, the substantive Motion as amended was put to the vote and in accordance with Standing Order B46(6), a recorded vote was taken. The names of the county councillors who voted for or against the Motion and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (47)

 

Ashton

Cullens

Hind

Rigby, S

Turner

Bailey

Cunliffe

Hurn

Riggott

Vincent

Britcliffe

Dowding

Kay

Salter

Westley

Buckley

Edwards

Maxwell-Scott

Schofield

Whittam

Burrows

Gardiner

Mirfin

Shedwick

Williamson

Cheetham

Gooch

Morris

Singleton

Woollam

Clarke

Goulthorp

O'Toole

Smith

Yates

Clempson

Green

Pope

Sutcliffe

 

Couperthwaite

Hartley

Purcell

Swarbrick

 

Cox

Haythornthwaite

Rear

Towneley

 

 

Against (23)

 

Aldridge

De Molfetta

Iqbal

Mein

Snape

Ali

Fillis

Khan, H

Oakes

Tomlinson

Berry

Gibson

Khan, N

Parr

Whittaker

Brown

Hindle

Lewis

Pattison

 

Clifford

Holgate

Malik

Serridge

 

 

Abstain (1)

 

Beavers

 

The substantive Motion was therefore CARRIED and it was:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Following the Labour Party's victory in the July 2024 general election, the new Labour Government has announced Britain will become a clean energy superpower by 2030.

This Council notes:

(i)  The historic Lancashire Devolution transfers new powers and funding to the Lancashire Combined County Authority to support businesses and residents across Lancashire, alongside £20 million of capital funding to invest in local priorities including innovation led growth and net zero ambitions across Lancashire.

(ii)  The Prime Minister's recently announced new mission to put the country on track for at least 95% clean power by 2030, a watering down of his manifesto promise prior to the general election.

 Therefore, this Council resolves to:

(i)  Continue to support and promote local community net zero heat and energy partnerships via the Northwest Community Energy Fund on behalf of the Northwest Net Zero Hub and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

(ii)  Prioritise net zero and continue to implement the findings of the County Council's own 2023 Low Carbon Feasibility Study on Council owned land and assets including solar and onshore wind technologies.

(iii)Request the Interim Chief Executive to write to:

 

·  the Combined County Authority, once formally constituted, to urge it to use its new devolution powers in adult education to continue to prioritise upskilling our workforce ready for the Net Zero green job revolution.

·  the Secretary of State for Energy, Security and Net Zero to seek a further £1.8m allocation for Northwest Net Zero Hub, matching the allocation awarded by the previous Conservative Government.

 

Notice of Motion 4

 

It was moved by County Councillor Ash Sutcliffe and seconded by County Councillor Scott Smith that:

 

Council recognises that the maintenance and repair of infrastructure placed in/under the Highway by the statutory undertakers is necessary to ensure the continuous provision of vital services to Lancashire residents. Council further recognises the hard work of highways officers in holding statutory undertakers to account and applying strict conditions to permits issued by them. However, Council considers that the current level of inconvenience caused to residents by streetworks is far too great, and that an increase in the level of the fixed penalties and charges that Lancashire County Council is able to levy would incentivise statutory undertaker contractors to complete work in a more timely manner and with less disruption for residents. Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Request that the Interim Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Transport, requesting that the level of fixed penalties and section 74 charges that may be levied upon statutory undertaker contractors carrying out work in the highway be increased.

(ii)  Request that the Interim Chief Executive's letter makes clear to the Secretary of State that any increase in section 74 charges and fixed penalties must not be passed on to customers through higher utility bills.

 

The following friendly Amendment was proposed by County Councillor John Fillis in accordance with Standing Order B43:

 

To add Resolution (iii) as follows:

 

"That any funds raised due to increases in section 74 charges and fixed penalties should be used specifically to fix potholes".

 

Following a brief adjournment, the friendly Amendment was accepted by County Councillor Sutcliffe and became the substantive Motion as follows:

 

Council recognises that the maintenance and repair of infrastructure placed in/under the Highway by the statutory undertakers is necessary to ensure the continuous provision of vital services to Lancashire residents. Council further recognises the hard work of highways officers in holding statutory undertakers to account and applying strict conditions to permits issued by them. However, Council considers that the current level of inconvenience caused to residents by streetworks is far too great, and that an increase in the level of the fixed penalties and charges that Lancashire County Council is able to levy would incentivise statutory undertaker contractors to complete work in a more timely manner and with less disruption for residents. Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Request that the Interim Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Transport, requesting that the level of fixed penalties and section 74 charges that may be levied upon statutory undertaker contractors carrying out work in the highway be increased.

(ii)  Request that the Interim Chief Executive's letter makes clear to the Secretary of State that any increase in section 74 charges and fixed penalties must not be passed on to customers through higher utility bills.

(iii)  That any funds raised due to increases in section 74 charges and fixed penalties should be used specifically to fix potholes.

 

The following Amendment was proposed by County Councillor Scott Smith and seconded by County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick:

 

To amend resolution (iii) to read as follows:

 

"That any funds raised due to increases in section 74 charges and fixed penalties should be used specifically to improve our highways and fix potholes"

 

Following a period of debate and on being put to the vote, the Amendment was CARRIED.

 

There being no further Amendments, the substantive Motion was put to the vote and was CARRIED.

 

It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Council recognises that the maintenance and repair of infrastructure placed in/under the Highway by the statutory undertakers is necessary to ensure the continuous provision of vital services to Lancashire residents. Council further recognises the hard work of highways officers in holding statutory undertakers to account and applying strict conditions to permits issued by them. However, Council considers that the current level of inconvenience caused to residents by streetworks is far too great, and that an increase in the level of the fixed penalties and charges that Lancashire County Council is able to levy would incentivise statutory undertaker contractors to complete work in a more timely manner and with less disruption for residents. Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Request that the Interim Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Transport, requesting that the level of fixed penalties and section 74 charges that may be levied upon statutory undertaker contractors carrying out work in the highway be increased.

(ii)  Request that the Interim Chief Executive's letter makes clear to the Secretary of State that any increase in section 74 charges and fixed penalties must not be passed on to customers through higher utility bills.

(iii)  That any funds raised due to increases in section 74 charges and fixed penalties should be used specifically to improve our highways and fix potholes.

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: