Agenda item

1.  It was moved by County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson and seconded by County Councillor Michael Green that:

 

This Council extends its sympathies and condolences to all our residents and families who have lost loved ones in the COVID-19 pandemic. Council commends everyone across the County, including many of our own staff, who have stepped forward during the last twelve months to provide help, assistance and support to all in our community in such difficult times In doing so, this Council supports the efforts of South Ribble resident Rachael Lidgett’s campaign to mark March 23rd as a day of national remembrance of all those who have died as a result of COVID-19. This Council further commits to provide publicity to the ongoing campaign and petition via its normal communications outlets.

 

On being put to the vote, the Motion was CARRIED. It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

This Council extends its sympathies and condolences to all our residents and families who have lost loved ones in the COVID-19 pandemic. Council commends everyone across the County, including many of our own staff, who have stepped forward during the last twelve months to provide help, assistance and support to all in our community in such difficult times In doing so, this Council supports the efforts of South Ribble resident Rachael Lidgett’s campaign to mark March 23rd as a day of national remembrance of all those who have died as a result of COVID-19. This Council further commits to provide publicity to the ongoing campaign and petition via its normal communications outlets.

 

2.  It was moved by County Councillor Julie Gibson and seconded by County Councillor Shaun Turner that:

 

This Council notes that between January and August 2020, there was a 74.05% increase in households in Lancashire applying for Universal Credit (figures from the meeting of the External Scrutiny Committee, 12 January 2021).

 

This Council notes the percentage of unemployment claimants in Lancashire at November 2020 stood at 5.9% (43,430 people) an increase from 5.7% (42,440 people) in October (figures from NOMIS ONS website) and that most of these claimants will have applied for Universal Credit for the first time.

 

This Council recognises the introduction of the £20.00 uplift by the Chancellor which was introduced to help with the worst effects of the pandemic.

 

This Council questions why this vital uplift is to be removed in April when Lancashire, along with many other areas, is still in the middle of one of the worst pandemics.

 

This Council therefore resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, The Right Honourable Therese Coffey MP to:

 

(i)  Highlight the rising cases of Universal Credit applications across Lancashire.

(ii)  Ask her to retain the £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit permanently.

 

The following friendly amendment was proposed by County Councillor Shaun Turner in accordance with Standing Order B42:

 

This Council notes that between January and August 2020, there was a 74.05% increase in households in Lancashire applying for Universal Credit (figures from the meeting of the External Scrutiny Committee, 12 January 2021).

 

This Council notes the percentage of unemployment claimants in Lancashire at November 2020 stood at 5.9% (43,430 people) an increase from 5.7% (42,440 people) in October (figures from NOMIS ONS website) and that most of these claimants will have applied for Universal Credit for the first time.

 

This Council commends the £20.00 uplift in Universal Credit by the Chancellor which was introduced to help with the worst effects of the pandemic.

 

This Council recognises the positive impact this vital uplift has had and will continue to have as we move toward a post pandemic recovery.

 

This Council therefore resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, The Right Honourable Therese Coffey MP to:

 

(i)  Highlight the rising cases of Universal Credit applications across Lancashire.

(ii)  Ask her to retain the £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit permanently.

 

The friendly amendment was accepted by County Councillor Gibson and became the substantive motion.

 

The substantive motion, as amended by County Councillor Turner's friendly amendment, was then put to the vote and was CARRIED. It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

This Council notes that between January and August 2020, there was a 74.05% increase in households in Lancashire applying for Universal Credit (figures from the meeting of the External Scrutiny Committee, 12 January 2021).

 

This Council notes the percentage of unemployment claimants in Lancashire at November 2020 stood at 5.9% (43,430 people) an increase from 5.7% (42,440 people) in October (figures from NOMIS ONS website) and that most of these claimants will have applied for Universal Credit for the first time.

 

This Council commends the £20.00 uplift in Universal Credit by the Chancellor which was introduced to help with the worst effects of the pandemic.

 

This Council recognises the positive impact this vital uplift has had and will continue to have as we move toward a post pandemic recovery.

 

This Council therefore resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, The Right Honourable Therese Coffey MP to:

 

(i)  Highlight the rising cases of Universal Credit applications across Lancashire.

(ii)  Ask her to retain the £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit permanently.

 

3.  It was moved by County Councillor Jayne Rear and seconded by County Councillor Andrew Snowden that:

 

Council is concerned that notwithstanding the countywide 20mph speed limit in residential areas, there is mounting concern amongst residents of increased incidents of speeding traffic.  

 

In addition to the 20mph areas, the county council has introduced other safety features at speeding ‘hotspots’ such as our Community Concern signs, etc. Through the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) we will soon be deploying four Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) Trailers that have been purchased by the county council. These four mobile units along with the two already deployed by the police will give clear messages urging motorists to slow down. This will also give us much better coverage of the road network, with the partnership being able to cover more sites and giving us the capability to show different messages.

 

However, ultimately, the responsibility for controlling speeding traffic rests with the Police and the county council is concerned that more could be done to control this problem. The county council wants to continue to work in partnership, especially given the additional investment we are making, to do everything we can to keep our roads safe.  

 

Council therefore resolves to request the Chief Executive and Director of Resources to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner asking him to seek assurances from the Chief Constable that Lancashire Constabulary is treating the problem of speeding traffic as a priority and to inform the county council what measures he proposes to minimise the risk to the people of Lancashire, including how we can work in partnership to continue to further raise awareness.  

 

The following amendment was proposed by County Councillor Lorraine Beavers and seconded by County Councillor Jean Parr:

 

Council is concerned that notwithstanding the countywide 20mph speed limit in residential areas, there is mounting concern amongst residents of increased incidents of speeding traffic.

 

In addition to the 20mph areas, the county council has introduced other safety features at speeding ‘hotspots’ such as our Community Concern signs, etc. Through the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) we will soon be deploying four Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) Trailers that have been purchased by the county council. These four mobile units along with the two already deployed by the police will give clear messages urging motorists to slow down. This will also give us much better coverage of the road network, with the partnership being able to cover more sites and giving us the capability to show different messages.

 

However, ultimately, the responsibility for controlling speeding traffic rests with the Police and the county council is concerned that more could be done to control this problem. The county council wants to continue to work in partnership, especially given the additional investment we are making, to do everything we can to keep our roads safe.

 

Council therefore resolves:

 

(i)  To request the Chief Executive and Director of Resources to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner asking him to seek assurances from the Chief Constable that Lancashire Constabulary is treating the problem of speeding traffic as a priority and to inform the county council what measures he proposes to minimise the risk to the people of Lancashire, including how we can work in partnership to continue to further raise awareness.

(ii)  That we agree that road safety is a concern and more could be done. But the answer has to be having sufficient resources to deal with this issue and many others and, with that in mind, we request that the Chief Executive and Director of Resources writes to the Home Secretary and demands Lancashire’s fair share of the increase in funding for Policing.

 

Following a brief adjournment, County Councillor Rear accepted the amendment subject to the final section of (ii) being as follows:

 

"……. we request that the Chief Executive and Director of Resources writes to the Home Secretary to request continued investment in Lancashire Policing be made available".

 

County Councillor Beavers indicated her support for the revised wording above which then became the substantive motion.

 

The following amendment was proposed by County Councillor Gina Dowding and seconded by County Councillor Paul Hayhurst:

 

After the second paragraph, insert:

 

Lancashire County Council recognises that a consistent speed limit of 20 mph throughout urban areas, and not just on residential streets, could have many benefits in tackling speeding as it encourages a driver culture of adopting slower and calmer speeds.

 

It agrees therefore to respond positively for the call from Lancaster City Council to pilot an area wide 20mph speed limit in Lancaster which includes the A roads through the centre of the city.

 

The remainder of the motion to remain as drafted.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was LOST.

 

The substantive motion, as amended, was then put to the vote and was CARRIED. It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Council is concerned that notwithstanding the countywide 20mph speed limit in residential areas, there is mounting concern amongst residents of increased incidents of speeding traffic.

 

In addition to the 20mph areas, the county council has introduced other safety features at speeding ‘hotspots’ such as our Community Concern signs, etc. Through the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) we will soon be deploying four Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) Trailers that have been purchased by the county council. These four mobile units along with the two already deployed by the police will give clear messages urging motorists to slow down. This will also give us much better coverage of the road network, with the partnership being able to cover more sites and giving us the capability to show different messages.

 

However, ultimately, the responsibility for controlling speeding traffic rests with the Police and the county council is concerned that more could be done to control this problem. The county council wants to continue to work in partnership, especially given the additional investment we are making, to do everything we can to keep our roads safe.

 

Council therefore resolves:

 

  i.  To request the Chief Executive and Director of Resources to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner asking him to seek assurances from the Chief Constable that Lancashire Constabulary is treating the problem of speeding traffic as a priority and to inform the county council what measures he proposes to minimise the risk to the people of Lancashire, including how we can work in partnership to continue to further raise awareness.

  ii.  That we agree that road safety is a concern and more could be done. But the answer has to be having sufficient resources to deal with this issue and many others and, with that in mind, we request that the Chief Executive and Director of Resources writes to the Home Secretary to request continued investment in Lancashire Policing be made available.

 

 

4.  It was moved by County Councillor David Foxcroft and seconded by County Councillor Ian Brown that:

 

Special Guardianship Orders now make up 13% of the permanency arrangements for children leaving care - greater than adoption at 12%. Special Guardianship Orders, and other less formal arrangements for looking after children who may otherwise be received into care, offer the children concerned opportunities to remain within their extended families or with close family friends.  If you adopt you are entitled to statutory adoption leave which is equivalent to maternity leave. If you become a special guardian then, despite the benefits it has for the children involved, you are entitled to no statutory paid leave. Council believes the council could do more to encourage and support the uptake of Special Guardianship Orders and resolves to:

 

(i)  Request that the Executive Director of Education and Children’s Services advocates nationally for better national standards on leave for parents undertaking Special Guardianship Orders.

(ii)  Request that the Executive Director of Education and Children’s Services, in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services, explores how the council, as employer, might support staff who are considering becoming Special Guardians and to report proposals to the Corporate Parenting Board and thereafter the Employment Committee.

 

On being put to the vote, the Motion was CARRIED. It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Special Guardianship Orders now make up 13% of the permanency arrangements for children leaving care - greater than adoption at 12%. Special Guardianship Orders, and other less formal arrangements for looking after children who may otherwise be received into care, offer the children concerned opportunities to remain within their extended families or with close family friends.  If you adopt you are entitled to statutory adoption leave which is equivalent to maternity leave. If you become a special guardian then, despite the benefits it has for the children involved, you are entitled to no statutory paid leave. Council believes the council could do more to encourage and support the uptake of Special Guardianship Orders and resolves to:

 

(iii)Request that the Executive Director of Education and Children’s Services advocates nationally for better national standards on leave for parents undertaking Special Guardianship Orders.

(iv)Request that the Executive Director of Education and Children’s Services, in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services, explores how the council, as employer, might support staff who are considering becoming Special Guardians and to report proposals to the Corporate Parenting Board and thereafter the Employment Committee.