Decision details

Notice of Motion 1

 

In a revised Notice of Motion it was moved by County Councillor Charles Edwards and seconded by County Councillor Ged Mirfin that:

 

This Council understands that the removal of the charitable status of private schools and charging VAT on private school fees will be brought forward in the Labour Government’s Autumn Statement.

 

This Council believes this policy threatens the economic viability of Lancashire's 43 Private Schools, including Faith schools and SEND specialist units, and could lead to job losses for thousands of Lancashire residents including teachers and support workers.  

 

The likely impact of this policy is the displacement of hundreds of pupils back into the state sector as a direct consequence of families being unable to afford the massive hike in school fees that would inevitably result. 

 

This policy would not just affect private schools which of course would impact residents but also school place planning with increased pressure on Lancashire County Council, and it would also impact the Independent providers of SEND places, and the increased fees of those providers will inevitably fall on the Council to absorb.  

 

This Council therefore resolves to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Education and Skills and highlight the likely consequences of such a policy in Lancashire and strongly urge that the Government does not implement this measure.

 

On being put to the vote the Motion was CARRIED.

 

It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

This Council understands that the removal of the charitable status of private schools and charging VAT on private school fees will be brought forward in the Labour Government’s Autumn Statement.

 

This Council believes this policy threatens the economic viability of Lancashire's 43 Private Schools, including Faith schools and SEND specialist units, and could lead to job losses for thousands of Lancashire residents including teachers and support workers.  

 

The likely impact of this policy is the displacement of hundreds of pupils back into the state sector as a direct consequence of families being unable to afford the massive hike in school fees that would inevitably result. 

 

This policy would not just affect private schools which of course would impact residents but also school place planning with increased pressure on Lancashire County Council, and it would also impact the Independent providers of SEND places, and the increased fees of those providers will inevitably fall on the Council to absorb.  

 

This Council therefore resolves to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Education and Skills and highlight the likely consequences of such a policy in Lancashire and strongly urge that the Government does not implement this measure. 

 

Notice of Motion 2

 

In a revised Notice of Motion it was moved by County Councillor Matthew Maxwell-Scott and seconded by County Councillor Ron Woollam that:

 

This Council recognises local bank branches provide vital services to local communities, particularly in rural areas and that the disappearance of bank branches from the high street disproportionately affects the vulnerable and older populations and that every step should be taken to maintain these services for local families, communities and businesses.

 

The Council notes that banking hubs developed through Cash Access UK and Link offer an important alternative to traditional high street banks. However, the council is concerned that the rollout of such services is not happening quickly enough. Currently 101 banking hubs across the UK have been announced with 4 in Lancashire but so far only 40 banking hubs have been opened with 1 in Lancashire.

 

Therefore this Council resolves to:

 

(i)  Ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to Cash Access UK and Link to support applications for banking hubs in Lancashire towns where there is an identifiable need and a suitable location has been identified.

(ii)  Ask the Scrutiny Management Board to set up a working group to consider how best to liaise with banking organisations with a view to devising a model plan to accelerate delivery of banking hubs in the worst affected areas in Lancashire.

(iii)  Ask that the report of the working group be presented at Cabinet.

 

On being put to the vote the Motion was CARRIED.

 

It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

This Council recognises local bank branches provide vital services to local communities, particularly in rural areas and that the disappearance of bank branches from the high street disproportionately affects the vulnerable and older populations and that every step should be taken to maintain these services for local families, communities and businesses.

 

The Council notes that banking hubs developed through Cash Access UK and Link offer an important alternative to traditional high street banks. However, the council is concerned that the rollout of such services is not happening quickly enough. Currently 101 banking hubs across the UK have been announced with 4 in Lancashire but so far only 40 banking hubs have been opened with 1 in Lancashire.

 

Therefore this Council resolves to:

 

(i)  Ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to Cash Access UK and Link to support applications for banking hubs in Lancashire towns where there is an identifiable need and a suitable location has been identified.

(ii)  Ask the Scrutiny Management Board to set up a working group to consider how best to liaise with banking organisations with a view to devising a model plan to accelerate delivery of banking hubs in the worst affected areas in Lancashire.

(iii)  Ask that the report of the working group be presented at Cabinet.

 

Notice of Motion 3

 

In a revised Notice of Motion it was moved by County Councillor Sue Whittam and seconded by County Councillor Jeff Couperthwaite that:

 

This Council notes that 1,112 knives were taken off the streets of Lancashire during one week of targeted action in November 2023, and there has been an increase in knife crime across the whole country. In 2023 the Criminal Justice Bill was introduced to give police more powers to tackle knife crime. The Government has also introduced a new law preventing the use of zombie-style knives and machetes. 

  

This Council is aware that legislation alone cannot address the complex challenges of knife crime. A multi-agency approach is needed to remove dangerous knives from our streets and keep residents safe. 

 

This Council therefore resolves: 

 

(i)  To ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary welcoming the new law to ban zombie-style knives and machetes which are known to be used in many gang related crimes.

(ii)  To ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner for confirmation that knife crime will continue to be a priority for the Police as per the previous Commissioner, and that Operation Centurion will continue with stop/search and stop/check as targeting those who carry these deadly weapons is vital in keeping people in Lancashire safe. 

(iii)  To ask the Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee to consider this Council's enforcement activity on the illegal sale of knives including to underage children, and opportunities for further communicating the danger of carrying knives. 

 

On being put to the vote the Motion was CARRIED.

 

It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

This Council notes that 1,112 knives were taken off the streets of Lancashire during one week of targeted action in November 2023, and there has been an increase in knife crime across the whole country. In 2023 the Criminal Justice Bill was introduced to give police more powers to tackle knife crime. The Government has also introduced a new law preventing the use of zombie-style knives and machetes. 

  

This Council is aware that legislation alone cannot address the complex challenges of knife crime. A multi-agency approach is needed to remove dangerous knives from our streets and keep residents safe. 

 

This Council therefore resolves: 

 

(i)  To ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary welcoming the new law to ban zombie-style knives and machetes which are known to be used in many gang related crimes.

(ii)  To ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner for confirmation that knife crime will continue to be a priority for the Police as per the previous Commissioner, and that Operation Centurion will continue with stop/search and stop/check as targeting those who carry these deadly weapons is vital in keeping people in Lancashire safe. 

(iii)  To ask the Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee to consider this Council's enforcement activity on the illegal sale of knives including to underage children, and opportunities for further communicating the danger of carrying knives. 

 

Notice of Motion 4

 

It was moved by County Councillor Ash Sutcliffe and seconded by County Councillor Alan Cullens that:

 

Libraries Week is an annual celebration that highlights the transformative role of libraries and aims to showcase the central role libraries play in communities, emphasising inclusion, sustainability, social mobility, and community cohesion. This year, 'Green Libraries Week' runs from October 7th to 13th, focusing on climate and sustainability.

 

In Lancashire over the past 7 years, library provision has increased from 47 to 64 libraries – each providing a safe warm and welcome place in all of our communities. With over 2.5m visitors, 3.2m books loaned and 26,000 events delivered last year, they are invaluable hubs which should always be protected, and initiatives such as Libraries Week demonstrate just how vital they are in reaching across all sections of society on a range of important issues.

 

This council therefore resolves:

 

(i)  To ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport requesting that additional funding be made available so that we can expand Lancashire's award-winning library provision even further.

(ii)  To continue promoting our libraries as places of sanctuary for refugees, the lonely and the vulnerable.

(iii)  To write to all the Library Friends Groups thanking them for their continued support of our library service.

 

On being put to the vote the Motion was CARRIED.

 

It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Libraries Week is an annual celebration that highlights the transformative role of libraries and aims to showcase the central role libraries play in communities, emphasising inclusion, sustainability, social mobility, and community cohesion. This year, 'Green Libraries Week' runs from October 7th to 13th, focusing on climate and sustainability.

 

In Lancashire over the past 7 years, library provision has increased from 47 to 64 libraries – each providing a safe warm and welcome place in all of our communities. With over 2.5m visitors, 3.2m books loaned and 26,000 events delivered last year, they are invaluable hubs which should always be protected, and initiatives such as Libraries Week demonstrate just how vital they are in reaching across all sections of society on a range of important issues.

 

This council therefore resolves:

 

(i)  To ask the Interim Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport requesting that additional funding be made available so that we can expand Lancashire's award-winning library provision even further.

(ii)  To continue promoting our libraries as places of sanctuary for refugees, the lonely and the vulnerable.

(iii)  To write to all the Library Friends Groups thanking them for their continued support of our library service.