Minutes:
1. In a revised Notice of Motion, it was moved by County Councillor Julie Gibson and seconded by County Councillor Michael Green that:
This Council notes:
That figures from the Health and Safety Executive 2022/2023 show that the number of construction workers who committed suicide in 2022 was recorded as 507, almost 10 a week.
That this situation could be improved by the introduction of a scored component concerning mental health, on all construction tenders.
This Council resolves to refer this issue to the Scrutiny Management Board for further consideration.
On being put to the vote the Motion was CARRIED.
It was therefore:
Resolved: - That:
This Council notes:
That figures from the Health and Safety Executive 2022/2023 show that the number of construction workers who committed suicide in 2022 was recorded as 507, almost 10 a week.
That this situation could be improved by the introduction of a scored component concerning mental health, on all construction tenders.
This Council resolves to refer this issue to the Scrutiny Management Board for further consideration.
2. It was moved by County Councillor Jeff Couperthwaite and seconded by County Councillor Charles Edwards that:
The biggest group of volunteers in Lancashire are our hardworking school governors who freely give of their time to support our schools across the county.
This council asks the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to introduce a 'Governor Recognition' scheme for our schools so that they can nominate governors to be recognised for their service and support not only to our schools but for all children and young people in Lancashire.
On being put to the vote the Motion was CARRIED.
It was therefore:
Resolved: - That:
The biggest group of volunteers in Lancashire are our hardworking school governors who freely give of their time to support our schools across the county.
This council asks the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to introduce a 'Governor Recognition' scheme for our schools so that they can nominate governors to be recognised for their service and support not only to our schools but for all children and young people in Lancashire.
3. It was moved by County Councillor Ged Mirfin and seconded by County Councillor Anne Cheetham that:
This council believes that the Environment Agency's current approach to funding flood defence does not take into sufficient account the devasting impact of flooding in small communities and rural areas, and unfairly favours large schemes over smaller schemes that could be delivered for much less money and still save lives, property and livelihoods.
This council also believes that community-based Flood Action Groups understand their own areas and are an important source of knowledge and ideas for small local projects that could be delivered efficiently and effectively.
When it comes to the appraisal, design and cost-benefit analysis of flood defence schemes, a quicker turn-around on smaller improvement projects is required. This will ensure that vital schemes are delivered ensuring residents who are at risk of large-scale flooding events and who have experienced many near misses, are protected.
Therefore, this council resolves that the Chief Executive writes to the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Environment Agency asking them to:
· Commit to improving the funding arrangements to support the delivery of schemes for smaller communities and rural areas in Lancashire.
· Set out their approach to ensuring effective, regular communication and engagement with communities and community Flood Action Groups in developing and delivering these schemes.
· Work with Lancashire County Council to help protect our residents in all our communities from the catastrophic effects of flooding.
The following friendly Amendment was proposed by County Councillor Shaun Turner in accordance with Standing Order B42:
This council believes that the Environment Agency's current approach to funding flood defence does not take into sufficient account the devasting impact of flooding in small communities and rural areas, and unfairly favours large schemes over smaller schemes that could be delivered for much less money and still save lives, property and livelihoods.
This council also believes that community-based Flood Action Groups understand their own areas and are an important source of knowledge and ideas for small local projects that could be delivered efficiently and effectively.
When it comes to the appraisal, design and cost-benefit analysis of flood defence schemes, a quicker turn-around on smaller improvement projects is required. This will ensure that vital schemes are delivered ensuring residents who are at risk of large-scale flooding events and who have experienced many near misses, are protected.
Therefore, this council resolves that the Chief Executive writes to the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Environment Agency asking them to:
· Commit to improving the funding arrangements to support the delivery of schemes for smaller communities and rural areas in Lancashire.
· Set out their approach to ensuring effective, regular communication and engagement with communities and community Flood Action Groups in developing and delivering these schemes.
· Work with Lancashire County Council to help protect our residents in all our communities from the catastrophic effects of flooding.
· Acknowledge the county council's disappointment at the Environment Agency's pause of the Padiham flood defence scheme and urge the Environment Agency to deliver the scheme as soon as possible.
The friendly Amendment was accepted by County Councillor Mirfin and became the substantive Motion. Following a debate, the substantive Motion, as amended by County Councillor Turner's friendly Amendment, was then put to the vote.
In accordance with Standing Order B45(4), 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 (67)
Aldridge |
Clifford |
Hartley |
O'Toole |
Sutcliffe |
Ali |
Couperthwaite |
Hind |
Pate |
Swarbrick |
Arif |
Cox |
Hindle |
Pattison |
Tomlinson |
Ashton |
Cullens |
Holgate |
Pope |
Towneley |
Aziz |
Cunliffe |
Hurn |
Purcell |
Turner |
Bailey |
Dad |
Iqbal |
Rear |
Vincent |
Berry |
De Molfetta |
Kay |
Rigby, S |
Westley |
Britcliffe |
Dowding |
Khan, H |
Riggott |
Whittam |
Brown |
Edwards |
Khan, N |
Salter |
Williamson |
Buckley |
Fillis |
Lewis |
Schofield |
Woollam |
Burrows |
Gibson |
Maxwell-Scott |
Serridge |
Yates |
Cheetham |
Gooch |
Mein |
Shedwick |
|
Clarke |
Goulthorp |
Mirfin |
Singleton |
|
Clempson |
Green |
Motala |
Smith |
|
Against (0)
Abstain (0)
The Motion was therefore CARRIED.
It was therefore:
Resolved: - That:
This council believes that the Environment Agency's current approach to funding flood defence does not take into sufficient account the devasting impact of flooding in small communities and rural areas, and unfairly favours large schemes over smaller schemes that could be delivered for much less money and still save lives, property and livelihoods.
This council also believes that community-based Flood Action Groups understand their own areas and are an important source of knowledge and ideas for small local projects that could be delivered efficiently and effectively.
When it comes to the appraisal, design and cost-benefit analysis of flood defence schemes, a quicker turn-around on smaller improvement projects is required. This will ensure that vital schemes are delivered ensuring residents who are at risk of large-scale flooding events and who have experienced many near misses, are protected.
Therefore, this council resolves that the Chief Executive writes to the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Environment Agency asking them to:
· Commit to improving the funding arrangements to support the delivery of schemes for smaller communities and rural areas in Lancashire.
· Set out their approach to ensuring effective, regular communication and engagement with communities and community Flood Action Groups in developing and delivering these schemes.
· Work with Lancashire County Council to help protect our residents in all our communities from the catastrophic effects of flooding.
· Acknowledge the county council's disappointment at the Environment Agency's pause of the Padiham flood defence scheme and urge the Environment Agency to deliver the scheme as soon as possible.
4. It was moved by County Councillor Gina Dowding and seconded by County Councillor Scott Cunliffe that:
The ME Association estimates that more than 1.25 million people in the UK live with a diagnosis of Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid. ME/CFS is a debilitating, long-term neurological condition with varying degrees of severity.
Many more are undiagnosed, representing a real health crisis.
People with ME/CFS experience delayed worsening of symptoms after minor activity. It prevents people from functioning normally, stops or restricts ability to work or go to school, and leads to a lower quality of life.?
There are no effective drug treatments available. Treatments focus on improving functional ability and self-management.
ME Action, the international campaign organisation, calls for greater education in hospital systems and medical schools about ME/CFS, and for major hospitals to treat ME.
Lancashire County Council resolves:
To encourage greater understanding and improve the health outcomes of those affected by ME/CFS and Long Covid in Lancashire and asks the Chief Executive to write to:
(i) Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board requesting information on numbers of people with ME/CFS and Long Covid and the treatment options available across Lancashire.
(ii) The Secretary of State for Health, asking for greater investment in training of doctors and medical staff about ME/CFS and Long Covid.
(iii)NHS England to ask that more time is given to ME/CFS and Long Covid training for existing staff on the updated NICE guidelines.
The following friendly Amendment was proposed by County Councillor Michael Green in accordance with Standing Order B42:
The ME Association estimates that more than 1.25 million people in the UK live with a diagnosis of Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid. ME/CFS is a debilitating, long-term neurological condition with varying degrees of severity.
People with ME/CFS experience delayed worsening of symptoms after minor activity. It prevents people from functioning normally, stops or restricts ability to work or go to school, and leads to a lower quality of life.?
the ME Association believes there are no effective drug treatments available. Treatments focus on improving functional ability and self-management.
ME Action, the international campaign organisation, calls for greater education in hospital systems and medical schools about ME/CFS, and for major hospitals to treat ME.
Lancashire County Council resolves:
To encourage greater understanding and improve the health outcomes of those affected by ME/CFS and Long Covid in Lancashire and asks the Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee to:
(i) Request information from the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board on numbers of people with ME/CFS and Long Covid and the treatment options available across Lancashire.
(ii) Investigate what ME/CFS and Long Covid training is given to existing and future staff on the updated NICE guidelines.
(iii)Consider how to approach the Secretary of State for Health and NHS England requesting further investment in research and training about ME/CFS and Long Covid.
The friendly Amendment was accepted by County Councillor Dowding and became the substantive Motion. Following a debate, the substantive Motion, as amended by County Councillor Green's friendly Amendment, was then put to the vote and was CARRIED.
It was therefore:
Resolved: - That:
The ME Association estimates that more than 1.25 million people in the UK live with a diagnosis of Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid. ME/CFS is a debilitating, long-term neurological condition with varying degrees of severity.
People with ME/CFS experience delayed worsening of symptoms after minor activity. It prevents people from functioning normally, stops or restricts ability to work or go to school, and leads to a lower quality of life.?
the ME Association believes there are no effective drug treatments available. Treatments focus on improving functional ability and self-management.
ME Action, the international campaign organisation, calls for greater education in hospital systems and medical schools about ME/CFS, and for major hospitals to treat ME.
Lancashire County Council resolves:
To encourage greater understanding and improve the health outcomes of those affected by ME/CFS and Long Covid in Lancashire and asks the Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee to:
(i) Request information from the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board on numbers of people with ME/CFS and Long Covid and the treatment options available across Lancashire.
(ii) Investigate what ME/CFS and Long Covid training is given to existing and future staff on the updated NICE guidelines.
(iii)Consider how to approach the Secretary of State for Health and NHS England requesting further investment in research and training about ME/CFS and Long Covid.
Supporting documents: