Agenda item

The Chairman declared a pecuniary interest in the following Notice of Motion, adjourned from the meeting on 23 May 2019, and vacated the Chair. County Councillor Susie Charles, Vice-Chairman, assumed the Chair for consideration of the Notice of Motion.

 

Notice of Motion adjourned from the meeting on 23 May 2019

 

The Vice-Chairman referred to the adjustment to the original Notice of Motion which had been requested by County Councillor Gina Dowding, included in the agenda, and which the Monitoring Officer was satisfied should be treated as the same motion.

 

The Vice-Chairman also informed Full Council that she was waiving Standing Order 37(2) to allow Councillor Dowding to speak again to present this adjusted version of the motion.

 

It was moved by County Councillor Gina Dowding and seconded by County Councillor Paul Hayhurst that:

 

Retain the Current Safety Thresholds for Seismic Activity for Shale Gas Operations

 

Lancashire County Council welcomes the fact that to date the Government has confirmed it has no plans to change the Traffic Light System of seismic thresholds for the fracking industry.

 

Lancashire County Council resolves to write to the Energy Minister and the Prime Minister welcoming the Government's resolve not to change the thresholds and asks them to continue to prioritise public health and safety; and to write to Lancashire's MPs about the Council's position.

 

The following amendment was proposed by County Councillor Michael Green,

seconded by County Councillor Aidy Riggott:

 

Lancashire County Council resolves to write to the Energy Minister and the Prime Minister welcoming the Government's resolve to continue to prioritise public health and safety in monitoring the 'fracking' industry and to write to Lancashire's MPs setting out the Council's position.

 

The amendment was put to the vote and was CARRIED and became the substantive motion.

 

The following amendment was proposed by County Councillor Gina Dowding and seconded by County Councillor Liz Oades:

 

Lancashire County Council resolves to write to the Energy Minister and the Prime Minister welcoming the Government's resolve to continue to prioritise public health and safety, and to keep the current Traffic Light System of seismic thresholds in monitoring the 'fracking' industry and to write to Lancashire's MPs setting out the Council's position.

 

Following a brief adjournment, the Chief Executive advised Full Council that the Vice-Chairman had accepted her advice on the reasons for accepting the original amendment, from County Councillor Green, which was now the substantive motion. This was that the amendment retained two of the three principles of the adjustment put forward by Councillor Dowding and was therefore in order. Furthermore, the Vice-Chairman had accepted her advice that, in accordance with Standing Order 33a, the further amendment from County Councillor Dowding could not be accepted as it sought to rescind the resolution of Full Council which had just been made by seeking to re-insert the reference to the Traffic Light System which had been removed by County Councillor Green's amendment, now the substantive motion.

 

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

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Lancashire County Council resolves to write to the Energy Minister and the Prime Minister welcoming the Government's resolve to continue to prioritise public health and safety in monitoring the 'fracking' industry and to write to Lancashire's MPs setting out the Council's position.

 

The Chairman resumed the Chair.

 

1.  It was moved by County Councillor Lizzi Collinge and seconded by County Councillor Erica Lewis that:

 

This council believes that the transitional increase of the state pension age for women born in the 1950s (also known as WASPI women - Women Against State Pension Injustice) has been poorly managed, with many women given little to no notice of the increase in pensionable age, particularly of the acceleration of equalisation made in the Pensions Act 2011. Many women have suffered severe financial difficulties as a result.

 

This council notes that the WASPI Campaign 2018 does not seek to reverse the equalisation of pension ages but seeks better transitional arrangements, recognition of the injustice, and aid for women affected.

 

In recognition of the injustice and the hardship endured by the WASPI women, this council instructs officers to explore reworking the concessionary travel scheme to include some women affected by the changes to pension age. This exploration is to include the costs of any scheme and the impact of equalities legislation.

 

This council notes that Greater Manchester Combined Authority have given access to off-peak bus passes to some WASPI women and have provided details of their scheme.

 

Further, this council also instructs the Chief Executive and Director of Resources to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to make clear the council's view that better transitional arrangements must be made for WASPI women. Council notes that there is currently an ongoing judicial review on this issue and instructs officers to wait to send the letter until the judicial review is complete.

 

The following friendly amendment, which was accepted by County Councillor

Collinge, was proposed by County Councillor Keith Iddon in accordance with Standing Order B42:

 

This council believes that the transitional increase of the state pension age for women born in the 1950s gave many women little to no notice of the increase in pensionable age, particularly of the acceleration of equalisation made in the Pensions Act 2011.

 

In recognition of this, council instructs officers to explore reworking the concessionary travel scheme to include some women affected by the changes to pension age. This exploration is to include the costs of any scheme and the impact of equalities legislation.

 

This council notes that Greater Manchester Combined Authority has given access to off-peak bus passes to some WASPI women and has provided details of their scheme.

 

Council notes that there is currently an ongoing judicial review on this issue.

 

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

 

Resolved: - That:

 

This council believes that the transitional increase of the state pension age for women born in the 1950s gave many women little to no notice of the increase in pensionable age, particularly of the acceleration of equalisation made in the Pensions Act 2011.

 

In recognition of this, council instructs officers to explore reworking the concessionary travel scheme to include some women affected by the changes to pension age. This exploration is to include the costs of any scheme and the impact of equalities legislation.

 

This council notes that Greater Manchester Combined Authority has given access to off-peak bus passes to some WASPI women and has provided details of their scheme.

 

Council notes that there is currently an ongoing judicial review on this issue.

 

2.  It was moved by County Councillor David Foxcroft and seconded by County Councillor Azhar Ali that:

 

Recent work in other areas of the country has seen grass verges and dual carriageway centres transformed into vast wildflower corridors. This has multiple benefits for the areas that have been created – enhancing the support for wildlife, delivering bio-diversity, increasing the natural beauty and appeal of an area, attracting new visitors who come to see the colourful arrays created, as well as reducing the maintenance costs due to the low maintenance of such areas.

 

This council requests officers to assess the feasibility of establishing ‘wildflower corridor’ schemes across the County. Officers should also work with Parish and District Councils on this matter. A report highlighting potential locations and areas suitable should be presented to Cabinet for information in the Autumn prior to beginning in Spring 2020.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Recent work in other areas of the country has seen grass verges and dual carriageway centres transformed into vast wildflower corridors. This has multiple benefits for the areas that have been created – enhancing the support for wildlife, delivering bio-diversity, increasing the natural beauty and appeal of an area, attracting new visitors who come to see the colourful arrays created, as well as reducing the maintenance costs due to the low maintenance of such areas.

This council requests officers to assess the feasibility of establishing ‘wildflower corridor’ schemes across the County. Officers should also work with Parish and District Councils on this matter. A report highlighting potential locations and areas suitable should be presented to Cabinet for information in the Autumn prior to beginning in Spring 2020.

 

3.  It was moved by County Councillor John Fillis and seconded by County Councillor Nikki Hennessy that:

 

Free Personal Care for Older People

 

Lancashire County Council recognises that older people in Lancashire are struggling with unmet care needs and believes that in light of an ageing population we need bold changes to deliver a long term funding solution for social care.

 

The Council believes that it is fundamentally unfair that to access basic care many older people face catastrophic costs that can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, wiping out a lifetime of savings, and forcing families to sell their homes. The Council also believes that Lancashire's care system needs major reform to provide a long-term sustainable funding solution and to make care free at the point of use.

 

The Council therefore supports "Independent Age’s" call for the introduction of free personal care for all older people in England. Lancashire County Council calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to implement this policy as swiftly as possible to end the care crisis and properly support older people in Lancashire.

 

The Council also asks the Chief Executive and Director of Resources to write to our Lancashire MPs to support the campaign for free personal care, and speak up in favour of the policy in the House of Commons, with the responses of the MPs to be reported back to Council.

 

The following friendly amendment, which was accepted by County Councillor

Fillis, was proposed by County Councillor Graham Gooch in accordance with Standing Order B42:

 

Free Personal Care for Older People

 

Lancashire County Council recognises that, despite its best efforts, some older people in Lancashire are struggling with unmet care needs and believes that in light of an ageing population we need a long term funding solution for social care before we reach crisis point.

The Council believes that it is fundamentally unfair that to access basic care many older people face catastrophic costs that can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, wiping out a lifetime of savings, and forcing families to sell their homes.

 

The Council acknowledges the work of “Independent Age” and “Policy Exchange” and urges the Government to:

 

1. Complete the welfare state by covering the costs of complex long-term social care, so that no individual or family faces ruinous costs or has to lose their home
   
   
2. Ensure that, like health on the NHS, long-term social care is available on the basis of need, and free at the point of delivery.
   
   
3. End the present means test for social care. The capital components of the test should be eliminated altogether and the means-testing charging regime should be changed into a limited co-payment regime means tested on income.
   
   
4. This should not preclude additional private payments for extra services. Following Beveridge:“The state "should not stifle incentive, opportunity, responsibility; in establishing a national minimum, it should leave room and encouragement for voluntary action by each individual to provide more than that minimum for himself and his family".

 

The Council requests the Chief Executive to write to the Minister and our Lancashire MPs to support the campaign for free personal care, and speak up in favour of the policy in the House of Commons.

 

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

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Free Personal Care for Older People

 

Lancashire County Council recognises that, despite its best efforts, some older people in Lancashire are struggling with unmet care needs and believes that in light of an ageing population we need a long term funding solution for social care before we reach crisis point.

 

The Council believes that it is fundamentally unfair that to access basic care many older people face catastrophic costs that can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, wiping out a lifetime of savings, and forcing families to sell their homes.

 

The Council acknowledges the work of “Independent Age” and “Policy Exchange” and urges the Government to:

 

1. Complete the welfare state by covering the costs of complex long-term social care, so that no individual or family faces ruinous costs or has to lose their home
   
   
2. Ensure that, like health on the NHS, long-term social care is available on the basis of need, and free at the point of delivery.
   
   
3. End the present means test for social care. The capital components of the test should be eliminated altogether and the means-testing charging regime should be changed into a limited co-payment regime means tested on income.
   
   
4. This should not preclude additional private payments for extra services. Following Beveridge:“The state "should not stifle incentive, opportunity, responsibility; in establishing a national minimum, it should leave room and encouragement for voluntary action by each individual to provide more than that minimum for himself and his family".

 

The Council requests the Chief Executive to write to the Minister and our Lancashire MPs to support the campaign for free personal care, and speak up in favour of the policy in the House of Commons.

 

4.  It was moved by County Councillor Margaret Pattison and seconded by County Councillor Jean Parr that:

 

Council notes with concern the proposed closure of the Outdoor Education Department at Morecambe Bay Academy and the detrimental impact this may have on children across Morecambe and Lancaster. Being able to access outdoor education locally is extremely important to the health and wellbeing of children, and gives them opportunities to develop vital life skills including leadership skills. This is especially important for children who struggle in a classroom setting.

 

Council believes that retaining the Outdoor Education Department at Morecambe Bay Academy would be beneficial to the pupils there and the many children from other schools who also access outdoor education through the department. This view supports our strategic Vision for Lancashire that 'We will support people and families to keep themselves healthy and well by choosing healthy lifestyles.

 

Council instructs the Chief Executive and Director of Resources to write to the Chair of the Bay Academy Trust setting out the Council’s position.

 

The following friendly amendment, which was accepted by County Councillor

Pattison, was proposed by County Councillor Phillippa Williamson in accordance with Standing Order B42:

 

Council notes the proposed closure of the Outdoor Education Department at Morecambe Bay Academy and the impact this may have on children across Morecambe and Lancaster. Being able to access outdoor education locally is extremely important to the health and wellbeing of children, and gives them opportunities to develop vital life skills including leadership skills. This is especially important for children who struggle in a classroom setting.

 

Council instructs the Executive Director of Education and Children's Services to work with the school leadership teams of Morecambe Bay Academy and other schools across the County, whether they are council maintained schools or Academies, to explore how the benefits of a wider curriculum offer, including outdoor education, can support children and young people to improve their overall wellbeing and to keep them fit and well.

 

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

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Council notes the proposed closure of the Outdoor Education Department at Morecambe Bay Academy and the impact this may have on children across Morecambe and Lancaster. Being able to access outdoor education locally is extremely important to the health and wellbeing of children, and gives them opportunities to develop vital life skills including leadership skills. This is especially important for children who struggle in a classroom setting.

 

Council instructs the Executive Director of Education and Children's Services to work with the school leadership teams of Morecambe Bay Academy and other schools across the County, whether they are council maintained schools or Academies, to explore how the benefits of a wider curriculum offer, including outdoor education, can support children and young people to improve their overall wellbeing and to keep them fit and well.