Agenda item

1.  It was moved by County Councillor Jean Parr and seconded by County Councillor Samara Barnes that:

 

This council notes:

·  Councillors represent their community and it is important that they reflect the diversity within their communities, particularly those with protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation).

·  The work of the Cooperative Party in developing a Declaration for councils aimed at increasing diversity in local government.

·  The council does not fully represent the gender balance of the county nor its ethnic diversity. There is a wide divergence of representation between the parties on the council.

·  This council already has a parental leave policy and provides access to counselling and wellbeing.

 

This council believes:

·  Diversity in representation makes for good decision making.

 

This council resolves:

·  To adopt The Co-operative Party’s Diverse Councils Declaration to increase diversity in our local government:

 

The Co-operative Party’s Diverse Councils Declaration

 

This Council commits to being a Diverse Council. We agree to:

 

1. Provide a clear public commitment to improving diversity in democracy.

2. Demonstrate an open and welcoming culture to all, promoting the highest standards of behaviour and conduct.

3. Set out a local Diverse Council Action Plan ahead of the next local elections. Including:

·  Appoint Diversity Ambassadors for each political group on the council to work with each other and local party associations to encourage recruitment of candidates from under-represented groups.

·  Encourage and enable people from under-represented groups to stand for office through the provision of activities such as mentoring and shadowing programmes and information and learning events for people interested in standing as official candidates.

·  Proactive engagement and involvement with local community groups and partner organisations supporting and representing under-represented groups.

·  Ensure that all members and candidates complete a candidates’ and councillors’ survey distributed at election time.

·  Set ambitious targets for candidates from under-represented groups at the next local elections.

4. Work towards the standards for member support and development as set out in the LGA Councillor Development Charter and/or Charter Plus.

5. Demonstrate a commitment to a duty of care for councillors by:

·  Continuing to provide access to counselling services for all councillors having regard for the safety and wellbeing of councillors whenever they are performing their role as councillors.

·  Taking a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment of members including through social networks.

6. Provide flexibility in council business by:

·  Regularly reviewing and staggering meeting times.

·  Encouraging and supporting remote attendance at meetings wherever feasible.

·  Agreeing recess periods to support councillors with caring or work commitments.

7. Ensure that all members take up the allowances to which they are entitled, particularly any reimbursement for costs of care, so that all members receive fair remuneration for their work and that the role of member is not limited to those who can afford it.

8. Ensure that councillors from under-represented groups are represented whenever possible in high profile, high influence roles.

 

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

 

 

2.  It was moved by County Councillor Nikki Hennessey and seconded by County Councillor Julie Gibson that:

 

The Charter for Families Bereaved through Public Tragedy was written by the former Bishop of Liverpool to ensure the suffering endured by families bereaved following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster is not repeated after future disastrous events.

 

Liverpool City is one of our great neighbours, we have had many families directly and indirectly affected by the Hillsborough Tragedy itself. Lancashire County Council should stand shoulder to shoulder with all bereaved families who have suffered loss and we should ensure that Lancashire County Council does not make the same mistakes in the aftermath of any future disasters.

 

Lancashire County Council therefore resolves to:

 

Adopt The Charter for Families Bereaved Through Public Tragedy

 

In adopting this charter, Lancashire County Council commits to ensuring that Lancashire County Council learns the lessons of the Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath, so that the perspective of the bereaved families is not lost.

 

We commit to Lancashire County Council becoming an organisation which strives to:

 

1.  In the event of a public tragedy, activate its emergency plan and deploy its resources to rescue victims, to support the bereaved and to protect the vulnerable.

2.  Place the public interest above our own reputation.

3.  Approach forms of public scrutiny – including public inquiries and inquests – with candour, in an open, honest and transparent way, making full disclosure of relevant documents, material and facts. Our objective is to assist the search for the truth. We accept that we should learn from the findings of external scrutiny and from past mistakes.

4.  Avoid seeking to defend the indefensible or to dismiss or disparage those who may have suffered where we have fallen short.

5.  Ensure all members of staff treat members of the public and each other with mutual respect and with courtesy. Where we fall short, we should apologise straightforwardly and genuinely.

6.  Recognise that we are accountable and open to challenge. We will ensure that processes are in place to allow the public to hold us to account for the work we do and for the way in which we do it. We do not knowingly mislead the public or the media.

 

The following friendly amendment was proposed by County Councillor Peter Buckley:

 

The Charter for Families Bereaved through Public Tragedy was written by the former Bishop of Liverpool to ensure the suffering endured by families bereaved following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster is not repeated after future disastrous events.

 

Liverpool City is one of our great neighbours, we have had many families directly and indirectly affected by the Hillsborough Tragedy itself. Lancashire County Council should stand shoulder to shoulder with all bereaved families who have suffered loss and we should ensure that Lancashire County Council does not make the same mistakes in the aftermath of any future disasters.

 

Lancashire County Council notes the text of the Charter which commits an organisation to strive to:

 

1.  In the event of a public tragedy, activate its emergency plan and deploy its resources to rescue victims, to support the bereaved and to protect the vulnerable.

2.  Place the public interest above our own reputation.

3.  Approach forms of public scrutiny – including public inquiries and inquests – with candour, in an open, honest and transparent way, making full disclosure of relevant documents, material and facts. Our objective is to assist the search for the truth. We accept that we should learn from the findings of external scrutiny and from past mistakes.

4.  Avoid seeking to defend the indefensible or to dismiss or disparage those who may have suffered where we have fallen short.

5.  Ensure all members of staff treat members of the public and each other with mutual respect and with courtesy. Where we fall short, we should apologise straightforwardly and genuinely.

6.  Recognise that we are accountable and open to challenge. We will ensure that processes are in place to allow the public to hold us to account for the work we do and for the way in which we do it. We do not knowingly mislead the public or the media.

 

It is important that lessons are learnt following tragedies such as the Hillsborough Disaster and more recently the Manchester Arena Terror Attack, and that appropriate policies and procedures are constantly reviewed to ensure these principles are upheld.

 

This Council therefore resolves to instruct the Chief Executive and Head of Health, Safety and Resilience to bring to Cabinet proposals for including the principles of the Charter, and expanding upon them, in the council's "Emergency, Planning, Resilience and Response Framework", adopting best practice from partners including the Lancashire Resilience Forum and other local authorities.

 

The friendly Amendment was accepted by County Councillor Nikki Hennessey and became the substantive Motion. The substantive Motion, as amended by County Councillor Buckley's friendly Amendment, was then put to the vote and was CARRIED and it was therefore:

 

Resolved: that:

 

The Charter for Families Bereaved through Public Tragedy was written by the former Bishop of Liverpool to ensure the suffering endured by families bereaved following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster is not repeated after future disastrous events.

 

Liverpool City is one of our great neighbours, we have had many families directly and indirectly affected by the Hillsborough Tragedy itself. Lancashire County Council should stand shoulder to shoulder with all bereaved families who have suffered loss and we should ensure that Lancashire County Council does not make the same mistakes in the aftermath of any future disasters.

 

Lancashire County Council notes the text of the Charter which commits an organisation to strive to:

 

1.  In the event of a public tragedy, activate its emergency plan and deploy its resources to rescue victims, to support the bereaved and to protect the vulnerable.

2.  Place the public interest above our own reputation.

3.  Approach forms of public scrutiny – including public inquiries and inquests – with candour, in an open, honest and transparent way, making full disclosure of relevant documents, material and facts. Our objective is to assist the search for the truth. We accept that we should learn from the findings of external scrutiny and from past mistakes.

4.  Avoid seeking to defend the indefensible or to dismiss or disparage those who may have suffered where we have fallen short.

5.  Ensure all members of staff treat members of the public and each other with mutual respect and with courtesy. Where we fall short, we should apologise straightforwardly and genuinely.

6.  Recognise that we are accountable and open to challenge. We will ensure that processes are in place to allow the public to hold us to account for the work we do and for the way in which we do it. We do not knowingly mislead the public or the media.

 

It is important that lessons are learnt following tragedies such as the Hillsborough Disaster and more recently the Manchester Arena Terror Attack, and that appropriate policies and procedures are constantly reviewed to ensure these principles are upheld.

 

This Council therefore resolves to instruct the Chief Executive and Head of Health, Safety and Resilience to bring to Cabinet proposals for including the principles of the Charter, and expanding upon them, in the council's "Emergency, Planning, Resilience and Response Framework", adopting best practice from partners including the Lancashire Resilience Forum and other local authorities.

 

 

3.  It was moved by County Councillor Azhar Ali and seconded by County Councillor Mohammed Iqbal that:

 

Over the last 12 months there have been a number of deaths resulting from falls from bridges on the M65 from junction 10 to junction 14 which are owned and managed by Lancashire County Council.

 

Lancashire County Council has a commitment to a Lancashire anti suicide strategy and this Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Carry out urgent surveys of all the motorway bridges from junction 10 to junction 14 of the M65.

(ii)  Take preventative measures including increasing the height of the railings like other motorway bridges to reduce significantly the risk of falls and critical accidents.

 

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

 

Lancashire County Council has a commitment to a Lancashire anti suicide strategy and this Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Carry out urgent surveys of all the motorway bridges from junction 10 to junction 14 of the M65.

(ii)  Take all reasonable preventative measures on all motorway bridges owned by LCC to reduce significantly the risk of falls and critical accidents.

(iii)  Ask the Chief Executive to write to National Highways to take similar steps on their estate.

 

The friendly Amendment was accepted by County Councillor Ali and became the substantive Motion. The substantive Motion, as amended by County Councillor Swarbrick's friendly Amendment, was then put to the vote and was CARRIED and it was therefore:

 

Resolved: that:

 

Lancashire County Council has a commitment to a Lancashire anti suicide strategy and this Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Carry out urgent surveys of all the motorway bridges from junction 10 to junction 14 of the M65.

(ii)  Take all reasonable preventative measures on all motorway bridges owned by LCC to reduce significantly the risk of falls and critical accidents.

(iii)  Ask the Chief Executive to write to National Highways to take similar steps on their estate.

 

4.  It was moved by County Councillor Lizzi Collinge and seconded by County Councillor Lorraine Beavers that:

 

Lancashire County Council recognises the good work of community groups last winter in keeping our residents warm and well during the ongoing cost of living crisis. Whilst the council deplores that this is necessary, we recognise our responsibility to our residents to contribute to the humanitarian response. 

 

This council resolves to establish a Warm and Welcome Places Grants Scheme to support community organisations to provide Warm and Welcome spaces across the county, with detailed criteria to be approved by Cabinet, to include all costs including costs of utilities, equipment, food and drink, activities and volunteer costs, to be funded from the Public Health Grant.

 

Grants would be available of up to £2,000 for a basic Warm and Welcome Space (including hot drinks), and £4,000 for enhanced Warm and Welcome Spaces (including hot meals and social activities).

 

Further, this council resolves to again include our libraries in the humanitarian response and reproduce the Warm and Welcome offer from Lancashire Libraries.

 

The following amendment was proposed by County Councillor Michael Green and seconded by County Councillor Sue Whittam:

 

Lancashire County Council recognises the good work of our Lancashire Libraries and community groups last winter in helping to keep our residents warm and well. 

 

This Council further recognises the success of the support we put in place last winter, including the Lancashire Warm Spaces Grant Scheme, our Lancashire Warm Spaces online directory and supportive resources and the dedicated cost of living support, activities and warm refreshments offered across our 64 Lancashire Libraries.

 

This Council welcomes the new Cost of Living Fund established by the Government to fund work by organisations supporting low-income households.

 

To complement this new fund, this council resolves to establish a Warm and Welcome Places Grants Scheme for 2023/24 to support community organisations to provide Warm and Welcome spaces across the county in the winter period, with detailed criteria to be approved by Cabinet.

 

Further, this council resolves continue to promote a Warm and Welcome offer from our Lancashire Libraries and to continue to promote our Lancashire Warm Spaces online directory and supportive resources.

 

The Amendment was accepted by County Councillor Lizzi Collinge and became the substantive Motion.

 

Following a period of debate, the substantive Motion, as amended by County Councillor Green's Amendment, was then put to the vote and was CARRIED. It was therefore:

 

Resolved: that:

 

Lancashire County Council recognises the good work of our Lancashire Libraries and community groups last winter in helping to keep our residents warm and well. 

 

This Council further recognises the success of the support we put in place last winter, including the Lancashire Warm Spaces Grant Scheme, our Lancashire Warm Spaces online directory and supportive resources and the dedicated cost of living support, activities and warm refreshments offered across our 64 Lancashire Libraries.

 

This Council welcomes the new Cost of Living Fund established by the Government to fund work by organisations supporting low-income households.

 

To complement this new fund, this council resolves to establish a Warm and Welcome Places Grants Scheme for 2023/24 to support community organisations to provide Warm and Welcome spaces across the county in the winter period, with detailed criteria to be approved by Cabinet.

 

Further, this council resolves continue to promote a Warm and Welcome offer from our Lancashire Libraries and to continue to promote our Lancashire Warm Spaces online directory and supportive resources.