Agenda item

Notices of Motion

To consider the following Notices of Motion under Standing Order 12:

A – Motions referred from the Executive in accordance with Standing Order 12.1(a)

None

B – Motions submitted for consideration directly by Council, in accordance with Standing Order 12.1(b)

(i) From Cllr Waller

“Council notes the concern of local businesses about the recent revaluation of business rates and the confusion that the complex system has caused at a time when businesses are still struggling with the effects of the recession.

Council believes that short term measures can be taken to help local businesses take advantage of an economic recovery, including making Small Business Rate Relief automatic and rebalancing the burden on small independent shops.

In the long term Council believes that fundamental reform of business rates is necessary to introduce a fairer system where rates are based on site values rather than rental values, encouraging businesses to invest in their premises rather than penalising them.

Council also believes that allowing Council to retain a proportion of the business rates collected in the area would help to promote local initiatives which would stimulate the local economy.

Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to write to the Business Secretary and Shadow Business Secretaries expressing the concerns of Council and calling for reform of business rates to be a priority for the incoming Government.”

(ii) From Cllr Scott

“Council welcomes the imminent opening of the City’s ninth Children’s Centre at Knavesmire Primary School.

Council recognises the positive impact that Children’s Centres have made on the lives of children and families in the City of York since 2006.

Council is appalled that David Cameron’s Conservative Party has publicly stated that it would cut £200m, a 19.5% cut in funding forcing one in five Children’s Centres to close. It is also proposed to restrict the Department for Children, Schools and Families budget to a 1% increase for 2010/11, representing a £300m cut in real terms.

The proposed cut would translate to the closure of 569 centres nationally and 2 in York.

Council requests the Chief Executive to write to:

1) David Cameron MP, expressing its total opposition to the proposals outlined in Conservative Party Policy, highlighting the damage to York communities and families.

2) Candidates of the main political parties for York Central and York Outer, asking them to oppose any proposed cuts and asking for their support for the continued funding to enable all Children’s Centres to remain open and offer the same range of facilities and service as currently provided.”

(iii) From Cllr Watt

“This Council pledges that it will not pursue congestion charging in York for the duration of the current administration.”

(iv) From Cllr Potter

“Council welcomes:

· The presence of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on York’s streets since they were introduced as a result of the Police Reform Act 2002;

· The continual improvement in reducing crime in York and North Yorkshire as a result of the national Neighbourhood Policing strategy, of which PCSOs are a key part;

· The role of PCSOs in reducing levels of crime and increasing public confidence;

· The improved responsiveness of the Police at the local level since PCSOs were established.

Council is therefore appalled at Conservative proposals to abolish PCSOs. It believes this would be a retrograde step and demonstrates a party that is soft on crime.

Council asks the Chief Executive to write to Conservative Leader David Cameron, expressing Council’s deep-seated concerns about the implications of implementing such a policy and urging him to reconsider his party’s stance on the issue.

Council alsorequests the Chief Executive to write to each of the Parliamentary candidates for York Central and York Outer, expressing the same view.”

(v) From Cllr Runciman

“Council holds the view that excellence in education for all can best be achieved by promoting life long learning and that this should continue to be one of the top priorities for government.

Council recognises that promoting such opportunities has long been the work of those who work in Adult and Continuing Education and knows that their distinctive approach has enabled many who have come back into the education system later in life to achieve their potential.

Council deplores the steady undermining of lifelong learning opportunities by this Government, demonstrated by the recent announcement that almost all funding for part time courses, particularly in Further Education Colleges, will be cut. This will reduce access to both part time vocational and non-vocational courses, which are often the way that mature learners return to learning, as well as providing emotional and social support to those who are or have been isolated members of society.

Council resolves to express as strongly as possible to the Department for Children, Schools and Families its opposition to this cut and to make representations that it should be reversed.

Council also requests Officers to prepare a report to the Executive setting out the likely effects of these cuts on the City’s economy.”

Minutes:

*(i) Business Rates

It was moved by Cllr Waller and seconded by Cllr Moore that:

Council also believes that allowing Council to retain a proportion of the business rates collected in the area would help to promote local initiatives which would stimulate the local economy.

Prior to the debate on the above motion, Cllr Scott moved, and Cllr Pierce seconded, that the motion be referred to the Executive under Standing Order 12.(b) for consideration of an Officer report, on the grounds that this was a technical issue requiring specialist advice. On being put to the vote, this proposal was declared LOST.

Cllr Scott then moved, and Cllr Simpson-Laing seconded, that Standing Order 15.3.1 be suspended to enable an amendment to be moved from the floor. On being put to the vote, this proposal was declared CARRIED.

Cllr Scott then moved, and Cllr Gillies seconded, the following amendment to the motion:

“In paragraph 3, delete all after the words ‘fairer system’.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared CARRIED.

The motion, as amended, now read as follows:

In the long term Council believes that fundamental reform of business rates is necessary to introduce a fairer system.

Council also believes that allowing Council to retain a proportion of the business rates collected in the area would help to promote local initiatives which would stimulate the local economy.

The motion, as amended, was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED:That the above notice of motion, as amended, be approved. ¹

*Note: Cllrs Healey, Morley and R Watson left the Chamber during consideration of the above motion, in accordance with their declarations of a prejudicial interest in the matter, and took no part in the debate or decision thereon.

(ii) Children’s Centres

It was moved by Cllr Scott and seconded by Cllr Merrett that:

“Council welcomes the imminent opening of the City’s ninth Children’s Centre at Knavesmire Primary School.

Council recognises the positive impact that Children’s Centres have made on the lives of children and families in the City of York since 2006.

The proposed cut would translate to the closure of 569 centres nationally and two in York.

Council requests the Chief Executive to write to:

1) David Cameron MP, expressing its total opposition to the proposals outlined in Conservative Party Policy, highlighting the damage to York communities and families.

Cllr Runciman then moved, and Cllr Aspden seconded, an amendment to the above motion, as follows:

“Delete all from ‘Council is appalled’ in the third paragraph to the end of ‘York Communities and families’ in the final paragraph.

In the final paragraph, insert the words Council requests the Chief Executive to write to’ before the word ‘candidates’ and insert the words ‘in the Sure Start budget’ after the words ‘proposed cuts’.”

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared CARRIED.

The motion, as amended, now read as follows:

“Council welcomes the imminent opening of the City’s ninth Children’s Centre at Knavesmire Primary School.

Council recognises the positive impact that Children’s Centres have made on the lives of children and families in the City of York since 2006.

Council requests the Chief Executive to write to candidates of the main political parties for York Central and York Outer, asking them to oppose any proposed cuts in the Sure Start budget and asking for their support for the continued funding to enable all Children’s Centres to remain open and offer the same range of facilities and service as currently provided.” ²

On being put to the vote, the motion, as amended, was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED: That the above notice of motion, as amended, be approved. ²

(iii) Congestion Charging

It was moved by Cllr Watt and seconded by Cllr Wiseman that:

“This Council pledges that it will not pursue congestion charging in York for the duration of the current administration.”

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

RESOLVED: That the above notice of motion be approved.

(iv) Police Community Support Officers

It was moved by Cllr Potter and seconded by Cllr Pierce that:

“Council welcomes:

· The presence of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on York’s streets since they were introduced as a result of the Police Reform Act 2002;

· The continual improvement in reducing crime in York and North Yorkshire as a result of the national Neighbourhood Policing strategy, of which PCSOs are a key part;

· The role of PCSOs in reducing levels of crime and increasing public confidence;

· The improved responsiveness of the Police at the local level since PCSOs were established.

Council is therefore appalled at Conservative proposals to abolish PCSOs. It believes this would be a retrograde step and demonstrates a party that is soft on crime.

Council also requests the Chief Executive to write to each of the Parliamentary candidates for York Central and York Outer, expressing the same view.”

Cllr Runciman then moved, and Cllr Orrell seconded, an amendment to the above motion, as follows:

“Replace the second paragraph, beginning ‘Council is therefore appalled’, with:

‘Council is concerned at Conservative proposals to remove the ring fencing of funding for PCSOs and is concerned that such a move could result in a reduction in the number of PCSOs in York.’

In the third paragraph, delete the words ‘deep seated’.”

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared CARRIED.

The motion, as amended, now read as follows:

“Council welcomes:

· The presence of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on York’s streets since they were introduced as a result of the Police Reform Act 2002;

· The continual improvement in reducing crime in York and North Yorkshire as a result of the national Neighbourhood Policing strategy, of which PCSOs are a key part;

· The role of PCSOs in reducing levels of crime and increasing public confidence;

· The improved responsiveness of the Police at the local level since PCSOs were established.

Council is concerned at Conservative proposals to remove the ring fencing of funding for PCSOs and is concerned that such a move could result in a reduction in the number of PCSOs in York.

Council asks the Chief Executive to write to Conservative Leader David Cameron, expressing Council’s concerns about the implications of implementing such a policy and urging him to reconsider his party’s stance on the issue. ³

Council also requests the Chief Executive to write to each of the Parliamentary candidates for York Central and York Outer, expressing the same view.” ⁴

On being put to the vote, the motion, as amended, was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED: That the above notice of motion, as amended, be approved. ^3-4

*(v) Life-Long Learning

A notice of motion had been submitted by Cllr Runciman in the following terms:

“Council holds the view that excellence in education for all can best be achieved by promoting life long learning and that this should continue to be one of the top priorities for government.

Council recognises that promoting such opportunities has long been the work of those who work in Adult and Continuing Education and knows that their distinctive approach has enable many who come back into the education system later in life to achieve their potential.

Council deplores the steady undermining of life long learning opportunities by this Government, demonstrated by the recent announcement that almost all funding for part time courses, particularly in Further Education Colleges, will be cut. This will reduce access to both part time vocational and non-vocational courses, which are often the way that mature learners return to learning, as well as providing emotional and social support to those who are or have been isolated members of society.

Council resolves to express as strongly as possible to the Department for Children, Schools and Families its opposition to this cut and to make representations that it should be reversed.

Council also requests Officers to prepare a report to the Executive setting out the likely effects of these cuts on the City’s economy.”

Cllr Runciman now sought leave to alter the above motion to read as follows:

“Council holds the view that excellence in education for all can best be achieved by promoting life long learning and that this should continue to be one of the top priorities for government.

Council recognises that promoting such opportunities has long been the work of those who work in Adult and Continuing Education and knows that their distinctive approach has enable many who come back into the education system later in life to achieve their potential.

Council deplores the steady undermining of life long learning opportunities by this Government, demonstrated by the recent announcement that almost all funding for part time courses, particularly in Further Education Colleges, will be cut. This will reduce access to both part time vocational and non-vocational courses, which are often the way that mature learners return to learning, as well as providing emotional and social support to those who are or have been isolated members of society.

Council resolves to express as strongly as possible to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills its opposition to this cut and to make representations that it should be reversed. ⁵

Council also requests Officers to prepare a report to the Executive setting out the likely effects of these cuts on the City’s economy.” ⁶

Council having agreed to that alteration, Cllr Runciman moved, and Cllr seconded, the motion as altered.

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

RESOLVED: That the above notice of motion be approved. ^5-6

* Note: Cllrs Brooks and Hyman left the Chamber during consideration of the above motion, in accordance with their declarations of a prejudicial interest in the matter, and took no part in the debate or decisions thereon.