Agenda item
Motions on Notice
To consider the following Motions on Notice under Standing Order 22:
Motions submitted for consideration directly by Council, in accordance with Standing Order 22.1
(i) From Cllr Gillies
Commemoration of Great War
“Council notes that 2018 will mark 100 years since the ceasing of the hostilities in the Great War;
Council recognises that residents of York will wish to commemorate this event and to express their appreciation to all who sacrificed so much during that conflict;
Council therefore instructs the Leader and Deputy Leader to set up a working group to coordinate a series of commemorative events for next year, such working group to include, at their discretion, councillors, officers, civic leaders, organisations representing the armed forces and similar groups; artists and residents. The working group will plan an overall strategy for the council’s commemoration activities, determine and address its funding needs as the steering group deem appropriate.”
(ii) From Cllr Mason
Purple Flag Accreditation
“Council notes:
The importance of a safe and welcoming city-centre economy to residents of and visitors to York.
The work of the Business Improvement District, Make It York, and City of York Council officers in investing in a clean and safe city centre and promoting York as a great place to visit.
That the Association of Town & City Management runs a Purple Flag accreditation process for town and city centres that meet defined standards in managing the evening and night-time economy.
That the accreditation process measures such indicators as:
· the standard of public utilities, including street lighting and cleanliness
· the prevalence of harmful and hazardous drinkers and figures on night time-related accidents and injuries
· the safety and affordability of public transport.
That 42 locations around the United Kingdom have already been awarded Purple Flag status, including Leeds, Sheffield, and Halifax.
That the Purple Flag scheme provides research and training to help tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour.”
Council therefore resolves:
To ask Council officers to:
· make contact with the Business Improvement District, Make It York, and North Yorkshire Police to start exploring an application for Purple Flag status for York city centre
· report back within three months to a decision session of the Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement with an analysis of the costs, risks, and benefits of an application.
(iii) From Cllr Flinders
Closure of Imphal and Queen Elizabeth II Barracks
“Council acknowledges and values the social and economic contribution made by the Army’s long standing presence in York, currently through a combined 866 military staff and 417 civilian staff based or working at Imphal and Queen Elizabeth II Barracks, as well as associated jobs in the wider supply chain.
Council notes that there has been a barracks in Fulford since 1795 and an army base in Strensall since 1884, notes the vital role the Army has played during major flooding events in the past, including Christmas 2015, and further notes that York is proud to be a Garrison City.
Council resolves:
That the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Defence, to express Council's opposition to the planned closures of Imphal and Queen Elizabeth II Barracks; and further resolves to lobby the city’s two MPs to support City of York Council’s position in Parliament.”
(iv) From Cllr Steward
Charity Fundraisers
“Council believes York has a problem with overly aggressive charity fundraisers (known as ‘chuggers’) and so-called ‘gag mag’ sellers;
Council notes that whilst York supports licensed charity fundraising it takes issue with the intrusive and high pressure tactics often exhibited by both chuggers and gag mag sellers, which disrupt peoples’ enjoyment of their time in our city;
Further notes that although officers have taken a number of steps to address this issue, as a result of national legislation and long-existing statutes they have found it extremely difficult to effectively penalise street traders or charity fundraisers who persistently annoy members of the public;
Council therefore instructs officers, in consultation with Make it York and the York BID to:
a) Review the present circumstances and determine whether any additional steps can be taken to improve the situation, and
b) Take a lead with the LGA in lobbying the Government to bring national legislation up to date to reflect modern realities.”
Minutes:
Motions submitted for consideration directly by Council, in accordance with Standing Order 22.1
(i) Commemoration of the Great War
(proposed by Cllr Gillies and seconded by Cllr Gates)
Cllr Gillies sought Council’s consent to alter the word ‘instructs’ in the third paragraph of his motion to ‘invites’. Council agreed to the motion as altered.
“Council notes that 2018 will mark 100 years since the ceasing of the hostilities in the Great War;
Council recognises that residents of York will wish to commemorate this event and to express their appreciation to all who sacrificed so much during that conflict;
Council therefore invites the Leader and Deputy Leader to set up a working group to coordinate a series of commemorative events for next year, such working group to include, at their discretion, councillors, officers, civic leaders, organisations representing the armed forces and similar groups; artists and residents. The working group will plan an overall strategy for the council’s commemoration activities, determine and address its funding needs as the steering group deem appropriate.”
An amendment was proposed by Cllr Craghill as follows:
“Add new paragraph at the end of the motion:
‘Council further instructs that the working group should ensure that the programme of activities fully reflects the following:
- the horrors of war, including the suffering caused by the 37 million military and civilian casualties during the First World War;
- a diversity of perspectives on the causes and consequences of the war;
- and a commitment to learn the lessons of the past to help build peace in the future.”
On being put to the vote the amendment was CARRIED.
A vote was then taken on the original motion, as altered by Cllr Craghill’s amendment, which was also CARRIED and it was
Resolved: That the original motion, as altered by Cllr Craghill’s amendment, be approved. 1.
(ii) Purple Flag Accreditation
(proposed by Cllr Mason and seconded by Cllr Fenton)
Cllr Mason sought Council’s consent to alter his motion as follows
·
“report back within three months to a decision session of the Executive Member for Economic Development and Community
Engagement with an analysis of the costs, risks, and
benefits of an application.”
Council agreed to the motion as altered.
“Council notes:
The importance of a safe and welcoming city-centre economy to residents of and visitors to York.
The work of the Business Improvement District, Make It York, and City of York Council officers in investing in a clean and safe city centre and promoting York as a great place to visit.
That the Association of Town & City Management runs a Purple Flag accreditation process for town and city centres that meet defined standards in managing the evening and night-time economy.
That the accreditation process measures such indicators as:
· the standard of public utilities, including street lighting and cleanliness
· the prevalence of harmful and hazardous drinkers and figures on night time-related accidents and injuries
· the safety and affordability of public transport.
That 42 locations around the United Kingdom have already been awarded Purple Flag status, including Leeds, Sheffield, and Halifax.
That the Purple Flag scheme provides research and training to help tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour.”
Council therefore resolves:
To ask Council officers to:
· make contact with the Business Improvement District, Make It York, and North Yorkshire Police to start exploring an application for Purple Flag status for York city centre
· report back within three months to the Executive with an analysis of the costs, risks, and benefits of an application.”
On being put to the vote the motion was CARRIED.
Resolved: That the motion be approved.2.
(iii) Closure of Imphal and Queen Elizabeth II Barracks
(proposed by Cllr Finders and seconded by Cllr Boyce)
“Council acknowledges and values the social and economic contribution made by the Army’s long standing presence in York, currently through a combined 866 military staff and 417 civilian staff based or working at Imphal and Queen Elizabeth II Barracks, as well as associated jobs in the wider supply chain.
Council notes that there has been a barracks in Fulford since 1795 and an army base in Strensall since 1884, notes the vital role the Army has played during major flooding events in the past, including Christmas 2015, and further notes that York is proud to be a Garrison City.
Council resolves:
That the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Defence, to express Council's opposition to the planned closures of Imphal and Queen Elizabeth II Barracks; and further resolves to lobby the city’s two MPs to support City of York Council’s position in Parliament.”
An amendment was proposed by Cllr D’Agorne as follows:
“After second paragraph add:
Council further notes that the assumption by the Ministry of Defence that the Imphal Barracks site is appropriate to release for large scale housing development rather than its current mix of employment land and housing is premature given that the proposal has yet to be considered through the local plan process.”
On being put to the vote the amendment was CARRIED.
A further amendment was then proposed by Cllr Carr as follows:
“Following the second paragraph add additional paragraph:
Council notes that the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council have written to the Secretary of State for Defence expressing the council’s extreme concern regarding the closure of these barracks and seeking further clarification from the MoD of their intentions.
Final paragraph second line, delete “opposition to” and replace with “extreme concern relating to”
On being put to the vote the second amendment was LOST.
A vote was then taken on the original motion, as altered by Cllr D’Agorne’s amendment, which was CARRIED and it was
Resolved: That the original motion, as altered by Cllr D’Agorne’s amendment, be approved. 3.
(iv) Charity Fundraisers
(proposed by Cllr Steward and seconded by Cllr Dew)
“Council believes York has a problem with overly aggressive charity fundraisers (known as ‘chuggers’) and so-called ‘gag mag’ sellers;
Council notes that whilst York supports licensed charity fundraising it takes issue with the intrusive and high pressure tactics often exhibited by both chuggers and gag mag sellers, which disrupt peoples’ enjoyment of their time in our city;
Further notes that although officers have taken a number of steps to address this issue, as a result of national legislation and long-existing statutes they have found it extremely difficult to effectively penalise street traders or charity fundraisers who persistently annoy members of the public;
Council therefore instructs officers; in consultation with Make it York and the York BID to:
a) Review the present circumstances and determine whether any additional steps can be taken to improve the situation, and
b) Take a lead with the LGA in lobbying the Government to bring national legislation up to date to reflect modern realities.”
On being put to the vote the motion was CARRIED.
Resolved: That the motion be approved.4.