Agenda item

To consider the following Motions on Notice under Standing Order B10:

1)   Protecting York’s Independent Patient Voice – Healthwatch

To be moved by Councillor Steels-Walshaw

Council notes:

·      That Healthwatch York has for over a decade provided an independent and trusted route for residents to share their experiences of health and social care, particularly for people who feel unable to raise concerns directly with service providers;

·      That this independence enables and supports transparency, learning and improvement across the health and social care system;

·      National proposals within the NHS 10-Year Plan and the Penny Dash Review would bring statutory Healthwatch functions into a new Patient Experience Directorate within the Department of Health and Social Care, with local voice functions embedded within NHS bodies and local authorities;

·      That these proposals require primary legislation, and local Healthwatch services will continue to operate until any such legislation is enacted;

·      A wide range of national organisations, including respected health policy bodies, have highlighted the importance of maintaining strong, independent mechanisms for the service user’s voice to be heard.

Council recognises:

·      The value of an independent voice in supporting residents to speak openly about their experiences, including those in vulnerable circumstances;

·      The contribution Healthwatch York makes to local insight, system learning, and partnership working across health and social care in the city;

·      The importance of ensuring that any future arrangements continue to provide a clear, accessible and independent mechanism for people to share their views and experiences.

Council resolves to express its strong support and appreciation for Healthwatch York for representing the views of service users locally for over a decade, and for the work of York’s Health and Care Partnership Executive Committee in continuing to promote the importance of Healthwatch’s work, including keeping this independent function within the York health system.

Council further resolves to:

·      Request the Council Leader writes to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care requesting a review of the proposed legislative changes, to ensure that any future model continues to provide a robust, truly independent and trusted mechanism for representing patient and public voices; and

·      Request the Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, including as Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, works constructively with local partners, including the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, local MPs and voluntary and community sector organisations, as well as York’s Health and Care Partnership, to promote and protect independent advocacy for York residents.

2)   Fair votes for all

To be moved by Councillor Hook

Council notes that:

·      The First Past the Post (FPTP) voting system originated when parliament was dominated by land-owning aristocrats and the vote restricted to property-owning men.

·      In Europe, only the UK and authoritarian Belarus still use single-round FPTP for general elections. By contrast, more than 80 countries worldwide use forms of Proportional Representation (PR).

·      The 2024 General Election delivered the most disproportional and unrepresentative Parliament in British electoral history. The winning party was elected with 63.2% of MPs (411 out of 650) on a UK vote share of just 33.7% - this was the lowest ever vote share for any government with an overall House of Commons majority.

·      PR ensures all votes count, have equal value, and that seats won match votes cast. Under PR, parliaments and local authorities more accurately reflect both local communities and the nation as a whole.

·      PR already operates successfully for elections to the devolved parliaments and assemblies of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as for the London Assembly and local authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

·      The Government recently published the Representation of the People Bill.

Council believes that:

·      When MPs and councillors better reflect the communities they represent, decision-making improves, participation widens, and trust in politics increases.

·      The Representation of the People Bill is a step in the right direction. For example, it proposes votes for 16- and 17-year-olds, automatic voter registration, measures to prevent foreign donors from buying their way into UK politics and a strengthening of the law to protect candidates and campaigners from harassment and intimidation.

·      It is disappointing that the Bill contains nothing on electoral reform.

·      FPTP is not fit for purpose in a modern democracy, and PR is the fairest way to elect MPs and local councillors.

·      There is now broad cross-party support for PR, including from the Liberal Democrats, Green Party, SNP, Plaid Cymru, Reform UK and the Labour Party at its national conference, alongside many trade unions and pro-democracy organisations.

Council resolves to:

·      Ask Group Leaders to individually write to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy attaching a full copy of this motion and specifically calling for the Government to urgently establish a National Commission on Electoral Reform with clear terms of reference, as proposed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Fair Elections, which should report in time for any recommendations to be implemented before the next General Election, and to provide copies of these letters to the MPs for York Outer and York Central and the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

·      Publicly affirm this Council’s support for PR as an essential element of a modern and democratic United Kingdom.

3)   Impact of Business Rates Revaluation

To be moved by Councillor Healey

Council notes:

·      The revaluation of commercial properties for business rates due to take effect on 1 April 2026.

·      Early draft valuations indicate significant increases in rateable values for many businesses across York.

·      Analysis by industry bodies suggests hospitality businesses could face average increases of over £32,000 in business rates over the next three years.

·      Small hospitality businesses alone are expected to face £318 million in additional business rate costs nationally.

·      These increases come at a time when many businesses in York are already facing rising costs from National Insurance increases, higher energy bills and supply chain pressures.

·      Businesses that form the backbone of York’s local communities, including pubs, cafés, pharmacies, childcare providers, veterinary practices and independent retailers are particularly exposed.

·      Some businesses in York may lose eligibility for Small Business Rates Relief, creating sudden increases in liabilities.

Council believes:

·      The current business rates system places a disproportionate burden on bricks-and-mortar businesses.

·      Property-based taxation risks penalising businesses in York which provide local jobs and community services and help create vibrant local high streets, while online competitors face far lower costs.

·      Sudden increases in rate liabilities are likely to have an adverse impact on York’s high streets and increase the risk of business closures.

Council resolves:

·      To ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Government to request that it reconsider the implementation of the 2026 business rates revaluation where it results in significant increases in liabilities for businesses.

·      To request that officers consider what advice and support the council, working with partners in the business community, can offer to York businesses losing Small Business Rates Relief or facing significant increases.

·      To ask the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive Officer to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer expressing York’s concerns about the impact of business rate increases on local businesses and high streets.

·      To ask the Executive to work with the Combined Authority Mayor to make Government aware of the problem faced by many small businesses who would like to expand in order to help cover higher business rates payments, but in doing so risk breaching the current VAT threshold which could make their business unviable.