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Agenda item

Report of the County Solicitor (CSo/17/18) on the Notices of Motion referred to the Cabinet by the County Council on 27 April 2017, incorporating relevant briefing notes to facilitate the Cabinet’s discussion of the matters raised, attached.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the Report of the County Solicitor (CSo/17/18) on Notices of Motion referred to the Cabinet by the County Council on 27 April 2017, incorporating any relevant briefing notes to facilitate the Cabinet’s discussion of the matters raised.

 

(a) Royal Marines and Royal Navy Service Cuts

 

(Councillors Connett and Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

(Councillor Davis declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a parent of an RAF Cadet based at RNB Chivenor).

 

The following Notice of Motion submitted to the County Council by former Councillor Younger-Ross had been referred to the Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), for consideration, reference to another committee or to make a recommendation back to the Council. 

‘This Council notes the announcement of the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones to cut the Royal Marines by 200 personnel.

 

This Council further notes that these cuts are to be made to transfer funds to other parts of the Navy.

 

This Council recognises the important roll the Royal Marines play in defence of the UK. That they are a world class fighting force, providing a fast, flexible and mobile force and that members of the Royal Marines  make up nearly 50% of our elite fighting forces such as the SAS and SBS.

 

This Council is proud of the association Devon has with both the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.

 

This Council is concerned that these cuts will have a detrimental effect on the defensive capabilities of the UK and calls upon the Council Leader to make representations to the Government to reconsider these proposed cuts to the Marines and to look at the priorities for the Royal Navy and how it is to be funded’.

 

The matter was debated having regard to the aforementioned, the Officer’s factual briefing/position statement on the matter and other suggestions or alternatives or other relevant factors (e.g. public health, financial, environmental, risk management and equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) and:

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Clatworthy, and

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)that, in accordance with Standing Orders 6 & 8, the County Council be recommended to note the Notice of Motion, acknowledging that while the proposed changes alone may not impact significantly on the local economy, it was not possible to comment on the effect they would have on the defensive capabilities of the UK;  the Council should monitor the situation and reconsider its position if and when further announcements of changes are made;

 

(ii) that, nonetheless, representations be made to:

 

(A)           the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State, urging HM Government to maintain and retain all existing military bases in Devon to ensure the continuation of strong and robust Armed Forces, capable of delivering the range of defence, security and humanitarian services required, and

 

(B)           the Navy - as partners in the Council’s Armed Forces Covenant - seeking assurances on the impact of proposed reductions on service personnel, and their families as well as the wider community in Devon.

 

*(b) ‘NHS in Devon - Public Enquiry

 

The following Notice of Motion submitted to the County Council by Councillor Greenslade had also been referred to the Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 8(2) for consideration, reference to another committee or to make a recommendation back to the Council.

 

However, and at the request of the Mover, the Chairman indicated that consideration of this Notice of Motion would be deferred until the next meeting.  

 

‘While applauding the care provided by all our NHS medical staff the County Council is concerned at the current state of the NHS in Devon, the impact the NHS “Success Regime” is having and studies suggesting many GP’s will be retiring, being examples of areas for concern.

 

Accordingly the County Council agrees to establish a local public inquiry to consider the state of the NHS in Devon’.

 

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