Agenda item

The following Notices of Motion submitted to the County Council by the following Councillors have been referred to the Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), to refer it to another committee or make a recommendation back to the Council:

 

(a)  Virtual Meetings and their Future (Councillor Biederman)

(b)  Diversity and Council Policy (Councillor Connett)

(c)  Black Lives Matter (Councillor Wright)

(d)  A Better Future For Local Government - Leadership and Finances (Councillor Hannaford

 

Recommendations of the Cabinet in response to the Notices Of Motion

 

Virtual Meetings and their Future

 

That it be noted that the Council has committed to holding remote meetings for the remainder of this year. However, in light of the wider issues raised in terms of budgets, climate change and the environment, the Procedures Committee be asked to produce a Report responding in full to the issues raised by the Motion, including any national debates on this matter.

 

Diversity and Council Policy

 

That Council be recommended to:

 

(a)  Support current and planned activities which help to:

 

(i)            Enable everyone in Devon to participate in, and contribute, to its society, economy, and communities;

(ii)          Remove barriers; and

(iii)         Tackle prejudice and inequalities.

 

(b)  Request a peer challenge, based on the LGA “Local Government Equality Framework’.

 

(c)  Encourage all mechanisms that would increase of the diversity of Councillors.

 

(d)  Supports all Members to actively engage with BAME people and organisations;

 

(e)  Provides advice and support to schools on how they can support students understanding of BAME experiences, their history and contributions; and

 

(f)   Notes that Members’ Locality Budget Fund can be used to support the diverse needs of all local communities.

 

 

 

Black Lives Matter

 

That Council be recommended to:

 

(a)  Support Members to find and take opportunities to promote and celebrate the role and work in Devon by BAME people past and present;

 

(b)  Support and encourage Members to engage with BAME people;

 

(c)  Note that the streetnames etc are the responsibility of District Councils, however, should the County Council be involved in any such processes, the LGA guidance will be followed;

 

(d)  Encourage Schools, Settings, DCC Babcock LDP to write a ‘Position Statement’ in reference to the Black Lives Matter campaign and post clearly on their website;

 

(e)  Write to the Secretary of State for Education urging him to write to schools encouraging them to;

 

                              i.        Capture the voice of children, young people and consider how their practices and structures will change in response to the recent Black Lives Matter movement;

 

                            ii.        Ensure that the school environment and curriculum delivery allows all students to see themselves reflected and included; and

 

                           iii.        Reflect on how they challenge historic and persisting racist ideas and to how they celebrate diversity

 

A Better Future For Local Government - Leadership and Finances

 

That Council be asked to:

 

(a)  Note the Reports contained within the appendix of the briefing report; and

 

(b)  Will carefully consider the detail of any proposals in the forthcoming Devolution and Local Recovery White Paper when determining what actions it may wish to take to best meets the needs and interests of the people of Devon.

 

 

 

(a) Virtual Meetings and their Future (Councillor Biederman)

 

(Councillor Biederman attended in accordance with Standing Order 8 and Councillors Dewhirst and Hannaford attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

 

‘That Devon County Council make a commitment to holding more virtual meetings, briefings and task groups post Covid-19. They have clearly been very successful, have made a huge saving to the Council in budgetary terms and they also help in the Council’s climate emergency aims, by reducing our carbon footprint. Council therefore asks the Procedures Committee to consider a Report on meetings in the future and what Committees, briefings and task groups could meet virtually.

 

Members considered the Officer’s factual briefing note on the matter (CSO/20/14) which referred to the requirements of the Local Government Act (1972) on Councillor attendance, the legality of attending meetings remotely, the flexibility permitted by the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 which permitted remote

attendance during the pandemic (until 7th May 2021), the Council’s meetings protocol and that a future Report would be prepared, detailing the financial implications as well as climate change and environment impact.

 

The Cabinet considered the recommendation before them and it was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor McInnes, and,

 

RESOLVED that it be noted that the Council has committed to holding remote meetings for the remainder of the year. However, in light of the wider issues raised by the Motion in terms of budgets, climate change and the environment, the Procedures Committee be asked to produce a Report responding in full to the issues raised, including any national debates on this matter.

 

(b) Diversity and Council Policy (Councillor Connett)

 

Councillors Biederman, Dewhirst and Hannaford attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item). 

 

This notice of motion acknowledges the current situation facing underrepresented groups in Devon and seeks to support the work that is taking place UK wide to tackle racism and discrimination. Statistical data shows that individuals from Black Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities are underrepresented at every level in UK society, facing issues around social and economic mobility, and educational attainment, particularly affected by implicit racial bias and institutional racism.

 

Council recognises the contributions of individuals from BAME communities in society, business, and infrastructure across Devon both now and historically, and will not shy away from work which seeks to remove barriers, tackle prejudice and address inequality. 

 

In doing so the council calls for:

 

·         The review of Devon County Council's HR and Equalities practices and the inclusion of regular training for councillors and staff, to ensure the needs of under-represented groups are met through addressing poverty and encouraging economic and social mobility.

·         Work with Schools, Academies, Trusts and educationalists in Devon to explore the prospect of making changes the curriculum to include BAME experiences, contributions, and the FACTs of History, throughout the year.

·         Explore the possibility of an education transformation project in conjunction with schools that creates a suite of curriculum resources specific to Devon's history.

·         Lobby Government to invest and resource changes to the curriculum across the UK through the support of organisations such as The Black Curriculum and via associated campaigns.

·         An advisory board put in place linked to the Equality Impact Assessment for the Covid -19 recovery plan, to connect the experiences of BAME individuals within the community with the aim of driving forward positive change.

·         Encourage County-based organisations to contribute to diversity and social mobility through reviewing the Councillor Locality Grant criteria to ensure it can include (but not exclusively); projects that contribute to addressing inequalities and raising educational attainment within under-represented groups.

 

Members considered the Officer’s factual briefing note on the matter (CSO/20/14) which referred to the Local Government Association’s Equality Framework for Local Government to help Councils meet their obligations under the Equality Act 2010, mandatory equality training for staff, HR activities to improve the understanding of workforce diversity, training and development, work with community organisations, education and curriculum activities, recovery planning (pandemic) and an associated sub-group to consider impacts on people and groups and the use of locality budgets.

 

The Cabinet considered the recommendation now before them and the actions proposed and those already undertaken and all other relevant factors (e.g. financial, environmental, equality and public health impact).

 

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

 

RESOLVED that

 

That Council be recommended to:

 

(a)  Support current and planned activities which help to:

 

(i)            Enable everyone in Devon to participate in, and contribute, to its society, economy, and communities;

(ii)          Remove barriers; and

(iii)         Tackle prejudice and inequalities.

 

(b)  Request a peer challenge, based on the LGA “Local Government Equality Framework’.

 

(c)  Encourage all mechanisms that would increase of the diversity of Councillors.

 

(d)  Support all Members to continue to actively engage with BAME people and organisations;

 

(e)  Provides advice and support to schools on how they can support students understanding of BAME experiences, their history and contributions; and

 

(f)   Notes that Members’ Locality Budget Fund can be used to support the diverse needs of all local communities.

 

(c) Black Lives Matter (Councillor Wright)

 

(Councillor Wright attended in accordance with Standing Order 8 and Councillors  Biederman, Dewhirst and Hannaford attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

 

This Council welcomes the peaceful protests against the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer, including those organised in Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Exeter and Plymouth - and the way these have brought to light how this much of this country's wealth was built on slavery and other racial oppression.

 

This Council acknowledges the recent further pain caused to the BAME community, by the Windrush Scandal.

 

This Council acknowledges too, that the only way this deep historical wound can be healed is by people in high profile positions (especially politicians) proving that they are listening with compassion to the BAME community – and taking necessary action.

 

This Council resolves to pledge its support for the Black Lives Matter campaign by:

 

·         taking a lead among public organisations in Devon to seek out opportunities to promote and celebrate the work in Devon by BAME people, both in the past and currently.

·         Inviting every Devon County Councillor to:

 

1.     show leadership and support for people of colour in Devon, individually supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, using whichever public platform they feel most comfortable with;

 

2.     speak with people from the BAME community in their wards to determine what are the issues of concern for them - and take the necessary steps to resolve those issues;

 

·         Writing to the Secretary of State for Education urging him to:

 

3.     review the primary school, GCSE and A Level national curriculum with a view to ensuring that the historical record of the British Empire is treated in a way which fully takes account of slavery, the actions and views of historical figures and other oppressive experiences of BAME people, many of whose descendants are now part of our community.

 

4.     show compassion and understanding by starting a national debate led by the BAME community, which seeks to define racism, the impacts of it in today’s society - and demonstrate how we can all help people of colour feel fully included and welcomed in the UK (this could be part of the current government review).

 

5.     identify a Cabinet minister champion for the BAME community.

 

·         inviting Devon town/parish/city councils to review any landmarks, street names or statues that implicitly celebrate slavery, with a view to clarifying their history, such as the historical plaque in Exmouth for slave trader, John Colleton, who also has three streets named after him in Exeter.

 

NB. Motion was created with students at The Kings School, especially young BAME people.

 

Members considered the Officer’s factual briefing note on the matter (CSO/20/14) which referred to the issues raised above but also celebration and engagement activities, the curriculum and education and the Local Government Association guidance on responding to requests for changes to place names and statues: https://local.gov.uk/topics/community-safety/statues, noting that street naming was a District Council responsibility.

 

The Cabinet considered the recommendation before them, the actions proposed and those already undertaken and it was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor McInnes, and

 

RESOLVED that

 

That Council be recommended to:

 

(a)  Support Members to continue to find and take opportunities to promote and celebrate the role and work in Devon by BAME people past and present;

 

(b)  Support and encourage Members to continue to engage with BAME people;

 

(c)  Note that the streetnames etc are the responsibility of District Councils, however, should the County Council be involved in any such processes, the LGA guidance will be followed;

 

(d)  Encourage Schools, Settings, DCC Babcock LDP to write a ‘Position Statement’ in reference to the Black Lives Matter campaign and post clearly on their website;

 

(e)  Write to the Secretary of State for Education urging him to encourage schools to;

 

                              i.        Capture the voice of children and young people and their responses to the Black Lives Matter movement;

 

                            ii.        Ensure that the school environment and curriculum allows all students to see themselves reflected and included;

 

                           iii.        Reflect on how they challenge historic and persisting racist ideas and to how they celebrate diversity.

 

(d) A Better Future For Local Government - Leadership and Finances (Councillor Hannaford

 

(Councillor Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 8 and Councillors Biederman and Dewhirst attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

 

Council Notes

 

Local Councils have seen a huge reduction of £16 billion in core grant from central Government over the last 10 years and this is now a critical tipping point. 

 

In spite of this, in the face of the global pandemic, councils including Devon County Council have been proactively working with the NHS, Public Health England , blue light services , supporting forums, local community volunteers, and other agencies, through the Local Resilience Forum to keep people safe from Covid19.

 

DCC has brought and distributed personal protective equipment (PPE), and helped set up logistical operations with others, to deliver medicine and food across wide geographies, and make sure vulnerable and older people receive the care and support they need, and crucially keep our children safe.

 

We have yet to work through the long term impacts that this will have on Devon’s economy, schools,  health services , and the most vulnerable people – Devon’s 20% poorest communities, those with long term disabilities and mental health issues, and our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.

 

In Devon we are now facing unprecedented levels of financial burdens unless the costs of dealing with the pandemic are properly reimbursed by central government.

 

Council Believes

 

A new relationship must emerge between national, regional and local government that is based on central government’s genuine belief that local is best. Our local response to the pandemic has demonstrated only local government working with its partners has the intimate understanding of our communities, places, people and services to do this effectively.

 

Let this be the ‘new normal’ a relationship between local and central government roles.

 

DCC and our local government partners must have the finance and ability to fully respond in this new environment and to the social, educational, public health and economic impacts of COVID-19, to find effective and efficient local solutions.

 

Councils have a significant opportunity and role to do things differently now in developing;

 

• a sustainable net zero carbon economy working with the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and business leaders

• reliable broadband to the whole of Devon

• sustainable transport and enhancing our cycling and walking infrastructure

• an integrated social and health care system

• agile and flexible working

• skills for all ages.

• significant investment in the supply of social and affordable housing

 

Council Resolves

 

Devon County Council’s approach for future actions must not only incorporate these seven key needs outlined but also seek more devolved powers. They must do this through representation to central government and our local members of parliament to acquire the necessary legislative and budgetary changes. Local government could then provide greater community leadership so that here in Devon we can better serve our people.

 

Members considered the Officer’s factual briefing note on the matter (CSO/20/14) which reported on the Local Government Ministers speech which referred to a “shift of power from Whitehall. The example of Covid-19 had underlined that a centralised state was not best placed to respond effectively to the challenges faced by local communities. It also highlighted the anticipated Devolution and Local Recovery White Paper and that Members would wish to study the contents before considering what actions should be taken to best meet the needs and interests of the people of Devon.

 

The Appendix to the Report outlined a number of achievements / work streams of the Council. For example, sustainable net zero economy, Broadband and Mobile Boost, Sustainable Transport, towards an integrated health and social care system, Skills and employment and social and affordable housing.

 

The Cabinet considered the recommendation before them and it was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor McInnes, and

 

RESOLVED that

 

That Council be asked to:

 

(a)  Note the Reports contained within the appendix of the briefing report; and

 

(b)  Will carefully consider the detail of any proposals in the forthcoming Devolution and Local Recovery White Paper when determining what actions it may wish to take to best meets the needs and interests of the people of Devon.