To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 543d) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Hannaford and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely
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; and
· 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.
Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report (CSO/20/14) and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:
That Council be asked to:
(a) Note the Reports contained within the appendix of the briefing report; and
(b) 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.
Minutes:
Pursuant to County Council Minute 299 of 23 July 2020 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Hannaford that:
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; and
· 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.
and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 453(d) of 9 September 2020:
Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and that Notice of Motion be welcomed and that Council agree to note the Reports contained within the appendix of the briefing report submitted to the Cabinet meeting and 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 meet the needs and interests of the people of Devon.
The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and subsequently thereafter also CARRIED as the substantive motion.