Agenda item

Report of the County Solicitor (CSO/17/30) on the Notices of Motion referred to the Cabinet by the County Council on 5 October 2017, incorporating relevant briefing notes to facilitate the Cabinet’s discussion of the matters raised, attached.

The Notices of Motion were on the following matters;

·         Plastic Free Coastlines;

·         National Funding Formula for Schools;

·         Ethical Care Council; and

·         20 MPH Speed Limits

The Cabinet considered the Report of the County Solicitor (CSO/17/30) relating to those Notices of Motion set out hereunder submitted to the County Council by the Councillors shown, incorporating any factual briefings or position statements on each prepared by the relevant Chief Officer or Head of Service to facilitate the Cabinet’s discussion of each Notice of Motion.

(a)   Plastic Free Coastlines

(Councillor Biederman attended in accordance with Standing Order 8 and Councillors Connett, Dewhirst and Hannaford in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

(Representatives from Georgeham Primary School were invited to speak at the invitation of the Committee and in the spirit of the Council’s Public Participation Rules).

‘This Devon County Council supports Plastic Free Coastlines, committing to plastic free alternatives and supporting plastic free initiatives within Devon.

The Council commits to lead by example to remove single-use plastic items from its premises. Also it must encourage plastic free initiatives, promoting the campaign and supporting its events.

A representative of this Council will become a member of the Plastic Free Coastlines Steering group’.

The Mover of the Notice of Motion (wording of Motion outlined above) having spoken seeking the Cabinet’s support for the course of action originally proposed, the relevant Officer’s factual briefing/position statement on the matter, the relevant Cabinet Members’ willingness to endorse the underlying principles therein and their support for the recommendation now before the Cabinet, representations previously made and to actions now proposed or already undertaken and any other relevant factors (e.g. public health, financial, environmental, risk management and equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) and the Cabinet Members agreeing to undertake an audit of the situation in six – nine months:

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

RESOLVED that the Council be recommended to:

i)              support the spirit of the Notice of Motion, which aims to provide leadership in avoiding single-use plastic items in order to achieve a ‘Plastic Free Coastline’; and

ii)             commit to addressing this issue further through this Authority’s environmental performance agenda, including a review of single-use plastic items and how suitable alternatives to these might continue to be adopted.

(b)   National Funding Formula for Schools

(Councillor Greenslade attended in accordance with Standing Order 8 and Councillors Biederman, Dewhirst and Hannaford in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

‘County Council expresses its considerable disappointment at the Government’s recently announced proposals which notionally leave Devon Schoolchildren with a funding gap of £268 below the national average. Additionally considerable concern is also registered that Devon has not done well with the high needs block allocation compared to others which will increase pressure on budgets for SEN.       

These concerns be communicated on an all party basis to the Government and all Devon MP’s’.

The Mover of the Notice of Motion (wording of Motion outlined above) having spoken seeking the Cabinet’s support for the course of action proposed, the relevant Officer’s factual briefing/position statement on the matter, the relevant Cabinet Members’ willingness to endorse the underlying principles therein and their support for the recommendation now before the Cabinet, representations previously made and to actions now proposed or already undertaken and any 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 McInnes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED that the sentiment of the Notice of Motion is welcomed and Council shares the concerns expressed regarding fairer funding for schools. Therefore, Council be recommended to continue the campaign for fair and adequate funding for all Devon children (including school funding, high needs funding for those with SEN and additional needs and early years pupils) and support the following actions:

i)              that work continues with F40 and the offer to take a more substantial role within the F40;

ii)             that Council notes the briefing that has been sent out to MPs outlining funding concerns for Devon Schools, early years and high needs funding and also  welcomes the request for their support; and

iii)            that work continues with both schools and SEN groups.

In light of the above and the action already undertaken, no additional action be taken.

(c)   Ethical Care Council

(Councillor Hodgson attended in accordance with Standing Order 8 and Councillors Hannaford and Shaw in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

‘This Council commits to becoming an Ethical Care Council by commissioning homecare services which adhere to an Ethical Care Charter.  This will establish a minimum baseline for the safety, quality and dignity of care by ensuring employment conditions which a) do not routinely short-change clients and b) ensure the recruitment and retention of a more stable worksforce through more sustainable pay (based on a minimum –genuine- living wage), conditions and training levels.  On that basis we will adopt and sign UNISON's Ethical Care Charter.’

The Mover of the Notice of Motion (wording of Motion outlined above) having spoken seeking the Cabinet’s support for the course of action proposed, the relevant Officer’s factual briefing/position statement on the matter, the relevant Cabinet Members’ willingness to endorse the underlying principles therein and their support for the recommendation now before the Cabinet, representations previously made and to actions now proposed or already undertaken and any 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 Leadbetter, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED that the Council notes the requirements of the Charter and recommends officers work with its contracted providers to work towards its adoption having due regard to affordability, market sufficiency and quality of commissioned care.

(d)   20 MPH Speed Limits

(Councillor Hodgson attended in accordance with Standing Order 8 and Councillors Biederman, Dewhirst and Shaw in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

‘With rising concerns about road safety for pedestrian and cyclists and in response to the growing calls for 20 mph speed limits in villages, this Council will welcome and consider proposals from Town and Parish Councils for 20 mph speed limits in residential areas, town and village centres and associated approach roads’.

The Mover of the Notice of Motion (wording of Motion outlined above) having spoken seeking the Cabinet’s support for the course of action proposed, the relevant Officer’s factual briefing/position statement on the matter, the relevant Cabinet Members’ support for the recommendation now before the Cabinet, representations previously made and to actions now proposed or already undertaken and any 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 Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED that the Council be advised that a blanket call for Town and Parish Councils to propose 20mph speed limits would be premature at this stage given there is a commitment to reviewing the current policy.