Agenda item

Motions

(a)  Councillor Hannides to move:-

 

This Council deplores the closure of Oaklands Pool. The Labour Executive is, therefore, urged to:-

(i)  reconsider its decision,

(ii)  invest in this much valued community facility; and

(iii)ensure the pool is reopened as soon as possible.

 

(b)  Councillor Moulton to move:-

This Council believes that all Councillors should follow the Councillors' Code of Conduct and believes that Councillors should be honest and should at all times avoid the appearance of dishonesty in their activities as a Councillor.

 

In particular senior councillors such as Cabinet Members and the Leader should take special care to ensure that they carry out their roles in a fit and proper manner.

 

Council agrees that should it come to light that a Cabinet Member or the Leader of the Council has lied and done so publicly, making use of Council resources, then this would be a resignation matter.

 

(c)  Councillor Vinson to move:-

 

This Council is concerned at the number of poorly maintained Houses in Multiple Occupation in the City.

 

In the best interests of tenants and neighbourhoods this Council therefore urges the Executive to bring forward an Additional Licensing scheme, similar to those adopted by Oxford, Leeds, Croydon, Haringey, Hounslow, Cardiff and others, as soon as practicable.

 

(d)  Councillor Furnell to move:-

 

This Council is in full support of local residents concerned by the proposals for a major biomass plant in the docks and therefore urges the Executive to undertake a referendum amongst those immediately affected in the Freemantle and Millbrook wards as soon as is practicably possible in order to influence the final decision of the Secretary of State and with minimal use of scarce Council resources.

Minutes:

(a)  Oaklands Pool

 

Councillor Hannides moved and Councillor Moulton seconded:

 

“This Council deplores the closure of Oaklands Pool. The Labour Executive is, therefore, urged to:-

(i)  reconsider its decision,

(ii)  invest in this much valued community facility; and

(iii)ensure the pool is reopened as soon as possible”.

 

Amendment moved by Councillor Letts and seconded by Councillor Payne:

 

After “This Council” delete “deplores” and replace with ‘notes’ after “the” remove “closure” and replace with ‘proposal to start the public consultation on the potential”.

 

New sentence to read: “This Council notes the proposal to start the public consultation on the potential closure of Oaklands pool.”

 

Delete the remainder and replace with:

 

“As part of this consultation the Council will seek the views of pool users, Coxford councillors and residents in seeking a financially sustainable future for the Oaklands pool.”

 

Amended Motion to read:

 

This Council notes the proposal to start the public consultation on the potential closure of Oaklands Pool.  As part of this consultation the Council will seek the views of pool users, Coxford councillors and residents in seeking a financially sustainable future for the Oaklands pool.

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED CARRIED

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION AS AMENDED WAS DECLARED CARRIED

 

RESOLVED that the motion as amended be approved.

 

(b)  Code of Conduct

 

Councillor Moulton moved and Councillor Smith seconded:

 

“This Council believes that all Councillors should follow the Councillors' Code of Conduct and believes that Councillors should be honest and should at all times avoid the appearance of dishonesty in their activities as a Councillor.

 

In particular senior councillors such as Cabinet Members and the Leader should take special care to ensure that they carry out their roles in a fit and proper manner.

 

Council agrees that should it come to light that a Cabinet Member or the Leader of the Council has lied and done so publicly, making use of Council resources, then this would be a resignation matter”.

 

With the consent of the meeting, Councillor Vinson withdrew his amendment.

 

Amendment moved by Councillor Shields and seconded by Councillor Stevens:

 

In paragraph two - delete ‘Cabinet Members and the Leader’ and replace  with existing and former Cabinet Members, the Leader and Council representatives on outside bodies (such as the Police Authority and the Fire and Rescue Authority)’

 

In sentence three delete all after ‘Council agrees that ’ and replace with ‘any allegations of serious malpractice by leading Council representatives – including misuse of Council resources or deliberate deception of the public – are referred to the Council’s Governance Committee in the first instance’.

 

Amended Motion to read:

 

This Council believes that all Councillors should follow the Councillors' Code of Conduct and believes that Councillors should be honest and should at all times avoid the appearance of dishonesty in their activities as a Councillor.

 

In particular senior councillors such as existing and former Cabinet Members, the Leader and Council representatives on outside bodies (such as the Police Authority and the Fire and Rescue Authority) should take special care to ensure that they carry out their roles in a fit and proper manner.

 

Council agrees that any allegations of serious malpractice by leading Council representatives – including misuse of Council resources or deliberate deception of the public – are referred to the Council’s Governance Committee in the first instance.

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED CARRIED

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION AS AMENDED WAS DECLARED CARRIED

 

RESOLVED that the motion as amended be approved.

 

(c)  Houses in Multiple Occupation

 

With the consent of the meeting Councillor Vinson withdrew his motion.

 

(d)  Biomass Plant

 

Councillor Furnell moved and Councillor Shields seconded:

 

“This Council is in full support of local residents concerned by the proposals for a major biomass plant in the docks and therefore urges the Executive to undertake a referendum amongst those immediately affected in the Freemantle and Millbrook wards as soon as is practicably possible in order to influence the final decision of the Secretary of State and with minimal use of scarce Council resources”.

 

Amendment moved by Councillor Moulton and seconded by Councillor Parnell:

 

Add the following to the Motion as it stands:

 

“Also Council notes that both the previous Conservative Administration and the current Labour Administration have spoken against the proposed Biomass power station.

 

Therefore Council pledges to use the resources and professional skills available to it, subject to due process, to proactively oppose this planned power station application.

 

Council agrees to set aside financial provision to enable it to secure appropriate legal, planning and consulting support, in particular, but not limited to, employing the services of an expert planning barrister.

 

Council notes the statement by the Leader of the Council that he favours referenda and engaging and enthusing the electorate in local democracy.

 

Council agrees to hold a referendum on whether Oaklands Pool should remain open or should be permanently shut as is currently proposed by the Labour Administration. This referendum should be timed to coincide with the Police and Crime Commissioner election on 15th November and the referendum on the biomass power station suggested for the same day. Given the impact of the closure on the local area and the interest in it locally, the referendum should be held specifically in the Coxford and Redbridge Wards.”

 

Amended Motion to read:

 

“This Council is in full support of local residents concerned by the proposals for a major biomass plant in the docks and therefore urges the Executive to undertake a referendum amongst those immediately affected in the Freemantle and Millbrook wards as soon as is practicably possible in order to influence the final decision of the Secretary of State and with minimal use of scarce Council resources.

 

Also Council notes that both the previous Conservative Administration and the current Labour Administration have spoken against the proposed Biomass power station.

 

Therefore Council pledges to use the resources and professional skills available to it, subject to due process, to proactively oppose this planned power station application.

 

Council agrees to set aside financial provision to enable it to secure appropriate legal, planning and consulting support, in particular, but not limited to, employing the services of an expert planning barrister.

 

Council notes the statement by the Leader of the Council that he favours referenda and engaging and enthusing the electorate in local democracy.

 

Council agrees to hold a referendum on whether Oaklands Pool should remain open or should be permanently shut as is currently proposed by the Labour Administration. This referendum should be timed to coincide with the Police and Crime Commissioner election on 15th November and the referendum on the biomass power station suggested for the same day. Given the impact of the closure on the local area and the interest in it locally, the referendum should be held specifically in the Coxford and Redbridge Wards.”

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED LOST

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED

 

RESOLVED that the motion as submitted be approved.