Agenda item

i)             Councillor Beardsworth to propose and Councillor Meredith to second:

This Council notes with concern the intention of the new Conservative government to revisit the fox hunting ban passed by Labour in 2004.

Council asserts that hunting with dogs for sport has no place in a civilised society, and resolves that it will never be allowed to take place on Council land.

Council further resolves to write to the Prime Minister stating our position to any repeal.

ii)            Councillor Beardsworth to propose and Councillor Meredith to second:

Council recognises that Democracy is struggling in Britain today, with citizens feeling alienated from their Government at every level, with almost a third of people failing to vote at all in May’s elections.

Council further recognises that this Council could be more accountable to residents, ensuring that they have a real voice in the way their town is run.

Council therefore resolves to begin producing plans to return to the Committee system, meaning an administration, while retaining their current level of control, would be more accountable to opposition members and, therefore, the town’s residents.

iii)           Councillor Marriot to propose and Councillor Russell to second:

“The council applauds the excellent work of the Returning Officer and all his staff for conducting three elections at the same time with superb efficiency and excellent customer care.

However we note that there remains a democratic issue in this town in three areas and resolve the following:-

1. We need to do further work to ensure maximum numbers of our citizens are registered to vote, particularly with full implementation of IER.

2. In our next review of polling stations we must ensure equal access for voters without cars, those who need wheel chair access and those not able to walk very far.

3. The methodology process of consultation of the polling station review needs to be approved by General Purposes Committee before it is carried out.

We further urge the Administration to think about Democracy Week and how we can use that week to further the aims of democracy in our town”

iv)           Councillor Ashraf to propose and Councillor Stone to second:

“This Council notes that the well-being of the people of our town is often dependant on the services provided by Northamptonshire County Council.  These services should not be provided in isolation but should be part of a robust partnership with Northampton Borough Council.

We therefore resolve to strengthen our partnership working around the following key issues:-

Planning for Sheltered Housing, Care Homes and End of Life Care.

Planning for the transitional needs of young people leaving care such as the housing needs.

Raising issues and awareness regarding the exploitation of vulnerable adults and children, through our Licensing function”. 

v)            Councillor Stone to propose and Councillor Cali to second:

“This Council notes that in April 2013 that Northamptonshire County Council set up a Sustainable Independent Living Scheme (SILS) due to the changes brought about by the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

This Council also notes that the purpose of SILS was to support vulnerable people to remain in or return to the community and sustain independent living.  SILS was controlled through applications meeting the criteria so grants were given only to people under significant pressures such as people being rehoused after a period of homelessness. 

However, this Council further notes that Northamptonshire County Council ceased the SILS with effect from 1st April 2015.  There are no other sources of public service support of this kind and so people will have to turn to voluntary agencies, which are already under extreme pressures. 

This Council believes that the closure of the SILS could result in increased poverty and personal debt.

This Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to write to Northamptonshire County Council calling for the reinstatement of SILS or temporary reinstated whilst a long-term satisfactory solution is found”.

Mr Norman Adams addressed Council and spoke of his strong feelings in support of the motion. He stated that fox hunting was a horrible ‘sport’ and that the Conservatives have tried to justify hunting as a means of valuable employment and further stated that he would like to see the ban remain in place and that there was a need to concentrate on more pressing issues.

i)             Councillor Beardsworth proposed and Councillor Meredith seconded:

This Council notes with concern the intention of the new Conservative government to revisit the fox hunting ban passed by Labour in 2004.

Council asserts that hunting with dogs for sport has no place in a civilised society, and resolves that it will never be allowed to take place on Council land.

Council further resolves to write to the Prime Minister stating our position to any repeal.

Upon a requisition for a recorded vote:

There voted for the Motion: Councillors Ahsraf, Beardsworth, Birch, Cali, Chunga, Culbard, Davenport, Duffy, G Eales, T Eales, Haque, Marriott, Meredith, Russell, Smith and Stone.

There voted against the motion Aziz, Bottwood, Caswell, Eldred, Golby, Hadland, Hallam, Hibbert, J Hill, Kilbride, King, Lynch, Malpas, Markham, Nunn, Oldham, Parekh, Patel, Sargeant, Shaw and Walker.

There abstained the Mayor and Councillor M Hill.

The motion was lost.

Alderman John Dickie addressed Council and stated that he was speaking in favour of the Motion. He commented that the Cabinet system was based on Westminster model but that it resulted in many Councillors becoming disenfranchised. He argued that it also diminished the quality of the debate and that Councillors were now being used as voting fodder and the Borough Council should extend democracy and revert to the Committee system.

ii)            Councillor Beardsworth proposed and Councillor Meredith seconded:

Council recognises that Democracy is struggling in Britain today, with citizens feeling alienated from their Government at every level, with almost a third of people failing to vote at all in May’s elections.

Council further recognises that this Council could be more accountable to residents, ensuring that they have a real voice in the way their town is run.

Council therefore resolves to begin producing plans to return to the Committee system, meaning an administration, while retaining their current level of control, would be more accountable to opposition members and, therefore, the town’s residents.

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was lost.

iii)           Councillor Marriot proposed and Councillor Russell seconded:

“The council applauds the excellent work of the Returning Officer and all his staff for conducting three elections at the same time with superb efficiency and excellent customer care.

However we note that there remains a democratic issue in this town in three areas and resolve the following:-

1. We need to do further work to ensure maximum numbers of our citizens are registered to vote, particularly with full implementation of IER.

2. In our next review of polling stations we must ensure equal access for voters without cars, those who need wheel chair access and those not able to walk very far.

3. The methodology process of consultation of the polling station review needs to be approved by General Purposes Committee before it is carried out.

We further urge the Administration to think about Democracy Week and how we can use that week to further the aims of democracy in our town”

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was carried.

Council noted that the proposer of Motion iv) had agreed to incorporate the amendment submitted by the Conservative Group and agreed to the Motion being amended (as below)

iv)           Councillor Ashraf to propose and Councillor Stone to second:

“This Council notes that the well-being of the people of our town is often inter-dependant on the services provided by Northamptonshire County Council and other organisations including this Borough Council.  These services should not be provided in isolation but, where relevant, should be part of a close working partnership with Northampton Borough Council.

We therefore resolve to strengthen our partnership working around the following key issues:-

Planning for Sheltered Housing, Care Homes and End of Life Care.

Planning for the transitional needs of young people leaving care such as the housing needs.

Raising issues and awareness regarding the exploitation of vulnerable adults and children, through our Licensing function”.  

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was carried.

v)            Councillor Stone proposed and Councillor Cali seconded:

“This Council notes that in April 2013 that Northamptonshire County Council set up a Sustainable Independent Living Scheme (SILS) due to the changes brought about by the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

This Council also notes that the purpose of SILS was to support vulnerable people to remain in or return to the community and sustain independent living.  SILS was controlled through applications meeting the criteria so grants were given only to people under significant pressures such as people being rehoused after a period of homelessness. 

However, this Council further notes that Northamptonshire County Council ceased the SILS with effect from 1st April 2015.  There are no other sources of public service support of this kind and so people will have to turn to voluntary agencies, which are already under extreme pressures. 

This Council believes that the closure of the SILS could result in increased poverty and personal debt.

This Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to write to Northamptonshire County Council calling for the reinstatement of SILS or temporary reinstated whilst a long-term satisfactory solution is found”.

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was lost.