(time limit 30 minutes)
Councillor Harkness to MOVE and Councillor Turner to SECOND:
This Council:
· Notes that in 2014 / 15 there were an estimated 1.3 million female victims and 600,000 male victims of domestic abuse and that, on average, 100 women and 30 men a year are killed in situations involving domestic abuse.
· Remains totally committed to opposing domestic violence in all its forms, to supporting its victims, and to working for a society where all members of our community treat one another with compassion, kindness and respect.
· Believes that Government should share these priorities and is therefore bitterly opposed to Conservative Government proposals requiring victims of domestic violence seeking legal aid to provide a prescribed piece of evidence to prove they have been subjected to abuse.
· Notes that such evidence can include a letter from a General Practitioner for which some GPs charge a fee of up to £75, as this sits outside of the NHS contract.
· Believes that it is totally unreasonable to expect the victims of domestic violence to pay such a fee; that many such victims will struggle to find the fee.
Council resolves to
· Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Minister of Justice outlining this Council’s opposition to the imposition of a requirement for victims of domestic violence to produce letters or similar evidence of abuse to access legal aid and asking the Government to scrap this requirement.
· Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Borough’s three Members of Parliament and the new Mayor of Greater Manchester asking them to support this position.
· Ask the Health and Well-being Board and the Domestic Violence Partnership to contact local GPs asking them to make a commitment not to charge victims for letters until such time as this requirement is scrapped.
· Register as a supporter of the ‘Scrap the Fee’ campaign established by Tom Watson MP and Wythenshawe Safe Spots.
Motion 2
Councillor Gloster to MOVE and Councillor Hudson to SECOND:
Council notes with revulsion that, at 10.31 pm on Monday 22 May 2017, a terrorist attack took place at the Manchester Arena when a 22 year old British Muslim man detonated an improvised explosive device within the confines of the arena killing himself and 22 innocent adults and children and injuring a further 119 adults and children, 23 of them critically.
Although any deaths or injuries in such a terrorist outrage are horrific, the Council and people of Oldham were especially saddened to hear that amongst the dead were two women from Royton, Alison Howe and Lisa Lees.
The perpetrator of this atrocity, Salman Abedi, claimed to have performed this act of terrorism in the name of Islam.
This Council condemns terrorism in any form, and does not recognise or believe that this horrific act had anything to do with Islam, but was committed by a deranged man who had been radicalised into the mistaken belief that he would be going to a better place, when in fact his only achievement was to bring death to himself and others and worldwide condemnation of his actions from people of all religions, creeds, beliefs and people of no faith alike.
This Council recognises, and commends:
The courage, professionalism and dedication of the many members of the Emergency Services at the scene and in local hospitals.
Although the majority of first responders had never faced an incident of such mass violence and brutality, or dealt with injuries of this type, they acted selflessly without hesitation and in so doing saved many lives that otherwise would have been lost.
In our hospitals, National Health Service staff at Accident and Emergency Units across Greater Manchester, unflinchingly pulled together to treat the injured, saving lives and in some cases limbs, of those most seriously injured.
Council notes that many of these casualties were treated at the Royal Oldham Hospital.
The many selfless acts that took place at the time of the attack and since the attack from members of the public from all walks of life, who have come together as a community to help people whom they do not know and have never met. Council especially commends the local vigils held and the tremendous fund-raising effort to support the victims of this tragedy and their families.
The work of staff of Transport for Greater Manchester, Metrolink and bus and rail companies in seeking to minimise the disruption to public transport services resulting from the closure of Victoria Station.
In recognition of these efforts, this Council directs the Chief Executive to write to:
· The Chief Constable, Greater Manchester Police
· The Chief Constable, British Transport Police
· The Chief Fire Officer, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
· The Chief Officer, North West Ambulance Service
· The Chief Executive, NHS Pennine Acute Trust
· The Chief Executive, Transport for Greater Manchester
To extend the gratitude and admiration of Council for the efforts of their staff both on the night and post incident.
Furthermore, Oldham Council places on record its admiration for the general public of Greater Manchester in facing up to the enormity of this tragedy; the public’s actions have demonstrated that we really are stronger as a Greater Manchester community when ‘We Stand Together’.
Motion 3
Councillor Gloster to MOVE and Councillor Blyth to SECOND:
On average
3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in drink
drive collisions on Britain’s roads.
Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are
over the legal alcohol limit.
Council notes that:
· The current permitted limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
· In Scotland the limit was reduced in December 2014 to 50mg
· The Local Government Association has recently called on the Government to reduce the limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to that of Scotland.
This Council believes that, as a contribution towards a further reduction in road deaths, the drink drive limit should be reduced across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to 50mg per 100ml of blood to bring it into line with Scotland.
This Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to:
· The Secretary of State for Transport to outline this Council’s position and to ask him to introduce this measure as soon as is practicable.
· Our three local Members of Parliament asking them to make representations in support of this position to the minister.
Minutes:
Motion 1:
Councillor Harkness MOVED and Councillor TURNER seconded the following motion:
“This Council:
· Notes that in 2014/15 there were an estimated 1.3 million female victims and 600,000 male victims of domestic abuse and that, on average, 100 women and 30 men a year are killed in situations involving domestic abuse.
· Remains totally committed to opposing domestic violence in all its forms, to supporting its victims, and to working for a society where all members of our community treat one another with compassion, kindness and respect.
· Believes that Government should share these priorities and is therefore bitterly opposed to Conservative Government proposals requiring victims of domestic violence seeking legal aid to provide a prescribed piece of evidence to prove they have been subjected to abuse.
· Notes that such evidence can include a letter from a General Practitioner for which some GPs charge a fee of up to £75, as this sits outside of the NHS contract.
· Believes that it is totally unreasonable to expect the victims of domestic violence to pay such a fee; that many such victims will struggle to find the fee.
Council resolves to:
· Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Minister of Justice outlining this Council’s opposition to the imposition of a requirement for victims of domestic violence to produce letters or similar evidence of abuse to access legal aid and asking the Government to scrap this requirement.
· Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Borough’s three Members of Parliament and the new Mayor of Greater Manchester asking them to support this position.
· Ask the Health and Well-being Board and the Domestic Violence Partnership to contact local GPs asking them to make a commitment not to charge victims for letters until such time as this requirement is scrapped.
· Register as a supporter of the ‘Scrap the Fee’ campaign established by Tom Watson MP and Wythenshawe Safe Spots.”
Councillor Roberts spoke in support of the motion.
Councillor Rehman spoke in support of the motion.
Councillor Dearden spoke in support of the motion.
Councillor S. Bashforth spoke in support of the motion.
Councillor Jacques spoke in support of the motion.
Councillor Harkness exercised his right of reply.
A vote was then taken on the MOTION.
On being put to the vote, the MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
RESOLVED that:
1. The Chief Executive be asked to write to the Minister of Justice outlining this Council’s opposition to the imposition of a requirement for victims of domestic violence to produce letters or similar evidence of abuse to access legal aid and asking the Government to scrap this requirement.
2. The Chief Executive be asked write to the Borough’s three Members of Parliament and the new Mayor of Greater Manchester asking them to support this position.
3. The Health and Well-being Board and the Domestic Violence Partnership be asked to contact local GPs asking them to make a commitment not to charge victims for letters until such time as this requirement is scrapped.
4. The Council be registered as a supporter of the ‘Scrap the Fee’ campaign established by Tom Watson MP and Wythenshawe Safe Spots.
Motion 2:
Councillor Gloster MOVED and Councillor Hudson SECONDED the following motion:
“Council notes with revulsion that, at 10.31 pm on Monday 22 May 2017, a terrorist attack took place at the Manchester Arena when a 22 year old British Muslim man detonated an improvised explosive device within the confines of the arena killing himself and 22 innocent adults and children and injuring a further 119 adults and children, 23 of them critically.
Although any deaths or injuries in such a terrorist outrage are horrific, the Council and people of Oldham were especially saddened to hear that amongst the dead were two women from Royton, Alison Howe and Lisa Lees.
The perpetrator of this atrocity, Salman Abedi, claimed to have performed this act of terrorism in the name of Islam.
This Council condemns terrorism in any form, and does not recognise or believe that this horrific act had anything to do with Islam, but was committed by a deranged man who had been radicalised into the mistaken belief that he would be going to a better place, when in fact his only achievement was to bring death to himself and others and worldwide condemnation of his actions from people of all religions, creeds, beliefs and people of no faith alike.
This Council recognises, and commends:
The courage, professionalism and dedication of the many members of the Emergency Services at the scene and in local hospitals.
Although the majority of first responders had never faced an incident of such mass violence and brutality, or dealt with injuries of this type, they acted selflessly without hesitation and in so doing saved many lives that otherwise would have been lost.
In our hospitals, National Health Service staff at Accident and Emergency Units across Greater Manchester, unflinchingly pulled together to treat the injured, saving lives and in some cases limbs, of those most seriously injured.
Council notes that many of these casualties were treated at the Royal Oldham Hospital.
The many selfless acts that took place at the time of the attack and since the attack from members of the public from all walks of life, who have come together as a community to help people whom they do not know and have never met.
Council especially commends the local vigils held and the tremendous fund-raising effort to support the victims of this tragedy and their families.
The work of staff of Transport for Greater Manchester, Metrolink and bus and rail companies in seeking to minimise the disruption to public transport services resulting from the closure of Victoria Station.
In recognition of these efforts, this Council directs the Chief Executive to write to:
· The Chief Constable, Greater Manchester Police
· The Chief Constable, British Transport Police
· The Chief Fire Officer, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
· The Chief Officer, North West Ambulance Service
· The Chief Executive, NHS Pennine Acute Trust
· The Chief Executive, Transport for Greater Manchester
To extend the gratitude and admiration of Council for the efforts of their staff both on the night and post incident.
Furthermore, Oldham Council places on record its admiration for the general public of Greater Manchester in facing up to the enormity of this tragedy; the public’s actions have demonstrated that we really are stronger as a Greater Manchester community when ‘We Stand Together’.”
Councillor Harrison spoke in support of the motion.
Councillor Brownridge spoke in support of the motion.
Councillor Williams spoke in support of the motion.
Councillor Bates spoke on the motion.
Councillor Gloster exercised his right of reply.
On being put to the vote, the MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
RESOLVED that:
1. The Chief Executive be instructed to write to:
· The Chief Constable, Greater Manchester Police
· The Chief Constable, British Transport Police
· The Chief Fire Officer, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
· The Chief Officer, North West Ambulance Service
· The Chief Executive, NHS Pennine Acute Trust
· The Chief Executive, Transport for Greater Manchester
to extend the gratitude and admiration of Council for the efforts of their staff both on the night and post incident.
2. It be placed on record, Oldham Council’s admiration for the general public of Greater Manchester in facing up to the enormity of this tragedy; the public’s actions have demonstrated that we really are stronger as a Greater Manchester community when ‘We Stand Together’.
Motion 3:
The Mayor informed the meeting that the time limit for this item had expired. Councillor Gloster as Mover of the Motion and Councillor Blyth as Seconder of the Motion requested the Motion be put to the vote.
“On average
3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in drink
drive collisions on Britain’s roads.
Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are
over the legal alcohol limit.
Council notes that:
· The current permitted limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
· In Scotland the limit was reduced in December 2014 to 50mg
· The Local Government Association has recently called on the Government to reduce the limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to that of Scotland.
This Council believes that, as a contribution towards a further reduction in road deaths, the drink drive limit should be reduced across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to 50mg per 100ml of blood to bring it into line with Scotland.
This Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to:
· The Secretary of State for Transport to outline this Council’s position and to ask him to introduce this measure as soon as is practicable.
· Our three local Members of Parliament asking them to make representations in support of this position to the minister.”
On being put to the vote, the MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
RESOLVED that:
1. The Chief Executive be asked to write to the Secretary of State for Transport to outline this Council’s position and to ask him to introduce this measure as soon as is practicable.
2. The Chief Executive be asked to write to our three local Members of Parliament asking them to make representations in support of this position to the minister.