Agenda item

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

Councillor Shah to MOVE and Councillor Hamblett to SECOND:

Tackling Harassment and Abuse in Public Life

This council acknowledges the announcement in the Queens Speech that “Ministers will develop legislation to improve internet safety for all” and note many recent reports on online harassment and abuse of those in public life.

This council also notes representations made by the cross party Local Government Association where they state; “Harassment, threats and intimidation of local elected representatives are completely unacceptable, and must be dealt with robustly at all levels. This includes the Government, by councils, private sector; by the police and, where relevant, by the social media companies which provide platforms for specific forms of abuse.”

This council believes in the right of those democratically elected by the residents of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham to carry out their duties without the fear of harassment and abuse.

We therefore support any efforts by government and those of the Local Government Association in ensuring the protection of our democracy, while recognising the importance of free speech and expression.

This Council resolves:

·         To write to the borough’s MPs to seek their support in tackling harassment and abuse in public life.

·         To write to the Minister for the Cabinet Office to seek a cross government response in tackling harassment and abuse in public life.

·         To write to the Chair and Chief Executive of the Local Government Association to thank them for representations made to date on the issue.

Motion 2

Councillor Stretton to MOVE and Councillor Phythian to SECOND:

Government-funded Pay Rise for Council Staff

This council notes that since 2010 Oldham Council has lost £208million from its annual budget following government cuts, with local councils facing a funding gap of £8 billion by 2025 according to the LGA. These cuts have meant the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing 22 per cent of their value since 2009/10. At the same time workers are asked to do more, taking on additional responsibilities and heavier workloads.

Without the professionalism and dedication of our staff, the council services Oldham residents rely on would not be deliverable. Government funding has been cut to the extent that a proper pay rise could result in a reduction in local government services. This council believes that the government needs to take responsibility and fully fund increases in pay; it should not put the burden on local authorities whose funding has been cut to the bone.

This Council resolves to:

·         Support the NJC pay claim submitted by GMB, UNISON and Unite on behalf of council and school workers for a 10 per cent uplift across pay points in 2020/21.

·         Call on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to central government to fund the NJC pay claim

·         Write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State to call for a pay increase for local government workers to be funded with new money from central government.

·         Meet with local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim.

·         Encourage all local government workers to join a union.

Motion 1 – Tackling Harassment and Abuse in Public Life

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Hamblett SECONDED the following MOTION:

“This Council acknowledges the announcement in the Queens Speech that ‘Ministers will develop legislation to improve internet safety for all’ and note many recent reports on online harassment and abuse of those in public life.

This council also notes representations made by the cross party Local Government Association where they state; ‘Harassment, threats and intimidation of local elected representatives are completely unacceptable, and must be dealt with robustly at all levels.  This includes the Government, by councils, private sector; by the police and, where relevant, by the social media companies which provide platforms for specific forms of abuse’.

This council believes in the right of those democratically elected by the residents of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham to carry out their duties without the fear of harassment and abuse.

We therefore support any efforts by government and those of the Local Government Association in ensuring the protection of our democracy, while recognising the importance of free speech and expression.

This Council resolves:

·       To write to the borough’s MPs to seek their support in tackling harassment and abuse in public life.

·       To write to the Minister for the Cabinet Office to seek a cross government response in tackling harassment and abuse in public life.

·       To write to the Chair and Chief Executive of the Local Government Association to thank them for representations made to date on the issue.”

Councillor Mushtaq spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Al-Hamdani spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Taylor spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Ur-Rehman spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Toor spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor S. Bashforth spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Fielding spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Shah exercised her right of reply.

On being put to the vote, the MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The Borough MP’s be written to, to seek their support in tackling harassment and abuse in public life.

2.       The Minister for the Cabinet Office be written to, to seek a cross government response in tackling harassment and abuse in public life.

3.       The Chair and Chief Executive of the Local Government Association be written to, to thank them for their representations made to date on the issue.

Motion 2 – Government-funded Pay Rise for Council Staff

Councillor Stretton MOVED and Councillor Phythian SECONDED the following motion:

“This council notes that since 2010 Oldham Council has lost £208million from its annual budget following government cuts, with local councils facing a funding gap of £8 billion by 2025 according to the LGA.  These cuts have meant the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing 22 per cent of their value since 2009/10.  At the same time workers are asked to do more, taking on additional responsibilities and heavier workloads.

Without the professionalism and dedication of our staff, the council services Oldham residents rely on would not be deliverable.  Government funding has been cut to the extent that a proper pay rise could result in a reduction in local government services.  This council believes that the government needs to take responsibility and fully fund increases in pay; it should not put the burden on local authorities whose funding has been cut to the bone.

This Council resolves to:

·       Support the NJC pay claim submitted by GMB, UNISON and Unite on behalf of council and school workers for a 10 per cent uplift across paypoints in 2020/21.

·       Call on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to central government to fund the NJC pay claim.

·       Write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State to call for a pay increase for local government workers to be funded with new money from central government.

·       Meet with local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim.

·       Encourage all local government workers to join a union.

Councillor Stretton did not exercise her right of reply.

On being put to the vote, the MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The NJC pay claim submitted by GMB, UNISON and Unite on behalf of council and school workers for a 10 per cent uplift across paypoints in 2020/2021 be supported.

2.       The Local Government Association be called upon to make urgent representations to central government to fund the NJC pay claim.

3.       The Chancellor and Secretary of State be written to, to call for a pay increase for local government workers to be funded with new money from central government.

4.       A meeting be held with Local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim.

5.       All local government workers be encouraged to join a union.