(time limit 30 minutes)
Councillor Harkness to MOVE and Councillor Williamson to SECOND:
Confronting the school’s cuts crisis
This Council notes that:
· Many schools in Oldham Borough are not receiving the minimum funding of £3,500 per pupil for primary schools and £4,800 for secondary schools, as guaranteed by the Conservative Government’s National Funding Formula.
· Oldham Borough is ranked 73 out of 149 local authorities (149 being the lowest funded) in England for 2020-2021 school funding.
· There is an unacceptable shortfall for 2020. Oldham schools are predicted to lose more than £12 million in funding, an average of approximately £238 per pupil.
· Schools are struggling to maintain the standard of education with the level of cuts faced.
· Some schools are attempting to reduce the number of special needs pupils accepted because of the funding gap.
This Council resolves to:
· Have the Leader of the Council write to the Minister of Education asking for recognition of the harm that school cuts are having on the standard of education in this country and in Oldham Borough.
· Have the Chief Executive write to the Minister of Education and the Prime Minister asking them to acknowledge the 2019 Spending Review and address the issue of school funding. The letter should state that all schools must receive the minimum funding as guaranteed by the National Funding Formula, as well as fully funding the High Needs Block.
Motion 2
Councillor Sykes to MOVE and Councillor Murphy to SECOND:
Urban Meadows and Bee Corridors for a greener Oldham
This Council notes that:
· Recent work in other areas of the country has seen grass verges and dual carriageway centres transformed into wildflower corridors teeming with flora and fauna.
· These urban Meadows have multiple benefits for the areas that have been created. They enhance the support for wildlife thus delivering biodiversity and increasing the natural beauty and appeal of an area.
· Nature sites attract new visitors who come to see the colourful arrays created.
· Bee Corridors will reduce the maintenance costs due to the low maintenance of such areas.
· With bits of wood and plastic and in partnership with schools and youth groups, Insect Hotels will be built along the flowery corridors to attract as much wildlife as possible.
· The purpose of this scheme is to combat the dramatic loss of habitat and falling bee numbers. Insect numbers influence plant pollination and other species depend upon their existence.
· Although these urban Meadows are not for every community space and roadside, by increasing the local biodiversity in Oldham borough will have a positive effect on learning, mental health and overall appeal in the area.
· If a green Oldham is the ambition, this motion takes us a step forward to achieving that.
This Council resolves to:
· Have officers assess the feasibility of establishing Wildflower corridors, insect hotels and urban meadows across the Borough. Officers should also work closely with Parish Councillors and Borough Councils on this matter.
· A report highlighting potential locations and areas suitable should be presented to Cabinet before work can begin in 2020.
· The report will focus on working with the local community, businesses and Councillors to distinguish good and bad practice areas for this scheme.
Motion 3
Councillor Al-Hamdani to MOVE and Councillor H Gloster to SECOND:
A sensible approach to firework displays
This Council notes that:
· The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) says the law is failing. It does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress, injury or anxiety to people, as well as death, injury or distress to animals.
· That further research is needed to properly understand the impact of noise on animals and people. In the meantime, several things can be done to improve the situation for wildlife and people at risk of being affected by firework explosions.
· Applying the same Challenge 25 legislation to fireworks as there is with Alcohol will ensure that less young people will be injured by fireworks.
· Review of the licensing all public firework displays is needed, ensuring displays are better advertised to the public informing of noise levels and how it may affect people and animals.
This Council resolves to:
· Ensure all public firework displays within Oldham Borough to be advertised in advance of the event, with appropriate advertising for the size of the display, allowing residents to take precautions for people in their care and pets.
· Actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks.
· Encourage local suppliers of fireworks to separate ‘quieter’ fireworks from the loud ones so people can choose which ones they prefer with animal and people safety in mind. And give large labels to sticker the products with: green for quiet, red for loud.
· Applying Challenge 25 legislation to the sale of fireworks in Oldham Borough. Challenge 25 is a scheme that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID when they want to buy alcohol. With the danger that Fireworks carry, the same policy should be applied for people who want to possess fireworks.
Minutes:
Motion 1 – Confronting the school’s cuts crisis
Councillor Harkness, as MOVER of the MOTION had indicated that he wished to alter the MOTION. The ALTERED MOTION was SECONDED by Councillor Williamson.
Councillor Harkness MOVED and Councillor Williamson SECONDED the following motion:
“This Council notes that:
· Although additional funding has been allocated to schools for 2020/21, this will does not compensate for the lack of real terms funding to reflect pay and price increases in previous years.
· Oldham Borough is ranked 73 out of 149 local authorities (149 being the lowest funded) in England for 2020-2021 school funding.
· Schools are struggling to maintain the standard of education due to the cumulative effect of underfunding over many years, particularly as the level of High Needs funding has not kept pace with the increase in pupils with Special Educational Needs.
· Some schools are attempting to reduce the number of special needs pupils accepted because of the funding gap.
The Council resolves to:
· Have the Leader of the Council write to the Minister of Education asking for recognition of the harm that the understanding of schools has had on the standard of education in this country and in Oldham Borough and to do more to address the shortfall in funding for schools.
AMENDMENT
Councillor Mushtaq MOVED and Councillor Moores SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:
“Add new section after this Council notes:
This Council further notes the pledges made during the 2019 General Election on school funding by the 3 main UK-wide parties:
- The Conservatives’ manifesto confirmed previously committed funding through to 2022/23 only. Schools will have £2bn less spending power in 2020/21 than they did in 2015/16.
- Labour pledged to reverse school cuts in the first year of Government and introduce ‘a fairer funding formula’ that would have left ‘no child worse off’. As a result, schools would have had £1.4bn more spending power in 2020/21 than they did in 2015/16. Funding would have been £3.2bn higher than the 2015/16 baseline in 2023/24.
- The Liberal Democrats promised to restore school funding to the 2015/16 per-pupil baseline in real terms. They pledged the same real terms spending power in 2020/21 as schools had in 2015/16. However, their manifesto did not address historic underfunding prior to 2015/16.
The amended motion to read:
This Council notes that:
· Although additional funding has been allocated to schools for 2020/21, this does not compensate for the lack of real terms funding to reflect pay and price increases in previous years.
· Oldham Borough is ranked 73 out of 149 local authorities (149 being the lowest funded) in England for 2020-21 school funding.
· Schools are struggling to maintain the standard of education due to the cumulative effect of underfunding over many years, particularly as the level of High Needs funding has not kept pace with the increase in pupils with Special Educational Needs
· Some schools are attempting to reduce the number of special needs pupils accepted because of the funding gap.
This Council further notes the pledges made during the 2019 General Election on school funding by the 3 main UK-wide parties:
· The Conservatives’ manifesto confirmed previously committed funding through to 2022/23 only. Schools will have £2bn less spending power in 2020/21 than they did in 2015/16.
· Labour pledged to reverse school cuts in the first year of Government and introduce ‘a fairer funding formula’ that would have left ‘no child worse off’. As a result, schools would have had £1.4bn more spending power in 2020/21 than they did in 2015/16. Funding would have been £3.2bn higher than the 2015/16 baseline in 2023/24.
· The Liberal Democrats promised to restore school funding to the 2015/16 per-pupil baseline in real terms. They pledged the same real-terms spending power in 2020/21 as schools had in 2015/16. However, their manifesto did not address historic underfunding prior to 2015/16.
This Council resolves to:
Have the Leader of the Council write to the Minister of Education asking for recognition of the harm that the underfunding of schools has had on the standard of education in this country and in Oldham Borough and to do more to address the shortfall in funding for schools.”
Councillor Jacques spoke in support of the Amendment.
Councillor Hudson spoke against the Amendment.
Councillor Harkness exercised his right of reply.
Councillor Mushtaq exercised his right of reply.
A vote was then taken on the AMENDMENT.
On being put to the vote, 44 votes were cast in FAVOUR of the AMENDMENT and 3 votes were cast AGAINST with 6 ABSTENTIONS. The AMENDMENT was therefore CARRIED.
Councillor Chadderton MOVED and Councillor Mushtaq SECONDED to MOVE to the VOTE. The MOVE to the VOTE was AGREED.
Councillor Harkness did not exercise his right of reply.
On being put to the vote, 51 votes were cast in FAVOUR of the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION and 2 votes were cast AGAINST with 0 ABSTENTIONS. The SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was therefore CARRIED.
RESOLVED that the Leader of the Council write to the Minister of Education asking for recognition of the harm that the underfunding of schools has had on the standard of education in this country and in Oldham Borough and to do more to address the shortfall in funding for schools.
NOTE: Councillor Sheldon was not in the room during the vote on the Amendment or the Substantive Motion.
Motion 2 – Urban Meadows and Bee Corridors for a greener Oldham
The Chief Executive had been notified that Councillor Sykes was unable to attend the meeting and was unable to Move the Motion and notice had been given that Councillor Al-Hamdani would Move the Motion in his absence which was AGREED.
Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor Murphy SECONDED the following MOTION:
“This Council notes that:
· Recent work in other areas of the country has seen grass verges and dual carriageway centres transformed into wildflower corridors teeming with flora and fauna.
· These urban Meadows have multiple benefits for the areas that have been created. They enhance the support for wildlife thus delivering biodiversity and increasing the natural beauty and appeal of an area.
· Nature sites attract new visitors who come to see the colourful arrays created.
· Bee Corridors will reduce the maintenance costs due to the low maintenance of such areas.
· With bits of wood and plastic and in partnership with schools and youth groups, Insect Hotels will be built along the flowery corridors to attract as much wildlife as possible.
· The purpose of this scheme is to combat the dramatic loss of habitat and falling bee numbers. Insect numbers influence plant pollination and other species depend upon their existence.
· Although these urban Meadows are not for every community space and roadside, by increasing the local biodiversity in Oldham borough will have a positive effect on learning, mental health and overall appeal in the area.
· If a green Oldham is the ambition, this motion takes us a step forward to achieving that.
This Council resolves to:
· Have officers assess the feasibility of establishing Wildflower corridors, insect hotels and urban meadows across the Borough. Officers should also work closely with Parish Councillors and Borough Councils on this matter.
· A report highlighting potential locations and areas suitable should be presented to Cabinet before work can begin in 2020.
· The report will focus on working with the local community, businesses and Councillors to distinguish good and bad practice areas for this scheme.
AMENDMENT
Councillor Chadderton MOVED and Councillor Judd SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:
“Bullet point 1 of this council notes:
Delete ‘in other areas of the country’
Bullet point 8 – delete ‘If’ and insert ‘As’
In This Council resolves:
Bullet point 1
Delete ‘Have officers assess the feasibility of establishing’ – insert ‘Welcome’
Delete ‘insect hotels
After ‘urban meadows’ insert already in place across the borough
Delete last sentence
Bullet point 2 delete and insert, ‘Support further work to extend this approach and ask officers to investigate including insect hotels’
Bullet point 3
Delete ‘The report will focus on working’
Insert ‘Encourage local councillors to work with’
Insert ‘and’ between community and ‘businesses’
Delete ‘and Councillors to distinguish’
Insert ‘in identifying suitable sites and’
Delete: ‘areas for this scheme’ and insert ‘in promoting urban wildflower sites’.
Amended motion to read:
“This Council notes that:
· Recent work has seen grass verges and dual carriageway centres transformed into wildflower corridors teeming with flora and fauna.
· These urban Meadows have multiple benefits for the areas that have been created. They enhance the support for wildlife thus delivering biodiversity and increasing the natural beauty and appeal of an area.
· Nature sites attract new visitors who come to see the colourful arrays created.
· Bee Corridors will reduce the maintenance costs due to the low maintenance of such areas.
· With bits of wood and plastic and in partnership with schools and youth groups, Insect Hotels will be built along the flowery corridors to attract as much wildlife as possible.
· The purpose of this scheme is to combat the dramatic loss of habitat and falling bee numbers. Insect numbers influence plant pollination and other species depend upon their existence.
· Although these urban meadows are not for every community space and roadside, by increasing the biodiversity in Oldham borough will have a positive effect on learning, mental health and overall appeal in the area.
· As a green Oldham is the ambition, this motion takes us a step forward to achieving that.
This Council resolves to:
· Welcome wildflower corridors and urban meadows already in place across the borough.
· Support further work to extend this approach and ask officers to investigate including insect hotels.
· Encourage ward councillors to work with local community and business groups in identifying suitable sites and good practice in promoting urban wildflower sites.
Councillor Al-Hamdani did not exercise his right of reply.
Councillor Chadderton did not exercise her right of reply.
A vote was then taken on the AMENDMENT.
On being put to the vote, the AMENDMENT was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Councillor Al-Hamdani did not exercise his right of reply.
On being put to the vote, the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
RESOLVED that:
· Wildflower corridors and urban meadows already in place across the borough be welcomed.
· Further work to extend this approach be supported and officers investigate insect hotels.
· Ward Councillors be encouraged to work with local community and business groups in the identification of suitable sites and good practice in the promotion of urban wildflower sites.
Motion 3 – A sensible approach to firework displays
The Chief Executive had been notified that Councillor H. Gloster was unable to attend the meeting and was unable to Second the Motion and notice had been given that Councillor Williamson would Second the Motion in her absence which was AGREED.
Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor Williamson SECONDED the following MOTION:
“This Council notes that:
· The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) says the law is failing. It does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress, injury or anxiety to people, as well as death, injury or distress to animals.
· That further research is needed to properly understand the impact of noise on animals and people. In the meantime, several things can be done to improve the situation for wildlife and people at risk of being affected by firework explosions.
· Applying the same Challenge 25 legislation to fireworks as there is with Alcohol will ensure that less young people will be injured by fireworks.
· Review of the licensing all public firework displays is needed, ensuring displays are better advertised to the public informing of noise levels and how it may affect people and animals.
This Council resolves to:
· Ensure all public firework displays within Oldham Borough to be advertised in advance of the event, with appropriate advertising for the size of the display, allowing residents to take precautions for people in their care and pets.
· Actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks.
· Encourage local suppliers of fireworks to separate ‘quieter’ fireworks from the loud ones so people can choose which ones they prefer with animal and people safety in mind. And give large labels to sticker the products with: green for quiet, red for loud.
· Applying Challenge 25 legislation to the sale of fireworks in Oldham Borough. Challenge 25 is a scheme that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID when they want to buy alcohol. With the danger that Fireworks carry, the same policy should be applied for people who want to possess fireworks.
Councillor Roberts MOVED and Councillor Chauhan SECONDED that under Council Procedure Rule 8.4(d) the motion be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.
Councillor Al-Hamdani did not exercise his right of reply.
On being put to the VOTE, that the MOTION be REFERRED to Overview and Scrutiny was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
RESOLVED that under Council Procedure Rule 8.4(d) the motion be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.