Agenda item

Notice of Opposition Business

Meeting of Virtual, Council, Wednesday, 9th September, 2020 6.00 pm (Item 11.)

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1

Councillor Hamblett to MOVE and Councillor H Gloster to SECOND:

Not every Disability is Visible

This Council notes that:

The charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK is encouraging venues providing accessible public toilets to install new signage. This is to help stop stigma and discrimination towards people with ‘invisible illnesses’ such as Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis.
There have been instances nationally where such individuals using an accessible toilet have been accused by staff members of being ineligible to use them.
These signs have two standing figures and a wheelchair user with the words Accessible Toilet and the logo ‘Not every disability is visible’.
The Government has decided recently that large accessible toilets for severely disabled people - known as Changing Places - will be made compulsory for large new buildings, such as shopping centres, supermarkets, sports and arts venues, in England from 2021.

Council resolves to:

Ensure that accessible toilets on Council premises bear these signs.
Ask town and district centre retailers and leisure outlets to do likewise with their accessible public toilets.
Seek advice from the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK on the information and training we should provide to Council Staff members. This is so they understand these illnesses and to prevent potential embarrassment for those who suffer with them.
Ensure that any Changing Places toilets in our buildings are properly signposted for visitors.
Ensure that the requirement to provide new Changing Place toilets is included within the Council’s future plans for new public buildings in the Borough.

Motion 2

Councillor Williamson to MOVE and Councillor Al-Hamdani to SECOND:

Let’s all do our bit to tackle litter

Council is committed to tackling litter in our Borough and to working for cleaner streets and public spaces across our communities.

Council notes that:

· The Keep Britain Tidy Campaign offers local authorities the opportunity to become a member of a Network, which provides access to specialist advice and support.

· Keep Britain Tidy is hosting the Great British September Clean-Up from 11-27 September.

· The campaign is also promoting a Love Parks campaign and a Charity Bin sponsorship scheme whereby the monies raised from recycling cans deposited in designated local authority bins is contributed to local charities.

· Several national supermarket chains are now operating trials of reverse vending machines, where customers are rewarded for returning used cans and bottles for recycling.

· The Government department DEFRA has also previously published a voluntary code for local businesses and local business partnerships to sign up to and reduce the litter that results from fast food businesses.

Council recognises that:

· Whilst we are committed to tackling litter in our Borough, and to working for cleaner streets and public spaces across our communities, we cannot do this alone.

· In the battle for cleaner streets and public spaces, we must involve the public and our business partners in a co-operative effort.

· There are community champions and organisations commendably ‘doing their bit’.

· The Keep Britain Tidy and DEFRA initiatives provide extra opportunities and an extra incentive for members of the public and business partners to become actively engaged and empowered in tackling the litter which blights our streets.

· In doing their bit, residents and business will help the Council to make the streets, district centres, parks and public amenities of our Borough cleaner and more inviting to residents and visitors.

Council resolves to:

· Promote participation in the Great British September Clean-up to members of the public, community, faith and youth groups, and businesses through our social media, website and existing email-outs to partners.

· Ask the Overview and Scrutiny Board to examine the merits of becoming a local authority member of the Keep Britain Tidy Network, and identify which of the campaign’s initiatives, including Love Parks and Charity Bins, could be introduced in the Borough.

· Ask the Chief Executive to write to national supermarket chains with stores in this borough asking them to consider Oldham as the location for a future trial of a reverse vending machine.

· Promote take up of the DEFRA voluntary code amongst our fast food businesses and local business partnerships and seek their sponsorship for the introduction of a Charity Bin scheme and for public education programmes.

Motion 3

Councillor C Gloster to MOVE and Councillor Harkness to SECOND:

Roads Policing ‘Not Optional’

Council notes that:

· In the last ten years, there has been no significant decline in the number of people killed and seriously injured on Britain’s roads, after decades of reducing casualties.

· According to Department of Transport figures, there are still on average 5 fatalities and 68 serious injuries in England and Wales every day.

· In early July, the Department of Transport published a public consultation document supporting a Roads Policing Review. The closing date for submissions is October 5^th.

· In the preamble to that document, the Under Secretary of State for Transport said the review sought to ‘build the fairest and most operationally effective enforcement capability in police and other agencies to deliver the best outcome for the safety of all road users.’

· In the same month, the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary published a damning report which predicted an increase in road deaths because:

o According to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, there has been a 34% cut in funding in real terms for road policing between 2012/3 and 2019/20 leading to a reduction of police officers available for these duties.

o These officers receive insufficient training and operational support.

o Road policing is ‘seen as less of a priority than it should be’ in most local plans and there is an ‘unclear national strategy.’

· The HM Inspectorate called for urgent action as ‘roads policing is not optional.’

Council resolves to:

· Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Transport, making clear this Council’s position that funding in real terms for road policing should be restored; that the HM Inspectorate’s recommendations be implemented in full as a priority; and that a new national strategy for road policing and safety should be developed.

· Ask the Chief Executive to send copies of this letter to the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner, the Police and Crime Panel and our three local Members of Parliament to seek their support for the Council’s position.

· Ask the Council’s representative on the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel to request the Panel revisit the local policing plan to ensure that roads policing is sufficiently prioritised.

· Ask the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the appropriate Council officers and the relevant Cabinet Member, to make a submission to the Roads Policing Review consultation on behalf of the Council taking this resolution into account.

Minutes:

Motion 1: Not Every Disability is Visible

Councillor Hamblett MOVED and Councillor H. Gloster SECONDED the following motion:

“This Council notes that:

· The charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK is encouraging venues providing accessible public toilets to install new signage. This is to help stop stigma and discrimination towards people with ‘invisible illnesses’ such as Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis.

· There have been instances nationally where such individual using an accessible toilet have been accused by staff members of being ineligible to use them.

· These signs have two standing figures and a wheelchair user with the words Accessible Toilet and the logo ‘Not every disability is visible’.

· The Government has decided recently that large accessible toilets for severely disabled people – known as Changing Places – will be made compulsory for large new buildings, such as shopping centres, supermarkets, sports and arts venues, in England from 2021.

Council resolves to:

· Ensure that accessible toilets on Council premises bear these signs.

· Ask town and district centre retailers and leisure outlets to do likewise with their accessible public toilets.

· Seek advice from the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK on the information and training we should provide to Council staff members. This is so they understand these illnesses and to prevent potential embarrassment for those who suffer with them.

· Ensure that any Changing Places toilets in our buildings are property signposted for visitors.

· Ensure that the requirement to provide new Changing Place toilets is included within the Council’s future plans for new public buildings in the borough.”

Councillor Hobin spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Al-Hamdani spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Roberts MOVED and Councillor Jabbar SECONDED that under Council Procedure Rule 14.9h) the Motion be referred to Overview and Scrutiny.

Councillor Hamblett exercised 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 14.9h), the motion be referred to Overview and Scrutiny.

Motion 2: Let’s All Do Our Bit to Tackle Litter

Councillor Williamson MOVED and Councillor Al-Hamdani SECONDED the following MOTION:

“Council is committed to tackling litter in our Borough and to working for cleaner streets and public spaces across our communities.

Council notes that:

· The Keep Britain Tidy Campaign offers local authorities the opportunity to become a member of a Network, which provides access to specialist advice and support.

· Keep Britain Tidy is hosting the Great British September Clean-Up from 11 – 27 September.

· Several national supermarket chains are now operating trials of reverse vending machines, where customers are rewarded for returning used cans and bottles for recycling.

· The Government department DEFRA has also previously published a voluntary code for local businesses and local business partnerships to sign up to and reduce the letter that results from fast food businesses.

Council recognises that:

· Whist we are committed to tackling litter in our Borough, and to working for cleaner streets and public places across our communities, we cannot do this alone.

· In the battle for cleaner streets and public spaces, we must involve the public and our business partners in a co-operative effort.

· There are community champions and organisations commendably ‘doing their bit’.

Council resolves to:

· Promote participation in the Great British September Clean-up to members of the public, community, faith and youth groups, and businesses through our usual social media, website and existing email-outs to partners.

· Ask the Chief Executive to write to national supermarket chains with stores in this borough asking them to consider Oldham as the location for a future trial of a reverse vending machine.

AMENDMENT

The Chief Executive had been notified that Councillor Leach was unable to attend the meeting and unable to Move the Amendment and notice had been given that Councillor Hulme would Move the Amendment in her absence which was AGREED.

Councillor Hulme MOVED and Councillor Mushtaq SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

“At end of bullet point 2 under Council recognises add:

‘While recognising the limitations in community and group activity imposed by the current Coronavirus restrictions.’

Delete bullet point 1 under Council resolves.”

Revised motion to read:

“Council is committed to tackling letter in our Borough and to working for cleaner streets and public spaces across our communities.

Council notes that:

· The Keep Britain Tidy Campaign offers local authorities the opportunity to become a member of a Network, which provides access to specialist advice and support.

· Keep Britain Tidy is hosting the Great British September Clean-Up from 11 – 27 September.

· Several national supermarket chains are now operating trials of reverse vending machines, where customers are rewarded for returning used cans and bottles for recycling.

Council recognises that:

· Whist we are committed to tackling litter in our Borough, and to working for cleaner streets and public spaces across our communities, we cannot do this alone.

· In the battle for cleaner streets and public spaces, we must involve the public and our business partners in a co-operative effort while recognising the limitations in community and group activity imposed by the current Coronavirus restrictions.

· There are community champions and organisations commendably ‘doing their bit’.

Council resolves to:

· Ask the Chief Executive to write to national supermarket chains with stores in this borough asking them to consider Oldham as the location for a future trial of a reverse vending machine.

Councillor Sheldon spoke in support of the Amendment.

Councillor Williamson exercised her right of reply.

Councillor Hulme did not exercise his right of reply.

A vote was then taken on the AMENDMENT.

On being put to the vote, 45 votes were cast in FAVOUR of the AMENDMENT and 0 votes were cast AGAINST with 9 ABSTENTIONS. The AMENDMENT was therefore CARRIED.

Councillor Williamson did not exercise her right of reply.

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

RESOLVED that:

1. The Overview and Scrutiny Board be asked to examine the merits of becoming a local authority member of the Keep Britain Tidy Network, and identify which of the campaign’s initiatives, including Love Parks and Charity Bins could be introduced in the Borough.

2. The Chief Executive be asked to write to national supermarket chains with stores in this borough asking them to consider Oldham as the location of a reverse vending machine.

3. The take up of the DEFRA voluntary code amongst the borough’s fast food businesses and local business partnerships be promoted and their sponsorship for the introduction of a Charity Bin scheme and for public education programmes be sought.

Motion 3: Roads Policing ‘Not Optional’

Councillor C. Gloster MOVED and Councillor Harkness SECONDED the following MOTION:

“Council notes that:

· In the last ten years, there has been no significant decline in the number of people killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads, after decades of reducing casualties.

· According to Department of Transport figures, there are still on average 5 fatalities and 68 serious injuries in England and Wales every day.

· In early July, the Department of Transport published a public consultation document supporting a Roads Policing Review. The closing date for submissions is October 5^th.

· In the same month, the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary published a damning report which predicted an increase in road deaths because:

o These officers receive insufficient training and operational support.

o Road policing is ‘seen as less of a priority than it should be’ in most local plans and there is an ‘unclear national strategy’.

· The HM Inspectorate called for urgent action as ‘roads policing is not optional’.

Council resolves to:

· Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Transport, making clear this Council’s position that funding in real terms for road policing should be restored; that the HM Inspectorate’s recommendation be implemented in full as a priority; and that a new national strategy for road policing and safety should be developed.

· Ask the Council’s representative on the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel to request the Panel revisit the local policing plan to ensure that roads policing is sufficiently prioritised.

Councillor C. Gloster did not exercise his right of reply.

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

RESOLVED that:

1. The Chief Executive be asked to write to the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Transport, making clear this Council’s position that funding in real terms for road policing should be restored; that the HM Inspectorate’s recommendation be implemented in full as a priority; and that a new national strategy for road policing and safety should be developed.

2. The Chief Executive be asked to send copies of this letter to the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner, the Police and Crime Panel and our three local Members of Parliament to seek their support for the Council’s position.

3. The Chief Executive, in conjunction with the appropriate Council officers and the relevant Cabinet Member, be asked to make a submission to the Roads Policing Review consultation on behalf of the Council taking this resolution in to account.