Agenda item - Notices of Motion.

(a)            Support Fairtrade in the City.  Proposed by Councillor Mitchell.

 

(b)            Support consideration of a new Co-operative Trust Primary School for Hove.  Proposed by Councillor Davis.

 

(c)            High Pay Commission.  Proposed by Councillor Randall.

 

(d)            Protecting Neighbourhood Policing Services in Brighton and Hove.  Proposed by Councillor Duncan.

 

(e)            Licensing.  Proposed by Councillor Fryer.

 

(f)             Van Dwellers. Proposed by Councillor Mears.

 

(g)            Sussex University.  Proposed by Councillor Randall.

 

 

 

(a)               Support Fairtrade in the City

 

52.1         The Notice of Motion as detailed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Mitchell and seconded by Councillor Davis.

 

52.2         Councillor Cobb moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Kemble, which was accepted by Councillor Mitchell.

 

52.3         The Mayor then put the following Notice of Motion as amended to the vote:

 

“In 2009 the Fairtrade Foundation celebrates its 15^th Anniversary as Brighton celebrates being the UK’s first Fairtrade town over 13 years ago.

 

Seven in 10 households purchase Fairtrade goods, including an extra 1.3 million more households in 2008, helping Fairtrade sales reach an estimated £700m in 2008, a 43% increase on the previous year. There are over 460 producer organisations selling to the UK and 746 to the global Fairtrade system, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers.

 

Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark including;

 

coffee, tea, herbal teas, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, bananas, grapes, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, apples, pears, plums, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, satsumas, clementines, mandarins, lychees, coconuts, dried fruit, juices, smoothies, biscuits, cakes & snacks, honey, jams & preserves, chutney & sauces, rice, quinoa, herbs &  spices, seeds, nuts & nut oil, wines, beers, rum, confectionary, muesli, cereal bars, yoghurt, ice-cream, flowers, sports balls and cotton products including clothing, homeware, cloth toys, cotton wool, olive oil and beauty products.

 

In June this year, the Fairtrade Foundation announced the first cosmetic products to carry the Fairtrade Mark in the UK.

 

Businesses in Brighton and Hove will be stocking these products . 57 new Fairtrade products will contain one or more Fairtrade certified ingredient such as cocoa butter, shea nut butter, sugar or brazil nut oil, benefiting disadvantaged producers from countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

 

This Council recognises that introducing Fairtrade labelling to cosmetic products will increase the overall number of Fairtrade products in UK shops and the volumes of ingredients which producers are able to sell under Fairtrade terms, which in turn increases the benefits back to farmers.

 

(1)    This Council calls upon the Cabinet to consider the Council’s responsibility as a guiding force in local businesses to encourage the use of Fairtrade products in business and also to the City’s residents through the following;

 

·         Reaffirming its commitment to Fairtrade and ensuring that the City will continue to be classified as a ‘Fairtrade City.’

 

·         Being a leading example to the City and where appropriate, ensuring that only Fairtrade products are served and sold on Council premises, such as fruit, fruit juices, soaps, jams, teas and coffees.

 

·         Publicising its Fairtrade policy and practice via City News and the Council’s website.

 

(2)         That the Chief Executive write to the Managers of Boots (North Road) and Neil’s Yard as local businesses that have chosen to stock the new Fairtrade products, welcoming their decision to stock more Fairtrade products locally; and

 

(3)         That the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for International Development, renewing this City’s commitment to Fairtrade and welcoming the almost £2 million dedicated to Fairtrade Foundation since 1997 out of £12 million to fair and ethical trade initiatives and the £400 million for Aid for Trade which helps developing countries build their trade capacity.”

 

52.4         The motion was carried.

 

 

(b)       Support Consideration of a New Co-Operative Trust Primary School for Hove

 

52.5         The Notice of Motion as detailed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Davis and seconded by Councillor Hawkes.

 

52.6         Councillor Brown moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Alford, which was accepted by Councillor Mitchell.

 

52.7         The Mayor then put the following Notice of Motion as amended to the vote:

 

            “Co-operative Trust Schools are becoming an increasingly popular way of raising school standards through developing partnerships, helping to engage the local community and strengthening the curriculum through the shared co-operative values of self help, self responsibility, democracy, equity and community solidarity.  They can help raise aspirations and standards, ensure that parents have more choice of good local schools and have a greater say in the running of their schools through better democratic participation.

 

            There are now 240 Co-op Trust schools operating in the UK with five Primary Schools in Doncaster being included within the Trust Schools Programme in October 2009, supported by Government funding to become established.  The Trust School model is flexible, allowing schools and their governing bodies to build a Trust that meets their specific needs.

 

            This council therefore calls on the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People to:

 

(1)         Recognise that the Co-operative Trust School model incorporates values and principles that would benefit children, parents and communities in the city;

 

(2)         Commits to giving serious consideration to a range of potential providers, including the Co-operative Trust, when seeking to provide a new Primary School in Hove; and

 

(3)         Considers how the Co-operative Trust School Programme could generally enhance cross-sector educational provision in Brighton and Hove, particularly in respect of poorly performing schools.”

 

52.8         The motion was carried.

 

 

(c)       High Pay Commission

 

52.9         The Notice of Motion as detailed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Randall and seconded by Councillor Kitcat.

 

52.10    Councillor Allen moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Hamilton, which was not accepted by Councillor Randall.

 

            The Mayor noted that the amendment moved by Councillor Allen had not been accepted by Councillor Randall and therefore put the amendment to the vote, which was carried.

 

52.11    The Mayor then put the following Notice of Motion as amended to the vote:

 

            “This council recognises that the pay gap between high earners and the rest of society, particularly those on low incomes, is unfair, unsustainable and damaging to social cohesion.

 

            It also recognises that inflated bonus payments and other rewards in the banking and financial sector fuelled the risk-taking that nearly brought down the world economy and triggered the recession.

 

            Furthermore, it believes the unfair and unjustifiable gap between high and low earners is not restricted to the private sector and that pay differentials in local government and other public services are unacceptable and should also be addressed.

 

            This council notes the campaign launched by the pressure group Compass for the establishment of a High Pay Commission.

 

            At the same time this council acknowledges the action taken by the government to tackle the excess bonus culture, welcoming in particular the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Pre-Budget statement that there will be a 50% levy on bank bonuses above £25,000 and that over half of additional revenue will be raised from the wealthiest 2% of the population.”

 

52.12    The motion was carried.

 

 

(d)       Protecting Neighbourhood Policing Services in Brighton and Hove

 

52.13    The Notice of Motion as detailed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Duncan and seconded by Councillor Taylor.

 

52.14    Councillor Simson moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Theobald, which was not accepted by Councillor Duncan.

 

52.15    Councillor Morgan moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Meadows, which was accepted by Councillor Duncan.

 

52.16    The Mayor noted that the amendment moved by Councillor Simson had not been accepted by Councillor Duncan and therefore put the proposed amendment to the vote, which was carried.

 

52.17    The Mayor noted that in moving her amendment, Councillor Simson had indicated that she was happy to accept the amendment moved by Councillor Morgan.

 

52.18    The Mayor then put the following Notice of Motion as amended to the vote:

 

            “Both crime and, crucially, fear of crime, are falling in Brighton and Hove.

 

            This is, in large part, due to the model of neighbourhood policing that has been adopted by Sussex Police, and, in particular, the engagement of both PCSOs and police officers with community groups and LATs across the city.  Since 2007 the number of PCSOs and police officers patrolling the city has risen.

 

            This Council believes:

 

1.      That residents of the city want to see more, not less, community-led policing in their neighbourhoods;

 

2.      That the Government should find the necessary funding from appropriate sources to increase the budget allocated to Sussex Police in 2010/11 and coming years;

 

3.      That any cuts Sussex Police are forced to make should not lead to any reduction in the numbers of staff and officers employed to serve the city of Brighton and Hove – or the partnership work with this council, LATs or any other community groups.

 

            This Council therefore resolves:

 

1.      To ask the Chief Executive to write to the city’s three MPs urging them to put pressure on Government to ensure additional funds are available to Sussex Police to ring-fence neighbourhood policing in Brighton and Hove;

 

2.      To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Constable of Sussex, Martin Richards QPM, and the Chairman of Sussex Police Authority, Laurie Bush, asking them to ensure there are no cuts to the numbers of police staff or officers delivering neighbourhood policing in Brighton and Hove; and

 

3.      To place on record its thanks to Sussex Police for all the force’s efforts to improve community safety in the city, especially the force’s decision to open a new public-facing police station in Hollingbury last year, and the way police staff and officers have engaged with partnership work, both with this Council and the network of LATS representing neighbourhoods across the city.

 

4.      To ask the Council’s sole representative on the Sussex Police Authority to relay to his fellow members the Council’s view that the proactive use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and a tough stance against benefit fraud has had a significant positive effect on reducing both “crime and, crucially, the fear of crime” in Brighton & Hove.”

 

52.19    The motion was carried.

 

 

(e)       Responsible Licensing

 

52.20    The Notice of Motion as detailed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Fryer and seconded by Councillor West.

 

52.21    Councillor Cobb moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Simson, which was accepted by Councillor Fryer.

 

52.22    Councillor Lepper moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Morgan, which was not accepted by Councillor Fryer.

 

52.23    The Mayor then put the following Notice of Motion as amended to the vote:

 

            “This council notes that:

 

            Nationally there are over 200,000 hospital admissions related to alcohol each year, of which 20,000 are under the age of 18.

 

            Brighton & Hove has a serious problem with excessive alcohol consumption in people of all ages, with over 2,000 hospital admissions per year related to alcohol.

 

            According to Sussex Police, five children a week, on average, are hospitalised in Brighton and Hove owing to alcohol abuse - a staggering ten times higher than the national average.

Brighton & Hove PCT has recognised and is targeting the need to reduce hospital related admissions due to alcohol consumption.

 

            In the published 2008 report of Brighton and Hove’s Director of public Health Dr Tom Scanlon reported that the negative health impacts of alcohol use by children and young people are worsening in the city.

 

            Furthermore, organisations such as Alcohol Concern have found that the average amount of pocket money young people receive would enable them to buy 57 units of alcohol per week.

 

            The recent scrutiny ‘Reducing Alcohol related harm to children and young people’ recognised the correlation between a lower price of alcohol and off-sales purchasing with higher rates of alcohol consumption.

 

            70 per cent of all alcohol supplied in the UK is sold by supermarkets where most alcohol is the cheapest.

 

            A great deal of anti-social behaviour is associated with people drinking on the street, i.e. drinking alcohol purchased from off-licenses rather than pubs and clubs where the alcohol is consumed on-site.

 

            Deliberately selling alcohol at a loss, known as ‘loss leaders’ encourages people to purchase alcohol in off-licenses where it is virtually impossible for the licensee to have any control over its consumption.

 

            Earlier this year a Sussex Police and Sussex Police Authority issued a joint statement calling for a ban on volume-related alcohol discounts in pubs and called for '2 for 1' deals to be scrapped in favour of lowering drinks prices across the board. The statement, a response to the Government's consultation of revisions to its Code of Conduct for Alcohol Retailers, also called for a ban on 'loss leaders' - the practise of alcohol being sold for less that it costs retailers - especially in supermarkets.

 

            Therefore this Council requests the Chief Executive to write to Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister for Alcohol Licensing, calling for:

 

a)     A ban on the practice of selling alcohol at a cost which is lower than the cost price for the licensee; and

 

b)     A ban on the practice of drinks promotions such as ‘2 for 1’ and ‘Happy Hour’ which encourage people to consume more alcohol and at a faster rate than they would otherwise have done

 

c)      A thorough overhaul of the Licensing Act 2003 including giving councils the power to (i) make it easier to remove licences from any premises which are continually causing problems, in particular, those found selling alcohol to children; and (ii) charge more for late night licences to pay for additional policing.

 

            Furthermore it calls on:

 

a)     the Licensing Committee to draw up a list of ‘best practice’ which takes into account the recommendations of the ‘Reducing Alcohol related harm to children and young people’ scrutiny and looks into ways of publicly recognising and rewarding responsible licensees who follow best practice, in a similar way to its successful ‘Scores-on-the-Doors’ scheme;

 

b)     The Cabinet to consider how planning policy and enforcement could be more effectively used to supplement the existing licensing powers to control the availability of alcohol through licensed premises in the City and to bring forward a report as a matter of priority.”

 

52.24    The motion was carried.

 

 

(f)        Van Dwellers in Brighton and Hove

 

52.25    The Notice of Motion as detailed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Mears and seconded by Councillor Theobald.

 

52.26    Councillor Wakefield-Jarrett moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Fryer, which was accepted by Councillor Mears.

 

52.27    Councillor McCaffery moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Mitchell, which was accepted by Councillor Mears.

 

52.28    The Mayor then put the following Notice of Motion as amended to the vote:

 

            “This Council notes the growing number of “van dwellers” on the City’s roads.  The only other cities in the U.K. with similar levels of lived in vehicles are Bristol and Blackpool.

 

            This Council notes that van dwellers do not generally meet the legal definition of gypsies and travellers and in the main, have expressed a desire to remain in Brighton & Hove.

 

            This Council considers that the legal measures available to deal with the problem of van dwellers are both cumbersome and inadequate.

 

            Therefore, this Council resolves:

 

            To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government asking him to recognise the unique nature of the van dwelling and to request that councils be required to undertake a survey of the accommodation needs of “van dwellers” and report to the government accordingly, in order for policies to be established to enable councils to address their particular accommodation needs.” 

 

52.29    The motion was carried.

 

 

(g)       Sussex University – Cuts to Jobs and Services

 

52.30    The Notice of Motion as detailed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Randall and seconded by Councillor Kennedy.

 

52.31    Councillor Kemble moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Hyde, which was put to the vote by the Mayor and lost.

 

52.32    Councillor Elgood moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Watkins, which was accepted by Councillor Randall.

 

52.33    The Mayor then put the following Notice of Motion as amended to the vote:

 

            “Nearly 50 years after it was established, the University of Sussex is a leading teaching and research institution. In the 2009 Times Higher Education University World Rankings, Sussex was ranked in the top five per cent of all universities worldwide.

 
University of Sussex staff and students play an integral role in Brighton and Hove, contributing to the city’s economy, culture and vibrant atmosphere. The entire student community makes up roughly ten per cent of the population and brings in around £250 million to the regional economy annually.

 
This council notes:

The University of Sussex has revealed plans to cut spending by £5 million during the next academic year, achieved through job losses, course closures and department restructuring.

 
Proposed changes include:

 

-     a reduction of 24 posts in Life sciences, 13 posts in Informatics, 5 posts in English, 3 in History, Art History and Philosophy and 62 posts in Professional support services including 5.5 Student Advice posts;

 

-     closing Unisex, a tripartite project involving the Universities of Sussex and Brighton and the local NHS Primary Care Trust, that provides support and advice for students concerning sexual health, HIV & Aids, Drugs and Alcohol;

 

-          potentially closing the campus crèche and nursery, which is used by more than 80 staff and 20 students.
 

This council believes:

 

·         The proposed plans will have a negative impact on staff and students alike;

 

·         In the longer term the cuts could reduce the critical role the university plays in supporting and helping to develop the city’s economy and prosperity;

 

·         Reducing student support services is a particularly damaging option.

 

            Therefore, this council

 

(1)         Instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex informing him of our concern and asking him and his colleagues to reconsider the proposals; and 

 

(2)         In communicating these views, this council also calls on the University of Sussex to consider accepting the proposal made by the trade union UCU who adopted a resolution to present an alternative solution (with equivalent savings) to the University management.  This proposes additional offers of part time working instead of redundancy, albeit to a greater number of people. It would have the distinct advantage of retaining the skills within the University, avoiding large numbers of redundancy payments, and putting the University in a position where it can grow faster in better economic times. It could also avoid industrial action which will impact negatively on teaching and research as well as the University's reputation.”

 

52.34    The motion was carried.