Agenda item - Notices of Motion.

(a)       Falmer Academy.  Proposed by Councillor Vanessa Brown.

 

(b)       Free School Meals.  Proposed by Councillor Fryer.

 

(c)       Keeping NHS Services Public.  Proposed by Councillor Kitcat.

 

(d)       HIV/AIDS Services in Brighton and Hove.  Proposed by Councillor Randall.

 

(e)       Credit Crunch.  Proposed by Councillor Young.

 

(f)        Fuel Poverty.  Proposed by Councillor Caulfield.

 

(g)       Government Surveillance of Communications – The Database State.  Proposed by Councillor Oxley.

 

(a)      Falmer Academy

 

40.1       The Notice of Motion as detailed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Mrs Brown and seconded by Councillor Hawkes.

 

40.2       Councillor Fryer moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Elgood, which was put to the vote by the Mayor and lost.

 

40.3       The Mayor then put the following Notice of Motion to the vote:

 

“This Council believes that all children should have access to a first class education regardless of where they happen to live and that good education provides the most effective route out of poverty for some of the most disadvantaged children in our society. Nationally and locally, both Conservative and Labour parties recognise that Academies offer an effective means of achieving this through a vision and ethos based on success and high expectation. In 2008, the number of pupils gaining five A* - C grade GCSEs increased by 2.9% in Academies compared to an improvement of 0.9% in all schools.

 

Furthermore, this Council welcomes the progress that has been made in developing the proposals for a new state of the art Academy at Falmer and congratulates the council officers whose hard work and dedication has allowed the project to progress so well to date.

 

Falmer High is already an improving school but the proposed Academy will bring enormous additional benefits to the local children and families and has strong support amongst the wider community. The choice of entrepreneurship and sport as specialisms for the Academy has met with an enthusiastic response from businesses, parents and young people.

 

Therefore, this Council supports continued close working with the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Aldridge Foundation, governors, parents and the wider community to ensure that the proposed Academy makes a successful and enduring contribution to secondary education in Brighton & Hove.”

 

40.4       The motion was carried.

 

 

(b)      Free School Meals

 

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

 

40.6       Councillor Meadows moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Hawkes which was accepted by Councillor Fryer.

 

40.7       Councillor Mrs Brown moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Alford, which was put to the vote by the Mayor and lost.

 

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

 

“Families surviving on small budgets face many and increasing financial pressures, and while expenditure on rent, heating bills and council tax are fixed, the amount spent on food is in the flexible budget category.  The high cost of healthy food is a major obstacle for many parents wanting to provide healthy food for their children.

 

Healthy school meals can play an important role in tackling health and social disadvantages, but uptake in Brighton and Hove is limited.  Uptake can be increased by providing the right eating environment: a 'whole school approach' which sees pupils engage with food throughout their school day, being involved with growing and preparing their food, as well as given the time and space to enjoy eating healthy food together calmly as a social activity.  But the cost of school meals can also be a barrier to uptake.  Even where young people are eligible for Free School Meals, they don't always take this up as there can be a stigma attached to this entitlement.

 

This council notes that:

 

-        A 3 year experiment by Hull Council which saw free school meals provided to all primary school children led to Heads and teachers reporting that children were ‘more relaxed and better behaved’, and 30 per cent of parents said they were trying healthier food at home as a result of the trial.

 

-        The Child Poverty Action Group has called for universal free school meals.

 

-        The Government recently announced a two-year pilot programme which will see free school meals given to all pupils aged four to 11 in two areas over two years, to measure the impact of healthy eating on health, behavior and academic results.

 

          This council notes with concern that:

 

-        13.5 per cent of children in Brighton & Hove are already obese in the year they start school.

 

-        Less than a third of children aged 10 – 15 in the city eat five or more portions of fruit or vegetables a day.  

 

-        A third of Brighton & Hove children are obese by year 6. 

 

-        Take up of school meals is around 43 per cent in primary schools and around 34 per cent in secondary schools in Brighton & Hove.  More than a third of those entitled to them do not take-up free school meals at primary school, and around half of those entitled to them do not take-up free school meals at secondary school.

 

          This council therefore requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State requesting:

 

          1. Funding for pilot schemes similar to that in Hull which will provide all young people at both primary and secondary schools with free school meals. 

 

          2. In the event of successful trials, the rollout of a nationally-funded free school meal programme for all primary and secondary students across the country.

 

          And also:

 

          This council expresses its support for local schools, where they can, to take advantage of European and National programmes that fund free fruit and vegetables in schools and continue to work with all schools to promote healthy lifestyles and healthy eating.”

 

40.9       The motion was carried.

 

Note:  Following a question as to whether she had an interest in the matter, Councillor Mears stated that she did not believe she had a prejudicial interest as she did not have a direct involvement in the family firm which supplied fresh fruit and vegetables.  However, in the interests of openness and transparency she was happy to take no part in the debate or the decision thereon, and withdraw from the Chamber during consideration of the motion.

 

 

(c)      Keeping NHS Services Public

 

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

 

40.11    The Mayor then put the following Notice of Motion to the vote:

 

“Since 2006 large private companies have been able to take over or establish

GP practices under ‘Alternative Provider Medical Services Contracts’

(APMSC). This new approach, where the need for corporate profit conflicts

with patient needs, threatens the trusted model of a partnership of GPs

owning and running a surgery for their patients.  The city of Brighton & Hove

now has five GP practices run by ChilversMcCrea Healthcare.

 

This council notes with concern that in privately run NHS services including

GP practices, polyclinics and independent specialist treatment centres

(ISTCs):

 

·       Bids from traditional GP partnerships are often undercut by multi-national health companies;

·       Doctors work on shorter term contracts leading to increased staff turnover and dramatically less continuity of care for patients;

·       Important information on the cost and level of service provided becomes hidden from scrutiny under the cloak of ‘commercial confidentiality’;

·       Proposals are constructed to keep profitable services private while leaving publicly-funded services to pick up the complex, costly cases leaving any cost savings in private hands.

 

UNISON, the King’s Fund and the House of Commons Health Committee have all raised concerns with these new contractual agreements. 

 

At the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee’s meeting on 5^th November Brighton & Sussex Universities NHS Trust acknowledged a £2-3 million per annum loss for handling the complex cases left to them by the privately-run Sussex Orthopaedic Treatment Centre, which focuses only on simple cases without co-morbidity.  Given that the Brighton & Hove Primary Care Trust is currently calling for bids on a new GP-led healthcare centre; this council:

 

·       Rejects the creeping privatisation of NHS services;

·       Expresses concern over the financial impact of the Sussex Orthopaedic Treatment Centre;

·       And asks the Chief Executive to write to Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health and Darren Grayson, Chief Executive of the local PCT asking them to cease further APMSC and ISTC contracts and to reject corporate bids for the proposed GP-led health centre.”

 

40.12    The motion was lost.

 

 

(d)      HIV/Aids Services in Brighton and Hove

 

40.13    The Notice of Motion as detailed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Randall and seconded by Councillor Wakefield-Jarrett.

 

40.14    The Mayor then put the following Notice of Motion to the vote:

 

          “This council:

    

1.     Acknowledges the work of voluntary organisations, the Primary Care Trust and its own officers who provide a comprehensive care pathway for the rising number of people living with HIV/Aids in Brighton and Hove and, equally importantly, provide a range of preventative services.

 

2.     Welcomes the modest rise in this year’s Aids Support Grant, which partially restores the Government’s cuts of recent years.

 

3.     Applauds the efforts of the Terrence Higgins Trust to supply some of those services formerly provided by the Open Door project, which closed earlier this year.

 

4.     Expresses its concern about future funding for HIV/Aids work when the Aids Support Grant scheme comes to an end in two years time.

 

5.     Expresses its regret that allocations are not made promptly at the beginning of each financial year, leaving voluntary groups, in particular, in a difficult financial position.

 

It therefore resolves:

 

1.     To continue to keep sexual health and HIV/Aids issues high on its agenda.

 

2.     To continue to recognise the work of voluntary groups in the city who work with those with HIV/Aids and provide educational services to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids.

 

3.     To ask the city’s three MPs to support a lobby of Government to ensure the Aids Support Grant is maintained and ring-fenced, that the grant paid to support work in Brighton and Hove meets the city’s need and that it is paid on time.”

 

40.15    The motion was carried.

 

 

(e)      Credit Crunch

 

40.16    The Notice of Motion as detailed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Young and seconded by Councillor Kemble.

 

40.17    Councillor Randall noted that a proposed amendment had been circulated with the addendum; however, following further information on the matter coming to light, he wished to alter his amendment and therefore in accordance with procedural rules sought agreement from the council to that effect.  The revised amendment, seconded by Councillor Kennedy was accepted by Councillor Young.

 

40.18    Councillor Hamilton moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Mitchell, which was put to the vote by the Mayor and lost.

 

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

 

 

“This Council:

 

Recognises that the world economy is entering a period of significant downturn and Britain, and more particularly Brighton & Hove, is likely to feel the effects of the difficult financial times. Independent forecasts from the IMF and European Commission predict that Britain’s economy is very poorly positioned to weather the economic storm, despite Government claims to the contrary.

 

Believes that local business and jobs are vital to the continued prosperity of Brighton & Hove and the Council has a duty to protect and enhance the city’s social, environmental and economic well being. This Council is therefore delighted to be taking prompt action by offering local businesses a ‘recession relief’ package which includes a range of measures designed to help hundreds of businesses with cash flow as the credit crunch tightens. These measures have been widely welcomed.

 

Recognises the importance of continued publicity of help available to city businesses from local and central government.

 

Welcomes the agreement by utility companies to match the council’s decision to cease all major city centre roadworks from 5 December until the end of the Christmas period; this will have a positive impact on local businesses as access the city centre will be improved for Christmas shoppers.

 

Notes with concern that one of the most serious consequences of the credit crunch has been its damaging impact on the housing market and homeowners. Some people in Brighton & Hove may struggle to make mortgage repayments and risk being evicted from their own homes, which would create a demand on many of the council’s services, particularly the homelessness services.

 

Acknowledges and welcomes the investigatory work already being undertaken by the Council’s Administration to consider the feasibility of a local scheme to help homeowners deal with the effects of the serious economic downturn.

 

Despite having taken a number of steps to support the economy of Brighton & Hove, the Council continues to investigate what more it can do. In particular this Council will welcome consideration of development initiatives that create employment and increase social capacity while seeking to reduce the negative effects of the economic downturn, rising energy costs and rising carbon dioxide emissions.  In consideration of such initiatives the Council’s possible role as an enabler should be remembered while it is recognised that its powers are limited by the Government.

 

Therefore, this Council resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to ask her to give councils more discretion to set business rates locally, as suggested by the Local Government Association.”

 

40.20    The motion was carried.

 

 

(f)       Fuel Poverty

 

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

 

40.22    Councillor Elgood moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Watkins, which was accepted by Councillor Caulfield.

 

40.23    Councillor Simpson moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Hamilton, which was accepted by Councillor Caulfield.

 

40.24    Councillor Randall moved and amendment, seconded by Councillor Kennedy, which was put to the vote by the Mayor and lost.

 

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

 

“This Council notes with concern that in 2008, millions of people still struggle to heat their homes properly because of their inability to pay their fuel bills; which are on average more than £1000 annually. The Government’s own figures estimate that the number of ‘fuel poor’ households in England is now higher than at any time recorded since Labour came to power.

In 2000, the Government introduced a Fuel Poverty Strategy and the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act and committed itself to ending the fuel poverty of vulnerable people by 2010, and to end fuel poverty for everyone by 2016. However since 2004, the number of English households in fuel poverty is estimated to have risen almost three-fold, when it stood at 1.2 million. Even the Government now accepts that it will fail to meet its legal duty to reduce fuel poverty in the time frame that it created.

This Council recognises that local authorities are doing what they can to protect people from fuel poverty. Last month, Brighton & Hove City Council began a programme of works to establish how it could cut the fuel bills of council tenants and increase the energy efficiency of their homes.

 

However local authorities can only do so much, therefore this Council calls on the Government to fulfil its responsibilities to help the residents of Brighton & Hove who are struggling to pay their energy bills and as a result face a bleak, cold winter.

 

This Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to ask him to:

·        Take more effective practical steps to help homeowners reduce their energy bills, ensuring additional costs are not passed on to consumers. 

 

·        Use OfGem’s powers more effectively to ensure energy companies give customers a better deal. 

 

·        Take urgent steps with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to extend the Winter Fuel Payment to severely disabled people who are in receipt of the Disability Living Allowance.

 

This council welcomes government, charity and energy provider services that offer information and help to lower fuel costs as well as providing practical advice for people that are finding it difficult to pay bills.  This council also notes the importance of getting timely information to residents when fighting fuel poverty and encourages greater awareness of the following points;

 

·       The Winter Fuel Allowance with over 60’s households receiving £250 and the over 80’s getting £400, paid directly to them.

 

·       Those that own or rent their homes privately and receive benefits can apply for grants of up to £2,700 under the government’s Warm front scheme.

 

·       The Citizens Advice Bureau, based in Hove have trained debt advisers to help people find the best solutions for getting out of debt and to pay the bills.

 

·       Most energy suppliers now have a charitable trust or fund to help low income customers who are struggling with their bills.  These grants could be used to write off existing debt or to help pay off incoming bills.

 

·       Many energy suppliers have special, cheaper social tariffs available for lower income households.

 

·       The provision of an extra winter payment in January fro pensioners of £60 and £120 fro couples, benefitting over 12 million pensioners.”

 

40.26    The motion was carried. 

 

 

(g)      Government Surveillance of Communications – The Data Base State

 

40.27    Councillor Oxley suggested that in view of the lateness of the hour, the Notice of Motion should be deferred to the next meeting, in order to give the matter due consideration.   He noted that amendments had been submitted by the Liberal Democrat and Green Groups and stated that he was happy to discuss with the proposers of each whether a composite motion could be brought to the next meeting.

 

40.28    The Mayor noted the request and council’s agreement to defer the motion, together with the amendments to the next meeting.