Councillor J Brown to Move
Council believes:
· The right to strike and protest are fundamental rights which should be respected in a free and democratic society;
· The Conservative government's bill will undermine constructive employment relations across County Durham and that harmonious industrial relations are achieved by meaningful engagement and not additional legal restrictions to trade union members;
· The government's Trade Union Bill is part of a disturbing trend to erode civil liberties and inhibit the right to speak out or protest against the government;
· The Conservative government's Trade Union Bill is a politically-motivated attack on trade unions and could have negative consequences for working people across Country and in society.
Council resolves:
· To write to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills stating the council's opposition to their Trade Union Bill and to participate in any consultations;
· Support the Northern TUC and civil liberties groups in campaigning to defend the right to strike and oppose the Trade Union Bill;
· Continue to value the importance of meaningful workforce engagement and representation through trade unions in County Durham.
Councillor O Temple to Move
This council calls upon its cabinet and officers to withdraw the current proposals under the Review of classroom based staff, and instead engage with school governing bodies and subsequently trades unions to address the issues it seeks to resolve.
Councillor M Wilkes to Move
Council recognises the importance County Durham residents place upon the heritage of our County and in particular of the immense sense of pride and honour the community has in the Durham Light Infantry.
Council further accepts the need for our World Heritage City to provide excellent public art facilities for both the public of County Durham and for the benefit of tourism.
Council notes the significant public concern about the announcement of the closure of the existing DLI Museum and Art Gallery site. Council further accepts that many residents believe there should be consultation on the proposals with the general public, families of veterans, as well as more substantial consultation with all members of this Council.
Council therefore agrees to delay the closure plans to allow for a public consultation, and to allow for the consideration of all possible alternatives which may be put forward, including those which the Council may not have previously been aware of.
Minutes:
Councillor N Martin Moved suspension of Sanding Order 11.6 to allow all Motions submitted to Council to be considered and informed Council that if this was to be opposed, he would be seeking a named vote in accordance with Standing Order 16.4. This was Seconded by Councillor D Stoker.
Councillor C Marshall opposed the suspension of Standing Order 11.6, which was in the Constitution as agreed by Council.
In accordance with Standing Order 16.4 Councillor Martin sought a named vote on the suspension of Standing Order 11.6. The requirements were met.
Upon a vote being taken the motion was lost.
For the Motion:
Councillors A Bell, R Bell, D Freeman, T Henderson, D Hicks, G Holland, A Hopgood, N Martin, J Maslin, P May, P Oliver, R Ormerod, G Richardson, S Robinson, J Rowlandson, A Savory, J Shuttleworth, W Stelling, D Stoker, O Temple, K Thompson, A Watson, M Wilkes, A Willis, R Young and S Zair.
Against the Motion
Councillors E Adam, J Armstrong, B Avery, A Batey, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, H Bennett, J Blakey, G Bleasdale, A Bonner, P Brookes, J Brown, C Carr, J Carr, J Chaplow, J Clare, J Clark, P Conway, J Cordon, P Crathorne, R Crute, K Davidson, M Davinson, K Dearden, M Dixon, S Forster, N Foster, I Geldard, B Glass, B Graham, J Gray, O Gunn, C Hampson, J Hart, K Henig, S Henig, J Hillary, M Hodgson, K Hopper, L Hovvels, E Huntington, S Iveson, I Jewell, O Johnson, B Kellett, A Laing, P Lawton, J Lee, J Lethbridge, H Liddle, J Lindsay, A Liversidge, R Lumsdon, J Maitland, C Marshall, L Marshall, J Measor, O Milburn, B Moir, S Morrison, A Napier, T Nearney, H Nicholson, A Patterson, T Pemberton, M Plews, C Potts, L Pounder, K Shaw, H Smith, T Smith, B Stephens, P Stradling, A Surtees, L Taylor, F Tinsley, E Tomlinson, J Turnbull, A Turner, A M Williams and C Wilson.
In accordance with a Notice of Motion, it was Moved by Councillor J Brown and Seconded by Councillor K Shaw:
Council believes:
· The right to strike and protest are fundamental rights which should be respected in a free and democratic society;
· The Conservative government's bill will undermine constructive employment relations across County Durham and that harmonious industrial relations are achieved by meaningful engagement and not additional legal restrictions to trade union members;
· The government's Trade Union Bill is part of a disturbing trend to erode civil liberties and inhibit the right to speak out or protest against the government;
· The Conservative government's Trade Union Bill is a politically-motivated attack on trade unions and could have negative consequences for working people across Country and in society.
Council resolves:
· To write to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills stating the council's opposition to their Trade Union Bill and to participate in any consultations;
· Support the Northern TUC and civil liberties groups in campaigning to defend the right to strike and oppose the Trade Union Bill;
· Continue to value the importance of meaningful workforce engagement and representation through trade unions in County Durham.
Councillor Martin Moved that under Standing Order 13.10 the Motion be put. This was Seconded by Councillor D Stoker.
Councillor C Marshall responded that there were number of people in the queue wishing to speak on the Motion. Councillor Glass added that it would be an appalling breach of the Constitution if Councillor Brown’s Motion was not debated.
Upon a vote being taken Councillor Martin’s Motion was lost.
Councillors Maitland, Geldard, Surtees, Gunn, Conway, Davinson and Napier all spoke in favour of Councillor Brown’s Motion. Councillor R Bell, while not supporting the introduction of agency staff during strike action, informed the Council that he could not support the motion because the Trade Union Bill contained many positive aspects.
Upon a vote being taken, the Motion was carried.
The Chairman informed Council that the time limit for debating Motions had expired and that the two Motions on the agenda which had not been considered could be brought to the next meeting.