Councillor K Shaw to Move
This Council calls on the Government to re-enter talks with the Fire Brigades Union in line with the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to reach a negotiated settlement that puts public and firefighter safety first.
Councillor A Hopgood to Move
This Council, noting the recent agreement by it of a tree policy, agrees to investigate the creation of a policy for driving and parking on council owned grassed areas.
This Council recognises that many of these grassed areas are regularly used by residents and children for recreation and that inappropriate use by vehicles is causing significant danger as well as damage that is unsightly and expensive to repair.
This Council believes that the creation of a policy to address this issue would give council officers the power to have vehicles removed and enforce the non-vehicular access to our valuable green spaces.
Councillor N Martin to Move
This Council notes the continuing undermining of public order and the additional burdens placed on the emergency services across County Durham due to the excessive consumption of alcohol.
This Council therefore calls on all political parties at the forthcoming general election to commit to implementing a countrywide policy for a minimum unit pricing of alcohol in order to mitigate these highly undesirable effects.
Minutes:
Prior to the consideration of Motions on Notice the Chairman reminded Council that under Council Procedure Rule 11.6 the time allowed for consideration of motions shall not, without the consent of the Council, exceed 30 minutes.
Moved by Councillor N Martin, Seconded by Councillor Hopgood that the Council consent suspend Council Procedure Rule 11.6 to allow greater time for the consideration of Motions. Upon a show of hands the Motion was lost.
In accordance with a Notice of Motion it was Moved by Councillor K Shaw, Seconded by Councillor A Laing:
This Council calls on the Government to re-enter talks with the Fire Brigades Union in line with the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to reach a negotiated settlement that puts public and firefighter safety first.
Upon a vote being taken, the Motion was carried.
Councillor A Hopgood informed the Council that she was withdrawing her Motion at the request of Councillors B Stephens and J Armstrong who had agreed that the subject matter of the Motion be referred to Scrutiny.
In accordance with a Notice of Motion it was Moved by Councillor N Martin, Seconded by Councillor D Freeman:
This Council notes the continuing undermining of public order and the additional burdens placed on the emergency services across County Durham due to the excessive consumption of alcohol. This Council therefore calls on all political parties at the forthcoming general election to commit to implementing a countrywide policy for a minimum unit pricing of alcohol in order to mitigate these highly undesirable effects.
This Council notes the continuing undermining of public order and the additional burdens placed on the emergency services across County Durham due to the excessive consumption of alcohol.
In Moving an amendment to the Motion, Councillor L Hovvels, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Safer and Healthier Communities informed the Council that Councillor Martin was correct to highlight the problems caused by the misuse of alcohol in County Durham. Latest figures estimated that alcohol misuse cost County Durham well over £200 million each year, which included over £50m cost to the NHS, £51m for crime related costs, £95m for workplace and wider economy and £16m for social services.
Around 90 alcohol related crimes were recorded every day in the county and over 20 under 30 year olds were admitted to hospital every week because of alcohol. Residents in most deprived communities were 45% more likely to suffer an alcohol related death than those on higher incomes. Parental alcohol misuse accounted for 24% of children with a child protection plan in the County.
The Safe Durham Partnership identified alcohol misuse as one of its top priorities and there was an alcohol harm reduction strategy, signed by key partners, that was being taken forward by a multi-agency group.
There was only so much that could be done as a local council and support was needed from central government that put in place a national approach to three evidence based measures that went further than the proposed motion from Councillor Martin.
Moved by Councillor Hovvels, Seconded by Councillor D Boyes:
This Council calls on all political parties at the forthcoming general election to commit to the following:
· Introduction of a minimum unit price of 50 pence per unit of alcohol
· A comprehensive review of licensing legislation to ensure that licensing authorities are empowered to tackle alcohol related harm by, for example, controlling total availability of alcohol in their area, according to local need
· An urgent review of alcohol advertising and sponsorship with a view to protecting children from the influence of alcohol marketing. This would include banning advertising in cinemas unless an 18 certificate film is being screened and withdrawing alcohol sponsorship from professional sport.
These measures are all evidence based and would help us, as a council, to achieve the best for communities in most need.
Councillor Martin informed Council that he accepted the amendment, which extended his Motion and added that the forthcoming general election was an opportunity to get the issue onto the agenda.
Upon a vote being taken, the Motion, as amended, was carried.