Councillor 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 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 strongly urges Cabinet 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:
In accordance with a Notice of Motion it was Moved by Councillor O Temple, Seconded by Councillor A Hopgood.
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.
In Moving an amendment to the Motion, Councillor J Brown informed the Council that no decision had been reached on classroom based staff and that any decision would need to be taken by full Council. This would take place after all feedback had been considered and proposals had been assessed and considered. In Seconding the amendment, Councillor O Johnson informed Council that head teachers were aware of the proposals currently out to consultation and that school governors would be briefed on the current position.
This council calls upon its cabinet to request officers to brief governing bodies on the latest position with regard to the current proposals under the Review of Classroom Based Staff. Ultimately any decision on this issue will be made by Full Council.
Councillor Martin suggested that the amendment was not valid because it negated the Motion by removing the word ‘withdraw’. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that the amendment did not negate the Motion and was therefore valid.
On a vote being taken the Amendment was carried.
Upon a further vote being taken the substantive motion was carried.
Resolved:
That this council calls upon its cabinet to request officers to brief governing bodies on the latest position with regard to the current proposals under the Review of Classroom Based Staff. Ultimately any decision on this issue will be made by Full Council.
In accordance with a Notice of Motion it was Moved by Councillor M Wilkes, Seconded by Councillor N Martin.
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 strongly urges Cabinet 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.
In Moving an amendment to the Motion, Councillor N Foster informed the Council that key challenges for the DLI Museum were the condition and location of the building and poor visitor numbers of approximately 39,000 per annum. The location of exhibits to Palace Green, which had a footfall of 600,000 visitors, would provide greater opportunity for visitors to view the collection. In Seconding the amendment, Councillor J Armstrong informed Council that a request for call-in of the decision had been made, but this had not met the criteria within the Constitution. However, a special Overview and Scrutiny Management Board meeting had been held in December 2015 at which James Ramsbotham, Chairman of the DLI Trustees, had presented the proposals for the collection.
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.
Council therefore strongly urges Cabinet to work in consultation with the DLI Trustees, whose role is to do what is best for the collection, and in partnership with Durham University, to seek to find a new way of telling the DLI story - a way that will take it to the heart of the World Heritage Site, with its footfall of more than 600,000 a year, and give it the far greater audience it rightly deserves. Council further asks Cabinet to ensure that the identified storage facility provided has modern storage, conservation and research areas, with enough capacity to meet future requirements and to continue to work with schools and families on an outreach basis to help future generations commemorate and understand the important stories of the DLI regiment.
Council urges Cabinet to continue to work with The DLI Trustees and Durham University, alongside other interested parties including the Friends, and the Army Museums Ogilby Trust the recognised authority in this area, while continuing to promote the exciting opportunities coming up later in the year.
On a vote being taken the Amendment was carried.
Upon a further vote being taken the substantive motion was carried.
Resolved:
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.
Council therefore strongly urges Cabinet to work in consultation with the DLI Trustees, whose role is to do what is best for the collection, and in partnership with Durham University, to seek to find a new way of telling the DLI story - a way that will take it to the heart of the World Heritage Site, with its footfall of more than 600,000 a year, and give it the far greater audience it rightly deserves. Council further asks Cabinet to ensure that the identified storage facility provided has modern storage, conservation and research areas, with enough capacity to meet future requirements and to continue to work with schools and families on an outreach basis to help future generations commemorate and understand the important stories of the DLI regiment.
Council urges Cabinet to continue to work with The DLI Trustees and Durham University, alongside other interested parties including the Friends, and the Army Museums Ogilby Trust the recognised authority in this area, while continuing to promote the exciting opportunities coming up later in the year.