Councillor O Temple to Move
This council is aware that that the council has taken multi-million pound headleases in respect of four developments in County Durham:
1. Two office developments at Freeman’s Reach, Durham City
2. An industrial development at Merchant Park, Newton Aycliffe
3. The major development currently under construction at Milburngate, Durham City
Council is also aware that at the time of approving these headleases, cabinet took into account the significant transfer from the private sector to the council of both the potential risk and reward that could flow from these developments. At that time cabinet judged that the potential rewards outweighed the possible risks.
In the light of the coronavirus pandemic and the significant changes that are taking place in both commercial practice and consumer behaviour as a result of it, council requests that a report be brought to the next meeting of Cabinet after 1st February 2021 setting out the cabinet’s latest detailed assessment of these changed circumstances and their likely impact on the council’s budget in future years in terms of:
· The current and future expected range of commercial activity to be undertaken by leaseholders/tenants of these properties
· Potentially changed lease or rental levels for each of these tenant types
· The likelihood of the council being able to re-let the properties where the leases of current or contracted occupants come to an end before the council’s headlease itself ends
· The revised best and worst-case scenarios the council envisages in terms of Income and expenditure from these investments.
Councillor P Sexton to Move
I call on the Council to conduct an internal review of the decision made to allow admissions of Covid-19 patients from Hospitals into County Durham care homes
Councillor M Wilkes to Move
County Durham has one of the highest Covid-19 care home death rates in the UK. There continues to be significant outbreaks in our care homes.
It is essential that we learn from what has happened and continues to happen so that we can reduce the risks of further deaths in our care homes over the winter and spring.
This Council therefore calls for an independent review to take place immediately to report back as soon as possible with initial findings.
Councillor O Gunn to Move
This Council notes with concern the unique and challenging circumstances currently affecting schools and applauds the work of teachers and all school staff. Since the outbreak of COVID 19 their commitment to provide the best possible educational experience in an increasingly challenging and complex scenario has been outstanding.
The impact of the pandemic has resulted in significant disruption to teaching and learning and, as a result, pupils taking GCSEs, AS and A -levels cannot realistically be expected to either focus properly upon their education or complete all of the units of work necessary. Moreover, there has been a disproportionate impact in some areas that already faced significant inequalities due to high infection rates, the North East being one of those areas worst affected.
This Council asserts that the vast inequalities of classroom based learning vs home learning make any traditional examination system fundamentally flawed and unfair. It is impossible to guarantee a level playing field for examinations in 2021. Furthermore, a three week examination delay announced by Government falls far short of addressing the anxieties and concerns of teachers, parents and most importantly, the pupils themselves.
It is therefore essential that the Government provides clarity for pupils and teachers now and not next month or next year. The fiasco of the summer examinations was hugely stressful for pupils and there must be no repeat of the confusion and anxiety caused by another Government last minute u turn.
This Council deplores the Government’s unwillingness to listen to educators and learners whilst expecting them to work in such challenging circumstances.
This Council therefore calls upon the Government as a matter of urgency to:
a) cancel 2021 school examinations and move to a robust and transparent teacher assessment model;
b) liaise with Local Government and other relevant bodies to bring this to fruition.
Councillor L Hovvels to Move
The NHS Test and Trace was introduced on 28th May 2020 and is a cross -Government programme chaired by Baroness Dido Harding, reporting directly to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary. It was set up as a world beating system to ensure population level testing and contact tracing to enable people to be tested, traced and then isolated to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Local Authorities were told by Government that the system would be fully operational by September as schools and then universities returned.
The NHS Test and Trace Tier 2 nationally employed call handlers, currently contact 83% of County Durham residents in the first 24 hours after testing positive for coronavirus. However only 57% of their close contacts are contacted. 17% of positive cases are therefore missed and are then being referred to the Public Health England Health Protection Team and subsequently the Local Authority Public Health Team. 43% of contacts are not reached at all.
The Local Authority has a responsibility to deliver a Local Outbreak Control Plan with testing, trace and isolate being key components of this plan. However, until NHS Test and Trace can fulfil the initial expectations set out by Government the Local Authority will remain unable to fully deliver this plan and fully protect the health of our residents.
I call upon the Council to:
· express a vote of no confidence in NHS Test and Trace
· write to the Secretary of State for Health and Care to express grave concerns at the failings of NHS Test and Trace and the impact it has had on local outbreak control arrangements
· thank local Council staff who are managing cases due to the shortcomings of NHS Test and Trace
Minutes:
In accordance with a Motion it was:
Moved by Councillor O Temple, Seconded by Councillor E Scott that:
This council is aware that that the council has taken multimillion pound headleases in respect of four developments in County Durham:
1. Two office developments at Freeman’s Reach, Durham City
2. An industrial development at Merchant Park, Newton Aycliffe
3. The major development currently under construction at Milburngate, Durham City
Council is also aware that at the time of approving these head leases, Cabinet took into account the significant transfer from the private sector to the council of both the potential risk and reward that could flow from these developments. At that time cabinet judged that the potential rewards outweighed the possible risks.
In the light of the coronavirus pandemic and the significant changes that are taking place in both commercial practice and consumer behaviour as a result of it, council requests that a report be brought to the next meeting of Cabinet after 1st February 2021 setting out the cabinet’s latest detailed assessment of these changed circumstances and their likely impact on the council’s budget in future years in terms of:
· The current and future expected range of commercial activity to be undertaken by leaseholders/tenants of these properties
· Potentially changed lease or rental levels for each of these tenant types
· The likelihood of the council being able to re-let the properties where the leases of current or contracted occupants come to an end before the council’s head lease itself ends
· The revised best and worst-case scenarios the council envisages in terms of Income and expenditure from these investments.
Councillor C Marshall, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration thanked Councillor Temple for his Motion. Councillor Marshall informed Council that he supported the Motion and looked to bring forward a full and thorough report on the Council’s ambition to grow the economy of County Durham to Cabinet in February 2021.
Their being no dissent, the Motion was carried.
Moved by Councillor P Sexton, Seconded by Councillor Shuttleworth that:
I call on the Council to conduct an internal review of the decision made to allow admissions of Covid-19 patients from Hospitals into County Durham care homes.
Councillor L Hovvels, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services informed Council that she was always available for any Member to speak to her about concerns they may have. In March 2020 the government instructed local authorities to work with the NHS to support with the discharge of patients from hospital to make way for the anticipated surge in the number of admissions due to COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic the Council had followed national guidelines, worked closely with NHS colleagues and provided extensive practical and financial support to all care homes. Ultimately, it was a clinical decision to discharge somebody from hospital. All current resources were focused on managing the evolving situation of the pandemic within the County. The Prime Minister was committed to a national inquiry in the future and the national guidance given around the admissions of the COVID-19 patients into care homes would no doubt be a key element of the inquiry. Councillor Hovvels could not support the Motion until the national inquiry had taken place.
Upon a vote being taken the Motion was lost.
Moved by Councillor M Wilkes, Seconded by Councillor L Mavin that:
County Durham has one of the highest Covid-19 care home death rates in the UK. There continues to be significant outbreaks in our care homes.
It is essential that we learn from what has happened and continues to happen so that we can reduce the risks of further deaths in our care homes over the winter and spring.
This Council therefore calls for an independent review to take place immediately to report back as soon as possible with initial findings.
Upon a vote being taken the Motion was Lost.
Moved by Councillor O Gunn, Seconded by Councillor McKeon that:
This Council notes with concern the unique and challenging circumstances currently affecting schools and applauds the work of teachers and all school staff. Since the outbreak of COVID 19 their commitment to provide the best possible educational experience in an increasingly challenging and complex scenario has been outstanding.
The impact of the pandemic has resulted in significant disruption to teaching and learning and, as a result, pupils taking GCSEs, AS and A -levels cannot realistically be expected to either focus properly upon their education or complete all of the units of work necessary. Moreover, there has been a disproportionate impact in some areas that already faced significant inequalities due to high infection rates, the North East being one of those areas worst affected.
This Council asserts that the vast inequalities of classroom based learning vs home learning make any traditional examination system fundamentally flawed and unfair. It is impossible to guarantee a level playing field for examinations in 2021. Furthermore, a three week examination delay announced by Government falls far short of addressing the anxieties and concerns of teachers, parents and most importantly, the pupils themselves.
It is therefore essential that the Government provides clarity for pupils and teachers now and not next month or next year. The fiasco of the summer examinations was hugely stressful for pupils and there must be no repeat of the confusion and anxiety caused by another Government last minute u turn.
This Council deplores the Government’s unwillingness to listen to educators and learners whilst expecting them to work in such challenging circumstances.
This Council therefore calls upon the Government as a matter of urgency to:
a) cancel 2021 school examinations and move to a robust and transparent teacher assessment model;
b) liaise with Local Government and other relevant bodies to bring this to fruition.
An Amendment was Moved by Councillor R Bell, Seconded by Councillor Makepeace as follows:
This Council notes with concern the unique and challenging circumstances currently affecting schools and applauds the work of teachers and all school staff. Since the outbreak of COVID 19 their commitment to provide the best possible educational experience in an increasingly challenging and complex scenario has been outstanding.
The impact of the pandemic has resulted in significant disruption
to teaching and learning. and, as a result, pupils taking GCSEs,
AS and A -levels cannot realistically be expected to either focus
properly upon their education or complete all of the units of work
necessary. Moreover, there has been a
disproportionate impact in some areas that already faced
significant inequalities due to high infection rates, the North
East being one of those areas worst affected.
This Council notes with concern that the North East has been one of those areas worst affected by Covid-related disruption.
This Council notes that the Prime Minister and Education Secretary have been clear that exams will go ahead in 2021. Recognising that the pandemic has disrupted students’ learning, the Education Secretary has announced that most AS, A levels and GCSEs will be held three weeks later than usual.
This Council notes also the anxiety caused by the uncertainty over SATS tests for our Year 6 primary pupils.
This Council therefore calls upon the Government as a matter of urgency to:
a) Ensure that exams can go ahead in 2021 on a fair and equitable basis;
b) Publish updated guidance before the end of the year, on how to take into account Covid-related disruption on a school by school, class by class and individual by individual basis in awarding exam results;
c) Introduce robust and transparent processes for continuous assessment, to ensure that the impact on individuals of their specific circumstances due to Covid-related disruption are taken onto account in grading;
d) Publish a timetable for examinations and any changes before the end of the year to allow pupils and teachers to know what is being worked towards; and
e) Liaise with Local Government, schools and other relevant bodies to bring this plan to fruition and thereby ensure a smooth exam season.
This Council asserts that the vast inequalities of classroom
based learning vs home learning make any traditional examination
system fundamentally flawed and unfair.
It is impossible to guarantee a level playing field for
examinations in 2021. Furthermore, a
three week examination delay announced by Government falls far
short of addressing the anxieties and concerns of teachers, parents
and most importantly, the pupils themselves.
It is therefore essential that the Government provides clarity
for pupils and teachers now and not next month or next
year. The fiasco of the summer
examinations was hugely stressful for pupils and there must be no
repeat of the confusion and anxiety caused by another Government
last minute u turn.
This Council deplores the Government’s unwillingness to
listen to educators and learners whilst expecting them to work in
such challenging circumstances.
This Council therefore calls upon the Government as a matter of
urgency to:
c)
cancel 2021 school examinations and move to a robust and
transparent teacher assessment model;
d)
liaise with Local Government and other relevant bodies to
bring this to fruition.
Upon a vote being taken the Amendment was Lost.
Upon a further vote being taken the Motion was Carried.
Moved by Councillor L Hovvels, Seconded by Councillor J Robinson that:
The NHS Test and Trace was introduced on 28th May 2020 and is a cross -Government programme chaired by Baroness Dido Harding, reporting directly to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary. It was set up as a world beating system to ensure population level testing and contact tracing to enable people to be tested, traced and then isolated to slow the spread of coronavirus. Local Authorities were told by Government that the system would be fully operational by September as schools and then universities returned.
The NHS Test and Trace Tier 2 nationally employed call handlers, currently contact 83% of County Durham residents in the first 24 hours after testing positive for coronavirus. However only 57% of their close contacts are contacted. 17% of positive cases are therefore missed and are then being referred to the Public Health England Health Protection Team and subsequently the Local Authority Public Health Team. 43% of contacts are not reached at all.
The Local Authority has a responsibility to deliver a Local Outbreak Control Plan with testing, trace and isolate being key components of this plan. However, until NHS Test and Trace can fulfil the initial expectations set out by Government the Local Authority will remain unable to fully deliver this plan and fully protect the health of our residents. I call upon the Council to:
· express a vote of no confidence in NHS Test and Trace
· write to the Secretary of State for Health and Care to express grave concerns at the failings of NHS Test and Trace and the impact it has had on local outbreak control arrangements
· thank local Council staff who are managing cases due to the shortcomings of NHS Test and Trace
An Amendment was Moved by Councillor R Bell, Seconded by Councillor A Bainbridge as follows:
Paragraphs 1-3 of the original motion remain unchanged. Amendments highlighted in bold as follows:
I call upon the Council to:
· Require the Cabinet Portfolio holder for Adult and Health Services and the Director of Public Health to produce and publish a plan by the end of December 2020 showing the steps that need to be taken to improve the situation.
· write to the Secretary of State for Health and Care to express grave concerns at the failings of NHS Test and Trace and the impact it has had on local outbreak control arrangements, and request the changes that need to be made.
· thank local Council staff who are managing cases due to the shortcomings of NHS Test and Trace and brief them on the new plan once available.
· Urge the people of County Durham to comply with the requirements of the Test and Trace system.
Upon a vote being taken the Amendment was Lost.
An Amendment was Moved by Councillor C Martin, Seconded by Councillor A Hopgood as follows:
Paragraphs 1-3 of the original motion remain unchanged. Amendments as follows:
I call upon the Council to:
·
express a vote of no confidence in NHS Test and
Trace
· thank local Council staff who are managing cases due to the shortcomings of NHS Test and Trace
Councillor Hovvels, in response to the debate on her Motion, informed Council that she agreed to remove reference to the NHS in the first bullet point of her Motion, which would now read as follows:
· express a vote of no confidence in Test and Trace
Upon a vote being taken the Amendment was Lost.
The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised Council that during the debate on the last amendment Councillor Hovvels had indicated that she would alter her Motion to remove reference to NHS in the first bullet point of her Motion. This was permissible under Council Procedure Rules which stated that where a Member wished to alter a Motion which had been moved and seconded required the consent of both the meeting and seconder and the meetings consent would be signified without discussion. Councillor J Robinson, as seconder to the Motion, indicated his consent to the removal of the reference to NHS in the first bullet point of the Motion. Council agreed that the substantive Motion was duly altered.
Following further debate Councillor Hovvels confirmed she agreed to remove reference to NHS in the second bullet point of her motion, which would read as follows:
· write to the Secretary of State for Health and Care to express grave concerns at the failings of Test and Trace and the impact it has had on local outbreak control arrangements
The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that the Substantive Motion to be voted on had been amended to remove reference to NHS in the first two bullet points.
Upon a vote being taken the Substantive Motion, as amended, was Carried.
At the conclusion of the meeting the Chair extended her best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.