Issue - meetings

To consider the following motion:

(a)       Motion in the name of Councillor P Buckley

That this Council notes that chronic loneliness is unhealthy and leads to many physical and mental health problems. It can affect anyone at any stage of their life. A disconnected society could be costing the UK economy £32 billion a year and also has a massively negative impact on communities across Tameside.

Nine million people, across all ages and social groups, in the UK report themselves lonely all or most of the time – including 43% of 17-25 year olds, 24% of parents and 8 out of 10 carers. Up to 50% of disabled people will be lonely on any given day and 3.6 million people aged over 75 say that television is their main form of company.

This Council notes the work of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness in tackling this scourge on society. The Commission has, over the course of this year, put a spotlight on a number of sections of society, including older people, refugees, carers and children; not only highlighting the problem, but acting as a call to action. With the message ‘Start a Conversation’, the Commission is trying to get people talking to one another, whether chatting to a neighbour, visiting an old friend or just making time for the people they meet. It is also targeting businesses and employer organisations to get them to be part of the solution.

The Council also notes that Commission will produce a manifesto of recommendations in the new year on how to reduce loneliness, however, it is possible to pledge to start a conversation now at the Commission website (www.jocoxloneliness.org/pledge).

This Council resolves that:

(i)      The Chief Executive will write to the Co-Chairs of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness (Seema Kennedy MP and Rachel Reeves MP) to offer the Council’s support in their endeavours,

(ii)      Councillors and officers of the Council will work with local voluntary groups, businesses and Government to reduce loneliness in communities across the borough of Tameside, and,

(iii)     Councillors and officers of the Council will ‘Start a Conversation’ and take the time to do something to make someone feel less lonely.

To consider the following motions:

(a)       Motion in the name of Councillor B. Holland

That following the outcome of the Hillsborough inquiry, which was damning in its assessment of the leadership and culture prevailing at the time in the South Yorkshire Police Force, Leigh MP Andy Burnham has called for an inquiry into policing tactics by that same force at Orgreave on 18 June 1984.

Tameside Council believes that the events at Orgreave in 1984 are not only of national importance but also of local because it is important to residents that there is trust and confidence in the transparency and conduct of the justice system.  Across the country miners and their families were adversely affected by the events of that day in terms of wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, ill-health, family breakdown and termination of employment as a direct result of policing tactics at Orgreave.

This Council therefore supports Andy Burnham MP and other MPs in calling on Home Secretary Amber Rudd to reverse her decision not to order an inquiry in to the ‘battle of Orgreave’.

(b)       Motion in the name of Councillor Cooney

That this Council notes:

·                That alcohol can be enjoyed in a responsible way by adults.

·                That alcohol can cause serious and fatal diseases, including several types of cancers; that the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Alcohol Guidelines advise both men and women that it issafest not to drink regularly more than 14 units per week, to keep health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level.

·                That there are 5896 alcohol-related hospital admissions every year in Tameside.

·                14,200 adults in Tameside are dependent drinkers and over 11,500 are high risk drinkers.

·                That alcohol can only be legally purchased by adults over 18 years old.

·                That the advertising of alcohol is designed to make products more appealing and in turn can appeal to children and young people.

·                That the recent Healthier Futures/Alcohol Health Alliance public opinion survey found 73% support in Greater Manchester for a 9pm watershed for alcohol adverts on TV.

·                That the recent public engagement campaign ‘See What Sam Sees’ by Healthier Futures, talked with over 200 people across Greater Manchester and received overwhelming support for a 9pm watershed from the Greater Manchester public.

This Council believes:

·                That it is the responsibility of all levels of government to try to ensure good public health in the population.

This Council resolves:

·                To request the Leader of the Council to write the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, expressing these views and asking her to bring forward legislation to introduce a 9pm watershed for the advertising of alcohol products on TV to protect children and young people from the influence of alcohol advertising.

·                To continue to promote good health in our borough, to support the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Alcohol Guidelines, and to protect children and adults from alcohol-related harm.