Agenda

The Civic Mayor to make any appropriate announcements.

At this juncture the Civic Mayor will retire from the Chair and the Chair of Council Business shall assume the Chair for the remaining business.

That the Minutes of the proceedings of the Meeting of Council held on 21 January 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair of Council Business (or other person presiding) (Minutes attached).

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Council.

To receive any announcements or communications from the Chair of Council Business, the Executive Leader, Members of the Executive Cabinet or the Chief Executive.

To consider any questions submitted by Members of the public in accordance with Standing Orders 31.12 and 31.13.

To receive the minutes of the Meeting of Executive Cabinet and Overview (Audit) Panel held on 10 February 2016.

To consider the attached report of the Assistant Executive Director (Finance).

To consider the attached report of the Assistant Executive Director (Finance).

To consider the attached report of the Assistant Executive Director (Finance).

To seek nominations for the position of the Civic Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2016/2017.

To note that the Annual Meeting of Council (both Mayor Making and Business) will commence at 5.00pm on Tuesday 24 May 2016 and will take place at Dukinfield Town Hall.

To agree the Calendar of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2016/2017.

To consider any changes to the membership of Council bodies.

(a)       To consider the following motion in the name of Councillor J. Fitzpatrick

That this Council notes the detail of the recently published Local Government Settlement.

We note with concern that the additional transitional grant funding announced has once again failed to address the inherent unfairness of the impact of the massive cuts that have been applied to Tameside Council by this Tory Government.

We agree to continue highlighting the apparent disdain that Local Government is held in by this Government, especially on those living in northern Metropolitan areas.  

This Council commits to continue working alongside the Local Government Association, led by the Conservative peer Lord Porter, SIGOMA and other individual campaigners to consistently remind Tameside residents about the impact of Tory cuts to vital local services.

(b)       To consider the following motion in the name of Councillor Taylor

That this Council notes that the Secretary of State for Justice has announced the closure of Tameside County Court.

Access to justice is a fundamental freedom in a civilised society and this decision, as well as reducing this freedom, will affect Tameside in a number of ways including:

·                Increased travel times and costs associated with accessing the Courts and Justice System.

·                Potential relocation away from Tameside of law firms and other businesses that support the Court system.

·                The closure of a large service in a key regeneration area adjacent to Ashton Old Baths.

Council condemns this decision and considers it as the latest in a long list of attacks on Tameside residents at the hands of Conservative led governments.

Council therefore resolves to:

·                Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for justice setting out our opposition to the closure and requesting details of the plans for the building once the County Court has closed.

·                Explore how Tameside Council could support the Court buildings to continue be fully occupied given that the presence of workers in the area supports the local economy.

To answer questions (if any) asked under Standing Order 17.2, for which due notice has been given by a Member of the Council.

To consider any other items which the Chair of Council Business (or other person presiding) is of the opinion shall be dealt with as a matter of urgency.