Agenda

Announcements

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 14 July 2015 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 the Executive Cabinet held on 26 August 2015.

To receive the minutes of the Meeting of the Standards Committee held on 8 September 2015.

To receive the minutes of the Meeting of the Overview (Audit) Panel held on: 27 July 2015 and 21 September 2015.

To receive the minutes of the Meeting of the Democratic Processes Working Group held on 27 July 2015.

To agree the following additions to the membership of the Local Pensions Board:

(i)            That Catherine Lloyd (UNISON) and Chris Goodwin (Unite) be appointed as employee representatives on the Local Pensions Board;

(ii)           That an additional Councillor be appointed as employer representative on the Local Pensions Board;

(iii)          That Jane Hammond be appointed as the Local Pensions Board Monitoring Office.

(a)     To consider the following motion in the name of Councillor M. Smith

That this Council recognises the hazards caused by Sky Lanterns (also known as Chinese Lanterns).

Once released, there is no control over the flight path a Sky Lantern takes whilst airborne, or the place it lands when it has burnt out. Sky Lanterns have therefore given rise to a number of serious safety concerns including:

·         Risks to pets, livestock and wildlife.

·         Dangers posed to aircraft.

·         Fires and damage to property and vehicles.

·         The impact on the environment, including littering.

Nationally, several significant fires have been caused by Sky lanterns; perhaps the most notable of which was a fire at Smethwick recycling plant in the West Midlands that caused damage totaling an estimated £6m. In Greater Manchester alone they are thought to be responsible for more than 60 fires in the last 5 years.

Council notes that, in response to the dangers posed by the lanterns, a number of Countries including Australia, Spain and Germany have banned their use. However, despite acknowledging these dangers, DEFRA have ruled out a ban on Sky Lanterns.

This Council therefore resolves to ban the sale and use of Sky Lanterns on any Council owned property or premises.

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

That this Council notes with disappointment the passing of the Trade Union Bill at its second reading in parliament on 14 September 2015.

This Council believes that the Bill represents the most vicious attack on Trade Unions in over 30 years by introducing measures that will make it more difficult for employees to stand up for and defend their rights at work.

Amongst other things the passing of the Bill will introduce:

• The removal of the ability of public sector employees to have Trade Union subscriptions deducted from their salaries.
• A requirement for unions to notify police if they intend to discuss a strike on social media.
• A requirement for police to be notified 14 days in advance of a strike if striking workers intend to use placards or loudspeakers on a picket line.
• The appointment of a ‘picket supervisor’ for each picket who will be required to wear an armband and give their name and contact details to the police and their employer.
• A minimum turnout threshold of 50% in ballots for strike action.

This Council further notes that human rights groups Liberty, Amnesty International and the British Institute of Human Rights have all condemned the Bill as an attack on the basic right to protest.

Council therefore resolves to:

• Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Sajid Javid MP on behalf of the Council setting out our opposition to the Bill.

Ask the Chief Executive to write on behalf of the Council to our 3 local MPs setting out our opposition to the Bill and requesting that they use all means available during the Committee stage of the Bill to prevent it  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

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.