Minutes for Council meeting, Mar 24 2011, 6.30PM official page

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

Minutes of the Council meeting held on 3 March 2011

To consider any petitions submitted by members of the public in accordance with the Council’s Petitions Scheme

To receive and consider questions to Cabinet Members, Chairs of Committees or Spokespersons for any of the Joint Authorities upon any matter within their portfolio/area of responsibility, of which notice has been given in accordance with Rule 12 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules.

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor Jones:

 

“That the Council recognises the large number of Southport residents disturbed by the unstoppable march of the Supermarket giants, and the effect which is gradually altering the character of our unique town and it’s villages as a shopping destination. We also recognise that the Council has very limited powers under planning law to resist this insidious trend, and that what needs to change is the law at national level which favours the large corporations and

prejudices the interests of local people everywhere.

The Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government requesting the Government to act on Big Society and Localism by changing the law, and soon, so that the local community can have the democratic right to determine the shape, growth and future of our town. The Council wishes to see transparency, local accountability and real local decision-making given back to the people of this and every other town, city, village and rural area.”

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor Preece:

 

“It is recommended by Sefton Council that all schools considering Academy status should consult parents/guardians fully in the process including holding a ballot.”

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor Shaw:

 

“This Council notes:

1. That the Labour Party is the second largest party on Sefton Council and holds 40% of the places in the Cabinet, including the crucially important portfolio of Children’s Services, where much of the public concern over potential spending cuts has been centred;
2. That over the last 6 months the Labour Party has voted against (and is recorded in the Council Minutes as voting against) over 80% of the proposed painful, but necessary, reductions in Council spending, but without suggesting a single alternative;
3. That the shortfall amounted to £36.8 million out of the required savings of £44.2 million, and that this shortfall would have required the Labour Party to increase Council Tax by 29%, taking the Band D Council Tax (including precepts) from £1477.68 to £1904.78, an additional £427.10 per year;
4. That such an increase would inevitably ultimately involve the Council in being subject to “capping”, but that in the meantime council tax payers would be legally required to pay the increased monthly instalments of (for example) an extra £42.71 per month for Band D householders; and
5. That “capping” would have resulted in significant extra re-billing costs and that even more severe mid-year cuts would need to have been made in order to achieve a balanced budget.

This Council believes that all parties on Sefton Council, particularly those holding places in the Cabinet, have a responsibility to behave responsibly in current circumstances, particularly in relation to budgetary matters.”

To consider any changes to the Membership of any committees etc.

Report of the Chief Executive