The Council will be asked to receive the Minutes of the meetings as detailed within Minute Book Volume 49(3) and ask questions of the Leader, Portfolio Holders and Committee Chairs. For ease of reference the Minutes are:
Committee
Meeting Date
People Panel
25 August and 6 October 2022
Place Panel
1 September 2022
Regulatory Panel
14 September and 19 October 2022
Licensing Committee
19 October 2022
Development Control Committee
14 September and 16 September 2022
Audit Committee
28 September 2022
The Council will be asked to receive reports from the following:
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 12, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that that the following motion has been submitted on notice by Councillor Bainbridge: Local Government Reform (LGR) “This Council agrees to write to the Leader of Cumberland Council; the Chief Executive Designate for Cumberland Council, Andrew Seekings; to each elected member of the Cumberland Council Shadow Authority and to the Chief Executives of all Councils which fall within the footprint of the new Cumberland Council area. Carlisle City Council is supportive of the moves to a single local authority. It is however also aware that for many of our existing staff and their families, the process of LRG can be an unsettling time. Employees deserve to be respectfully and fairly treated within this important transfer process. The elected members of Carlisle City Council are greatly concerned by the present situation. Openness and accountability are presently lacking from this process, resulting in many potential employees becoming unsettled by:- • the lack of information. • a lack of the accountability within the management of this process. • the criteria used for decision making as to which positions are ‘in-scope’ (i.e., ring-fenced) leaving several potentially suitable and able candidates ‘out of scope’ and restricted from applying for posts that they may be qualified for. • The over-reliance on current salary banding as contributing factor in the transfer process criteria. With just 5 months left until Cumberland Council begins, many employees within the existing Councils do not have a clear and informed direction of travel into the new authority. We are concerned by the apparent disengagement of shadow elected members from the scrutiny of this process. Presently, they have only met three times, with their next (and final scheduled meeting before vesting day) over three and a half months away. We feel they are not fully aware of the concerns regarding this process and are consequently failing to discharge their duties fully. It is important that the new Council is staffed by the most appropriate officers, recruited in a fair and open process. If recruitment and transfer are allowed to fail, experienced potential staff will lose faith in the process. Without the optimal staffing appointments, the new council will struggle to improve services for the good of all residents.”
“This Council agrees to write to the Leader of Cumberland Council; the Chief Executive Designate for Cumberland Council, Andrew Seekings; to each elected member of the Cumberland Council Shadow Authority and to the Chief Executives of all Councils which fall within the footprint of the new Cumberland Council area. Carlisle City Council is supportive of the moves to a single local authority. It is however also aware that for many of our existing staff and their families, the process of LRG can be an unsettling time. Employees deserve to be respectfully and fairly treated within this important transfer process. The elected members of Carlisle City Council are greatly concerned by the present situation. Openness and accountability are presently lacking from this process, resulting in many potential employees becoming unsettled by:-
• the lack of information. • a lack of the accountability within the management of this process. • the criteria used for decision making as to which positions are ‘in-scope’ (i.e., ring-fenced) leaving several potentially suitable and able candidates ‘out of scope’ and restricted from applying for posts that they may be qualified for. • The over-reliance on current salary banding as contributing factor in the transfer process criteria. With just 5 months left until Cumberland Council begins, many employees within the existing Councils do not have a clear and informed direction of travel into the new authority. We are concerned by the apparent disengagement of shadow elected members from the scrutiny of this process. Presently, they have only met three times, with their next (and final scheduled meeting before vesting day) over three and a half months away. We feel they are not fully aware of the concerns regarding this process and are consequently failing to discharge their duties fully. It is important that the new Council is staffed by the most appropriate officers, recruited in a fair and open process. If recruitment and transfer are allowed to fail, experienced potential staff will lose faith in the process. Without the optimal staffing appointments, the new council will struggle to improve services for the good of all residents.” Pursuant to Procedure Rule 14.7 Councillor Bainbridge requested the meeting's consent to alter the motion which he had submitted on notice as follows: “This Council agrees to write to the Leader of Cumberland Council; the Chief Executive Designate for Cumberland Council, Andrew Seekings; to each elected member of the Cumberland Council Shadow Authority and to the Chief Executives of all Councils which fall within the footprint of the new Cumberland Council area. Carlisle City Council is supportive of the moves to a single local authority. It is however also aware that for many of our existing staff and their families, the process of LRG can be an unsettling time. Employees deserve to be respectfully and fairly treated within this important transfer process. The elected members of Carlisle City Council are greatly concerned by the present situation. Openness and accountability are presently lacking from this process, resulting in many potential employees becoming unsettled by:- • the lack of information. • a lack of the accountability within the management of this process. • the criteria used for decision making as to which positions are ‘in-scope’ (i.e., ring-fenced) leaving several potentially suitable and able candidates ‘out of scope’ and restricted from applying for posts that they may be qualified for. • The over-reliance on current salary banding as contributing factor in the transfer process criteria. With just 5 months left until Cumberland Council begins, many employees within the existing Councils do not have a clear and informed direction of travel into the new authority. We are concerned by the apparent disengagement disconnection of shadow elected members from the scrutiny of this process. Presently, they have only met three times, with their next (and final scheduled meeting before vesting day) over three and a half months away. We feel they are not being fully made aware of the concerns regarding this process and are consequently failing unable to discharge their duties fully. It is important that the new Council is staffed by the most appropriate officers, recruited in a fair and open process. If recruitment and transfer are allowed to fail, experienced potential staff will lose faith in the process. Without the optimal staffing appointments, the new council will struggle to improve services for the good of all residents.” Copies of the amended motion were tabled. The meeting adjourned at 20:03 to consider the amendment to the motion and reconvened at 20:14. Following a vote and without discussion the meeting agreed to alter the motion. The substantive motion as set out below was moved by Councillor Bainbridge and seconded by Councillor Ellis. “This Council agrees to write to the Leader of Cumberland Council; the Chief Executive Designate for Cumberland Council, Andrew Seekings; to each elected member of the Cumberland Council Shadow Authority and to the Chief Executives of all Councils which fall within the footprint of the new Cumberland Council area. Carlisle City Council is supportive of the moves to a single local authority. It is however also aware that for many of our existing staff and their families, the process of LRG can be an unsettling time. Employees deserve to be respectfully and fairly treated within this important transfer process. The elected members of Carlisle City Council are greatly concerned by the present situation. Openness and accountability are presently lacking from this process, resulting in many potential employees becoming unsettled by:- • the lack of information. • a lack of the accountability within the management of this process. • the criteria used for decision making as to which positions are ‘in-scope’ (i.e., ring-fenced) leaving several potentially suitable and able candidates ‘out of scope’ and restricted from applying for posts that they may be qualified for. • The over-reliance on current salary banding as contributing factor in the transfer process criteria. With just 5 months left until Cumberland Council begins, many employees within the existing Councils do not have a clear and informed direction of travel into the new authority. We are concerned by the apparent disconnection of shadow elected members from the scrutiny of this process. Presently, they have only met three times, with their next (and final scheduled meeting before vesting day) over three and a half months away. We feel they are not being fully made aware of the concerns regarding this process and are consequently unable to discharge their duties fully. It is important that the new Council is staffed by the most appropriate officers, recruited in a fair and open process. If recruitment and transfer are allowed to fail, experienced potential staff will lose faith in the process. Without the optimal staffing appointments, the new council will struggle to improve services for the good of all residents." Councillor Bainbridge elaborated on his reasons for the submission of his motion. Substantial debate ensued, during which various Members expressed support for / opposition to the motion. The matter was put to the vote and it was:
RESOLVED - That the motion be CARRIED. Councillors Betton and Robson returned to the meeting.
Pursuant to Minute EX.122/22, to consider recommendations from the Executive concerning the Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2022/23. (Copy Report GD.64/22 and Minute Extracts herewith)
Pursuant to Minute EX.133/22, to consider recommendations from the Executive concerning the UK Shared Prosperity Fund - Year one delivery of Investment Plan (Copy Report ED.29/22 and Minute Extract herewith)
Pursuant to Minute EX.139/22, to consider recommendations from the Executive concerning proposals to use Carlisle City Council's available charitable and other bequests monies to support three urgent needs across the communities of Carlisle District: Carlisle Food Bank; Prism Arts; and North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. (Copy Report CS.34/22 and Minute Extract herewith)
Pursuant to Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15 (i), the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report on the operation of call-in and urgency procedures. (Copy Report GD.65/22 herewith)
- NIL -
Officers: Town Clerk and Chief Executive Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services