Pursuant to Procedure Rule 11.2, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that the following question has been submitted on notice by Councillor Pickstone: “Could the Leader, or the appropriate Cabinet Member, inform members whether the Council has plans to work with partners to ensure that there are 'warm hubs' or 'heat banks' across the City in the coming winter. As the Leader will be aware, many people, including many vulnerable people, will be struggling with heating bills. Other Council areas are ensuring that there are buildings designated as 'warm hubs'. Is this something we can achieve in Carlisle working with our partners at the County Council, with Town and Parish Councils, village halls and community groups?"
(Copy Report herewith)
The Council will be asked to receive the Minutes of the meetings as detailed within Minute Book Volume 49(2) (as previously circulated); and ask questions of the Leader, Portfolio Holders and Committee Chairs. For ease of reference the Minutes are:
The Council will be asked to receive reports from the following:
1. Cost of Living Crisis
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 12, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that the following motion has been submitted on notice by Councillor Alcroft: “Carlisle City Council notes the severe financial pressures facing many households at this time. Though this has been acknowledged nationally, with some actions proposed, the likelihood is that these pressures will increase significantly in the coming months. The Council therefore calls on its members to declare a Cost of Living Crisis within Carlisle and to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking him to urge the government to bring forward additional solutions, both short and long term, to alleviate the immense pressures households across Carlisle and the country are experiencing.” 2. Proportional Representation
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 12, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that the following motion has been submitted on notice by Councillor Dr Davison: “Carlisle City Council notes that: Decisions central government makes around legislation and funding, and its wider political ethos, impact across all aspects of council functioning. They manifest in the need for services in our community and the capacity and ability of council to provide services. It is, therefore, in the best interests of our residents that we have a fair electoral system that produces the best quality representative government possible. First Past the Post (FPTP) voting, used to elect our MPs, is archaic, unfair and unrepresentative of the way in which our communities cast their votes. FPTP originated when land-owning aristocrats dominated parliament and voting was restricted to property-owning men. In Europe, only the UK and authoritarian Belarus still use single-round FPTP for general elections. Meanwhile, internationally, Proportional Representation (PR) is used to elect parliaments in more than 80 countries. Those countries tend to be more equal, freer, consensual and greener. PR ensures all votes count, have equal value, and those seats won match votes cast. Under PR, MPs and Parliaments better reflect the age, gender and protected characteristics of local communities and the nation. MPs better reflecting our communities leads to improved decision-making, wider participation and increased levels of ownership of decisions taken. PR would end minority rule, which is the norm with FPTP. In 2019, 43.6% of the vote produced a government with 56.2% of the seats and 100% of the power. PR also, critically, prevents ‘wrong winner’ elections such as occurred in 1951 and February 1974. Both main UK parties have campaigns for electoral reform to replace FPTP with a PR based voting system, Conservative Action for Electoral Reform (https://conservativeelectoralreform.org.uk/) and Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform (https://labourforelectoralreform.org.uk/) respectively. PR is already used to elect the parliaments and assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, leaving Westminster lagging behind. Carlisle City Council therefore calls on the leader of council to write to H.M. Government calling for a change in our outdated electoral laws to enable Proportional Representation to be used for general elections.” 3. Cost of Living Support Pursuant to Procedure Rule 12, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that the following motion has been submitted on notice by Councillor Brown: “We propose that this Council sets aside a fund of £110,000 to support households facing fuel poverty across Carlisle this winter. Energy costs are spiralling leaving many unable to pay these bills. The fund would be administered by Carlisle CACE who have experience of this type of scheme. The £110,000 would include all scheme administration costs and the grants would be limited to a maximum of £100 per household. The allocation would not be time limited. This funding would be subject to a grant funding agreement and be in addition to any support scheme central government or the County Council may introduce”
Pursuant to Minute EX.95/22, to consider recommendations from the Executive concerning the Town Deal Programme. (Copy Report ED.2422 and Minute Extract herewith)
Not for publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act as the document contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) Pursuant to Minute EX.102/22 to consider recommendations from the Executive concerning the Carlisle Station Gateway. (Copy Report ED.23/22 and Minute Extract herewith)