The Mayor moved the receipt and adoption of the Minutes of the Meetings of the City Council held on 20 July 2021.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meetings of the City Council held on 20 July 2021 be received; and were signed by the Mayor.
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 10.1, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that no questions have been submitted on notice by members of the public.
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 10.11, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services reported that no petitions or deputations had been submitted by members of the public.
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 11.2, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to that no questions have been submitted by members of the Council.
Councillor Mallinson (J) moved and Councillor Ellis seconded that the Minutes of the meetings of the Executive held on 2 August and 31 August 2021 be received and adopted.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meetings of the Executive held on 2 August and 31 August 2021 be received and adopted.
Copies of reports from the following Portfolio Holders had been circulated prior to the meeting:
The Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder congratulated everyone involved in completing the new Council Chamber, he moved his report and answered Members questions on details of his report. RESOLVED - That the report of the Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder be received.
The Communities, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder moved her report and responded to Members questions on details of her report.
RESOLVED - That the report of the Communities, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder be received.
The Environment and Transport Portfolio Holder reported that the application to Phase 2 Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund had been successful. The Environment and Transport Portfolio Holder moved his report and responded to questions from Members.
RESOLVED - That the report of the Environment and Transport Portfolio Holder be received.
The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder reported that five members of the Homelessness and Prevention Team had been tested positive for Covid-19, he wished them a speedy recovery. The impact on the service had resulted in a delay to the re-opening of John Street Hostel. The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder moved his report and answered questions on the details of his report.
RESOLVED - 1) That the report of the Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder be received. 2) That the Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder provide (i) Councillor Dr Davison a written response setting out the definition of affordable housing in the Economic Strategy; (ii) Councillor Sunter a written response detailing the price range and cost of the 150 new affordable houses.
The Finance, Governance and Resources Portfolio Holder moved his report and responded to questions on the details of his report.
RESOLVED - That the report of the Finance, Governance and Resources Portfolio Holder be received.
and ask questions of the Leader and Portfolio Holders on those Reports. (Copy Reports herewith)
The Leader moved his report.
RESOLVED - That the report of the Leader be received.
The Council will be asked to receive the Minutes of the meetings as detailed within Minute Book Volume 48(2); and ask questions of the Leader, Portfolio Holders and Committee Chairs.
For ease of reference the Minutes are:
Committee
Meeting Date
Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel
22 July 2021
Business and Transformation Scrutiny Panel
15 July 2021
Economic Growth Scrutiny Panel
29 July 2021
Regulatory Panel
14 July and 18 August 2021
Licensing Committee
Development Control Committee
21 July and 23 July 2021
Audit Committee
8 July and 28 July 2021
Appeals Panel
12 July and 3 August 2021
The Mayor moved and the Deputy Mayor seconded the receipt and adoption of the Minutes of the meetings as detailed within Minute Book Volume 48(2):
In relation to the meeting of the Audit Committee on 28 July 2021, Councillor Patrick noted that her declaration of interest was incorrect, she was a Trustee on Currock Community Centre Management Committee.
RESOLVED – 1) That the Minutes of the meetings as detailed above be received and adopted.
2) That the minutes of the Audit Committee on 28 July 2021 be amended to record Currock Community Centre Management Committee as Councillor Patrick's declaration of interest.
The Council will be asked to receive reports from the following:
Councillor Mrs Finlayson moved her Vice Chair’s Report.
RESOLVED – That the Report of the Vice Chair be received and adopted.
Councillor Bainbridge moved his Chair’s Report.
RESOLVED – That the Report of the Chair be received and adopted.
Councillor Brown moved her Chair’s Report.
(i) Universal Credit
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 12, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report the receipt of the following motion submitted on notice by Councillor Patrick:
“This Council calls on the Government to change its decision and retain the Universal Credit uplift.
We believe this is the fair and right thing to do, to protect our residents and avoid causing financial difficulty, poverty, and potential crisis to approximately 7,367 Universal Credit claimants and their families across the Carlisle City District.”
(ii) A Right to Food City
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 12, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report the receipt of the following motion submitted on notice by Councillor Brown:
“This Council believes that the Covid-19 pandemic has only served to exasperate levels of poverty and food insecurity amongst Children and Adults in both its urban and rural wards. We note the exemplary work of the local authority during the pandemic but fear much more needs to be done to address the immediate crisis of food insecurity.
According to data collected by No Child Left Behind, 4,469 children are living in poverty in Carlisle. School staff, youth workers and community workers in Carlisle report families struggling financially, unable to afford uniform, children (from families both in work and out of work) coming to school or youth groups hungry.
Figures for Cumbria now show 10,692 children receiving Free School Meals but as the thresholds for eligibility are so low, Child Tax Credit and an annual gross income of no more than £16,190 or Universal Credit household income must be less than £7,400 a year, those just above the threshold are struggling with no support. With the Government cutting the Universal Credit uplift approx 8,871 families in Carlisle will be worse off, not only risking pushing these families into further food insecurity, but taking millions out of our local economy.
The right to food is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted by the United Nations. People have the right to eat with dignity and with choice, and not only have the right to food, but to good food.
Therefore, we commit this council to the following actions.
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 12, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report that the receipt of the following motion submitted on notice by Councillor Patrick:
Councillor Patrick moved and Councillor Dr Tickner seconded the motion. Councillor Patrick then gave very detailed reasons for the submission of the motion, which she hoped would receive the backing of the Council. Councillor Ellis gave notice of an amendment, copies of which were tabled: Delete everything after "This Council". Amended motion to read: "This Council believes that Covid19 has shown the value of Universal Credit. A simplified benefit system that facilitates people moving to work, and not penalising people for taking up employment. The way that UC works means that amounts and tapers can be changed very quickly, and the online process is able to expand to cope with rapid expansion. During Covid UC went from three million to six million claimants in the space of a couple of months. This Council further believes that we are entering a period of significant wage growth, as demand for labour outstrips the supply, and that the Government's stated intention of moving the National Living Wage up to 2/3 of the median income, equating £10.50 an hour by 2024, and then pegged to the median income is the best way to tackle low pay. This Council requests that the Government reconsider removing the uplift, in order to balance their budget, that they fund this uplift by freezing Universal Credit until 2024 and bringing forward National Living Wage increases." Pursuant to Procedure Rule 14.6 Councillor Glover sought clarification as to whether the tabled amendment negated the original Motion. The Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services advised that whilst the amendment did alter the focus of the original Motion, by virtue of its making provision for retaining the Universal Credit uplift, it did not negate the original Motion.
The meeting adjourned at 8.01pm and reconvened at 8.11pm. Councillor Ellis moved the amendment which was seconded by Councillor Mallinson (J). Councillor Ellis further outlined, in some detail, the reasons for the submission of the amendment.
Speaking at the invitation of The Mayor, the mover of the original motion declined to accept the amendment of Councillor Ellis.
Substantial debate ensued, during which various Members expressed their support for / opposition to the amendment.
Following voting, the amendment to the original Motion was CARRIED.
Discussion then took place on the substantive Motion, with input from a number of Members of the City Council.
Following further voting, the substantive Motion, as set out below was CARRIED
"This Council believes that Covid19 has shown the value of Universal Credit. A simplified benefit system that facilitates people moving to work, and not penalising people for taking up employment. The way that UC works means that amounts and tapers can be changed very quickly, and the online process is able to expand to cope with rapid expansion. During Covid UC went from three million to six million claimants in the space of a couple of months. This Council further believes that we are entering a period of significant wage growth, as demand for labour outstrips the supply, and that the Government's stated intention of moving the National Living Wage up to 2/3 of the median income, equating £10.50 an hour by 2024, and then pegged to the median income is the best way to tackle low pay. This Council requests that the Government reconsider removing the uplift, in order to balance their budget, that they fund this uplift by freezing Universal Credit until 2024 and bringing forward National Living Wage increases." (ii) A Right to Food City Following her declaration of a disclosable pecuniary interest, Councillor Brown's motion was deemed withdrawn pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.6.
Pursuant to Minute EX.65/21 and EX.84/21, to consider a recommendation from the Executive that the Medium Term Financial Plan 2022/23 - 2026/27 be referred to Council for approval. (Copy Report RD.36/21 and Minute Extracts herewith)
Pursuant to Minute EX.65/21 and EX.84/21, consideration was given to a recommendation from the Executive that the Medium Term Financial Plan 2022/23 to 2026/27 be referred to Council for approval. A copy of Report RD.36/21 and relevant Minute Extracts had been circulated.
Councillor Ellis presented the report and moved the recommendation, which was duly seconded by Councillor Mallinson (J).
RESOLVED – That the City Council approved the Medium Term Financial Plan for the period 2022/23 to 2026/27. (RD.36/21)
Pursuant to Minute EX.66/21 and EX.85/21, to consider a recommendation from the Executive that the Capital Investment Strategy 2022/23 – 2026/27 be referred to Council for approval. (Copy Report RD.37/21 and Minute Extracts herewith)
Pursuant to Minute EX.66/21 and EX.85/21, consideration was given to a recommendation from the Executive that the Capital Investment Strategy 2022/23 to 2026/27 be referred to Council for approval. A copy of Report RD.37/21 and relevant Minute Extracts had been circulated.
Councillor Ellis presented the report and moved the recommendation.
Councillor Mallinson (J) seconded, and it was:
RESOLVED – That the City Council approved the Capital Investment Strategy for the period 2022/23 to 2026/27 (RD.37/21).
Pursuant to Minute EX.67/21 and EX.86/21, to consider a recommendation from the Executive that the Asset Management Plan for 2022 to 2027 be referred to Council for adoption. (Copy Report GD.58/21 and Minute Extracts herewith)
Pursuant to Minute EX.67/21 and EX.86/21, consideration was given to a recommendation from the Executive that the Asset Management Plan for 2022 to 2027 be referred to Council for adoption. A copy of Report GD.58/21 and relevant Minute Extracts had been circulated.
Councillor Ellis moved the report and recommendation, Councillor Mallinson (J) seconded, and it was:
RESOLVED – That the City Council agreed to adopt the Asset Management Plan for 2022-2027 (GD.58/21).
Pursuant to Minute EX.87/21, to consider a recommendation from the Executive that the Carlisle Plan 2021 – 2023 be referred to Council for adoption. (Copy Report PC.28/21 and Minute Extracts herewith)
Pursuant to Minute EX.87/21, consideration was given to a recommendation from the Executive that the Carlisle Plan 2021 - 2023 be referred to Council for adoption. A copy of Report PC.28/21 and relevant Minute Extracts had been circulated.
Councillor Mallinson (J) moved the report and recommendation, Councillor Ellis seconded the recommendation. Councillor Mallinson (J) responded to questions from Members on the report.
Following voting it was
RESOLVED – That the City Council agreed to adopt the Carlisle Plan 2021 - 2023 (PC.28/21).
Pursuant to Minute EX.55/21, to consider a recommendation from the Executive that the Carlisle Economic Strategy be referred to Council for adoption.(Copy Report ED.34/21 and Minute Extracts herewith)
Pursuant to Minute EX.55/21, consideration was given to a recommendation from the Executive that the Carlisle Economic Strategy be referred to Council for adoption. A copy of Report ED.34/21 and relevant Minute Extracts had been circulated.
Councillor Nedved moved the report and recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Shepherd. Councillor Dr Davison did not feel that the Carlisle Economic Strategy explored far enough the level of climate crisis identified in the recent IPCC report, she detailed her concerns and asked Council to refer the report back to the Executive for further work. Councillor Alcroft seconded the recommendation to refer back to the Executive.
Councillor Nedved responded to the recommendation by highlighting the work involved in the preparation of the Strategy, which included input from two Scrutiny Panel meetings, a workshop and two reports to the Executive. Following voting the recommendation to refer back to the Executive was NOT AGREED. Following a further vote it was RESOLVED – That the City Council agreed to adopt the Carlisle Economic Strategy (ED.34/21)
Pursuant to Minute EX.93/21 to consider a report on the delivery of affordable housing in Carlisle. (Copy Report ED.33/21 and Minute Extract herewith)
Pursuant to Minute EX.93/21, consideration was given to a recommendation from the Executive that Council consider a report on the delivery of affordable housing in Carlisle. A copy of Report ED.33/21 and relevant Minute Extract had been circulated.
Councillor Nedved moved the report and recommendation, Councillor Shepherd seconded them. Councillor Nedved responded to questions from Members on the report. Councillor Brown sought clarification that the Motion from the 19 November 2019 had been acted upon; confirmation could not be provided during the meeting. Councillor Sunter moved that the report be deferred to the next meeting and Councillor Brown seconded the recommendation.
Following discussion a vote was taken and the recommendation to defer the report to the next meeting was NOT CARRIED. A further vote was taken, and it was
RESOLVED – That the Council: 1. Noted the work undertaken to date to deliver affordable homes in Carlisle. 2. Noted the potential delivery options set out in the Executive report for increasing the level of affordable housing. 3. Supports the Executive's decision that, in view of Local Government Reorganisation, the new Unitary Council will be best placed to review these potential delivery options.
The City Council to give authority to the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to draft and complete an Order under s.91 of the Local Government Act 1972 to appoint Councillors Meller, Mitchelson and Tinnion to Farlam Parish Council in order that a quorate meeting of the said Parish may take place and co-opt new Members. (Copy Report GD.57/21 herewith)
Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services (GD.57/21) seeking authority to make an Order under s.91 of the Local Government Act 1972 to appoint Councillors Meller, Mitchelson and Tinnion to Farlam Parish Council. Farlam Parish Council had insufficient Members to be quorate, the appointment of three City Council Members allowed a quorate meeting of the said Parish to take place and co-opt new Members. Councillor Ellis presented the report and moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Mallinson (J).
RESOLVED - That Council
The City Council to consider a petition requesting a Community Governance Review of the proposed “Stanwix Village” parish area and, what the remit and scope should be. (Copy Report GD.56/21 herewith)
The City Council to note and approve a nomination to change the start time of Regulatory Panel from 4.00pm to 2.00pm. The Licensing Committee will continue to take place on the rising of the Regulatory Panel.
The Chair of the Regulatory Panel requested on behalf of the Regulatory Panel that its commencement time be changed from 4.00pm to 2.00pm. The Licensing Committee would continue to meet on the rising of the Regulatory Panel.
Councillor Morton seconded the recommendation. Substantial discussion arose, during which Members of the City Council outlined their support for / opposition against the recommendation.
RESOLVED - That the start time of the Regulatory Panel be changed to 2.00pm for the remainder of the 2021/22 municipal year. The Licensing Committee would meet on the rising of the Regulatory Panel.
The City Council to note and approve nominations for changes
(a) Conservative Group:
Audit Committee Councillor Mrs Tarbitt to replace Councillor Morton as a full Member
Pursuant to Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15 (i) and Access to Information Procedure Rule 17.3, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to report on the operation of call-in and urgency procedures over the past year. (Copy Report GD.59/21 herewith)
Pursuant to Procedure Rule 15(j) of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services reported (GD.59/21) on the Operation of Call-in and Urgency Procedures over the past year.
RESOLVED – That report GD.59/21 be noted.
There were no communications or items of business brought forward by the Mayor as a matter of urgency to be dealt with at the meeting.
- NIL -
Also Present: Town Clerk and Chief Executive Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services