Agenda item

To receive and consider three Notice of Motion.

Balloons and sky lanterns

Approved.

Warm Spaces

Approved.

Constitution amendment

Approved, subject to an amendment. 

Warm Spaces for South Ribble

A motion was moved by the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor Angela Turner, and seconded by Councillor Harry Hancock.

The motion stated:

This Council notes that there is a cost-of-living crisis in the UK resulting in unprecedented financial pressures on our residents from all walks of life within our community this winter.

Council further notes that many of our residents are deeply concerned about whether they can afford to heat their homes as a result of this cost-of-living crisis.

As a result, Council resolves to review the use of all of our public buildings, and to work with partner organisations and community groups to do likewise, in order to establish and create free of charge “Warm Spaces” to be made available within South Ribble.

To give our residents the opportunity to utilise our buildings and community facilities to stay warm, and to be able to use such facilities with dignity and respect.

Council therefore resolves to establish a cross party working group to generate a plan for the provision of ‘Warm Spaces for South Ribble’ and its delivery in preparation for the ensuing winter.

Members spoke in support of the motion and the cross party working, including Councillors Karen Walton, Michael Titherington and Rene Blow.  Some work was already being undertaken in this important area. 

Resolved (unanimously) That the motion be supported.

Constitution amendment

A motion was moved by the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor Angela Turner, and seconded by Councillor David Shaw.

The motion stated:

Council resolves to amend the constitution as follows

2E Planning Committee

2. Membership

(a) Political Balance. The committee is required to have proportional political balance in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government & Housing Act 1989.

(b) Membership. 13 members of the council who are not members of the

cabinet.

(c) Chairing the Committee. Chairman appointed by the Council at the first business meeting of the new municipal year.

(d) Guidance. Members need to have regard to the ‘Guidance on Member involvement in Planning Procedures’ to be found in Appendix 3 to the Constitution.

Terms of reference for the planning committee.

5. To consider any application which, within 3 weeks of its validation, a member from the ward in which the application has been made, or member from an adjacent ward which the application directly affects, has requested the Director of Development, Enterprise and Communities in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee to refer to the Committee. Any request must be accompanied by appropriate planning reasons for the referral to the satisfaction of the said Director and Chair.

An amendment was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster and seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Mick Titherington.  This was accepted as a friendly amendment by the proposer and seconder. 

Deletes - 'Council Resolves to amend the constitution as follows'

Inserts - 'Council Resolves to request that the Governance Committee reviews the following suggested amendments to the Councils Constitution and reports back with recommendations for consideration as quickly as possible'

Members supported the issue being considered by the Governance Committee, including Councillors Karen Walton, Margaret Smith and Matthew Tomlinson.  There were a number of other issues relating to the constitution which would be considered at the same time.

Resolved (unanimously) That the amended motion be supported.