Agenda item

PETITIONS

To receive petitions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 21.

Minutes:

(A)  In accordance with Standing order 21, the Mayor received petitions submitted by:

 

Councillor I Lewis on behalf of 29 signatories requesting the installation of a pedestrian controlled crossing at the junction of Moreton Road and the Moreton Spur to help children travel to school safely and local residents travelling between Moreton, Overchurch and Upton Village.

 

Councillor S Clarke on behalf of 13 signatories opposing the closure of 5 respite care homes.

 

Councillor I Williams on behalf of 153 signatories opposing the closure of all Council run respite care homes, at least until a satisfactory alternative has been found and approved by the majority of current users and their carers.

 

(B)  In accordance with the Petition Scheme (when petitions with a threshold of 1500 signatures will trigger a Council debate) the Council received an ePetition of some 1034 signatures in agreement (15 disagreeing) and linked paper petitions of some 950 signatures asking the Council to ‘stop immediately the closure of all council-run respite care homes, at least until a satisfactory alternative has been found and approved by the majority of current users and their carers. We want the care of the most vulnerable in our borough to be one of our council’s highest priorities and we do not want any cuts to the overall level of support provided to those vulnerable members of our community and their carers.’

 

In accordance with Standing Order No. 5 (m) it was moved by the Mayor and seconded by the Deputy Mayor that the contents of the petition asking the Council to ‘stop immediately the closure of all council-run respite care homes’ be noted.

 

Mr Brian Donaldson addressed the Council on behalf of the petitioners.

 

Councillor Moon moved an amendment to the petition, seconded by Councillor Green, that -

 

“(1) Council recognises the deeply felt concerns of service users and their carers as the Council re-provides respite care from the independent sector. Council further recognises the good work being done by officers in contacting service users and carers and in supporting them making alternate arrangements; and instructs officers to continue these efforts to ensure a satisfactory outcome is achieved for all current users and their carers.

 

(2) Council shares the aspirations of the petitioners that care of the most vulnerable in our borough be one of the Council’s highest priorities. Council further notes that the Cabinet’s Budget recommendation makes no cuts in the overall level of support to those most vulnerable members of our community and their carers.”

 

---------

 

At 6.38pm the Mayor adjourned the meeting whilst a member of the public was removed from the public gallery for causing a disturbance in accordance with Standing Order No. 16 (1).

 

The meeting resumed at 6.53pm but due to a further disturbance was further adjourned whilst a member of the public was removed from the public gallery in accordance with Standing Order No. 16 (1).

 

The meeting resumed at 6.58pm.

 

---------

 

Councillor Moon then spoke to his amendment, followed by Councillor McLaughlin and Councillor Green, who had seconded the amendment.

 

On a procedural matter, Councillor Foulkes suggested that the second Labour amendment to Cabinet Budget minute 327 be debated next due to it being linked with the subject matter of the petition.

 

Councillor Holbrook moved, seconded by Councillor Mitchell and it was –

 

Resolved (41:23) - That the vote on the amendment to the petition be delayed until after the Council had debated the budget and a vote had been taken on the Labour amendment relating to this matter.