Falkirk Council Agenda - 29 September 2021, 10:00 
A meeting to be held at Remote at 10:00 on 29 September 2021.
| Number | Item |
|---|---|
| Record of Votes View Papers | |
| In accordance with section 43 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Provost has directed that this meeting will be conducted in such a manner as to allow remote attendance by elected members. In accordance with section 50A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 the public are excluded from this meeting as it is likely that, if members of the public were present, there would be a real and substantial risk to public health due to infection or contamination with coronavirus. The meeting will be livestreamed via the Council website at:- https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/live | |
| 1 | Sederunt |
| 2 | Declarations of Interest Members should declare any financial and non-financial interests they have in any item of business at the meeting, identifying the relevant agenda item and the nature of the interest. |
| 3 | Minutes and Information Bulletin |
| (a) | Minute of Meeting of Falkirk Council held on 23 June 2021 View Papers |
| (b) | Volume of Minutes - Volume 1 2021/22, and View Papers |
| (c) | Information Bulletin - Volume 1 2021/22. View Papers |
| 4 | Rolling Action Log View Papers |
| 5 | Referral from the Executive - Treasury Management Annual Review 2020/21 Report by the Director of Corporate and Housing Services. View Papers |
| 6 | Municipal Buildings - Statutory Consultation under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 for Disposal of Common Good Land Report by the Acting Director of Development Services. View Papers |
| 7 | Council Headquarters & Arts Centre Update: Option Appraisal Report by the Acting Director of Development Services. View Papers |
| 8 | Future Arrangements for Council and Committee Meetings Report by the Director of Corporate and Housing Services. View Papers |
| 9 | Programme of Meetings January - March 2022 Report by the Director of Corporate and Housing Services. View Papers |
| 10 | Execution of Deeds Report by the Director of Corporate and Housing Services. View Papers |
| 11 | Motions Motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 29 are set out below. Motions that refer to matters within the remit of the Executive, or Education, Children and Young People Executive, will stand referred to the appropriate body, without discussion, unless:- (1) special circumstances exist which, in opinion of the Provost (having consulted with the Council Leader and the Leader of the main Opposition groups) requires an exception to be made; (2) two thirds of the members present vote in favour of the matter being discussed; or (3) the motion raises an issue with significant impact on the Council area which the Provost, having consulted with the Leader of the Council and the Leaders of the main Opposition groups, considers suitable for debate at Council. The following motions stand referred unless otherwise determined by the Provost, having consulted with the Leader of the Council and the Leaders of the main Opposition groups. View Papers |
| (a) | Dementia Awareness Falkirk Council agrees that all current and future elected members receive trained in dementia awareness. This is a first step in Falkirk Council becoming a Dementia friendly Council and a future Dementia friendly town. Training should also be also made available to all front facing staff to assist in dealing with members of the public. Council asks that a report be brought back to the next meeting of the Council setting out proposals for the provision of training to elected members and to staff. Proposed by Councillor Goldie |
| (b) | Fair Work Practices This council notes; " 1 in 10 workers have experienced 'fire and rehire' - told to reapply for their jobs on worse pay, terms and conditions or face the sack, with BME workers facing this at twice the rate of white workers, since March 2020 (TUC research, January 2021). A quarter of all workers have experienced a worsening of their terms and conditions - including a cut in their pay - since the pandemic began. " That while the prime minister has called the practice "unacceptable" he has continually refused to take action to outlaw the practice, raising concerns that he will not intervene in this race to the bottom as an escalating number of employers across all sectors using our weak employment protections employers as they force their staff to accept worse terms and conditions, leaving many having to work longer hours and for lower pay, with what can be devastating consequences for workers and their families. " Even before the pandemic, 1 in 9 workers - 3.8 million people - were already 'insecure', meaning they did not have access to basic rights at work and could be dismissed at will; including those on zero hour contracts and agency workers. This council therefore resolves to; " Ensure local residents are protected against such unscrupulous employers and agrees to ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister demanding he outlaw fire and rehire and act now to keep his promise to local residents to protect their employment terms and conditions. " Not use fire and rehire (dismissal and re-engagement) itself as an employer and to ensure the council has a procurement practice that promotes fair work practices, and good trade union, equality and environmental practices. " Promote the increasing number of progressive local employers prioritising their employees' standard of living and their wellbeing, work with our anchor institutions and key partners to bring forward plans to ensure all have best practice employment and to work with recognised trade unions on this. " Support the TUC campaign for a 'New Deal for Working People'. " Asks for a report back on work undertaken in relation to procurement practices that promote fair work practices (including not hiring and refiring) and encouraging progressive employers. Proposed by Councillor Nimmo |
| 12 | Exclusion of Public If so resolved in term of section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, exclude from the meeting the press and public for the following item of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 8 & 9 of Part 1 of schedule 7A to that Act. |
| 13 | Off-Gas Area Heating Replacement Report by the Director of Corporate and Housing Services. |