Falkirk Council Agenda - 10 November 2021, 10:00 
A meeting to be held at Remote at 10:00 on 10 November 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 The meeting was requisitoned by the following members:- Councillors Meiklejohn, Murtagh, Alexander, Bouse, Hughes, McCue, Russell, Spears, Binnie, Collie and Depute Provost Ritchie. | |
| 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 | Motions 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 are reserved to Council:- |
| (a) | Climate Justice Council acknowledges that Climate Change and the effect it will, and is already, having on people and planet, presents an imperative need for collective, urgent, and meaningful action from all sections of society, in particular political decision makers, in order to avoid global catastrophe. Climate Justice research demonstrates how those already living in greatest poverty, repeatedly experience the impacts of climate change disproportionately and are least able to respond to its severe effects, which often they have had little role in creating themselves. Council notes that these impacts are not restricted to the loss of livelihoods, whole towns, infrastructure, industry, and general economic harms that exacerbate poverty, but also extends to significant and tragic loss of life, both for humanity and the natural world. The effects of climate change are already affecting our communities locally, causing disruption, financial and emotional hardship, and anxiety over the viability of areas prone to flooding in particular. Council reaffirms its commitment to reducing our Carbon Footprint and follow through on actions agreed when declaring a Climate Emergency in 2019. In doing so, we acknowledge the many members of staff, citizens of Falkirk and in particular, our school children, who are working hard and with passion, on innovative ways to help us reach our local goals. Council recognises that it will be future generations who will bear the brunt of climate change impact and resolves to reflect the urgency and seriousness of this situation in its decision making. Council believes that warm words will do little to reduce global temperatures and that much more must be done if we are to adequately discharge our environmental responsibilities, and therefore resolves:- " That Climate Change targets and obligations are clearly reflected in all council plans, priorities, and consultation responses. " That all reports which require decisions from elected members will include an assessment of impact on Climate Change Targets and binding obligations, within the first section of each paper, following the report recommendations. " That a Climate Change Officer or other appropriate expert, will be available for members to question during decision making sessions. " That work on Carbon Budgeting be accelerated in order to include an assessment of each major decision in aforementioned report section. " That a briefing of all members be organised to illustrate the impact decisions made since declaring the Climate Emergency have had on forecasts for reducing our carbon footprint and achieving Net Zero by 2030. " That elected members make public their politically relevant Climate change related pledges, for example, those made during assessment in their Carbon Literacy Training, in order that they are both transparent and accountable to the citizens of Falkirk. Proposed by Councillor Garner View Papers |
| (b) | Towards a Diverse and Inclusive Council Council celebrates the diversity of our communities across Falkirk District and affirms its belief that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion play a critical role in all civilised societies and should be factors reflected in local decision making. Council notes that there is limited Diversity within local government at elected member level for a multitude of reasons and that more must be done nationally and locally to take steps to make local government more reflective of the communities it represents. Council acknowledges that many actions and levers are outwith its direct control in increasing membership from underrepresented groups but resolves to do what is possible to encourage a greater diversity of candidates ahead of the coming local government elections and beyond. Council also acknowledges that unconscious bias can play a significant part in decision making at an individual and Institutional level and that the lack of diversity among elected members puts the council at risk of the needs of all sections of society, not being given equal weight and consideration during the decision-making process. Council therefore resolves to take a number of actions to mitigate potential problems caused by these issues, as follows:- " To arrange unconscious bias training for all current elected members. " To make standard, the delivery of equality, diversity, and unconscious bias training as part of the induction trainings of all newly elected members. " Building on the appointment of an older person's champion, look to define and create champions to help address traditional imbalances in local government which should include as a minimum a "Young Persons Champion" to reflect the specific imbalance in age characteristics of members and the imperative of decision making that reflect the needs of emerging generations who will live with the long-term impact of decisions disproportionately to other groups. " To review the Equality and Poverty Impact Assessment (EPIA) process and make reports available, as standard, prior to any decision making. " To support COSLA's cross party work in widening access and encouraging members from underrepresented groups to consider standing for election to local government. " To be leaders by example; embodying in conduct & language during all meetings, public and private, the welcoming and respectful environment that Falkirk Council considers critical - between other elected members, officers, staff and public, over and above minimum legal standards. " To give due regard to all protected characteristics (outlined in Equality Act) and the needs of underrepresented groups when arranging meeting / event locations and times and reviewing available options for attendance to meet a variety of needs. " To communicate these measures and embody this ethos to the general public, in order to instil confidence in the council as an organisation all sections of society are welcome equally within. Proposed by Councillor Murtagh The following motion stands 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 |
| (c) | Falkirk Families Face Financial Crisis Council acknowledges that many Falkirk residents are facing a cost-of-living crisis, with increasing financial pressures, due to cuts to in-work benefits, tax hikes and the long-term damage of Brexit hammering low and middle-income families. Much of this has been as a direct result of the impact of the Conservative UK Government's progression of a cut of £1,000 in Universal Credit for around 13,000 Falkirk families in the face of widespread opposition - including charities working with people in poverty and all parties voting to condemn this plan in the Scottish Parliament on September 28th 2021 - with only the Conservatives supporting their colleagues' attack on the poorest in our society. Based on August 2021 figures, as a result 12,763 Households in Falkirk who claim Universal Credit and around 4683 of our most vulnerable households on Universal Credit will be subject to the removal of the £20 a week lifeline. This will reduce household incomes by £4,870,320 per year to the hard-pressed residents in Falkirk who need it most, pushing thousands more families into poverty, including 2,725 households with someone who has a disability and an estimated 6,980 children in Falkirk. Also, the compound impact of this cut on existing polices such as the family cap with its abhorrent rape clause with other factors such as energy and food price rises which will push the impact on a single working parent of 2 children to £1,750 a year according to analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Council also notes warnings that energy bills are expected to rise, alongside National Insurance payments as well as an increase in inflation. This perfect storm will create further pressures to families, and potentially impact on Falkirk Councils medium term financial strategy. The Leader of the Council is therefore instructed to write to the Prime Minister and outline the urgent need to boost household incomes. For example, the recent increase in the national minimum wage would take up to 10 years to reach a level that would provide a sustainable income for families, there is therefore an urgent need for the minimum wage be increased to a realistic level that will enable household incomes to be sustainable and reverse the rising levels of poverty in the UK. This includes ensuring that younger workers are equally protected from poverty, particularly those with children. The Council should make clear in its content that it is essential that an emergency package of measures is introduced to boost incomes and reverse the damage caused by Tory policies. Council asks that officers bring a report to the next council, Executive and Education, Children & Young People's Committees outlining the potential impacts to the council area including likely pressures on housing and homelessness, child poverty, in work poverty and other likely impacts. Proposed by Councillor Collie. |