Falkirk Council Agenda - 06 December 2023, 10:00 
A meeting to be held at Grangemouth Community Education Unit, 69-71 Abbots Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8JB at 10:00 on 06 December 2023.
| 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. 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 Minute of Meeting of Falkirk Council held on 27 September 2023; Volume of Minutes - Volume 2 2023/24, and Information Bulletin - Volume 2 2023/24. View Papers |
| 4 | Rolling Action Log View Papers |
| 5 | Replacement Town Hall Project Update Report by the Director of Place Services. View Papers |
| 6 | Regeneration Fund Update Report by the Director of Place Services. View Papers |
| 7 | Standing Orders Review Group - Outcomes -Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services. View Papers |
| 8 | Scrutiny Plan 2024 Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services. View Papers |
| 9 | Appointments Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services. View Papers |
| 10 | Appointment Process for the Post of Director of Education Report by the Chief Executive. View Papers |
| 11 | Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership Update Report by the Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Partnership. Note - Standing Order 20.12 applies to this agenda item View Papers |
| 12 | IJB Business Case 2024/24 Report by the Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Partnership. View Papers |
| 13 | Annual Report of the Chief Social Work Officer 2022/23 Report by the Chief Social Work Officer. Note - Standing Order 20.12 applies to this agenda item View Papers |
| 14 | Referral from Audit Committee - Report to Members and the Controller of Audit on the 2022/23 Accounts Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services. View Papers |
| 15 | Referral from Executive - Treasury Management Interim Review 2023/24 Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services. View Papers |
| 16 | Execution of Deeds Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services. View Papers |
| 17 | Motions Six 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 two motions are reserved to Council:- View Papers |
| (a) | Freedom of Falkirk The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) was formed in March 2006 when all of our historical antecedent regiments; Royal Scots, Royal Highland Fusiliers, King's Own Scottish Borderers, Black Watch, Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons & Camerons) and Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders were amalgamated into a single large Scottish Regiment. Many of the antecedent regiments had over the previous decades been granted the Freedoms of several Scottish (and in some cases overseas) Local Authority areas, cities or towns . The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders were awarded the Freedom of Falkirk in 1972. Since its formation 16 Scottish Local Authorities / Cities have the granted SCOTS Freedoms of their Local Authority Area /city. Council is asked to award the freedom of Falkirk to the SCOTS in recognition of its long and proud association with Falkirk. Formally honouring the historical relationship between the SCOTS and Falkirk as well as lay the foundations for the future. Proposed by Councillor Anslow View Papers |
| (b) | Boness Recreation Centre Council notes the decision in March of this year to agree to proceed with the Strategic Property Review and the closure of several buildings and facilities subject to there being no CAT transfer, alternative delivery model or improved financial performance. Council further notes that Bo'ness Recreation Centre is included in Phase 2 of buildings under the Strategic Property Review and in the absence of any transfer, lease or alternative delivery model or improved financial performance properties in this category will close 1st April 2025 and be subject to surplus property procedures. Council believes that the closure of the Bo'ness Recreation Centre would represent an unacceptable loss of for the communities of Bo'ness and Blackness and agree to move this property to Phase 3 as defined in the March 23 Strategic Property Review Report. Council agrees that a report will be brought back on the development of asset transfer, lease or alternative delivery model options for Bo'Ness Recreation Centre and income generation and cost reduction options for the Council or alternative owner of the building. This should additionally report the work of the Policy Development Panel on Leisure services in supporting these options prior to the 1st of April 2025. Council agrees that no work will be undertaken to progress to closure without further approval of council. Council notes that moving the property from phase 2 to phase 3 will have a non- recurring cost of £1,012,000. Proposed by Councillor Stainbank Deputation Request An application has been made by Dorothy Ostacchini, Save Bo'ness Recreation Centre Group to be received as a deputation to be heard in respect of this item of business. In accordance with Standing Order 33.5, Council shall decide whether to hear the deputation. The following four motions stand referred to the Executive 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) | Children's Hearings - Area Support Team Council notes the reforming of the Children's Hearings current tribunal support model from volunteer led to paid regional and operational roles. This will improve the support structure at Children's Hearings for panel members locally and is designed to make a step change in improving outcomes for infants, children and young people who need it most. Falkirk Council recognises the outstanding and invaluable contributions that have been made by our local Area Support Volunteers, who through their commitment ensured the safe delivery of Children's Hearings. Council wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to the volunteers, and thank them for their dedicated service, especially during the period of Covid 19. Council therefore askes the Chief Executive to write formally a letter of recognition to the Area Support Members and thank them for their valuable service in supporting Children's Hearings Scotland. Proposed by Councillor Devine View Papers |
| (d) | Michael Matheson MSP Council notes that the highest level of integrity and trust is required of those who hold elected office to serve our communities. Council notes the significant concerns in the local community at the issues surrounding Michael Matheson's use of his Parliament issued Ipad and that those concerns have been heightened by his changing account of what happened during the course of his explanations to the media and parliament. Council agrees that the loss of confidence in Michael Matheson as a representative of the communities of Falkirk West as a result of his handling of this issue is so significant that Council calls on him to resign as Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care and as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Falkirk West. Proposed by Councillor Redmond View Papers |
| (e) | Permitted Development Procedures The planning legislation allows significant scope to use Permitted Development Rights regarding planning matters. This is concerning. The use and the extent of permitted development rights has led to a level of ambiguity in certain planning decisions which should be of concern to all Councillors whether serving on the Planning Committee or not. Council is asked to refer this issue to the Scrutiny Committee to consider. Councillors must have confidence in the Planning process. Proposed by Councillor McCabe |
| (f) | Uptake of FLEX We currently have no uptake of FLEX in the Falkirk area. Also known as Local Authority Eligibility Flexibility - this scheme helps homeowners or private tenants with the installation of home energy efficiency measures. The scheme will help improve the least energy efficient homes in the Local Authority Area, so helping meet the Government's fuel poverty and net zero commitments. The flexible approach for Local authorities (LA's) in identifying fuel poor and vulnerable households, who may benefit from heating and energy savings measures, is referred to as ECO4 FLEX. Officers are asked to report back to a future meeting on what grant funding may be available to Council residents and on proposals to publicise these where they exist. Proposed by Councillor Spears |