(1) MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HAIGH
“This Council notes that we are committed to be a Living Wage Council and to pay employees the current national Living Wage rate of £7.85 an hour. Not only is this the right thing to do as an employer but as a council we can show leadership and encourage our partners, public and private, to deliver services and do business that also acts in the interests of our residents.
There are, however, 25 employees in roles which are not suitable for fixed hours and these workers are paid below the living wage at £6.56 per hour.
In order that we can continue to show leadership and fairness as an employer this Council agrees to draw up a standardised worker agreement for these roles with term and conditions agreed with the Trade Unions, in line with other Council staff. These workers are to be paid at a minimum of the living wage.”
(2) MOVED BY COUNCILLOR FIELD
“Sky lanterns (also known as Chinese lanterns) are much like miniature hot air balloons that are constructed of tissue paper with a heat source at the base of the lantern such as a wad of cotton fabric soaked with a combustible material. Once released the hot air produced by the fuel source can lift the lantern to extreme heights. It can then drift for long distances until the fuel is depleted, at which point the lantern falls to the ground.
Sky lanterns pose a serious fire safety hazard due to their uncontrolled and unpredictable flight path. These products could land in trees, on rooftops or other combustible properties while still ignited and potentially cause a fire. A sky lantern was probably the cause of the massive fire at Croft Farm Water Park site near Hardwick Gloucestershire, which destroyed 60 caravans in November 2013.
Sky lanterns can also cause damage to the environment. When the device falls to the ground it becomes a hazard to pets, wildlife and livestock as they may ingest the remains of the lantern. Additionally the sky lanterns pose a serious threat to agriculture; an ignition source landing on a crop ready for harvest could cause significant economic hardship for farmers and also other businesses.
This Council resolves therefore to recognise the fire hazard associated with the use of sky lanterns (also known as Chinese lanterns), which can potentially lead to loss of life (human and animal), damage to property and increase the pressure on the Fire Service, Police and medical emergency services.”
The council further resolves to write to the MP for Gloucester, asking him to introduce legislation in the House, to investigate ways to produce sky lanterns that are safer, and biodegradable.”
Minutes:
(1) Notice of Motion from the Labour Group
64.1 Moved by Councillor Haigh and seconded by Councillor Chatterton:
“This Council notes that we are committed to be a Living Wage Council and to pay employees the current national Living Wage rate of £7.85 an hour. Not only is this the right thing to do as an employer but as a council we can show leadership and encourage our partners, public and private, to deliver services and do business that also acts in the interests of our residents.
There are, however, 25 employees in roles which are not suitable for fixed hours and these workers are paid below the living wage at £6.56 per hour.
In order that we can continue to show leadership and fairness as an employer this Council agrees to draw up a standardised worker agreement for these roles with term and conditions agreed with the Trade Unions, in line with other Council staff. These workers are to be paid at a minimum of the living wage.”
64.2 Councillor Norman moved an amendment, which was seconded by Councillor James.
64.3 Councillor Haigh accepted the amendment and made a further amendment:
“This Council notes that we are committed to be a Living Wage Council and to pay employees the current national Living Wage rate of £7.85 an hour. Not only is this the right thing to do as an employer but as a council we can show leadership and encourage our partners, public and private, to deliver services and do business that also acts in the interests of our residents.
There are, however, 25 employees in roles which are not suitable for fixed hours and these workers are paid below the living wage at £6.56 per hour.
In
order that we can continue to show leadership and fairness as an
employer this Council agrees to draw up a standardised worker agreement for these roles with
term and conditions agreed with the Trade Unions, in line with
other Council staff. These workers are to be paid at a minimum of
the living wage investigate the implications of
paying those staff currently on zero hours contracts the living
wage and to bring a report to the appropriate committee with the intention of addressing this anomaly and with
appropriate consultation.
64.4 The motion, as amended, was put to the vote and was carried.
(2) Notice of Motion from the Liberal Democrat Group
64.5 Moved by Councillor Field and seconded by Councillor Wilson:
“Sky lanterns (also known as Chinese lanterns) are much like miniature hot air balloons that are constructed of tissue paper with a heat source at the base of the lantern such as a wad of cotton fabric soaked with a combustible material. Once released the hot air produced by the fuel source can lift the lantern to extreme heights. It can then drift for long distances until the fuel is depleted, at which point the lantern falls to the ground.
Sky lanterns pose a serious fire safety hazard due to their uncontrolled and unpredictable flight path. These products could land in trees, on rooftops or other combustible properties while still ignited and potentially cause a fire. A sky lantern was probably the cause of the massive fire at Croft Farm Water Park site near Hardwick Gloucestershire, which destroyed 60 caravans in November 2013.
Sky lanterns can also cause damage to the environment. When the device falls to the ground it becomes a hazard to pets, wildlife and livestock as they may ingest the remains of the lantern. Additionally the sky lanterns pose a serious threat to agriculture; an ignition source landing on a crop ready for harvest could cause significant economic hardship for farmers and also other businesses.
This Council resolves therefore to recognise the fire hazard associated with the use of sky lanterns (also known as Chinese lanterns), which can potentially lead to loss of life (human and animal), damage to property and increase the pressure on the Fire Service, Police and medical emergency services.”
64.6 Councillor Chatterton moved an amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Haigh.
64.7 Councillor Field accepted the amendment:
“Sky lanterns (also known as Chinese lanterns) are much like miniature hot air balloons that are constructed of tissue paper with a heat source at the base of the lantern such as a wad of cotton fabric soaked with a combustible material. Once released the hot air produced by the fuel source can lift the lantern to extreme heights. It can then drift for long distances until the fuel is depleted, at which point the lantern falls to the ground.
Sky lanterns pose a serious fire safety hazard due to their uncontrolled and unpredictable flight path. These products could land in trees, on rooftops or other combustible properties while still ignited and potentially cause a fire. A sky lantern was probably the cause of the massive fire at Croft Farm Water Park site near Hardwick Gloucestershire, which destroyed 60 caravans in November 2013.
Sky lanterns can also cause damage to the environment. When the device falls to the ground it becomes a hazard to pets, wildlife and livestock as they may ingest the remains of the lantern. Additionally the sky lanterns pose a serious threat to agriculture; an ignition source landing on a crop ready for harvest could cause significant economic hardship for farmers and also other businesses.
This Council resolves therefore to recognise the fire hazard associated with the use
of sky lanterns (also known as Chinese lanterns), which can
potentially lead to loss of life (human and animal), damage to
property and increase the pressure on the Fire Service, Police and
medical emergency services.
This Council accepts the recommendations as contained in the guidance issued by Trading Standards Institute, ‘Industry Code Of Practice – Sky Lanterns’, and resolves to encourage all retailers of these products in the City to sign up to the Code of Practice.
The Council further resolves to write to the MP for Gloucester, asking him to introduce legislation in the House, to investigate ways to produce sky lanterns that are safer, and biodegradable.”
64.8 The motion, as amended, was put to the vote and was carried.