(1) Moved by Councillor Lugg
“Gloucester City Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our city.
Gloucester City Council notes that;
· 33 pharmacies in Gloucester offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care
· pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more
· several local pharmacies have achieved Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLP) status recognising and evidencing their role in improving the health of their local population
Gloucester City Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170m nationally to take effect from October 2016. This is a 6% cut in cash terms but could effectively mean a cut of 12% during the financial year which could potentially close up to a quarter of pharmacies with an increased focus on warehousing dispensary and online services. Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services and therefore increasing NHS costs. A fully funded community pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interest of carers and funders.
Gloucester City Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England and the Gloucester Clinical Commissioning Group and the City MP detailing our concerns and demanding an immediate reversal of these proposals.”
(2) Moved by Councillor Pullen
“This Council believes that those who live in our City have a right to a decent, safe and secure home in which to live.
There is clear evidence that there are people in some parts of
Gloucester living in rented accommodation which is substandard,
dangerous and unsafe. These people are victims of irresponsible
landlords who exploit some of the most vulnerable people in our
city.
In order to improve standards in the private rented sector this
council resolves to recommend that the Cabinet introduce a
Selective Licensing Scheme for landlords in parts of the city where
the quality of private rented accommodation falls below an
acceptable level. Such a scheme will set an acceptable standard,
improve living conditions and ensure that landlords provide decent,
safe and secure housing conditions for people to live
in.”
(3) Moved by Councillor Haigh
“This Council notes that a benefit cap of £20k pa was introduced on 7th Nov and affects around 276 families in the City.
Discretionary Housing Payments funding is given to the Council to support people affected by changes to welfare benefits that mean they struggle to pay rent. This allocation last year was £185753 and was underspent by £43476.58.
The payment to the Council is based on Government assessment of need in the City. The underspend indicates that not all those who have an entitlement are being sufficiently advised of the scheme.
This Council resolves to:
a. Contact all local welfare advice organisations, money advice services and food banks to ensure that they are aware of the scheme and able to advise clients about the application process.
b. Review the criteria to ensure that only income that has to be taken into account is considered. For example, that the mobility component of DLA or PIP is disregarded as it is to support travel costs for people with disabilities whether or not they can use a car.
c. Publicise to landlords that the scheme is available so they can support tenants who they think may be struggling with rent or in arrears.”
(4) Moved by Councillor Hyman
“This Council expresses its concern about the reduction in the number of police officers on the ground in Gloucester.
This Council resolves to invite the Chief Constable to attend a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to give an update on her strategy in regard to adequate deployment of police and PCSO’s in Gloucester.”
(5) Moved by Councillor Hilton
"This council expresses its deep concern about the state of many of the footways in Gloucester, noting that the county council has only budgeted to spend £83,000 from its capital budget on footways repairs within the city council boundaries this financial year.
This council notes that there are many footpaths, particularly on
post-war housing estates, that are in desperate need of
resurfacing.
This council therefore calls on Gloucestershire County Council to
increase its capital spending on footway repairs within Gloucester
for the 2017/18 council year and beyond."
Minutes:
(1) Notice of Motion from the Labour Group
50.1 Moved by Councillor Lugg and seconded by Councillor Stephens:
“Gloucester City Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our city.
Gloucester City Council notes that;
· 33 pharmacies in Gloucester offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care
· pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more
· several local pharmacies have achieved Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLP) status recognising and evidencing their role in improving the health of their local population
Gloucester City Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170m nationally to take effect from October 2016. This is a 6% cut in cash terms but could effectively mean a cut of 12% during the financial year which could potentially close up to a quarter of pharmacies with an increased focus on warehousing dispensary and online services. Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services and therefore increasing NHS costs. A fully funded community pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interest of carers and funders.
Gloucester City Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England and the Gloucester Clinical Commissioning Group and the City MP detailing our concerns and demanding an immediate reversal of these proposals.”
50.2 Councillor Watkins moved the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor Gravells:
“Gloucester City Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our city.
Gloucester City Council notes that;
· 33 pharmacies in Gloucester offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care
· pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more
· several local pharmacies have achieved Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLP) status recognising and evidencing their role in improving the health of their local population
Gloucester City
Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to
pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170m
nationally to take effect from October 2016. This is a 6% cut in
cash terms but could effectively mean a cut of 12% during the
financial year which could potentially close up to a quarter of
pharmacies with an increased focus on warehousing dispensary and
online services. Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at
risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services
and therefore increasing NHS costs. A fully funded community
pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interest of carers
and funders.
This Council:
recognises the pressures on the NHS and the cost to the taxpayer of paying £20k per year to every pharmacy (meeting the 100 hours a week opening hour requirement) with some pharmacies within a few yards of each other;
notes that several pharmacies in Gloucester are protected but that the only pharmacy in Matson and the pharmacy in Alvin Street, Kingsholm are not;
endorses the City MP’s appeal to Gloucester Clinical Commissioning Group and the Secretary of State asking for both pharmacies to continue to be subsidised and resolves to write in support of the MP’s request.
Gloucester City
Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS
England and the Gloucester Clinical Commissioning Group and the
City MP detailing our concerns and demanding an immediate reversal
of these proposals.”
50.3 Councillor Lugg accepted the amendment with the addition of the Co-Operative pharmacy in Moreland being included.
50.4 The following motion, as amended, was put to the vote and was carried:
“Gloucester City Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our city.
Gloucester City Council notes that;
· 33 pharmacies in Gloucester offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care
· pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more
· several local pharmacies have achieved Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLP) status recognising and evidencing their role in improving the health of their local population
This Council:
recognises the pressures on the NHS and the cost to the taxpayer of paying £20k per year to every pharmacy (meeting the 100 hours a week opening hour requirement) with some pharmacies within a few yards of each other;
notes that several pharmacies in Gloucester are protected but that the only pharmacy in Matson, the Co-Op Pharmacy in Moreland and the pharmacy in Alvin Street, Kingsholm are not;
endorses the City MP’s appeal to Gloucester Clinical Commissioning Group and the Secretary of State asking for both pharmacies to continue to be subsidised and resolves to write in support of the MP’s request.”
(2) Notice of Motion from the Labour Group
50.5 Moved by Councillor Pullen and seconded by Councillor Haigh:
“This Council believes that those who live in our City have a right to a decent, safe and secure home in which to live.
There is clear evidence that there are people in some parts of
Gloucester living in rented accommodation which is substandard,
dangerous and unsafe. These people are victims of irresponsible
landlords who exploit some of the most vulnerable people in our
city.
In order to improve standards in the private rented sector this
council resolves to recommend that the Cabinet introduce a
Selective Licensing Scheme for landlords in parts of the city where
the quality of private rented accommodation falls below an
acceptable level. Such a scheme will set an acceptable standard,
improve living conditions and ensure that landlords provide decent,
safe and secure housing conditions for people to live
in.”
50.6 Councillor Organ moved the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor Watkins:
“This Council believes that those who live in our City have a right to a decent, safe and secure home in which to live.
There is clear evidence that there are people in some parts of Gloucester living in rented accommodation which is substandard, dangerous and unsafe. These people are victims of irresponsible landlords who exploit some of the most vulnerable people in our city.
This Council notes the success of the proactive HMO inspection programme, as initiated by the Task and Finish Group in 2014, congratulates officers on recent successful prosecutions and resolves to continue with this approach.
In order to improve
standards in the private rented sector this Council resolves to
recommend that theCouncil
requests that Cabinet consider introduceing a Selective
Licensing Scheme for landlords in parts of the city where the
quality of private rented accommodation falls below an acceptable
level. Such a scheme will set an acceptable standard, improve
living conditions and, along with other policy
options to ensure that landlords provide decent, safe and
secure housing conditions for people to live in.
50.7 Councillor Pullen accepted the amendment.
50.8 The following motion, as amended, was put to the vote and was carried:
“This Council believes that those who live in our City have a right to a decent, safe and secure home in which to live.
There is clear evidence that there are people in some parts of Gloucester living in rented accommodation which is substandard, dangerous and unsafe. These people are victims of irresponsible landlords who exploit some of the most vulnerable people in our city.
This Council notes the success of the proactive HMO inspection programme, as initiated by the Task and Finish Group in 2014, congratulates officers on recent successful prosecutions and resolves to continue with this approach.
Council requests that Cabinet consider introducing a Selective Licensing Scheme for landlords in parts of the city where the quality of private rented accommodation falls below an acceptable level, along with other policy options to ensure that landlords provide decent, safe and secure housing conditions for people to live in.”
(3) Notice of Motion from the Labour Group
50.9 Moved by Councillor Haigh and seconded by Councillor Fearn:
“This Council notes that a benefit cap of £20k pa was introduced on 7th Nov and affects around 276 families in the City.
Discretionary Housing Payments funding is given to the Council to support people affected by changes to welfare benefits that mean they struggle to pay rent. This allocation last year was £185753 and was underspent by £43476.58.
The payment to the Council is based on Government assessment of need in the City. The underspend indicates that not all those who have an entitlement are being sufficiently advised of the scheme.
This Council resolves to:
a. Contact all local welfare advice organisations, money advice services and food banks to ensure that they are aware of the scheme and able to advise clients about the application process.
b. Review the criteria to ensure that only income that has to be taken into account is considered. For example, that the mobility component of DLA or PIP is disregarded as it is to support travel costs for people with disabilities whether or not they can use a car.
c. Publicise to landlords that the scheme is available so they can support tenants who they think may be struggling with rent or in arrears.”
50.10 Councillor D. Norman moved the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor Watkins:
“This Council notes that a benefit cap of £20k pa was introduced on 7th Nov and affects around 276 families in the City.
Discretionary Housing Payments funding is given to the Council to support people affected by changes to welfare benefits that mean they struggle to pay rent. This allocation last year was £185753 and was underspent by £43476.58.
The payment to the
Council is based on Government assessment of need in the City.
The underspend indicates that
not all those who have an entitlement are being sufficiently
advised of the scheme.
This Council resolves to continue to:
a. Contact all local welfare advice organisations, money advice services and food banks to ensure that they are aware of the scheme and able to advise clients about the application process.
b. Review the criteria to ensure that only income that has to be taken into account is considered. For example, that the mobility component of DLA or PIP is disregarded as it is to support travel costs for people with disabilities whether or not they can use a car.
c. Publicise to landlords that the scheme is available so they can support tenants who they think may be struggling with rent or in arrears and also undertake publicity to raise awareness with tenants.”
50.11 Councillor Haigh accepted the amendment.
50.12 The following motion, as amended, was put to the vote and was carried.
“This Council notes that a benefit cap of £20k pa was introduced on 7th Nov and affects around 276 families in the City.
Discretionary Housing Payments funding is given to the Council to support people affected by changes to welfare benefits that mean they struggle to pay rent. This allocation last year was £185753 and was underspent by £43476.58.
The payment to the Council is based on Government assessment of need in the City.
This Council resolves to continue to:
a. Contact all local welfare advice organisations, money advice services and food banks to ensure that they are aware of the scheme and able to advise clients about the application process.
b. Review the criteria to ensure that only income that has to be taken into account is considered. For example, that the mobility component of DLA or PIP is disregarded as it is to support travel costs for people with disabilities whether or not they can use a car.
c. Publicise to landlords that the scheme is available so they can support tenants who they think may be struggling with rent or in arrears and also undertake publicity to raise awareness with tenants.”
(4) Notice of Motion from the Liberal Democrat Group
50.13 Moved by Councillor Hyman and seconded by Councillor Brazil:
“This Council expresses its concern about the reduction in the number of police officers on the ground in Gloucester.
This Council resolves to invite the Chief Constable to attend a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to give an update on her strategy in regard to adequate deployment of police and PCSO’s in Gloucester.”
50.14 Councillor Coole moved the following amendment and was seconded by Councillor Haigh:
“This Council expresses its concern about the reduction in the number of police officers on the ground in Gloucester.
This Council
resolves to requests the lead Member from
Overview and Scrutiny invite representatives from
the community safety partnership and the Chief Constable to
attend a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to
give an update on her their strategy in
regard to adequate deployment of police and PCSO’s in
Gloucester.”
50.15 Councillor and his seconder advised that they prepared to accept a minor amendment put forward by the Conservative Group and incorporate it into the amendment as follows:
This Council
resolves to requests the lead Member from
Overview and Scrutiny invite
representatives from the community safety partnership
and the Chief Constable to attend a meeting of the Overview
and Scrutiny Committee to give an update on her
their strategy to reduce crime in the
City in regard to adequate deployment of police and
PCSO’s in Gloucester.”
50.16 Councillor Hyman accepted the amendment.
50.17 The following motion, as amended, was put to the vote and was carried:
“This Council expresses its concern about the reduction in the number of police officers on the ground in Gloucester.
This Council requests the lead Member from Overview and Scrutiny invite representatives from the community safety partnership and the Chief Constable to attend a meeting of the Committee to give an update on their strategy to reduce crime in the City in regard to adequate deployment of police and PCSO’s in Gloucester.”
(5) Notice of Motion from the Liberal Democrat Group
50.18 Moved by Councillor Hilton and seconded by Councillor Ryall:
"This council expresses its deep concern about the state of many of the footways in Gloucester, noting that the county council has only budgeted to spend £83,000 from its capital budget on footways repairs within the city council boundaries this financial year.
This council notes that there are many footpaths, particularly on
post-war housing estates, that are in desperate need of
resurfacing.
This council therefore calls on Gloucestershire County Council to
increase its capital spending on footway repairs within Gloucester
for the 2017/18 council year and beyond."
50.19 Councillor James moved the following amendment and was seconded by Councillor Watkins:
"This council:
expresses
its deep concern about the state of many of the
footways in Gloucester,notesing that the county
council has only budgeted to spend £83,000 from its
capital budget on footways repairs capital
schemes within the city council boundaries this financial
year;.
This council notes
that there are many footpaths, particularly on post-war housing
estates, that are in desperate need of
resurfacing.further
notes that the majority of works on
footways are unplanned repairs or as part of larger capital
schemes;
This council
therefore calls on Gloucestershire County
Council to increase its capital spending on footway repairs
within Gloucester for the 2017/18 council year and beyond
consider how it can maximise the amount of highway
works, including footway repairs, undertaken within the city within
the budget available."
50.20 Councillor Hilton did not accept the amendment.
50.21 The amendment was put to the vote and was carried.
50.22 The following motion, as amended, was put to the vote and names recorded at the request of Councillor Hilton and supported by a further four members of the Liberal Democrat Group:
"This council:
Notes
that the county council has budgeted to spend £83,000 from
its capital budget on footway capital schemes within the city
council boundaries this financial year;.
Further notes that the majority of works on footways are unplanned repairs or as part of larger capital schemes;
Calls on Gloucestershire County Council consider how it can maximise the amount of highway works, including footway repairs, undertaken within the city within the budget available."
For Against
Councillor James Councillor Hampson
Councillor Watkins Councillor Hansdot
Councillor Cook Councillor Haigh
Councillor D. Norman Councillor Hilton
Councillor Organ Councillor Stephens
Councillor Gravells Councillor Lugg
Councillor Tracey Councillor Bhaimia
Councillor Hanman Councillor D. Brown
Councillor Lewis Councillor Pullen
Councillor Morgan Councillor Brazil
Councillor Dee Councillor J. Bown
Councillor Taylor Councillor Coole
Councillor Toleman Councillor Fearn
Councillor H. Norman Councillor Hyman
Councillor Pearsall Councillor Ryall
Councillor Finnegan Councillor Smith
Councillor Hawthorne
Councillor Melvin
(18) (17)
50.23 The motion was carried.