Agenda item

1.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR A. CHAMBERS

 

“Our city needs to be a safe haven for wildlife and ecology. I would like to propose that special ‘swift bricks and bee bricks’ to be incorporated in new developments across Gloucester City Council to help halt the decline of the distinctive birds and bees.

 

Approved by the RSPB, the bird boxes are designed to look like bricks, but feature a small hole where swifts can enter and build their nests.

 

Swifts are urban birds which make their nests in rooftops or in old buildings, after flying over 6,000 miles from Africa in the spring. However, modern building methods, along with the demolition of old buildings, have reduced the swifts’ access to rooftops, resulting in a serious decline in numbers. Twenty years ago there were 150,000 pairs in Britain – now there are fewer than 90,000.

 

Although known as swift bricks, they can be used by a variety of other birds including sparrows, starlings, blue tits and great tits. This new initiative has the potential to halt the decline of swifts in the city, while also provide safe nesting places for many other types of small birds.

 

Other councils have adopted this around England and RSPB conservation officer Jack Thompson said: “This important planning condition for swifts will help provide more opportunities for nesting swifts and urban birds, supporting important sites, and build on the fantastic work being done to save our swifts.”

 

Bee bricks should also be installed for new build developments and should be incorporated in the external walls of new developments - one for each property.

 

This Council agrees to investigate the introduction of a planning condition that:

 

·       Will see swift boxes and bee bricks incorporated in the vast majority of new developments in the city.

·       Requires swift bricks and bee bricks to be incorporated in all new developments that are five metres high and above in Gloucester City.

·       Requires a minimum of two swift bricks per dwelling and one bee brick per dwelling.

·       Requires commercial developments to have a minimum of three boxes, or one per 50sqm of floor spaces. Ideally, swift and bee bricks should be placed under the eaves in groups of at least three.

·       Should be attached to all planning permissions granted after 1 April 2024 for the City of Gloucester.

 

Members are asked to approve this motion and help our City to work closely with the RSPB who have come up with a simple scheme that will increase biodiversity, and encourage wildlife to thrive in our city. So please, don’t vote politically, vote for our nature, our birds and our bees to safe guarding our wildlife for generations to come.”

 

2.     PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR A. CHAMBERS

 

“Many young lives have been lost in our city as a result of KNIFE crime. I ask all members to vote in favour for our city leader and city managing director to write to the MP of Gloucester requesting them to put forward an argument to Parliament to change the law relating to knife crime and carrying knives. This would be a request for the requirement for a minimum prison sentence of 1 year imprisonment for carrying an illegal knife.

 

Currently the punishment for carrying a knife (as a first time offender) carries no minimum sentence and a maximum 1 year sentence. In order to counteract the rise of knife crime in our City, the law needs to be looked at and changed.

 

I therefore ask all members to use their votes to request this change to make our city and community safer for all. Using your vote could help save a young life in our city!”

 

3.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR A. CHAMBERS

 

“Gloucester City Council showed solidarity to Ukraine by raising a flag over the docks and I was proud to have seconded that motion. Now is the time for the city to do the same with Turkey & Syria.

 

A series of devastating earthquakes have hit southern Turkey (now known as Türkiye) and north-west Syria killing over 50,000 people and injuring many more.

 

The first deadly earthquake struck while people were inside their homes, asleep in their beds, with no warning signs. More than 54,000 buildings, including hospitals and schools, have been destroyed or damaged. People have been left without shelter in freezing winter conditions. 

 

I ask that Gloucester City Council raises both the Turkish and Syrian flags for 30 days to show solidarity to both nations during this world disaster and their time of need.

 

Please members vote to support this motion to show the people of Turkey and Syria that we the people of Gloucester are in support and do care.”

 

4.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR O’DONNELL

 

“We as independent Councillors note with concern the increase in homelessness and rough sleeping nationwide in recent years, and the profound impact that homelessness has on people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

 

We recognise that two common reasons why members of the public may not give spare change to homeless people are a concern about how that money may be spent, and, due to the recent increase in use of contactless payment cards, often have less or no cash about their person.

 

We consider the BillyChip, a Ceramic token which can be purchased in cafes and later redeemed by a homeless person in exchange for a hot or cold drink and often food to be a simple, innovative and more secure way for members of the public to give financial support to homeless people, which many wish to do.

 

We recognise further that the BillyChip is already available in numerous outlets across Bristol, Bath and Oxford, is in the process of identifying and approaching potential venues in Gloucester, and is the subject of huge popular online support. We already have some venues that do the billy chip scheme, revive cafe, owned by Gloucester city mission, Seymour post office and the Seymour cafe.   We wish to be part of this.

 

We would like Council to offer the BillyChip its full endorsement and commits to supporting the implementation of the chip here in Gloucester. 

 

To achieve this, council needs to resolve to:

 

-       collaborate with the BillyChip CIC on developing its profile in Gloucester.

-       give the BillyChip CIC free use of its premises for the purposes of public information meetings.

-       provide space on the Gloucester City Council website listing participating venues and other relevant information.

-       ensure that all appropriate council-operated venues participate in the scheme.

 

5.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR O’DONNELL

 

“This Council asks the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy to consider putting signs up mapping where the homeless shelters are. This will help more people to know where they are in our city as well as the warm spaces available, as many homeless people do not even know these warm spaces existed, hence they were staying in doorways trying to keep warm.

 

A simple sticker at a low cost could be stuck over the various street mapping signs around our city to help guide these vulnerable people to places of sanctuary.

 

This Council supports what is a very simple fix to help vulnerable people in our city find the help they need.”

 

6.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR PULLEN

 

“The intimidation and abuse of councillors in person or otherwise undermines democracy, prevents councillors from representing the communities they serve, deters people from standing for election and undermines public life in democratic processes. 

 

This council is concerned about the detrimental effect abuse and intimidation in public and political discourse can have on local democracy. The council must ensure that prevention, support and responses to such actions and behaviour should be in place to ensure councillors feel safe and able to represent their residents.

 

Furthermore, councillors should ensure that their own conduct and behaviour in carrying out council duties should be of the highest standard and not act in a way that is abusive or intimidating, whether that is during formal debate in council meetings or in other democratic activities.

 

Abusive and intimidating behaviour should not be normalised, accepted or tolerated.

 

This council therefore agrees to sign up to the Local Government Association’s  ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and ensure the support to those in public life who face abuse or intimidation.

 

This council therefore resolves to:

 

·       Write to Gloucester’s MP encouraging him to support the campaign

 

·       Write to the Government to ask them to work with the LGA to develop and implement a plan to address abuse and intimidation of politicians at every level.

 

·       Ensure that Gloucester City Council has clear reporting mechanisms that councillors can use to monitor and record incidents of harassment, intimidation and abuse.

 

·       Regularly review the support available to councillors in relation to abuse, intimidation and safety.

 

·       Work with the police to make sure there are clear and joined up processes for reporting threats and concerns for the safety of councillors and their families and ensure there is a preventative approach to consider the risks councillors face, as they do with other high profile individuals like MP’s.

 

·       Take a zero tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers.”

 

7.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR SAWYER

 

This Council recognises that they do not need planning permission, but Gloucester City Council can have a say in the visual impact on our city. 

Paragraph 115 of the National
Planning Policy Framework states that “where new sites are required (such as
for new 5G networks, or for connected transport and smart city applications),
equipment should be sympathetically designed and camouflaged where appropriate”

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports’ code of practice states that “early discussions with operators, local planning authorities and communities on the design of the masts should be encouraged”.  This has not happened.

The code of practice also states that “the Government’s objective is to deliver high quality reliable infrastructure whilst ensuring the impact is kept to a minimum”.  

Policy G5 of the new City plan
states “Development proposals for telecommunications infrastructure will be
permitted where it can be demonstrated that the development is sympathetically
designed and would not have an adverse impact upon the environment (including
heritage assets, biodiversity, local amenity, the landscape and its setting).
Where new sites are required (such as for new 5G networks, or for connected
transport and smart city applications), equipment should be sympathetically
designed and camouflaged where appropriate.”

The designs of the 5G masts that have been approved to date are having a massive impact on the local street scene. 

As officers and members, our duty is to protect the heritage of our city and these masts are not in keeping with the local architecture and open spaces. They will be here for a long time, so we need to act now.

This council calls on the cabinet member for planning to:

-          create a design code for these masts and to choose a style that blends in with the surroundings. 

-          include the cross-party members planning policy group and to consult with all residents in Gloucester during this process. 

73.1    Councillor A. Chambers proposed and Councillor O’Donnell seconded the following motion:

 

“Our city needs to be a safe haven for wildlife and ecology. I would like to propose that special ‘swift bricks and bee bricks’ to be incorporated in new developments across Gloucester City Council to help halt the decline of the distinctive birds and bees.

 

Approved by the RSPB, the bird boxes are designed to look like bricks, but feature a small hole where swifts can enter and build their nests.Swifts are urban birds which make their nests in rooftops or in old buildings, after flying over 6,000 miles from Africa in the spring. However,

modern building methods, along with the demolition of old buildings, have reduced the swifts’ access to rooftops, resulting in a serious decline in numbers. Twenty years ago there were 150,000 pairs in Britain – now there are fewer than 90,000.

 

Although known as swift bricks, they can be used by a variety of other birds including sparrows, starlings, blue tits and great tits. This new initiative has the potential to halt the decline of swifts in the city, while also provide safe nesting places for many other types of small birds.

 

Other councils have adopted this around England and RSPB conservation officer Jack Thompson said: “This important planning condition for swifts will help provide more opportunities for nesting swifts and urban birds, supporting important sites, and build on the fantastic work being done to save our swifts.”

 

Bee bricks should also be installed for new build developments and should be incorporated in the external walls of new developments - one for each property.

 

This Council agrees to investigate the introduction of a planning condition that:

 

·       Will see swift boxes and bee bricks incorporated in the vast majority of new developments in the city.

 

·       Requires swift bricks and bee bricks to be incorporated in all new

·       developments that are five metres high and above in Gloucester City.

 

·       Requires a minimum of two swift bricks per dwelling and one bee brick per dwelling.

 

·       Requires commercial developments to have a minimum of three boxes, or one per 50sqm of floor spaces. Ideally, swift and bee bricks should be placed under the eaves in groups of at least three.

 

·       Should be attached to all planning permissions granted after 1 April 2024 for

the City of Gloucester.

 

Members are asked to approve this motion and help our City to work closely with the RSPB who have come up with a simple scheme that will increase biodiversity, and encourage wildlife to thrive in our city. So please, don’t vote politically, vote for our nature, our birds and our bees to safe guarding our wildlife for generations to come.”

 

73.2    Councillor S. Chambers proposed and Councillor Lewis seconded the following amendment:

 

          “Our city needs to be a safe haven for wildlife and ecology. I would like to propose that special ‘swift bricks and bee bricks’ to be incorporated in new developments across Gloucester City Council to help halt the decline of the distinctive birds and bees.

 

Approved by the RSPB, the bird boxes are designed to look like bricks, but feature a small hole where swifts can enter and build their nests.

 

Swifts are urban birds which make their nests in rooftops or in old buildings, after flying over 6,000 miles from Africa in the spring. However, modern building methods, along with the demolition of old buildings, have reduced the swifts’ access to rooftops, resulting in a serious decline in numbers. Twenty years ago there were 150,000 pairs in Britain – now there are fewer than 90,000. Swifts were added to the UK Red list of Birds of Conservation Concern in 2021.

 

Although known as swift bricks, they can be used by a variety of other birds including sparrows, starlings, blue tits and great tits. This new initiative has the potential to halt the decline of swifts in the city, while also provide safe nesting places for many other types of small birds.

 

Other councils have adopted this around England and RSPB conservation officer Jack Thompson said: “This important planning condition for swifts will help provide more opportunities for nesting swifts and urban birds, supporting important sites, and build on the fantastic work being done to save our swifts.”

 

Bee bricks should also be installed for new build developments and should be incorporated in the external walls of new developments - one for each property.

 

•       This Council is currently working with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to prepare a simple design guide to assist developers in delivering Biodiversity Net Gain in development sites.

 

•       This Council agrees to investigate the introduction of a planning condition that: the inclusion of swift and bee bricks in this design guide, which could then be incorporated into appropriate developments.

•       Will see swift boxes and bee bricks incorporated in the vast majority of new developments in the city.

 

•       Requires swift bricks and bee bricks to be incorporated in all new developments that are five metres high and above in Gloucester City.

 

•       Requires a minimum of two swift bricks per dwelling and one bee brick per dwelling.

 

•       Requires commercial developments to have a minimum of three boxes, or one per 50sqm of floor spaces. Ideally, swift and bee bricks should be placed under the eaves in groups of at least three.

 

•       Should be attached to all planning permissions granted after 1 April 2024 for the City of Gloucester.

 

Members are asked to approve this motion and help our City to work closely with the RSPB who have come up with a simple scheme that will increase biodiversity, and encourage wildlife to thrive in our city. So please, don’t vote politically, vote for our nature, our birds and our bees to safe guarding our wildlife for generations to come.”

 

73.3    The amendment was accepted by the proposer of the original motion and therefore being the substantive motion. It was put to the vote and was carried.

 

73.4    RESOLVED that:-

 

          Our city needs to be a safe haven for wildlife and ecology.

 

Approved by the RSPB, the bird boxes are designed to look like bricks, but feature a small hole where swifts can enter and build their nests.

 

Swifts are urban birds which make their nests in rooftops or in old buildings, after flying over 6,000 miles from Africa in the spring. However, modern building methods, along with the demolition of old buildings, have reduced the swifts’ access to rooftops, resulting in a serious decline in numbers. Swifts were added to the UK Red list of Birds of Conservation Concern in 2021.

 

Although known as swift bricks, they can be used by a variety of other birds including sparrows, starlings, blue tits and great tits. This new initiative has the potential to halt the decline of swifts in the city, while also provide safe nesting places for many other types of small birds.

 

 

 

•       This Council is currently working with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to prepare a simple design guide to assist developers in delivering Biodiversity Net Gain in development sites.

 

•       This Council agrees to investigate the inclusion of swift and bee bricks in this design guide, which could then be incorporated into appropriate developments.

 

Members are asked to approve this motion and help our City to work with the RSPB who have come up with a simple scheme that will increase biodiversity, and encourage wildlife to thrive in our city.

 

73.5    Councillor A. Chamber proposed and Councillor O’Donnell seconded the following motion:

 

          “Many young lives have been lost in our city as a result of KNIFE crime. I ask all members to vote in favour for our city leader and city managing director to write to the MP of Gloucester requesting them to put forward an argument to Parliament to change the law relating to knife crime and carrying knives. This would be a request for the requirement for a minimum prison sentence of 1 year imprisonment for carrying an illegal knife.

 

Currently the punishment for carrying a knife (as a first time offender) carries no minimum sentence and a maximum 1 year sentence. In order to counteract the rise of knife crime in our City, the law needs to be looked at and changed.

 

I therefore ask all members to use their votes to request this change to make our city and community safer for all. Using your vote could help save a young life in our city!”

 

73.6    Councillor Padilla proposed and Councillor Hudson seconded the following amendment:

 

          “This Council recognises that the motion passed in November 2021 promoted a public health approach to dealing with knife crime which was unanimously accepted. This work continues in Gloucester and we thank officers and partners who have worked tirelessly to support communities in our city.

 

Unfortunately, however, Many young lives have been lost in our city as a result of KNIFE crime. I ask all members to vote in favour for our city leader and city managing director to write to the MP of Gloucester requesting them to put forward an argument to Parliament to change the law relating to knife crime and carrying knives. This would be a request for the requirement for a minimum prison sentence of 1 year imprisonment for carrying an illegal knife to the Justice Secretary to ask him to review his approach to sentencing to provide a greater deterrence to those who refuse to engage with support or repeatedly carry knives.

 

Currently the punishment for carrying a knife (as a first time offender) carries no minimum sentence and a maximum 1 year sentence. In order to counteract the rise of knife crime in our City, the law needs to be looked at and changed.

 

I therefore ask all members to use their votes to request this change to make our city and community safer for all. Using your vote could help save a young life in our city!”

 

73.7    The amendment was accepted by the proposer of the original motion and therefore being the substantive motion. It was put to the vote and was carried.

 

73.8    RESOLVED that:-

 

          “This Council recognises that the motion passed in November 2021 promoted a public health approach to dealing with knife crime which was unanimously accepted. This work continues in Gloucester and we thank officers and partners who have worked tirelessly to support communities in our city.

 

Unfortunately, however, young lives have been lost in our city as a result of KNIFE crime. I ask all members to vote in favour for our city leader and city managing director to write to the Justice Secretary to ask him to review his approach to sentencing to provide a greater deterrence to those who refuse to engage with support or repeatedly carry knives.

 

Currently the punishment for carrying a knife (as a first time offender) carries no minimum sentence and a maximum 1 year sentence.

 

I therefore ask all members to use their votes to request this change to make our city and community safer for all. Using your vote could help save a young life in our city!”

 

73.9    Councillor A. Chamber proposed and Councillor O’Donnell seconded the following motion:

 

“Gloucester City Council showed solidarity to Ukraine by raising a flag over the docks and I was proud to have seconded that motion. Now is the time for the city to do the same with Turkey & Syria.

 

A series of devastating earthquakes have hit southern Turkey (now known as Türkiye) and north-west Syria killing over 50,000 people and injuring many more.

 

The first deadly earthquake struck while people were inside their homes, asleep in their beds, with no warning signs. More than 54,000 buildings, including hospitals and schools, have been destroyed or damaged. People have been left without shelter in freezing winter conditions.

 

I ask that Gloucester City Council raises both the Turkish and Syrian flags for 30 days to show solidarity to both nations during this world disaster and their time of need.

 

Please members vote to support this motion to show the people of Turkey and Syria that we the people of Gloucester are in support and do care.”

 

73.10  Councillor Hilton proposed and Councillor Wilson seconded the following amendment:

 

“Gloucester City Council showed solidarity to Ukraine by raising a flag over the docks and I was proud to have seconded that motion. Now is the time for the city to do the same with Turkey & Syria.

 

A series of devastating earthquakes have hit southern Turkey (now known as Türkiye) and north-west Syria killing over 50,000 people and injuring many more.

 

The first deadly earthquake struck while people were inside their homes, asleep in their beds, with no warning signs. More than 54,000 buildings, including hospitals and schools, have been destroyed or damaged. People have been left without shelter in freezing winter conditions.

 

This council welcomes the support that the United Kingdom has given towards the disaster relief.

 

We remind individuals in Gloucester that they can help with the aid being provided by charities by giving a donation no matter how small to help in the earthquake recovery.

 

One of the safest ways to donate is to contribute to the Disasters Emergency Committee at www.dec.org.uk.

 

I ask that Gloucester City Council raises both the Turkish and Syrian flags for 30 days to show solidarity to both nations during this world disaster and their time of need.

 

73.11  The amendment was accepted by the proposer of the original motion and therefore being the substantive motion. It was put to the vote and was carried.

 

73.12  RESOLVED that:-

 

A series of devastating earthquakes have hit southern Turkey (now known as Türkiye) and north-west Syria killing over 50,000 people and injuring many more.

 

The first deadly earthquake struck while people were inside their homes, asleep in their beds, with no warning signs. More than 54,000 buildings, including hospitals and schools, have been destroyed or damaged. People have been left without shelter in freezing winter conditions.

 

This council welcomes the support that the United Kingdom has given towards the disaster relief.

 

We remind individuals in Gloucester that they can help with the aid being provided by charities by giving a donation no matter how small to help in the earthquake recovery.

 

One of the safest ways to donate is to contribute to the Disasters Emergency Committee at www.dec.org.uk.

 

73.13  Councillor O’Donnell proposed and Councillor A. Chambers seconded the following motion:

 

          “We as independent Councillors note with concern the increase in homelessness and rough sleeping nationwide in recent years, and the profound impact that homelessness has on people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

 

We recognise that two common reasons why members of the public may not give spare change to homeless people are a concern about how that money may be spent, and, due to the recent increase in use of contactless payment cards, often have less or no cash about their person.

 

We consider the BillyChip, a Ceramic token which can be purchased in cafes and later redeemed by a homeless person in exchange for a hot or cold drink and often food to be a simple, innovative and more secure way for members of the public to give financial support to homeless people, which many wish to do.

 

We recognise further that the BillyChip is already available in numerous outlets across Bristol, Bath and Oxford, is in the process of identifying and approaching potential venues in Gloucester, and is the subject of huge popular online support. We already have some venues that do the billy chip scheme, revive cafe, owned by Gloucester city mission, Seymour post office and the Seymour cafe. We wish to be part of this.

 

We would like Council to offer the BillyChip its full endorsement and commits to supporting the implementation of the chip here in Gloucester.

To achieve this, council needs to resolve to:

 

-   collaborate with the BillyChip CIC on developing its profile in Gloucester.

 

-   give the BillyChip CIC free use of its premises for the purposes of public

-   information meetings.

 

-   provide space on the Gloucester City Council website listing participating venues and other relevant information.

 

-   ensure that all appropriate council-operated venues participate in the scheme.

 

73.14  Councillor S. Chambers proposed and Councillor Hudson seconded the following amendment:

         

          “We as independent Councillors note with concern the increase in homelessness and rough sleeping nationwide in recent years, and

 

The Council is concerned that after 4 years of decreasing, rough sleeping has risen nationally this year.

 

We recognise the profound impact that homelessness rough sleeping has on people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

 

We recognise that two common reasons why members of the public may not give spare change to homeless people are a concern about how that money may be spent, and, due to the recent increase in use of contactless payment cards, often have less or no cash about their person.

 

We consider the BillyChip, a Ceramic token which can be purchased in cafes and later redeemed by a homeless person in exchange for a hot or cold drink and often food to be a simple, innovative and more secure way for members of the public to give financial support to homeless people rough sleepers, which many people wish to do.

 

We recognise further that the BillyChip is already available in numerous outlets across Bristol, Bath and Oxford., is in the process of identifying and approaching potential venues in Gloucester, and is the subject of huge popular online support. We already have some venues that do the billy chip scheme, revive cafe, owned by Gloucester city mission, Seymour post office and the Seymour cafe. There are currently two outlets listed on the BillyChip website in Gloucester; Seymour Post Office and Revive Coffee House, two in Cheltenham and one in Stroud. We wish to be part of this.

 

We would like Council to offer the BillyChip its full endorsement and commits to supporting the implementation of the chip here in Gloucester recognise that BillyChip is a worthwhile scheme that allows members of the public a different choice in how to support rough sleepers.

 

To achieve this, cCouncil needs to resolves to:

 

 

-   collaborate with the BillyChip CIC on developing its profile in Gloucester. - give the BillyChip CIC free use of its premises for the purposes of public information meetings.

 

-   provide space a link on the Gloucester City Council website listing participating venues and other relevant information to the BillyChip website.

 

-   ensure that all appropriate council-operated consider if any council-owned venues are appropriate to participate in the scheme.”

 

73.15  The amendment was accepted by the proposer of the original motion and therefore being the substantive motion. It was put to the vote and was carried.

 

73.16  RESOLVED that:-

 

The Council is concerned that after 4 years of decreasing, rough sleeping has risen nationally this year.

 

We recognise the profound impact that rough sleeping has on people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

 

We recognise that two common reasons why members of the public may not give spare change to homeless people are a concern about how that money may be spent, and, due to the recent increase in use of contactless payment cards, often have less or no cash about their person.

 

We consider the BillyChip, a Ceramic token which can be purchased in cafes and later redeemed by a homeless person in exchange for a hot or cold drink and often food to be a simple, innovative and more secure way for members of the public to give financial support to rough sleepers, which people wish to do.

 

We recognise further that the BillyChip is already available in numerous outlets across Bristol, Bath and Oxford.There are currently two outlets listed on the BillyChip website in Gloucester; Seymour Post Office and Revive Coffee House, two in Cheltenham and one in Stroud.

 

We recognise that BillyChip is a worthwhile scheme that allows members of the public a different choice in how to support rough sleepers.

 

Council resolves to:

 

-   collaborate with the BillyChip CIC on developing its profile in Gloucester.

 

-   provide a link on the Gloucester City Council website to the BillyChip website.

 

-   consider if any council-owned venues are appropriate to participate in the scheme.

 

73.17  Councillor O’Donnell proposed and Councillor A. Chambers seconded the following motion:

 

“This Council asks the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy to consider putting signs up mapping where the homeless shelters are. This will help more people to know where they are in our city as well as the warm spaces available, as many homeless people do not even know these warm spaces existed, hence they were staying in doorways trying to keep warm.

 

A simple sticker at a low cost could be stuck over the various street mapping signs around our city to help guide these vulnerable people to places of sanctuary.

 

This Council supports what is a very simple fix to help vulnerable people in our city find the help they need.”

 

73.18  Councillor Pullen proposed and Councillor Chamber-Dubus seconded the following amendment:

 

“This Council asks the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy to consider putting signs up mapping where the homeless shelters are. This will help more people to know where they are in our city as well as the warm spaces available, as many homeless people do not even know these warm spaces existed, hence they were staying in doorways trying to keep warm.

 

A simple sticker at a low cost could be stuck over the various street mapping signs around our city to help guide these vulnerable people to places of sanctuary.

 

Information and greater awareness of the location of homeless shelters and warm spaces and how to access them should be publicised at appropriate poster sites and venues in the city.

 

This Council supports what is a very simple fix to help providing information to vulnerable people in our city to find the help they need.”

 

73.19  The amendment was accepted by the proposer of the original motion and therefore being the substantive motion. It was put to the vote and was lost.

 

73.20  Councillor Pullen proposed and Councillor Chambers-Dubus seconded the following motion:

 

          “The intimidation and abuse of councillors in person or otherwise undermines democracy, prevents councillors from representing the communities they serve, deters people from standing for election and undermines public life in democratic processes.

 

This council is concerned about the detrimental effect abuse and intimidation in public and political discourse can have on local democracy. The council must ensure that prevention, support and responses to such actions and behaviour should be in place to ensure councillors feel safe and able to represent their residents.

 

Furthermore, councillors should ensure that their own conduct and behaviour in carrying out council duties should be of the highest standard and not act in a way that is abusive or intimidating, whether that is during formal debate in council meetings or in other democratic activities.

 

Abusive and intimidating behaviour should not be normalised, accepted or tolerated.

 

This council therefore agrees to sign up to the Local Government Association’s ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and ensure the support to those in public life who face abuse or intimidation.

 

This council therefore resolves to:

 

•       Write to Gloucester’s MP encouraging him to support the campaign

 

•       Write to the Government to ask them to work with the LGA to develop and implement a plan to address abuse and intimidation of politicians at every level.

 

•       Ensure that Gloucester City Council has clear reporting mechanisms that councillors can use to monitor and record incidents of harassment, intimidation and abuse.

 

•       Regularly review the support available to councillors in relation to abuse, intimidation and safety.

 

•       Work with the police to make sure there are clear and joined up processes for reporting threats and concerns for the safety of councillors and their families and ensure there is a preventative approach to consider the risks councillors face, as they do with other high profile individuals like MP’s.

 

•       Take a zero tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers.”

 

73.21  The amotion was put to the vote and was carried.

 

73.22  RESOLVED that:-

 

          The intimidation and abuse of councillors in person or otherwise undermines democracy, prevents councillors from representing the communities they serve, deters people from standing for election and undermines public life in democratic processes.

 

This council is concerned about the detrimental effect abuse and intimidation in public and political discourse can have on local democracy. The council must ensure that prevention, support and responses to such actions and behaviour should be in place to ensure councillors feel safe and able to represent their residents.

 

Furthermore, councillors should ensure that their own conduct and behaviour in carrying out council duties should be of the highest standard and not act in a way that is abusive or intimidating, whether that is during formal debate in council meetings or in other democratic activities.

 

Abusive and intimidating behaviour should not be normalised, accepted or tolerated.

 

This council therefore agrees to sign up to the Local Government Association’s ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and ensure the support to those in public life who face abuse or intimidation.

 

This council therefore resolves to:

 

•       Write to Gloucester’s MP encouraging him to support the campaign

 

•       Write to the Government to ask them to work with the LGA to develop and implement a plan to address abuse and intimidation of politicians at every level.

 

•       Ensure that Gloucester City Council has clear reporting mechanisms that councillors can use to monitor and record incidents of harassment, intimidation and abuse.

 

•       Regularly review the support available to councillors in relation to abuse, intimidation and safety.

 

•       Work with the police to make sure there are clear and joined up processes for reporting threats and concerns for the safety of councillors and their families and ensure there is a preventative approach to consider the risks councillors face, as they do with other high profile individuals like MP’s.

 

•       Take a zero tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers.

 

73.23  Councillor Sawyer proposed and Councillor Castle seconded the following motion:

 

          “This council notes that there has been an increase in the number of requests to erect 5G masts around the City of Gloucester, seriously impacting the look of the city. Residents in our wards mainly object because of the way they look.

 

This Council recognises that they do not need planning permission, but Gloucester City Council can have a say in the visual impact on our city.

 

Paragraph 115 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that “where new sites are required (such as for new 5G networks, or for connected transport and smart city applications), equipment should be sympathetically designed and camouflaged where appropriate”

 

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports’ code of practice states that “early discussions with operators, local planning authorities and communities on the design of the masts should be encouraged”. This has not happened.

 

The code of practice also states that “the Government’s objective is to deliver high quality reliable infrastructure whilst ensuring the impact is kept to a minimum”.

 

Policy G5 of the new City plan states “Development proposals for telecommunications infrastructure will be permitted where it can be demonstrated that the development is sympathetically designed and would not have an adverse impact upon the environment (including heritage assets, biodiversity, local amenity, the landscape and its setting). Where new sites are required (such as for new 5G networks, or for connected transport and smart city applications), equipment should be sympathetically designed and camouflaged where appropriate.”

 

The designs of the 5G masts that have been approved to date are having a massive impact on the local street scene. As officers and members, our duty is to protect the heritage of our city and these masts are not in keeping with the local architecture and open spaces. They will be here for a long time, so we need to act now.

 

This council calls on the cabinet member for planning to:

 

-   create a design code for these masts and to choose a style that blends in with the surroundings.

 

-   include the cross-party members planning policy group and to consult with all residents in Gloucester during this process.

 

-   review the way these new masts are promoted to residents. Putting a sign on a lamppost is not proving very effective.”

 

73.24  The motion was put to the vote and was lost.