Agenda item

Consideration was given to the following Notices of Motion :-

1. Submitted by Cllr M Sherratt

 Youth Homelessness

"It is important that this Council recognises its responsibility in providing safe and secure routes for young people who find themselves temporarily homeless.

This Council notes that Centrepoint estimates 80,000 young people experience homelessness every year nationally. The Council acknowledges that, due to the fact that some young people who are without a secure home are sofa surfing, the full figures of youth homelessness may be higher than recorded figures collected both locally and nationally.

This Council resolves to:

- Identify ways of collating more data locally on youth homelessness. Work with local colleges, NHS trusts, Job Centres and other local services to identify additional ways this data can be obtained

- Work with local and national charities and homelessness organisations to ensure that every young person who needs help, including those who are not deemed a priority or are ‘intentionally’ homeless, is at a minimum directed to where help and advice may be available if it cannot be delivered by the local authority.

- Ensure that the online and face-to-face advice services include specific information on obtaining housing support if you have a disability, addiction or have mental health issues.

-          Use proactive channels to reach young people at risk to ensure they have  the info about advice channels that are available.”        

RESOLVED

That the motion be approved.

(Cllr Gardiner had declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the following item and left the meeting during its consideration).

2. Submitted by Cllr P Nurse

Countryside Policy

Cheshire East Council draws attention to aspects of Government policy towards the Countryside and in particular:-

·         The failure of policy to deal with Bovine TB which will now have a further year to develop;

·         The slow response to the spread of Ash disease which threatens to destroy the stock of one of our finest trees;

·         The decision to permit the wider development of agricultural land which reverses long established planning policies;

·         The Council believes a change of approach is urgently required to deal with the problems facing the Countryside.

RESOLVED

That the motion be not accepted.

3. Submitted By Cllr S Corcoran

Request for Audit Investigation into Collapse of East Cheshire Community Transport

This Council requests that an internal audit investigation is carried out into the collapse of East Cheshire Community Transport and the withdrawal of Community Transport Macclesfield from providing Dial-a-Ride services. The investigation should specifically look at :-

1)       whether the Council is obtaining better value for money through the private companies now running the Dial-a-Ride and Adult Care transport services or whether they were obtaining better value for money through the charities that previously ran the service

2)       whether factually incorrect information has been given in answers to

         questions in full Council and in press releases issued by Cheshire East

         Council.

RESOLVED

That the motion be not accepted.

4. Submitted by Cllr L Jeuda and Seconded by Cllr G Boston

The Living Wage

Recent research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has found that it is becoming increasingly difficult for people on low incomes to maintain a decent standard of living and that many people are experiencing 'in work poverty'.

Other research shows that a Living Wage of £7.45 an hour would help to lift these families out of poverty and its introduction has been widely supported across all the major political parties, by the Mayor of London, the Anglican General Synod and the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales.

Cheshire East Council therefore welcomes and supports the adoption of the Living Wage by the Mayor of London and thirty five councils across the country and will adopt the policy for its own employees.

Cheshire East Council will also ensure that companies and organisations commissioned to carry out work on its behalf pay the Living Wage of £7.45 an hour to their employees.

RESOLVED

That the motion stands referred to Cabinet.