Agenda item

Consideration was given to the following Notices of Motion:-

Auditor’s Value for Money Conclusion

Proposed by Councillor Sam Corcoran and Seconded by Councillor Peter Nurse

Background

For the second year running an independent body has found poor practice that is wasting public money. In September Grant Thornton presented their report to the Audit & Governance Committee which found weaknesses in

• Arrangements to procure goods and services
• Understanding of costs and performance
• Arrangements to develop business proposals and manage significant prospects

The report went on to say that the Council was unable to demonstrate that it was prioritising resources within budgets in a planned way and achieving sustainable cost reductions alongside greater efficiencies and improved productivity.

A list of 14 recommendations with 7 ‘High Priority’ items included the following points

• Ensure that budgets are realistic and therefore less reliant on remedial savings during the year
• Ensure that the capital budget is set at a realistic level and therefore avoid in year slippage
• Ensure that robust governance and risk management arrangements are embedded in the Council and in the emerging arms length companies being created by the Council
• Ensure that the Council’s policies, procedures and decision making processes remain fit for purpose during the period of significant change to a commissioning authority
• Ensure that Council policies are followed and decision making is and is seen to be transparent to the public

Motion

This Council welcomes the qualified value for money conclusion from the external auditors and:-

• accepts that ‘more needs to be done to ensure that tough decisions are taken when setting the budget rather than relying on services to deliver savings in the year’;
• commits to setting a realistic budget for 2014/15 so that the major overspends seen in recent years do not recur and that unplanned remedial actions are not necessary;
• agrees to ensure that its decision making is and is seen to be transparent to the public.

RESOLVED

That the motion stand referred to Cabinet.

2          Reducing Carbon Emissions

Proposed by Councillor Steve Hogben and seconded by Councillor
Sam Corcoran

That this Council build on its previous work in reducing its own carbon emissions. 

This Council will promote strenuous further efforts to cut not only its own carbon emissions but those of its many partners within the sub-region, including the private and business sectors.  

The Council recognises that financial pressures face all sectors of the economy, but also recognises the vital importance for future generations of conserving resources of all kinds and cutting environmental pollution.   

In view of the loss of Invest to Save funding, and in its role as a community leader, the Council commits to redouble its efforts to fund carbon reduction projects, and seek support in this work from all its partners.

That the motion stand referred to Cabinet.

3          Payday Lending

Proposed by Councillor Laura Jeuda and Seconded by Councillor
David Newton

Cheshire East must be applauded in the attempt to tackle the irresponsible lending of payday loan companies by banning access to the top 50 company websites in public buildings.

Debt Counselling Agencies report of the misery and desperation caused by payday lending companies who prey on the poor causing increased poverty and anxiety to those already struggling to cope. People are borrowing more to pay off their existing debt, often using more than one company to do so. Payday lenders offer loans of £50 - £1,250 without credit checks. The transaction can be completed in a matter of minutes.

While the newly formed Financial Conduct Authority, which comes into operation next spring, has proposed some restrictions on payday loan companies it will not ameliorate the risk for many families struggling to repay the vast amount of interest on what was a relatively small sum to start with. A realistic and ethical alternative to this type of borrowing is Credit Unions who provide realistic loans that can be repaid at 6.9% compared to a massive 5,853%. Credit Unions offer savings and loans which are prudent and that do not encourage irresponsible lending and borrowing.

Motion

Cheshire East will encourage the growth of Credit Unions and follow the example of Glasgow in using Trading Standard Officers to ensure that payday lenders are not breaching the Consumer Credit Act

To encourage young people to save responsibly by allocating Credit Union accounts to Secondary School pupils

To provide premises for Credit Unions to operate in communities across Cheshire East.

The mover and seconder agreed to a change to the wording of the motion to substitute the word “allocating” in the second paragraph with the word “offering” and to add the words “ where needed” at the end of the motion.

RESOLVED

That motion, as amended, be accepted.

4.       Designated Public Places Orders

Proposed by Councillor D Brickhill

Designated Public Places Orders (DPPO’s), made under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, have overtaken the use of byelaws for regulating the use of alcohol in public places.

A DPPO gives the Police and other persons accredited by the Police force e.g Police Community Support Officers, the power, in a DPPO area, to prevent the drinking of alcohol in that area, where an officer reasonably believes that the person has been drinking alcohol, or intends to do so. In addition an officer has the power to ask a person to surrender the alcohol and any opened or sealed containers in their possession.

Motion

That this Council will consider making DPPs for areas of Cheshire East.

RESOLVED

Than the motion stand referred to the Licensing Committee.