Agenda item

Consideration was given to the following Notices of Motions, submitted to Council in Accordance with Procedure Rule 12

1.elections

Proposed by Councillor Rachel Bailey and Seconded by Councillor Janet Jackson

Council acknowledges the hard work and commitment of the Elections Team in delivering an important democratic service over the last year or so of electoral activity, including:

• The greatest scale of elections ever seen in May 2015, with all out Borough and Parish Council elections, plus a Parliamentary General Election, the combination of such activity which will not be experienced again until 2035.
• Excellently run Police and Crime Commissioner Elections in May 2016.
• Excellently run EU Referendum in June 2016, in respect of which we experienced a historically high turnout, exceeding many other areas nationally.
• The hugely successful introduction of Individual Electoral Registration which has resulted in a more accurate Register than ever before, with more electors being registered to vote than at any time in the past.
• The honour of hosting an international delegation of elections experts, at the request of the Electoral Commission, enabling Cheshire East’s practice and processes to be passed back to countries such as Canada, Finland, Malta, Romania and Bangladesh.

RESOLVED

That the motion be accepted.

2. Emergency Response

Proposed by Councillor Rachel Bailey and Seconded by Councillor Damian Bailey

Council applauds the work of so many of its officers across different teams who, along with the Council’s emergency planning team, have worked tirelessly over the last 12 months in dealing with the challenges which have faced our communities and the services we provide:

• The devastating circumstances surrounding the Bosley Mill explosion.
• The terrible flash flooding in and around Poynton.
• The recent evacuation of residents who live near to the Bossons Mill in Congleton.

Council sincerely thanks its officers, from so many parts of the organisation, for their true dedication as devoted public servants, working ‘round the clock to ensure the safety of our residents.

RESOLVED

That the motion be accepted.

3. Hate Crime

Proposed by Councillor Brian Roberts and Seconded by Councillor

Nick Mannion

Since the Referendum on 23^rd June, the National Police Chiefs' Council report that hate crimes have increased by 42%.

Around 3,076 alleged offences were reported between June 16 and 30 - 915 more than in the same period last year. Police recorded 289 alleged offences on the day following the result of the poll being revealed - an average of 12 an hour.

The LGA has also reported a significant increase and Members of this Council have also been approached by residents that have been subjected to threats and harassment because of their nationality or race.

Therefore, we urge Council to discuss and adopt the following resolution as a matter of urgency at its meeting today:

“We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society.  Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country.  We Cheshire East Borough Council condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable. 

Cheshire East Borough Council will work with our partners to ensure that there will always be support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia, identify the perpetrators, and subject them to the full force of the law.

We reassure all people living, working and visiting Cheshire East that they are valued members of our community.”

RESOLVED

That the motion be accepted.

4. Tax Compliance and Procurement Procedures

Proposed by Councillor Steve Hogben and Seconded by Councillor

Sam Corcoran

This Council notes that: 

• corporate tax evasion and avoidance are having a damaging impact on the world’s poorest countries, to such a level that it is costing them far more than they receive in aid

• this is costing the UK as much as £30bn a year

• this practice also has a negative effect on small and medium-sized companies who pay more tax proportionately.

This Council further notes that the UK Government has taken steps to tackle the issue of tax avoidance and evasion by issuing Procurement Policy Note 03/14 (PPN 03/14). This applies to all central government contracts

worth more than £5m.

This Council also notes the existence of voluntary schemes promoting tax compliance such as the Fair Tax Mark, which can serve as an independent means of verification. This council notes the 2015 Public Contract Regulations which state (in section 4) that local government can choose to adopt Procurement Policy Note 03/14.

This Council believes that bidders for council contracts should be asked to account for their past tax record, using the higher standards in PPN 03/14.

This Council therefore calls for procurement procedures to be amended to require all companies bidding for service and works contracts worth more than figures to be agreed with the Chief Operating Officer to self-certify that they are fully tax-compliant in line with central government practice using the standards in PPN 03/14, applying to contracts of the size specified above.

This Council asks the Cabinet to publicise this policy and to report on its implementation annually.

RESOLVED

That the motion stand referred to Cabinet.