Agenda item

The following Notice of Motion was withdrawn by the proposer:-

 

1.       Deputy Leader

 

Proposed by Cllr Sam Corcoran

 

This Council notes that Cllr David Brown has stepped down from his Cabinet responsibilities.

 

This Council also notes that Cllr David Brown currently remains as Deputy Leader of the Council and will therefore be leading the Council and representing the Council at times when the Leader is unavailable.

 

This Council calls on Cllr David Brown, in order to protect the reputation of the Council, to step away completely from all of his current posts, as Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council and on outside bodies, while the awarding of £70,000 to the Berkeley Academy for a new car park is investigated by Cheshire Constabulary.

 

Consideration was given to the following Notices of Motion, which had been submitted to Council in accordance with Procedure Rule 12:-

 

2.       A Cabinet of Unity to rescue the reputation of Cheshire East Council

 

Proposed by Cllr Nick Mannion and seconded by Cllr Craig Browne

 

There are currently no less than FOUR police investigations into conduct and activities by officers and/or elected members at Cheshire East Council.

 

There are also several senior officers either suspended or away from their jobs on extended leave of absence.

 

Finally, there are persistent concerns over the culture at Cheshire East Council, and that the Council has been aware that it was in breach of the regulations governing the payment of the National Minimum Wage to staff for several years.

 

As a consequence, the reputation of the Council is under almost daily attack, and is a cause of great concern to many residents and businesses in the Borough.

 

Therefore, it is proposed that:

 

1. For a period not exceeding one year, a new cabinet, whose membership is drawn from across the political complexion of the Council be appointed. Membership being closed to anyone touched by any of the current police or internal investigations.

 

2. Appointment to the new Cabinet should be on the basis of relevant skills and a willingness to work across the political divide in the spirit of rebuilding the image, repute and performance of Cheshire East Council.

 

3. As soon as possible, and within three months, an interim report on the investigation of the culture at Cheshire East Council be published, with a final report along with any recommendations for changes to the Council’s organisation, governance and culture be published for consideration at Annual Council in May 2018.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the motion be not accepted.

 

3.       The Sun Newspaper

 

Proposed by Councillor J Bratherton and seconded by Cllr D Bailey

 

On 15th April 1989, a disaster at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield led, ultimately, to the death of 96 innocent fans who had left home that morning to watch a football match.

 

Due to crowd control mis-management those fans, whose ages ranged from 10 to 67 years of age, had the life crushed out of them. Contrary to the facts, The Sun published a front page story with the banner headline "The Truth" which contained less than the truth.

 

It is sobering to compare the behaviour of those who were in positions of responsibility and public trust, who have continued to falsify records and statements, with the dignity and courage displayed by the families of the 96, who have continued since 1989 to fight for justice whilst coping with the loss of their loved ones. 

 

Motion

 

"This Council recognises and does not forget the hurt and distress caused to the people of Merseyside by what was printed in The Sun, and, in particular, the distress caused to the families of the 96. Neither will the Council forget The Sun's refusal to apologise properly for the hurt it caused”.

 

For these reasons, I will be separately seeking reassurance that this newspaper will not be held or displayed by Cheshire East Council.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the motion be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

 

 

4.       Independent Cultural Review

 

Proposed by Councillor D Bailey and Seconded by Councillor D Flude

 

Cheshire East Council has been beset by numerous allegations of bullying and harassment from its staff.

 

This Council claims to be an organisation that puts ‘Residents First’. In order to carry out such an objective in an effective and efficient manner, we rely on our staff to deliver the services our residents rely on. Therefore, the welfare of the people we employ must be front and centre of everything we do as an organisation. Currently, there are concerns that we may befailing them and it is incumbent on us as elected representatives to tackle the issue head on.

 

We reference the recent independent cultural review that took place in Essex Fire & Rescue Service as a good model for this Council to adopt. Through a robust process of investigative work into the practices of the Service, Irene Lucas CBE of DCLG was able to explore the historical causes that fostered such a toxic culture of harassment and intimidation that besieged the organisation for many years. Such a root and branch review of our organisation would be an agent of positive and transformative change for this Council, if we are brave enough to embark on such a path.

 

It is recommended that:

·       Cheshire East acknowledges we have deep-rooted cultural issues in respect to the treatment of our employees in certain quarters.

·       Cheshire East Council writes to the Department of Communities & Local Government acknowledging our problem with the bullying and harassment of our staff requesting that they appoint an individual or group of local Government experts, as in the example cited above, to conduct an independent cultural review.

·       Cheshire East Council actively cooperate with the actors asked to undertake such a task providing resources where appropriate, working on a cross-party basis to support the review in a collaborative, meaningful and positive manner.

·       Cheshire East Council begins to extensively work with its recognised trade unions, taking advice and recommendations from them where appropriate to enhance the welfare of our employees in and out of the work place.

·       Cheshire East Council reaffirms and strengthens its commitment to those staff who decide to ‘whistle-blow’ on malpractices within the organisation.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the motion be referred to Staffing Committee for consideration.