Agenda item
Motions
To consider the following motions submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 11:
(a) Motion submitted by the Conservative Group
Following the co-location of the CCTV Control Room to Stretford Police station in September 2011, Council staff have been instrumental in assisting Greater Manchester Police attain arrests, prevent anti-social behaviour and protect residents and police officers themselves.
From December 2011, when the team were given access to the Police Airwaves and direct access to patrols, they have assisted, monitored, or created over 120 arrests. In addition they have also dealt with over 2000 incidents relating either directly to calls from the police over airwaves or viewing requests for footage.
Latest figures (December 2011 to November 2012) show that Trafford has 48.9 crimes per 1,000 residents compared to a GM average of 70.3. Trafford has the lowest crime rates per resident within Greater Manchester.
Indeed the Council recognises and applauds the significant achievement that has made in reducing Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour across the Borough over the past 4 years, culminating in Trafford becoming the safest place in Greater Manchester, as shown by the figures above. These achievements show that positive outcomes can be achieved through innovation, working in partnership and engaging with local people, whilst also providing exceptional value for money.
(b) Motion submitted by the Conservative Group
Following the resolution (supported by all parties) at the Council meeting on 14th November 2012, this Council is pleased to note that the Government has now accepted much of the case put by the ten Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) for a fairer funding settlement for regional cities and urban areas outside of London.
This Council now renews its call for fairness within AGMA given the scale of cuts proposed by the Labour controlled Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) to our Fire Service here in Trafford (significantly more than for neighbouring Labour controlled councils).
This Council remains concerned that the proposed loss of fire engines and fire crews in Trafford’s Fire Stations will have an adverse impact on emergency response times. The Council, therefore, calls upon GMFRS to change its proposals so that Trafford residents are treated fairly in comparison to those in other AGMA boroughs.
(c) Motion submitted by the Labour Group
This Council is very disappointed by the refusal of the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt to intervene personally and halt proposals to downgrade Accident and Emergency services at Trafford General Hospital. Trafford Council has been opposed to the plans from the outset; and it our strong view that any potential changes to services at Trafford General must not be considered in isolation given the wider review of hospital services across Greater Manchester, Healthier Together. We therefore condemn the decision of the Secretary of State in refusing to become directly involved to halt the proposals pending this regional review, and call upon him to reconsider his lack of involvement urgently in the best interests of Trafford residents.
(d) Motion submitted by the Labour Group
We call on the Council to support, in principle, the Ethical Care Charter as set out below, and over the coming months to develop measures to implement the Charter.
Ethical Care Charter for the Commissioning of Homecare Services
Stage 1
The starting point for commissioning of visits will be client need and not minutes or tasks. Workers will have the freedom to provide appropriate care and will be given time to talk to their clients.
The time allocated to visits will match the needs of the clients. In general, 15-minute visits will not be used as they undermine the dignity of the clients.
Homecare workers will be paid for their travel time, their travel costs and other necessary expenses such as mobile phones.
Visits will be scheduled so that homecare workers are not forced to rush their time with clients or leave their clients early to get to the next one on time.
Those homecare workers who are eligible must be paid statutory sick pay.
Stage 2
Clients will be allocated the same homecare worker(s) wherever possible.
Zero hour contracts will not be used in place of permanent contracts.
Providers will have a clear and accountable procedure for following up staff concerns about their clients’ wellbeing.
All homecare workers will be regularly trained to the necessary standard to provide a good service (at no cost to themselves and in work time).
Homecare workers will be given the opportunity to regularly meet co-workers to share best practice and limit their isolation.
Stage 3
All homecare workers will be paid at least the Living Wage. This is currently £7.45 an hour for the whole of the UK apart from London. For London it is £8.55 an hour. The Living Wage will be calculated again each subsequent November. If Council employed homecare workers paid above this rate are outsourced it should be on the basis that the provider is required, and is funded, to maintain these pay levels throughout the contract.
All homecare workers will be covered by an occupational sick pay scheme to ensure that staff do not feel pressurised to work when they are ill in order to protect the welfare of their vulnerable clients.
Minutes:
The Mayor informed Members that four Motions had been submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 11.
(a) Motion submitted by the Conservative Group
It was moved and seconded that:
“Following the co-location of the CCTV Control Room to Stretford Police station in September 2011, Council staff have been instrumental in assisting Greater Manchester Police attain arrests, prevent anti-social behaviour and protect residents and police officers themselves.
From December 2011, when the team were given access to the Police Airwaves and direct access to patrols, they have assisted, monitored, or created over 120 arrests. In addition they have also dealt with over 2000 incidents relating either directly to calls from the police over airwaves or viewing requests for footage.
Latest figures (December 2011 to November 2012) show that Trafford has 48.9 crimes per 1,000 residents compared to a GM average of 70.3. Trafford has the lowest crime rates per resident within Greater Manchester.
Indeed the Council recognises and applauds the significant achievement that has made in reducing Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour across the Borough over the past 4 years, culminating in Trafford becoming the safest place in Greater Manchester, as shown by the figures above. These achievements show that positive outcomes can be achieved through innovation, working in partnership and engaging with local people, whilst also providing exceptional value for money.”
Following a debate on the matter, the Motion was agreed with the unanimous consent of the Council.
RESOLVED: That following the co-location of the CCTV Control Room to Stretford Police station in September 2011, Council staff have been instrumental in assisting Greater Manchester Police attain arrests, prevent anti-social behaviour and protect residents and police officers themselves.
From December 2011, when the team were given access to the Police Airwaves and direct access to patrols, they have assisted, monitored, or created over 120 arrests. In addition they have also dealt with over 2000 incidents relating either directly to calls from the police over airwaves or viewing requests for footage.
Latest figures (December 2011 to November 2012) show that Trafford has 48.9 crimes per 1,000 residents compared to a GM average of 70.3. Trafford has the lowest crime rates per resident within Greater Manchester.
Indeed the Council recognises and applauds the significant achievement that has made in reducing Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour across the Borough over the past 4 years, culminating in Trafford becoming the safest place in Greater Manchester, as shown by the figures above. These achievements show that positive outcomes can be achieved through innovation, working in partnership and engaging with local people, whilst also providing exceptional value for money.
(b) Motion submitted by the Conservative Group
It was moved and seconded that:
“Following the resolution (supported by all parties) at the Council meeting on 14 November 2012, this Council is pleased to note that the Government has now accepted much of the case put by the ten Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) for a fairer funding settlement for regional cities and urban areas outside of London.
This Council now renews its call for fairness within AGMA given the scale of cuts proposed by the Labour controlled Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) to our Fire Service here in Trafford (significantly more than for neighbouring Labour controlled councils).
This Council remains concerned that the proposed loss of fire engines and fire crews in Trafford’s Fire Stations will have an adverse impact on emergency response times. The Council, therefore, calls upon GMFRS to change its proposals so that Trafford residents are treated fairly in comparison to those in other AGMA boroughs.”
It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:
“Following the resolution (supported by all parties) at the Council meeting on 14 November 2012, this Council is pleased to note that the Government has now accepted much of the case put by the ten Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) for a fairer settlement for regional cities and urban areas outside London. This goes some way to rectify the perverse situation whereby Greater Manchester received a 9.5% cut in government Grant in 2012/13 compared to six Shire Fire Authorities, including Cheshire and Essex, who received a 2% increase.
Nevertheless the Council remains disappointed the Government has announced a further 15% cut in Government Grant for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority (GMFRA) over the next two years, which represents a total cut of Government Grant over the five year period of the Comprehensive Spending Review of nearly 30%. This level of cut will result in a further loss of 300 firefighters and further reductions of fire engines across the GMFRA. This will mean that other fire stations across Greater Manchester (where there are two pump stations) will need to stand down their second fire engines as Trafford were required to do last year.
The further cuts in the front line service will be managed operationally through the GMFRA “Risk Management Model'', a Model which was supported unanimously by GMFRA Members across party lines, which has been applied to deliver the necessary cuts in Government funding. Remembering that already significant cuts have been taken with regard to ''back office savings '', reduction of 40% in Management, discontinuation of cooks on stations, loss of 100 firefighter posts, and four fire engines taken off the run.
In light of the above this Council is deeply concerned, following the near 30% overall cut in Government Grant, that Greater Manchester Fire Service will have to further reduce the number of firefighters and fire engines, which will affect response times further, and reduce the ability to ensure safety of the public in Trafford and Greater Manchester. The Council therefore, calls on the Government to reduce the level of cut in Grant to a more reasonable level, which will help to reduce the risk exposed to Trafford and Greater Manchester Residents as a result of the Government Grant settlement announcement.”
Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.
Further speeches were made in respect of the substantive Motion before it was put to the vote and declared carried.
RESOLVED: That Following the resolution (supported by all parties) at the Council meeting on 14 November 2012, this Council is pleased to note that the Government has now accepted much of the case put by the ten Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) for a fairer funding settlement for regional cities and urban areas outside of London.
This Council now renews its call for fairness within AGMA given the scale of cuts proposed by the Labour controlled Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) to our Fire Service here in Trafford (significantly more than for neighbouring Labour controlled councils).
This Council remains concerned that the proposed loss of fire engines and fire crews in Trafford’s Fire Stations will have an adverse impact on emergency response times. The Council, therefore, calls upon GMFRS to change its proposals so that Trafford residents are treated fairly in comparison to those in other AGMA boroughs.
(c) Motion submitted by the Labour Group
[Note: Cllr Adshead declared a personal interest in this item being an employee of Trafford General Hospital and remained in the meeting during consideration of the matter.]
It was moved and seconded that:
“This Council is very disappointed by the refusal of the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt to intervene personally and halt proposals to downgrade Accident and Emergency services at Trafford General Hospital. Trafford Council has been opposed to the plans from the outset; and it our strong view that any potential changes to services at Trafford General must not be considered in isolation given the wider review of hospital services across Greater Manchester, Healthier Together. We therefore condemn the decision of the Secretary of State in refusing to become directly involved to halt the proposals pending this regional review, and call upon him to reconsider his lack of involvement urgently in the best interests of Trafford residents.”
It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:
“This Council regrets the previous refusal of the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt to intervene personally and halt proposals to downgrade Accident and Emergency services at Trafford General Hospital. Trafford Council has been opposed to the plans from the outset and it is our strong view that any potential changes to services at Trafford General should not be considered in isolation given the wider review of hospital services across Greater Manchester, Healthier Together. We therefore ask the Secretary of State to consider the views put forward by the joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee, including its view that consideration of the Trafford proposals should be postponed so that they are reviewed in conjunction with the Healthier Together proposals and to urgently determine an outcome in the best interests of Trafford residents.”
The mover of the Motion signified acceptance of the amendment, subject to a slight rewording of the process by which the Secretary of State would be asked to consider, by insertion of “the views of Trafford Borough Council who support” to the second sentence of the amendment. With this understanding and with the consent of the mover and seconder of the amendment, the amendment was agreed with the unanimous consent of the Council.
RESOLVED: That this Council regrets the previous refusal of the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt to intervene personally and halt proposals to downgrade Accident and Emergency services at Trafford General Hospital. Trafford Council has been opposed to the plans from the outset and it is our strong view that any potential changes to services at Trafford General should not be considered in isolation given the wider review of hospital services across Greater Manchester, Healthier Together. We therefore ask the Secretary of State to consider the views of Trafford Borough Council who support the views put forward by the joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee, including its view that consideration of the Trafford proposals should be postponed so that they are reviewed in conjunction with the Healthier Together proposals and to urgently determine an outcome in the best interests of Trafford residents.
(d) Motion submitted by the Labour Group
It was moved and seconded that:
“We call on the Council to support, in principle, the Ethical Care Charter as set out below, and over the coming months to develop measures to implement the Charter.
Ethical Care Charter for the Commissioning of Homecare Services
Stage 1
The starting point for commissioning of visits will be client need and not minutes or tasks. Workers will have the freedom to provide appropriate care and will be given time to talk to their clients.
The time allocated to visits will match the needs of the clients. In general, 15-minute visits will not be used as they undermine the dignity of the clients.
Homecare workers will be paid for their travel time, their travel costs and other necessary expenses such as mobile phones.
Visits will be scheduled so that homecare workers are not forced to rush their time with clients or leave their clients early to get to the next one on time.
Those homecare workers who are eligible must be paid statutory sick pay.
Stage 2
Clients will be allocated the same homecare worker(s) wherever possible.
Zero hour contracts will not be used in place of permanent contracts.
Providers will have a clear and accountable procedure for following up staff concerns about their clients’ wellbeing.
All homecare workers will be regularly trained to the necessary standard to provide a good service (at no cost to themselves and in work time).
Homecare workers will be given the opportunity to regularly meet co-workers to share best practice and limit their isolation.
Stage 3
All homecare workers will be paid at least the Living Wage. This is currently £7.45 an hour for the whole of the UK apart from London. For London it is £8.55 an hour. The Living Wage will be calculated again each subsequent November. If Council employed homecare workers paid above this rate are outsourced it should be on the basis that the provider is required, and is funded, to maintain these pay levels throughout the contract.
All homecare workers will be covered by an occupational sick pay scheme to ensure that staff do not feel pressurised to work when they are ill in order to protect the welfare of their vulnerable clients.”
It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:
“We call upon the Council to support in principal, the Ethical Care Charter which relates to the quality of care we require from our providers of homecare. These requirements, which are already in force, are summarised below:
The service provided to each user is commissioned on the basis of an assessment of their need. We do not tolerate call cramming.
The time allocated to each individual is centered on the person and their Human Rights in relation to promoting dignity and respect in particular:
· The Service provided must be sensitively oriented to the Person with Care Needs and reflect and promote the following fundamental values:
· Privacy from unnecessary intrusion and the safeguarding of confidentiality.
· Dignity & Respect for the intrinsic worth, dignity and individuality of the person and his/her racial and ethnic identity and cultural heritage.
· Fulfillment in all aspects of life, including the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.
· Choice& Control in the formation of Service delivery, Service Delivery Plans and any decisions affecting the Person with Care Needs way of life.
· Information must be comprehensive, accurate, appropriate, accessible and responsive to individual People with Care Needs.
· Rights of the Person with Care Needsare to be taken into consideration at all times and not to be infringed upon in any way.
· Making a Positive Contribution
· Improved Health and Wellbeing
· Quality of Life
· Freedom from Discrimination and Harassment
· Service Users are supported in the way they prefer and require as identified within person centered care plans which maximizes their privacy, dignity, independence and control and underpinned by positive risk taking.
Commissioning is based on National Standards in relation to staff training, management and support to staff to ensure the Homecare workforce has the right skills for the job. All Homecare workers are to be trained to a minimum of NVQ 2 in Care within 1 to 2 years of their appointment.
Regular monitoring of all Homecare providers is undertaken by our Commissioners and Trafford’s Lay Advisors.
We also call upon the Council to note that Trafford Council has been recognized nationally for its approach to commissioning Homecare by the Equality and Human Rights Commission National Inquiry in November 2012.
[Note: Prior to the debate on the Motion, the time being 9.16 p.m., the Mayor indicated that speeches would now be limited to a maximum of two minutes per speaker.]
Following the debate on the matter, the amendment was put to the vote and declared carried.
The substantive Motion was subsequently agreed by the Council.
RESOLVED: That we call upon the Council to support in principal, the Ethical Care Charter which relates to the quality of care we require from our providers of homecare. These requirements, which are already in force, are summarised below:
The service provided to each user is commissioned on the basis of an assessment of their need. We do not tolerate call cramming.
The time allocated to each individual is centered on the person and their Human Rights in relation to promoting dignity and respect in particular:
· The Service provided must be sensitively oriented to the Person with Care Needs and reflect and promote the following fundamental values:
· Privacy from unnecessary intrusion and the safeguarding of confidentiality.
· Dignity & Respect for the intrinsic worth, dignity and individuality of the person and his/her racial and ethnic identity and cultural heritage.
· Fulfillment in all aspects of life, including the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.
· Choice& Control in the formation of Service delivery, Service Delivery Plans and any decisions affecting the Person with Care Needs way of life.
· Information must be comprehensive, accurate, appropriate, accessible and responsive to individual People with Care Needs.
· Rights of the Person with Care Needsare to be taken into consideration at all times and not to be infringed upon in any way.
· Making a Positive Contribution
· Improved Health and Wellbeing
· Quality of Life
· Freedom from Discrimination and Harassment
· Service Users are supported in the way they prefer and require as identified within person centered care plans which maximizes their privacy, dignity, independence and control and underpinned by positive risk taking.
Commissioning is based on National Standards in relation to staff training, management and support to staff to ensure the Homecare workforce has the right skills for the job. All Homecare workers are to be trained to a minimum of NVQ 2 in Care within 1 to 2 years of their appointment.
Regular monitoring of all Homecare providers is undertaken by our Commissioners and Trafford’s Lay Advisors.
We also call upon the Council to note that Trafford Council has been recognized nationally for its approach to commissioning Homecare by the Equality and Human Rights Commission National Inquiry in November 2012.
