Agenda item

Motion 1

 

Fly Posting

 

“Mr Chairman, recently the Circus visited the town of Gainsborough, and despite the current restrictions had a period of putting on shows.

 

Everyone would expect them to advertise their presence before arrival and display of posters in shops and so on is acceptable.

 

What is not acceptable is the amount of fly posting that was done by the circus, not only to advertise their coming to Gainsborough; but also as they prepared to leave fly posting as to where their next stop would be.

 

The fact is that even if an occasional fly post was put up that would not really be acceptable, but what happened was the circus put up three, four or five posters in one single location. Empty shop fronts were targeted and these posters once put up will over time deteriorate and then become litter, to say nothing of the eye-sore they are in situ.

 

Gainsborough was not the only settlement targeted; other places too had the fly posting and it is not an isolated incident. Other events are known to fly post all over the district. While we want the attractions, they advertise, to come in to the district it is the mess left behind of these fly posts, and where there are multiple posts in one location it causes more and more of an eye sore and eventual litter. Fly posts are rarely if ever taken down after events by those who place them in many locations most of which are not appropriate.

 

The Liberal Democrat Group collectively, and hopefully joined by other members of the council, as we are all affected by this; would like to move that a more robust stance be taken against any fly posting in the district and while accepting there are some current rules and regulations, we would like to see these firstly enforced, as they clearly are not being at the present; and secondly enhanced and made tougher.

 

The Council can put in place local by-laws on such matters as these and we would like to see options to do this with a possible ban on fly posting across the district to be explored and then enacted.

 

The cost of clearing up after these fly posts, which become litter, will be saved and then can be used to bring enforcement of a by-law. Once the knowledge is broadcast, we will substantially reduce this unwarranted and un-necessary wanton street vandalism, for that is what it is.

 

We therefore move the exploration of enforcement of current laws is looked at and further restrictions or a total ban on fly posting across the district is made subject to a local by-law.

 

We so move, collectively as a Liberal Democrat Group.”

 

 

Motion 2

 

Slow Ways Initiative 

“Chairman, The Slow Ways initiative is mapping and promoting walking routes nationally and in the local area, and needs support to? ?create? ?a? ?comprehensive? ?network? ?of walking? ?routes? ?that? ?connect? ?all? ?of? ?Great? ?Britain’s? ?cities? ?and? ?towns? ?as? ?well? ?as? ?thousands? ?of? ?villages. ? ?700 volunteers completed a first draft mapping of the Slow Ways network during the Spring 2020 lockdown. The organisers are now looking for 10,000 volunteers to help walk, review, record and improve the Slow Ways routes.

 

A large number of potential co-benefits have been identified by volunteers, partners and backers in developing the Slow Ways initiative , I trust Councillors have read the supporting information submitted alongside the Motion.

 

Following the early success of the initiative, Slow Ways CIC has been established to formalise its status. It is currently being supported by Paths for All, the Pilgrim Trust, Sport England, Urban Good and the Kestrelman Trust. The initiative is working in collaboration with Ordnance Survey and ESRI.

 

Slow Ways routes and associated information will be made freely available through the Slow Ways website. Versions of the network’s data will be published for other organisations to use, and will also be released through the OS Maps platform.

Given the benefits realised by such initiatives, and the Council’s commitment in the Corporate Plan to the Health and Wellbeing of our residents and to an enhanced environment there would appear to be a real alignment of priorities which would be delivered by supporting this initiative.

 

I ask that this Council supports the Slow Ways initiative by :-

 

–        Passing this  formal motion to support Slow Ways, Promoting Slow Ways for local residents to walk, review and use routes

-        through its role on the CLJSPC give consideration to Slow Ways within future planning, policies and initiatives and considering where new paths would strengthen the Slow Ways network

-        Finally, by way of promotion, Encourage our residents and communities  to sign-up personally,  to walk and review a Slow Way.

 

I so move

Councillor Anne Welburn”

 

 

Motion 3

 

John Coupland Hospital – Gainsborough

 

“Chairman

 

Following the removal of various services over several years at John Coupland Hospital, there is now speculation that Consultant led outpatient services are also to be withdrawn.

 

I call on the Leader to write to United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust (ULHT) explaining it is extremely concerned to protect services at John Coupland Hospital.  Whilst also seeking answers as to if ULHT can confirm if it does intend to withdraw some or all the outpatient services from John Coupland Hospital?

 

If it does, then can it please provide details of the recovery plan it will put in place to manage the consequential long term impact on the health and wellbeing of Gainsborough residents?

We all appreciate that the Covid-19 Pandemic is stretching NHS services, but the impact of such a withdrawal of services from Gainsborough would have similar far-reaching consequences to both the physical and mental wellbeing of Gainsborough residents as the short-term impact of Covid.

 

I so move

Cllr Matt Boles”

 

 

 

 

 

The Chairman advised the meeting that three motions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No.10 had been submitted to the meeting, these were as set out in the agenda.

 

Councillor David Cotton, on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group, was invited to put the first motion to the meeting, as follows: -

 

Fly Posting

 

“Mr Chairman, recently the Circus visited the town of Gainsborough, and despite the current restrictions had a period of putting on shows.

 

Everyone would expect them to advertise their presence before arrival and display of posters in shops and so on is acceptable.

 

What is not acceptable is the amount of fly posting that was done by the Circus, not only to advertise their coming to Gainsborough; but also as they prepared to leave fly posting as to where their next stop would be.

 

The fact is that even if an occasional fly post was put up that would not really be acceptable, but what happened was the Circus put up three, four or five posters in one single location. Empty shop fronts were targeted and these posters once put up will over time deteriorate and then become litter, to say nothing of the eye-sore they are in situ.

 

Gainsborough was not the only settlement targeted; other places too had the fly posting and it is not an isolated incident. Other events are known to fly post all over the district. While we want the attractions, they advertise, to come in to the district it is the mess left behind of these fly posts, and where there are multiple posts in one location it causes more and more of an eye sore and eventual litter. Fly posts are rarely if ever taken down after events by those who place them in many locations most of which are not appropriate.

 

The Liberal Democrat Group collectively, and hopefully joined by other Members of the Council, as we are all affected by this; would like to move that a more robust stance be taken against any fly posting in the district and while accepting there are some current rules and regulations, we would like to see these firstly enforced, as they clearly are not being at the present; and secondly enhanced and made tougher.

 

The Council can put in place local by-laws on such matters as these and we would like to see options to do this with a possible ban on fly posting across the district to be explored and then enacted.

 

The cost of clearing up after these fly posts, which become litter, will be saved and then can be used to bring enforcement of a by-law. Once the knowledge is broadcast, we will substantially reduce this unwarranted and unnecessary wanton street vandalism, for that is what it is.

 

We therefore move the exploration of enforcement of current laws is looked at and further restrictions or a total ban on fly posting across the district is made subject to a local by-law.

 

We so move, collectively as a Liberal Democrat Group.”[i]

 

The Leader of the Council made an initial response to the motion: -

 

“I would like to thank the Liberal Democrat Group for bringing the matter to my attention as Leader of the Council. I recognise the blight that issues such as fly posting and fly tipping can have on our District.

 

I am therefore happy to support and second the Group’s Motion that we explore enforcement of current laws and further restrictions or a total ban on fly posting across the district, if appropriate.

 

This work clearly sits within the remit of the Council’s Regulatory Committee and therefore a report should be brought forward to a future meeting of that Committee to consider the issue in detail.  Both the matters raised within this motion but also consideration of the current extent of the issue, the powers that are available to the Council, and how we may utilise these moving forward.”

 

The Chairman advised that under Council Procedure Rule 10.4 the Motion could stand referred without debate , but afforded Members the opportunity to make brief comment.

 

In response to a Member’s question, the Monitoring Officer confirmed due to the actions proposed by the Motion, it was appropriate that the matter be referred to Council’s Regulatory Committee as stated by the Leader in his response.

 

On being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that the motion be ACCEPTED and be REFERRED to the Council’s Regulatory Committee for further exploration.

 

Councillor Anne Welburn, was invited to put her motion to the meeting, as follows: -

 

Slow Ways Initiative 

 

“Chairman, The Slow Ways initiative is mapping and promoting walking routes nationally and in the local area, and needs support to? ?create? ?a? ?comprehensive? ?network? ?of walking? ?routes? ?that? ?connect? ?all? ?of? ?Great? ?Britain’s? ?cities? ?and? ?towns? ?as? ?well? ?as? ?thousands? ?of? ?villages. ? ?700 volunteers completed a first draft mapping of the Slow Ways network during the Spring 2020 lockdown. The organisers are now looking for 10,000 volunteers to help walk, review, record and improve the Slow Ways routes.

 

A large number of potential co-benefits have been identified by volunteers, partners and backers in developing the Slow Ways initiative , I trust Councillors have read the supporting information submitted alongside the Motion.

 

Following the early success of the initiative, Slow Ways CIC has been established to formalise its status. It is currently being supported by Paths for All, the Pilgrim Trust, Sport England, Urban Good and the Kestrelman Trust. The initiative is working in collaboration with Ordnance Survey and ESRI.

 

Slow Ways routes and associated information will be made freely available through the Slow Ways website. Versions of the network’s data will be published for other organisations to use, and will also be released through the OS Maps platform.

Given the benefits realised by such initiatives, and the Council’s commitment in the Corporate Plan to the Health and Wellbeing of our residents and to an enhanced environment there would appear to be a real alignment of priorities which would be delivered by supporting this initiative.

 

I ask that this Council supports the Slow Ways initiative by :-

 

–       Passing this  formal motion to support Slow Ways, Promoting Slow Ways for local residents to walk, review and use routes

-        through its role on the CLJSPC give consideration to Slow Ways within future planning, policies and initiatives and considering where new paths would strengthen the Slow Ways network

-        Finally, by way of promotion, Encourage our residents and communities  to sign-up personally,  to walk and review a Slow Way.

 

I so move

Councillor Anne Welburn”

 

The Leader of Council made an initial response as follows: -

 

“Thank you for your motion Cllr Welburn. You are right to recognise the synergies between our corporate plan priorities and the Slow ways initiative.

 

I agree that this is something we should support and promote and I am happy to second your motion.

 

I would suggest that we use our Social Media Platforms and communication tools to get the message across to as many of our West Lindsey residents as possible. I would however add that we may need to consider the current Government Guidance during the COVID 19 pandemic to ensure that the messaging promotes the appropriate and safe behaviours at this time.

 

Including provision and measures, within planning policy, to assist with sustainability and to improve the health of residents, is a matter already under consideration by the CLJSPC, as they embark on the Local Plan Review.  As a member of that committee should Council support the motion, I will endeavour to make CLJSPC aware of the slow ways initiative and benefits.”

 

Members from across the chamber, spoke in support of the Motion. Members considered Slow Ways was a great example of the types of initiative the Council should be encouraging, promoting and helping to deliver.  There were calls for the District Council to look at the wider issues which prevented walking, including better footpaths, connected cycling routes and disabled access consideration. All recognised the co-benefits of the initiative and the ways in which these could help the Council deliver on some of its wider corporate priorities, such as health, wellbeing, and climate sustainability.

 

On being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that the motion be ACCEPTED and as such the Council commits to : -

 

(a)     through its role on the CLJSPC, raise the Slow Ways initiative with the Joint Strategic Planning Committee and request that they give consideration to Slow Ways within future planning, policies and initiatives and consider where new paths would strengthen the Slow Ways

 

(b) -  use its Social Media Platforms and communication tools to encourage our residents and communities to sign-up personally, to walk and review a Slow Way.

 

 

Councillor Matthew Boles , was invited to put his motion to the meeting, as follows: -

 

“Chairman.

 

Following the removal of various services over several years at John Coupland Hospital, there is now speculation that Consultant led outpatient services are also to be withdrawn. I call on the Leader to write to ULHT explaining it is extremely concerned to protect services at John Coupland Hospital.

 

Whilst also seeking answers as to if ULHT can confirm if it does intend to withdraw some or all the outpatient services from John Coupland Hospital. If it does, then can it please provide details of the recovery plan it will put in place to manage the consequential long term impact on the health and wellbeing of Gainsborough residents?

 

We all appreciate that the Covid-19 Pandemic is stretching NHS services, but the impact of such a withdrawal of services from Gainsborough would have similar far-reaching consequences to both the physical and mental wellbeing of Gainsborough residents as the short-term impact of Covid.

 

I so move.

Cllr Matt Boles”

 

The Leader of the Council made an initial response to the motion as follows: -

 

“Thank you Councillor Boles for your motion, the content of which does cause me concern.  John Coupland Hospital is not only a vital service for Gainsborough and its residents but is the main NHS hub within our District.  We cannot dispute the unprecedented impacts this pandemic is having on our NHS services, however we must seek to protect local services for local people wherever we can, particularly in rural communities, like ours where there are often already barriers to accessing services.  I am more than happy to second your motion and with Council’s support I will endeavour to seek an answer to those questions you have posed and feedback to Council as appropriate.  Thank you”

 

Debate ensued and the Council’s representative on the Lincolnshire Health Scrutiny Committee showed her support for the motion.  She gave her assurance the Scrutiny Committee were aware of this matter and were monitoring this along with a number of other services.

 

Members again from all sides of the Chamber spoke at their dissatisfaction at local health service provision.   It was suggested that whilst local service provision was quoted as the aspiration by CCGs the reality was in the fact the opposite with many services becoming more centralised. This often resulted in transport issues with the lack of local services available in the area.

 

All were in agreement that there was a need to retain these smaller local community hospitals.  There was a level of distrust and Members spoke of historic decisions where services had been removed despite promises.

 

Some Members considered Gainsborough, in comparison to lots of other Lincolnshire towns, faired particularly poorly in all aspects of health provision to the extent they considered it an inequality issue.  There were calls for a roundtable meeting and for the MP’s assistance to be sought.

 

Members were in agreement it was their duty to hold health providers to account and to monitor the situation.

 

On being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that the motion as submitted, be ACCEPTED and as such Full Council requests the Leader of The Council to write to ULHT regarding service provision at the John Coupland Hospital, in line with the motion.