1. Fellow members chairmen, in other countries across the world you see from public and private buildings alike the national flag fly’s in all weathers proudly, yet in this country it is hardly seen even here on our own office’s there is no sign of it except on what have been referred to as designated days. This to me must be changed, we should proudly fly our nation’s flag both in the chamber and outside atop this building. good men and women risk their lives so that it can be flown and we can conduct our business the least we can do as a mark of admiration and respect for those who defend us is fly our nation’s flag everyday with pride. With that I so move that the council fly’s the union flag every day of the year with a flag atop of the council building and one in the chamber.
Councillor Thomas Smith
2. There has
been a significant increase in the drug scene in Gainsborough over
the past 10 years and unless we start to tackle the problem it will
become a catastrophic time bomb in future years.
Class A
drugs such as ‘crack cocaine’ appear to be
easily accessible to buy ‘off the
street’.
It is
extremely concerning to learn that the more and more young
vulnerable people in the town are becoming victims of the surge in
the drug culture. We are informed that children as young as ten are
being used as drug runners to supply hardened addicts.
There is a desperate need from residents living in the town for
agencies to seriously start addressing the problem, and of course
it requires far more than just police enforcement.
Therefore as ward members of the Gainsborough South West Ward we
request that this council produces a report to the relevant policy
committee regarding developing a strategic approach to dealing with
drugs in West Lindsey, we ‘so move’.
Cllr Trevor Young
Cllr Judy Rainsforth
Minutes:
Councillor Smith had submitted the following motion:-
Fellow members, chairman, in other countries across the world you see from public and private buildings alike the national flag fly’s in all weathers proudly, yet in this country it is hardly seen even here on our own office’s there is no sign of it except on what have been referred to as designated days. This to me must be changed, we should proudly fly our nation’s flag both in the chamber and outside atop this building. Good men and women risk their lives so that it can be flown and we can conduct our business, the least we can do as a mark of admiration and respect for those who defend us is fly our nation’s flag everyday with pride. With that I so move that the council fly’s the union flag everyday of the year with a flag atop of the council building and one in the Chamber.
Councillor Tom Smith.
The Chairman responded to the motion as follows: -
Thank you for your motion. I have already
asked Mr Robinson to look into the legality and costs of your
proposal. I am advised that it is now legally acceptable to fly the
Union Flag on public buildings so long as they are kept in good
order.
In terms of the costs I understand that it is estimated that this
would cost approximately £400 to purchase the flags and flag
pole. I think that your idea is excellent and subject to questions
from other members I am happy to second your proposal.
Debate ensued with a Member indicating he could not support the motion as in his view if the flag was to be flown everday, it would take away its credence and not be seen as special.
Other Members however welcomed and supported the motion, making reference to other local land marks where flags were regularly seen flying. They shared the sentiments of the Motion.
The associated costs were clarified.
It was then questioned whether the union flag could legally be flown all night / over night, and if not then it was questioned whether associated costs would rise, with the need for personnel to remove and erect the flag daily.
Officers indicated they would need to review official guidance for a definitive position and would advise Members accordingly.
In the absence of this information, it was suggested that the part of the motion relating to the flying of a flag in the Chamber be supported and enacted. The remainder of the motion be supported and enacted subject to it being legal to fly the flag for 24 hours, so as not to incur additional costs.
With the suggested amendment, having been moved and seconded, the motion was voted upon.
RESOLVED that the content of the motion be enacted in accordance with the discussion above and subject to the legal position being determined in respect of the flying of flags externally overnight/24 hours a day.
Councillors Young and Rainsforth had submitted the following motion:-
There has been a significant increase in the drug scene in Gainsborough over the past 10 years and unless we start to tackle the problem it will become a catastrophic time bomb in future years. Class A drugs such as ‘crack cocaine’ appear to be easily accessible to buy ‘off the street’.
It is extremely concerning to learn that the more and more young
vulnerable people in the town are becoming victims of the surge in
the drug culture. We are informed that children as young as ten are
being used as drug runners to supply hardened addicts. There is a desperate need from residents living in
the town for agencies to seriously start addressing the problem,
and of course it requires far more than just police
enforcement.
Therefore as ward members of the Gainsborough South West Ward we
request that this council produces a report to the relevant policy
committee regarding developing a strategic approach to dealing with
drugs in West Lindsey, we ‘so move’.
Cllr Trevor Young
Cllr Judy Rainsforth
The Leader of the Council responded to the motion as follows: -
Thank you to Councillors Young and Rainsforth for
raising this matter with the Council. This is a very serious issue
and one that we as a Council need to understand. I therefore
suggest that your motion is passed to Prosperous Communities
Committee so that a report can be included in their work
plan. Any information you as
Councillors can provide to the Chairman or the Committee would be
most helpful when the committee have the item on the
agenda.
Debate ensued and some Members were concerned about the tone of the motion, indicating that a way a town was described could have an impact on people’s perception. It was important that such statements were evidence based.
In responding, Councillor Young advised that he had only today received a letter from a local head teacher, the content of which had been shared with key Members. This matter was not just the perception of local councillors, the local community and key figures within it were continuing to express concerns regarding drug use in the area. All acknowledged that the issues the motion raised were difficult ones but it was important that Council understood the reality for local residents.
Having been moved and seconded the motion was voted upon, when it was:
RESOLVED that the motion be supported and the Prosperous Communities Committee be requested to further investigate the issues the raised.