Agenda item - Motions on Notice

Agenda item

Motions on Notice

A period of up to one hour is allocated to consider the motions on notice.  This may only be extended with the agreement of the Council.

 

Minutes:

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service

 

Members considered an additional notice of motion submitted by Councillor M. Thompson:

 

“The Council is requested to resolve the need for an Extraordinary Meeting to agree a response to the consultation on the proposed changes to the governance arrangements for the Hereford and Worcester and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Services.”

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor M. Thompson and seconded by Councillor P. M. McDonald.

 

Councillor Thompson referred to the consultation from the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner on proposals to change the Governance arrangements for the Herford and Worcester and the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Services. Comments had been requested by 11th September 2017.

 

Councillor G. N. Denaro commented that the Council was not being asked to respond as a Statutory Consultee and that this would have been an agenda item if this were the case. Members were being offered the opportunity to “have their say” and he felt it was possible that an agreed position could be reached. Whilst Councillor Denaro did not support a Special Council Meeting to consider a response he proposed a process whereby Group Leaders could meet to formulate their views.   

 

As an amendment it was proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor K. J. May

 

That the Council resolves to agree that a cross party group, comprising the three Group Leaders, meet to formulate a response to the proposed changes to the Governance arrangements for the Hereford and Worcester and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Services, to be submitted during the consultation process and that the agreed response be reported to Cabinet on 6th September.

 

Councillor Thompson indicated he was in support of the amendment and on being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

 

Hospital Car Parking Charges

 

Members considered the following notice of motion submitted by Councillor P. M. McDonald:

 

This Council calls upon all local hospitals to stop charging for parking, that in reality is financially punishing people for receiving treatment or visiting loved ones”.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor P. M. McDonald and seconded by Councillor M. Thompson.

 

In moving the motion Councillor McDonald referred to the punitive costs of parking at local hospitals and the financial hardship this could bring on those receiving treatment or visiting friends and family. Councillor McDonald felt that free parking should be introduced.

 

During the debate other Members queried whether a cap on charges could be introduced. Some Members felt that the income raised from car parking was utilised to fund patient care and to remove this source of funding would be detrimental to the hospital budgets. Reference was made to existing concessionary schemes which reduced the cost of parking for those using the facilities over a period of time.

 

Members felt that whilst they did not have sufficient information at present to make a decision, it would be appropriate to consider the matter further as it was an issue which had an impact on local residents.

 

It was therefore

 

RESOLVED that consideration of the issue of charges made for hospital car parking be deferred and be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Board for further investigation.   

 

Supporting documents: