Agenda and minutes

The Leader advised Council that this was Tony Alder’s last meeting before his retirement from the Council. The Leader thanked Tony for his support and advice to councillors and for his contribution to major Council projects.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -     That it place on record its’ appreciation of Tony                                                 Alder’s excellent service and commitment to the

                                                work of the Council together with its best wishes                                               for his future.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -     That the minutes of the meetings held on 24 January and 21 February 2019 be approved as a correct record.

(announcements may be made by the Mayor, Leader of the Council or the Chief Executive)

There were no official announcements.

Council received a presentation from Tommy Watson, North East Operations Manager, Walking with the Wounded.

(to receive petitions submitted under Council Procedure Rule 10)

Councillor C McHugh submitted a petition in favour of building affordable homes on the Council Nursery site off Whickham Highway.

(to consider any questions submitted under Council Procedure Rule 7)

There were no questions submitted by members of the public

Consideration was given to a proposal to appoint parent governor representatives, nominated by their fellow parent governors, to the overview and scrutiny committee that considers education matters.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -          (i)       That the changes to the total number of parent governor representatives appointed to Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee, outlined in the report, be approved.

                                                  (ii)       That the necessary changes be made to the Council’s constitution.

Consideration was given to the content of the Making Spaces for Growing Places (MSGP) Local Plan document for its submission to the Planning Inspectorate for an independent examination.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -         (i)     That the Consultation Statement March 2019, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be noted.

                                                    (ii)    That the amendments proposed to the submission draft plan as set out in the ‘Schedule of Proposed Minor Modifications’ be noted.

                                                    (iii)   That the formal submission of the Making Spaces for Growing Places Local Plan document, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report, and associated submission documentation to the Secretary of State pursuant to Regulation 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 be approved.

                                                    (iv)   That authority be granted to the inspector appointed to hold the public examination to make modifications to the MSGP Submission document under Section 20(7C) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as amended.

                                                    (v)    that authority be delegated to the Interim Strategic Director, Communities and Environment and Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member to:

(a)  make any changes to the MSGP and supporting documentation for consideration at pubic examination;

(b)  prepare and give evidence in support of the examination of the MSGP; and

(c)  go out to consultation on any modifications recommended by the Planning Inspector at the examination.

Consideration was given to the Gateshead Housing Strategy for 2019-2030.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -     That the Gateshead Housing Strategy 2019-30 be approved.

Consideration was given to new Management of Violence and Aggression towards Employees Policy covering all employees and other affected by the Council’s work activities.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -     That the Management of Violence and Aggression towards Employees Policy be approved.

Consideration was given to the Treasury Policy Statement and Treasury Strategy for 2019/20 to 2023/24.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -     That the Treasury Policy Statement and the Treasury Strategy 2019/20 to 2023/24 be approved.

Consideration was given to the revised pay policy statement.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -     That the draft pay policy statement be approved.

The Leader of the Council reported on a number of key issues currently affecting the Council.

(to consider the following notices of motion submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.1)

(A)School Funding

(B)Justice for Orgreave Miners

(C)Purple Day

Councillor Gary Haley moved the following motion:

Gateshead Council notes:

The campaign and petition signed by Gateshead Head Teachers, which recently led to a debate on school funding in Parliament.

As a result of ongoing Government cuts, Gateshead schools:

•      Will have lost £2.4 million in overall funding between 2015-2020.

•      Will have lost £103 per pupil.

•      Have seen class sizes increase.

•      Have seen staff losses owing in part to recruitment and retention      issues.

•      Must bear the brunt of unfunded National Insurance increases.

•      See inadequate High Needs Block Funding, leaving our most vulnerable pupils without the support they need.

 Gateshead Council resolves:

•      To resist the Government’s ongoing cuts to school budgets and call for more funding to be invested in education.

•      To support the coalition of trade unions and professional associations         campaigning against school cuts.

•      To call on the Government to fully fund and fully implement the         recommendations of the School Teachers’ Review Body on teachers’             pay.

On the motion being put it was duly carried:

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

This Council:

(a)          Notes:

The campaign and petition signed by Gateshead Head Teachers, which recently led to a debate on school funding in Parliament.

As a result of ongoing Government cuts, Gateshead schools:

•      Will have lost £2.4 million in overall funding between 2015-2020.

•      Will have lost £103 per pupil.

•      Have seen class sizes increase.

•        Have seen staff losses owing in part to recruitment and retention issues.

•      Must bear the brunt of unfunded National Insurance increases.

•      See inadequate High Needs Block Funding, leaving our most vulnerable pupils without the support they need.

(b)          resolves:

•      To resist the Government’s ongoing cuts to school budgets and call for more        funding to be invested in education.

•      To support the coalition of trade unions and professional associations         campaigning against school cuts.

     •      To call on the Government to fully fund and fully implement the recommendations of the School Teachers’ Review Body on teachers’ pay.

Councillor John Eagle moved the following motion:

Gateshead Council believes that issues relating to events at the picketing of Orgreave on 18 June 1984 are of both local and national importance.

In Gateshead, miners and their families were adversely affected by the events of that day in terms of wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, ill-health, family breakdown and termination of employment and as a direct result of policing tactics at Orgreave.

A full investigation into the military style policing used on that day is long overdue and only a full public inquiry can fully investigate this.

Gateshead Council therefore calls on the Home Secretary to order a full public inquiry into the deployment and actions of the police on 18 June 1984, and to hold meaningful discussions with the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, The NUM and concerned MPs.

On the motion being put it was duly carried.

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

This Council believes that issues relating to events at the picketing of Orgreave on 18 June 1984 are of both local and national importance.

In Gateshead, miners and their families were adversely affected by the events of that day in terms of wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, ill-health, family breakdown and termination of employment and as a direct result of policing tactics at Orgreave.

A full investigation into the military style policing used on that day is long overdue and only a full public inquiry can fully investigate this.

Gateshead Council therefore calls on the Home Secretary to order a full public inquiry into the deployment and actions of the police on 18 June 1984, and to hold meaningful discussions with the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, The NUM and concerned MPs.

Councillor Kevin McClurey moved the following motion:

This Council acknowledges this year’s ‘Purple Day’ on Tuesday 26^th March, and recognises the challenges that many people in Gateshead, of all ages, face living with epilepsy in all its different forms.

The Council will commit to ensuring that proper information is circulated to its staff and through its network of offices, to promote a better understanding of the condition and provide advice on how to react if an epileptic situation arises which requires assistance.

On the motion being put it was duly carried.

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

Council acknowledges this year’s ‘Purple Day’ on Tuesday 26^th March, and recognises the challenges that many people in Gateshead, of all ages, face living with epilepsy in all its different forms.

This Council will commit to ensuring that proper information is circulated to its staff and through its network of offices, to promote a better understanding of the condition and provide advice on how to react if an epileptic situation arises which requires assistance.

(to deal with any questions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.1)

No questions were received.