Councillors and Decision Making

To note the Mayoral Engagements undertaken since the Council meeting held on 26 July 2018.

The Big Green Vote

The Mayor and the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Green Spaces and Parks will announce the winner of the Big Green Vote. 

To receive any questions from the public which have been submitted under Council Procedure Rules 7.11 and 7.12. The session will last no more than 15 minutes with a maximum of 2 minutes allowed for each question and answer. Questions can be asked of The Leader and Cabinet Members. 
  
(i) The following question has been submitted by Carol Scott MBE:

“I refer to my January question and subsequent reply from Councillor McClements. Can I be assured, as indicated, that the member for Finance will consider concessionary travel for the cohort of 1950’s women still waiting their State Pension in the next round of budget setting, suggestions in my covering email?”

To answer questions received under Council Procedure Rule 6.2.

NB   In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 6.2.9 there will be a maximum of 30 minutes allowed for questions and answers.  Any question not answered within the 30 minute time limit will receive a written reply within 5 working days.

(i) Councillor P R Watling will propose the following Motion:

“The motion proposed by the Member and Deputy Member of Youth Parliament is for the council to endorse the policy that age of enfranchisement should be reduced from 18 to 16. This would apply in all national and local elections as well as referenda.

We strongly believe this issue would benefit the young people of Telford and Wrekin as the current deprivation of representation in the decision of major issues means that many young people will be living in a society that they do not agree with and have no capacity or right to change. Reducing the voting age would mean that politicians needed to create policies that appealed directly to young people instead of allowing their pressing needs to fade into obscurity. At 16 already, you can begin training to serve for our country, leave home and bring another human being into the world by legal sex but have no say in the country this child will grow up in. Many have argued that age and supposed lack of education can lead to impulsive decisions. However, in this age of readily available information it is increasingly easy for anyone to find out about current politics and for this age demographic to make an informed decision as well as older citizens. Senior conservative ministers as well as the Labour and Liberal Democratic Parties already back this motion. There are a number of organisations led by young people with the aim of stimulating political literacy (e.g. the Telford and Wrekin Young People’s Forum). We would hope to see the council amongst the other innovative local authorities leading the charge for this issue. This year marks the centenary of the passing of the historic motion causing the extension of democracy to including millions of women. We believe it is time for a similar event, to make sure that democracy is a service for the masses so that leadership can properly relay the views of the people. ”

The Motion will be seconded by Councillor R A Overton.

Representatives of the Youth Parliament will be invited to join the debate. 
   
(ii) Councillor A D McClements will propose the following Motion:

“This year we reaffirm being a White Ribbon Town for five years, which is about raising awareness, understanding and providing services in order to reduce the incidence of domestic violence across our town.  The White Ribbon Towns programme holds at its heart the importance of engaging with men to challenge beliefs and attitudes and to be advocates against all forms of violence against women.
 
This Council believes that we, as councillors, have a duty to play a part in that and believe that anyone who holds public office who in the past & present admit or have been convicted of domestic abuse should be barred from holding public office.
 
We therefore call on the government to review its policy on this and urge our MPs in Telford and The Wrekin to join us in lobbying government for this change.

Only by standing up and being counted can we hope to end all domestic abuse against women.”

The Motion will be seconded by Councillor G C W Reynolds. 
   
(iii) Councillor T J Nelson will propose the following Motion:

“This Council expresses deep concern at continuing slow progress with the commissioning of an independent inquiry into historical and current instances of CSE within the Borough since the Council EGM of 10 April 2018.

Also, and in order to assist and support victims in the Borough, this Council further calls on the present Administration to extend funding for the Holly Project for the duration of the Inquiry and accept that current funding arrangements of six months are inadequate.”

The Motion will be seconded by Councillor S Bentley.