Agenda item

Report attached.

 

Rules of Debate

 

·         Each motion shall be debated for no more than 20 minutes before being put to the vote.

·         No more than one and a half hours in totality shall be allowed at each meeting for the debate of all motions.

1)         Urgent Action on the Impact of Whinney Hill Landfill Site

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Noordad Aziz and seconded by Councillor Vanessa Alexander, with support from signatories Councillors Munsif Dad, Kate Walsh and Kimberley Whitehead, under Council Procedure Rule A9:

 

“This Council notes:

 

• The ongoing issues affecting residents due to the seagulls and odour emanating from the Whinney Hill Landfill site.
• The detrimental impact these issues have on the quality of life, health, and well-being of local residents.
• The responsibility of Lancashire County Council, the Environment Agency, and SUEZ in regulating, managing, and mitigating the environmental impact of the landfill site.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

1)    Write to Lancashire County Council, the Environment Agency, and SUEZ to highlight the significant impact the landfill site is having on residents due to the persistent odour and seagull nuisance.

2)    Urge all responsible authorities to take immediate and effective action to address these concerns, including enhanced mitigation measures and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.

3)    Request a formal response outlining the actions they intend to take and a timeline for implementation.

4)    Work closely with residents and relevant agencies to monitor progress and ensure accountability in resolving these ongoing issues.

 

This Council demands urgent action to protect the well-being of our community and will continue to press for a resolution to these unacceptable conditions.”

 

Councillors Aziz, Alexander, Fisher, Eaves, Pritchard, Walsh and Whitehead spoke in favour of the Motion.  A number of councillors suggested closure or a temporary closure of the site.  Councillors Parkins and Younis both considered that it would not be possible to close the site without appropriate contingencies in place.  Councillor Parkins and Smithson both suggested that the MP, Sarah Smith, be encouraged to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on this issue.

 

Councillor Khan commented that the Opposition Group supported the sentiment of the Motion in preventing environmental hazards, but was disappointed that the matter appeared to have been raised because of the forthcoming Lancashire County Council elections.

 

Councillor Dad thanked Councillor Aziz for the Motion.  He reported that both Hyndburn and Lancashire County councillors had highlighted that the issue needed to be dealt with.  He confirmed that the local MP was already involved and that she had written to the Environment Agency and the Secretary of State.  The Council would continue to work with the MP and others to consider the options available, including for the longer term.  He also refuted the suggestion that the Motion had been raised because of the County Council elections.

 

Resolved                                 (1)   This Council resolves:

 

(a)    To write to Lancashire County Council, the Environment Agency, and SUEZ to highlight the significant impact the landfill site is having on residents due to the persistent odour and seagull nuisance.

 

(b)   To urge all responsible authorities to take immediate and effective action to address these concerns, including enhanced mitigation measures and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.

 

(c)    To request a formal response outlining the actions they intend to take and a timeline for implementation.

 

(d)   To work closely with residents and relevant agencies to monitor progress and ensure accountability in resolving these ongoing issues.

 

(2)   This Council demands urgent action to protect the well-being of our community and will continue to press for a resolution to these unacceptable conditions

 

Councillor Andy Gilbert declared a personal interest in the following Motion on the basis of his employment in the provision of care for people with special educational needs and disabilities and in the light of the fact that a close family member had been assessed as having autism.

 

2)         Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Provision in Hyndburn

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Kate Walsh and seconded by Councillor Noordad Aziz, with support from signatories Councillors Munsif Dad, Clare Pritchard and Kimberley Whitehead, under Council Procedure Rule A9:

 

“That this Council resolves to write to Lancashire, urging immediate action to address the serious concerns raised in the recent Ofsted report on SEND provision. This includes publishing a clear improvement plan, engaging with parents and stakeholders, and ensuring transparency and accountability in delivering necessary reforms. Hyndburn children and families deserve better support without further delay.”

 

Councillor Walsh then spoke in favour of the Motion.

 

The following AMENDMENT was moved by Councillor Zak Khan and seconded by Councillor Loraine Cox:

 

The substitution of the following wording for the whole of the original Motion:

 

“This Council:

 

• Notes NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Lancashire County Council, as part of the Lancashire SEND Partnership, are jointly responsible for the planning and commissioning of services for children and young people with SEND in Lancashire.

 

• Notes the Ofsted report recognises there were 'widespread failings' leading to 'significant concerns about the experience of Children and Young People with SEND' - which the local area partnership must address urgently.

 

• Notes Lancashire County Council has taken action and published its Cabinet report this month providing a comprehensive update on the Priority Action Plan to address these concerns.

 

• Supports the Lancashire County Council Cabinet recommendation that its Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee be asked to oversee the progress against milestones in the Priority Action Plan, quarterly performance updates to Cabinet and that the County Council continues to engage with representatives of the Children and Families affected. This ensures transparency and accountability.

 

• Supports the County Cabinet report recommendation to agree that the Council writes to Government to offer support from Lancashire County Council to inform national legislative change and ensure that local needs and perspectives are represented.

 

• Notes the comments made by Professor Sarah O’Brien, chair of Lancashire SEND Partnership Board and chief nursing officer for the ICB, who has committed to co-production with our local communities to improve outcomes for all children and young people with SEND across Lancashire.

 

• Notes that all Councillors in Hyndburn want to see SEND provision in Lancashire deliver for the children and young people of Lancashire.”

 

With the agreement of the meeting, the Mayor approved a brief adjournment to allow time for Members to consider the amendment.

 

The meeting then reconvened.

 

Having considered the above wording carefully, the Mayor determined that this was not a valid amendment, on the grounds that it had the effect of negating the original Motion.

 

A debate then ensued on the original motion.  Councillors Pritchard, Anderson, Gilbert, Aziz, Yates and Dad spoke about their personal experiences of accessing SEND provision, with some negative and some positive comments made.

 

Councillor Loraine Cox provided some context regarding the increasing numbers of children requiring Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and the resultant pressure on local authority and NHS resources.  Councillor Khan expressed his disappointment that the proposed amendment had been ruled inadmissible, as he considered that the original motion was flawed and that the amendment would have served to added some clarity around the current situation.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, six members present requested a recorded vote, the outcome of which was a follows:

 

For

 

Councillors Alexander, Anderson, Aziz, Booth, Brerton, Clements, P Cox, Dad, Dawson, Eaves, Fisher, Gilbert, Parkins, Pritchard, Rawcliffe, Walsh, Whitehead and Yates.

 

Against

 

Nil

 

Abstain

 

Councillors Addison, Allen, Cassidy, L Cox, Edwards, Heap, Khan, Plummer, Pratt, Smithson, Walker and Younis

 

Accordingly, the Motion was CARRIED.

 

Resolved                                    -    That this Council resolves to write to Lancashire County Council, urging immediate action to address the serious concerns raised in the recent Ofsted report on SEND provision.  This includes publishing a clear improvement plan, engaging with parents and stakeholders, and ensuring transparency and accountability in delivering necessary reforms.  Hyndburn children and families deserve better support without further delay

 

Councillors Bernard Dawson MBE and Kimberley Whitehead both declared a personal interest in the following Motion on the grounds that they were season ticket holders at Accrington Stanley FC.

 

3)         Accrington Stanley FC

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Scott Brerton and seconded by Councillor Noordad Aziz, with support from signatories Councillors Vanessa Alexander, Munsif Dad and Clare Pritchard, under Council Procedure Rule A9:

 

“That this Council resolves to continue to work with Accrington Stanley FC and all other parties towards a solution to the issues surrounding the club.

 

The Council recognises that Accrington Stanley FC is a community asset for the Borough of Hyndburn.”

 

Councillor Brerton spoke in favour of the Motion highlighting the club’s position at the heart of the community.  He indicated that a positive meeting had taken place recently with representatives of the club about working together to resolve the issues which had resulted in a decision to modify the hours of operation of the premises licence and a number of conditions being attached to the licence.

 

Councillor Khan confirmed that the Opposition would support this Motion.  However, he expressed disappointment that a proposed Opposition Motion, suggesting the provision of a financial package for the club, had not been included on the Agenda due to technical reasons.  He asked if a financial support package could be included as alteration to the current Motion.  He also asked if the proposed resolution to the situation could involve cross party working.  Councillors Anderson, P Cox, Eaves, Pritchard and Gilbert were supportive of working closely with the club, but were mindful of the rights of residents too.  They spoke against using public finances to provide direct support to the club.

 

Councillors Cassidy, Aziz, Younis and Heap spoke to indicate their support for the club and for working together.

 

Councillor Dad outlined the steps taken to engage with the club to date and acknowledged that cross party support would be helpful going forwards.  However, there were no plans to establish a formal cross party working group on this matter.  Councillor Whitehead provided a summary of the current progress being made by the club and reiterated the earlier comment about the positive discussions that had taken place at a recent meeting between the club’s representatives and councillors.  She was hopeful that the recent senior management changes at the club would help to bring about a constructive dialogue.  She noted that the club were not seeking any funding from the Council and were currently looking into sound proofing options as a matter of urgency.   All interested parties were looking towards finding an effective solution.

 

Resolved                                 (1)   That this Council resolves to continue to work with Accrington Stanley FC and all other parties towards a solution to the issues surrounding the club.

 

(2)   The Council recognises that Accrington Stanley FC is a community asset for the Borough of Hyndburn.