Agenda and minutes

A minute’s silence was observed in respect of the passing of former Councillor Joseph Bell who had represented Seatonville Ward from 2002 until 2004.

Six valid question has been received from a member of the public for this meeting.

1.            Question to the Elected Mayor from Laurie Zebik of Forest Hall

Why is the SEND school provision in North Tyneside so incredibly low, especially nursery placements? There are 3 special schools in the Borough and the need is much higher. Why is more investment not being put into this? Our children deserve more than this. Their needs and education are currently not met. We as parents should not have the added stress and worry of finding a suitable school place in an already challenging and stressful situation. Our children and families are pushed aside constantly. 

Also why is the 'local offer' predominantly charities? Why don't the council use more funding to offer support and activities for SEND children, adults and their families. It's extremely difficult to attend events to start with and the lack of accessibility and inclusion isolates us further. SEND families bottom of the pile again like we are worthless citizens. The Borough is appalling for support and opportunities. The council need to stop relying on good will and the work of charities and support all of their residents, not brush issues under the carpet.

Councillor Steven Phillips responded on behalf of the Elected Mayor as follows:

Thank you for the question

First of all, I want to be clear that as Cabinet Member and with the Officer Team we work hard to support families in the Borough to ensure all of our young people reach their full potential.

And that we realise every young person is different and every family and carer has a different experience.

However, I would like to make three points in response.

First, our aim across the Borough is that families, schools and the Council work together to make sure that, where needs can be met, children and young people in the Borough are educated in local, inclusive, mainstream provision.  All the evidence suggests that this produces the best outcomes.

Second, where needs cannot be met, we aim to have the right provision.  And, while I understand individual circumstances might be difficult, school provision is not low and investment has gone into this area.

Across our Additionally Resourced Provision and 5 Special Schools - since October 2017 for example, places have risen from 543 to 720 in October 2021 - a 25% increase.

That investment and approach was recognised in our recent Joint CQC/Ofsted Inspection.

Finally, this is a national issue.  Demand for support for children and young people with additional needs is rising across the country and the Government has had to initiate a national programme to cope with the associated costs.  In North Tyneside, last year, we spent nearly £32m on these services.

I understand this is an issue about which people feel strongly.  Who would not want the very best for their children?  As a Council we do use all the resource at our disposal and do provide a full range of services.

I am sure you understand but in line with the SEND Code of Practice 2015 Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item C19/22

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation from the requirement to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Declarations of interest were reported as follows:

Councillor L Bones – Item 6 Motion 2 - non-registerable personal interest that he is a member of a relevant lobby group.

Councillor O Scargill – Item 6 Motion 1 - non-registerable personal interest, he recently completed a educational placement at Northumbria Healthcare Trust.

Councillor J Harrison – Item 6 Motion 1 - non-registerable personal interest, he is a Public Governor of Northumbria NHS Foundation.

Councillor K Clark – Item 6 Motion 1 - non-registerable personal interest, is a Co-opted Governor on the NHS Foundation Trust.

Councillor M Thirlaway – Item 8 – Storm Arwen Task & Finish Group Report - non-registerable personal interest as he has a relation employed by the Authority.

Resolved that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 May 2022 be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chair.

The Council received the return of the Councillor elected for the Camperdown Ward following the by-election held on 14 July 2022.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Peter Earley to the Council.

It was moved by the Councillor E Darke and seconded by Councillor P Earley that:

North Tyneside Council thanks former Councillor Jim Allan for his many years of service to the Council.  Jim was a Councillor over 30 years representing Wallsend, Valley, and the Camperdown wards during his time. He held many positions within the Council over the years including Deputy Mayor and Leader of the Labour Group while in opposition. We wish Jim the best of health for the future.  

The motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved unanimously.

To seek Council’s approval, to appoint the Authority’s Chief Finance Officer for the purposes of section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Council received a report seeking approval under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 to make arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs and to ensure that one of its officers has responsibility for the administration of those affairs.

It was moved by Councillor M Rankin and seconded by Councillor C Johnson that:

The appointment of Mr Jon Richie to be the Authority’s Chief Finance Officers/Section 151 Officer with effect from 8 August 2022.

The Motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved unanimously.

Five valid Motions on Notice, signed by at least three Members of the Council, have been received for consideration at this meeting.

It was moved by Councillor M Rankin and seconded by Councillor W Samuel that: 

North Tyneside Council believes that all NHS hospital staff should be entitled to free parking in hospital car parks. Over the last two years NHS hospital staff have rose to the challenge and helped defeat covid. The Conservative Government are happy to praise and clap for NHS hospital staff but fail to support them when it really matters.  
 
The decision, by the Conservative Government, to rescind free parking for NHS hospital staff is a disgrace and is a dangerous message that they are unimportant now the pandemic is coming to an end. Our NHS hospital staff should be appreciated and supported at all times, not just during times of crisis.  

North Tyneside Council calls on the Elected Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care demanding the Government acts to ensure all NHS hospital staff are entitled to free parking in hospital car parks.  

The motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved by 49 votes to 1 votes.

It was moved by Councillor M Thirlaway and seconded by Councillor H Johnson that:

Conversion Therapy Ban 

North Tyneside Council notes that there are already fourteen countries with some form of national ban on LGBT+ conversion therapy, as well as many other states, cities, and provinces. We also note that NHS England has stated that all forms of conversion therapy are unethical and potentially harmful.   

We believe conversion therapy poses a danger to LGBT+ people and is an affront to human dignity. We are, therefore, dismayed that, despite committing to an LGBT+ conversion ban in 2018, the Conservative Government has persistently failed to legislate such a ban and have subsequently placed LGBT+ people at significant risk of harm.   

We are equally dismayed that the Conservative Government’s proposed conversion therapy ban does not include gender identity and believe that any ban must protect trans and non-binary people.   

North Tyneside Council calls on the Elected Mayor to write to the Prime Minister asking him to finally prioritise and legislate a conversion therapy ban that includes gender identity. 

A recorded vote on the Motion, was requested by two Members present.

Votes for the Motion,

N Redfearn, Elected Mayor and Councillors L Bones, B Burdis, C Burdis, K Clark, D Cox, J Cruddas, E Darke, C Davis, S Day, D Drummond, P Earley, L Ferasin, M Fox, S Graham, T Hallway, J Harrison, John Hunter, V Jamieson, C Johnson, H Johnson, C Johnston, J Kirwin, F Lott, W Lott, G Madden, L Marshall, A McMullen, J Montague, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, T Neira, A Newman, P Oliver, R O’Keefe, J O’Shea, E Parker-Leonard, N Percy, S Phillips, B Pickard, M Rankin, P Richardson, W Samuel, O Scargill, J Shaw, M Thirlaway, J Walker and M Wilson.

Votes against the Motion

Abstentions

Councillors L Arkley, K Barrie, P McIntyre, J Wallace and G Westwater.

The motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved by 49 votes and 5 Abstentions.

It was moved by Councillor Carl Johnson and seconded by Councillor Andy Newman that: 

Honesty, integrity, and respect matter in politics. 

In the previous two election cycles we’ve seen acts of dishonesty, deception, and often a lack of respect shown to fellow candidates. This Council therefore calls upon the Elected Mayor to write to all political parties who stood candidates in the 2022 local elections in North Tyneside calling on them to pledge to;  

·         To always make it clear on election literature which party it is from 

·         To not abbreviate the name of your political party on an imprint  

·         To not impersonate local media to use as a party-political platform  

·         To always ensure postal vote sign-ups are sent direct to the council 

·         To make clear on any social media account which political party is behind it 

·         To treat other candidates with respect  

·         To not impersonate another political party on literature 

·         To uphold the highest standards of integrity which the public expect from us 

A recorded vote on the Motion, was requested by two Members present.

Votes for the Motion,

N Redfearn, Elected Mayor and Councillors L Arkey, K Barrie L Bones, B Burdis, C Burdis, K Clark, D Cox, J Cruddas, E Darke, C Davis, S Day, D Drummond, P Earley, L Ferasin, M Fox, S Graham, T Hallway, J Harrison, John Hunter, V Jamieson, C Johnson, H Johnson, C Johnston, J Kirwin, F Lott, W Lott, G Madden, L Marshall, P McIntyre, A McMullen,  J Montague, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, T Neira, A Newman, P Oliver, R O’Keefe, J O’Shea, E Parker-Leonard, N Percy, S Phillips, B Pickard, M Rankin, P Richardson, W Samuel, O Scargill, J Shaw, M Thirlaway, J Walker, J Wallace and G Westwater and M Wilson.

The motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved by 54 votes to 0 votes.

It was moved by Councillor O Scargill and seconded by Councillor L Bones that:

North Tyneside Council notes:

·         The Dutch-style roundabout at Rake Lane has caused significant disruption over the last few months to local residents

·         The total cost of the scheme was £1.5 million

North Tyneside Council believes:

·         £1.5 million could, and should, have been spent on alternative proposals for active travel

North Tyneside Council asks the Mayor to:

·         Reassure residents that every roundabout in North Tyneside will not become a Dutch-style roundabout

·         Ensure all future cycling schemes have the support of local residents by putting them to a local referendum

An amendment was moved by Councillor C Johnson and seconded by Councillor S Graham as follows:

Under North Tyneside Council notes:

Add the following wording at the end of bullet point 1 – “while it was being constructed”

Add the following wording at the end of bullet point 2- “which was funded and agreed by the Conservative government including the standards of design they required”.

Delete the following wording;

“North Tyneside Council believes:

·         £1.5 million could, and should, have been spent on alternative proposals for active travel”

Under North Tyneside Council asks the Mayor to:

Delete the wording – “have the support of local residents by putting them to a local referendum” and replace with “are subject to full public consultation with local residents”.

The amendment, on being put to the meeting, was approved by 46 votes to 8 votes.

The substantive motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved by 50 votes with 4 abstentions.

A report requesting full Council to re-appoint one current holder of the role of Independent Person and to appoint two new Independent Persons to that role for a period of four years.

Council received a report that sought approval to re-appoint one current holder of the role of Independent Person and to appoint two new Independent Persons to that role for a period of four years.

It was moved by the Elected Mayor and seconded by Councillor G Westwater that:

Council appoint Dr Stuart Green, Mrs Kerry Roffe and Mr Daniel John Entwisle as the Authority’s Independent Persons pursuant to the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 for a period of four years to 31 July 2026.

The Motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved unanimously.

To receive the findings of the Storm Arwen Task and Finish group.

Council received a report that provided the findings of the Storm Arwen Task & Finish Group. The group undertook a review following a Council Motion was debated at its meeting on the 20 January 2022.

Councillor B Burdis who was a member of the Storm Arwen Task & Finish Group presented the findings.

It was moved by Councillor C Johnson and Seconded by Councillor Sand Graham that:

Council notes the findings of the Storm Arwen Task and Finish group and agree to refer the report to Cabinet for its consideration.

The motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved unanimously.

To receive any announcements by the Chair of Council.

The Chair informed the meeting of some of the events she had attended since the last meeting, these included:

·         The Falklands War remembrance service.

·         The unveiling of the special reflection spaces that had been created in five areas across North Tyneside connecting the borough’s 30-mile waggonway network. The areas were places for people to remember the loved ones that were lost during the coronavirus pandemic, offering a space to reflect on the impact the pandemic.

·         The unveiling of a stained-glass window dedicated to the contribution of key workers during the pandemic by the pupils at Coquet Park First School in Whitley Bay.

The Chair also informed that her chosen charity was True Colour Theatre.

True Colours Theatre is an inclusive theatre school for children and young people that live in the North East of England. They create a space for children and young people where they can experience performing arts in an inclusive, non-judgemental, and nurturing environment.

To receive any announcements by the Elected Mayor.

The Elected Mayor congratulated newly elected Councillor Peter Earley on his return to the Council as Councillor for Camperdown.

She also expressed her gratitude to all those involved in the planning and operation of the recent Mouth of the Tyne Festival. The Elected Mayor informed that the event had attracted over 100 thousand visitors and the Authority had received very good feedback from those who attended.

The Elected Mayor gave further thanks to all those officers who would be working to provide services and support to families over the school summer break.  

Two valid questions on notice have been received for a response at this meeting.

1.            Question to the Elected Mayor by Councillor Linda Arkley

Is the Elected Mayor looking at the high levels of Anti-Social Behaviour in Cullercoats? As a matter of urgency will she meet with me to discuss the steps to be taken, to ensure the safety of residents and visitors?

Councillor Elected Mayor responded on behalf of the Elected Mayor as follows:

I am totally committed to keeping our residents and visitors safe and I take the issue of ASB very seriously, working closely with colleagues in Northumbria Police and also with the PCC, Kim McGuiness.

In 2019 following reports of ASB on Cullercoats Bay and a review of how we manage our public open spaces, a joint approach with Northumbria Police was agreed and “Operation Coast Watch” became our annual plan for tackling ASB and associated environment issues such as littering.

Operation Coast Watch runs from spring through to the autumn, is a 7-day week operation, and is flexible depending on the weather forecast, we jointly review this according to what is happened and allows for extra resource and patrols in our high footfall areas when the weather is warm.

Then we activate and increase patrols. Police colleagues work jointly with our community protection team to patrol the open public spaces in the borough.

They share the resource and plan individual operations depending upon need, intelligence and over the summer the engage with the residents and visitors and are on hand to respond quickly to anti-social behaviour. Police officers have the power to issue dispersal orders to those engaged in anti-social behaviour.

Both the Council’s Community protection team and police officers can issue fixed penalty notices on the spot for any irresponsible use of alcohol in our public open spaces including beaches and issues around environmental crime such as littering.

As part of Operations Coast Watch in the joint work with the PCC, we work closely with Nexus focussing on the Metro stations at the coast the coast including Cullercoats metro stations where the multi-agency teams are deployed to address ASB and also tackle underage alcohol use.

A new additional mobile and fixed CCTV monitoring is now a key part of the Coast Watch approach together with the joint work with the local community group Cullercoats Collective. They share their intelligence around large groups gathering, share the use of illegal substances, underage alcohol consumption and littering.

This collaboration working with them and taking this approach to tackle anti-social behaviour and environmental crime has made a difference.

Officers met with the Cullercoats Collective in February 2022 to begin planning the approach to the summer. The community group was pleased with how the operation ran in 2021 and have committed to providing support during this summer period. 

Working together has worked, collectively both Northumbria Police and the Community Protection Team have seen a reduction in reported anti-social behaviour incidents over the last three summer periods and these have been attributed to a combination of increased visibility and quick enforcement action.

The most  ...  view the full minutes text for item C33/22