Glasgow City Council Agenda - 30 October 2014, 13:30 Help

A meeting to be held at City Chambers, Glasgow at 13:30 on 30 October 2014.

Number Item
1Print 4 - Committees' minutes - Consideration of paragraphs marked "C", remaining paragraphs submitted for information and approval as a correct record only (page 236 onwards). View Papers
2Consideration of minutes previously objected to.
3Changes to committees etc. View Papers
4Representation on outside bodies. View Papers
(a)Culture and Sport Glasgow Ltd (Glasgow Life) - Re-appoint Professor Lesley Sawers and Dilawer Singh as Independent Directors.
(b)Community Safety Glasgow - appoint the following as Independent Directors:- Mr John Duncanson, Ms Catherine Fallon, Ms Sandra Fox, Mr Seumas MacInnes. Ms Eileen Paterson, and Mr George McGrandles; and
5Correspondence.
6Questions. View Papers
7Notices of motions:-
(a)By Councillor Gordon Matheson:-

"Council recognises the democratic decision of the Scottish people in the recent Referendum; congratulates both formal campaigns, all main Political Parties, business and civic society; and the people of Scotland for a hard fought, passionate but fair campaign; resolves to work together in the best interest of the City and Scotland to ensure that Glasgow flourishes" View Papers
(b)By Councillor Susan Aitken:-

"Council believes that active citizen engagement in a re-energised political landscape, post referendum, is to the benefit of all Glaswegians.

Furthermore, Council notes the high turnout at the referendum and welcomes the positive contribution of young voters, and commends the growing support for the permanent inclusion of 16 and 17 year-olds in the franchise.

To reflect the will of the citizens of Glasgow this Council calls for the maximum possible devolution of powers in line with the vow made by the three main political parties to deliver substantially increased powers to the Scottish Parliament and agrees to engage with The Smith Commission on the devolution of Further Powers to the Scottish Parliament.

Council therefore resolves to respond to the Smith Commission in the following terms:

'Dear Lord Smith,

At the meeting of Glasgow City Council on Thursday the 30th October 2014, it was decided to respond to The Smith Commission outlining areas of importance to the city of Glasgow. You will be aware that the people of Glasgow voted Yes, on a greatly increased turnout compared with recent Westminster, Holyrood and local authority elections, a clear recognition by Glaswegians that significant new powers for Scotland could have a positive impact on the people and economy of this city.

There is considerable evidence that the people of Scotland support significant further devolution of powers to Holyrood. At the full Council meeting the following issues were considered by councillors:

(1) Full fiscal responsibility for the Scottish Parliament: all tax revenues should be retained in Scotland. The Scottish Parliament should have policy responsibility for all taxes unless there is a specific reason for a continued reservation;

(2) In particular, the Scottish Parliament should have full autonomy for income tax, national insurance, corporation tax, capital gains tax, fuel duty, air passenger duty and inheritance tax;

(3) Responsibility for all domestic expenditure - including welfare - with payments made to the UK Government for reserved services;

(4) A sustainable framework for public finances including the necessary borrowing powers, and an agreement with the UK Government on the overall approach to public finances, including a commitment to continue the Barnett formula during any transitional period and if the Scottish Parliament's financial powers fall short of full fiscal responsibility; and

(5) Responsibility for key economic levers: such as employment policy (including the minimum wage) employability programmes; transport policy not currently devolved (including rail), competition, energy and broadcasting policy; and asylum and immigration policy.

Glasgow City Council recognises the complex social and economic challenges of our city. Despite major improvements in many aspects of the city's cultural, economic and social infrastructure there remain many citizens who have not enjoyed the benefits of these improvements. The limited powers of devolution cannot adequately address these long-standing issues for our city.

The powers outlined above could give Glasgow and the wider Clyde Valley, as the economic powerhouse of Scotland, a new impetus to deliver - in partnership with the Scottish Government - radical solutions to the alleviation of poverty and the growth of Glasgow's economy and society.

The people of Glasgow demonstrated during the referendum process that, when engaged, the citizens will speak. Turnout, measurably higher last month than in any recent election, is testament to the need for the complete devolution of election and referendum policy to Scotland - including over changes to the voting age - to ensure that the democratic momentum built up over recent years is not lost.

With regard to the issues listed above, the city of Glasgow would benefit from distictive tax policies, placing the city at a competitive advantage in bringing jobs and investment to Glasgow. By utilising employment policy in a fully devolved context, including over the minimum wage, Glasgow and Scotland could build a sustainable, skilled, well-paid workforce that would be attractive to employers looking to relocate or expand their operations.

With two airports, Glasgow is ideally positioned to benefit from the devolution of Air Passenger Duty. Glasgow Airport and Prestwick Airport are both hampered by the current Air Passenger Duty arrangements. By devolving control of this particular tax to Scotland, these airports could increase both their number and frequency of routes and the level of passenger patronage. This would undoubtedly have a positive impact on Glasgow's economic development.

With regard to asylum and immigration, Glasgow has been and remains proud to provide a haven for those fleeing persecution in their own countries. However, the Council is unable to act to support asylum seekers by policy in this area, as policy is set by Westminster to UK priorities. To improve the support provided to some of the most vulnerable people in our city, examination of the ways in which asylum and immigration policy can be devolved should be considered.

Each of these areas of policy being controlled by Holyrood would provide potentially significant economic and social benefits to Glasgow. This list is not exhaustive, however this Council commends the principles outlined above as a sound basis for extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament.'" View Papers
(c)By Councillor Kieran Wild:-

"Council welcomes the publication by the cross party group, the Commission on Strengthening Local Democracy, called Effective Democracy: Reconnecting with Communities.

Council supports the report's key recommendations to promote decentralisation and devolve more powers to local government. Council acknowledges that local democracy would be reinvigorated by greater accountability and the enablement of at least 50% of income to be raised locally.

Council instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Scottish Minister for Local Government and Planning seeking a fundamental review of the structures, boundaries, functions and democratic arrangements for all local government in Scotland, adopting the key findings of the report as a framework." View Papers
(d)By Bailie Hanif Raja:-

"Council recognises that Glasgow 2014 was the greatest ever Commonwealth Games and expresses its warmest gratitude to the thousands of volunteers who contributed to the success of Glasgow's Games. Their commitment, knowledge and warmth was at the heart of the Games' overwhelming success. The Clydesiders and Host City Volunteers offered practical support, infectious enthusiasm and a unique Glasgow welcome; and Council recognises their dedication, generosity of spirit and passion demonstrated to the entire world that People Make Glasgow." View Papers
(e)By Councillor Martin Rhodes:-

"Council notes that 26th September 2015 will be the centenary of the death of James Keir Hardie. Council further notes that his funeral and cremation took place at the Western Necropolis in Glasgow.

Council recognises the importance of Keir Hardie in the struggle for working class representation in Parliament, his support for women's suffrage and the rights of trade unions and workers, and his commitment to internationalism and peace.

Council resolves to mark the centenary of his funeral and cremation with a simple plaque at the Western Necropolis to commemorate his commitment and achievements and to put the Benno Schotz bust of Keir Hardie in the ownership of the Council on public display." View Papers
(f)By Councillor Martin Neill:-

"Council recognises the risk older and vulnerable residents face every year from bogus callers and rogue traders; believes awareness is key to tackling this underreported crime and commends and supports the Nominated Neighbour initiative from Police Scotland, which aims to help beat doorstep crime and raise awareness of the potential danger of bogus doorstep callers; welcomes the forthcoming collaboration between Community Safety Glasgow, Police Scotland and Trading Standards to compile a database of "No Cold Calling Zones", which will identify problem areas in the city and allow relevant agencies to provide support and guidance to vulnerable residents." View Papers
(g)By Councillor Ken Andrew:-

"Council recognises that Glasgow enjoys a long-standing international reputation as a major centre for music.

Council notes the many bands and artists that started their career in the city. Council further notes that no major rock act misses Glasgow from their touring schedule.

Accordingly, this Council instructs Glasgow Life to investigate a festival of Rock, Blues and Indie music to be held in the summer. This festival would use the highly successful format used by the South by South-West Festival in Austin, Texas. This supports hundreds of new acts, as well as showcasing new material from more established artists." View Papers
(h)By Councillor David McDonald:-

"Council notes with concern the ongoing impact of welfare reform on our poorest and most vulnerable citizens and condemns the announcements by UK Cabinet Ministers of further savings from the welfare and social security budgets.

Council further notes the wide opposition to these iniquitous policies by organisations including Shelter Scotland, Citizens Advice Scotland, the Child Povery Action Group, SCVO, the Poverty Alliance, Positive Action in Housing, Barnardo's in Scotland, the Poverty Truth Commission, the Big Issue and the Trussell Trust.

Council therefore agrees to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr George Osborne MP, to detail the impact of current Westminster-led austerity cuts on Glasgow and her citizens and to invite him to visit the city to meet with people directly affected by the policies enacted and announced by the UK Government."
8Minutes of Council meeting of 11th September 2014 (Print 4, pages 233 to 235). View Papers