Glasgow City Council Agenda - 07 December 2023, 11:00 
A meeting to be held at City Chambers, Glasgow at 11:00 on 07 December 2023.
| Number | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Minutes of Council meeting of 26th October 2023 (Print 5, pages 1 to 26). View Papers |
| 2 | Committees' minutes - Submitted for information and approval as a correct record only (page 27 onwards). View Papers |
| 3 | Twinning Proposal with Mykolaiv, Ukraine - Report by Councillor Greg Hepburn, Business Manager and City Convener for Open Government. View Papers |
| 4 | Strathclyde Pension Fund Committee - Update to Terms of Reference. "8 To be responsible for governance arrangements including regulatory compliance, management of risks (including cyber security risk), establishing and operating internal controls, and implementation of audit recommendations." View Papers |
| 5 | Changes to committee etc. View Papers |
| (a) | Appoint Soryia Siddique as Bailie in place of Sharon Greer; and |
| (b) | Operational Performance and Delivery Scrutiny Committee - Remove Ann Jenkins and appoint Jill Pidgeon. |
| 6 | Representation on outside bodies. View Papers |
| (a) | Dean of Guild Trust - Remove Patricia Ferguson and appoint Phil Braat; and |
| (b) | Glasgow Life Board - Appoint Glen Gribbon and re-appoint Iain MacRitchie. |
| 7 | Correspondence. View Papers |
| (a) | Letters from Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire regarding Decriminisation of Drugs. View Papers |
| 8 | Questions. View Papers |
| 9 | Notice of motions. |
| (a) | Motion by Councillor Sean Ferguson:- "Council acknowledges the recent centenary of the death of John MacLean, teacher and socialist campaigner. Maclean was born in Pollokshaws, then part of Renfrewshire, on 14 August 1879, and died on 30 November 1923, at the age of just 44, also in Pollokshaws, which had been incorporated into Glasgow in 1912. Council recognises that MacLean closely identified with this city, whose boundaries he expressed a wish to see expanded further to match the economic and social challenges facing residents across the Clyde valley. Council recalls that both MacLean's parents had relocated to the West of Scotland because their families were forced from their homes by highland and island landowners and that his father died of an industrial disease when MacLean was just 8 years old. Council believes that MacLean's personal commitment to education was a defining feature of his life, from his early engagement as a founder member of the Pollokshaws Progressive Union through many years of organising and delivering classes in economics across the West of Scotland and beyond. Council also recognises that, despite living his whole life in and around Glasgow, MacLean's commitment to and actions on behalf of working people have been recognised around the globe and immortalised in many songs, plays, and books. Council recalls that a memorial committee was established in 1973 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of John Maclean's death resulting in the erection of a memorial cairn, funded by public subscription, which was unveiled by then Lord Provost Sir William Gray and watched by MacLean's daughters, Nan and Jean. Council notes that the site of the cairn is adjacent to the Old Town House of Pollokshaws, at which location MacLean had held many public meetings, and is within the Pollokshaws Transformational Regeneration Area. Council further notes that the cairn may be removed temporarily to permit works to proceed and affirms the Council's support for the return of the cairn to a fitting and prominent site in a regenerated Pollokshaws. Council also acknowledges that the transformational improvements underway across Pollokshaws should seek to reflect the areas past and its famous son and asks the TRA to consider how MacLean's contribution to his home city can be best commemorated within those changes, allowing Council time to respond to those proposals and properly recognise the contribution of the "bonnie fechter" and "fighting dominie" John MacLean to the life, character, and history of the city of which he was such an important part." View Papers |
| (b) | Motion by Councillor Keiran O'Neill:- "Council notes that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SRFS) has implemented a strategic service review programme which has removed appliances from Cowcaddens, Govan and Maryhill fire stations as well as the 24-hour water rescue team from the River Clyde. Council believes that the safety of Glaswegians is paramount and recognises the concerns in many parts of our city due to the removal of life-saving crews and fire appliances from local communities. Council endorses the position of the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) that the proposed cuts to fire and rescue service provision in Glasgow and across Scotland will result in increased response time and increased risk to life. Council also recognises that the FBU is currently consulting its members on strike action as a result of these cuts which they consider to be a "threat to the lives, homes, and livelihoods of everyone in Scotland. Therefore, Council resolves to write to the Minister for Victims and Community Safety in the Scottish Government outlining the concerns of the city, supporting the action taken by the FBU and urging the reinstatement of the appliances at Govan, Maryhill and Cowcaddens, along with the dedicated boat team at Polmadie as soon as possible." View Papers |
| (c) | Motion by Bailie Anthony Carroll:- "Council notes that 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the legislation which introduced community councils in Scotland. Council thanks all community councillors past and present who have given their time in service of their local communities and worked hard to strengthen democratic participation over the past 50 years which we have seen them operate in their current form. Council notes the launch of the Democracy Matters consultation by the Scottish Government which seeks to inform proposals for a reinvigoration of local democracy through a forthcoming Local Governance Bill. Council notes that Scotland has the largest first tier of local governance anywhere in Europe and that while we have community councils established by statute, they are entirely voluntary and have limited powers. Council notes the findings of the first phase of Democracy Matters consultative work, which highlighted a broad range of barriers to community engagement and empowerment, and that there has to be a multi-faceted approach to engaging communities as one size does not fit all. Council acknowledges the role other forms of community groups such as youth forums, local strategy groups, and area partnerships have in providing spaces for communities to organise and enact local change. Council agrees to engage with communities during this second phase of Democracy Matters consultation and to advocate in earnest for radical action to grow grassroots democracy and to transfer powers and resources to new or strengthened forms of grassroots local governance. Council also agrees to strengthen existing frameworks for community engagement and empowerment, such as community councils, including by: - Aiming to ensure there are no dormant community councils, including exploring temporary arrangements with neighbouring active community councils if required. - Exploring with Community Councils the challenges they currently face in retention, and supporting research via the Democracy Matters consultation on them, such as remuneration for Community Councillors. - Prioritising redevelopment of Glasgow City Council's online services within Glasgow's new Digital Strategy to be more user friendly and varied in approach to best support accessibility in engagement on areas such as community consultation & planning. - Undertaking a review with community councils of additional powers which could be exercised at grassroots level, potentially including powers over community asset management, elements of traffic regulation and allocation of street cleansing and other environment services. - Improve support to community councils including updating training, and help to ensure community council membership is inclusive of the whole community including those with protected characteristics. - Ensure that the reform of area partnerships to citizen panels empowers communities both with and without community councils, but is done in conjunction with them so as not to conflict with their democratic, statutory role. " View Papers |
| (d) | Motion by Bailie Thomas Kerr:- "Council acknowledges Shelter Scotland's call to declare a Housing Emergency by both Devolved and Local Authorities. Council acknowledges the decision by City Administration Committee last week (30th November) to declare a Housing Emergency; and the cross-party support that is achieved. However, Council notes that the issue around the Housing Emergency is vast and goes beyond the current issues of asylum relocation. Council notes that rising inflation has meant significant challenges to house builders and the construction industry. Council further notes, that a generation of young people are struggling to get on the housing market, or even find suitable and affordable homes in the rental market. Council agrees, that while many of the issues mentioned above are out with the control of Glasgow City Council, that we do have significant powers relating to planning which could be speeded up to ensure more good quality, affordable and mixed residential developments are not only built but encouraged in our city. As such, Council agrees that the Council Leader writes to the Deputy First Minister, and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, alongside the UK Secretary of State for Housing, outlining the actions council is taking to address the housing emergency, and seeks additional resources to help meet the severe challenges. Council also agrees for officers to undertake a review into planning and ask for an update to come before the newly established working-group looking into the Housing Emergency agreed at City Administration Committee." View Papers |
| (e) | Motion by Councillor Paul Leinster:- "Council recognises the importance of Living Wage Week which took place on 6th - 13th November. Council commends the Living Wage Foundation on their work to promote the living wage and recognises the importance of paying workers a wage which is sufficient to live on, not just survive on. Council recognises that since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 60,000 people in Scotland and put over £370 million extra into the pockets of low paid Scottish workers. Council welcomes the fact that over 3,500 employers in Scotland are Accredited Living Wage Employers including 615 in Glasgow, and that 91% of workers in Scotland earn the Living Wage, higher than any other part of the UK. Council welcomes the fact that Glasgow City Council became an accredited Living Wage employer earlier this year, ensuring that our 28,000 employees receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. Council recognises that while the Scottish Parliament does not currently have control over employment law, the Scottish Government is doing what it can within its limited powers to improve working conditions. Council welcomes the Fair Work First guidance from the Scottish Government which drives high quality and fair work, and workforce diversity across the labour market in Scotland by applying fair work criteria to grants, other funding and public contracts being awarded by and across the public sector. However, Council condemns the attack on workers' rights which has taken place over the last 13 years of Tory governments at Westminster. Council is alarmed at proposals by the UK Government to further roll back the rights of workers due to the removal of EU safeguards as a result of Brexit. Council understands that proposals published by the UK Government are due to impact on the Working Time Regulations; cut holiday pay for employees who work overtime; and will loosen requirements under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment), or 'TUPE', Regulations. Council recognises that the rights of workers are not safe in the hands of Tory governments at Westminster and endorses the calls from the STUC and other parts of civic Scotland for the devolution of employment law to the Scottish Parliament." View Papers |
| (f) | Motion by Councillor Jill Brown:- "Council notes that currently the forecast budget gap for the three-year period 2024-2027 is £120million; that since 2013/14 this Council has delivered savings of over £330million; and that continued turbulence within the UK economy caused by the chaotic Conservative Government has led to further budget pressure with inflation. Council believes that this situation is unsustainable; it is to the direct detriment of the services that our citizens rely on; and continues to place extraordinary pressure on all staff across the Council who continue to strive to deliver for the citizens they serve. Council further notes that the only locally set Tax, Council Tax, accounts for just 18% of the Councils budget. Therefore, Council believes that the onus for meeting the larger part of the budget deficit for coming years falls to the Scottish and UK Governments working together in the interests of our city. Council regrets the lack of consultation over the Scottish Governments decision to freeze Council Tax, breaching the Verity House Agreement, and agrees that this freeze must be fully funded and be at no detriment to our budget settlement. Council believes that this Council must speak with one voice in demanding a fairer funding settlement from our two Governments and in advocating for the further redistribution of wealth to support and protect vital front-line services. Council additionally believes that investments in Local Government reduce reactive spending elsewhere in the public sector, principles enshrined in the Christie Commission, and that this must be recognised in the Scottish Government's budget. Council therefore reiterates its support for the principle that Local Authorities should have the ability to implement 'ad hoc' revenue raising measures that fit their local circumstances, and commits to developing a Team Glasgow approach to build the case for Glasgow in the face of these extraordinary challenges, noting the commitment in the Council's strategic plan to "work with a broad range of partners, including Trade Unions, the Third Sector and others, to build the case for greater funding for Glasgow from both Scottish and UK Governments. Council resolves to write to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the First Minister for Scotland, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Finance in these terms." View Papers |
| (g) | Motion by Councillor Lana Reid-McConnell:- "Council acknowledges the success of the Grounds for Recycling project, led by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce through its Circular Glasgow Initiative, that engaged the hospitality sector and the public during the UCI Cycling Championships to challenge and rethink Glasgow's approach to dealing with coffee waste. This pilot, repurposing coffee waste in the city, demonstrated the potential we have to develop a new system which brings together Glasgow City Council, partners and businesses that supports ambitions within our Circular Economy Routemap and City Food Plan, and ultimately helps us build a more resilient city. As highlighted in the Grounds for Recycling project evaluation report, Council acknowledges the significant potential for utilising spent coffee grounds in community growing projects, land remediation and reducing in carbon emissions. Therefore, Council commits to explore how it will play its part in developing positive relationships with local businesses across different sectors whilst supporting organisations, community groups and individual citizens, to make the most of this nutrient-rich by-product of our daily cups of coffee. During the 20 day pilot which utilised the Botanic Gardens as a base, 4.7 tonnes of coffee grounds were collected from participating businesses, of which 100% expressed a desire to continue participating in a similar campaign. Hence, Council believes there would be a benefit for continuing and expanding this project to allow for further development of the project with the goal of supporting the development of a new circular food waste system in Glasgow. This is an opportunity to advance how we deal with food waste as a city and help facilitate the creation of social enterprises/ jobs that support a just transition. The report highlights coffee grounds as an ideal growing medium for mushrooms, which is being further researched by Chido Govera, a Zimbabwean social entrepreneur and farmer in collaboration with the University of Glasgow. It also highlights the work being done by researcher Pru Mhlope, a James McCune Smith and GALLANT Post graduate to use coffee grounds as a land remediation agent for vacant and derelict land sites for which Glasgow has approximately 600. Note that the Chamber of Commerce and Glasgow University are pursuing further opportunities for investigating the scientific foundation for a social enterprise based on recycling of spent coffee grounds. Council therefore instructs officers in economic development to engage with various internal and external stakeholders including Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, in order to develop a business case for the continuation of coffee ground repurposing which should be brought to the relevant committee. The business case development should consider the cost of resourcing and capital for equipment based on various scenarios and volumes of coffee ground repurposing; the potential savings for the council, community groups and other relevant organisations by avoiding procurement of compost/ soil enhancer; benefits and savings to business for disposing of their coffee by-product utilising this approach vs. current disposal method; the potential business opportunities for social enterprises or third sector organisations to lead on this initiative; potential changes required to Scottish waste legislation at a local or national level for both transportation and management. Officers should also work with existing community food growing networks and campaign 'Composting for the future' led by Glasgow Community Food Network to incorporate their knowledge and how local food systems could benefit from the continuation/ upscaling of this initiative." View Papers |
| (h) | Motion by Councillor Alex Kerr:- "Council firmly believes that a strong democracy is the foundation stone on which the most prosperous and free societies that have existed throughout history have been built. Council further believes that ensuring the largest proportion of citizens possible are able to take part in the democratic process, known as "democratic well-being" is crucial to ensuring the long-term strength of any democratic system. Council understands the additional barriers that those from more deprived backgrounds face in engaging with the democratic process with the Fraser of Allander institute finding a significant gap in participation between individuals that considered themselves in good health and those that considered themselves in bad health. Council deplores the introduction of voter ID legislation by the UK Government which requires those taking part in Westminster elections to show photographic identification to vote in a polling station. Council notes the Electoral Commissions report into the May 2023 Local Elections in England which took place under the voter ID rules which found hundreds of thousands of people could be excluded from voting in a UK general election because of new rules. Council further notes the reports finding that this would have a disproportionate impact on poorer people, those with disabilities and from minority ethnic backgrounds. Council understands that legislation is being consulted on by the Welsh Government which would allow Local Authorities to pilot automatic enrolment of voters to the electoral register. Council considers this would meet the aims of increasing democratic well-being by widening the pool of those eligible to vote and removing unnecessary barriers from participation in the democratic process to some of the most deprived communities. Council further believes the success of such pilots would highlight the benefits of taking an approach which opens up democracy, as opposed to inadvertently closing routes into participation through implementation of unnecessary voter ID legislation which creates barriers to participation. Council will write to the Scottish Government to call for work to be undertaken to establish the possibility of similar policies being pursued at a Scottish level with a view to widening participation at Scottish and Local levels. Council also proposes that these discussions also involve consideration of i-voting (internet) known as electronic voting. Council recognises that the learning available from Estonia, a pioneer in electronic voting, one of several channels offered to Estonian voters, with voters able to vote over the internet since the 2005 municipal elections. Council notes that although only 3% of voters voted online in 2007 (the first national e-elections anywhere in the world), that number had reached 44% by the last election in 2019. Such voting is made possible by Estonia's smart ID cards. Council notes Glasgow City Council's success in the area of using data to increase participation - particularly with Glasgow's pilot canvass which was cited by the Electoral Commission as best practice with findings being used to inform UK wide changes to the canvass. Council believes that given this track-record of success that Glasgow City Council should volunteer as the lead pilot location in the aforementioned letter for any proposals that come forward from the Scottish Government." View Papers |
| (i) | Motion by Councillor Jill Pidgeon:- "Council notes the information received by the Glasgow Disability Alliance and Scottish Women's Budget Group is startling. Glasgow Disability Alliance in their Triple Whammy report showed that 'For disabled women, the inequality, exclusion, and discrimination already faced as a disabled person, and as a woman, have been triple-charged by the unequal impacts of Covid-19. The Scottish Women's Budget Group have worked with members of Glasgow Disability Alliance to use gender budgeting tools to look at how these structural inequalities impact disabled women, how the current cost of living crisis is exacerbating theses inequalities and how the actions taken to address the crisis are impacting. The report states that that disabled women continue to feel the strain of the situation created by the pandemic while simultaneously experiencing the unequal impact of the cost-of-living crisis. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (April 2023): highlights that single people without children are over-represented in households in the deepest poverty. This briefing also evidences that disabled people are one of the groups at risk of very deep poverty. This research can be compared to wider SWBG research shows that in all areas disabled women disclosed that they are struggling to manage basic living costs including, food, transport, and energy costs. Disabled women said they are struggling at higher levels because they often had higher day to day costs as a result of being disabled or having an impairment or long-term health conditions. The financial support provided by all levels of government has failed to take into account the additional costs that disabled people have and as a result larger numbers of disabled women are struggling to manage their costs and are having to utilise strategies to manage these impacts negatively on their health, wellbeing and life chances. Disabled women are telling us that the impact of these strategies is having a negative impact on their standard of living with many saying they are barely surviving and that their lives have shrunk. Disabled women are saying they cannot participate in their own lives; contribute to their families and communities; or take up opportunities available to them. Disabled women are telling us that the decisions taken by the UK & Scottish Government, the Health & Social Care Partnership, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow and Clyde Health Board and Housing Associations have all negatively impacted on their lives, all exacerbating the inequalities experienced prior to the covid-19 and now the cost-of-living crises. Decisions about increasing charges for services and decisions to reduce services or not returning services to pre-pandemic levels have all failed to identify the negative impact faced by disabled women and take actions to mitigate the impact on this already disadvantaged group. Therefore, Council agrees to support the Disability Alliances recommendations and agrees to a cross party working group to address the serious concerns of disabled women in Glasgow. Based on the information gathered we are calling on the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership to: 1. Increase the use of intersectional gender budget analysis on decisions at national and local level. 2. Carry out an analysis of the impact of decisions to increase charges for care related costs and identifying what actions can be taken to mitigate any negative impacts. 3. Break free from silo thinking and silo working: "policy coherence" requiring planners, policy makers and service designers to have a good understanding and analysis of the interrelated barriers which disabled women experience. 4. Work with DPOs to co-design Disability Poverty Reduction Actions such as free bus pass, blue badges, taxi card scheme, and fuel poverty measures and plan strategic actions to address the specific causes and impacts of poverty on disabled women, e.g. accessible employability, fair work and more adequate disability benefits. 5. Take into account the additional costs faced by disabled women when designing cost of living support schemes: this will necessarily require an increased understanding of the inequalities and barriers faced by disabled women." View Papers |