Glasgow City Council Agenda - 16 May 2019, 13:00 Help

A meeting to be held at City Chambers, Glasgow at 13:00 on 16 May 2019.

Number Item
1Minutes of Council meeting of 4th April 2019 (Print 1, pages 1 to 11). View Papers
2Print 1 - Committees' minutes - Submitted for information and approval as a correct record only (page 12 onwards). View Papers
3Conference and Travel Approvals - Report by Council Business Manager. View Papers
4Members' Remuneration Arrangements - Report by Council Business Manager. View Papers
5Changes to committees etc:-  View Papers
(a)Appointment of Senior Officers Committee - Amend membership to Leader of the Council, City Treasurer, City Convener for Workforce, Leader of the Opposition, 1 other majority opposition member and 1 from each of the minority opposition groups, with provision for substitutes;
(b)Champions Board for Children and Young People - Remove Thomas Kerr and appoint Euan Blockley;
(c)City Administration Committee - Remove Robert Connelly as substitute and appoint Euan Blockley as substitute;
(d)Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction City Policy Committee - Remove Robert Connelly and appoint Kyle Thornton;
(e)General Purposes Committee - Remove Kyle Thornton and appoint Ade Aibinu;
(f)Local Licensing Forum - Appoint Brian McNelis, Greater Glasgow Hotels Association; and
(g)Strathclyde Pension Fund - Remove Euan Blockley and appoint David Meikle.
6Representation on outside bodies :-  View Papers
(a)COSLA - Remove David Meikle and appoint Thomas Kerr; and
(b)Glasgow City Integration Joint Board - Remove Ade Aibinu and appoint Tony Curtis.
7Correspondence:- View Papers
(a)Letter from Roseanna Cunningham MSP in response to Council motion on littering; and View Papers
(b)Letter from Michael Matheson MSP in response to Council motion on 20pmh speed limit. View Papers
8Questions. View Papers
9Notices of motions:-
(a)By Councillor Anna Richardson:-

"Council records its full support for the decision of the First Minister to declare that there is a climate emergency. Council notes and endorses the First Minister's commitment to heed the science underpinning the declaration of a climate emergency, in particular the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, whose work is critical to understanding the drivers of climate change, its impacts, and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks.

Council welcomes the recent report by the UK Committee on Climate Change recommending a new target for the UK to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and a net-zero emissions date for Scotland of 2045. Council further notes the committee's recommendation of new interim targets for Scotland of a 70% reduction by 2030 and 90% reduction, equivalent to carbon neutral, by 2040.

Cities must show leadership on climate change, and Council welcomes the progress already made in reducing Glasgow's carbon emissions, in particular that the city has already met and exceeded its carbon reduction target for the year 2020. Council notes that the city has achieved this through a wide-ranging set of actions, not only by the Council, but also by the citizens of the city, and other stakeholders, in key areas such as transport, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

Council understands that climate change is not just an environmental challenge, but is also a social justice issue, and that decisive and inclusive action now is essential to minimise the disproportionate impacts that climate change will have on our most vulnerable communities.

Council notes that the Strategic Plan approved by the Council in November 2017 sets a carbon neutral target for the city of 2037. Council welcomes the decision of the Environment, Sustainability, and Carbon Reduction City Policy Committee to establish a Climate Emergency Working Group, with all-party membership and representation from citizen activist groups, as well as the Chamber of Commerce.

Council resolves to declare a climate emergency and looks forward to receiving the report and recommendations of the Climate Emergency Working Group after the summer recess, recognises that these are likely to be radical and challenging for both the Council and the wider city, and commits to using these recommendations as the basis for delivering the decarbonisation of the city in response to this climate emergency." View Papers
(b)By Councillor Elaine McDougall:-

"Council notes the announcement by Richard Leonard MSP, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, and Pauline McNeill MSP, an elected representative of this city, for a 'Mary Barbour Law' to help solve Scotland's Housing Crisis. Such a law would empower residents in the ever expanding Private Rented Sector and help to control unaffordable rent increases by linking increases in rents to improvements in standards.

Council further notes that Mary Barbour, a former Bailie of this city, was a leader of the famous Rent Strikes in 1915 which led to the Rents and Mortgage Interest Restriction Act of that same year.

Council believes that a Mary Barbour Law is necessary given the increase in the Private Rented Sector in Glasgow, which has more than doubled since 2001, and that increases in rents have outstripped increases in wages, pushing higher the cost of living for young adults and families with children, who constitute the majority of tenants in the Private Rented Sector.

Council welcomes recent increases in funding available for house building in Glasgow in future years, after successive budgets which constrained the ability to meet demand for new socially rented and mid-market rent housing. However, it also recognises that this increase in funding is a response to the emerging housing crisis that is taking place in the country.

Council therefore resolves to support calls for a Mary Barbour Law and Pauline McNeill MSP's proposed Members' Bill, and instructs the Chief Executive to write to Ms. McNeill outlining the Council's support for her Members' Bill." View Papers
(c)By Councillor Euan Blockley:-

"Council believes that good quality assessment is an essential tool assisting teachers to improve education standards and understands that there exists a variety of different methods available to meet statutory requirements.

Council notes however the significant concerns raised in recent months by parents, teachers and education professionals regarding the use of Scottish National Standardised Assessments (SNSAs) at the Primary 1 stage. Council further recognises the votes of both MSPs and Glasgow City Councillors last year which clearly set out the opposition of the Scottish Parliament and this Council to SNSAs at Primary 1.

Council regrets that, like his Scottish Government counterpart, the current Education Convener has disrespected the position of Elected Members on this matter. Council confirms that the current SNP administration is in a minority position and considers its attempt to defy the majority vote of Glasgow City Councillors as unacceptable.

Council recognises the Scottish Parliament vote against this testing in Primary 1 and the subsequent will of Councillors, who voted based on clear and concise information as to whether Primary 1 tests are in line with the play-based learning philosophy of the early years provision in the Curriculum for Excellence.

Council therefore instructs the Executive Director of Education to write to all head teachers in Glasgow advising them that this Council fully supports them when they choose not to use the Scottish National Standardised Assessments (SNSAs) at Primary 1 stage.

Council further resolves that the City Convener for Education, Skills and Early Years has lost the confidence of this Council."  View Papers
(d)By Bailie Dr Martin Bartos:-

"Council notes the release of the Phase 2 Connectivity Commission report initiated by the Leader of Glasgow City Council. Council, thanks the Commissioners, the organisations called upon to provide evidence and the staff and campaigners within the transport field who daily work hard to deliver better public transport in the west of Scotland.

Council believes in the importance of an ecologically and economically sustainable, integrated multi-modal public transport network which is safe, accessible and affordable to serve the needs of people across this and nearby regional authorities. Council believes that this vision cannot be achieved without public direction and adequate funding across the whole travel-to-work region and notes the Commission's case for £10billion investment in transport. Council believes responsible investment in low and carbon-neutral transport is key to empowering people and protecting the planet given the climate emergency.

Council notes the Commission's reference to a range of transport funding mechanisms employed elsewhere and believes that such powers, including precept, may be necessary. Council therefore calls on MSPs to consider appropriate amendments to the Planning and Transport Bills to empower existing regional planning and transport bodies across Scotland to develop tailored mechanisms for revenue raising which adapt any of the methods referenced in the report.

Council believes that good governance in regional transport and planning requires good democratic input and oversight. To do this for transport requires a broad elected-membership drawn from the travel-to-work area and a track record of good engagement with all stakeholders. Council believes that such a statutorily established governance model already exists in regional transport partnerships.
Council further notes ongoing work relating to roles and responsibilities with the National Transport Strategy review and ongoing local governance review by Scottish Government with COSLA and is surprised this is absent from the report's commentary.

Council welcomes the revival of a range of ambitious transport suggestions. Council notes the disappointing lack of progress to date on improving north/south Glasgow crossrail connectivity and projects which were derailed at a national level. Council therefore welcomes the recognition of the need for funding and delivery of a crossrail connectivity project for Glasgow, noting this would benefit people and businesses across the wider region.

Council notes the Commission's preferred Central/Queen Street Station Crossrail Tunnel option and believes it would be important to compare the social, economic and carbon reduction benefits of a fully assessed Glasgow Crossrail Tunnel option with overground Glasgow Crossrail proposals based on redevelopment of an existing under-utilised line.

Council notes the decision of the Environment Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Committee to consider a report on the Commission's findings. In order to better understand the above projects. Council instructs officers to bring separate reports (including all available business cases, such as those used by the Commission), comparing options for each key project. Council asks the first to come to the appropriate City Council Committee by end September 2019. Council instructs officers to invite the Connectivity Commission's Chair, or Vice-chair, to attend any Council Committees considering these transport project proposals.

Council looks forward to hearing from Scottish Government and the 11 other Strathclyde local authorities regarding their reaction to the report and future transport funding arrangements." View Papers
(e)By Councillor Rhiannon Spear:-

"Council welcomes Glasgow's first ever Social Enterprise Action Plan created in partnership with Glasgow's Social Enterprise Network and the city's Social Enterprise Board.

Council acknowledges the immense value that social enterprises bring to Glasgow with a net worth of over £1.6 billion and welcomes that over 84% of Glasgow's social enterprises pay at least the Scottish Living Wage.

Council commits to stimulating the social enterprise sector, developing stronger organisations by building capacity and promoting sustainability, as well as realising the market opportunities for social enterprises.

Council endorses the vision set out in the action plan that by championing social enterprise, where economic activity works for people and profit, and profit is used for social and environmental change, Glasgow will be recognised as the social enterprise capital of Scotland by 2028.

Council welcomes the step change in the relationship between the city and its social enterprises and welcomes a new commitment to partnership working which will build on the collaborative approach underpinned by the city's Third Sector Concordat and the Scottish Government's national Social Enterprise Action Plans." View Papers
(f)By Councillor Thomas Kerr:-

"Council notes the importance of social mobility and equality of opportunity in removing the barriers to aspiration and achievement faced by those from our deprived communities. Council appreciates the work of Justine Greening MP in launching the Social Mobility Pledge, which represents a commitment from businesses and other employers to improve social mobility by signing up to the following three steps:-

a. partner with schools or colleges to provide coaching through quality careers advice, enrichment experience and/or mentoring to people from disadvantaged backgrounds or circumstances;

b. provide structured work experience and/or apprenticeship opportunities to people from disadvantaged backgrounds or circumstances;

c. adopt open employee recruitment practices which promote a level playing field for people from disadvantaged backgrounds or circumstances.

Council notes that Glasgow is already undertaking significant work which aligns with the aims of the Social Mobility Pledge. Council recognises that, by committing to the Pledge and becoming an accredited organisation, it will seek to continue this work and further demonstrate the Council's commitment to accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds.

Council therefore resolves to join with Wandsworth Borough Council and Milton Keynes Council, as well as employers ranging from Morrisons to ITV and Manchester United FC, in committing to the Social Mobility Pledge and becoming a Pledge accredited employer. It further calls on other Glasgow employers, as well as local authorities throughout Scotland, to join this Council in signing up to the Social Mobility Pledge."  View Papers
(g)By Bailie Josephine Docherty:-

"Council recognises that 100 years ago this year, Glasgow witnessed rent strikes, the 'Battle of George Square' and the rise of 'Red Clydeside'. Council notes that a Glasgow school teacher stood out amongst the many: John MacLean. Council notes that he had already been jailed on trumped up charges of sedition and had served 9 months of a 3 year jail term.

Council regrets that his name is now all but forgotten amongst the wider public in terms of our history. Council agrees that we should address this and in order to honour his memory, and that of the brave men and women of Glasgow who stood by his side.

Council instructs the Chief Executive to investigate a way to commemorate the life and work of John MacLean." View Papers