Agenda item

This Council calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to set up a Royal Commission on Local Government Finance and the wider relationship between Central and Local Government.

It was moved by Councillor Andrew Carter, seconded by Councillor Finnigan that this Council calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to set up a Royal Commission on Local Government Finance and the wider relationship between Central and Local Government.

An amendment was moved by Councillor J Lewis seconded by Councillor Dawson

After “between Central and Local Government” add:

“This Council regrets the high level of centralisation in England and believes local authorities should have more control over public spending in their areas. Council believes the distribution of public funds should primarily be based on responding to the needs and deprivation of local populations.

“This Council notes the Government’s stated intention to localise business rates and calls for a quick settlement in this regard to end any uncertainty about any such localisation on local government finance.”

Full motion will then read:

“This Council calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to set up a Royal Commission on Local Government Finance and the wider relationship between Central and Local Government.

“This Council regrets the high level of centralisation in England and believes local authorities should have more control over public spending in their areas. Council believes the distribution of public funds should primarily be based on responding to the needs and deprivation of local populations.

“This Council notes the Government’s stated intention to localise business rates and calls for a fair and quick settlement in this regard to end any uncertainty about any such localisation on local government finance.”

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.9(b), and with the consent of the seconder Councillor Andrew Carter sought leave of Council to alter the wording of the motion in his name by the inclusion of the amendment in the name of Councillor J Lewis.

Council was adjourned at this point in order that procedural advice could be taken on the matter, upon the resumption of the meeting the Lord Mayor called for the vote on Councillor Carter’s request and the vote was lost.

The amendment in the name of Councillor J Lewis was carried and upon being put to the vote it was;

RESOLVED – That this Council calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to set up a Royal Commission on Local Government Finance and the wider relationship between Central and Local Government.

“This Council regrets the high level of centralisation in England and believes local authorities should have more control over public spending in their areas. Council believes the distribution of public funds should primarily be based on responding to the needs and deprivation of local populations.

“This Council notes the Government’s stated intention to localise business rates and calls for a fair and quick settlement in this regard to end any uncertainty about any such localisation on local government finance.

On the requisition of Councillor Andrew Carter and J Procter, the voting on Councillor Carter’s request to incorporate the amendment into his motion was recorded as follows:

 YES –27

B Anderson, C Anderson, J Bentley, S Bentley, A Blackburn, Buckley, Campbell, Amanda Carter, Andrew Carter, Castle, Cleasby ,Cohen, Finnigan, Flynn, Gettings, Golton ,Harrand , Lamb, G Latty, P Latty,  Leadley, J Procter, Robinson, Wadsworth, Wilford, Wilkinson and Wood.

No - 54

Akhtar, Blake, Bruce, Charlwood, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Dawson, C Dobson, M Dobson, Dowson , Gabriel, P Grahame, R Grahame, C Gruen,  P Gruen, Groves, Hamilton, Harington, Harland, Harper,  Hayden, Heselwood,  G Hussain, Hyde, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, A Khan, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, Lyons, Macniven, Maqsood, J McKenna, S McKenna, Mulherin, Nagle, Nash, Ogilvie, Pryor, Rafique, Renshaw, Ritchie, Selby, Smart, E Taylor, Urry, Venner, Walker, Walshaw, Wakefield and Yeadon. 

ABSTAIN - 0