Executive Agenda - 30 November 2021, 10:00 
A meeting to be held at Remote at 10:00 on 30 November 2021.
| Number | Item |
|---|---|
| Record of Votes View Papers | |
| In accordance with Section 43 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Convener has directed that this meeting will be conducted in such a manner as to allow remote attendance by elected members. In accordance with Section 50A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 the public are excluded from this meeting as it is likely that, if members of the public were present, there would be a real and substantial risk to public health due to infection or contamination with coronavirus. The meeting will be livestreamed via the Council website at:- https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/live | |
| 1 | Apologies |
| 2 | Declarations of Interest Members should declare any financial and non-financial interests they have in any item of business at the meeting, identifying the relevant agenda item and the nature of the interest. |
| 3 | Minute Minute of Meeting of the Executive held on 19 October 2021. View Papers |
| 4 | Rolling Action Log View Papers |
| 5 | Motions referred to the Executive under Standing Order 31 |
| (a) | The following motion was referred to the Executive from the special meeting of Falkirk Council on 10 November 2021 Falkirk Families Face Financial Crisis Council acknowledges that many Falkirk residents are facing a cost-of-living crisis, with increasing financial pressures, due to cuts to in-work benefits, tax hikes and the long-term damage of Brexit hammering low and middle-income families. Much of this has been as a direct result of the impact of the Conservative UK Government's progression of a cut of £1,000 in Universal Credit for around 13,000 Falkirk families in the face of widespread opposition - including charities working with people in poverty and all parties voting to condemn this plan in the Scottish Parliament on September 28th 2021 - with only the Conservatives supporting their colleagues' attack on the poorest in our society. Based on August 2021 figures, as a result 12,763 Households in Falkirk who claim Universal Credit and around 4683 of our most vulnerable households on Universal Credit will be subject to the removal of the £20 a week lifeline. This will reduce household incomes by £4,870,320 per year to the hard-pressed residents in Falkirk who need it most, pushing thousands more families into poverty, including 2,725 households with someone who has a disability and an estimated 6,980 children in Falkirk. Also, the compound impact of this cut on existing polices such as the family cap with its abhorrent rape clause with other factors such as energy and food price rises which will push the impact on a single working parent of 2 children to £1,750 a year according to analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Council also notes warnings that energy bills are expected to rise, alongside National Insurance payments as well as an increase in inflation. This perfect storm will create further pressures to families, and potentially impact on Falkirk Councils medium term financial strategy. The Leader of the Council is therefore instructed to write to the Prime Minister and outline the urgent need to boost household incomes. For example, the recent increase in the national minimum wage would take up to 10 years to reach a level that would provide a sustainable income for families, there is therefore an urgent need for the minimum wage be increased to a realistic level that will enable household incomes to be sustainable and reverse the rising levels of poverty in the UK. This includes ensuring that younger workers are equally protected from poverty, particularly those with children. The Council should make clear in its content that it is essential that an emergency package of measures is introduced to boost incomes and reverse the damage caused by Tory policies. Council asks that officers bring a report to the next council, Executive and Education, Children & Young People's Committees outlining the potential impacts to the council area including likely pressures on housing and homelessness, child poverty, in work poverty and other likely impacts. Proposed by Councillor Collie. View Papers |
| (b) | The following motion was referred to the Executive from the meeting of Falkirk Council on 29 September 2021:- Fair Work Practices This council notes:- 1 in 10 workers have experienced 'fire and rehire' - told to reapply for their jobs on worse pay, terms and conditions or face the sack, with BME workers facing this at twice the rate of white workers, since March 2020 (TUC research, January 2021). A quarter of all workers have experienced a worsening of their terms and conditions - including a cut in their pay - since the pandemic began. That while the prime minister has called the practice "unacceptable" he has continually refused to take action to outlaw the practice, raising concerns that he will not intervene in this race to the bottom as an escalating number of employers across all sectors using our weak employment protections employers as they force their staff to accept worse terms and conditions, leaving many having to work longer hours and for lower pay, with what can be devastating consequences for workers and their families. Even before the pandemic, 1 in 9 workers - 3.8 million people - were already 'insecure', meaning they did not have access to basic rights at work and could be dismissed at will; including those on zero hour contracts and agency workers. This council therefore resolves to:- Ensure local residents are protected against such unscrupulous employers and agrees to ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister demanding he outlaw fire and rehire and act now to keep his promise to local residents to protect their employment terms and conditions. Not use fire and rehire (dismissal and re-engagement) itself as an employer and to ensure the council has a procurement practice that promotes fair work practices, and good trade union, equality and environmental practices. Promote the increasing number of progressive local employers prioritising their employees' standard of living and their wellbeing, work with our anchor institutions and key partners to bring forward plans to ensure all have best practice employment and to work with recognised trade unions on this. Support the TUC campaign for a 'New Deal for Working People'. Asks for a report back on work undertaken in relation to procurement practices that promote fair work practices (including not hiring and refiring) and encouraging progressive employers. Proposed by Councillor Nimmo. View Papers |
| 6 | Consideration of Divestment from Fossil Fuels - Pensions Committee Report by the Director of Corporate and Housing Services. Environment Portfolio View Papers |
| 7 | Falkirk Local Development Plan 2 Supplementary Guidance SG14: Renewable and Low Carbon Report by the Acting Director of Development Services. Economic Development Portfolio View Papers |
| 8 | Transformation of Roads, Grounds and Street Cleansing Report by the Acting Director of Development Services. Environment Portfolio View Papers |
| 9 | Closer to Communities & Community Choices Report Report by the Director of Corporate and Housing Services. Leader of the Council View Papers |
| 10 | Forest Estate Plan - Implementation Update Report by the Acting Director of Development Services. Environment Portfolio View Papers |
| 11 | Falkirk Community Stadium Limited Report by the Chief Executive. Leader of the Council View Papers |
| 12 | Resettlement of Refugees and Asylum Seekers Report by the Director of Corporate and Housing Services. Leader of the Council View Papers |