Falkirk Council Agenda - 30 March 2022, 10:00 Help

A meeting to be held at Remote at 10:00 on 30 March 2022.

Number Item
Record of Votes View Papers
In accordance with section 43 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Provost 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
1Sederunt
2Declarations 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.
3Minutes and Information Bulletin
(a)Minute of Meeting of Falkirk Council held on 8 December 2021;  View Papers
(b)Minute of Special Meeting of Falkirk Council held on 20 December 2021; View Papers
(c)Minute of Meeting of Falkirk Council held on 19 January 2022; View Papers
(d)Minute of Special Meeting of Falkirk Council held on 15 February 2022; View Papers
(e)Minute of Special Meeting of Falkirk Council held on 2 March 2022; View Papers
(f)Minute of Meeting of Falkirk Council held on 2 March 2022; View Papers
(g)Volume of Minutes - Volume 3 2021/22, and View Papers
(h)Information Bulletin - Volume 3 2021/22.  View Papers
4Rolling Action Log  View Papers
5Treasury Management Strategy

Report by the Acting Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services.
 View Papers
6Standing Orders Review

Report by the Acting Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services.
 View Papers
7Elected Members Champions

Report by the Acting Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services.
 View Papers
8Arrangements for Carrying Out Council Functions March - May 2022

Report by the Acting Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services.
 View Papers
9Execution of Deeds

Report by the Acting Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services.
 View Papers
10Motions

Two Motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 29 are set out below. Motions that refer to matters within the remit of the Executive, or Education, Children and Young People Executive, will stand referred to the appropriate body, without discussion, unless:-

(1) special circumstances exist which, in opinion of the Provost (having consulted with the Council Leader and the Leader of the main Opposition groups) requires an exception to be made;

(2) two thirds of the members present vote in favour of the matter being discussed; or

(3) the motion raises an issue with significant impact on the Council area which the Provost, having consulted with the Leader of the Council and the Leaders of the main Opposition groups, considers suitable for debate at Council.

The following motions stand referred to the Executive unless otherwise determined by the Provost, having consulted with the Leader of the Council and the Leaders of the main Opposition groups.
(a)Rail Services

We need ambition for our railway if we are to restart our economy and meet our net zero goals. However, the SNP-Green Government's plans to cut services and close ticket offices, and their failure to rule out compulsory redundancies, risks dashing the potential of our publicly owned rail service before it's even begun.

With Abellio Scotrail, perhaps conveniently just a few weeks before the Scottish Government take control of our railways, cutting approximately 250 rail services a day across Scotland and cutting staffing hours at 117 stations across Scotland including a 30% cut at Falkirk Grahamston and Polmont. Staffing levels are also set to be cut at Falkirk High and Linlithgow (which serves Bo'ness).

Encouraging the public to use public transport is vital to help Scotland meet our climate goals. But the SNP's plans to cut services will be hugely detrimental in encouraging people out of cars and back onto trains as we emerge from the pandemic.

These cuts will have a detrimental effect on those with a disability who may need extra assistance getting on/off trains, assistance in or around railway stations and assistance with ticket machines. These could all lead to potential isolation for disabled members of our community and show the inequalities that exist within society.

Lone travellers, especially females and elderly, may feel vulnerable due to being the only person around a station therefore think twice about using our railways which again may lead to isolation

Council asks that the Leader of Falkirk Council write to the First Minister and the Transport Minister calling on them to think again and stop cuts to services and staffing levels at our railway stations both locally and nationally which will help us meet our climate goals and also provide a safer more inclusive form of transport for our residents.

Proposed by Councillor Aitchison View Papers
(b)Communal Repairs

Council to note:-

(1) the concerns of some of my constituents asked to pay large bills following common repairs where the Council is also an owner and that these repairs take place across the district;

(2) that these large bills can be difficult to pay for some owners particularly where they are retired;

(3) that the options currently provided for in the Scheme of Assistance do not include the option to defer payment eg through a charging order to the point where the property is sold or the owner passes on;

(4) that this option has previously been used in the past for example on repairs in the high flats;

I ask Council to agree that the Acting Director of Housing reviews the current Scheme of Assistance with a view to considering whether deferred payment can be used in these circumstances and if so what the cost would be and reports back to a future meeting of Council.

Proposed by Provost Buchanan View Papers