Agenda item
Motions
Report of: Executive Director of Secretariat
The Assembly is asked to consider the motions submitted by Assembly Members.
Minutes:
9.1 Jenny Jones AM moved and Jennette Arnold AM seconded the following motion:
“This Assembly notes that the GLA group procures a variety of banking services, from card processing and foreign exchange to bonds and securities services. In the four years from 2008-12 the GLA group paid almost £35m in charges and other costs for these services, representing a significant combined procurement budget.
This Assembly calls on the Mayor of London, the GLA Head of Paid Service, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, the Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and the Board of Transport for London to explore opportunities to move taxpayers’ money to banks with a better track record in lending to small businesses and with a track record that is a better fit with the group’s Responsible Procurement policy.”
9.2 Upon being put to a vote, the motion, namely:
“This Assembly notes that the GLA group procures a variety of banking services, from card processing and foreign exchange to bonds and securities services. In the four years from 2008-12 the GLA group paid almost £35m in charges and other costs for these services, representing a significant combined procurement budget.
This Assembly calls on the Mayor of London, the GLA Head of Paid Service, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, the Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and the Board of Transport for London to explore opportunities to move taxpayers’ money to banks with a better track record in lending to small businesses and with a track record that is a better fit with the group’s Responsible Procurement policy.”
was agreed unanimously.
9.3 Jenny Jones AM requested that the Chair of Assembly and Leaders of Assembly party Groups undertake follow-up work in relation to this motion. The Chair suggested that the GLA’s Oversight Committee could lead on that work.
9.4 Joanne McCartney AM moved and John Biggs AM seconded the following motion:
“This Assembly notes the recent announcement by the Metropolitan Police that, in an attempt to fill the budget gap resulting from reckless government cuts of 20%, 891 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are likely to be cut, up to 65 front counters or police stations closed, and borough commanders merged. Additionally, this Assembly acknowledges that London has already lost 1,444 police officers, 1,960 PCSOs, and over 1,000 civilian staff since May 2010.
This Assembly also notes that the Mayor's revised budget guidance letter dated 19th October 2012, stated that the Metropolitan Police would have to achieve cuts of £148 million next year. Further, that this letter accepted for the first time that the Mayor may not be able to keep his election promise to have 1,000 more police officers in London than when he took office.
This Assembly is aware of the conclusion of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) that frontline policing services could only be preserved if budget cuts were limited to a maximum of 12%. This Assembly also notes that the Coalition Government has set targets to cut the police budget by 20%.
This Assembly therefore urges the Mayor to enter in to urgent negotiations with the Coalition Government to achieve a better settlement for Londoners that would prevent the loss of up to 50% of police station front counters and large numbers of police that the people of London truly value and rely on to keep them safe.”
9.5 Joanne McCartney AM informed the Assembly that the figures in the first paragraph of the motion should reflect updated figures recently released and therefore refer to 1,956 police officers, 1,800 PCSOs and 1,339 civilian staff. In accordance with Standing Order 3.6 and as mover of the motion she altered the motion accordingly.
9.6 Caroline Pidgeon AM moved and Stephen Knight AM seconded the following amendment to the motion:
Line 2: Delete, “reckless”.
Line 6-7: Delete,“1,444 […] 1,960 […] 1,000” and insert,“1,843 […] 1,682 […] 1,200”.
Paragraph 3: Delete,“that frontline policing services could only be preserved if budget cuts were limited to a maximum of 12%. This Assembly also notes that the Coalition Government has set targets to cut the police budget by 20%.”
Paragraph 3: Add “Policing in Austerity report that the Metropolitan Police still need to meet the outstanding financial gap, and that this could demand considerable further reductions in workforce numbers.
The Assembly also notes the evidence given to its Budget Committee from the HMIC that the support costs in the Metropolitan Police are significantly higher than everywhere else in the country, and that therefore it is likely that significantsavings can be found without affecting frontline services. The MPS Deputy Commissioner has also stated that “The Metropolitan Police is more expensive than the other 42 forces, with our support functions costing £93.40 per head compared with £51.50 across the rest of England and Wales.””
Paragraph 4: Add “and MOPAC to set a clear strategy for delivering savings in the Metropolitan Police, and to set a budget for the Metropolitan police which”
Paragraph 4: Delete “to enter in to urgent negotiations with the Coalition Government to achieve a better settlement for Londoners that would”
Add “s” to prevent.
9.7 Upon being put to a vote, the amendment in the name of Caroline Pidgeon AM was not carried (two votes in favour and 17 votes against).
9.8 Upon a further vote, the motion as altered, namely:
“This Assembly notes the recent announcement by the Metropolitan Police that, in an attempt to fill the budget gap resulting from reckless government cuts of 20%, 891 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are likely to be cut, up to 65 front counters or police stations closed, and borough commanders merged. Additionally, this Assembly acknowledges that London has already lost 1,956 police officers, 1,800 PCSOs, and over 1,339 civilian staff since May 2010.
This Assembly also notes that the Mayor’s revised budget guidance letter dated 19th October 2012, stated that the Metropolitan Police would have to achieve cuts of £148 million next year. Further, that this letter accepted for the first time that the Mayor may not be able to keep his election promise to have 1,000 more police officers in London than when he took office.
This Assembly is aware of the conclusion of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) that frontline policing services could only be preserved if budget cuts were limited to a maximum of 12%. This Assembly also notes that the Coalition Government has set targets to cut the police budget by 20%.
This Assembly therefore urges the Mayor to enter in to urgent negotiations with the Coalition Government to achieve a better settlement for Londoners that would prevent the loss of up to 50% of police station front counters and large numbers of police that the people of London truly value and rely on to keep them safe.”
was agreed (13 votes in favour and four votes against).
9.9 Fiona Twycross AM moved and Onkar Sahota AM seconded the following motion:
“This Assembly notes that 14 November is World Diabetes Day and the launch of Diabetes UK’s campaign on issues faced by children and young people with diabetes. This Assembly supports the aim of the campaign to highlight the signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in order to ensure more children are diagnosed before they become seriously ill.
The Assembly welcomes the priority placed by the shadow London Health Improvement Board (LHIB) on tackling childhood obesity. This should contribute to a reduction in the number of Londoners developing Type 2 diabetes and other obesity related, long-term conditions in later life. This Assembly therefore urges the Mayor, in his capacity as Chair of the shadow LHIB, to prioritise diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in children and young people as well as the prevention of Type 2.
The Assembly calls upon the Mayor to work with the shadow LHIB and London Councils to ensure the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are promoted more widely among parents, schools, and healthcare professionals to ensure that children developing this condition do not become critically ill with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) prior to diagnosis, putting their long-term health and their lives at risk.
This Assembly notes that NHS London, which is being disbanded in the near future, previously had responsibility for health promotion in London. The Assembly urges the Mayor to continue to lobby the government for the London Health Improvement Board to be granted statutory status in order to strengthen its ability to provide both a strategic overview and increase its ability to play a significant role in health promotion and public health campaigns in London.”
9.10 In accordance with Standing Order 3.6, Fiona Twycross AM, as mover of the motion, indicated that she was altering the motion to delete the final paragraph.
9.11 Upon being put to a vote, the motion as altered, namely:
“This Assembly notes that 14 November is World Diabetes Day and the launch of Diabetes UK’s campaign on issues faced by children and young people with diabetes. This Assembly supports the aim of the campaign to highlight the signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in order to ensure more children are diagnosed before they become seriously ill.
The Assembly welcomes the priority placed by the shadow London Health Improvement Board (LHIB) on tackling childhood obesity. This should contribute to a reduction in the number of Londoners developing Type 2 diabetes and other obesity related, long-term conditions in later life. This Assembly therefore urges the Mayor, in his capacity as Chair of the shadow LHIB, to prioritise diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in children and young people as well as the prevention of Type 2.
The Assembly calls upon the Mayor to work with the shadow LHIB and London Councils to ensure the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are promoted more widely among parents, schools, and healthcare professionals to ensure that children developing this condition do not become critically ill with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) prior to diagnosis, putting their long-term health and their lives at risk.”
was agreed unanimously.
9.12 During the course of the debate on this motion, it was requested that the Assembly be provided with a briefing regarding the role of the London Health Improvement Board.
[Note: See also Minute 2: Declarations of Interest.]
Supporting documents: