Technical Notes 2022, Issues 179 - Council Meeting 3rd November 2022 – Amended Motions

1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide Members with the text of the motions agreed at the Council meeting on 3rd November 2022.   
    
2. Members will be aware that there were four political motions on the agenda of the Council meeting held on 3rd November.  Whilst Item 18 (Motion on Fracking) was withdrawn during the meeting, the remaining three were subject to amendment.
    
3. The draft Minute for the meeting of 3rd November will not be available to Members until 8th December.  In order to assist Members, the amended motions, as agreed by Council, are attached as an appendix to this Technical Note.

Appendix 1

East Dunbartonshire Council: 3rd November 2022
Text of Amended Motions, as agreed

Agenda Item 15: Motion – West Park United

To welcome the growth of West Park United football teams within Bishopbriggs for the valuable community service they provide, and to request officers make contact with West Park United and all other local community football and sporting clubs to ensure that opportunities for partnership working are maximised to the benefit of East Dunbartonshire residents.

The Council Notes:

1) At their current year end West Park had 147 volunteer coaches that provided 8500 hours of coaching in the past 12 months to its 550 players.

2) 2500 hours of coaching was provided to children in East Dunbartonshire by qualified Scottish Youth Football Association coaches.

3) Its membership growth is in part fuelled by women and girls membership rising to approximately 25% of the total membership and continues to be fastest growing group element of the club.”

4) That Auchinairn/Bishopbriggs has six local football clubs with nearly 1,750 players from all age groups and genders and that they supported by an incredible group of over 550 volunteers

5) The success of the Huntershill Sports Facility since its opening in 2017 which as well as incorporating football, also facilities rugby, tennis, athletics, group fitness classes, netball and so much more.

6) That further expansion of sporting facilities in Auchinairn/Bishopbriggs area should include examining the maximising of the grounds at Hunterhill Sporting Facilities.

Agenda Item 16: Motion – Etive Park

Council confirms its continued commitment to the Climate Ready Park project at Etive and Woodhill Parks in Bishopbriggs, which will form a key measure within the council's climate action plan, promoting community food growing, sustainability and biodiversity, and mitigating against the impacts of surface water flooding within the local area, in line with the refreshed priorities unanimously agreed by Council on 23rd June 2022.

Council recognises that the project was developed following public consultation exercises carried out in April 2019 and July 2021, acknowledges the input of all who contributed, and notes that consent TP/ED/21/0915 was unanimously granted at the Planning Board on 14th December 2021.  The project has also been incorporated within LDP2, which was again unanimously approved by Council for adoption on 22nd September 2022.

Council regrets that owing to the withdrawal of the nominated contractor it will not be possible to meet the 31st March 2023 timescale for the European Regeneration Development Fund, but notes that the Streetscene Technical Support and Flood Risk Teams will work together to take forward the internally funded elements, including the allotments and the flood mitigation works, and instructs officers to continue to seek external funding for the remaining elements of the project.

Council further notes officers' intention to now pursue separate procurement exercises for the various elements of the project, and, recognising the urgency of the flood mitigation works, agrees that this element be prioritised for implementation.

Agenda Item 17: Motion – World Prematurity Day

Council notes that the World Health Organisation definition of prematurity as being a live birth before 37 weeks of gestation and that globally approximately 1 in 10 babies born are born prematurely.  Furthermore Council also notes that for the year ending 31st March 2021 there were 42 babies in East Dunbartonshire born prematurely according to Public Health Scotland Statistics.

Council notes the importance of World Prematurity Day in raising awareness of premature birth and its associated consequences.  Council acknowledges the theme of this year’s campaign “a parent’s embrace” and the importance of skin to skin contact between parent and baby from the moment of birth or as soon as possible after birth where complications arise.

Council further recognises that many babies who are born prematurely also require neonatal care and the unique challenges facing babies and their parents this brings.  Council commends the work of third sector organisations such as Bliss Scotland in raising awareness and providing support and guidance to families when their baby is born prematurely or needs neonatal care.

In welcoming the support and guidance provided by third sector organisations; council notes the work of Mark Griffin MSP for his campaign to ensure consistent financial support for parents of neonates. Council also recognises that families can access the Neonatal Expenses fund which helps parents offset the cost of travelling to and from hospital when their baby is receiving neonatal care.

Council welcomes the Neonatal Care (Pay and Leave) Bill presented by Stuart McDonald MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East, which is progressing through the UK Parliament at present with cross party support.  Council expresses its support for the bill which would deliver up to 12 weeks of additional statutory paid leave and pay for mothers, fathers and non-birthing parents when a baby requires 7 days or more neonatal care.  Council further recognises the initial work being undertaken by officers to develop a policy to meet the obligations contained in said bill as part of the council’s ongoing commitment to deliver a “family friendly” approach to its operational policies.

Council resolves to participate in World Prematurity Day on 17th November 2022 and in subsequent years.  This could include, but is not limited to, a social media campaign or illumination of council buildings in appropriate colours.

Council further looks forward to the enactment of the Neonatal Care (Pay and Leave) Bill by the UK Parliament and the benefits it will bring for families of neonates across East Dunbartonshire.

Council notes that the Tommy’s charity reports that 1 in 10 of all premature babies, which survive, will have a permanent disability such as lung disease, cerebral palsy, blindness or deafness.  In severe cases this can result in the need for lifelong care and support.

Council welcomes the Carer’s Leave Bill presented by Liberal Democrat Wendy Chamberlain MP which is also progressing through the UK Parliament at present with cross party support.  This bill will help carers who have to juggle work with their caring responsibilities and help more carers to remain in work reducing the risk of a child being brought up in relative poverty.

Agenda Item 18: Motion – Fracking

Withdrawn