Agenda item

To consider the following Motion, written notice of which has been given by Councillor John Healy and Seconded by Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1

Meeting of Council, Thursday, 25th July, 2019 2.00 pm (Item 31.)

“This Council is aware that public services have suffered severe cuts since austerity began in 2010 and that South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (SYFRA) will have had a real term reduction in the grant support that it receives from Government of 50% between 2010 and 2020.

Fire stations have been closed, downgraded or merged causing longer travel distances and therefore increased attendance times.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are predicting a £3.8 million shortfall on previous revenue grants and state that future funding remains unclear beyond 2020/21.

This Council believes the cuts have simply gone too far. Public and firefighter lives are now at risk. Nationally, fire deaths are on the increase and within South Yorkshire, primary and secondary fires have increased from 5,841 in 2016 to 7,330 in 2018.

The blame for the situation SYFRA finds itself in must be placed firmly at the feet of the architects of those cuts, the Conservative Government. However, we believe that SYFRA must use all the flexibility at its disposal to resist further damaging cuts to the Fire and Rescue Service.

The tragedy of Grenfell Tower and the recent terrorist attacks must serve as a stark warning to us all about the risks our communities face and the perils of being ill-equipped and understaffed during potential emergencies.

Therefore, the immediate protection of our communities, infrastructure and businesses must be a priority for us all, whilst we build for a future Labour Government. National agreements must be utilised to ensure that as many South Yorkshire firefighters as possible are immediately available whilst we continue to lobby Government over our concerns.

This Council applauds the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) for their dignified and determined campaign to protect this vital public service and for playing their part in lobbying for a fairer funding settlement for South Yorkshire.

We request that:-

A lobbying strategy is developed and implemented with the aim of securing a fairer funding formula for South Yorkshire residents from this Tory government.

The Fire Authority continues to re-examine its expenditure of its reserves to protect the Fire Service in full consultation with the FBU, the public and others.

We also request the Mayor to write to the Police and Fire Minister, Nick Hurd MP and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond MP stating that not only should austerity measures cease but there should be a reversal of previous cuts made to South Yorkshire Fire Service, the safety of Doncaster residents and property is at risk.”

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor John Healy and Seconded by Councillor Lani-Mae Ball:-

“This Council is aware that public services have suffered severe cuts since austerity began in 2010, and that South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (SYFRA) will have had a real term reduction in the grant support that it receives from Government of 50% between 2010 and 2020.

Fire stations have been closed, downgraded or merged causing longer travel distances, and therefore, increased attendance times.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are predicting a £3.8 million shortfall on previous revenue grants and state that future funding remains unclear beyond 2020/21.

The tragedy of Grenfell Tower and the recent terrorist attacks must serve as a stark warning to us all about the risks our communities face, and the perils of being ill-equipped and understaffed during potential emergencies.

This Council applauds the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) for their dignified and determined campaign to protect this vital public service, and for playing their part in lobbying for a fairer funding settlement for South Yorkshire.

We request that:-

A lobbying strategy is developed and implemented with the aim of securing a fairer funding formula for South Yorkshire residents from this Tory government.

The Fire Authority continues to re-examine its expenditure of its reserves to protect the Fire Service in full consultation with the FBU, the public and others.

We also request the Mayor to write to the Police and Fire Minister, Nick Hurd MP and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond MP, stating that not only should austerity measures cease, but there should be a reversal of previous cuts made to the South Yorkshire Fire Service. The safety of Doncaster residents and property is at risk.”

The Chair afforded all Members in the Chamber, the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

An amendment to the Motion was MOVED by Councillor Tosh McDonald and Seconded by Councillor John Gilliver, in that the second bullet point in paragraph 9 read as follows:-

“In light of remarks made by the Police and Fire Minister Nick Hurd in 2017 to representatives of the Fire Brigades Union, Rosie Winterton MP and John Healey MP, that the authority should ‘spend your reserves’, the Fire Authority continues to re-examine its expenditure of its reserves to protect the Fire Service in full consultation with the FBU, the public and others.”

A vote was taken on the amendment to the Motion proposed by Councillor Tosh McDonald, which was declared as follows:-

For - 43

Against - 0

Abstain - 0

On being put to the meeting, the amendment to the Motion was declared CARRIED.

A further amendment to the Substantive Motion was MOVED by Councillor Nick Allen and Seconded by Councillor Jonathan Wood, in that the last paragraph read as follows:-

“We also request the Mayor to write to the Police and Fire Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, after the Autumn Budget, stating that not only should austerity measures cease, but there should be a reversal of previous cuts made to South Yorkshire Fire Service. The safety of Doncaster residents and property is at risk.”

A vote was taken on the amendment to the Substantive Motion proposed by Councillor Nick Allen, which was declared as follows:-

For - 6

Against - 35

Abstain - 1

On being put to the meeting, the amendment to the Substantive Motion was declared LOST.

A vote was taken on the Substantive Motion proposed by Councillor John Healy, which was declared as follows:-

For - 36

Against - 2

Abstain - 4

On being put to the meeting, the Substantive Motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that this Council is aware that public services have suffered severe cuts since austerity began in 2010, and that South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (SYFRA) will have had a real term reduction in the grant support that it receives from Government of 50% between 2010 and 2020.

Fire stations have been closed, downgraded or merged causing longer travel distances and therefore, increased attendance times.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are predicting a £3.8 million shortfall on previous revenue grants and state that future funding remains unclear beyond 2020/21.

We request that:-

· A lobbying strategy is developed and implemented with the aim of securing a fairer funding formula for South Yorkshire residents from this Tory government.

· In light of remarks made by the Police and Fire Minister Nick Hurd in 2017 to representatives of the Fire Brigades Union, Rosie Winterton, MP and John Healey, MP, that the authority should ‘spend your reserves’, the Fire Authority continues to re-examine its expenditure of its reserves to protect the Fire Service in full consultation with the FBU, the public and others.

We also request the Mayor to write to the Police and Fire Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, stating that not only should austerity measures cease, but there should be a reversal of previous cuts made to the South Yorkshire Fire Service. The safety of Doncaster residents and property is at risk.