Motion 1

The following motion has been moved by Councillor Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Bell

“That WBC deplores the illegal practice of ‘blacklisting’ within the construction industry and will ensure that any company known to have been involved in blacklisting practices and not to have indemnified their victims, will not be invited to tender for contracts by WBC until they have:

1.      Identified the steps taken to remedy blacklisting for affected workers;

2.      Identified the steps taken to ensure that blacklisting will not happen again;

3.      Given assurances that they do not employ individuals who were named contacts for the Consulting Association.”

Motion 2

The following motion has been moved by Councillor Joynes and seconded by Councillor Dhindsa

That WBC undertakes to limit the sale of cheap, super-strength alcohol from off-licences and supermarkets Watford-wide.

1.      This will mitigate the prevalence of street-drinkers;

2.      Consequently lead to a reduction of ASB;

3.      Thereby facilitating  a  more pleasurable shopping experience for people in local retail areas.”

Council was informed that two motions had been received.

1)      The following motion was proposed by Councillor Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Bell –

          “That WBC deplores the illegal practice of ‘blacklisting’ within the construction industry and will ensure that any company known to have been involved in blacklisting practices and not to have indemnified their victims, will not be invited to tender for contracts by WBC until they have:

          1.      Identified the steps taken to remedy blacklisting for affected workers;

          2.      Identified the steps taken to ensure that blacklisting will not happen again;

          3.      Given assurances that they do not employ individuals who were named contacts for the Consulting Association.”

          Councillor Sharpe moved the following amendment to the motion which was seconded by Councillor Watkin –

          “That Watford Borough Council deplores the illegal practice of ‘blacklisting’ within the construction industry and will ensure that any company found to have been involved in blacklisting practices by a tribunal, court, or any other public body exercising similar functions shall be excluded from further participation in the procurement process for contracts tendered by Watford Borough Council unless they have (to the satisfaction of Watford Borough Council):

          1.      Identified the steps taken to remedy blacklisting for affected workers;

                   and

          2.      Identified the steps taken to ensure that blacklisting will not happen again.”

          Following clarification by Councillor Sharpe, Councillor Turmaine agreed in principle to the amendment.

          Members debated the motion

          On being put to Council the motion as amended was AGREED.

          RESOLVED –

          that Watford Borough Council deplores the illegal practice of ‘blacklisting’ within the construction industry and will ensure that any company found to have been involved in blacklisting practices by a tribunal, court, or any other public body exercising similar functions shall be excluded from further participation in the procurement process for contracts tendered by Watford Borough Council unless they have (to the satisfaction of Watford Borough Council):

          1.      Identified the steps taken to remedy blacklisting for affected workers;

                   and

          2.      Identified the steps taken to ensure that blacklisting will not happen again.”

2)      The following motion was moved by Councillor Joynes and seconded by Councillor Dhindsa –

          “That WBC undertakes to limit the sale of cheap, super-strength alcohol from off-licences and supermarkets Watford-wide.

          1.      This will mitigate the prevalence of street-drinkers;

          2.      Consequently lead to a reduction of ASB;

          3.      Thereby facilitating a more pleasurable shopping experience for people in local retail areas.”

          Councillor J Brown, the Chair of the Licensing Committee (licensing Act 2003), responded to the motion.  She suggested that the motion should be discussed at Licensing Committee (Licensing Act 2003).

          Councillor Sharpe moved that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.12 a) i) and in view of the Chair of Licensing Committee’s undertaking that this matter could be discussed at Licensing Committee, which would be appropriate, Council proceeded to the next business.  Councillor Watkin seconded the motion.

          Councillor Joynes, the mover of the motion was granted a right of reply.

          The procedural motion on being put to Council was AGREED.

          RESOLVED –

          that Council proceeds to the next business.