1. The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Rabi Martins and seconded by Councillor Jackie Connal:

 

“Council recognises that this is the 10^th Anniversary of the Town’s status as a Fairtrade Town and wishes to record its thanks to all those who have helped promote and ensure extensive access to products displaying the Fairtrade Mark in our local shops and other establishments

 

Council further notes that supporting Fairtrade helps Watford enhance its reputation as a place that actively seeks to ensure that producers of goods from developing countries sold in the town get a fair price for their goods and labour. Council believes this is not only the right thing to do but that it also enhances the town’s reputation as a family friendly town both here and abroad, particularly in the producer countries

 

The Council therefore resolves to:

 

·       Continue to promote the sale and purchase of Fairtrade Products in the town

·       Improve the awareness amongst local people of the impact on children, adults and families of producers around the world which results from unfair pricing for their goods and services

·       Persuade those responsible for purchasing and supplying goods that Fairtrade creates significant opportunities for all and is good for sustainable development.

·       Keep the Council’s procurement policies under review : and encourage the purchase and use of products from Fairtrade suppliers whenever possible

·       Encourage its partners and other agencies it works closely with to promote the use of Fairtrade products by its suppliers and users of their services

·       Continue to promote Watford as a Fairtrade Town through the Fairtrade Steering Committee and Support Group such that Fairtrade issues and practices remain high on the agenda all businesses, commercial organisations and voluntary organisations.

Council also calls on our local M.P. Richard Harrington to urge the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox to make it easier for developing countries who rely on Fairtrade to sell higher value products to the UK.“

 

 

2. The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Kareen Hastrick and seconded by Councillor Tim Williams

 

“Council recognises that bus services are a lifeline to many residents in Watford without access to a car.

Council notes with concern plans by Mullany’s Buses to withdraw the R8 and 346 routes as of 1st April 2017.

Council further notes that the withdrawal of these services would leave residents of the Kingswood and Leavesden Green estates without a bus service at all.  Residents in Nascot Village, Tudor and Meriden also face a reduction in service that would have a negative impact on elderly people, residents with disabilities, Watford UTC students and those on low incomes.

The Council therefore resolves that:

The Mayor will write to Cllr Derrick Ashley, portfolio holder for transport at Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) calling for:

o   HCC to approach alternative operators with a view to continuing a service on both routes on a commercial basis.

o   HCC to consider making these routes ‘socially necessary’ services and provide financial support if an operator is unwilling to take on these routes commercially. “

 

3. The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Bilqees Mauthoor

“I would like to call on this council to help find strategic ways across party to help tackle loneliness.

This Council notes that being or living alone in total isolation can be a public health issue and risk that must be tackled starting at a local level. 

It is estimated one in ten people of pensionable age living in our constituency are likely to be classed as lonely or severely lonely.

This Council must recognise that:

1. Loneliness is detrimental to our health and well-being, therefore increasing the risk of heart disease putting people at greater risk of certain medical complications. It is known that those who tend to be lonely are more likely to smoke 15 cigarettes a day. It can also cause depression and other mental health issues.

2. Loneliness makes people more likely to drink excessive intake of alcohol, eat more and exercise less this again causes huge implications to the health.

3. Raising awareness of the health impact of loneliness is important because it affects people across all ages, gender or culture but more so it can affect older people who are most vulnerable in society.

I am requesting that councillors and the local borough or relevant authority as a whole and cross party can play a key leadership role by being a beacon to ensuring Watford is the town in which people maintain and encourage social connections especially that Watford is proud to be so diverse in culture and ethnicity.

Council is asked to set up a scrutiny task group to investigate the prevalence of loneliness within the Borough. To invite all relevant stakeholders to come and give evidence and to make any necessary recommendations.”

 

Council was informed that three motions had been received.

 

1) The following motion was proposed by Councillor Rabi Martins and seconded by Councillor Jackie Connal

 

“Council recognises that this is the 10th Anniversary of the Town’s status as a Fairtrade Town and wishes to record its thanks to all those who have helped promote and ensure extensive access to products displaying the Fairtrade Mark in our local shops and other establishments

 

Council further notes that supporting Fairtrade helps Watford enhance its reputation as a place that actively seeks to ensure that producers of goods from developing countries sold in the town get a fair price for their goods and labour.  Council believes this is not only the right thing to do but that it also enhances the town’s reputation as a family friendly town both here and abroad, particularly in the producer countries

 

The Council therefore resolves to:

 

·             Continue to promote the sale and purchase of Fairtrade Products in the town

·             Improve the awareness amongst local people of the impact on children, adults and families of producers around the world which results from unfair pricing for their goods and services

·             Persuade those responsible for purchasing and supplying goods that Fairtrade creates significant opportunities for all and is good for sustainable development.

·             Keep the Council’s procurement policies under review : and encourage the purchase and use of products from Fairtrade suppliers whenever possible

·             Encourage its partners and other agencies it works closely with to promote the use of Fairtrade products by its suppliers and users of their services

·             Continue to promote Watford as a Fairtrade Town through the Fairtrade Steering Committee and Support Group such that Fairtrade issues and practices remain high on the agenda all businesses, commercial organisations and voluntary organisations.

 

Council also calls on our local M.P. Richard Harrington to urge the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox to make it easier for developing countries who rely on Fairtrade to sell higher value products to the UK.”

 

Members debated the motion.

 

On being put to council the motion was AGREED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that Council recognises that this is the 10th Anniversary of the Town’s status as a Fairtrade Town and wishes to record its thanks to all those who have helped promote and ensure extensive access to products displaying the Fairtrade Mark in our local shops and other establishments

 

Council further notes that supporting Fairtrade helps Watford enhance its reputation as a place that actively seeks to ensure that producers of goods from developing countries sold in the town get a fair price for their goods and labour.  Council believes this is not only the right thing to do but that it also enhances the town’s reputation as a family friendly town both here and abroad, particularly in the producer countries

 

The Council therefore resolves to:

 

·             Continue to promote the sale and purchase of Fairtrade Products in the town

·             Improve the awareness amongst local people of the impact on children, adults and families of producers around the world which results from unfair pricing for their goods and services

·             Persuade those responsible for purchasing and supplying goods that Fairtrade creates significant opportunities for all and is good for sustainable development.

·             Keep the Council’s procurement policies under review : and encourage the purchase and use of products from Fairtrade suppliers whenever possible

·             Encourage its partners and other agencies it works closely with to promote the use of Fairtrade products by its suppliers and users of their services

·             Continue to promote Watford as a Fairtrade Town through the Fairtrade Steering Committee and Support Group such that Fairtrade issues and practices remain high on the agenda all businesses, commercial organisations and voluntary organisations.

 

Council also calls on our local M.P. Richard Harrington to urge the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox to make it easier for developing countries who rely on Fairtrade to sell higher value products to the UK.

 

2) The following motion was moved by Councillor Kareen Hastrick and seconded by Councillor Tim Williams.

 

“Council recognises that bus services are a lifeline to many residents in Watford without access to a car.

 

Council notes with concern plans by Mullany’s Buses to withdraw the R8 and 346 routes as of 1st April 2017.

 

Council further notes that the withdrawal of these services would leave residents of the Kingswood and Leavesden Green estates without a bus service at all. Residents in Nascot Village, Tudor and Meriden also face a reduction in service that would have a negative impact on elderly people, residents with disabilities, Watford UTC students and those on low incomes.

 

The Council therefore resolves that:

 

The Mayor will write to Cllr Derrick Ashley, portfolio holder for transport at Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) calling for:

 

·             HCC to approach alternative operators with a view to continuing a service on both routes on a commercial basis.

·             HCC to consider making these routes ‘socially necessary’ services and provide financial support if an operator is unwilling to take on these routes commercially.”

 

Members debated the motion.

 

On being put to council the motion was AGREED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that Council recognises that bus services are a lifeline to many residents in Watford without access to a car.

 

Council notes with concern plans by Mullany’s Buses to withdraw the R8 and 346 routes as of 1st April 2017.

 

Council further notes that the withdrawal of these services would leave residents of the Kingswood and Leavesden Green estates without a bus service at all. Residents in Nascot Village, Tudor and Meriden also face a reduction in service that would have a negative impact on elderly people, residents with disabilities, Watford UTC students and those on low incomes.

 

The Council therefore resolves that:

 

The Mayor will write to Cllr Derrick Ashley, portfolio holder for transport at Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) calling for:

 

·             HCC to approach alternative operators with a view to continuing a service on both routes on a commercial basis.

·             HCC to consider making these routes ‘socially necessary’ services and provide financial support if an operator is unwilling to take on these routes commercially.

 

3) The following motion was proposed by Councillor Bilqees Mauthoor and seconded by Councillor Peter Taylor

 

“I would like to call on this council to help find strategic ways across party to help tackle loneliness.

 

This Council notes that being or living alone in total isolation can be a public health issue and risk that must be tackled starting at a local level.

 

It is estimated one in ten people of pensionable age living in our constituency are likely to be classed as lonely or severely lonely.

 

This Council must recognise that:

 

1. Loneliness is detrimental to our health and well-being, therefore increasing the risk of heart disease putting people at greater risk of certain medical complications.  It is known that those who tend to be lonely are more likely to smoke 15 cigarettes a day. It can also cause depression and other mental health issues.

 

2. Loneliness makes people more likely to drink excessive intake of alcohol, eat more and exercise less this again causes huge implications to the health.

 

3. Raising awareness of the health impact of loneliness is important because it affects people across all ages, gender or culture but more so it can affect older people who are most vulnerable in society.

 

I am requesting that councillors and the local borough or relevant authority as a whole and cross party can play a key leadership role by being a beacon to  ensuring Watford is the town in which people maintain and encourage social connections especially that Watford is proud to be so diverse in culture and ethnicity.

 

Council is asked to set up a scrutiny task group to investigate the prevalence of loneliness within the Borough. To invite all relevant stakeholders to come and give evidence and to make any necessary recommendations.”

 

Members debated the motion.

 

On being put to council the motion was AGREED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that this council helps find strategic ways across party to help tackle loneliness.

 

This Council notes that being or living alone in total isolation can be a public health issue and risk that must be tackled starting at a local level.

 

It is estimated one in ten people of pensionable age living in our constituency are likely to be classed as lonely or severely lonely.

 

This Council must recognise that:

 

1. Loneliness is detrimental to our health and well-being, therefore increasing the risk of heart disease putting people at greater risk of certain medical complications.  It is known that those who tend to be lonely are more likely to smoke 15 cigarettes a day. It can also cause depression and other mental health issues.

 

2. Loneliness makes people more likely to drink excessive intake of alcohol, eat more and exercise less this again causes huge implications to the health.

 

3. Raising awareness of the health impact of loneliness is important because it affects people across all ages, gender or culture but more so it can affect older people who are most vulnerable in society.

 

I am requesting that councillors and the local borough or relevant authority as a whole and cross party can play a key leadership role by being a beacon to  ensuring Watford is the town in which people maintain and encourage social connections especially that Watford is proud to be so diverse in culture and ethnicity.

 

Council is asked to set up a scrutiny task group to investigate the prevalence of loneliness within the Borough. To invite all relevant stakeholders to come and give evidence and to make any necessary recommendations.