1.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Mark Hofman and seconded by Councillor Asif Khan

“Council notes:

 

That on Friday 16th June, Herts Valleys CCG informed families across Watford that they would no longer be funding its contribution of £600k to run Nascot Lawn Children’s Respite Service. Consequently Nascot Lawn will be forced to close on 31st October 2017.

 

Council further notes:

 

That Nascot Lawn Respite Centre provides regular overnight respite and care for a community of 60-80 children and young adults with severe learning and physical disabilities with additional complex medical needs. A day care service for children under 5 is also provided.

 

That Nascot Lawn is the only CCG funded respite centre in Hertfordshire, operated by Hertfordshire Community Trust.

 

That Nascot Lawn allows parents and carers to take a much needed break, confident in the knowledge that their child is receiving the highest standard of care by familiar staff.

 

That the CCG has been formally placed in ‘financial turnaround’ by NHS England and £45m cuts to health and care provisions must be made.

 

 

Council believes:

·      That removing services at Nascot Lawn will have a devastating effect on the families who are most in need of support, and that the CCG should reconsider their decision.

·      That providing support for the most vulnerable children in our society is a basic function of a health and care system, and that withdrawing this service will have a disproportionately negative impact on those who need access to respite care the most.

·      That the £45m cuts forced on the CCG by the Government are the reason for this decision.

·      That the £600k saving that the Herts Valleys CCG will achieve will be dwarfed by the additional costs incurred by the County Council in providing replacement services for these families and young people.

·      That the 31^st October 2017 deadline for closure is unrealistically too short to enable the County Council to establish alternative provision for these families and young people within Watford.

·      That as it has a legal responsibility to support these children that the County Council uses £600k of its recent £3m underspend of funds to ensure the continuing operation of Nascot Lawn for a further year to enable it to conduct a full review of all such services across the county.

 

Council therefore resolves:

 

That the Mayor as a matter of urgency writes to the Chief Executive of the Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group and the Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council to:

 

·      Inform the CCG that this council strongly opposes the closure of the Nascot Lawn respite centre.

·      Ask that HVCCG and Herts County Council work together to ensure that Nascot Lawn patients are able to access the appropriate respite facilities for their needs, and that Herts County Council are given the time necessary to find suitable alternatives that provide a high standard of support for the children and families that rely on Nascot Lawn care services in Watford.

 

Council further resolves

 

That the Mayor writes to the Secretary of State for Health, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to:

 

·      Inform them that the decision to enforce £45m of cuts on HVCCG is impacting severely on vital front-line services which cater for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our town and county.. These enforced savings, combined with continuing reductions to Hertfordshire County Council’s budget have created a situation where it is simply not possible to provide the level of care required to meet the needs of Watford’s residents. 

·      Seek Government support to ensure HVCCG  is able to adequately fund health and social care provision in accordance with patient need.

·      Ask that in the event of austerity measures being relaxed across the UK, Health and Social Care services are prioritised as areas which require immediate additional funding.

 

Write to Richard Harrington MP that he:

 

·         Immediately contact the Health Secretary, demanding that CCG be given the funds required to keep Nascot Lawn respite centre open.

·         Contacts and write to his fellow conservative MP’s  in Hertfordshire and call upon them to lobby the Secretary of State for Health and the Prime Minister to ensure that the centre remains funded and fully open.

·         Ensures that all health services are funded properly and that further cuts to vital health care are not made.”

2.     The following motion has been proposed by Ahsan Khan and seconded by Councillor Matt Turmaine

“This council is totally sympathetic to Watford licensed taxi drivers who are worried about the effect of the unprecedented intrusion of cabs in Watford, operated by the American firm Uber,  which has recently become embroiled in storm of controversy and complaints both nationally and internationally.

This council recognises that the potential danger to the travelling public of using an Uber cab should not be underestimated. These dangers arise because these vehicles and drivers are not licensed by this Council and therefore not subject to its strict driver and vehicle checks. A passenger has no idea whether the vehicle is roadworthy or that the driver may have serious criminal convictions or is even properly insured.

The council further recognises that the licenced operator and taxi driver pay a significant amount of money to this Council for their driver, vehicle and operator licences and that they deserve their concerns to be addressed, in particular, effective enforcement against taxis which are not licenced by this council and are operating freely in this councils jurisdiction with impunity. 

In light of the above, this council resolves that:

a.    Given the widespread concerns and the impact on taxi and private hire services in our area the Council asks the Cabinet Member for licencing to produce a report for next Council on the issues and options for a way forward on this matter.

b.    It writes to Uber requesting it to suspend its operations in Watford until such time that it is granted a licence by this council.

c.    It will seek legal opinion on Uber cars ranking in Watford, particularly near Watford Junction and near the town centres effectively plying for hire and seek to prosecute those drivers that do rank in Watford.

d.    The Council can reduce the intrusion of those cabs not licensed by it directly, by adopting a policy that its licensing enforcement officers regularly get out on the streets to carry out driver and vehicle checks in conjunction with the police and not let them rank in places like the Sainsbury car park on top of the High Street and near Watford Junction.”

3.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Nigel Bell and seconded by Councillor Asif Khan

“As a consequence of the terrible tragedy at Grenfell Tower and the safety implications for Watford residents from high rise buildings in the town and any future planning applications we demand an urgent review into the Council’s tall buildings policy.

As Councillors we would be showing a dereliction of duty if we didn’t call for a review and a full safety audit of all high rise buildings in our town as Councils across the Country are now carrying out.

The review should also look at the cladding and maintenance of all the social housing units in the Borough high or low rise in conjunction with all registered social Landlords as well as the implications for any privately owned blocks.”

 

4.  The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Peter Jeffree and seconded by Councillor Iain Sharpe

 

“In the light of the recent tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, council reiterates the importance of maintaining the safety of buildings in Watford and ensuring that we have effective plans in place to deal with serious emergencies.

 

Council notes that:

 

-        The Mayor has written to the Chief Executives of Watford Community Housing Trust and Hertfordshire County Council and the Fire Station commanders at Watford and Garston to :

 

o    Seek assurance that all possible measures to prevent a similar incident occurring in Watford have been taken.

 

o   Seek assurance that all partners are ready to work together quickly and effectively to respond to the needs of victims and their families and communities should an emergency occur.

 

o   Ask that authorities carry out visits to tenants in the two WCHT high-rise blocks to speak to concerned residents.

 

o   Ask whether existing advice to residents should be updated.

 

-        Watford Borough Council is an active partner in Herts Resilience, the county’s emergency response organisation.

 

-        Watford Borough Council regularly tests and reviews emergency planning, and that the council’s plans meet the requirements of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

 

Council commits to ensuring that we take all necessary actions within our powers that arise from the investigations and public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower, with regard to the design, management and use of residential buildings within the borough.

 

Council resolves to continue working closely with all relevant agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Service, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire County Council, Watford Community Housing Trust and other social and private landlords to ensure the safety of all our residential accommodation.

 

Council proposes that a scrutiny task group be set up to review existing safety arrangements and to ensure that any emerging conclusions arising from the Grenfell Tower investigations, that are relevant to Watford, are implemented by the relevant agencies.”

 

 

Council was informed that four motions had been received, two of which were on a similar subject.

 

 

Motion 1

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Mark Hofman and seconded by Councillor Asif Khan

 

“Council notes:

 

That on Friday 16th June, Herts Valleys CCG informed families across Watford that they would no longer be funding its contribution of £600k to run Nascot Lawn Children’s Respite Service. Consequently Nascot Lawn will be forced to close on 31st October 2017.

 

Council further notes:

 

That Nascot Lawn Respite Centre provides regular overnight respite and care for a community of 60-80 children and young adults with severe learning and physical disabilities with additional complex medical needs. A day care service for children under 5 is also provided.

 

That Nascot Lawn is the only CCG funded respite centre in Hertfordshire, operated by Hertfordshire Community Trust.

 

That Nascot Lawn allows parents and carers to take a much needed break, confident in the knowledge that their child is receiving the highest standard of care by familiar staff.

 

That the CCG has been formally placed in ‘financial turnaround’ by NHS England and £45m cuts to health and care provisions must be made.

 

Council believes:

·             That removing services at Nascot Lawn will have a devastating effect on the families who are most in need of support, and that the CCG should reconsider their decision.

·             That providing support for the most vulnerable children in our society is a basic function of a health and care system, and that withdrawing this service will have a disproportionately negative impact on those who need access to respite care the most.

·             That the £45m cuts forced on the CCG by the Government are the reason for this decision.

·             That the £600k saving that the Herts Valleys CCG will achieve will be dwarfed by the additional costs incurred by the County Council in providing replacement services for these families and young people.

·             That the 31st October 2017 deadline for closure is unrealistically too short to enable the County Council to establish alternative provision for these families and young people within Watford.

·             That as it has a legal responsibility to support these children that the County Council uses £600k of its recent £3m underspend of funds to ensure the continuing operation of Nascot Lawn for a further year to enable it to conduct a full review of all such services across the county.

 

Council therefore resolves:

 

That the Mayor as a matter of urgency writes to the Chief Executive of the Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group and the Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council to:

 

·             Inform the CCG that this council strongly opposes the closure of the Nascot Lawn respite centre.

·             Ask that HVCCG and Herts County Council work together to ensure that Nascot Lawn patients are able to access the appropriate respite facilities for their needs, and that Herts County Council are given the time necessary to find suitable alternatives that provide a high standard of support for the children and families that rely on Nascot Lawn care services in Watford.

 

Council further resolves

 

That the Mayor writes to the Secretary of State for Health, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to:

 

·             Inform them that the decision to enforce £45m of cuts on HVCCG is impacting severely on vital front-line services which cater for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our town and county. These enforced savings, combined with continuing reductions to Hertfordshire County Council’s budget have created a situation where it is simply not possible to provide the level of care required to meet the needs of Watford’s residents.

·             Seek Government support to ensure HVCCG is able to adequately fund health and social care provision in accordance with patient need.

·             Ask that in the event of austerity measures being relaxed across the UK, Health and Social Care services are prioritised as areas which require immediate additional funding.

 

Write to Richard Harrington MP that he:

 

·             Immediately contact the Health Secretary, demanding that CCG be given the funds required to keep Nascot Lawn respite centre open.

·             Contacts and write to his fellow conservative MP’s in Hertfordshire and call upon them to lobby the Secretary of State for Health and the Prime Minister to ensure that the centre remains funded and fully open.

·             Ensures that all health services are funded properly and that further cuts to vital health care are not made.”

 

Members debated the motion.

 

On being put to council the motion was AGREED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

Council notes:

 

That on Friday 16th June, Herts Valleys CCG informed families across Watford that they would no longer be funding its contribution of £600k to run Nascot Lawn Children’s Respite Service. Consequently Nascot Lawn will be forced to close on 31st October 2017.

 

Council further notes:

 

That Nascot Lawn Respite Centre provides regular overnight respite and care for a community of 60-80 children and young adults with severe learning and physical disabilities with additional complex medical needs. A day care service for children under 5 is also provided.

 

That Nascot Lawn is the only CCG funded respite centre in Hertfordshire, operated by Hertfordshire Community Trust.

 

That Nascot Lawn allows parents and carers to take a much needed break, confident in the knowledge that their child is receiving the highest standard of care by familiar staff.

 

That the CCG has been formally placed in ‘financial turnaround’ by NHS England and £45m cuts to health and care provisions must be made.

 

Council believes:

·             That removing services at Nascot Lawn will have a devastating effect on the families who are most in need of support, and that the CCG should reconsider their decision.

·             That providing support for the most vulnerable children in our society is a basic function of a health and care system, and that withdrawing this service will have a disproportionately negative impact on those who need access to respite care the most.

·             That the £45m cuts forced on the CCG by the Government are the reason for this decision.

·             That the £600k saving that the Herts Valleys CCG will achieve will be dwarfed by the additional costs incurred by the County Council in providing replacement services for these families and young people.

·             That the 31st October 2017 deadline for closure is unrealistically too short to enable the County Council to establish alternative provision for these families and young people within Watford.

·             That as it has a legal responsibility to support these children that the County Council uses £600k of its recent £3m underspend of funds to ensure the continuing operation of Nascot Lawn for a further year to enable it to conduct a full review of all such services across the county.

 

Council therefore resolves:

 

That the Mayor as a matter of urgency writes to the Chief Executive of the Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group and the Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council to:

 

·             Inform the CCG that this council strongly opposes the closure of the Nascot Lawn respite centre.

·             Ask that HVCCG and Herts County Council work together to ensure that Nascot Lawn patients are able to access the appropriate respite facilities for their needs, and that Herts County Council are given the time necessary to find suitable alternatives that provide a high standard of support for the children and families that rely on Nascot Lawn care services in Watford.

 

Council further resolves

 

That the Mayor writes to the Secretary of State for Health, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to:

 

·             Inform them that the decision to enforce £45m of cuts on HVCCG is impacting severely on vital front-line services which cater for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our town and county. These enforced savings, combined with continuing reductions to Hertfordshire County Council’s budget have created a situation where it is simply not possible to provide the level of care required to meet the needs of Watford’s residents.

·             Seek Government support to ensure HVCCG is able to adequately fund health and social care provision in accordance with patient need.

·             Ask that in the event of austerity measures being relaxed across the UK, Health and Social Care services are prioritised as areas which require immediate additional funding.

 

Write to Richard Harrington MP that he:

 

·             Immediately contact the Health Secretary, demanding that CCG be given the funds required to keep Nascot Lawn respite centre open.

·             Contacts and write to his fellow conservative MP’s in Hertfordshire and call upon them to lobby the Secretary of State for Health and the Prime Minister to ensure that the centre remains funded and fully open.

·             Ensures that all health services are funded properly and that further cuts to vital health care are not made.

 

 

Motion 2

 

The following motion was moved by Councillor Ahsan Khan and seconded by Councillor Matt Turmaine

 

“This council is totally sympathetic to Watford licensed taxi drivers who are worried about the effect of the unprecedented intrusion of cabs in Watford, operated by the American firm Uber, which has recently become embroiled in storm of controversy and complaints both nationally and internationally.

 

This council recognises that the potential danger to the travelling public of using an Uber cab should not be underestimated. These dangers arise because these vehicles and drivers are not licensed by this Council and therefore not subject to its strict driver and vehicle checks. A passenger has no idea whether the vehicle is roadworthy or that the driver may have serious criminal convictions or is even properly insured. 

 

The council further recognises that the licenced operator and taxi driver pay a significant amount of money to this Council for their driver, vehicle and operator licences and that they deserve their concerns to be addressed, in particular, effective enforcement against taxis which are not licenced by this council and are operating freely in this councils jurisdiction with impunity.

 

In light of the above, this council resolves that:

 

a. Given the widespread concerns and the impact on taxi and private hire services in our area the Council asks the Cabinet Member for licencing to produce a report for next Council on the issues and options for a way forward on this matter.

 

b. It writes to Uber requesting it to suspend its operations in Watford until such time that it is granted a licence by this council.

 

c. It will seek legal opinion on Uber cars ranking in Watford, particularly near Watford Junction and near the town centres effectively plying for hire and seek to prosecute those drivers that do rank in Watford.

 

d. The Council can reduce the intrusion of those cabs not licensed by it directly, by adopting a policy that its licensing enforcement officers regularly get out on the streets to carry out driver and vehicle checks in conjunction with the police and not let them rank in places like the Sainsbury car park on top of the High Street and near Watford Junction.”

 

Members debated the motion.

 

On being put to council the motion was LOST.

 

 

Motions 3 and 4

 

Council received two motions on a similar subject and were related to the fire at Grenfell Tower in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.  The Chairman stated that the motions would be moved by the respective councillors and then debated together.  The council would then vote on each motion separately.

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Nigel Bell and seconded by Councillor Asif Khan

 

“As a consequence of the terrible tragedy at Grenfell Tower and the safety implications for Watford residents from high rise buildings in the town and any future planning applications we demand an urgent review into the Council’s tall buildings policy.

 

As Councillors we would be showing a dereliction of duty if we didn’t call for a review and a full safety audit of all high rise buildings in our town as Councils across the Country are now carrying out.

 

The review should also look at the cladding and maintenance of all the social housing units in the Borough high or low rise in conjunction with all registered social Landlords as well as the implications for any privately owned blocks.”

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Peter Jeffree and seconded by Councillor Iain Sharpe

 

“In the light of the recent tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, council reiterates the importance of maintaining the safety of buildings in Watford and ensuring that we have effective plans in place to deal with serious emergencies.

 

Council notes that:

-        The Mayor has written to the Chief Executives of Watford Community Housing Trust and Hertfordshire County Council and the Fire Station commanders at Watford and Garston to:

 

·             Seek assurance that all possible measures to prevent a similar incident occurring in Watford have been taken.

 

·             Seek assurance that all partners are ready to work together quickly and effectively to respond to the needs of victims and their families and communities should an emergency occur.

 

·             Ask that authorities carry out visits to tenants in the two WCHT high-rise blocks to speak to concerned residents.

 

·             Ask whether existing advice to residents should be updated.

 

-        Watford Borough Council is an active partner in Herts Resilience, the county’s emergency response organisation.

 

-        Watford Borough Council regularly tests and reviews emergency planning, and that the council’s plans meet the requirements of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

 

Council commits to ensuring that we take all necessary actions within our powers that arise from the investigations and public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower, with regard to the design, management and use of residential buildings within the borough.

 

Council resolves to continue working closely with all relevant agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Service, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire County Council, Watford Community Housing Trust and other social and private landlords to ensure the safety of all our residential accommodation.

 

Council proposes that a scrutiny task group be set up to review existing safety arrangements and to ensure that any emerging conclusions arising from the Grenfell Tower investigations, that are relevant to Watford, are implemented by the relevant agencies.”

 

Members debated the motions.

 

Councillor Sharpe moved that both motions be submitted to the proposed scrutiny task group.  This was accepted by Councillor Bell.

 

On being put to council Councillor Sharpe’s proposal was AGREED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that both motions be forwarded to scrutiny.