Meeting Details

“This Council agrees to investigate the potential to plant ‘Living Christmas Trees’ as a cost effective and environmentally friendly option across all North Lanarkshire Towns and Villages.  Following the recent appointment of a Project Development Officers (Trees) and receipt of £1M of one off funds, this would form part of the operational plan to guide replanting and further guided by the Clyde Climate forest work on urban tree canopy across all Council wards;

That it be noted that the living Christmas Trees would be a substantial size, 2.5 to 3 metres tall, with the cost of a containerised/rootballed tree in the region of £1,100;  

Furthermore, environmentally friendly lighting options such as solar lighting will be explored to keep ongoing maintenance and costs down; All of which would be subject to consultation with Community Boards, in conjunction with the Community Partnership Officers and Land Management Teams, to identify appropriate streets or parks for placement of these Christmas Trees to be enjoyed by future generations.”

That a report on the outcome of the investigations be submitted to the appropriate Committee of the Council for consideration

“This Council recognises the economic vitality of North Lanarkshire relies significantly on the growth and sustainability of micro and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);

This Council notes it is recognised that collaborative efforts and shared expertise are crucial in fostering an environment conducive to business start-ups and development.

This Council agrees, the integration of diverse perspectives, including those of elected members, council officers, business leaders, and community partners, can lead to more comprehensive and effective support strategies.

Therefore, this Council agrees to establish the following:

1. A Cross-Party Working Group is hereby established, tasked with exploring and recommending strategies to support the initiation and growth of micro and SME businesses within North Lanarkshire.

    

2. The Working Group shall comprise:

    

   - Elected members from across the political spectrum to ensure diverse representation and inclusive decision-making.

    

   - Officers from relevant council departments who can provide expertise in local governance, economic development, planning, and regulatory frameworks.

    

   - Representatives from the business community in North Lanarkshire, which may include representation from organisations such as Federation of Small Businesses and the Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce, acknowledging their critical role and insight into the business community's needs and challenges.

    

   - Other partners and stakeholders, including but not limited to business incubators, academic institutions, and community organisations, who can contribute valuable perspectives and resources.

    

3. The purpose of the Working Group will be to:

    

   - Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current business landscape in North Lanarkshire, identifying barriers to start-up and growth for micro and SME businesses.

    

   - Review existing support mechanisms and assess their effectiveness in meeting the needs of the local business community.

    

   - Engage with the business community and other relevant stakeholders to gather insights and suggestions.

    

   - Develop recommendations for policy, programmes, and initiatives designed to enhance support for micro  

   And SME businesses, with a focus on simplifying start-up processes, providing tailored guidance and resources, and fostering a supportive business ecosystem.

    

4. Establish if current business rate relief is used to full capacity and if further reductions are required (costed via finance)

    

5. The Working Group is tasked with presenting a report of its findings and recommendations to the Council within six months from its establishment.

This motion calls upon all Council members to support the establishment of the Cross-Party Working Group as a step towards strengthening the economic foundation of North Lanarkshire through enhanced support for micro and SME businesses. This approach will ensure North Lanarkshire truly is a place to Work and Invest.” 

“Council agrees that Standing Order 31 be amended as undernoted:-

Any Motion, Amendment or Composite Motion shall meet the criteria of Competency and Relevancy. Any Motion, Amendment, or Composite Motion that fails to demonstrate the above shall be deemed by the Provost as ‘Not Competent’, in accordance with Standing Orders 23 and 24” 

“In realising the requirement for council to act transparently, and in particular towards providing relevant information to the electorate of North Lanarkshire, Council hereby accepts and agrees to display publicly online, via the MARS system and/ or any other appropriate means, all submitted council motions , whether deemed competent or non-competent  by the Provost’s office.

This in turn allows the electorate to better understand and reference the full scope of representation being made by elected members on their behalf.

This process should be adopted for motions and amendments submitted in relation to all council meetings ongoing following 28^th March 2024 meeting.

In addition, a footnote from the Provost office should accompany any rejected motions detailing the rationale behind refusal, based on the interpretation of competency.

The small and insignificant cost attaching to this motion has been provided by Chief Officer ( Finance) and is circa £110 per annum”

“Recognising the need for a transparent and objective process in the evaluation of motions and composite motions submitted to this council, this council agreed to amend the current practices concerning the Provost's discretion in ruling Motions, Composites, and Amendments as competent or incompetent.

To this end, the council proposes the following amendments and initiatives to standing order 23 and 24 respectively.

1. Establishment of a Documented Evaluation Criteria:  The council shall develop a clear, documented criteria that includes a matrix or benchmarking to assess the competency of Motions, Composites, and Amendments. This criteria will be designed to minimise subjective decision-making and ensure that all Motions, Amendments and Composites are evaluated against predefined, objective standards.

2. Formation of a Cross-Party Working Group: A Cross-Party Working Group will be established, comprising members from different political affiliations within the council and officers. The purpose of this group will be to define the criteria and standards to be used in the documented evaluation process. The criteria and process developed by this group will be presented for approval at the next full council meeting.

3. Guidance on Motion Competency: In cases where a Motion, Composite or Amendment is deemed incompetent, the Provost will continue not only provide the reasons for such a ruling but will also offer feedback. Officers will, when applicable, engage with members on how to amend a refused motion, composite, or amendment to meet competency criteria. This approach ensures that members have a clear understanding of the deficiencies and encourages a constructive pathway towards compliance, fostering a fairer and more democratic process.

Amended Text Proposal for Standing Order 23:

"The Provost shall consider any Motion, Amendment or Composite submitted in accordance with this Standing Order. Utilising a documented evaluation criteria developed by the council, which includes objective criteria and benchmarks, the Provost will assess the competency of the Motion, Amendment or Composite. Within five days of receipt of the Notice of Motion, should the Motion, Amendment or Composite be deemed incompetent, the Provost will continue not only provide the reasons for such a ruling but will also offer feedback. Officers will, when applicable, engage with members on how to amend a refused motion, composite, or amendment to meet competency criteria. This approach is aimed at promoting fairness, transparency, and democratic values in the council's decision-making processes."

This motion emphasises the commitment of this council to enhance the objectivity, transparency, and democratic fairness of council's procedures, ensuring that all members regardless of political affiliation, have a clear and equitable opportunity to contribute to the governance and decision-making processes.”