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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor David Rendel (Liberal Democrat), on Tuesday, 18 June 1996, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 10 members in total.

CONDUCT OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR PENDLE

That this House deplores the criticisms made by the honourable Member for Pendle of a presentation of long-service awards to staff of Pendle Borough Council by the Labour Mayor; congratulates Liberal Democrat-controlled Pendle Borough Council on its enlightened employment policies which include long-service awards for staff who have given 25 years public service and notes that the present policy was recently agreed with the full support of the Labour opposition; notes that similar policies are being pursued by the Labour-controlled councils of Burnley, Rossendale and Blackburn (in Burnley's case at considerably greater expense); recognises that the revenue budget of Pendle Council has been capped at approximately the same level for the past five years and congratulates the Council on its efficient financial management and radical and forward looking restructuring which has allowed it to avoid any cuts in service to this point; approves the actions of this forward-looking authority in already taking early and prudent steps, entirely openly and in the full glare of public debate, to deal with the expected further shortfall of ??800,000 in its revenue budget for 1997-98; and notes that no other council in Lancashire, including those controlled by the Labour Party, hands out ??5 to its over-80s at Christmas and that this unique practice can unfortunately no longer be afforded at a time when essential services are now at risk from Government-enforced cut-backs.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

CONDUCT OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR PENDLE (1009A1)
The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Alice Mahon (primary, Labour) and tabled on Tuesday, 18 June 1996. It has been signed by 13 members in total.
leave out from `House' to end and add `congratulates the honourable Member for Pendle on drawing attention to the behaviour of Pendle Borough Council; recognises the deep feeling of unease in Pendle aboiut the presentation of a barbecue, painting and lawnmower to the Chief Executive paid for by council taxpayers at a time when he was recommending the axing of the ??5 Christmas bonus to the borough's over-eighties; notes that the Chief Executive, in a letter to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, sought to justify his awards by bracketing himself with long serving refuse collectors, drivers and joiners, employees who have no responsibility for drawing up or recommending spending cuts and with those awards the public wouldhave no quarrell; furthermore believes that the Liberal-Democrat-controlled council should review its employment policies in the light of the recent report in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph quoting veteran Liberal Councillor, Tony Greaves, saying that steps would be taken to prevent Pendle Council employees campaigning against the proposals put forward by the elected leadership of the council saying he was `fairly concerned' about staff telling the public to protest over the planned closure of the Tourist Information Centre in Nelson Town Hall and that he would not tolerate agitation against the council; recognises that, in common with local authorities all over the United Kingdom, the revenue budget of Pendle Council is inadequate to meet the borough's needs and that a strict ordering of priorities is required; considers the Christmas bonus for the over-eighties should take precedence over gifts paid for by council tax payers to the council's chief officer on ??45,000 a year; and believes the bonus should be reinstated by the council when it meets on 20th June and that the threat to axe the borough's Christmas lunch for pensioners should be lifted.'.

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
1009 
1009A1 
Session
1995-96
Subjects
Pensioners Pendle Borough Council Pendle Christmas bonus
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk