Agenda item

A)  Electoral Fraud

It was moved by Councillor Bains,

Seconded by Councillor Amarpreet Dhaliwal,

“This Council resolves to:

·  Welcome the Government’s announcement in December 2016 that it will introduce a number of measures to combat electoral fraud, in response to Sir Eric Pickles’ independent report ‘Securing the Ballot’, and

·  Encourage the Council’s Returning Officer to work with the Cabinet Office to ensure that Slough bids to be involved in a pilot scheme to trial recommendations such as piloting the use of ID in polling stations across Slough at the next Local Government elections in 2018.”  

The motion was put to the vote and carried unanimously.

Resolved  -

·  That the Government’s announcement in December 2016 that it will introduce a number of measures to combat electoral fraud, in response to Sir Eric Pickles’ independent report ‘Securing the Ballot’, be welcomed and

·  That the Council’s Returning Officer be encouraged to work with the Cabinet Office to ensure that Slough bids to be involved in a pilot scheme to trial recommendations such as piloting the use of ID in polling stations across Slough at the next Local Government elections in 2018.

(Councillor Sharif left the meeting)

B)  Education Funding Reductions

It was moved by Councillor Hussain,

Seconded by Councillor Brooker,

“This Council opposes the governments planned £12.4 million cuts to Slough’s schools. Therefore the Council resolves to:

·  Write to the Secretary of State for Education to oppose these cuts and seek assurances that they will not adversely affect our children’s attainment;

·  Write to our local MP to ensure that the cuts facing our schools are raised in Parliament;

·  Write to Slough’s schools to ensure they are prepared for the level of cuts they face and ascertain what support they require to continue to provide our children with an excellent education;

·  Request the Education and Children’s Service Scrutiny Panel look into the cuts planned for Slough’s schools as a matter of urgency.”

It was moved by Councillor Amarpreet Dhaliwal, as an amendment,

Seconded by Councillor Bains,

“This Council opposes the governments planned £12.4 million any funding cuts to Slough’s schools. Therefore the Council resolves to:
· Write to the Secretary of State for Education to oppose these cuts and seek
assurances that they will not adversely affect our children’s attainment;
· Write to our local MP to ensure that the cuts facing our schools are raised in
Parliament;
· Write to Slough’s schools to ensure they are prepared for the level of cuts
they face and ascertain what support they require to continue to provide our
children with an excellent education;

·  Engage the government through the Schools National Funding Formula Stage 2 consultation to articulate the issues faced by Slough and put forward its own recommendations towards the fairer funding formula.

·  Request the Education and Children’s Service Scrutiny Panel look into the any cuts planned for Slough’s schools when the new fairer funding formula is released.

·  Appoint a dedicated Education & Children’s services cabinet commissioner to focus on resisting and mitigating against any detrimental funding outcomes.  

The amendment was put to the vote with 7 votes for 29 against and 1 abstention. The amendment to the motion was lost.

It was moved by Councillor Hussain, as an amendment to the original motion,

Seconded by Councillor Brooker,

“This Council opposes the governments planned £12.4 million cuts and any funding cuts to Slough’s schools. Therefore the Council resolves to:

·  Write to the Secretary of State for Education to oppose these cuts and seek assurances that they will not adversely affect our children’s attainment;

·  Write to our local MPs to ensure that the cuts facing our schools are raised in Parliament;

·  Write to Slough’s schools to ensure they are prepared for the level of cuts they face and ascertain what support they require to continue to provide our children with an excellent education;

·  Request the Education and Children’s Service Scrutiny Panel look into the cuts planned for Slough’s schools as a matter of urgency.”

The amended motion was put to the vote and carried unanimously.

Resolved – That the Council opposes the governments planned cuts and any funding cuts to Slough’s schools and resolves to:

·  Write to the Secretary of State for Education to oppose these cuts and seek assurances that they will not adversely affect our children’s attainment;

·  Write to our local MPs to ensure that the cuts facing our schools are raised in Parliament;

·  Write to Slough’s schools to ensure they are prepared for the level of cuts they face and ascertain what support they require to continue to provide our children with an excellent education;

·  Request the Education and Children’s Service Scrutiny Panel look into the cuts planned for Slough’s schools as a matter of urgency.