Agenda item
Notice of Motion
Purpose: To consider the following Notices of Motion:
Councillor Tim Newhouse
In 2012, the General Teaching Council for England was abolished by the UK Government, saving teachers and the government tens of millions of pounds.
The equivalent quango in Wales, the Education Workforce Council costs teachers approximately £1.7 million per year and costs the Welsh Assembly about £6.9 million.
This Council calls on the Welsh Assembly to abolish the EWC and spend much of the £6.9 million annual saving on far more important priorities in education.
Abolishing the EWC will also mean that teachers will no longer have to pay an annual registration fee, which is important in times of wage restraint.
Councillor Andy Dunbobbin
We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country. We Flintshire County Council condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable.
Flintshire County Council will work to ensure local bodies and programmes have support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.
We reassure all people living in Flintshire that they are valued members of our community
Decision:
(a) That the amended Notice of Motion on the Education Workforce Council be supported; and
(b) That the Notice of Motion in support of condemning racism, xenophobia and hate crimes be supported.
Minutes:
(i) The following Notice of Motion was received from Councillor Tim Newhouse
“In 2012 the General Teaching Council for England was abolished by the UK Government, saving teachers and the government tens of millions of pounds. The equivalent quango in Wales, the Education Workforce Council (EWC) costs teachers approximately £1.7 million per year and costs the Welsh Assembly about £6.9 million. This Council calls on the Welsh Assembly to abolish the EWC and spend much of the £6.9 million annual saving on far more important priorities in education”. Abolishing the EWC will also mean that teachers will no longer have to pay an annual registration fee, which is important in times of wage restraint”.
Councillor Bithell moved an amendment which read “We recognise the importance of having systems to safeguard learners and to maintain and improve standards of conduct across the education workforce. We recognise the importance of the workforce having access to high quality training and development opportunities to improve teaching and learning. Noting the current Welsh Government consultation on fee models for funding the Education Workforce Council (EWC), we call upon the WLGA and WG to work to ensure that the EWCs work is undertaken as efficiently as possible and to consider alternative funding models to the current and proposed individual subscription approach”. Councillor Aaron Shotton seconded the amendment.
Councillor Bithell spoke to the amendment saying when he was a teacher a professional body had been fought for to provide teachers with the same level of support afforded to other professional bodies such as lawyers and medical staff. In addition, since the abolition of the General Teaching Council for England, two similar bodies had since been set up in its place. He commented on the importance of such a body which he did not support the abolition of.
Councillor Newhouse sought clarification that Councillor Aaron Shotton would ask Welsh Government if a EWC was required at all. He agreed to the majority of the amendment with the removal and inclusion of some words as shown below so that it read:
“We recognise the importance of having systems to
safeguard learners and to maintain and improve standards of conduct
across the education workforce. We
recognise the importance of the workforce having access to high
quality training and development opportunities to improve teaching
and learning. Noting the current Welsh
Government consultation on fee models for funding the
Education Workforce Council (EWC), we call upon the WLGA and WG to
work to ensure that these are
the EWCs work is undertaken as efficiently as possible and
to consider alternative funding models to the current and
proposed individual subscription approach”.
Councillor Bithell agreed with the revised amendment as suggested by Councillor Newhouse as did Councillor Aaron Shotton as the seconder to the amendment.
Councillor Peers said that if staff did not register they could lose the right to practice which he did not agree with. The aims of the EWC as set out in the 2014 Bill was to improve the standards of teaching which he said there was no proof of but it did cause hardship for teachers. It was unfair to make staff pay for something that was compulsory. He explained that the registration fee was £45 and to assist towards that WG paid £33 to each teacher. He supported the amendment.
Councillor Matthews said the registration was the same as required for other professions such as accountants and nursing staff, enabling teachers to be a member of a professional body. She felt there was not enough information on the work of the EWC in order to take a decision.
Councillor Isherwood said if the Notice of Motion was successful in WG then the savings should be ring-fenced to Education.
Councillor David Williams, as a teacher in England, said he personally had not felt the benefit of the General Teaching Council for England which he said acted in a similar way to Unions.
Councillor Newhouse thanked Councillor Bithell for the amendment and Councillor Shotton who would take the Notice of Motion to WG.
On being put to the vote, the amendment, including the removal and inclusion of some words by Councillor Newhouse, was carried.
(i) The following Notice of Motion was received from Councillor Andy
Dunbobbin
“The EU referendum and language used around the refugee crisis is surrounded by myths. There has been a move to dehumanise the positive contributions by migrants. We have seen verbal and physical abuse in public places and graffiti on buildings. We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country. We, Flintshire County Council condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable. Flintshire County Council will work to ensure local bodies and programmes have support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia. We reassure all people living in Flintshire that they are valued members of our community.”
Councillor Kevin Jones said that as active members of the Community Safety Partnership, Flintshire worked closely with the Police, Health Board, Probation, Fire Service and voluntary sector organisations, in an attempt to raise awareness around such crimes, and also to promote the greater reporting of incidents. Flintshire also followed the Welsh Government’s ‘Tackling Hate Crimes and Incidents - A Framework for Action’ which outlined their strategy for addressing Hate Crime in Wales. It included three objectives on prevention, supporting victims and improving the multi-agency response and was supported by a Delivery Plan. The levels of hate crime were low in Flintshire. According to information from North Wales Police, over the past 12 month period 30 incidents were reported; during the previous 12 months the figure stood at 26.
The Chief Executive asked if the purpose of Councillor Dunbobbin’s Notice of Motion was for the Council to reinforce its current policy, to which Councillor Dunbobbin clarified it was.
Councillor Healey thanked Councillor Dunbobbin for the important Notice of Motion which provided a clear statement that racism, xenophobia and hate crimes would not be tolerated.
Councillor Bithell said a similar Notice of Motion had been considered at Mold Town Council, adding that the Police and Crime Commissioner had stated that North Wales Police would not tolerate any crimes of this sort.
Councillor Dolphin felt by discussing such a topic gave credence to the issue, citing that the increase in such crimes since the referendum was low and the relevant policies were already in place.
Councillor Peers welcomed the reinforcement of the current policy, including working with the Community Safety Partnership.
On being put to the vote, the Notice of Motion was carried.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the amended Notice of Motion on the Education Workforce Council be supported; and
(b) That the Notice of Motion in support of condemning racism, xenophobia and hate crimes be supported.