To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor McGuire:
“That this Council deplores:
1. the severe threat to local NHS Services created by the draft 'Merseyside and Cheshire Sustainability and Transformation Programme' (STP) which has been developed in secret to cope with the effects of cutbacks in real terms NHS spending imposed by the government;
2. in particular, threats posed in the published plans to NHS services presently provided within Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, especially its A&E service; within the Aintree Hospital Trust and in respect of Mental Health Services across the Borough; and
3. the fact that this STP plan, addressing a £900 million 'black hole' in NHS finance across Merseyside and Cheshire over the next five years, has been 'worked up' in private with no input into the process from any democratic representatives.
This Council notes:
1. that these proposals come at a time when the cash available for Local Authority-delivered care has also been under a substantial reduction and would be placed under unacceptable pressure by further cuts in NHS services.
2. recent denials which have been issued following the public 'leaking' of these plans but also that these denials have not included any explanation of where else the money would come from; and
3. the all-Party NHS Parliamentary Committee, chaired by Dr Sarah Woolaston, has drawn attention to the factual deficiencies in government statements about future funding of the NHS.
This Council resolves:
1. to publicise the Cheshire and Merseyside Sustainability and Transformation Programme Plan and to inform the people of the Borough of Sefton of the effects which the changes proposed therein are likely to have on the health and social services provision provided to the local population; and
2. to notify the Merseyside and Cheshire NHS Sustainability and Transformation Programme lead and the Secretary of State for Health of its opposition to any programme of cutbacks locally and nationally in the NHS created to meet underfunding by the Conservative Government.”
Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor McGuire, seconded by Councillor Hands:
“That this Council deplores:
1. the severe threat to local NHS Services created by the draft 'Merseyside and Cheshire Sustainability and Transformation Programme' (STP) which has been developed in secret to cope with the effects of cutbacks in real terms NHS spending imposed by the government;
2. in particular, threats posed in the published plans to NHS services presently provided within Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, especially its A&E service; within the Aintree Hospital Trust and in respect of Mental Health Services across the Borough; and
3. the fact that this STP plan, addressing a £900 million 'black hole' in NHS finance across Merseyside and Cheshire over the next five years, has been 'worked up' in private with no input into the process from any democratic representatives.
This Council notes:
1. that these proposals come at a time when the cash available for Local Authority-delivered care has also been under a substantial reduction and would be placed under unacceptable pressure by further cuts in NHS services.
2. recent denials which have been issued following the public 'leaking' of these plans but also that these denials have not included any explanation of where else the money would come from; and
3. the all-Party NHS Parliamentary Committee, chaired by Dr Sarah Woolaston, has drawn attention to the factual deficiencies in government statements about future funding of the NHS.
This Council resolves:
1. to publicise the Cheshire and Merseyside Sustainability and Transformation Programme Plan and to inform the people of the Borough of Sefton of the effects which the changes proposed therein are likely to have on the health and social services provision provided to the local population; and
2. to notify the Merseyside and Cheshire NHS Sustainability and Transformation Programme lead and the Secretary of State for Health of its opposition to any programme of cutbacks locally and nationally in the NHS created to meet underfunding by the Conservative Government.”
An amendment was moved by Councillor Moncur, seconded by Councillor Cummins that the Motion be amended by:
(1) Deleting the following word(s):
Under this Council notes:
Paragraph 1, second line: “also”
Paragraph 1, fourth line: “under a substantial reduction and would be placed”
(2) Adding the following word(s)
(i) Under “That this Council deplores:”
Paragraph 1, first line: After “severe threat”, insert “including the unacceptable spectre of privatisation”
Paragraph 3, fourth line: After “democratic representatives” insert the public, NHS staff, GPs or trade unions.”
(ii) Under “This Council notes:”
Paragraph 1, second line: After “care has been” insert “massively cut, initially by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition Government and subsequently by this Conservative Government. It will therefore be placed”
(iii) Under “This Council resolves:”
Paragraph 1, fourth line: After “local population” insert “which is a direct result of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Act 2012 Reforms;”
Paragraph 2, third line: After “cutbacks” insert “or privatisation.”
Councillor McGuire, as the Mover of the Motion indicated that she accepted the amendment as a ‘friendly amendment’ in accordance with Paragraph 71 of Chapter 4 in the Constitution.
Following debate and in accordance with Paragraph 94 of Chapter 4 in the Constitution, the voting on the Revised Motion was recorded and the Members of the Council present at the time, voted as follows:
FOR THE REVISED MOTION:
Councillors Atkinson, Jo Barton, Bennett, Booth, Bradshaw, Burns, Byrom, Carr, Carragher, Kevin Cluskey, Linda Cluskey, Cummins, Dams, Dodd, Fairclough, Friel, Gannon, Grace, Hands, Hardy, Keith, John Kelly, Joseph Kelly, Lappin, Daniel Lewis, Dan T. Lewis, Maher, McCann, McGinnity, McGuire, McKinley, Moncur, Murphy, Brenda O’Brien, Michael O’Brien, O’Hanlon, Owens, Page, Pullin, Robinson, Roche, Roscoe, Sayers, Shaw, Spencer, Thomas, Lynne Thompson, Tweed, Veidman, Weavers, Webster, Bill Welsh, Marianne Welsh and The Mayor.
AGAINST THE REVISED MOTION
Councillors Bliss, Dutton, Jamieson and Pitt.
ABSTENTION:
Councillor David Barton.
The Mayor declared that the Revised Motion was carried by 54 votes to 4 with 1 abstention and it was
RESOLVED:
That this Council deplores:
1. the severe threat, including the unacceptable spectre of privatisation to local NHS Services created by the draft 'Merseyside and Cheshire Sustainability and Transformation Programme' (STP) which has been developed in secret to cope with the effects of cutbacks in real terms NHS spending imposed by the government;
2. in particular threats posed in the published plans to NHS services presently provided within Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, especially its A&E service; within the Aintree Hospital Trust and in respect of Mental Health Services across the Borough; and
3. the fact that this STP plan, addressing a £900 million 'black hole' in NHS finance across Merseyside and Cheshire over the next five years, has been 'worked up' in private with no input into the process from any democratic representatives, the public, NHS staff, GPs or trade unions.
This Council notes:
1. that these proposals come at a time when the cash available for Local Authority-delivered care has been massively cut, initially by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition Government and subsequently by this Conservative Government. It will therefore be placed under unacceptable pressure by further cuts in NHS services.
2. recent denials which have been issued following the public 'leaking' of these plans but also that these denials have not included any explanation of where else the money would come from; and
3. the all-Party NHS Parliamentary Committee, chaired by Dr Sarah Woolaston, has drawn attention to the factual deficiencies in government statements about future funding of the NHS.
This Council resolves:
1. to publicise the Cheshire and Merseyside Sustainability and Transformation Programme Plan and to inform the people of the Borough of Sefton of the effects which the changes proposed therein are likely to have on the health and social services provision provided to the local population which is a direct result of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Act 2012 Reforms; and
2. to notify the Merseyside and Cheshire NHS Sustainability and Transformation Programme lead and the Secretary of State for Health of its opposition to any programme of cutbacks or privatisation locally and nationally in the NHS created to meet underfunding by the Conservative Government.