Agenda item

Consideration was given to Motion No. 147, moved by Councillor M Storey and seconded by Councillor Rooney of which notice had been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rules No. 53-60 as follows:

 

Motion: Freedom of the Borough

“That Council, in accordance with Procedure Rule 7(a)(ii) of the constitution of Middlesbrough Council agree a resolution to call an Extraordinary meeting of the Council for the purposes of awarding the Freedom of the Borough to Mr Gareth Southgate OBE.

 

After some of the most difficult and tragic 18 months this country has faced, this England football team led by Gareth Southgate has given everyone some much needed hope and joy. In difficult times, Gareth Southgate has united England with his unifying presence, leadership and quiet charisma. As a former Captain and manager of Middlesbrough Football Club, Gareth has a unique connection with our town. This Council believes it is fitting to award him the Freedom of the Borough.”

 

Councillor Rooney seconded the Motion and reserved the right to speak.

 

Councillor M Storey spoke in support of the Motion. He stated that he was delighted to propose the Motion. Gareth Southgate was the first Boro captain to lift a league trophy. By reaching the first major final for England in 55 years, Gareth Southgate had written his name into the national story. The England team were moulded in the image of Gareth Southgate. They were young talented, hard-working lads and provided role models for young people.

 

The stance of the manager and the team against anti-racism was to be applauded. The England team had given the people joy and he recommended that Gareth Southgate be given the Freedom of the Borough. .

 

Councillor Platt queried whether the honour should only be given to people brought up in the town. He provided a list of other successful sportsmen in the town, Councillor Platt pointed out that the award was awarded for eminent services to Middlesbrough. The award was bestowed on few people and only 17 had received it. He stated that Gareth Southgate was a genuine person but he queried whether people who did not live in the Borough should receive the award,

 

Councillor Mawston spoke in support of the Motion.

 

Councillor Higgins spoke in support of the Motion. She stated that Gareth Southgate was a role model for young people. He had influenced the young people of Middlesbrough,

 

Councillor McTigue queried whether Gareth Southgate was born or lived in Middlesbrough. It was confirmed that he was not born or did not live in the town. She stated that the award should be given to someone who was born and lived in the town.

 

Councillor Cooke spoke in support of the Motion. He stated that any of the people on the list that Councillor Platt had read out deserved the award. The young children looked up to the England team and the manager. People who aspired young people did not necessarily have to come from Middlesbrough.

 

Councillor Arundale stated that Gareth Southgate had done lots for the football team and the country however the award was normally for people who spent a lifetime of service in the town. Only 17 people had been awarded the honour and there was a reason for this.

 

Councillor Rooney spoke in support of the Motion. Councillor Rooney stated that the reason she was supporting the Motion was not so much about football, but about the leadership that had been shown by Gareth Southgate. The country had been through a horrendous 18 months and lots of people had lost relatives. The people of the town had got behind the football matches. Middlesbrough was about football. The award was deserved for the way in which Gareth Southgate had showed leadership and his dignity in supporting players and responding to racism. He had connections with the town as manager of the football team.

 

The Mayor stated that from the responses to the motion so far, there appeared to be two sides. Whilst he acknowledged and understood some of the comments, he stated that in his view, Gareth Southgate should receive the award. Gareth Southgate had done something remarkable – he united people. His decency, honesty and integrity and the standards of behaviour imposed on the team meant they were role models for young people. The Mayor stated that the whole nation had got behind the team, and in his view, Gareth Southgate deserved the award.

 

Councillor Hellaoui spoke in support of the motion.

 

Councillor Hubbard spoke in support of the motion.

 

Councillor Cooke pointed out that there were other people on the Freedom of the Borough Award Board that were not born in Middlesbrough.

 

Councillor M Storey summed up the reasons why Gareth Southgate should be given the Freedom of the Borough.

 

Following a vote, it was moved seconded and ORDERED that a date be set for an Extraordinary meeting of the Council, as required by Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, in order to confer the Freedom of the Borough on Gareth Southgate.

 

Consideration was given to Motion No. 148, moved by Councillor Arundale and seconded by Councillor Waters of which notice had been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rules No. 53-60 as follows:

 

Motion: Planning Applications

 

“The MIG Group ask that this Council support the House of Commons cross party agreement in stating we believe planning works best when developers and the local community work together to shape local areas and deliver necessary new homes, and therefore call on the Government to protect the right of communities to object to individual planning applications”.

 

Councillor Waters seconded the Motion,

 

Councillor S Walker spoke in support of the Motion.

 

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Branson and seconded by Councillor Cooke as follows:

 

“This Council resolves to support the House of Commons cross party agreement. This Council believes planning works best when developers and the local community work together to shape local areas and deliver necessary new homes. Necessary new homes must mean homes of good quality and be affordable. This Council therefore calls on the Government to protect the right of communities to object to individual planning applications. ”

 

Councillor Branson spoke to the amendment to the Motion.

 

Councillor Arundale spoke against the amended Motion.

 

Councillor Mawston spoke against the amended Motion.

 

The Chair of the Council explained the background to the Motion

 

Councillor Cooke spoke in support of the amended Motion

 

The Mayor spoke against the amended Motion.

 

Councillor McTigue spoke against the amended Motion

 

Councillor Rooney spoke in support of the amended Motion

 

The amendment was put to the vote.

 

On a vote being taken the amendment was declared LOST

 

The substantive motion was then put.

 

On a vote being taken the substantive motion was declared CARRIED.

 

Consideration was given to Motion No. 149, moved by Councillor Mason and seconded by Councillor Coupe of which notice had been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rules No. 53-60 as follows:

 

Motion: Middlesbrough for City Status Motion:

 

As part of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations to mark her 70 years on the throne, local authorities are being given the opportunity to enter a competition to be granted official city status. This civic honors competition will grant local authorities this opportunity for the first time in 10 years.

 

Middlesbrough is a town with a long and colourful history, perhaps most famous for its world-renowned iron and steel industry which has contributed to many projects around the world. Gladstone famously referred to us as ‘The Infant Hercules’ and our motto is ‘Erimus’ meaning ‘we shall be’. We should not only be immensely proud of this history and heritage but, like our motto indicates, do everything we can to build on it moving forward.

 

We have a world class hospital, respected university and educational establishments, proud football club with an international fan base and so very much more. We have also always been a place that is welcoming to all. As it stands, we are one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country without a city at its heart – and one of the biggest towns in the country without city status.

 

By entering this competition to become a city, we have a chance to build on our legacy and open a new chapter. If Middlesbrough was to become a city it would almost certainly become a more attractive destination to future investors, encourage job creation and help share our town’s story further still.

 

But regardless of our thoughts as Conservative councillors, the most important thing to consider is that there is clear support from residents in Middlesbrough to submit an application for city status. This was demonstrated by a recent poll held by the council where residents overwhelmingly backed making a submission. We think it’s only right that we listen to the people and act on their behalf.

 

This council therefore resolves:

 

That a formal bid should be submitted by this Council on behalf of the people of Middlesbrough to be granted official city status.

 

Councillor Mason spoke to the Motion.

 

Councillor Coupe seconded the Motion.

 

Councillor McTigue spoke in support of the Motion but advised that she would like further information on the benefits of obtaining “City Status”.

 

Councillor Mason explained that the bid for City Status should be made at least

three or four months before the Queen’s Jubilee.

 

Councillor C Hobson spoke against the Motion.

 

Councillor Mawston commented on the Motion.

 

Councillor Cooke spoke in support of the Motion.

 

Councillor Higgins spoke in support of the Motion.

 

Councillor Branson spoke in support of the Motion.

 

Councillor M Storey spoke in support of the Motion.

 

The Mayor spoke in support of the Motion.

 

Councillor Coupe spoke in support of the Motion.

 

Councillor Rooney proposed an amendment to the Motion. She queried whether the reference to the conservatives could be removed and whether full costings could be brought to the Council before making a decision.

 

Councillor M Storey seconded the amendment to the Motion.

 

Councillor Smiles advised that the deadline for the submission of the bid was December. Councillor Smiles advised members that she was confident that the bid would cost less than £10k.

 

Councillor Rooney advised that on the basis of the information provided by Councillor Smiles, that the amendment to the Motion was withdrawn.

 

The Monitoring Officer clarified that the part of the Motion that members would be voting on was as follows:

 

That a formal bid should be submitted by this Council on behalf of the people of Middlesbrough to be granted official city status.

 

The motion was then put.

 

On a vote being taken the motion was declared CARRIED.