(a)  To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Williams – Support for Our MP Ian Roome’s campaign and North Devon District Hospital

Councillors Bell and Lovering left the meeting during the consideration of this item.

Councillor Biederman declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this item as he worked for Ian Roome MP and left the meeting during the consideration of this item.

Councillor Williams presented her notice of motion to Council.

The notice of motion was moved by Councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Jusef.

Councillor Crabb moved an amendment to approve the notice of motion subject to paragraph 1 being amended to include “that Councillor Roome remind the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on his previous promise to attend North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple and that if he did not attend that he stand up in Parliament to apologise”, which was seconded by Councillor Jones.

A vote was taken on the amendment, which was carried.  The amendment then became the substantive motion.

RESOLVED that Council:

(i)             Write to the Health Minister Mr Wes Streeting MP, cc'ing Cllr Ian Roome MP in order to express the urgent need to reconsider the timescale involved in supplying genuine changes to our hospital and that Councillor Roome remind the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on his previous promise to attend North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple and that if he did not attend that he stand up in Parliament to apologise.

(ii)            Commit to working with healthcare partners, local MPs and community representatives to highlight the importance of timely action to rebuild NDDH.

(iii)          This Council reaffirms its commitment to advocating for the health and wellbeing of all it's residents in North Devon. This Council owes it to our community, our healthcare professionals and future generations to ensure that NDDH remains a centre of excellence, with modern facilities that match the dedication of those who work there. This is not just an investment in infrastructure but an investment in the health and resilience of `North Devon.

Councillors Bell, Biederman and Lovering returned to the meeting.

(b)  To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Williams – Notice on Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI)

Councillors Prowse, Williams and Wilkinson left the meeting during the consideration of the item.

Councillor R. Knight declared a non registerable interest as his wife was within the category and left the meeting during the consideration of the item.

Councillor C. Leaver presented her notice of motion to Council.

The notice of motion was moved by Councillor C. Leaver and seconded by Councillor York.

RESOLVED that Council:

(i)             Publicly voice its disappointment with the previous and current governments to ensure women born in the 1950s received compensation and recognition of the problems arising from the lack of adequate notice of changes in pensionable age.  

(ii)            Ask our North Devon MP to join the All-Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality for Women.

(iii)           Write to our North Devon MP asking them to contact the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to outline the effects of the injustice to the 6,820 women in North Devon born in the 1950s and to seek:

a.    Proposals for a compensation scheme, in line with the PHSO’s report, to be urgently brought forward by the DWP

b.    An urgent debate and vote, in Government time in the House of Commons, on delivering compensation to affected women.”

Councillors R. Knight, Prowse, Williams and Wilkinson returned to the meeting.