Agenda item

To consider any motions, due notice of which have been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

There were two motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

 

(A)  Support the Introduction of a Youth Mobility Scheme

 

RESOLVED: That Council:

 

(1)   Publicly endorse the principle of establishing a Youth Mobility Scheme between the UK and the European Union.

 

(2)   Instruct the Council Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, and the Secretary of State for Education, urging them to open negotiations with the European Union to create such a scheme.

 

(B)  Digital Exclusion and fair representation for all in Council consultations

 

RESOLVED: That Council:

 

(1)   Reports brought to Council that propose public consultation must explicitly explain the appropriate mix of digital and non-digital access provision for both communicating the consultation and obtaining feedback, based on the results of the equalities assessment and using the Community Consultation Strategy.

 

(2)   The Executive Member for Community and Partnership is required to develop a digital skills and literacy plan to help residents participate in consultations and surveys, as part of the mid-term review of the Digital Strategy 2024-27, and report back to Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny within a year with recommendations on possibilities and further actions.

 

 

Audio recording – 3 hours 57 minutes 24 seconds

 

There were two motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

 

(A)           Support the Introduction of a Youth Mobility Scheme

 

Councillor David Chalmers proposed the motion as follows;

 

This council notes that:

·       Opportunities for young people to travel, study, and work abroad foster cultural exchange, personal development, and economic growth.

·       The UK previously benefited from the EU's Erasmus+ programme, which supported youth mobility and exchange. Prior to Brexit, our young people were able to freely travel between member states, and wider European Economic Area (EEA) to live work and study without time limits.

·       Since the UK's departure from the EU, young people in North Hertfordshire and across the UK face increased barriers to living, working, and studying in European countries, limiting opportunities that were previously available. We now have a 90-day limit on the time we can spend in European countries without buying a visa.

·       Young people have been disproportionately impacted by the restrictions on mobility.

·       A Youth Mobility Scheme between the UK and the EU would offer structured opportunities for young people to gain international experience and develop skills valuable to their personal and professional futures. In North Hertfordshire, according to the 2021 Census, 26,000 young people aged between 18-35 (19% of the total population) would be eligible to benefit from the scheme. The ability to experience different cultures and gain a better perspective of the world is extremely valuable, especially for young people.

·       Local businesses – especially those in hospitality -would also benefit from the extra temporary personnel offered by young people across the EU taking advantage of the scheme.

 

Justification:

This motion seeks to enhance the prospects of young people across North Hertfordshire, providing them with access to opportunities that foster growth, learning, and intercultural understanding. According to the 2021 Census 26,000 young people aged between 18-35 would be eligible to take advantage of the scheme – 19% of the local population. A Youth Mobility Scheme which has been proposed by the European Union would strengthen ties between the UK and EU, aligning with the council’s commitment to creating a thriving and inclusive community. The UK currently has Youth Mobility Schemes with Australia and Japan allowing 18 – 35 year olds to move and work freely between countries for up to 2 years – the UK /EU Youth Mobility Scheme would follow this model.

 

Local businesses – especially those involved in hospitality – would benefit from the extra temporary personnel supplied by young people across the EU taking advantage of the scheme. Local educational institutions would also benefit from potential EU students. In April 2024 the EU Commission expressed a desire to open negotiations with the UK on a youth mobility scheme for young people aged 18-30, which was rejected by the previous Conservative Government and has yet to be accepted by the current Labour Government.

 

This council resolves to:

 

1.         Publicly endorse the principle of establishing a Youth Mobility Scheme between the UK and the European Union.

2.         Instruct the Council Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, and the Secretary of State for Education, urging them to open negotiations with the European Union to create such a scheme.

 

Councillor Claire Winchester seconded the motion.

The following Members took part in the debate:

 

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

·       Councillor Emma Rowe

·       Councillor Amy Allan

·       Councillor Donna Wright

·       Councillor Stewart Williby

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

·       Councillor Claire Winchester

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Daniel Wright-Mason

·       Councillor John Clayden

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

 

Points raised in the debate included:

 

·       Engaging the youth population of North Herts District is important to council and it was recognised that a Youth Mobility Scheme could be beneficial to the district’s population.

·       Mobility from Europe into the district could help in certain industries that have staffing gaps for example hospitality.

·       This Motion would show Members agreement of the potential of a Youth Mobility Scheme. 

·       This Motion covers a subject that was much more complex than something that can be decided by Members and should be resolved in the wider discussions with London and Brussels.

·       The scheme is something that would be resolved in National Government and although Members could show support it does not warrant a full council debate.

 

Councillor David Chalmers replied to the debate highlighting that this was a real opportunity for the whole Council to say what they all think on such an important national issue.

 

Following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That Council:

 

(1)        Publicly endorse the principle of establishing a Youth Mobility Scheme between the UK and the European Union.

 

(2)        Instruct the Council Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, and the Secretary of State for Education, urging them to open negotiations with the European Union to create such a scheme.

 

(B)       Digital Exclusion and fair representation for all in Council consultations

 

Councillor Paul Ward proposed the motion as follows;

 

A person is digitally excluded if they are unable to use information technology in the ways that are needed to participate fully in modern life.

The Council says in the District Plan 2024-28 that Accessible Services are a priority,

particularly digitally. However, it also recognises that some residents are not digitally savvy or cannot access digital services. It says, “some of our residents can’t or don’t use online services, so we’re committed to remaining accessible in other ways including by post, phone and via our Customer Service Centre.”

A House of Lords committee report in January 2024 on Digital Exclusion in the UK identified issues with affordability, connectivity, skills, motivation and digital-only public services.

 

There is evidence to show older people are disproportionately affected by digital exclusion. Age UK has found that around 20% of people aged 65 or over do not use the internet and 46% cannot complete all the fundamental tasks to safely use it. North Hertfordshire has a population with 19.7% aged 65 or over, higher than the England average of 18.6% (ONS

2022 data).

 

However, digital exclusion is not only about elderly people. The Centre for Social Justice has estimated that 30% of digitally excluded people in the UK are of working age. Other groups that are disproportionately affected by the problem include people with low incomes and those with mental and/or physical health conditions.

The Council must be careful to avoid indirect age or other discrimination in its consultations.

 

The Council does have measures in place today that should address this. It is welcomed that the Council already has procedures in place to assess equality implications in reports put forward for approval. This includes assessing both the implications of proposed changes, as well as considerations for any community consultations – the latter being relevant here.

The Council has a Community Consultation Strategy which lays out a range of suitable channels that are recommended to teams in the Directorates planning consultations. This covers provision for both for in-person / non-digital access as well as digital access, with the specifics being determined on a case-by-case basis based on the consultation’s nature.

 

However the evidence of the Council providing effective non-digital access across

consultations are variable. For example, the Churchgate consultation included clear

instructions for non-digital users and was also advertised broadly. However the consultation on Car Park charges used email, and the Parish Arrangements consultation was online.

 

The Council can do better at this consistently to give all our residents a fair deal in accessing all consultations and contributing into local democracy. Whilst Councillors themselves are a vital link to the community in person, they cannot be relied on to be the sole non-digital means of engagement with our residents.

 

As well as the Community Consultation Strategy, the Council has a Digital Strategy which aims for it to be “digital first for all our customers”. This also includes a digital skills training and communication plan, targeted for councillors and employees. However, it does not currently include an explicit digital skills improvement approach for residents, although we expect residents to access our services and consultations primarily digitally.

This could potentially include raising awareness of existing resources. This motion highlights two additional complimentary steps the Council can take to ensure those digitally excluded are included in all public engagement and help close our

community’s digital gap.

 

Council therefore resolves that:

 

1.         Reports brought to Council that propose public consultation must explicitly explain the appropriate mix of digital and non-digital access provision for both communicating the consultation and obtaining feedback, based on the results of the equalities assessment and using the Community Consultation Strategy.

2.         The Executive Member for Community & Partnership is required to develop a digital skills and literacy plan to help residents participate in consultations and surveys, as part of the mid-term review of the Digital Strategy 2024-27, and report back to Cabinet and Overview & Scrutiny within a year with recommendations on possibilities and further actions.

 

Councillor Tim Johnson seconded the motion.

 

The following Members took part in the debate:

 

·       Councillor Val Bryant

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

·       Councillor Donna Wright

·       Councillor Tim Johnson

·       Councillor Tina Bhartwas

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

 

Points raised in the debate include:

 

·       Any way the Council can negate exclusion of the public should be supported by Members and Officers.

·       With a shift towards more online procedures, it is important that no one is excluded and that Council communications are clear and easily accessible.

·       Digital exclusion is not just an issue for the elderly population but affects different levels of affluence and different ethnic groups in a variety of ways; with 33% of British Asians and 30% of Black British people being excluded. 

 

Following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That Council:

 

(1)        Reports brought to Council that propose public consultation must explicitly explain the appropriate mix of digital and non-digital access provision for both communicating the consultation and obtaining feedback, based on the results of the equalities assessment and using the Community Consultation Strategy.

 

(2)        The Executive Member for Community and Partnership is required to develop a digital skills and literacy plan to help residents participate in consultations and surveys, as part of the mid-term review of the Digital Strategy 2024-27, and report back to Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny within a year with recommendations on possibilities and further actions.