To debate any motions which have been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.
Motion 1
Proposed by: Cllr Emma Roberts
Seconded by: Cllr Keith Holland-Delamere
“More than 30,000 people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, and 12.7% of these incidents occur in public spaces. Council further notes that fewer than one in 12 patients (7.8%) survive after experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can play a significant role in saving the lives of people who suffer heart attacks in public. It is estimated that a shock from an AED, alongside CPR treatment, increases survival rates to 75-80% if used in the first 5 minutes. However, it is estimated that AEDs are used in less than 10% of OHCAs.
Considerable effort has been taken by Northamptonshire Police, Off the Streets NN, and town and parish councils to provide more bleed bags and bleed control cabinets in West Northamptonshire since 2021, with the number now standing at over 100. It also appreciates that AEDs are equally as important in providing a means to save lives in the absence of emergency services.
Though there are public defibrillators across the council footprint, including some council premises and assets, there are gaps in the provision of publicly accessible AEDs and at present there is no holistic mapping system listing all AEDs in West Northamptonshire. Acknowledgement is given to both Circuit, British Heart Foundation and NHS databases, but mapping this for our footprint is crucial.
Therefore Council calls on Cabinet to:
· Compile a WNC list, and interactive map, of all public defibrillators in West Northamptonshire, including those in non-council premises, which can be published and linked to circuit and GoodSAM
· Use this data to identify gaps in AED provision in West Northants
· Invite the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee to consider any arising recommendations for Cabinet
· Review and, where appropriate, increase the provision of defibrillators across all council-owned spaces including public parks, community centres, leisure facilities, and areas of high public footfall.”
Motion 2
Proposed by: Cllr Paul Joyce
Seconded by: Cllr Cathrine Russell
“The Guildhall has been the home of the elected assembly of Northampton since it was completed in 1864. It holds a significant position in the civic and political life of Northampton as the recognised home of the old Borough and current Town Council and Northampton’s town hall. Its construction was paid for by the people of Northampton, for the people of Northampton.
On 16 January, Cabinet approved plans to end the Town Council’s current leasehold in April 2025 as part of WNC’s Office Optimisation strategy.
The Town Council have rented several offices within the historic Guildhall since 2021, which has provided a source of income to the council and served as a recognition of both councils’ authority and dignity. This is an income and trust that has been jeopardised by Cabinet’s decision.
Council therefore requests the Cabinet:
· Publish its business case on removing the Town Council from Guildhall, including the financial and logistical benefits
· Reconsider this decision in light of the possible reputational damage this would do to the Council.”
Minutes:
Motion 1
Councillor E Roberts proposed and Councillor Holland-Delamere seconded:
“More than 30,000 people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, and 12.7% of these incidents occur in public spaces. Council further notes that fewer than one in 12 patients (7.8%) survive after experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can play a significant role in saving the lives of people who suffer heart attacks in public. It is estimated that a shock from an AED, alongside CPR treatment, increases survival rates to 75-80% if used in the first 5 minutes. However, it is estimated that AEDs are used in less than 10% of OHCAs.
Considerable effort has been taken by Northamptonshire Police, Off the Streets NN, and town and parish councils to provide more bleed bags and bleed control cabinets in West Northamptonshire since 2021, with the number now standing at over 100. It also appreciates that AEDs are equally as important in providing a means to save lives in the absence of emergency services.
Though there are public defibrillators across the council footprint, including some council premises and assets, there are gaps in the provision of publicly accessible AEDs and at present there is no holistic mapping system listing all AEDs in West Northamptonshire. Acknowledgement is given to both Circuit, British Heart Foundation and NHS databases, but mapping this for our footprint is crucial.
Therefore Council calls on Cabinet to:
· Compile a WNC list, and interactive map, of all public defibrillators in West Northamptonshire, including those in non-council premises, which can be published and linked to circuit and GoodSAM.
· Use this data to identify gaps in AED provision in West Northants.
· Invite the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee to consider any arising recommendations for Cabinet .
· Review and, where appropriate, increase the provision of defibrillators across all council-owned spaces including public parks, community centres, leisure facilities, and areas of high public footfall.”
The Chairman notified Council that an amendment to the motion had been received and copies of it had been circulated to Members.
Councillor Golby proposed and Councillor D Smith seconded an amendment to the motion.
Amended motion to read:
“More than 30,000 people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, and 12.7% of these incidents occur in public spaces. Council further notes that fewer than one in 12 patients (7.8%) survive after experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can play a significant role in saving the lives of people who suffer heart attacks in public. It is estimated that a shock from an AED, alongside CPR treatment, increases survival rates to 75-80% if used in the first 5 minutes. However, it is estimated that AEDs are used in less than 10% of OHCAs.
Considerable effort has been taken by Northamptonshire Police, Off the Streets NN, and town and parish councils to provide more bleed bags and bleed control cabinets in West Northamptonshire since 2021, with the number now standing at over 100. It also appreciates that AEDs are equally as important in providing a means to save lives in the absence of emergency services.
Though there are public defibrillators across the council footprint, including some council premises and assets, there are gaps in the provision of publicly accessible AEDs and at present there is no holistic mapping system listing all AEDs in West Northamptonshire. Acknowledgement is given to both Circuit, British Heart Foundation and NHS databases, but mapping this for our footprint is crucial.
Therefore Council calls on Cabinet to:
· Encourage Public to call 999 in the event of assisting with a cardiac arrest. (The emergency services hold an up-to-date database of locations of AEDs).
· Liaise with the National Defibrillator Database to compile a WNC list, and interactive map, of all public defibrillators and bleed kits in West Northamptonshire, including those in non-council premises, which can be published and linked to circuit and GoodSAM.
· Use this data to identify gaps in AED provision in West Northants.
· Invite the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee to consider any arising recommendations for Cabinet.
· Review and, where appropriate, increase the provision of defibrillators and bleed kits across all council-owned spaces including public parks, community centres, leisure facilities, and areas of high public footfall.
Councillor E Roberts, as the proposer of the motion, accepted the amendment.
Upon a vote, the amended motion was carried.
Motion 2
Councillor Joyce, as the proposer of the motion, advised that he wished to withdraw motion 2.