[That Council consider the motions received by Councillor Phil Bateman on the Local Impact of National Cuts to Community Pharmacies and by Councillor Roger Lawrence (Leader of the Council) on the City of Sanctuary]

Local impact of national cuts to community pharmacies

Councillor Phil Bateman moved the following motion:

That this Council notes with concern the government announcement on 14 October 2016 that it is reducing funding for community pharmacies by £113m in the four months from December 2016 - March 2017. 

This equated to an average loss of £8,000 for each pharmacy in Wolverhampton, representing a 12% cut.  In addition the timing of this announcement means it is required to be delivered in a very short time scale, leaving local pharmacies very little time to plan or implement. 

A further cut of £208m, on average £14,500 per pharmacy in Wolverhampton, will be imposed next year.

These cuts will have a direct negative impact on the Council’s strategic priorities related to Public Health as well as the possible closure of local pharmacies across the city, leading to a reduction in accessible healthcare for vulnerable communities, and increased pressure on other parts of the health and social care systems.

We therefore call on the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board to write to our local MPs raising these concerns and asking them to lobby government to highlight the local impact of this national policy.

Councillor Phil Simkins seconded the motion and outlined the importance of supporting community pharmacies and highlighted the impact of a closure of a pharmacy in his ward.

Councillor Wendy Thompson outlined the rationale why government were making changes to funding for community pharmacies and emphasised that instead funding would be transferred into the NHS to fund vital services. She requested that Health Scrutiny consider the item in detail.

Councillor Phil Bateman urged Councillors to support the motion and support the pharmacy businesses in Wolverhampton.

Upon being put to the meeting, and a division having been demanded and taken voting thereon was as follows:

For

Councillors

Against

Mayor

Councillors

Resolved:

That motion on local impact of national cuts to community pharmacies be agreed.

City of Sanctuary

The Leader moved the following motion:

Wolverhampton has a proud history of welcoming diverse communities, particularly those suffering from war and persecution.

As the refugee crisis continues this city will accept and welcome our share of people in need.

To promote the inclusion and welfare of those coming to the city we resolve

·       To join the growing network of cities across the country by designating Wolverhampton as a City of Sanctuary

·       To support local people in welcoming and helping new communities to integrate into local and civic society

·       To promote the positive contribution migrants make to the social, cultural and community life of Wolverhampton

·       To work with regional and national partners to prove a safe home for unaccompanied asylum seeking children

Councillor Ian Claymore seconded the motion.

Councillor Wendy Thompson stated the city was already a city of sanctuary. She highlighted that the city was welcoming and had welcomed a large number of immigrants over the last couple of years and that priority should be given to families and children.

Councillor Roger Lawrence requested that the council make an overt commitment to this resolution.

Resolved:

That the motion on City of Sanctuary be agreed.