This Council Meeting notes with great concern the increase in metal theft across our Borough, and the effect of this crime on our community, including on homeowners, businesses, places of worship, community buildings, heritage assets, and infrastructure providers.
This Council Meeting welcomes the e-petition launched on the official Government website by Walsall Council calling for a change to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964, which would prohibit cash transactions, and make payment by cheque or bank transfer mandatory, providing an audit trail when thefts are detected or stolen or suspect materials are recovered.
This Council Meeting therefore requests:
· That the Chief Executive contacts Walsall Council on our behalf, to congratulate them on their initiative, and to explore the possibility of working together on this issue;
· That the Chief Executive contacts Stockport’s four Members of Parliament, and the Home Secretary, to inform them of our support for this legal change, and to request their support;
· That the e-petition be publicised on the Council’s website, and in Council publications, along with advice on preventing such thefts, or on measures which may help to identify thieves such as the use of smart water, in partnership with the local Police and other partners; and
· That a report be taken to Area Committees on current levels of metal thefts, the steps that are being taken to prevent them and to bring those responsible to justice, with the opportunity for members to contribute suggestions and comments, to ensure that Stockport’s response to metal theft is as robust as possible.
Moved by: Cllr Tom McGee
Seconded by: Cllr Walter Brett
Minutes:
MOVED AND SECONDED
This Council Meeting notes with great concern the increase in metal theft across our Borough, and the effect of this crime on our community, including on homeowners, businesses, places of worship, community buildings, heritage assets, and infrastructure providers.
This Council Meeting welcomes the e-petition launched on the official Government website by Walsall Council calling for a change to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964, which would prohibit cash transactions, and make payment by cheque or bank transfer mandatory, providing an audit trail when thefts are detected or stolen or suspect materials are recovered.
This Council Meeting therefore requests:
· That the Chief Executive contacts Walsall Council on our behalf, to congratulate them on their initiative, and to explore the possibility of working together on this issue;
· That the Chief Executive contacts Stockport’s four Members of Parliament, and the Home Secretary, to inform them of our support for this legal change, and to request their support;
· That the e-petition be publicised on the Council’s website, and in Council publications, along with advice on preventing such thefts, or on measures which may help to identify thieves such as the use of smart water, in partnership with the local Police and other partners; and
· That a report be taken to Area Committees on current levels of metal thefts, the steps that are being taken to prevent them and to bring those responsible to justice, with the opportunity for members to contribute suggestions and comments, to ensure that Stockport’s response to metal theft is as robust as possible.
AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED
After the second paragraph insert the following:
“This Council Meeting also welcomes Early Day Motion 2130, tabled in September by a Liberal Democrat MP, which has support from members of all parties and also calls for cash payments to be made illegal but which goes even further, calling for better recording of transactions and requiring verification of the identity of any person offering scrap metal for sale.
This Council Meeting further welcomes Graham Jones MP’s Metal Theft (Prevention) Bill, a private members bill that had its first reading this week and calls for the same measures to be made legal requirements.”
In accordance with the provisions of Council Meeting Procedure Rule 14.7 (Alteration of Motion) the mover of the motion agreed to incorporate the amendment within their original motion. It was then
RESOLVED - This Council Meeting notes with great concern the increase in metal theft across our Borough, and the effect of this crime on our community, including on homeowners, businesses, places of worship, community buildings, heritage assets, and infrastructure providers.
This Council Meeting welcomes the e-petition launched on the official Government website by Walsall Council calling for a change to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964, which would prohibit cash transactions, and make payment by cheque or bank transfer mandatory, providing an audit trail when thefts are detected or stolen or suspect materials are recovered.
This Council Meeting also welcomes Early Day Motion 2130, tabled in September by a Liberal Democrat MP, which has support from members of all parties and also calls for cash payments to be made illegal but which goes even further, calling for better recording of transactions and requiring verification of the identity of any person offering scrap metal for sale.
This Council Meeting further welcomes Graham Jones MP’s Metal Theft (Prevention) Bill, a private members bill that had its first reading this week and calls for the same measures to be made legal requirements.
This Council Meeting therefore requests:
· That the Chief Executive contacts Walsall Council on our behalf, to congratulate them on their initiative, and to explore the possibility of working together on this issue;
· That the Chief Executive contacts Stockport’s four Members of Parliament, and the Home Secretary, to inform them of our support for this legal change, and to request their support;
· That the e-petition be publicised on the Council’s website, and in Council publications, along with advice on preventing such thefts, or on measures which may help to identify thieves such as the use of smart water, in partnership with the local Police and other partners; and
· That a report be taken to Area Committees on current levels of metal thefts, the steps that are being taken to prevent them and to bring those responsible to justice, with the opportunity for members to contribute suggestions and comments, to ensure that Stockport’s response to metal theft is as robust as possible.