> CABINET MAY 16TH AGENDA 15
> GATS - THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES
> 
> REVISED RECOMMENDATIONS
> 
> Proposed: Ken Browne
> Seconded: Bransby Thomas
> 
> 1. Cabinet notes the report and sends a letter of support to the Local
> Government Association/Local Government Information Bureau for the action they
> are taking, and asks them to consider the effects of GATS on the provision of
> local services and to lobby to protect local authority freedoms in
> procurement, planning and other local government services and decision-making.
> 
> 2. Cabinet adopts a position of extreme concern over international agreements,
> such as the General Agreement on Trade in Services, where:
> i. They will result in an erosion of local decision-making authority.
> ii. They hamper the Council's ability to deliver Best Value & to promote the
> Economic, Social and Environmental Well-Being of communities in Warwickshire.
> iii. Their impacts have not had a comprehensive assessment, particularly with
> respect to the provision of public services, Local Government, the environment
> and vulnerable groups.
> iv. There has not been adequate consultation with Local Government.
> v. They are effectively irreversible.
> 
> 3. The Council writes to the Minister of State for Trade and  the Minister for
> Local Government:
> 
> i. to express our concerns about the possible impact of GATS on local
> authority freedoms in procurement, planning and other decision making
> ii. to ask for further and formal opportunities to be consulted prior to any
> further GATS commitments being agreed
> iii. to ask for clarification on the following key questions:
> 
> Which services does the EU and UK Government intend to offer to open up as
> part of the GATS negotiation, and what impact assessment  has been made on
> this?
> Will additional public services be required to open up to global private
> sector markets?
> What assessment has been made of the impact of GATS on the planning system,
> and whether this imposes inappropriate restrictions on local decision-making?
> What assessment has been made of the potential impact of GATS on UK and local
> sustainable development strategies?
> Does the government intend to involve or consult with Local Government in
> developing its approach to GATS?
> 
> 4. Writes to the five Warwickshire MPs and to the Members of the European
> Parliament  urging them to take up these concerns on the County Council's
> behalf.
> 
> 5. Cabinet receive further update reports when the outcome of these actions is
> known.