Motion passed by Flintshire County Council

"Whilst recognising the importance of service industries to the national
and local economy, this Council is concerned about the potential effects
of the General Agreement on Trade in Services {GATS} on its own services
and on local communities. Prior to any extension of the GATS system it
considers that the government should assess and consider the likely
effects of so doing upon the provision of public services within the
UK.  The government should ensure as wide a constituency as possible is
involved and the results made publicly available.

This Council therefore resolves to write to the Minister of State for
Trade and the Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the
Regions with the following questions :-

1] What Council services will be affected by the changes to GATS
proposed by the government and the European Union, and what assessment
has been carried out of this.

2] What assessment has taken place concerning the effect of these
proposals on the UK planning system, subsidiarity and the UK's
sustainable development objectives.

3] What proposals has the government to involve the public and public
service providers in the development of its position in relation to
GATS.

This Council also resolves to write to the LGA to ask then whether they
are exploring the effect of GATS on the provision of local services and,
if they are not, ask them to consider doing so."




-- 
Chris Keene, Coordinator, Anti-Globalisation Network
90 The Parkway, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0AE, England
Tel 01268 682820   Fax 01268 514164