Motion from Councillor Brian Hodgson

This Council notes that there is a new World Trade Organisation (WTO)
agreement, called the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). 
GATS
has the potential to have a significant impact on many of the functions
of
local Councils, including, but not necessarily limited to, their powers
of
regulation and licensing and planning permissions.  However this Council
also notes that there has been little information from the UK government
about this Agreement, and particularly about its scope and the impact it
will have on local authorities, despite negotiations to expand the
coverage
of the Agreement being underway.  (One part of those negotiations
consists
of WTO member nations identifying which service sectors they want
included
under GATS, referred to as making 'requests' for inclusion.  Then
governments make 'offers', stating which of their own services they are
prepared to see covered by GATS rules.) 

This Council resolves, therefore, to write to the Local Government
Association asking them to investigate the likely impact of GATS on
Local
Government.

The above was adopted by 43 votes to 3.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further assistance.

Alison Bartlett
Secretarial Assistant
Committee Services
Tel: (01865) 815504