Agenda item

Proposed by Councillor Chris Vince (seconded by Councillor James Griggs):

“If a defibrillator is used within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates jump from 6 per cent to 74 per cent.

This council welcomes news that a defibrillator will be placed in every secondary school in the town but recognise that this could still mean that in many areas of Harlow you are still a long way from a defibrillator.

The East of England ambulance service has a map of registered defibrillators in Harlow. However that map currently shows there are some areas of the town where quick access to an AED is significantly more limited than others.

The cost of defibrillator is now only around £1,000. A small price to save someone's life.

This motion proposes the council supports the Labour Group initiative to locate and register all available AEDs in Harlow and subsequently works with the ambulance service to plug the gaps in coverage identified by purchasing up to 10 AEDs (defibrillators) to be positioned strategically across our town as soon as possible.”

Proposed by Councillor Chris Vince (seconded by Councillor James Griggs):

“If a defibrillator is used within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates jump from 6 per cent to 74 per cent.

This council welcomes news that a defibrillator will be placed in every secondary school in the town but recognise that this could still mean that in many areas of Harlow you are still a long way from a defibrillator.

The East of England ambulance service has a map of registered defibrillators in Harlow. However that map currently shows there are some areas of the town where quick access to an AED is significantly more limited than others.

The cost of defibrillator is now only around £1,000. A small price to save someone's life.

This motion proposes the council supports the Labour Group initiative to locate and register all available AEDs in Harlow and subsequently works with the ambulance service to plug the gaps in coverage identified by purchasing up to 10 AEDs (defibrillators) to be positioned strategically across our town as soon as possible.”

Councillor Simon Carter (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) moved an amendment to the motion:

That after “This motion proposes” the following wording be removed:

“The council supports the Labour Group initiative to locate and register all available AEDs in Harlow and subsequently works with the ambulance service to plug the gaps in coverage identified by purchasing up to 10 AEDs (defibrillators) to be positioned strategically across our town as soon as possible.”

And replaced with:

“That this Council:

·         Locates all available Automated External Defibrillators in Harlow and strongly encourages the holders to register them with the British Heart Foundation;

·         Works with the ambulance service to plug the gaps in coverage and works with local organisations to provide more devices;

·         Endorses an increase in expenditure of up to £10,000 to support, where appropriate, charities and other such organisations to purchase a defibrillator and refers the matter to Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 13;

·         Calls on the relevant portfolio holder to report back to full council within six months to update the council on progress.”

This amendment was accepted by the mover and seconder of the original motion and became the substantive motion.

RESOLVED that the following motion was agreed.

“If a defibrillator is used within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates jump from 6 per cent to 74 per cent.

This council welcomes news that a defibrillator will be placed in every secondary school in the town but recognise that this could still mean that in many areas of Harlow you are still a long way from a defibrillator.

The East of England ambulance service has a map of registered defibrillators in Harlow. However, that map currently shows there are some areas of the town where quick access to an AED is significantly more limited than others.

The cost of defibrillator is now only around £1,000. A small price to save someone's life.

This motion proposes that this Council:

·         Locates all available Automated External Defibrillators in Harlow and strongly encourages the holders to register them with the British Heart Foundation;

·         Works with the ambulance service to plug the gaps in coverage and works with local organisations to provide more devices;

·         Endorses an increase in expenditure of up to £10,000 to support, where appropriate, charities and other such organisations to purchase a defibrillator and refers the matter to Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 13;

·         Calls on the relevant portfolio holder to report back to full council within six months to update the council on progress.”