Agenda item
Motions
The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:
1 The following motion has been received from Councillor Dan Morris and supported by the Conservative Group:
This Council supports the principle of a 20 mph speed limit outside all schools in the county and asks officers to bring a report to Council within 6 months to consider how this could be implemented.
2. The following motion has been received from Councillor Karen Calder and is supported by the Conservative Group
The RBL is encouraging councils across the country to adopt the practice of offering all ex service men and women the opportunity of an interview for jobs becoming available within the authority, of course they have to have meet the basic criteria. Kirklees is the latest council to adopt this and was agreed cross party. The motion would be something in line with below.
“This Council recognises the invaluable contribution made to our community and country by members of the Armed services, the life and professional skills they gain through military service and our debt to them in perpetuity.
This Council also recognises that their service whilst equipping them with many practical skills does not always equip them with administrative and literary skills needed to satisfy some of today’s initial employment application questionnaires and procedures.
This Council therefore commits to offering all former service personnel a guaranteed interview for any vacancy applied for where they meet the essential criteria and will encourage our arm’s length partner organisations and the wider Shropshire business community to also offer interviews.”
3 The following motion has been received from Councillor Andy Boddington and supported by Councillors Julian Dean, Heather Kidd, Nigel Hartin and Chris Mellings
In July, the Committee on Climate Change recommended that the UK plants 30,000 hectares of trees a year. The committee warned that if carbon reduction measures are not delivered rapidly, we will need to plant 50,000 hectares a year. In November, the UN Environment Programme called for a faster reduction in greenhouse gases. There is a consensus that planting trees can help us achieve the UK's goal of net zero by 2050 at the latest.
Woodlands have many benefits. They create a carbon reservoir that helps slow climate change. They boost wildlife and help promote public health. Woodlands are a major economic resource, providing material for construction and power. Woodlands support jobs.
Well managed broadleaf woodlands promote biodiversity. They boost tourism. They are a public good.
No one doubts that doubling woodland cover will be a major challenge. Introducing a public money for public goods system to support farmers and landowners requires national legislation. Local authorities have limited resources and expertise is thinly spread. But there is potential for groups of local authorities to work together, supported by wildlife charities and experts, to develop regional policies for increasing woodland cover. Councils either side of Offa’s Dyke through the Marches would be ideal partners.
This council requests its leader and the portfolio holder for climate change to work with other local authorities to develop plans to double woodland cover in the Marches by 2050.
4 The following motion has been received from Councillor Chris Mellings and supported by Councillors Ruth Houghton, Nigel Hartin, David Vasmer, Andy Boddington, Heather Kidd and Roger Evans.
“Fireworks are used by people throughout the year to mark different events. While they bring much enjoyment to some people, they can cause significant problems and fear for other people and animals. They can be a source of fear and distress for many animals (including pets, farm livestock and wildlife). Animals affected not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause themselves injuries – sometimes very serious ones – as they attempt to run away or hide from the noise. Many residents have raised concern about the impact of fireworks on animals in particular.
In response to the concerns, Council therefore resolves:
To encourage all public firework displays within Shropshire being appropriately advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people
To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people (including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks)
To encourage events to consider the use of silent displays with music for the youngest children and to protect animals
To compile and display on its website and via social media, a list of public firework displays with appropriate information to enable residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people
To make representations to the Government via the relevant Portfolio Holder urging it to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays
To encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock “quieter” fireworks for public display”
5 The following motion has been received from Councillor Roger Evans and supported by the Liberal Democrat Group:
Lib Dem motion on 20mph 17 December 2019
Many councils have or are in the process of implementing wide area 20mph speed limits on residential and urban roads without traffic calming.
Many bodies with a remit for public health support a reduction in speed limits to 20mph on residential streets. Wide area 20mph limits rarely need traffic calming measures. They are an affordable way to improve health equality by creating child, disability, elderly and dementia friendly streetscapes that help reduce inactivity, obesity and isolation.
Implementing wide area 20mph limits must be a core part of Shropshire Council’s public health strategy.
This council requests the Director of Public Health and Director of Place bring a report to council by May 2020 setting out the parameters and timetable for introducing area wide 20mph limits across Shropshire’s towns and major villages.
Minutes:
1 The following motion has been received from Councillor Dan Morris and supported by the Conservative Group:
This Council supports the principle of a 20 mph speed limit outside all schools in the county and asks officers to bring a report to Council within 6 months to consider how this could be implemented.
Councillor A Boddington proposed an amendment to the motion that ‘yellow zig zag lines outside most schools in Shropshire are currently advisory. No penalties can be enforced. The council requests a countywide traffic regulation order is issued to implement a mandatory prohibition of traffic stopping outside our schools when students are present.’ The Leader, Councillor P Nutting, responded that Officers would look into this matter but it could not form part of the motion being considered. Councillor Boddington agreed to withdraw his amendment to the motion.
RESOLVED:
That the Notice of Motion be supported.
2. The following motion has been received from Councillor Karen Calder and is supported by the Conservative Group
This Council recognises the invaluable contribution made to our community and country by members of the Armed services, the life and professional skills they gain through military service and our debt to them in perpetuity.
This Council also recognises that their service whilst equipping them with many practical skills does not always equip them with administrative and literary skills needed to satisfy some of today’s initial employment application questionnaires and procedures.
This Council therefore commits to offering all former service personnel a guaranteed interview for any vacancy applied for where they meet the essential criteria and will encourage our arm’s length partner organisations and the wider Shropshire business community to also offer interviews.
RESOLVED:
That the Notice of Motion be supported.
3 The following motion has been received from Councillor Andy Boddington and supported by Councillors Julian Dean, Heather Kidd, Nigel Hartin and Chris Mellings
In July, the Committee on Climate Change recommended that the UK plants 30,000 hectares of trees a year. The committee warned that if carbon reduction measures are not delivered rapidly, we will need to plant 50,000 hectares a year. In November, the UN Environment Programme called for a faster reduction in greenhouse gases. There is a consensus that planting trees can help us achieve the UK's goal of net zero by 2050 at the latest.
Woodlands have many benefits. They create a carbon reservoir that helps slow climate change. They boost wildlife and help promote public health. Woodlands are a major economic resource, providing material for construction and power. Woodlands support jobs.
Well managed broadleaf woodlands promote biodiversity. They boost tourism. They are a public good.
No one doubts that doubling woodland cover will be a major challenge. Introducing a public money for public goods system to support farmers and landowners requires national legislation. Local authorities have limited resources and expertise is thinly spread. But there is potential for groups of local authorities to work together, supported by wildlife charities and experts, to develop regional policies for increasing woodland cover. Councils either side of Offa’s Dyke through the Marches would be ideal partners.
This council requests its leader and the portfolio holder for climate change to work with other local authorities to develop plans to double woodland cover in the Marches by 2050.
RESOLVED:
That the Notice of Motion be not supported.
4 The following motion has been received from Councillor Chris Mellings and supported by Councillors Ruth Houghton, Nigel Hartin, David Vasmer, Andy Boddington, Heather Kidd and Roger Evans.
“Fireworks are used by people throughout the year to mark different events. While they bring much enjoyment to some people, they can cause significant problems and fear for other people and animals. They can be a source of fear and distress for many animals (including pets, farm livestock and wildlife). Animals affected not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause themselves injuries – sometimes very serious ones – as they attempt to run away or hide from the noise. Many residents have raised concern about the impact of fireworks on animals in particular.
In response to the concerns, Council therefore resolves:
To encourage all public firework displays within Shropshire being appropriately advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people
To actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people (including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks)
To encourage events to consider the use of silent displays with music for the youngest children and to protect animals
To compile and display on its website and via social media, a list of public firework displays with appropriate information to enable residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people
To make representations to the Government via the relevant Portfolio Holder urging it to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays
To encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock “quieter” fireworks for public display”
RESOLVED:
That the Notice of Motion be supported.
5 The following motion has been received from Councillor Roger Evans and supported by the Liberal Democrat Group:
Lib Dem motion on 20mph 17 December 2019
Many councils have or are in the process of implementing wide area 20mph speed limits on residential and urban roads without traffic calming.
Many bodies with a remit for public health support a reduction in speed limits to 20mph on residential streets. Wide area 20mph limits rarely need traffic calming measures. They are an affordable way to improve health equality by creating child, disability, elderly and dementia friendly streetscapes that help reduce inactivity, obesity and isolation.
Implementing wide area 20mph limits must be a core part of Shropshire Council’s public health strategy.
This council requests the Director of Public Health and Director of Place bring a report to council by May 2020 setting out the parameters and timetable for introducing area wide 20mph limits across Shropshire’s towns and major villages.
RESOLVED:
That the Notice of Motion be not supported.