Agenda item
Motions
The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:
1. The following motion has been received from Councillor Julian Dean and supported by Councillors Hannah Fraser, Pauline Dee and David Vasmer
Pension Fund Fossil Fuel Disinvestment motion
Council notes:
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils have both declared climate emergencies and pledged to be net zero by 2030.
Shropshire County Pension Fund (SCPF) currently has around £294 million invested in fossil fuel companies including Shell and BP and through asset manager BlackRock.
These investments are incompatible with the climate emergency declaration and the councils’ commitment to reach net zero within the next ten years.
Fossil fuel investments are increasingly financially risky as a result of both the Covid19 pandemic and the global transition to a more sustainable economic and environmental model. They are now being regularly out-performed by renewables.
Former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney warned in December 2019 that fossil fuel investments risk becoming “stranded assets” (i.e., worthless) as investors exit the sector. “A question for every company, every financial institution, every asset manager, pension fund or insurer – what’s your plan?”
The ‘engagement’ approach does not mitigate the financial risks the sector faces. There is also no evidence of any multinational corporation changing its core business model in response to investor pressure.
Council believes it is time for Shropshire’s flagship pension fund to commit to divestment from fossil fuels over a three year timeframe.
This would;
Allow for the development of ‘impact investment’ directed towards internationally recognised sustainable development goals and/or investment in a local sustainable economy.
Provide for a more sustainable future of all pension fund stakeholders.
Provide leadership in the face of the climate emergency.
This Council resolves:
To instruct the Acting Chief Executive to write to the Pension Fund Committee asking the Committee to follow best practice by;
1. Adding a statement to their strategy that climate change constitutes financial risks to the fund.
2. Setting a 3 year timescale for the reinvestment of funds currently invested in fossil fuel dependant assets.
3. Developing an investment strategy consistent with sustainable development goals and developing a local sustainable economy.
Finally we recognise that fossil fuel investments constitute part of the councils ‘carbon footprint’ and so resolve that this element should be reported on within our greenhouse gas reporting for Scope 3.
2. The following motion has been received from Councillor David Vasmer and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
This Council notes that:
- As COVID-19 restrictions ease, the Government is encouraging people to walk and cycle, where possible, instead of taking public transport or returning to their cars.
- The Government has stated that it aims to have all school children returning to school in September 2020.
- The Government has specifically stated that it wishes more children to walk and cycle to school.
- To enable this the Government has announced a £250 million ‘Emergency Active Travel Fund’ for temporary infrastructure to enable safe walking and cycling – of which, Shropshire has been allocated an indicative funding allocation of £432,000. 20% of this money was available in ‘tranche one’ (June 2020), the remaining 80% is available in ‘tranche two’ (Summer 2020).
- The Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, issued new Statutory Guidance on 9 May to all Highways Authorities, requiring them to deliver ‘transformative change’ within an urgent timeframe.
- Measures listed under the Statutory Guidance include (but are not limited to) ‘pop-up’ cycle facilities, widening footways, ‘school streets’ schemes, and reducing speed limits.
- The guidance further states that ‘measures should be taken as swiftly as possible, and in any event within weeks, given the urgent need to change travel habits before the restart takes full effect.’
- The Department for Transport wrote to councils in the week commencing 22nd June 2020 about their award from ‘tranche 1’. This letter stated that they had “been asked to convey from ministers that they would like to see proposals of an even higher level for tranche two”.
- Speaking in front of the Transport Select Committee on 24th June 2020, the Secretary of State stated “We want to make sure that we reprioritise the way that local authorities think about road space so that they think about putting walking and cycling as the first two of those—possibly e-scooters as well since they are coming along—and driving as the next thing, rather than how we just construct it around the car and the other things will have to fit in around vehicles.”.
- ‘School Streets’ restrict motor traffic at the school gates for a short period of time, generally at drop-off and pick-up times.
- ‘School Streets’ improve road safety for pupils, encouraging active travel to school (and a modal shift out of cars). They also enable social distancing outside schools, and additionally improve the air quality and environment at the school gates.
- Prior to COVID-19, ‘school streets’ schemes have already been successfully introduced or were being trialled at multiple local authorities across the UK*.
- Since then, planning and implementation of ‘school streets’ has accelerated, with many more councils introducing these schemes before schools reopened in June.
- Multiple NGOs are calling for the introduction of ‘school streets’ to manage social distancing at the school gate.
- Councils are introducing the measures under their own considerable statutory powers, making experimental traffic orders where necessary.
- Shropshire Council has already made a number of road alterations to assist with active travel and social distancing associated to town centres, but none specifically targeted at schools. It has also taken the first step to improve safety outside schools by adopting a 20mph blanket policy for all schools in December 2019
- As promoted by the Secretary of State, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take the next step and positively impact travel choices, including the associated benefits on health, air quality and road safety.
- Research from Sustrans following trials of School Streets says that 90% of parents and residents surveyed say they would support regular traffic-free streets outside schools.
* Including but not limited to: Birmingham City Council, Bristol City Council, Cardiff Council, The City of Edinburgh Council, Glasgow City Council, Greater Manchester, Leeds City Council, Sheffield City Council, Southampton City Council, City of York Council, and many London Boroughs.
This Council agrees to follow Government guidance and work collaboratively with councillors, schools, and local partners to:
a) swiftly identify those schools in the county that could put a ‘school streets’ scheme in place
b) have ‘school streets’ in place at these schools by the first day of the new school term in September – taking advantage of experimental traffic orders and new statutory guidance over fast-tracked Traffic Regulation Orders
c) introduce measures to promote walking and cycling in those schools that are not suitable for a ‘school streets’ scheme
This Council notes that:
Due to the COVID-19 virus it is noted that there are a reduced number of meetings being held. This has led to long delays in publishing the minutes of meetings that have been held.
We note that Parish and Town Councils are expected to publish minutes of their meetings within 4 weeks of the them being held. This to be in draft from if a meeting has not been held to formally ratify them. This is good practise and enables both the public and members to be better informed on matters that are discussed and agreed.
It is therefore proposed that:
· This council meeting requests officers to put in place a policy similar to our local councils and publish minutes of all public meetings within 4 weeks of their being held. This to be in draft form if no formal meeting has taken place. This will enable all members and the public to be aware of what was discussed and agreed at our council meetings.
· This revised policy to be effective from the date of this council meeting.
Note. For information please see two extracts from the
“Transparency code for smaller authorities” published by the Department for Communities and Local Government
P4 Policy context.
1, This Code is issued to meet the Government’s desire to place more power into citizens’ hands to increase democratic accountability. Transparency gives local people the tools and information they need to hold local public bodies to account.
P9 Minutes, agendas and papers of formal meetings.
29. Smaller authorities should publish the draft minutes from all formal meetings (i.e. full council or board, committee and sub-committee meetings) not later than one month after the meeting has taken place. These minutes should be signed either at the meeting they were taken or at the next meeting.
4. The following motion has been received from Councillor Nat Green and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
As a result of recent demonstrations, a spotlight has fallen upon various monuments to individuals who, upon examination, had controversial aspects to their lives that some argue are offensive to contemporary eyes, and that their behaviour should not be worthy of such public commemoration. In Shrewsbury, this takes the form of the statue of Robert Clive that stands in The Square. It is clear that passions have run high on both sides of the argument and, noting the trying times that we find ourselves in, this motion is intended to take a measured, democratic approach to a fraught issue. In light of this, as member for the Division in which this statue stands, I propose the following:
That first, a history board should be placed adjacent to the statue giving a balanced narrative of Clive and his history.
Then second, after an information campaign in the media and perhaps through public meetings, a referendum of the people of Shropshire is held on whether Clive should stay, or go; with options as to his replacement should his removal be required. After all, it is their town and their Square.
By taking this course of action, Shropshire Council will have shown itself mindful both of contemporary sensibilities, but not have been seen to have discarded the past on a whim.
Minutes:
1. The following motion was received from Councillor Julian Dean and supported by Councillors Hannah Fraser, Pauline Dee and David Vasmer
Pension Fund Fossil Fuel Disinvestment motion
Council notes:
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils have both declared climate emergencies and pledged to be net zero by 2030.
Shropshire County Pension Fund (SCPF) currently has around £294 million invested in fossil fuel companies including Shell and BP and through asset manager BlackRock.
These investments are incompatible with the climate emergency declaration and the councils’ commitment to reach net zero within the next ten years.
Fossil fuel investments are increasingly financially risky as a result of both the Covid19 pandemic and the global transition to a more sustainable economic and environmental model. They are now being regularly out-performed by renewables.
Former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney warned in December 2019 that fossil fuel investments risk becoming “stranded assets” (i.e., worthless) as investors exit the sector. “A question for every company, every financial institution, every asset manager, pension fund or insurer – what’s your plan?”
The ‘engagement’ approach does not mitigate the financial risks the sector faces. There is also no evidence of any multinational corporation changing its core business model in response to investor pressure.
Council believes it is time for Shropshire’s flagship pension fund to commit to divestment from fossil fuels over a three-year timeframe.
This would;
Allow for the development of ‘impact investment’ directed towards internationally recognised sustainable development goals and/or investment in a local sustainable economy.
Provide for a more sustainable future of all pension fund stakeholders.
Provide leadership in the face of the climate emergency.
This Council resolves:
To instruct the Acting Chief Executive to write to the Pension Fund Committee asking the Committee to follow best practice by;
1. Adding a statement to their strategy that climate change constitutes financial risks to the fund.
2. Setting a 3-year timescale for the reinvestment of funds currently invested in fossil fuel dependant assets.
3. Developing an investment strategy consistent with sustainable development goals and developing a local sustainable economy.
Finally, we recognise that fossil fuel investments constitute part of the councils ‘carbon footprint’ and so resolve that this element should be reported on within our greenhouse gas reporting for Scope 3.
RESOLVED:
That the Notice of Motion be supported.
2. The following motion was received from Councillor David Vasmer and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
This Council notes that:
- As COVID-19 restrictions ease, the Government is encouraging people to walk and cycle, where possible, instead of taking public transport or returning to their cars.
- The Government has stated that it aims to have all school children returning to school in September 2020.
- The Government has specifically stated that it wishes more children to walk and cycle to school.
- To enable this the Government has announced a £250 million ‘Emergency Active Travel Fund’ for temporary infrastructure to enable safe walking and cycling – of which, Shropshire has been allocated an indicative funding allocation of £432,000. 20% of this money was available in ‘tranche one’ (June 2020), the remaining 80% is available in ‘tranche two’ (Summer 2020).
- The Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, issued new Statutory Guidance on 9 May to all Highways Authorities, requiring them to deliver ‘transformative change’ within an urgent timeframe.
- Measures listed under the Statutory Guidance include (but are not limited to) ‘pop-up’ cycle facilities, widening footways, ‘school streets’ schemes, and reducing speed limits.
- The guidance further states that ‘measures should be taken as swiftly as possible, and in any event within weeks, given the urgent need to change travel habits before the restart takes full effect.’
- The Department for Transport wrote to councils in the week commencing 22nd June 2020 about their award from ‘tranche 1’. This letter stated that they had “been asked to convey from ministers that they would like to see proposals of an even higher level for tranche two”.
- Speaking in front of the Transport Select Committee on 24th June 2020, the Secretary of State stated “We want to make sure that we reprioritise the way that local authorities think about road space so that they think about putting walking and cycling as the first two of those—possibly e-scooters as well since they are coming along—and driving as the next thing, rather than how we just construct it around the car and the other things will have to fit in around vehicles.”.
- ‘School Streets’ restrict motor traffic at the school gates for a short period of time, generally at drop-off and pick-up times.
- ‘School Streets’ improve road safety for pupils, encouraging active travel to school (and a modal shift out of cars). They also enable social distancing outside schools, and additionally improve the air quality and environment at the school gates.
- Prior to COVID-19, ‘school streets’ schemes have already been successfully introduced or were being trialled at multiple local authorities across the UK*.
- Since then, planning and implementation of ‘school streets’ has accelerated, with many more councils introducing these schemes before schools reopened in June.
- Multiple NGOs are calling for the introduction of ‘school streets’ to manage social distancing at the school gate.
- Councils are introducing the measures under their own considerable statutory powers, making experimental traffic orders where necessary.
- Shropshire Council has already made a number of road alterations to assist with active travel and social distancing associated to town centres, but none specifically targeted at schools. It has also taken the first step to improve safety outside schools by adopting a 20mph blanket policy for all schools in December 2019
- As promoted by the Secretary of State, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take the next step and positively impact travel choices, including the associated benefits on health, air quality and road safety.
- Research from Sustrans following trials of School Streets says that 90% of parents and residents surveyed say they would support regular traffic-free streets outside schools.
* Including but not limited to: Birmingham City Council, Bristol City Council, Cardiff Council, The City of Edinburgh Council, Glasgow City Council, Greater Manchester, Leeds City Council, Sheffield City Council, Southampton City Council, City of York Council, and many London Boroughs.
This Council agrees to follow Government guidance and work collaboratively with councillors, schools, and local partners to:
a) swiftly identify those schools in the county that could put a ‘school streets’ scheme in place
b) have ‘school streets’ in place at these schools by the first day of the new school term in September – taking advantage of experimental traffic orders and new statutory guidance over fast-tracked Traffic Regulation Orders
c) introduce measures to promote walking and cycling in those schools that are not suitable for a ‘school streets’ scheme
RESOLVED:
That the Notice of Motion be supported.
This Council notes that:
Due to the COVID-19 virus it is noted that there are a reduced number of meetings being held. This has led to long delays in publishing the minutes of meetings that have been held.
We note that Parish and Town Councils are expected to publish minutes of their meetings within 4 weeks of the them being held. This to be in draft from if a meeting has not been held to formally ratify them. This is good practise and enables both the public and members to be better informed on matters that are discussed and agreed.
It is therefore proposed that:
· This council meeting requests officers to put in place a policy similar to our local councils and publish minutes of all public meetings within 4 weeks of their being held. This to be in draft form if no formal meeting has taken place. This will enable all members and the public to be aware of what was discussed and agreed at our council meetings.
· This revised policy to be effective from the date of this council meeting.
Note. For information please see two extracts from the
“Transparency code for smaller authorities” published by the Department for Communities and Local Government
P4 Policy context.
1, This Code is issued to meet the Government’s desire to place more power into citizens’ hands to increase democratic accountability. Transparency gives local people the tools and information they need to hold local public bodies to account.
P9 Minutes, agendas and papers of formal meetings.
29. Smaller authorities should publish the draft minutes from all formal meetings (i.e. full council or board, committee and sub-committee meetings) not later than one month after the meeting has taken place. These minutes should be signed either at the meeting they were taken or at the next meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the Notice of Motion be not supported.
4. The following motion has been received from Councillor Nat Green and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
As a result of recent demonstrations, a spotlight has fallen upon various monuments to individuals who, upon examination, had controversial aspects to their lives that some argue are offensive to contemporary eyes, and that their behaviour should not be worthy of such public commemoration. In Shrewsbury, this takes the form of the statue of Robert Clive that stands in The Square. It is clear that passions have run high on both sides of the argument and, noting the trying times that we find ourselves in, this motion is intended to take a measured, democratic approach to a fraught issue. In light of this, as member for the Division in which this statue stands, I propose the following:
That first, a history board should be placed adjacent to the statue giving a balanced narrative of Clive and his history.
Then second, after an information campaign in the media and perhaps through public meetings, a referendum of the people of Shropshire is held on whether Clive should stay, or go; with options as to his replacement should his removal be required. After all, it is their town and their Square.
By taking this course of action, Shropshire Council will have shown itself mindful both of contemporary sensibilities, but not have been seen to have discarded the past on a whim.
RESOLVED:
That the Notice of Motion be not supported.