Agenda item
Motions
The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:
1. The following motion has been received from Councillor David Vasmer and is supported by Councillors Kate Halliday, Julian Dean and Roger Evans:
Cycle Infrastructure Design
This Council notes that:
1. The Prime Minster has called for “A Golden Age of Cycling”.
2. The Prime Minster has set out a vision for a travel revolution in England's streets, towns and communities, stating that: “When I was Mayor of London, one of the things I was proudest of was building some of the world's best cycle lanes”.
3. The Government has announced £2billion of funding for walking and cycling.
4. The announcement was accompanied by a document from the Department for Transport, entitled ‘Gear Change: A bold vision for cycling and walking’.
5. Gear Change states: “Inadequate cycling infrastructure discourages cycling and wastes public money” and “In order to see the increases in cycling we want, the quality of cycling infrastructure installed on our roads must dramatically improve.”
6. Alongside this document, the Department for Transport (DfT) published new cycling design guidance (LTN 1/20 Cycle infrastructure design) which sets out the much higher standards they will now require if schemes are to receive funding.
7. The standards will be enforced by a new inspectorate, Active Travel England, and DfT will expect Local Authorities and developers to utilise the guidance in the design of their schemes regardless of whether they are seeking Government funding.
This Council resolves to:
a) Support the Prime Minister’s “Gear Change” announcement.
b) Ensure that all cycling infrastructure built in Shropshire conforms to the standards laid out in LTN 1/20.
2. The following motion has been received from Councillor Roger Evans and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group:
Protecting the public’s say in the planning process
This Council notes:
1. The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.
· That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.
· That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.
This Council is concerned that the proposals seek to:
1. Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.
2. Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.
3. Makes alterations to how and where affordable homes can and will be built.
Council notes with concern that:
That the proposed Infrastructure Levy will no longer provide ring fenced money for affordable housing or perhaps even infrastructure.
This Council Further Notes:
1. The Royal Institute for British Architects called the proposals ‘shameful and which will do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing
2. The reforms are opposed by the all-party Local Government Association, currently led by Conservative Councillors.
This Council Believes:
1. That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team allow for local democratic control over future development, and give local people a say in planning proposals that affect them.
2. That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.
3. That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.
This Council resolves to:
1. Take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals as outlined in this motion.
2. Write to and lobby all our Members of Parliament, urging them to oppose these proposals and to circulate their replies to all elected members.
3. Highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public, Parish & Town Councils and local residents.
3. The following motion has been received from Councillor Ruth Houghton and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
Motion on working from home September 2020
Our working arrangements changed abruptly in the spring of 2020. With lockdown and social distancing, employees and employers around world and here in Shropshire have learnt new ways of working and made more effective use of established ways of working from home. Notwithstanding the government urging that people should flock back to their offices, it expected that working from home will become an established part of employment practice and the daily lives of employees, including those employed here at Shropshire Council.
This council requests officers to bring to the December full council meeting, a report on its new strategies and support services for council staff working from their homes.
This might include but not be limited to:
• Results of a survey of experiences of employees and councillors, covering both homeworking and office working (perhaps spilt by “I normally work from home”, “I normally work from the office”, “I work roughly half and half in the office and at home”).
• A description of support measures for both homeworkers and those unable to work from home.
• The council’s plans for office and home working in the short-term and its ideas for the longer term.
• The impact of home working on the council’s ambition to become carbon neutral
4. The following motion has been received from Councillor Nigel Hartin and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
Motion to express support for those working hard through the Covid-19 epidemic
This council gives its thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly to help our county during the Covid-19 epidemic. This council applauds the exceptional efforts that council staff, health and care workers, broadcasters and people in all professions have made to support and strengthen our communities. This council in particular recognises the immense contributions and sacrifices that families, friends and volunteers have made during one of the most challenging years of our lifetimes.
5. The following motion has been received from Councillor Andy Boddington and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
Motion on Parking on Pavements
The Department for Transport is consulting on banning parking on pavements in England. Ministers are asking for opinions on three options:
1. Keep things as they are but clarifying some technicalities in the legislation.
2. Give civil enforcement officers working for councils the power to issue penalty charge notices where there is an obstruction.
3. Enforce an outright ban except for emergency vehicles and loading.
It is not unusual to see cars or vans, even HGVs, partially or completely blocking pavements in Shropshire’s towns and villages. People struggle to get a pushchair or mobility scooter past. Pavements should be for pedestrians, children on cycles, people in wheelchairs and on mobility scooters, and parents pushing children in buggies. They should not be forced into the road.
This council resolves that officers will respond to the consultation along the following lines:
4. The council supports an outright ban on parking on pavements in residential streets except for emergency vehicles and for loading
Minutes:
Cycle Infrastructure Design
This Council notes that:
1) The Prime Minster has called for “A Golden Age of Cycling”.
2) The Prime Minster has set out a vision for a travel revolution in England's streets, towns and communities, stating that: “When I was Mayor of London, one of the things I was proudest of was building some of the world's best cycle lanes”.
3) The Government has announced £2billion of funding for walking and cycling.
4) The announcement was accompanied by a document from the Department for Transport, entitled ‘Gear Change: A bold vision for cycling and walking’.
5) Gear Change states: “Inadequate cycling infrastructure discourages cycling and wastes public money” and “In order to see the increases in cycling we want, the quality of cycling infrastructure installed on our roads must dramatically improve.”
6) Alongside this document, the Department for Transport (DfT) published new cycling design guidance (LTN 1/20 Cycle infrastructure design) which sets out the much higher standards they will now require if schemes are to receive funding.
7) The standards will be enforced by a new inspectorate, Active Travel England, and DfT will expect Local Authorities and developers to utilise the guidance in the design of their schemes regardless of whether they are seeking Government funding.
This Council resolves to:
a) Support the Prime Minister’s “Gear Change” announcement.
b) Ensure that all cycling infrastructure built in Shropshire conforms to the standards laid out in LTN 1/20.
An amendment was proposed by Councillor Julian Dean and duly seconded by Councillor David Vasmer.
To add to the motion:
In order to pursue the intentions of ‘Gear Change’ and the latest guidance from government on cycling and walking (LTN 1/20) council agrees to:
1) Develop a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, including targets for increased cycling and reduced short car journeys for our towns and settlements, as recommended in LTN 1/20, to be brought to council prior to the May 2021 elections.
2) Engage with local cycling groups to understand where people cycle and to design infrastructure collaboratively.
3) Develop pilot schemes for low-traffic neighbourhoods and streets in consultation with local members, providing high quality supporting evidence and presentations to the public to support such schemes; with a view to having schemes to present to the public in the early Spring 2021.
On being put to the vote the amendment was lost by the majority of Members voting against.
Members debated the substantive motion.
RESOLVED: that the motion be supported.
2. The following motion was proposed by Councillor Roger Evans and duly seconded by Heather Kidd.
Protecting the public’s say in the planning process
This Council notes:
1. The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.
· That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.
· That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.
This Council is concerned that the proposals seek to:
1. Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.
2. Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.
3. Makes alterations to how and where affordable homes can and will be built.
Council notes with concern that:
That the proposed Infrastructure Levy will no longer provide ring fenced money for affordable housing or perhaps even infrastructure.
This Council Further Notes:
1. The Royal Institute for British Architects called the proposals ‘shameful and which will do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes”. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing
2. The reforms are opposed by the all-party Local Government Association, currently led by Conservative Councillors.
This Council Believes:
1. That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team allow for local democratic control over future development and give local people a say in planning proposals that affect them.
2. That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.
3. That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.
This Council resolves to:
1. Take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals as outlined in this motion.
2. Write to and lobby all our Members of Parliament, urging them to oppose these proposals and to circulate their replies to all elected members.
3. Highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public, Parish & Town Councils and local residents.
RESOLVED: that the motion be not supported.
3. The following motion was proposed by Councillor Ruth Houghton and duly seconded by Councillor Heather Kidd.
Motion on working from home September 2020
Our working arrangements changed abruptly in the spring of 2020. With lockdown and social distancing, employees and employers around world and here in Shropshire have learnt new ways of working and made more effective use of established ways of working from home. Notwithstanding the government urging that people should flock back to their offices, it expected that working from home will become an established part of employment practice and the daily lives of employees, including those employed here at Shropshire Council.
This council requests officers to bring to the December full council meeting, a report on its new strategies and support services for council staff working from their homes.
This might include but not be limited to:
1) Results of a survey of experiences of employees and councillors, covering both homeworking and office working (perhaps spilt by “I normally work from home”, “I normally work from the office”, “I work roughly half and half in the office and at home”).
2) A description of support measures for both homeworkers and those unable to work from home.
3) The council’s plans for office and home working in the short-term and its ideas for the longer term.
4) The impact of home working on the council’s ambition to become carbon neutral
RESOLVED: that the motion be not supported.
4. The following motion was proposed by Councillor Nigel Hartin and duly seconded by Councillor Ruth Houghton.
Motion to express support for those working hard through the Covid-19 epidemic
This council gives its thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly to help our county during the Covid-19 epidemic. This council applauds the exceptional efforts that council staff, health and care workers, Town and Parish Councils, the voluntary community sector, broadcasters and people in all professions have made to support and strengthen our communities. This council in particular recognises the immense contributions and sacrifices that families, friends and local communities’ volunteers have made during one of the most challenging years of our lifetimes.
Councillor G Butler proposed the following amendment which was duly seconded by Councillor D Turner.
On being put to the vote the amendment was supported by the majority of Councillors.
Following discussion by Members the following motion was proposed:
This Council gives thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly to help our county during the Covid 19 epidemic. This council applauds the exceptional efforts that council staff, health and care workers, Town and Parish councils and the Voluntary and Community Sector and local community groups have made to support and strengthen our communities. This council in particular recognises the immense contributions and sacrifices the people of Shropshire have made during one of the most challenging years of our lifetime.
RESOLVED: that the motion as amended be supported.
5. The Motion from Councillor A Boddington was withdrawn prior to the meeting.