Agenda item
Motions
The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:
1. The following motion has been received from Councillor Rob Gittins and is supported by Councillors Roy Aldcroft, Dean Carroll, Paul Gill and Paul Wynn
A41 Whitchurch to Hinstock
Following large numbers of accidents, the A41 from Whitchurch to Hinstock is fast becoming one of the most dangerous stretches of road in country and needs urgent action to protect road users and residents from harm.
This council resolves to: -
1) Ask road traffic engineers to commission a report detailing how to make junctions more visible, replace warn signage and introduce appropriate line markings where necessary and look at how this could be done on a limited highways budget.
2) Lobby the police and crime commissioner for active speed enforcement and average speed cameras along the full stretch of the A41.
3) Lobby the DFT for larger capital monies to widen junctions, increase visibility splays and for carriageway surface improvements.
4) Work with the emergency services to obtain real time KSI data so that the council can make more effective decisions on road safety.
2. The following motion has been received from Councillor Duncan Kerr and is supported by the Green Group
In Sept 2020 Shropshire Council adopted LTN 1/20 which sets new standards for cycling provision and accessibility. Five months after adopting this standard the Council sought, and gave itself, planning permission to breach the standard in constructing an access bridge to its proposed new innovation park in Oswestry. As can be seen from the accompanying 3D diagram this bridge would require a cyclist to dismount up to 6 times and is inaccessible to many disabled persons.
On the 14th June 2021 the Council received a letter from Rupert Furness Deputy Director at the Department of Transport and inviting the Council to express interest in receiving capital funding for a mini-holland scheme. This letter stated that the guidance in LTN 1/20 should be followed by Local Authorities “regardless of whether they are seeking Government funding”.
On the 9th June 2022, the Future Oswestry Group, a partnership established by Shropshire Council with representatives from Oswestry Town Council, Oswestry BID and the local community received this drawing. This was the first time the group had been consulted on the Council’s design for this bridge. This multi-agency group passed a resolution expressing their clear opposition to the building of a structure that is both non-compliant and gives a very poor visual impression at a key gateway into the town.
The risks to the Council in progressing with its current design are very high. If built as designed the bridge will become a highly visible symbol of Shropshire disregard for active transport and will prejudice the ability of the Council to secure the future funding it is seeking both for the innovation park and for active transport. As the recent peer review on finance reported, quality bids showing genuine and real commitment, are the only way Shropshire will secure additional resources from Government. Now is the time to admit this bridge was a mistake and correct the situation before it is built.
In support of the Future Oswestry Group; and in recognition of the risk to current and future funding applications if the Council persists in building this non-compliant infra-structure; this Councils instructs the Cabinet and Portfolio Officer to bring forward a new design for this bridge which improves its aesthetics and ensure and is fully compliant with LTN 1/20. The Council’s LUF 2 application provides the opportunity to seek additional funding for this.
3. The following motion has been received from Councillor Joyce Barrow and is supported by Councillors Roy Aldcroft, Simon Harris, Chris Schofield and Les Winwood
When a tenant of social or affordable housing sadly passes away bereaved family and friends have very little time, sometimes as little as two weeks, to empty the property of the loved one recently lost before having to hand back the property to the housing association. This is a very difficult time for those who are bereaved and often involves a lot of work to organise funerals and put the affairs of the recently departed in order, adding such little time to empty a property with potentially a lifetime of memories into that period can push people who are already fragile into serious distress. Whilst we appreciate the urgent need to bring social and affordable properties back into use as quickly as possible, we also believe that the current arrangements are unreasonable and lack regard for the recently bereaved. Therefore this Council resolves to:
1. Ask the Leader and Chief executive to request that STAR Housing review their policy on this subject to consider a minimum four week period for vacating following the death of a tenant who lives alone
2. Ask the Leader and Chief Executive to write to Registered Social Landlords operating in Shropshire Council’s area to ask them reconsider their policies on this subject to consider a minimum four week period for vacating following the death of a tenant who lives alone
3. Ask the Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities to ask them to consider legislating or updating guidance to the sector on this subject to consider a minimum four week period for vacating following the death of a tenant who lives alone
4. The following motion has been received from Councillor Roger Evans and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
This Council notes
1) There are several National Lotteries, but the money raised by them is distributed nationwide. This Council wishes to help our smaller local organisations and charities to deliver the financial help our residents need.
2) Over 100 Local Authorities are assisting and helping their local communities by holding their own Lotteries operated by an External Lottery Manager (ELM) who manages the Lottery on a Council’s behalf. Their management role will include website management, administration of ticket sales and payments, prize management and marketing. It will not include generating profit for a management company.
3) By taking this forward, we would help to keep the Shropshire pound in Shropshire.
4) A community lottery would offer a valuable, additional income stream to our community and voluntary sector in Shropshire, enabling them to tackle specific issues around loneliness.
This Council resolves that
1) The Community Overview Committee as an urgent item be asked to look at how a Community Lottery could be run and so help our many smaller groups who are helping residents of all ages in Shropshire.
5. The following motion has been received from Councillor David Vasmer and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
Motion: Shropshire should be included in rural fuel duty relief
Council notes that:
· Households in rural areas pay £114 a week on transport costs, almost £40 more than those in urban areas.
· Petrol prices have risen to a new record high of 182.3p a litre, meaning the cost of filling a typical 55 litre petrol car has risen to over £100.
· Rural households are paying out almost £2,000 more a year on transport than those in urban areas.
· Fuel duty relief is currently offered to fuel retailers in remote parts of the UK where prices at the pumps are higher to the tune of 5p per litre of petrol or diesel.
· Currently, only 10,500 residents in England live in areas benefitting from the relief.
Council resolves to:
· Write to the Department for Transport in support of;
o Doubling support provided under the rural fuel duty relief scheme to 10p per litre.
o Expanding the rural fuel duty relief scheme to include a wider area including rural Shropshire.
Minutes:
The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:
From Councillor Rob Gittins and supported by Councillors Roy Aldcroft, Dean Carroll, Paul Gill and Paul Wynn
A41 Whitchurch to Hinstock
Following large numbers of accidents, the A41 from Whitchurch to Hinstock is fast becoming one of the most dangerous stretches of road in country and needs urgent action to protect road users and residents from harm.
This council resolves to: -
1. Ask road traffic engineers to commission a report detailing how to make junctions more visible, replace warn signage and introduce appropriate line markings where necessary and look at how this could be done on a limited highways budget.
2. Lobby the police and crime commissioner for active speed enforcement and average speed cameras along the full stretch of the A41.
3. Lobby the DFT for larger capital monies to widen junctions, increase visibility splays and for carriageway surface improvements.
4. Work with the emergency services to obtain real time KSI data so that the council can make more effective decisions on road safety.
The motion was seconded by Councillor Paul Wynn.
By way of amendment Councillor David Vasmer proposed that the following be added to the motion: -
5. Adopt a “Vision Zero” strategy for the whole Shropshire Council area to end traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by taking a systemic approach to road safety.
The amendment was seconded by Councillor Nigel Hartin.
On taking a vote the amendment was defeated
On taking a vote it was RESOLVED that Council:
1. Ask road traffic engineers to commission a report detailing how to make junctions more visible, replace warn signage and introduce appropriate line markings where necessary and look at how this could be done on a limited highways budget.
2. Lobby the police and crime commissioner for active speed enforcement and average speed cameras along the full stretch of the A41.
3. Lobby the DFT for larger capital monies to widen junctions, increase visibility splays and for carriageway surface improvements.
4. Work with the emergency services to obtain real time KSI data so that the council can make more effective decisions on road safety.
From Councillor Duncan Kerr and supported by the Green Group
In Sept 2020 Shropshire Council adopted LTN 1/20 which sets new standards for cycling provision and accessibility.
Five months after adopting this standard the Council sought, and gave itself, planning permission to breach the standard in constructing an access bridge to its proposed new innovation park in Oswestry. As can be seen from the accompanying 3D diagram this bridge would require a cyclist to dismount up to 6 times and is inaccessible to many disabled persons.
On the 14th June 2021 the Council received a letter from Rupert Furness Deputy Director at the Department of Transport and inviting the Council to express interest in receiving capital funding for a mini-holland scheme. This letter stated that the guidance in LTN 1/20 should be followed by Local Authorities “regardless of whether they are seeking Government funding”.
On the 9th June 2022, the Future Oswestry Group, a partnership established by Shropshire Council with representatives from Oswestry Town Council, Oswestry BID and the local community received this drawing. This was the first time the group had been consulted on the Council’s design for this bridge. This multi-agency group passed a resolution expressing their clear opposition to the building of a structure that is both non-compliant and gives a very poor visual impression at a key gateway into the town.
The risks to the Council in progressing with its current design are very high. If built as designed the bridge will become a highly visible symbol of Shropshire disregard for active transport and will prejudice the ability of the Council to secure the future funding it is seeking both for the innovation park and for active transport.
As the recent peer review on finance reported, quality bids showing genuine and real commitment, are the only way Shropshire will secure additional resources from Government. Now is the time to admit this bridge was a mistake and correct the situation before it is built.
In support of the Future Oswestry Group; and in recognition of the risk to current and future funding applications if the Council persists in building this non-compliant infra-structure; this Councils instructs the Cabinet and Portfolio Officer to bring forward a new design for this bridge which improves its aesthetics and ensure and is fully compliant with LTN 1/20. The Council’s LUF 2 applicationprovides the opportunity to seek additional funding for this.
The motion was seconded by Councillor Mike Isherwood
On being put to a vote the motion was defeated
From Councillor Joyce Barrow and supported by Councillors Roy Aldcroft, Simon Harris, Chris Schofield and Les Winwood
When a tenant of social or affordable housing sadly passes away bereaved family and friends have very little time, sometimes as little as two weeks, to empty the property of the loved one recently lost before having to hand back the property to the housing association. This is a very difficult time for those who are bereaved and often involves a lot of work to organise funerals and put the affairs of the recently departed in order, adding such little time to empty a property with potentially a lifetime of memories into that period can push people who are already fragile into serious distress. Whilst we appreciate the urgent need to bring social and affordable properties back into use as quickly as possible, we also believe that the current arrangements are unreasonable and lack regard for the recently bereaved.
Therefore this Council resolves to:
1. Ask the Leader and Chief executive to request that STAR Housing review their policy on this subject to consider a minimum four week period for vacating following the death of a tenant who lives alone
2. Ask the Leader and Chief Executive to write to Registered Social Landlords operating in Shropshire Council’s area to ask them reconsider their policies on this subject to consider a minimum four week period for vacating following the death of a tenant who lives alone
3. Ask the Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities to ask them to consider legislating or updating guidance to the sector on this subject to consider a minimum four week period for vacating following the death of a tenant who lives alone
By way of amendment Councillor Duncan Kerr proposed that point three be amended to read
Ask the Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities to ask them to consider legislating or updating guidance to the sector on this subject to consider a minimum four week period for vacating following the death of a tenant who lives alone and to review Housing Benefit legislation in order to ensure that benefit is available for a longer period than currently.
Councillor Barrow agreed to accept the amendment
On taking a vote it was RESOLVED that Council:
1. Ask the Leader and Chief executive to request that STAR Housing review their policy on this subject to consider a minimum four week period for vacating following the death of a tenant who lives alone
2. Ask the Leader and Chief Executive to write to Registered Social Landlords operating in Shropshire Council’s area to ask them reconsider their policies on this subject to consider a minimum four week period for vacating following the death of a tenant who lives alone
3. Ask the Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities to ask them to consider legislating or updating guidance to the sector on this subject to consider a minimum four week period for vacating following the death of a tenant who lives alone and to review Housing Benefit legislation in order to ensure that benefit is available for a longer period than currently.
From Councillor Roger Evans and supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
This Council notes
1. There are several National Lotteries, but the money raised by them is distributed nationwide. This Council wishes to help our smaller local organisations and charities to deliver the financial help our residents need.
2. Over 100 Local Authorities are assisting and helping their local communities by holding their own Lotteries operated by an External Lottery Manager (ELM) who manages the Lottery on a Council’s behalf. Their management role will include website management, administration of ticket sales and payments, prize management and marketing. It will not include generating profit for a management company.
3. By taking this forward, we would help to keep the Shropshire pound in Shropshire.
4. A community lottery would offer a valuable, additional income stream to our community and voluntary sector in Shropshire, enabling them to tackle specific issues around loneliness.
This Council resolves that
The Community Overview Committee as an urgent item be asked to look at how a Community Lottery could be run and so help our many smaller groups who are helping residents of all ages in Shropshire.
This was seconded by Councillor Andy Boddington
By way of amendment Councillor Ed Potter proposed the following amendment:
That the Community Overview Committee at its next meeting consider whether the subject of how a Community Lottery could be run and so help our many smaller groups who are helping residents of all ages in Shropshire, should be added to its work programme.
Councillor Roger Evans agreed to accept the amendment and on taking a vote it was RESOLVED:
That the Community Overview Committee at its next meeting consider whether the subject of how a Community Lottery could be run and so help our many smaller groups who are helping residents of all ages in Shropshire, should be added to its work programme.
From Councillor David Vasmer and is supported by the Liberal Democrat Group
Motion: Shropshire should be included in rural fuel duty relief
Council notes that:
· Households in rural areas pay £114 a week on transport costs, almost £40 more than those in urban areas.
· Petrol prices have risen to a new record high of 182.3p a litre, meaning the cost of filling a typical 55 litre petrol car has risen to over £100.
· Rural households are paying out almost £2,000 more a year on transport than those in urban areas.
· Fuel duty relief is currently offered to fuel retailers in remote parts of the UK where prices at the pumps are higher to the tune of 5p per litre of petrol or diesel.
· Currently, only 10,500 residents in England live in areas benefitting from the relief.
Council resolves to:
· Write to the Department for Transport in support of;
o Doubling support provided under the rural fuel duty relief scheme to 10p per litre.
o Expanding the rural fuel duty relief scheme to include a wider area including rural Shropshire.
The Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure agreed to meet with Councillor Kidd to agree which areas of Shropshire should be included in the request.
On being put to a vote the motion was supported