Agenda item
Motions
The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:
Minutes:
The following motion was received from Councillor Joyce Barrow and supported by Councillors David Evans, Simon Harris and Chris Schofield
Dark Skies
Preamble:
Shropshire Council has a Statutory Duty to address issues of pollution, and a Statutory Duty to determine applications for planning. In carrying out that latter duty, considerable care, and attention is given to the environmental impacts (including pollution) of proposed development. Developers are required to submit assessments of the impacts of development on wildlife, and mitigation measures for dealing with any pollution which may be generated by the development.
A 2016 study found that 80 percent of the world – and more than 99 percent of the US and European populations – live under skies polluted by artificial light, impairing their views of the stars above them.
Artificial lighting, particularly in residential areas, can adversely affect people’s ability to sleep and ability to view the night sky. The two main causes are the general loss of night sky from the cumulative effects of urban lighting, and the nuisance caused by single sources that emit high levels of glare. The visibility of the night sky is most affected by artificial lighting that is projected upwards and excessive lighting that is reflected upwards, in particular by lighting that creates more blue light (cooler colour temperatures).
The welfare and enjoyment of Shropshire is associated with its character, including its night-time ambience. Shropshire also values the practice of energy conservation, and therefore sustainable outdoor lighting practices should be encouraged to decrease the human impact on the environment since light pollution represents a waste of energy, contributing to our carbon footprint.
The need for outdoor light at night may be appropriately met by considering the purpose of the light, targeting it appropriately to that purpose, using the correct illumination level, limiting the duration of its use to legitimate need, and choosing lights that emit lower amounts of harmful blue light into the night-time environment. Properly designed electric lighting at night can be beautiful, healthy, and functional; saving energy and money, reducing light pollution, and minimizing wildlife disruption.
MOTION:
1. In accordance with its aim of promoting the health and well-being of the residents of Shropshire: AND as part of its statutory duties in relation to pollution control AND planning, the Council will promote sustainable outdoor lighting, through both direct action where the Council has control of lighting sources, through planning policy in relation to new developments, and by advocacy with businesses and residents to encourage more consideration of the need for light during hours of darkness and alternative solutions e.g. use of motion sensors or infra-red sensors for security purposes.
2. The aim will be to eliminate or reduce wherever possible, instances of light pollution throughout Shropshire. As part of this policy for sustainable lighting, the Council will examine ways to reduce light pollution from both urban and rural settlements and consider areas which might be designated as ‘dark sky’ places suitable for the enjoyment of the night sky. To further this aim the Council will liaise with other Local Authorities in England and Wales seeking examples of best practice, and with Parish Councils within Shropshire for their views and suggestions as to how the aim might be achieved.
The motion was seconded by Councillor David Evans
By way of amendment Councillor Rachel Connolly proposed the following: -
After preamble 4th para, add:
This clearly needs to be balanced with Shropshire Council’s Duty of Care towards pedestrians and their right to a safe environment to walk in. For some essential walking routes this might require additional, brighter and/or longer lighting to make walking a safe travel choice, such as: alleyways, near open spaces, footpaths leading to places of work for shift workers and entrances to public transport. These essential walking routes would be less viable in the dark.
Another aspect of promoting the health and well-being of Shropshire residents, and working to combat climate change; relies upon encouraging more residents to walk rather than drive, wherever possible (especially journeys under 2 miles). In order to promote walking, safety is paramount.
Shift workers, lone women and younger people may only choose to walk if they feel it is safe enough to do so. Retaining stronger lighting along the essential walking routes, may provide a secure environment, not just to reduce risk of assault and trip hazards, but crucially, to instil confidence in pedestrians to feel safe when walking outside of daylight hours.
Add after Motion 2, add:
3. Notwithstanding this aim, as part of the mapping process, Shropshire Council will work with partner Parish and Town Councils to identify those essential walking routes, whose lighting requires retention in order to provide additional confidence to encourage pedestrians towards active travel; and ensure these routes are exempt from any lighting reductions.
Councillor Barrow indicated that she would accept the amendment.
On taking a vote the motion was supported and it was RESOLVED:
1. That in accordance with its aim of promoting the health and well-being of the residents of Shropshire: AND as part of its statutory duties in relation to pollution control AND planning, the Council will promote sustainable outdoor lighting, through both direct action where the Council has control of lighting sources, through planning policy in relation to new developments, and by advocacy with businesses and residents to encourage more consideration of the need for light during hours of darkness and alternative solutions e.g. use of motion sensors or infra-red sensors for security purposes.
2. The aim will be to eliminate or reduce wherever possible, instances of light pollution throughout Shropshire. As part of this policy for sustainable lighting, the Council will examine ways to reduce light pollution from both urban and rural settlements and consider areas which might be designated as ‘dark sky’ places suitable for the enjoyment of the night sky. To further this aim the Council will liaise with other Local Authorities in England and Wales seeking examples of best practice, and with Parish Councils within Shropshire for their views and suggestions as to how the aim might be achieved.
3. Notwithstanding this aim, as part of the mapping process, Shropshire Council will work with partner Parish and Town Councils to identify those essential walking routes, whose lighting requires retention in order to provide additional confidence to encourage pedestrians towards active travel; and ensure these routes are exempt from any lighting reductions.
The following motion was received from Councillor Lezley Picton and supported byCouncillors Ian Nellins, Dean Carroll, Simon Harris, Brian Williams and the Conservative Group
Motion – Time for the Fair Game manifesto in football
Shropshire Council believes that football, the national game in the UK, is currently in crisis.
COVID-19 devastated the revenue of many lower-league clubs, and the cost-of-living crisis could be the knock out blow for dozens of clubs.
Frequently bad management has gone unnoticed or ignored and clubs are run unsustainably, putting at risk all the history, heritage, and economic benefit they bring to an area – often in pursuit of short-term gain.
Shropshire Council believes that football clubs are not ordinary businesses; they are historic sporting institutions that are both a civic and community asset, and a source of pride and unity, in their hometown or city.
Shropshire Council therefore supports Fair Game, a national campaign that seeks radical reform of the way football is managed and run, specifically its call for:?
· An independent regulator for the sport.
· A refocus on ‘values’ rather than profit.
· Football clubs to be recognised as key parts of local communities.
· The establishment of a Sustainability Index, which will reallocate the payments made to clubs to reward those which are run well, respect equality standards and properly engage with their fans and their community.
· Fans to be given the final say on any proposed change to a club’s ‘crown jewels’, including the club’s name, nickname, colours, badge and the geographical location from where the club plays.
· Council also notes that the Government has published a White Paper developed from a Government-commissioned fan-led review into football governance led by former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch MP, and that a vast majority of its findings mirror Fair Game’s aspirations.
?Shropshire Council therefore resolves to:
· Declare its support for the Fair Game manifesto, ‘Solutions for our National Game’, and calls on other councils to join us in our support.
· Ask the Council’s representatives to encourage other like-minded councils to support Fair Game
· Ask the Leader and the Chief Executive to write to the Minister for Sport, our local Members of Parliament, and the Chair of the Local Government Association Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, to lobby for the following to be included in the new remit of the Independent Regulator as proposed in the White Paper:
Football’s Financial Flow (particularly over: proportion of broadcast revenues given by the Premier League, the abolition of parachute payments, and the allocation of funds from the Premier League);
Owners’ and Directors’ Test to include an ‘ethics’ dimension, particularly around human rights;
Implementation of a Sustainability Index to accurately measure club’s progress;
To include National League North and South clubs under their control;
To have stronger powers to implement and enforce governance; and
Measurement of equality standards.
The motion was seconded by Councillor Simon Harris
On taking a vote the motion was supported
The following motion received from Councillor Bernie Bentick and supported bythe Liberal Democrat Groupand was proposed by Councillor Alex Wagner
Filling the Cavities of Dental Services in Shropshire
This Council notes that:
1. A recent YouGov survey shows that one in five Britons (22%) are currently not registered with a dentist. It also shows that the majority of the unregistered are unable to access or afford treatment. More than a third 37% say it’s because they cannot find an NHS dentist to take them on, with a further 5% on a waiting list, while another 23% say they’re not registered because they don’t think they can afford to be treated.
2. The Great British Oral Health Report – which combines a public attitudes survey with national data – found that 24% of people had not had a dental check up in the last 2 years. Of those who had not had a dental check up in the last 2 years, 56 per cent said this was because they could not get access to a dentist
https://dentistry.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/the-great-british-oral-health-report-2021.pdf
3. Figures show nearly one-in-three youngsters aged five in England has tooth decay. In a survey of 5-year-olds in England, the number of children with enamel and/or dentinal decay was 29.3%. In Shropshire, the number is 15% compared with 4% in Cannock Chase.
4. Currently there are 68 NHS general dental practices across our ICS area. However, on 17th April 2023 there were only 50 NHS Dental Practice listed for Shropshire. https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist. Of these 19 were not accepting new patients, 18 had not provided a recent update on availability, 7 were only accepting patients from other dentists and just 6 were accepting children aged 17 or under with the nearest to Shrewsbury being Bayston Hill followed by Much Wenlock; only 5 were accepting adults or those entitled to free dental care, the nearest site being Telford; however, access to a dental practice was offered in Walsall and Oldhill, both 33 miles away from Shrewsbury. The response to my Question to HASC on 27th March 2023 included “a clinically led Shropshire Dental Advice Line which can be accessed by dialling 01743 237916” However, upon dialling this number, I received an automated response to phone back later.5 minutes later, I phoned again and entered a queue, estimated at 43 minutes.
This not an adequate service.
This Council resolves to:
1. Liaise with Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Integrated Care System (STW ICS) to ensure that there is sufficient funding and dentist availability to guarantee that all eligible Shropshire residents are able to register with an NHS Dentist within their locality or nearest town and;
2. Demand that STW ICS keep an updated dashboard of Dentist availability, new patient registrations and those without a registered dentist, to ensure compliance and;
3. Regularly scrutinise the provision of dental service by using Shropshire’s Health Scrutiny Committees (HASC & Joint HOSC)
On taking a vote the motion was not supported