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Agenda item

MOTIONS

The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:

 

13.1    The following motion has been received from Councillor Martin Bennett

 

The Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis, has recently announced significant changes to the regime under which developers of Market Housing are obliged to make provision for local needs Affordable Housing.

 

Under the new rules Councils will be unable to require the previous levels of Affordable Housing contributions or provision on all but the larger schemes. 

 

This will significantly reduce this Council's ability to make much needed provision for Affordable Housing and reduce our future ability to replicate the significant successes that have been achieved in recent years.

 

This Council therefore agrees that it will put in place the following course of action.

 

- Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Housing Minister asking him to reverse his decision.

- With other Councils, lobby the LGA to put pressure on Government to reverse the policy.

- Ask the RSA to similarly seek reversal of the decision.

- Through the Portfolio Holder, lobby our local MPs to point out to the Housing Minister the undesirability of the implications of this decision.’

 

 

13.2    The following motion has been received from Councillor Miles Kenny:

 

‘Over many years Central Government have eroded local democracy, taken away powers from local government and have introduced responsibilities based on central government policies without funding or adequate funding. The quality of life and wellbeing of our constituents be they in need of care, learning facilities, health provision, environmental protection, business development, jobs and in every walk of life has been adversely effected.

 

Therefore this council instructs the chief executive to liaise with other local government chief executives and the LGA to bring to an end the devastating cuts to local services and restore local democracy. The chief executive to report back to council on the results and council then considers its options on what further action to take’

 

13.3.   The following motion has been received from Councillor Alan Mosley:

Given that the Future Fit project has reached a critical stage in determining policy and strategy for the future of NHS services in Shropshire, Shropshire Council strongly believes that the retention and development of full A & E services and facilities at the RSH is essential.  Furthermore the Council commits itself to pursuing this objective in every way possible and in generally ensuring that there is no reduction in the overall levels of service and quality at RSH which are freely available for residents of Shropshire and neighbouring areas.

 

13.4    The following motion has been received from Councillor Roger Evans:

In amongst the very few actual correct facts given in answer to a previously tabled question it is noted that because it is not in the Articles of Association the elected members who are Directors of IP&E are not required to and consequently are not prepared to attend an Annual General Meeting of IP&E Ltd. This is despite the many verbal commitments given when it was first formed.

 

Two and a half years after formation this company is still unable to start repaying any of the public money this council has loaned it. This money could have been used to help others and in need of help. An example being the return of long term empty homes back in use which would then provide extra much needed affordable homes for local Shropshire residents. According to data recently seen each long term empty home returned to use has on average meant that Shropshire Council gains over £3,100 in New Homes Bonus. This appears to be a far better use of scarce council resources.  Council and local residents need to be reassured  that IP&E is not wasting money and the investment made will provide the return promised nearly three years ago.

 

This council therefore instructs the Chief Executive  

 

·       To discuss with Directors of IP&E alterations that are needed to ensure an Annual General Meeting is held.

·       To put into effect the process to implement these changes to the Articles of Association as soon as possible.

·       To present a full set of accounts with narrative prior to the public AGM.

·       To organise a public Annual General Meeting at which the IP&E Board Chairman together with other Elected Member Directors can present a report, hear concerns and answer the many questions that residents and councillors have.

Failing this, then Council instructs the Chief Executive to stop any more loans being made to IP&E and to put into effect a process to enable all present IP&E staff to once again become Shropshire Council employees.

 

Minutes:

96.1    The following motion was proposed by Mr M Bennettand duly seconded by Mr T Barker:

         

‘The Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis, has recently announced significant changes to the regime under which developers of Market Housing are obliged to make provision for local needs Affordable Housing.

 

Under the new rules Councils will be unable to require the previous levels of Affordable Housing contributions or provision on all but the larger schemes. 

This will significantly reduce this Council's ability to make much needed provision for Affordable Housing and reduce our future ability to replicate the significant successes that have been achieved in recent years.

 

This Council therefore agrees that it will put in place the following course of action.

- Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Housing Minister asking him to reverse his decision.

- With other Councils, lobby the LGA to put pressure on Government to reverse the policy.

- Ask the RSA to similarly seek reversal of the decision.

- Through the Portfolio Holder, lobby our local MPs to point out to the Housing Minister the undesirability of the implications of this decision.’

 

After debate and on being put to the vote, the motion was carried with a large majority of members voting in favour.

 

96.2    Mr M Kenny proposed to withdraw his motion, as set out below, which was seconded by Mr R Evans and duly agreed:

 

Over many years Central Government have eroded local democracy, taken away powers from local government and have introduced responsibilities based on central government policies without funding or adequate funding. The quality of life and wellbeing of our constituents be they in need of care, learning facilities, health provision, environmental protection, business development, jobs and in every walk of life has been adversely effected.

 

Therefore this council instructs the Chief Executive to liaise with other local government chief executives and the LGA to bring to an end the devastating cuts to local services and restore local democracy. The chief executive to report back to council on the results and council then considers its options on what further action to take’.

 

96.3    The following motion was proposed by Mr A Mosleyand duly seconded by Mrs P Moseley:

         

‘Given that the Future Fit project has reached a critical stage in determining policy and strategy for the future of NHS services in Shropshire, Shropshire Council strongly believes that the retention and development of full A & E services and facilities at the RSH is essential.  Furthermore the Council commits itself to pursuing this objective in every way possible and in generally ensuring that there is no reduction in the overall levels of service and quality at RSH which are freely available for residents of Shropshire and neighbouring areas.’

 

          Mr M Bennett proposed an amendment which was seconded by Mrs C Wild, to amend the motion to read as follows:

 

          “Given that the Future Fit project has reached a critical stage in determining policy and strategy for the future of NHS services in Shropshire, Shropshire Council strongly believes in ensuring that there is no reduction in the overall levels of service and quality which are freely available for residents of Shropshire and neighbouring areas.”

 

          After debate and on being put to the vote, the amendment to the motion was carried with a large majority of members voting in favour (42 voted For, 7 Against and there were 12 Abstentions). 

 

A recorded vote was requested and duly agreed:

 

          FOR: N Bardsley, T Barker, J Barrow, K Barrow, T Bebb, M Bennett, J Cadwallader, D Carroll, L Chapman, S Charmley, P Cherrington, G Dakin, S Davenport, A Davies, D Evans, J Everall, A Hartley, R Hughes, V Hunt, J Hurst-Knight, S Jones, C Lea, R Macey, C Motley, M Owen, W Parr, M Pate, M Price, K Roberts, M Shineton, R Tindall, D Tremellen, K Turley, D Turner, A Walpole, S West, C Wild, B Williams, L Winwood, M Wood, T Woodward and P Wynn.

 

          AGAINST: A Bannerman, A Boddington, T Huffer, M Kenny, H Kidd, C Mellings and V Parry.

 

          ABSTENTIONS: C Barnes, V Bushell, J Clarke, R Evans, H Fraser, N Hartin, J Jones, J Mackenzie, P Moseley, A Mosley, K Pardy and M Williams.

 

Mr A Mosley had a right of reply and in making this he accepted that the majority of people saw Shrewsbury as central to them and that they had fears for the future.  He therefore felt it was his duty to speak up at this point.

 

The substantive motion was then put and was duly carried.

 

96.4    The following motion was proposed by Mr R Evansand duly seconded by Mrs C Barnes:

         

‘In amongst the very few actual correct facts given in answer to a previously tabled question it is noted that because it is not in the Articles of Association the elected members who are Directors of IP&E are not required to and consequently are not prepared to attend an Annual General Meeting of IP&E Ltd. This is despite the many verbal commitments given when it was first formed.

 

Two and a half years after formation this company is still unable to start repaying any of the public money this council has loaned it. This money could have been used to help others and in need of help. An example being the return of long term empty homes back in use which would then provide extra much needed affordable homes for local Shropshire residents. According to data recently seen each long term empty home returned to use has on average meant that Shropshire Council gains over £3,100 in New Homes Bonus. This appears to be a far better use of scarce council resources.  Council and local residents need to be reassured  that IP&E is not wasting money and the investment made will provide the return promised nearly three years ago.

 

This Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive  

 

·       To discuss with Directors of IP&E alterations that are needed to ensure an Annual General Meeting is held.

·       To put into effect the process to implement these changes to the Articles of Association as soon as possible.

·       To present a full set of accounts with narrative prior to the public AGM.

·       To organise a public Annual General Meeting at which the IP&E Board Chairman together with other Elected Member Directors can present a report, hear concerns and answer the many questions that residents and councillors have.

Failing this, then Council instructs the Chief Executive to stop any more loans being made to IP&E and to put into effect a process to enable all present IP&E staff to once again become Shropshire Council employees.’

 

After debate and on being put to the vote, the motion was lost with a large majority of members voting in against.

 

 

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