To consider motions received in accordance with Meeting Procedure Rule 17 as follows:-
Motion 1
To be proposed by Cllr Martin Griffiths and seconded by Cllr Jim Hakewill:-
“Our Director of Public Health’s hard work (especially as the spokesperson in media briefings and radio interviews), brilliantly backed up and supported by Northamptonshire’s health workers and professionals, has I am sure saved countless lives. The Council recognises the tremendous work of our shared Director of Public Health, and her team, throughout the pandemic”.
Motion 2
To be proposed by Cllr King Lawal and seconded by Cllr Philip Iriwn:-
“This council fully supports the government's commitment to put twenty thousand more police officers out on the beat, catching criminals and deterring crime. The Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner should also be commended on his efforts to deliver on that commitment locally. We will soon have more police officers in Northamptonshire than we have ever had. The best way to keep our streets safer is for more officers to be out and about, visible on patrol. This council supports that aim”
Motion 3
To be proposed by Cllr Alison Dalziel and seconded by Cllr Matt Keane:-
“North Northamptonshire Council notes that fox hunting with hounds is illegal under the terms of the Hunting Act 2004, except where an exemption applies. Most hunts claim to now be trail hunting including those who operate in North Northamptonshire, where hounds follow an artificial scent, as opposed to clean boot or drag hunting, where hounds will pursue the scent of a human runner for fun. There are no clean boot or drag hunts operating in North Northamptonshire.
Trail hunting was created after the introduction of the Hunting Ban, with any chase or kill of a wild mammal often being attributed to accidental rather than intentional hunting”
RESOLVES that:-
Until the Hunting Act 2004 is strengthened to include a recklessness clause, this Council resolves that it will not permit trail hunting, exempt hunting, or any form of hunt meets, on its land.
Motion 4
To be proposed by Cllr Emily Fedorowycz and seconded by Cllr Jim Hakewill:-
“This Council recognises that divesting fossil fuels from our pension fund is one of the most impactful steps we can take to reduce our impact on climate change.
This Council calls for Northamptonshire’s Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to divest from fossil fuels.
We further request that the Chairman of the LGPS (Cllr Malcolm Longley) comes to address councillors early in 2022 to explain their investment policies in relation to fossil fuels, especially in light of the resolutions from COP26 in Glasgow”
Minutes:
Motions on Notice had been received prior to the deadline set.
Motion 1
The MOVER and SECONDER of the motion being absent the motion was deemed withdrawn.
Motion 2
The following motion was MOVED by Councillor King Lawal and seconded by Councillor Philip Irwin.
“This council fully supports the government's commitment to put twenty thousand more police officers out on the beat, catching criminals and deterring crime. The Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner should also be commended on his efforts to deliver on that commitment locally. We will soon have more police officers in Northamptonshire than we have ever had. The best way to keep our streets safer is for more officers to be out and about, visible on patrol. This council supports that aim”.
Councillor Lawal in moving the motion, highlighted the need to see a greater police presence in local communities. Whilst recognising the constraints on resources, Councillor Lawal felt it was important that the Police were as visible within communities as possible, building positive relationships with local residents. Councillor Lawal also felt that the Police needed to utilise their existing powers e.g., stop & search to assist in combating crime.
Councillor Irwin seconded the motion, stressing the need for local communities to feel safe, for Police to continue to build local relationships and that local issues be resolved with a local response.
Councillor Z McGhee suggested that Police needed to build good local relationships with the communities, and particularly engage with young people. There was a need to break down barriers in some places, and greater use of youth workers to facilitate good public/Police relations.
Councillor Binley recognised that the Police needed to continue to engage with local communities to promote good relations. The Police’s primary activity was to prevent and detect crime, and they should be encouraged to use the powers they possessed in a reasonable and proportionate way to achieve this.
Councillors G Mercer, Maxwell and Pandey also spoke in support of the motion.
Councillor Anslow suggested that stop & search powers did not prevent crime occurring, and there was evidence that such powers were disproportionately used against certain sections of the local community. Councillor Colquhoun suggested that Police numbers had been cut in recent years, and whilst recognising that they were now rising, the force overall had yet to recover to the previous level. Councillor Colquhoun also commented that other factors such as poor street lighting did not assist in making local residents feel safe.
Councillor Rye observed that the allocation of Police resources was a matter for the Chief Constable.
Councillor J McGhee also raised the issue of the lack of youth workers which did not assist in building good relations and providing positive role models in some communities.
Councillor Lawal concluded the debate and sought Full Council’s support for the motion.
RESOLVED that: -
(i) The motion be supported.
Motion 3
The following motion was MOVED by Councillor Alison Dalziel and SECONDED by Councillor Matt Keane.
“North Northamptonshire Council notes that fox hunting with hounds is illegal under the terms of the Hunting Act 2004, except where an exemption applies. Most hunts claim to now be trail hunting including those who operate in North Northamptonshire, where hounds follow an artificial scent, as opposed to clean boot or drag hunting, where hounds will pursue the scent of a human runner for fun. There are no clean boot or drag hunts operating in North Northamptonshire.
Trail hunting was created after the introduction of the Hunting Ban, with any chase or kill of a wild mammal often being attributed to accidental rather than intentional hunting.
Until the Hunting Act 2004 is strengthened to include a recklessness clause, this Council resolves that it will not permit trail hunting, exempt hunting, or any form of hunt meets, on its land”.
Following contributions from Members, a recorded vote on the motion was requested.
Those voting FOR the motion: - Councillors Addison, Anslow, Armour, Leanne Buckingham, Lyn Buckingham, Colquhoun, Dalziel, Dell, Fedorowycz, Keane, Lee, McEwan, J McGhee, Z McGhee.
Those voting AGAINST the motion: - Councillors Binley, Bone, David Brackenbury, S Brown, Bunday, Carter, Dearing, Edwards, Hallam, Harrington, H Harrison, Henson, Howes, Irwin, Jackson, B Jenney, D Jenney, Lawal, G Lawman, L Lawman, Marks, Maxwell, A Mercer, G Mercer, Nichol, Pandey, Pentland, Prentice, Roberts, Smithers, Smith-Haynes, Smyth, Tebbutt, Tye, Ward and Waters,
Those ABSTAINING: - Bell.
The motion fell.
Motion 4
Councillor Bunday left the meeting at this point; Councillor Graham Lawman left the meeting after making a brief statement. Neither councillor participated in the debate or the vote.
The following motion was MOVED by Councillor Emily Fedorowycz and SECONDED by Councillor Dez Dell.
“This council recognises that divesting fossil fuels from our pension fund is one of the most impactful steps we can take to reduce our impact on climate change.
This council calls for Northamptonshire’s Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to divest from fossil fuels.
We further request that the Chairman of the LGPS (Cllr Malcolm Longley) comes to address councillors early in 2022 to explain their investment policies in relation to fossil fuels, especially in light of the resolutions from COP26 in Glasgow”.
Following contributions from Members, the motion was put to a vote. The motion fell.