Agenda item

Motions on Notice

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 Jean Addison:-

 

“This council appreciates and understands the huge negative impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on local businesses and in particular the high street retail and hospitality sectors.

 

North Northamptonshire Council should support its local businesses, and our residents and the executive should consider free car parking in all council owned car parks and look at other initiatives to improve and stimulate our town centres.”

 

 

Motion 2

 

To be proposed by Cllr Zoe McGhee and seconded by Cllr Anne Lee:-

North Northamptonshire Council notes that Kingswood in Corby, Avondale Grange in Kettering, and Queensway in Wellingborough are among the neighbourhoods identified across the country by an All-Party Parliamentary Group as ‘left behind’. 

This motion calls for the council to come forward with a plan in the next six months, on how we can level up - as per the governments levelling up agenda, those left behind neighbourhoods here in North Northamptonshire. This may involve specifically targeting health inequalities, youth unemployment and new skills, and improving housing in these areas.”

 

Motion 3

 

To be proposed by Cllr Sarah Tubbs and seconded by Cllr Emily Fedorowycz:-

“This council, North Northamptonshire Council, today declares a Climate Emergency which pledges to deliver on the Climate Change Strategy Plan drafted by the Shadow Authority and declarations made by the previous sovereign councils which were merged on April 1st 2021.

This Council takes very seriously the risk to present and future generations of changes in our global climate.  The impact of climate change affects all our communities across North Northamptonshire and this Council pledges to maintain continuity to reach net zero by 2030 as set by previous sovereign councils.”

 

 

Minutes:

The Council had received three motions on notice, which were printed on the agenda paper.

 

Motion 1

 

The following motion was MOVED by Councillor Griffiths and SECONDED by Councillor Anslow: -

 

“This Council appreciates and understands the huge negative impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on local businesses and in particular the high street retail and hospitality sectors. North Northamptonshire Council should support its local businesses, and our residents and the executive should consider free car parking in all Council owned car parks and look at other initiatives to improve and stimulate our town centres”.

 

In moving the motion, Councillor Griffiths highlighted the concerns expressed by local businesses some of which pre-dated the Covid pandemic regarding the difficulties being faced by local town centres. It was important that the Council provided as much support to local high street businesses as possible, to encourage growth and public access. The aim was to see all retail across the area benefit, including micro-businesses.

 

Councillor Anslow spoke in support of the motion, and felt the Council needed to look at options as soon as possible.

 

During debate, Councillor Graham Lawman MOVED, and Councillor Andy Mercer SECONDED an amendment to the motion submitted. The amendment altered the motion to read –

 

“This council appreciates and understands the huge negative impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on local businesses and, in particular, the high street retail and hospitality sectors.

 

North Northamptonshire Council aims to support its local businesses and our residents and Council asks the Executive to investigate the options, including free car parking, for car parking in all council owned car parks and to continue looking at other initiatives to improve and stimulate our town centres.”

 

Councillor Lawman informed Council that a parking strategy was already under formulation, and this would be subject to consultation. Councillor Any Mercer felt that it was important that the Council make informed decisions once all relevant facts had been presented and options considered.

 

Following a vote, the Chair declared that the amendment had passed. The amended motion then became the substantial motion for determination.

 

Councillor Hakewill reminded Council that its car parks were assets, they were not free to repair and maintain. There was a need for all options to be examined carefully, potentially through the Scrutiny Commission.

 

Councillor Wendy Brackenbury reminded Council that the Council were already collating a parking strategy, and that this would be subject to consultation and scrutiny.

 

In conclusion Councillor Griffiths urged Council to support the motion, and the Council seek to act as soon as possible to support local businesses.

 

RESOLVED that: -

 

(i)            The motion (as amended) be agreed.

 

 

Motion 2

 

The following motion was MOVED by Councillor Zoe McGhee and SECONDED by Councillor Lee: -

 

“North Northamptonshire Council notes that Kingswood in Corby, Avondale Grange in Kettering, and Queensway in Wellingborough are among the neighbourhoods identified across the country by al all-party Parliamentary Group as “left behind”. This motion calls for the Council to come forward with a plan in the next six-months, on how we can level up – as per the Government’s levelling up agenda, those left behind neighbourhoods here in North Northamptonshire. This may involve specifically targeting health inequalities, youth unemployment and new skills, and improving housing in these areas”.

 

Councillor Zoe McGhee in moving the motion sought Council’s support for those communities which were identified by the Government paper as being “left behind”. There was a need, working with other agencies, to ensure that the residents within these communities were provided with opportunities to access support and services, and live their lives in safe supportive surroundings.

 

Councillor Lee in seconding the motion, highlighted many of the issues faced by the communities identified; these issues were affecting these communities disproportionately in comparison with surrounding communities. The motion was seeking the Council to acknowledge the problems faced and look at what could be done to alleviate these issues.

 

Councillor Binley was supportive of the aims of the motion, but recognised that the issues raised were complex, were going to require multi-agency co-ordination and some would take time to resolve.

 

During debate, Councillor Binley MOVED, and Councillor Lawal SECONDED an amendment to the motion submitted. The amendment altered the motion to read –

 

North Northamptonshire Council notes that Kingswood in Corby, Avondale Grange in Kettering, and Queensway in Wellingborough are among the neighbourhoods identified across the country by an All-Party Parliamentary Group as ‘left behind’. This motion calls for the Scrutiny Commission to review the underlying data and associated report relating to areas highlighted as “left behind”.  Working with our communities and partners to propose an approach on the way forward, including learning from the Big Local Programme in Kingswood, in order to develop a plan on how we can level up - as per the government’s levelling up agenda - those left behind neighbourhoods here in North Northamptonshire in an appropriate and agreed timeframe. This may involve specifically targeting health inequalities, youth unemployment and new skills, and improving housing in these areas.”

 

Councillor Binley in moving the amendment felt the Council’s actions needed to be clear and precise and involve a range of stakeholders. There needed to be recognition that in many cases there would be no quick-fix and it would take time to resolve. Councillor Lawal seconded the amendment.

 

At this point in proceedings, the meeting agreed to suspend the guillotine and continue until the business of the meeting had been determined. A short adjournment was taken at this point.

 

Councillor John McGhee appreciated that some of the issues identified would take time to resolve, but it was feasible for the Council to take immediate action in some areas working with partners such as the Police. It was important that action was taken to support young people in these areas, to assist in keeping them constructively occupied and away from the potential influence of the criminal fraternity. There was a certain amount of preventative activity that could be undertaken at short notice that would assist in positive outcomes and show the Council’s support for young people in these areas.

 

Councillor Zoe McGhee was seeking that the Council made a start in addressing the negative issues in these communities. There were things that the Council, in some cases working with other agencies, could do now. Best practise from other areas could be considered, amended, and implemented. Councillor McGhee recognised that there were some issues which would require a longer-term solution, but some action could be taken immediately to offer support.

 

Councillor Maxwell noted that other areas in North Northamptonshire also suffered from social deprivation, not just the three areas cited in the motion.

 

Councillor Anslow recognised that social problems occurred in pockets in other areas, but these three areas had been identified by Government as being of particular concern. Councillor Anslow reminded Council of how quickly resources were assembled to tackle the Covid pandemic; a similar level of intent and co-ordination was required to start tackling the issues on these estates identified by Government.

 

Councillor Fedorowycz felt that there was the opportunity to achieve some “quick wins” whilst investigating some longer-term solutions.

 

Councillor Howell recognised the good work already being undertaken in these areas to combat the issues identified. It was important that the Council worked with the public and partners. There was a need to look at best practise and the successes elsewhere.

 

Councillor Smith-Haynes recognised that there were problems in other areas of North Northamptonshire, these three localities had been identified as a priority. It was important to develop an effective strategy to be used across all areas.

 

Councillor Andy Mercer also commented that there were pockets of deprivation in other areas. There was a need for long-term solutions.

 

Councillor Prentice noted the three areas identified were a priority. There was a need to identify clear timescales for action.

 

Councillor Griffiths reminded Council that the Police had staff and resource to assist in addressing some of the issues identified. The Council needed to approach partners as soon as possible. Councillor Griffiths was satisfied with the suggested six-months cited in the original motion to draw-up a plan.

 

Councillor Wilkes suggested that the proposed amendment strengthened the motion. Working with partners was key to ensuring longer-term success. In conclusion Councillor Binley agreed there was a need to adopt a multi-agency approach to develop a plan.

 

Following a vote, the Chair declared that the amendment had passed. The amended motion then became the substantial motion for determination.

 

Councillor John McGhee stated it was important that the Council learn lessons from tackling the issues in these three areas, that could be adapted and rolled-out in other areas. The Government had identified these three localities. There was a need for investment, but some “quick wins” were achievable. Any longer-term plan needed to be sustainable.

 

Councillor Helen Harrison felt that the amendment tabled and agreed strengthened the motion and provided a clear course of action for the Council in developing a plan.

 

Councillor Howell stated that the Council and the Executive were committed to act. The Council will work with the public and partners in order to make the lives of residents in these communities better.

 

Councillor Gill Mercer stated that there were established organisations we can work with to develop a constructive plan of action.

 

Councillor Roberts agreed that the Council needed to act in order to provide additional support working with partners to protect young people in these areas.

 

In conclusion Councillor Zoe McGhee quoted the positive work being undertaken by existing organisations around North Northamptonshire. Councillor McGhee stressed that it was not only about youth services and provision, but there was also a need to address adult services, HMOs etc. There were wider community issues to be addressed.

 

RESOLVED that: -

 

(ii)          The motion (as amended) be agreed.

 

 

Motion 3

 

The following motion was MOVED by Councillor Tubbs and SECONDED by Councillor Fedorowycz: -

 

“This Council, North Northamptonshire Council, today declare a Climate Emergency which pledges to deliver on the Climate Change Strategy Plan drafted by the Shadow Authority and declarations made by the previous sovereign councils which were merged on April 1st 2021. This Council takes very seriously the risk to present and future generations of changes in our global climate. The impact of climate change effects all our communities across North Northamptonshire and this Council pledges to maintain continuity to reach net zero by 2030 as set by previous sovereign councils”.

 

Given the earlier resolution by Council, Councillor Tubbs, and Councillor Fedorowycz (the MOVER and SECONDER of the motion), amended the text to read “…declared a Climate and Environment Emergency…”. This was agreed without debate.

 

Councillor Tubbs in moving the motion, welcomed the Council’s earlier declaration of adoption of a Climate and Environment Emergency. Councillor Tubbs suggested that the Council adopt 2030 as a target date to reach net zero. The impact of climate change was being felt now and it was important that locally the Council undertake all it could to achieve its objectives. Local residents and businesses were suffering now. Councillor Tubbs felt that setting a target would provide clear commitment from the Council to achieve its stated aims.

 

Councillor Fedorowycz seconded the motion, agreeing that setting a target date of 2030 was preferable. Councill Dell suggested that by not setting a target date it may send the wrong message to the public.

 

Councillor Pentland felt that setting a target date at this time was unwise, and the Council needed to consider what was a realistic target. The Council had adopted the Climate Change and Environment Emergency recommendation and would now seek to develop a realistic, deliverable plan. Councillor Pentland confirmed that the Executive were fully committed to act on behalf of the Council and local residents.

 

Councillors Addison and McGhee agreed that a target date should be set by Council, following its earlier support for the Climate and Environment Emergency.

 

In conclusion, Councillor Tubbs sought Council to support the motion and set a target date, thus showing the Council’s clear commitment to tackling the Climate and Environment Emergency.

 

A recorded vote was requested on the motion.

 

Those voting FOR the motion: - Councillors Addison, Anslow, Armour, Lyn Buckingham, Colquhoun, Dell, Fedorowycz, Hakewill, Keane, Lee, J McGhee, Z McGhee, Rielly and Tubbs.

 

Those voting AGAINST the motion: - Councillors Binley, Bone, D Brackenbury, C Brown, S Brown, Bunday, Carr, Edwards, Hallam, Harrington, H Harrison, Henson, Howell, Irwin, Jackson, Lawal, G Lawman, L Lawman, Marks, Maxwell, A Mercer, G Mercer, Nichol, Pentland, Prentice, Roberts, Shacklock, Smyth, Tebbutt, Thurland, Tye, Ward, Waters, Wetherill, and Wilkes.

 

Those voting to ABSTAIN: - Bell, W Brackenbury, Currall, O’Hara, Rowley, and Smith-Haynes.

 

The motion fell.