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Agenda item

Notices of Motion

     i.        To consider the following Motion to be proposed by Councillor Malcolm Wallace:

 

“This Council notes with concern

·         The Government’s inconsistent policies on fracking for shale gas

·         The support of Hampshire County Council for further oil and gas development in its draft Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial update.

 

As part of our climate emergency response, this council is committed to a just energy transition and to ambitious investments in the green infrastructure and industries that will create jobs and rapidly decarbonise our economy.

 

The construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure and expanded reliance on fossil fuels exposes our communities to untenable risks to public health and safety at the local and global levels, whilst failing to provide relief to those struggling with fuel bills as the tiny contribution such activity would make to the world market would not affect prices. The economic opportunities presented by a clean energy transition far outweigh the opportunities presented by an economy supported by expanding fossil fuel use and extraction.

 

Therefore, this council resolves to:

 

a.    Oppose as a matter of council policy any initiatives to develop fracking for shale gas.

 

b.    Respond to the consultation to the County Council’s refreshed Minerals and Waste Plan stating our opposition to the extraction of oil and gas, our opposition to the continuing potential for further licences for extraction and re-affirming our opposition to the process of fracking to obtain gas and oil in Hampshire.”

 

 

    ii.        To consider the following Motion to be proposed by Councillor Caroline Horrill:

 

“In 2022 the Local Government Association launched a campaign Debate Not Hate.

 

The intimidation and abuse of councillors, in person or otherwise, undermines democracy; preventing elected members from representing the communities they serve, deterring individuals from standing for election, and undermining public life in democratic processes.

 

This council notes that increasing levels of toxicity in public and political discourse is having a detrimental impact of local democracy and that prevention, support and responses to abuse and intimidation of local politicians must improve to ensure councillors feel safe and able to continue representing their residents.

 

This council therefore commits to challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and officers and uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate in all it does. The council further agrees to sign up to the LGA’s Debate Not Hate campaign. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the response to and support those in public life facing abuse and intimidation.

 

In addition, this council resolves to:

o   Write to our local Members of Parliament to ask them to support the campaign

o   Regularly review the support available to councillors in relation to abuse and intimidation and councillor safety

o   Work with the local police to ensure there is a clear and joined-up mechanism for reporting threats and other concerns about the safety of councillors and their families and discuss the need to take a preventative approach that accounts for the specific risks that councillors face, as they do with other high-risk individuals, like MPs.

o   Take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers.”

 

 

 

  iii.        To consider the following Motion to be proposed by Councillor James Batho:

 

“This council notes:

 

·         Winchester City Council has historically taken a lead in implementing 20 mph zones in Hampshire – implementing the City Centre zone and the Highcliffe and Winnall 20 mph zones – alongside the Hampshire County Council-initiated zone in Stanmore – in 2014.

·         Winchester City Council has worked in partnership with Hampshire County Council to develop the Movement Strategy which provides a framework for Active Travel related infrastructure within the City area. Active Travel is further promoted in the City and District by Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans. In conjunction with Hampshire County Council a bid has been recently submitted for funding of a ‘Mini Holland” to develop additional schemes to encourage Active Travel.

·         Last year Hampshire County Council initiated a review of 20 mph speed limits and conclusions from that are due to be decided upon later this year.

·         A campaign organised by 20’s Plenty for Hampshire has generated a high level of support from Parish Councils in the Winchester District.

 

That this Council:

 

1)    Expresses its support for the '20's Plenty for Hampshire' campaign;

 

2)    Calls on Hampshire County Council to extend the 20 mph areas in Winchester City, and introduce new ones in the wider District where appropriate, as part of the wider programme to support Active Travel;

 

3)    Supports Parish Councils in the Winchester District who want 20 mph zones;

 

4)    Requests Hampshire County Council to make the 20mph speed limit the default in the County in places where people live, work, shop, play or learn; leaving a 30mph limit as the exception on those roads where full consideration of the needs of vulnerable road users allows a higher limit; and

 

5)    Asks the Leader of the Council to write to our district’s County Councillors, the members of Hampshire County Council’s Universal Services - Transport and Environment Select Committee and the Executive Lead Member for Universal Services to support this change.”

 

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, three motions had been submitted for council.

 

(i) Motion submitted by Councillor Malcom Wallace.

 

The first motion had been submitted by Councillor Wallace and was as set out on the agenda which he then proceeded to introduce.   The motion was seconded by Councillor Learney (Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency).

 

Council then debated the matters in the motion.  In summary, the following points were raised:

 

·      There could be negative consequences at this time should the extraction of oil and gas be immediately ceased.

·      There was urgent need to move forward the green energy agenda.

·      Oil extraction does already take place in the district as well as solar energy farms.

·      New homes constructed by the council were designed so to stop reliance on fossil fuels. Other developers were also moving ahead in this regard. 

·      North Sea oil extraction was important to the country.

·      It was important to support the council’s climate emergency declaration by not taking further fossil fuels out of the ground and releasing more carbon into the atmosphere.

·      It was a contradiction to support closure of oil and gas extraction when many still relied on, and used it, including from imported supplies.

·      Any reserves should remain in the ground and we should give that assurance to residents.

 

AMENDMENT – Moved by Councillor Bolton and seconded by Councillor Godfrey. 

 

Amend b to read as follows (see strikethrough and changes in bold)

 

b.    Respond to the consultation to the County Council’s refreshed Minerals and Waste Plan stating our opposition to we would only support a just transition away from the extraction of oil and gas as part of the government pathway to carbon neutrality and also state our opposition to the continuing potential for further licences for extraction above and beyond those already agreed. and re-affirming our opposition to the process of fracking to obtain gas and oil in Hampshire.”

 

With the leave of the deputy mayor and at the request of the mover and seconder of the original motion (Councillors Wallace and Learney respectively), Council adjourned for advice to be given regarding the proposed amendment. 

 

Upon reconvening, the Deputy Monitoring Officer explained that the proposer of the motion, Councillor Bolton, had withdrawn his motion as was contrary to paragraph 17 (Rules of Debate) of Part 4.1 of the council’s constitution – Council Procedure Rules.  This was because the proposed amendment had the effect of both introducing an entirely new proposition as well as negating the original motion before the Council. 

 

AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN

 

Council then returned to the matters in the original motion and following the seconder of the motion exercising their right to speak and summing up by the proposer, council then voted of the motion as set out on the agenda.

 

RESOLVED:

 

 This council notes with concern

 

·      The Government’s inconsistent policies on fracking for shale gas

·      The support of Hampshire County Council for further oil and gas development in its draft Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial update.

 

As part of our climate emergency response, this council is committed to a just energy transition and to ambitious investments in the green infrastructure and industries that will create jobs and rapidly decarbonise our economy.

 

The construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure and expanded reliance on fossil fuels exposes our communities to untenable risks to public health and safety at the local and global levels, whilst failing to provide relief to those struggling with fuel bills as the tiny contribution such activity would make to the world market would not affect prices. The economic opportunities presented by a clean energy transition far outweigh the opportunities presented by an economy supported by expanding fossil fuel use and extraction.

 

Therefore, this council resolves to:

 

a.            Oppose as a matter of council policy any initiatives to develop fracking for shale gas.

 

b.                  Respond to the consultation to the County Council’s refreshed Minerals and Waste Plan stating our opposition to the extraction of oil and gas, our opposition to the continuing potential for further licences for extraction and re-affirming our opposition to the process of fracking to obtain gas and oil in Hampshire.

 

 

 

 

(ii) Motion submitted by Councillor Caroline Horrill.

 

The second motion had been submitted by Councillor Horrill and was as set out on the agenda which she then proceeded to introduce.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Brook.  

 

Council then debated the matters in the motion. In summary, the following points were raised:

 

  • The Leader stated that he would be joint signatory along with the mover of the Motion in a latter to local Members of Parliament to support the LGA campaign.
  • Social media could be divisive and was easier for people to hide when making comments.  Abuse via social media was not acceptable.
  • Debate recently appeared to be more toxic, both in person and on-line.
  • Abuse and threats made to councillors when going about their business in communities was not acceptable.
  • Respect and integrity was important, including when the council was conducting its own business in meetings etc.
  • Jo Cox and David Amess were MPs tragically killed in local surgeries with their constituents.
  • 70% of councillors had reported abuse and this figure was likely to be greater when an ethnic minority or part of the LGBTQ community.  As a consequence, democracy suffered as these communities are less likely to be represented. Fear of abuse was a barrier for those standing as candidates for election.
  • Abuse in social media deters the use of this important, positive tool in democracy.
  • People must not potentially be able to stop decisions taking place through intimidation and abuse.
  • Some members gave examples of instances of abuse that they had experienced. Support mechanisms were important for those having suffered abuse.
  • There should also be zero tolerance for the abuse of officers of the council.
  • There should be a positive example set in the council chamber and in parliament regarding debate.

 

Following the seconder of the motion exercising their right to speak and summing up by the proposer, council then voted of the motion as set out on the agenda.

 

RESOLVED:

 

In 2022 the Local Government Association launched a campaign Debate Not Hate.

 

The intimidation and abuse of councillors, in person or otherwise, undermines democracy; preventing elected members from representing the communities they serve, deterring individuals from standing for election, and undermining public life in democratic processes.

 

This council notes that increasing levels of toxicity in public and political discourse is having a detrimental impact of local democracy and that prevention, support and responses to abuse and intimidation of local politicians must improve to ensure councillors feel safe and able to continue representing their residents.

 

This council therefore commits to challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and officers and uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate in all it does. The council further agrees to sign up to the LGA’s Debate Not Hate campaign. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the response to and support those in public life facing abuse and intimidation.

 

In addition, this council resolves to:

o   Write to our local Members of Parliament to ask them to support the campaign

o   Regularly review the support available to councillors in relation to abuse and intimidation and councillor safety

o   Work with the local police to ensure there is a clear and joined-up mechanism for reporting threats and other concerns about the safety of councillors and their families and discuss the need to take a preventative approach that accounts for the specific risks that councillors face, as they do with other high-risk individuals, like MPs.

o   Take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers.

 

 

(iii) Motion submitted by Councillor James Batho

 

The third motion had been submitted by Councillor Batho and was as set out on the agenda which he then proceeded to introduce.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Gordon-Smith (Cabinet Member for Service Quality).  

 

Council then debated the matters in the motion.  In summary, the following points were raised:

 

  • Slowing down traffic in rural areas was an important issue.
  • There should be consultation with relevant stakeholders in areas before imposing blanket speed restrictions, especially in rural parishes.
  • The use of satellite navigation had diverted traffic from main arterial routes in some cases.
  • Speeding traffic was intimidating for cyclists.
  • The city needed to be a safer and lower carbon environment. Reducing speeds was a start.

 

 

PROPOSAL TO SUSPEND COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE – Moved by Councillor Tod (Leader & Cabinet Member for Asset Management) and seconded by Councillor Batho:

 

“Suspend Council Procedure of part 4.1 of the council’s constitution, paragraph 10, Notice of Motion – ‘a period of up to 20 minutes shall be allowed for the Council to have a discussion about the motion’.”

 

SUSPENSION OF COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE CARRIED

 

Council continued to debate the motion.  In summary, the following further matters were raised:

 

  • Speed reduction was welcomed but there must be appropriate enforcement.
  • There should not be excessive street furniture, including traffic calming measures.
  • 20 mile per hour should be the default in built up areas, subject to democratic consent and this would be clear in the council’s position regarding this matter.
  • Speeding traffic was a health and safety issue for pedestrians

 

Following the seconder of the motion exercising their right to speak and summing up by the proposer, council then voted of the motion as set out on the agenda.

 

RESOLVED:

 

This council notes:

 

·         Winchester City Council has historically taken a lead in implementing 20 mph zones in Hampshire – implementing the City Centre zone and the Highcliffe and Winnall 20 mph zones – alongside the Hampshire County Council-initiated zone in Stanmore – in 2014.

·         Winchester City Council has worked in partnership with Hampshire County Council to develop the Movement Strategy which provides a framework for Active Travel related infrastructure within the City area. Active Travel is further promoted in the City and District by Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans. In conjunction with Hampshire County Council a bid has been recently submitted for funding of a ‘Mini Holland” to develop additional schemes to encourage Active Travel.

·         Last year Hampshire County Council initiated a review of 20 mph speed limits and conclusions from that are due to be decided upon later this year.

·         A campaign organised by 20’s Plenty for Hampshire has generated a high level of support from Parish Councils in the Winchester District.

 

That this Council:

 

1)    Expresses its support for the '20's Plenty for Hampshire' campaign;

 

2)    Calls on Hampshire County Council to extend the 20 mph areas in Winchester City, and introduce new ones in the wider District where appropriate, as part of the wider programme to support Active Travel;

 

3)    Supports Parish Councils in the Winchester District who want 20 mph zones;

 

4)    Requests Hampshire County Council to make the 20mph speed limit the default in the County in places where people live, work, shop, play or learn; leaving a 30mph limit as the exception on those roads where full consideration of the needs of vulnerable road users allows a higher limit; and

 

5)    Asks the Leader of the Council to write to our district’s County Councillors, the members of Hampshire County Council’s Universal Services - Transport and Environment Select Committee and the Executive Lead Member for Universal Services to support this change.

 

 

 

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