“Council notes that it is now more than two years since the Referendum and the Government still has no coherent Brexit plan that has the support of a majority in Parliament. 

Council further notes that nearly 59% of Winchester district residents voted to remain in the European Union and that since the vote:

a)    The performance of the UK economy has fallen behind. It is now the slowest growing economy in Europe with productivity slipping further and competitiveness reliant on the declining value of the Pound;

b)    Winchester residents – particularly those on lower incomes - are being hit hard by rising inflation and squeezed pay rates;

c)    Confidence among investors and established businesses is ebbing with jobs moving away from the UK;

d)    Many non-UK EU nationals resident in the district have had their lives, and those of their UK-national families, destabilised by the uncertainty of Brexit. On top of the social impacts, local businesses and, above all the NHS are losing vital staff; 

e)    New investment, which Winchester relies on for future prosperity, is being jeopardised and new job opportunities are being lost;

Council believes that a ‘hard’ or ‘no deal’ Brexit will seriously harm the long-term prosperity of all Winchester residents.  With only 20 weeks to go before the UK leaves, it is vitally important that Winchester City Council speaks up on their residents’ behalf.

Council calls on the government to abandon plans for a hard Brexit and to give the people of Winchester a vote on the final deal, along with the opportunity to vote on keeping the irreplaceable benefits Britons currently enjoy by staying in the European Union.”

The following Notice of Motion had been submitted by Councillor Rutter and seconded by Councillor Weir, under Council Procedure Rule 9:

“Council notes that it is now more than two years since the Referendum and the Government still has no coherent Brexit plan that has the support of a majority in Parliament. 

Council further notes that nearly 59% of Winchester district residents voted to remain in the European Union and that since the vote:

a)    The performance of the UK economy has fallen behind. It is now the slowest growing economy in Europe with productivity slipping further and competitiveness reliant on the declining value of the Pound;

b)    Winchester residents – particularly those on lower incomes - are being hit hard by rising inflation and squeezed pay rates;

c)    Confidence among investors and established businesses is ebbing with jobs moving away from the UK;

d)    Many non-UK EU nationals resident in the district have had their lives, and those of their UK-national families, destabilised by the uncertainty of Brexit. On top of the social impacts, local businesses and, above all the NHS are losing vital staff; 

e)    New investment, which Winchester relies on for future prosperity, is being jeopardised and new job opportunities are being lost;

Council believes that a ‘hard’ or ‘no deal’ Brexit will seriously harm the long-term prosperity of all Winchester residents.  With only 20 weeks to go before the UK leaves, it is vitally important that Winchester City Council speaks up on their residents’ behalf.

Council calls on the government to abandon plans for a hard Brexit and to give the people of Winchester a vote on the final deal, along with the opportunity to vote on keeping the irreplaceable benefits Britons currently enjoy by staying in the European Union.”

Councillor Rutter introduced the Motion and during the debate which followed, the following points were raised:

·         The prospect of leaving the European Union without a coherent plan was likely to have a negative impact on businesses and employers, due to growing uncertainty.   

·         Members described how the current Brexit situation was likely to personally affect members of their family.  Important issues such as housing, social care, climate change and the NHS must also be urgently addressed.

·         It had been apparent that the majority of younger aged voters had voted to remain in the European Union.  Leaving the EU was likely to have a negative impact on the future of young people by reducing existing opportunities.

·         The Council continued to work closely with residents and businesses to deliver those matters that were within its remit and responsibilities

MOTION         (1) Councillor Weston         (2)       Councillor Cook

“That Council Procedure Rule 10 (14) be moved – To proceed to next business’

As it was the wish of more than a quarter of those present, the Mayor decided that a recorded vote be taken in respect of the Motion.

Division lists

The following Members voted in favour of the Motion to proceed to next business:

Councillors Ashton, Berry, Brook, Burns, Cook, Cunningham, Gemmell, Godfrey, Griffiths, Horrill, Humby, Huxstep, Lumby, Mather, Mclean, Miller, Pearson, Read, Ruffell, Scott, Stallard, Warwick, Weston

The following Members voted against the Motion to proceed to next business:

Councillors Achwal, Becker, Bell, Bentote, Clear, Cutler, Evans, Gottlieb, Green, Hiscock, Hutchison, Izard, Laming, Learney, Murphy, Porter, Power, Prince, Rutter, Thompson, Tod, Weir

RESOLVED:

That Council proceeds to the next item of business.