Agenda item - The following Notices of Motion have been submitted by Members for consideration:

(a)          Planning Reform.  Proposed by Councillor C. Theobald (copy attached).

 

(b)          Christmas Parking and Roadworks Suspension.  Proposed by Councillor Janio (copy attached).

 

(c)          Future Council Funding.  Proposed by Councillor Morgan (copy attached).

 

(d)          Individual Electoral Registration (IER).  Proposed by Councillor Barradell (copy attached).

 

(e)          Divest for Paris.  Proposed by Councillor Greenbaum (copy attached).

 

(f)           Syrian Refugee Crisis.  Proposed by Councillor Littman (copy attached).

(a)             Planning Reform

 

50.1         The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor C. Theobald and seconded by Councillor Wealls.

 

50.2         Councillor Mac Cafferty moved an amendment on behalf of the Green Group which was seconded by Councillor Littman.

 

50.3         Councillor C. Theobald stated that the purpose of the motion was not to blame any individual member of the Planning service, but to highlight the failings that currently existed.  She noted that determination of minor applications had fallen to 16% when the target was 65% and this was below the 88% achieved by Mid-Sussex.  She believed that there was a need for a fundamental review of the service and hoped that this could be implemented.

 

50.4         Councillor Mac Cafferty noted that the Planning Team was under a huge amount of pressure.  There had been changes in legislation and an increase in the level of workloads which all had an impact of the service.  He believed the Green Group’s amendment would enable an action plan to be drawn up to improve delivery.

 

50.5         Councillor Littman stated that there were insufficient resources to meet the demand and he hoped that the amendment would be supported as a way forward.

 

50.6         Councillor Mitchell stated that work was already in hand to address some of the issues within the service and a peer review was due to take place.  There was a need to look at what changes could be made to improve matters such as IT support and a move away from the heavily based paper system to a more flexible electronic process.  She agreed that there were significant challenges but these were being addressed.

 

50.7         Councillor West stated that he could not support the Conservative Group’s motion and noted that he had recently contacted a planning officer to discuss two minor applications, only to find that they were struggling with two major cases and had not been able to give any time to the minor applications.  There was a need to look at the resource implications and find a way to support staff.

 

50.8         Councillor Wares stated that improvements to the planning process were required in order to meet residents’ aspirations.  He acknowledged that officers were working hard to deal with the applications but felt that the system was broken and needed to be addressed.  He had examples of applicants that had followed the rules only to find that they were refused because there had not been time to discuss matters and enable changes to be made that would then enable permission to be granted.  He was also concerned that Section 106 Agreements were not being implemented and that if reforms were not made then the city would suffer the consequences.

 

50.9         The Mayor congratulated Councillor Wares on his maiden speech on behalf of the Council.

 

50.10      Councillor Nemeth stated that the objective had to be to have a successful planning department, which could work with applicants and point out short-comings in applications so that changes could be made before they were given final consideration.  He was aware of one couple who had spent a year trying to get their application ready which would have provided them with their dream home, but that was ultimately refused and the site remains derelict.  He believed the service should be there to help people and that improvements could be made to enable staff to deliver a good quality service.

 

50.11      The Mayor congratulated Councillor Nemeth on his maiden speech on behalf of the Council.

 

50.12      Councillor Wealls stated that he was concerned for residents and for potential developers considering investing in the city.  He had not been aware that a review of the service was underway and noted that the situation was unacceptable and needed to be tackled.

 

50.13      Councillor Peltzer Dunn stated that the council was failing to meet its responsibility to residents.  He was aware of an application for an extension similar to others in the area which had been refused and whilst further advice was then obtained, several months later the applicant was still awaiting a decision.  This had to be addressed and an efficient and effective service provided.

 

50.14      Councillor C. Theobald stated that she had not known the situation to be as bad as it was and could not understand why this council could not match other neighbouring authorities in regard to its determination of applications.  She could not accept the Green Group’s amendment and hoped that the motion would be supported as there was a need for a better service.

 

50.15      The Mayor noted that the Green Group’s amendment had not been accepted and put it to the vote which was lost by 11 votes to 41 with one abstention as detailed below:

 

	For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
Allen		X			Mac Cafferty	?
Atkinson	Absent				Marsh		X
Barford		X			Meadows		X
Barnett		X			Mears		X
Barradell		X			Miller		X
Bell		X			Mitchell		X
Bennett		X			Moonan		X
Bewick		X			Morgan		X
Brown		X			Morris		X
Cattell		X			Nemeth		X
Chapman		X			A Norman		X
Cobb		X			K Norman		X
Daniel		X			O’Quinn		X
Deane	?				Page	?
Druitt	?				Peltzer Dunn		X
Gibson	?				Penn		X
Gilbey		X			Phillips	?
Greenbaum	?				Robins		X
Hamilton		X			Simson		X
Hill		X			Sykes	?
Horan		X			Taylor		X
Hyde			A		C Theobald		X
Inkpin-Leissner		X			G Theobald		X
Janio		X			Wares		X
Knight	?				Wealls		X
Lewry		X			West	?
Littman	?				Yates		X
						For	Against	Abstain
					Total	11	41	1

 

50.16      The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

 

“This Council recognises that the ongoing problems in providing an efficient and effective planning service risk damaging relations with residents, businesses and potential investors in the city. This Council therefore, requests that the Policy & Resources Committee establishes a fundamental review of how the service is provided, looking at all potential options for its future management.”

 

50.17      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been lost by 19 votes to 33 with one abstention as detailed below:

 

 

	For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
Allen		X			Mac Cafferty		X
Atkinson	Absent				Marsh		X
Barford		X			Meadows		X
Barnett	?				Mears	?
Barradell		X			Miller	?
Bell	?				Mitchell		X
Bennett	?				Moonan		X
Bewick		X			Morgan		X
Brown	?				Morris		X
Cattell		X			Nemeth	?
Chapman		X			A Norman	?
Cobb	?				K Norman	?
Daniel		X			O’Quinn		X
Deane		X			Page		X
Druitt		X			Peltzer Dunn	?
Gibson		X			Penn		X
Gilbey		X			Phillips		X
Greenbaum		X			Robins		X
Hamilton		X			Simson	?
Hill		X			Sykes		X
Horan		X			Taylor	?
Hyde			A		C Theobald	?
Inkpin-Leissner		X			G Theobald	?
Janio	?				Wares	?
Knight		X			Wealls	?
Lewry	?				West		X
Littman		X			Yates		X
						For	Against	Abstain
					Total	19	33	1

 

50.18      The motion was lost.

 

 

 

 

(b)             Christmas Parking and Roadworks Suspension

 

50.19      The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Janio and seconded by Councillor Miller.

 

50.20      Councillor Mitchell moved an amendment on behalf of the Labour & Co-operative Group which was seconded by Councillor Allen.

 

50.21      Councillor Janio stated that the motion sought to support local businesses and to improve the local economy during the Christmas period.  He hoped that it could be supported as it had in the past.

 

50.22      Councillor Mitchell stated that she was happy for a report to come to the Policy & Resources Committee but felt that it should also include the option to support ‘Small Business Saturday’ only.  She also noted non-essential roadworks had already been planned around the Christmas shopping period.

 

50.23      Councillor Allen stated that the proposed level of free parking would come at a cost and this had to be considered given the council’s financial position, hence the proposed amendment to support ‘Small Business Saturday’ only.  He could not support the potential loss of income which was needed to help to maintain services.

 

50.24      The Mayor congratulated Councillor Allen on his maiden speech on behalf of the Council.

 

50.25      Councillor Page stated that he could not support the motion as it would potentially lead to increase in the number of vehicles entering the city.  There was a need to give consideration to the level of air quality and risks to health from vehicle emissions.  He believed that there was a need for a parking review and to encourage people to use public transport or to cycle or walk rather than to drive.

 

50.26      Councillor West stated that a road permit scheme had been adopted which meant that a blanket ban for road closures could not be made, although officers would have indicated to the various utility companies the need to be mindful of the Christmas period when planning their work.  He could not support the proposed free parking as it would make shopping harder for people and businesses alike.  The parking charges supported the local economy and there was a need to be mindful of increased congestion and the effects on air quality.

 

50.27      Councillor Bewick stated that the Labour & Co-operative Group amendment sought to give the committee the opportunity to consider an alternative option to having free parking throughout the period in question.

 

50.28      Councillor Mears stated that there was a need to support small businesses over the Christmas period as well as the local economy and she believed it was the right thing to do.

 

50.29      Councillor Miller stated that there was a need to support small businesses as much as possible and the provision of free-parking as proposed would be welcomed by them and would result in a boost to the local economy.

 

50.30      Councillor Janio confirmed that he did not accept the amendment and hoped that the motion would be supported.

 

50.31      The Mayor noted that the Labour & Co-operative Group’s amendment had not been accepted and put it to the vote which was lost by 22 votes to 31 as detailed below:

 

	For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
Allen	?				Mac Cafferty		X
Atkinson	Absent				Marsh	?
Barford	?				Meadows	?
Barnett		X			Mears		X
Barradell	?				Miller		X
Bell		X			Mitchell	?
Bennett		X			Moonan	?
Bewick	?				Morgan	?
Brown		X			Morris	?
Cattell	?				Nemeth		X
Chapman	?				A Norman		X
Cobb		X			K Norman		X
Daniel	?				O’Quinn	?
Deane		X			Page		X
Druitt		X			Peltzer Dunn		X
Gibson		X			Penn	?
Gilbey	?				Phillips		X
Greenbaum		X			Robins	?
Hamilton	?				Simson		X
Hill	?				Sykes		X
Horan	?				Taylor		X
Hyde		X			C Theobald		X
Inkpin-Leissner	?				G Theobald		X
Janio		X			Wares		X
Knight		X			Wealls		X
Lewry		X			West		X
Littman		X			Yates	?
						For	Against	Abstain
					Total	22	31

 

50.32      The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

 

“This Council resolves to:

1.         Request that officers bring a report to the appropriate Committee which, if agreed, would introduce free parking at Norton Road, London Road, Regency Square, High Street and Trafalgar Street car parks on Small Business Saturday (5^th December) and the 3 Sundays before Christmas (6^th, 13^th and 20^th December).

2.         Request that the Acting Chief Executive seeks the suspension of all non-urgent roadworks in the city centre during December.”

 

50.33      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been lost by 20 votes to 33 as detailed below:

 

	For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
Allen		X			Mac Cafferty		X
Atkinson	Absent				Marsh		X
Barford		X			Meadows		X
Barnett	?				Mears	?
Barradell		X			Miller	?
Bell	?				Mitchell		X
Bennett	?				Moonan		X
Bewick		X			Morgan		X
Brown	?				Morris		X
Cattell		X			Nemeth	?
Chapman		X			A Norman	?
Cobb	?				K Norman	?
Daniel		X			O’Quinn		X
Deane		X			Page		X
Druitt		X			Peltzer Dunn	?
Gibson		X			Penn		X
Gilbey		X			Phillips		X
Greenbaum		X			Robins		X
Hamilton		X			Simson	?
Hill		X			Sykes		X
Horan		X			Taylor	?
Hyde	?				C Theobald	?
Inkpin-Leissner		X			G Theobald	?
Janio	?				Wares	?
Knight		X			Wealls	?
Lewry	?				West		X
Littman		X			Yates		X
						For	Against	Abstain
					Total	20	33

 

50.34      The motion was lost.

 

(c)             Future Council Funding

 

50.35      The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Morgan and seconded by Councillor Yates.

 

50.36      Councillor Wealls moved an amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group which was seconded by Councillor G. Theobald.

 

50.37      Councillor Sykes moved an amendment on behalf of the Green Group which was seconded by Councillor Druitt.

 

50.38      Councillor Morgan confirmed that he would not accept either amendment.

 

50.39      The Mayor noted that the Conservative Group’s amendment had not been accepted put it to the vote which was lost by 19 votes to 33 with 1 abstention as detailed below:

 

	For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
Allen		X			Mac Cafferty		X
Atkinson	Absent				Marsh		X
Barford		X			Meadows		X
Barnett	?				Mears	?
Barradell		X			Miller	?
Bell	?				Mitchell		X
Bennett	?				Moonan		X
Bewick		X			Morgan		X
Brown	?				Morris		X
Cattell		X			Nemeth	?
Chapman		X			A Norman	?
Cobb	?				K Norman	?
Daniel		X			O’Quinn		X
Deane		X			Page		X
Druitt		X			Peltzer Dunn	?
Gibson		X			Penn		X
Gilbey		X			Phillips		X
Greenbaum		X			Robins		X
Hamilton		X			Simson	?
Hill		X			Sykes		X
Horan		X			Taylor	?
Hyde			A		C Theobald	?
Inkpin-Leissner		X			G Theobald	?
Janio	?				Wares	?
Knight		X			Wealls	?
Lewry	?				West		X
Littman		X			Yates		X
						For	Against	Abstain
					Total	19	33	1

 

50.40      The Mayor also noted that the Green Group’s amendment had not been accepted and put it to the vote which was lost by 11 votes to 41 with 1 abstention as detailed below:

 

	For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
Allen		X			Mac Cafferty	?
Atkinson	Absent				Marsh		X
Barford		X			Meadows		X
Barnett		X			Mears		X
Barradell		X			Miller		X
Bell		X			Mitchell		X
Bennett		X			Moonan		X
Bewick		X			Morgan		X
Brown		X			Morris		X
Cattell		X			Nemeth		X
Chapman		X			A Norman		X
Cobb		X			K Norman		X
Daniel		X			O’Quinn		X
Deane	?				Page	?
Druitt	?				Peltzer Dunn		X
Gibson	?				Penn		X
Gilbey		X			Phillips	?
Greenbaum	?				Robins		X
Hamilton		X			Simson		X
Hill		X			Sykes	?
Horan		X			Taylor		X
Hyde			A		C Theobald		X
Inkpin-Leissner		X			G Theobald		X
Janio		X			Wares		X
Knight	?				Wealls		X
Lewry		X			West	?
Littman	?				Yates		X
						For	Against	Abstain
					Total	11	41	1

 

 

50.41      The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote

 

“This council notes the announcement by the Chancellor on 5^th October that the revenue grant for Brighton and Hove will be withdrawn altogether, and that in 2020 the council will be able to retain all of the business rates paid within the city.

This council notes the projected budget gap of £102 million by 2019, calculated from the projected fall in revenue grant and increase in service pressures, putting the continued delivery of essential services at risk.

This council requests the Acting Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in support of the representations being made by the Local Government Association, asking for clarity on the proposals and to bring forward the business rate changes before the removal of revenue grant funding.”

 

50.42      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried with 52 votes in favour and one abstention as detailed below:

 

	For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
Allen	?				Mac Cafferty	?
Atkinson	Absent				Marsh	?
Barford	?				Meadows	?
Barnett	?				Mears	?
Barradell	?				Miller	?
Bell	?				Mitchell	?
Bennett	?				Moonan	?
Bewick	?				Morgan	?
Brown	?				Morris	?
Cattell	?				Nemeth	?
Chapman	?				A Norman	?
Cobb	?				K Norman	?
Daniel	?				O’Quinn	?
Deane	?				Page	?
Druitt	?				Peltzer Dunn	?
Gibson	?				Penn	?
Gilbey	?				Phillips	?
Greenbaum	?				Robins	?
Hamilton	?				Simson	?
Hill	?				Sykes	?
Horan	?				Taylor	?
Hyde			A		C Theobald	?
Inkpin-Leissner	?				G Theobald	?
Janio	?				Wares	?
Knight	?				Wealls	?
Lewry	?				West	?
Littman	?				Yates	?
						For	Against	Abstain
					Total	52	0	1

 

50.43      The motion was carried.

 

(d)             Individual Electoral Registration (IER)

 

50.44      The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Barradell and seconded by Councillor Robins.

 

50.45      The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

 

“This Council notes the worrying fact that the numbers of people registering to vote in the city was reduced by 7% after Individual Electoral Registration (IER) was first introduced. This Council appreciates the work officers undertook prior to the general election in helping to bring voter numbers back up to pre IER levels.

 

This council is, though, deeply concerned that the government propose to end the transition period of registering voters to full IER in December.

 

This Council therefore calls upon the acting Chief Executive Officer to write to the Government to express concern about the withdrawing of the transition phase of IER and to express concern that the premise that next year’s boundary review will be held on could be seriously flawed. We also want to encourage officers and members to continue to do all they can to ensure that Brighton and Hove residents are not disenfranchised.”

 

50.46      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried by 33 votes to 19 with 1 abstention as detailed below

 

 

	For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
Allen	?				Mac Cafferty	?
Atkinson	Absent				Marsh	?
Barford	?				Meadows	?
Barnett		X			Mears		X
Barradell	?				Miller		X
Bell		X			Mitchell	?
Bennett		X			Moonan	?
Bewick	?				Morgan	?
Brown		X			Morris	?
Cattell	?				Nemeth		X
Chapman	?				A Norman		X
Cobb		X			K Norman		X
Daniel	?				O’Quinn	?
Deane	?				Page	?
Druitt	?				Peltzer Dunn		X
Gibson	?				Penn	?
Gilbey	?				Phillips	?
Greenbaum	?				Robins	?
Hamilton	?				Simson		X
Hill	?				Sykes	?
Horan	?				Taylor		X
Hyde			A		C Theobald		X
Inkpin-Leissner	?				G Theobald		X
Janio		X			Wares		X
Knight	?				Wealls		X
Lewry		X			West	?
Littman	?				Yates	?
						For	Against	Abstain
					Total	33	19	1

 

50.47      The motion was carried.

 

(e)             Divest for Paris

 

50.48      The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Greenbaum and seconded by Councillor Sykes.

 

50.49      Councillor Greenbaum stated that there was a need to recognise that action had to be taken now in order to ensure the planet’s future for the next generation.  She noted that scientific analysis suggested that a 2 degrees rise in the earth’s temperature was likely to result in climate change and that at present current emission levels were forecast to result in a 5 degrees rise.  The question was just how much of an impact that level of increase would have on the climate and therefore any action that could be taken to help to reduce that should be taken now.  She therefore hoped that councillors would support the motion.

 

50.50      The Mayor congratulated Councillor Greenbaum on her maiden speech on behalf of the Council.

 

50.51      Councillor Wealls stated that he appreciated the sentiments behind the motion but was not sure how they could be taken forward.  The Pension Board’s role was to support and scrutinise the work of the Pension Fund which would look at the acceptable risks in order to generate the best return on the investments.  He believed that having an investment in certain areas meant that there was an opportunity to engage with companies and seek to influence them which could lead to improvements and thereby reduce emissions etc.

 

50.52      Councillor Allen stated that he believed the pension fund was in a healthy position and that it would be better to await the outcome of the Paris conference before considering how to influence matters.

 

50.53      Councillor Littman stated that it was an important subject that should be considered by everyone as it affected the future of the world’s population.  He hoped that the motion could be supported and felt that it would be a travesty if it was not fully supported.

 

50.54      Councillor Sykes stated that he had previously served on the East Sussex Pension Panel and had suggested pulling out of investing in fossil fuels which if it had been taken up would have saved a significant amount.  He believed that action could be taken and could then enable change for the better.

 

50.55      Councillor Greenbaum noted the comments and stated that it was time to decide whether the council wanted to take action and noted that engaging with energy companies had not worked in the past.  She felt that there was a need to be ahead of the game and this was one way of taking the lead on such an important issue.

 

50.56      The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote

 

“This Council notes:

 

•        The upcoming Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, otherwise known as “Paris 2015”, starting on November 30th.

 

This Council requests:

 

1)        The Acting Chief Executive write to the Leader of East Sussex County Council requesting a position statement on the potential impact of stranded fossil fuel assets on the ESPF deficit, suggesting divestment as a way forward; and

 

2)        That the Council’s representative on the ESCC Pensions Board maintain a strong position against fossil fuel investment on the Pensions Board and that s/he report to Council annually on progress.”

 

 

50.57      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been lost by 11 votes to 23, with 19 abstentions as detailed below:

 

	For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
Allen			A		Mac Cafferty	?
Atkinson	Absent				Marsh			A
Barford			A		Meadows			A
Barnett		X			Mears		X
Barradell			A		Miller		X
Bell		X			Mitchell			A
Bennett		X			Moonan			A
Bewick			A		Morgan			A
Brown		X			Morris			A
Cattell			A		Nemeth		X
Chapman			A		A Norman		X
Cobb		X			K Norman		X
Daniel			A		O’Quinn			A
Deane	?				Page	?
Druitt	?				Peltzer Dunn		X
Gibson	?				Penn			A
Gilbey			A		Phillips	?
Greenbaum	?				Robins			A
Hamilton			A		Simson		X
Hill			A		Sykes	?
Horan			A		Taylor		X
Hyde			A		C Theobald		X
Inkpin-Leissner			A		G Theobald		X
Janio		X			Wares		X
Knight	?				Wealls		X
Lewry		X			West	?
Littman	?				Yates			A
						For	Against	Abstain
					Total	11	19	23

 

 

(f)              Syrian Refugee Crisis

 

50.58      The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Littman and seconded by Councillor Mac Cafferty.

 

50.59      The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

 

“This council notes:

 

·                the ongoing and worsening Syrian refugee crisis, consisting of innocent people forced to flee their homes through the threat of war;

 

·                Recent actions by our City to help these refugees; our status as a City of Sanctuary; and the recent offers by many local residents to take concrete action to welcome the Syrian refugees.

 

·                The Government’s welcome plans to expand the existing Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme, resettling 20,000 Syrians in the next 5 years with one year’s government funding for councils.

 

              This Council resolves to:

 

·                Call on national government for a further increase in the number of refugees the UK is prepared to take, with proportionate and increased funding to facilitate this;

 

·                Request a review of the practical support that can be offered locally by bringing together the private sector, voluntary and community sector and residents in partnership;

 

·                Call on appropriate partners, including Sanctuary-on-Sea, to establish and co-ordinate a framework of support for refugees including: accommodation, education, employment, legal advice, health care and social support;

 

·                Request that a report is brought to the Policy & Resources Committee detailing how, with partners, adequate resources can be collectively allocated to help refugees as necessary; and

 

Request the Acting Chief Executive to write to ministers for further financial and practical help so that the city can accommodate refugees for longer than one year where necessary.”

 

50.60      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried by 34 votes to 19 as detailed below:

 

 

	For	Against	Abstain			For	Against	Abstain
Allen	?				Mac Cafferty	?
Atkinson	Absent				Marsh	?
Barford	?				Meadows	?
Barnett		X			Mears		X
Barradell	?				Miller		X
Bell		X			Mitchell	?
Bennett		X			Moonan	?
Bewick	?				Morgan	?
Brown		X			Morris	?
Cattell	?				Nemeth		X
Chapman	?				A Norman		X
Cobb		X			K Norman		X
Daniel	?				O’Quinn	?
Deane	?				Page	?
Druitt	?				Peltzer Dunn		X
Gibson	?				Penn	?
Gilbey	?				Phillips	?
Greenbaum	?				Robins	?
Hamilton	?				Simson		X
Hill	?				Sykes	?
Horan	?				Taylor		X
Hyde	?				C Theobald		X
Inkpin-Leissner	?				G Theobald		X
Janio		X			Wares		X
Knight	?				Wealls		X
Lewry		X			West	?
Littman	?				Yates	?
						For	Against	Abstain
					Total	34	19	-

 

50.61      The motion was carried.