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

(1)      Impact of Climate Change Emergency.  Joint motion proposed by Councillor Hugh-Jones on behalf of the Green and Labour Groups.

 

(2)      Child Refugees.  Joint motion proposed by Councillor Littman on behalf of the Green and Labour Groups.

 

(3)      Madeira Terraces.  Proposed by Councillor Mears on behalf of the Conservative Group.

 

(4)      Mary Clarke Statue.  Proposed by Councillor Janio, Independent Member.

 

(5)      Food Poverty.  Proposed by Councillor Hill on behalf of the Labour Group.

 

(6)      Fuel Poverty.  Joint motion proposed by Councillor Platts on behalf of the Labour and Green Groups.

 

 

 

(1)      IMPACT OF CLIMATE EMERGENCY

 

72.1         The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Hugh-Jones on behalf of the Green and Labour Groups. Councillor Hugh-Jones stated that there was a need to take action and to encourage the government to be open and transparent about addressing climate change and enabling local authorities to progress in meeting carbon neutral targets and implementing change such as energy efficient schemes and feed-in tariffs.

 

72.2         Councillor Henry formally seconded the motion and stated that tackling climate change had to be a priority, and everyone had to be encouraged to support the change. There was a clear need to build energy efficient homes and to encourage alternative ways of travel. He hoped that the motion could be supported.

 

72.3         Councillors Janio, Pissaridou, McNair, O’Quinn and West expressed their support for the motion and the intention to hold a Climate Assembly to consider how the city can address the issue.

 

72.4         Councillor Hugh-Jones welcomed the comments and stated that she hoped the Climate Assembly would put forward recommendations that could be considered and developed.

 

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

 

This Council requests that the Chief Executive write to the Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers and Robert Jenrick (MHCLG)] urging the Government to:

-           take a lead on preparing for and mitigating climate change nationally and internationally

-           strengthen building standards and introduce funding mechanisms to make existing and new housing stock fit for the future

-           put in place legislation and resources to allow local authorities committed to achieving zero carbon emissions ahead of the Government’s 2050 target to achieve their goals

-           measure UK emissions to include “offshore” emissions from imported goods, aviation and international shipping.

 

72.6         The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried unanimously.

 

72.7         The Mayor then adjourned the meeting for a refreshment break at 6.15pm.

 

72.8         The Mayor reconvened the meeting at 6.45pm.

 

 

(2)      CHILD REFUGEES

 

72.9         The Notice of Motion was taken as part of the discussion on Item 66 (3), public question and is detailed under that item.

 

(3)      MADEIRA TERRACE

 

72.1         The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Mears on behalf of the Conservative Group.  Councillor Mears noted various attempts had been made to raise the funds required to enable the restoration of the terraces but stated that time was running out and action needed to be taken before it was too late.  She believed that the council should look at its own assets and determine whether there was an opportunity to sell any and use the receipts to help fund the restoration of Madeira Terrace.  The council had a responsibility as the custodians to maintain and protect the city’s heritage.

 

72.2         Councillor Nemeth formally seconded the motion and stated that there was a need to review the assets held by the council, and to find a solution to enable the full restoration of Madeira Terrace.

 

72.3         Councillor Rainey moved an amendment on behalf of the Green Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Mac Cafferty.

 

72.4         Councillor Platts moved an amendment on behalf of the Labour Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Robins.

 

72.5         Councillors Janio, Fishleigh, Simson Bagaeen, Gibson, Peltzer Dunn, Hamilton, Littman and Yates spoke on the motion and the amendments and expressed their support for the restoration of Madeira Terrace and the need to ensure that the necessary funding could be secured to enable a restoration programme to be agreed.

 

72.6         Councillor Mears thanked everyone for their comments and the support for the aims of the motion.  She stated that she was happy to accept the amendment from the Green Group but not the amendment from the Labour Group.

 

72.7         The Mayor noted that the Green Group amendment had been accepted, but that the Labour Group amendment had not and therefore put the Labour amendment to the revised motion to the vote, which was carried.

 

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

This Council resolves to request the Policy & Resources Committee:

·      To call for a report to its meeting on the 19^th March 2020 fully detailing all options available to the Council to ensure the full restoration of Madeira Terraces.

·      For this report to make specific reference to the delivery of the three crowdfunded arches as well as exploration of proposals for the restoration of the remaining arches from external organisations.

·      For this report to also explore the viability of joint public and private investment for the Committee’s consideration.

72.9         The Mayor confirmed that the motion as amended had been carried unanimously.

 

(4)      MAry clarke statue

 

72.10      The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Janio as an Independent Member.  Councillor Janio noted that a local charity had been seeking support and funding to enable the provision of a statue to mark the work of Mary Clarke, who was one of the first suffragettes to die in seeking to gain the vote for women. The charity had sought to work with the council, but progress had been slow, and he hoped that approval of the motion would show the council’s support and enable the project to move forward.

 

72.11      Councillor Grimshaw formally seconded the motion and stated that she was pleased to be able to confirm the Labour Group’s support for the motion.  She hoped that officers would be able to work with the Charity to progress matters and enable the recognition of the contribution made by Mary Clarke to the cause to be made.

 

72.12      Councillors Deane and Robins spoke on the motion and expressed their support for the provision of a statue for Mary Clarke.

 

72.13      Councillor Janio thanked colleagues for their comments and the support for the aims of the motion, which he hoped would be approved.

 

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

 

This council is honoured to have granted £10,000 to the Mary Clarke Statue Appeal - to provide a bronze maquette (model) of the eventual statue - and recognises the historical importance of this memorial statue and its social and educational potential as a symbol of democracy, equality and women’s rights and should therefore continue to actively support and publicise this initiative. 

This council requests the Chair of the TECC Committee ensures that officers bring a report to the next meeting of the committee that details ways in which the council, working across its departments and in liaison with the Mary Clarke Statue Appeal, can promote public awareness and help raise the remaining £60,000 required to fund the statue. 

 

72.15      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried unanimously.

 

(5)      fOOD POVERYTY

 

72.16      The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was moved by Councillor Hill on behalf of the Labour Group. Councillor stated that food poverty was an issue that needed to be addressed. She noted that 1 in 5 people were not in a position to meet their basic needs and that the number of food banks in the city were increasing which had to be a concern. She hoped that the city could also build on its silver status and achieve gold status as a Sustainable Food City.

 

72.17      Councillor Evans formally seconded the motion and stated that it was not a new phenomenon and as one of the richest economies in the world not something that should endure. It had to be tackled and she hoped that all Members would support the motion.

 

72.18      Councillors Peltzer Dunn, Janio (who noted he would abstain from voting), Shanks, O’Quinn, Childs, Knight, Appich, Williams, Bagaeen and Yates spoke on the issue.

 

72.19      Councillor Hill welcomed the comments and encouraged everyone to look at the Food Partnerships website and stated that she hoped the situation in the city could be addressed.

 

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

 

This council asks the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make the following requests and points with regards to food poverty:

 

1)        This Council notes with urgent concern Trussell Trust research that shows three million children are at risk of hunger during the school holidays, with the rate of foodbank use in the UK;

2)        This Council notes that the government’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which apply international and domestic commitments to ending hunger by 2030;

3)        This Council highlights the positive work done locally through the Food Partnership, the delivery of the Council’s Food Strategy, our Community Composting Scheme, and Brighton & Hove becoming the UK’s first silver Sustainable Food City, and endeavours to achieves gold status;

4)        This Council welcomes the government’s commitment to delivering a white paper on food policy, and urges the establishment of a Green Paper that receives input from local authorities;

5)        This Council reiterates its commitment to food justice and calls upon the government to establish a ‘right to food’ when developing the National Food Strategy.

 

72.21      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried with one abstention.

 

(6)       FUEL POVERTY

 

72.22      The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Platts on behalf of the Labour and Green Groups.  Councillor Platts stated that the current council policy needed to be reviewed and noted that the issue cut across several services. She also noted that a number of councils and organisations had signed up to the coalition and hoped that council would agree to Brighton & Hove City Council joining.

 

72.23      Councillor Mac Cafferty formally seconded the motion and stated that people should not have to choose between heating their homes and providing food for their families.  The council and the city should be able to provide affordable heating and noted that Nottingham supplied 5,000 homes with low cost renewable energy.

 

72.24      Councillors Mears, Janio, O’Quinn, Brennan, Williams, Grimshaw, Shanks and Bagaeen spoke on the motion and supported the need for a review of the policy.

 

72.25      Councillor Platts welcomed the comments and stated that there was a need to highlight the issue of fuel poverty and to seek the government’s support to address the issue.

 

72.26      The Mayor put the following motion to the vote:

 

This council resolves to request the Policy & Resources Committee to call for a report to a future meeting of the committee detailing a strategy to alleviate fuel poverty in the City of Brighton & Hove by 2030 and that the report includes proposals on:

1)        Improving energy efficiency of Council / housing association housing stock;

2)        Better enforcement of existing regulations on energy efficiency and property standards;

3)        Publishing a statement of intent to access Energy Company Obligation funding via LA Flex;

4)        Continuing the ongoing work to switch council properties over to the Your Energy Sussex scheme that ensures new tenants have access to cheaper energy tariffs, and resolving to continue exchanging pre-payment meters with credited smart meters, and offering this option to tenants;

5)        Improving tenants’ rights;

6)        Providing information advice and guidance to those most in need;

7)        Becoming a member of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.

 

72.27      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried unanimously.