Agenda item
Motion(s) submitted on Notice
To consider any Motions for debate in accordance with Council Procedure Rule A9.
Minutes:
1) Notice Submitted on Motion – M65
The following motion submitted by Councillor Noordad Aziz was moved by Councillor Munsif Dad and seconded by Councillor Stewart Eaves under Council Procedure Rule A9:-
“That this Council resolves to write to Highways England and Transport for the North in relation to the consultation currently being undertaken in relation to the M65. We in Hyndburn have been at the forefront of making the case for the M65 to link into Yorkshire and the A1(M). We also attach in the letter the past motions related to the M65 to highlight the unanimity of support from within the council chambers for better infrastructure in the region. We in Hyndburn wholeheartedly support a complete link up from M65 to the A1(M) allowing East Lancashire to access regional economic centres, airport and ports more easily and efficiently.
Better road links and infrastructure from this area will promote economic and social mobility by allowing improving access and adding capacity on the Road network in the North especially East-West Connectivity. A number of examples are outlined below:
1. For Hyndburn both the nearest International Airports from Accrington, Manchester International Airport and Leeds Bradford International Airport are almost equidistant but the average commute time is almost 66% greater for Leeds Bradford compared to Manchester. This restricts access for commuters in East Lancashire and leads to normally incurring a premium to use Manchester Airport. Leeds Bradford has plans to increase passenger numbers to 7 million from the current 4 million and that can only be achieved with better links from East Lancashire and the upgrade of the M65 to link into Yorkshire.
2. Access to more high skilled jobs from East Lancashire region. The number of high skilled jobs have eroded as the industry has declined in the area. The M65 link will allow access to large corporates as well as access to Leeds, the largest Financial Services Sector in the United Kingdom outside Canary Wharf worth an estimated £2.1bn. This will allow commutable time to be around 1hr. This improved accessibility will allow East Lancashire to attempt to stem the Brain Drain, where it loses its best and brightest to the economic centres due to limited career prospects in the region.
3. The M65 Link to Yorkshire will give access to new markets for businesses based in East Lancashire as well more efficient routes to the ports on the east coast. Road Freight from East Lancashire is limited to the congested M62 or country roads along the A59. Neither is fit for purpose and are operating at full capacity throughout the day. Companies in the area like Emerson & Renwick, Senator, Simon Jersey, Exertis and Wham to name a few based out of Lancashire would benefit significantly due better access improving East-West Connectivity. The new Frontier Park development in Hyndburn would have a multiplier effect with better connectivity of the M65.
4. Unlock potential and regenerate some of the most deprived areas in the United Kingdom. On the current M65 sit some of the most deprived communities in the UK. Better connectivity from the area of the M65 would attract inward investment into these areas thereby creating regeneration within these communities as well as the establishment of new industry using the strength and knowledge of the area in the Manufacturing sector.
To summarise, the opportunity for the M65 to link into Yorkshire to improve East-West Connectivity is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it can act as a driver to transform the whole of East Lancashire and positively drive economic development and social mobility.”
After a debate, the motion was put to the vote and declared carried.
Resolved (1) That this Council resolves to write to Highways England and Transport for the North in relation to the consultation currently being undertaken in relation to the M65, on the basis that Hyndburn has been at the forefront of making the case for the M65 to link into Yorkshire and the A1(M)
(2) That this Council also attaches to the letter the past motions relating to the M65 to highlight the unanimity of support from within the council chambers for better infrastructure in the region.
(3) That the letter should express the view that we in Hyndburn wholeheartedly support a complete link up from M65 to the A1(M) allowing East Lancashire to access regional economic centres, airport and ports more easily and efficiently.
2) Notice Submitted on Motion – Power Up The North
The following motion submitted by Councillor Noordad Aziz was moved by Councillor Munsif Dad and seconded, in the absence of Councillor Kate Walsh, by Councillor Loraine Cox under Council Procedure Rule A9:-
“That this Council recognises the campaign launched in June 2019 by media outlets across the North titled Power Up The North. The north-south divide is not new, but after nearly a decade of austerity and many more of London-centric control, it is time to acknowledge the disparity between the North and South especially when it comes to infrastructure investment as well as the ability and capacity to attract inward investment and the earning capacity.
We therefore resolve to add our support to the campaign as well as writing to the government asking for an end to austerity and a commitment to an investment programme in significant transport infrastructure, in education and up-skilling, and in renewal and regeneration to drive Hyndburn and the North forward.”
After a debate, the motion was put to the vote and declared carried.
Resolved (1) That this Council recognises the campaign launched in June 2019 by media outlets across the North titled Power Up The North and believes that it is time to acknowledge the disparity between the North and South, especially when it comes to infrastructure investment as well as the ability and capacity to attract inward investment and the earning capacity.
(2) This Council resolves to add its support to the campaign, as well as writing to the government asking for an end to austerity and a commitment to an investment programme in significant transport infrastructure, in education and up-skilling, and in renewal and regeneration to drive Hyndburn and the North forward.
3) Notice Submitted on Motion – Free TV Licences for the Over 75s
The following motion was moved by Councillor Glen Harrison and seconded by Councillor Steward Eaves under Council Procedure Rule A9:-
“This Council recognises that social isolation is a distinct possibility for many of those in Hyndburn who fall into the category of having their free TV licences removed.
For many Hyndburn Residents television is a means of interaction and contact with the wider world. If this free TV licence is to be removed, this could also have consequences on their ability to afford such an extra cost, with the amount the government intend to save with this endeavour being small, but the impact potentially being significant.
This Council proposes to write to the BBC and the Minister for Culture Media and Sports, calling for the Free TV licence for over 75s to remain.”
After a debate, the motion was put to the vote. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, six members present requested that a recorded vote be taken. The votes were recorded as follows:-
For the Motion:
Councillors Judith Addison, Josh Allen, Mohammad Ayub, Jean Battle, Sara Britcliffe, Stephen Button, Andrew Clegg, Loraine Cox, Paul Cox, Munsif Dad, Tony Dobson, Stewart Eaves, Diane Fielding, Melissa Fisher, Glen Harrison, June Harrison, Marlene Haworth, Stephanie Haworth, Abdul Khan, Chris Knight, Patrick McGinley, Michael Miller, Jenny Molineux, Tim O'Kane, Dave Parkins, Bernadette Parkinson, Miles Parkinson, Joyce Plummer, Kath Pratt, Jeff Scales and Paddy Short.
Against the Motion:
None
Abstentions:
None
The motion was therefore carried.
Resolved (1) This Council recognises that social isolation is a distinct possibility for many of those in Hyndburn who fall into the category of having their free TV licences removed, since for many Hyndburn Residents television is a means of interaction and contact with the wider world.
(2) This Council agrees to write to the BBC and the Minister for Culture Media and Sports, calling for the Free TV licence for over 75s to remain.
4) Notice Submitted on Motion – Integrated Home Service Improvement Contracts
The following motion was moved by Councillor Paul Cox and seconded by Councillor Steward Eaves under Council Procedure Rule A9:-
“This Council notes with great concern that Lancashire County Council have agreed to end the integrated home service improvement contracts in 2020.
We believe ending these will have a huge impact on Hyndburn residents who rely heavily on this service to live with independence, dignity and respect. We are also concerned that the majority of these users are in a financially weak position and this will only make this situation worse. Also the impact to the health service will far out way any short term saving cuts that are being made.
We resolve to write to both the Leader of Lancashire County Council, County Councillor Geoff Driver, and the Rt Hon Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and ask that both these Conservative administrations review these decisions and their impending effects on both the Health Service and Hyndburn residents.”
After a debate, the motion was put to the vote and declared carried.
Resolved (1) This Council notes with great concern that Lancashire County Council have agreed to end the integrated home service improvement contracts in 2020.
(2) This Council believes that ending these contracts will have a huge impact on Hyndburn residents who rely heavily on this service to live with independence, dignity and respect; that the majority of these users are in a financially weak position and this will only make this situation worse; and that the impact to the health service will far out way any short term saving cuts that are being made.
(3) This Council agrees to write to both the Leader of Lancashire County Council, County Councillor Geoff Driver and the Rt Hon Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and asks that both these Conservative administrations review these decisions and their impending effects on both the Health Service and Hyndburn residents.
5) Notice Submitted on Motion – Stanhill Road Motorway Bridge
The following motion was moved by Councillor Glen Harrison and seconded by Councillor Chris Knight under Council Procedure Rule A9:-
“This Council recognises that the state of mental health provision nationally is vastly underfunded which impacts on residents in Hyndburn.
The motorway bridge on Stanhill Road over the M65 motorway had two suicide attempts in four days. A multitude of incidents have occurred at that location since the bridge was first constructed, including youths throwing stones at oncoming traffic. Shockingly Highways England believe that the railings at this bridge meet the required safety standards.
This Council resolves to write to Highways England, recommending that works take place to raise the railings around this bridge which is yards from a children’s play area.”
After a debate, the motion was put to the vote and declared carried.
Resolved (1) This Council recognises that the state of mental health provision nationally is vastly underfunded which impacts on residents in Hyndburn.
(2) This Council notes that the motorway bridge on Stanhill Road over the M65 motorway had two suicide attempts in four days and that a multitude of incidents have occurred at that location since the bridge was first constructed, including youths throwing stones at oncoming traffic, however, Highways England believe that the railings at this bridge meet the required safety standards.
(3) This Council resolves to write to Highways England, recommending that works take place to raise the railings around this bridge which is yards from a children’s play area.
6) Notice Submitted on Motion - Use of Herbicides and Pesticides
The following motion was moved by Councillor Sara Britcliffe under Council Procedure Rule A9:-
“That the Council review their use of herbicides and pesticides now, including and in particular the use of Glyphosate, and speak with other local Councils about how they have been able to stop using such chemicals around their Boroughs and also, continue to follow in the footsteps of other boroughs in becoming a pesticide free town.”
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule A12(a), Councillor Britcliffe sought to alter the written motion as follows:-
After the words “...herbicides and pesticides…” delete the word “now,” and insert the words “and have it finished before next Spring” and after the words “…pesticide free town” insert the words “and look at planting of wildflower habitats on roundabouts, grass verges and disused land”.
The consent of the meeting was not given to the alteration. The original motion was then seconded by Councillor Josh Allen.
The following amendment was moved by Councillor Paul Cox and seconded by the Leader of the Council:-
· Delete the words “That the Council…” and substitute with “That Lancashire County Council…”;
· Delete the words “…now, including…”;
· Delete the words “the use of Glyphosate,…” and substitute “…the specification for Glyphosate on the highways and footpaths as stated within their Public Realm Agreement…”;
· Delete the words “…about how they have been able to stop…” and substitute “…across Lancashire to see if they have stopped…”; and
· Delete the “s” in “Boroughs” and the following words “…and also, continue to follow in the footsteps of other boroughs in becoming a pesticide free town”.
The Mayor was of the view that the above constituted a valid amendment.
Councillor Cox explained the reason for the proposed amendment which was because the pesticide used by Lancashire County Council on the highway comprised 92% of pesticide usage in the Borough, with only 8% of usage attributable to Hyndburn Borough Council.
After a debate, the amendment was put to the vote and declared carried, whereupon it became the substantive motion, as follows:-
“That Lancashire County Council review their use of herbicides and pesticides and in particular the specification for Glyphosate on the highways and footpaths as stated within their Public Realm Agreement and speak with other local Councils across Lancashire to see if they have stopped using such chemicals around their Borough.”
The substantive motion was put to the vote without further debate and declared carried.
Resolved - That this Council calls upon Lancashire County Council to review their use of herbicides and pesticides and in particular the specification for Glyphosate on the highways and footpaths as stated within their Public Realm Agreement and to speak with other local Councils across Lancashire to see if they have stopped using such chemicals around their Borough.
The Mayor reminded Members that the next meeting of the Council was not until 19th September 2019 and she wished all in attendance a pleasant summer and happy holiday for those going away.
Supporting documents:
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